cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TWO-PIECE EXTENDED PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CATHETERS WITH REMOTE EXIT-SITE LOCATIONS AND CONVENTIONAL ABDOMINAL CATHETERS

BackgroundAn alternative peritoneal catheter exit-site location is sometimes needed in patients with obesity, floppy skin folds, intestinal stomas, urinary and fecal incontinence, and chronic yeast...
A single residue contributes sensitivity to allosteric modulation of AMPA receptors by LY395153

Previous studies have shown that a single point mutation (S(750)Q) in the splice variant region of rat Glu(1) subunits can eliminate positive allosteric modulation by cyclothiazide. The present study investigated the effects of mutating the equivalent residue (S(776)Q) in the human Glu(4) subunit on the activity and binding of a novel AMPA receptor potentiator, LY395153 (N-2-(4-benzamidophenylpropyl-2-propanesulfonamide)). The mutation markedly attenuated, but did not eliminate, potentiation by LY395153 and cyclothiazide. In addition, binding of [3H]LY395153 was significantly reduced by this mutation. These effects occurred in the absence of any change in the response to glutamate or the binding of a competitive AMPA receptor antagonist, [3H]Ro 48-8587 ([2,4,5-3H]9-imidazol-1-yl-8-nitro-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro[1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-c]quinazoline-2,5-dione triethylammonium salt). Collectively, these results demonstrate that structurally diverse classes of potentiators are sensitive to mutations of this single Ser residue, suggesting that binding to this residue may be necessary for positive allosteric modulation of AMPA receptors.
High-intensity light propagation and induced natural laminar flow

The objective of this paper is to describe approximately the coupled steady-state processes of light propagation and induced laminar incompressible fluid flow in the case of natural convection.For the case of a homogeneous fluid and under the assumptions that light energy is instantaneously transformed into heat and that the induced velocities are not too large, it is reasonable to use the boundary-layer equations to describe the induced natural flow. These equations are augmented by the conservation of energy equation. The velocity, temperature and intensity functions are expected to exhibit similarity properties.A high-intensity light beam with a given rotationally symmetric Gaussian initial intensity distribution is propagating vertically upwards into a fluid initially at rest. The fluid characteristics are assumed to be constant. A stream function is introduced to satisfy the conservation of mass equation. The conservation of momentum equation leads to conditions on the unknown functions involved in the stream function. Additional conditions follow from the conservation of energy equation, which involves the local light intensity as a driving term.Under the assumptions made, self-defocusing (thermal blooming) will occur. The main results are an exponential increase of the boundary-layer thickness and an exponential decrease of temperature and of light intensity due to the blooming effect in addition to the exponential decrease due to absorption.
Silent sorrow: Grief and the loss of significant others

Abstract Studies of grief and bereavement have long recognized that relationship and attachment to the deceased is a critical determinant of the intensity of grief. Yet most studies only examine the impact of death on the immediate family or close kin. There is often an implicit assumption that such close relationships only exist among spouses or other members of the immediate family. This paper considers the impact of grief on nontraditional relationships. These include extramarital affairs, cohabitation, and homosexual relationships. Utilizing existing literature and case studies, the paper discusses the ways in which the tasks of bereavement can be complicated in nontraditional relationships. While grief may be intensified, resources for resolving grief are often limited. It may not be possible to utilize formal and informal support systems effectively. Religion and rituals may constrain, rather than facilitate, grief work. The paper describes five dimensions that bear upon the resolution of grief in n...
The effects of parents' college savings on college expectations and Hispanic youth's four-year college attendance

Abstract This study examines the influence of parents' college savings for their child on Hispanic youth's four-year college attendance. Using hierarchical generalized linear modeling (HGLM), we analyze a sample of 2750 Hispanic youth from the Education Longitudinal Survey (ELS: 2002/2006). Findings suggest that parents' college savings are significantly associated with Hispanic youth's four year college attendance. However, once parents' college expectations are added to the model, the significant effect of college savings disappears. Mediating tests show that parents' college expectations and youth's college expectations mediate the relationship between parents' college savings and Hispanic youth's attendance at a four-year college.
Process window metrology

This paper is the third of a series that defines a new approach to in-line lithography control. The first paper described the use of optically measurable line-shortening targets to enhance signal-to-noise and reduce measurement time. The second described the dual-tone optical critical dimension (OCD) measurement and analysis necessary to distinguish dose and defocus. Here we describe the marriage of dual-tone OCD to SEM-CD metrology that comprises what we call 'process window metrology' (PWM), the means to locate each measured site in dose and focus space relative to the allowed process window. PWM provides in-line process tracking and control essential to the successful implementation of low-k lithography.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Individual Differences in the Extent and Development of Aggressive Cognitive-Associative Networks

This article extends Berkowitz's cognitive neoassociationist aggression model by considering the role of personality variables. Experiment 1 tested the hypothesis that high-trait-aggressive individuals have more developed aggressive cognitive-associative networks than low-trait-aggressive individuals. Participants provided similarity ratings of word pairs; some words were aggressive (e.g., fight), and some were ambiguous with respect to aggression (e.g., alley). Associations among aggressive words, and associations between aggressive and ambiguous words, were stronger for high-trait-aggressive individuals. In Experiment 2, participants rated the stimulus words used in Experiment 1. Individuals afraid of becoming the victims of aggression rated the stimulus words as both aggressive and frightening, whereas individuals likely to be the perpetrators of aggression rated the words as aggressive but not frightening.
Foamy virus serotypes 1 and 2 in rhesus monkey tissues.

The isolation and serologic identification by cross neutralization tests showed the presence of simian foamy virus serotypes 1 and 2 in primary rhesus monkey brain, spleen, and kidney cell cultures. The frequency of isolation of foamy viruses from brain and spleen cell cultures was 86% and from kidney cell cultures it was 36%. In primary spleen cell cultures 50% of the foamy virus isolates were type 2. Of the 14 animals from which foamy virus was isolated, only 4 demonstrated serum neutralizing antibody to the homologous serotype. The cytopathology of foamy viruses in the primary cell cultures is described.
Increased Dairy Intake May Be Associated with Lower Prevalence of Periodontal Disease

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Increased Intake of Dairy Products Is Related to Lower Periodontitis Prevalence. Al-Zahrani MS. J Periodontol 2006;77(2):289-94. Level of Evidence 3 Purpose/Question This is a cross-sectional study to evaluate if dairy intake is associated with periodontal disease prevalence. Source of Funding NHANES III was funded by the US Government. No information is available regarding the funding of this specific analysis. Type of Study/Design Cross-sectional Study.
P4.033 Examining Depressive Symptoms and Substance Use in High Risk Mexican American and African American Adolescent Women

Background Evaluate depressive symptoms and substance use among high risk Mexican (MA) and African (AA)-American adolescent women and identify factors associated with substance use to inform development of community-based interventions for high risk adolescents. Methods AA (n = 94, 16.8%) and MA (n = 465, 83.2%) women (14–18 years) with histories of sexually transmitted infection (STI) or violence and high risk sexual behaviour were recruited from metropolitan public-health clinics. Participants completed semi-structured interviews including assessments for violence, sexual risk behaviour, personal, family, peer, and partner substance use, depressive symptoms, and psychological stressors. Results Most participants (82%) reported elevated depressive symptoms (Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale > 16) which were significantly associated with history of STI (p = 0.049). MA adolescents were more likely than AA adolescents to report high levels of psychological stressors (t = –2.38, p = 0.018), cigarette (74% vs. 52%, p Conclusions Findings suggest interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of STI should include comprehensive protocols that address depressive symptoms and substance use, particularly with MA adolescents. The role of partner substance use is also a potential target for intervention.
Hermite and Laguerre 2D polynomials

Abstract We define Hermite 2D polynomials Hm,n(U;x,y) and Laguerre 2D polynomials L m,n (U;z, z ) as functions of two variables with an arbitrary 2D matrix U as parameter and discuss their properties and their explicit representation. Recursion relations and generating functions for these polynomials are derived. The advantage of the introduced Hermite and Laguerre 2D polynomials in comparison to the related usual two-variable Hermite polynomials is that they satisfy orthogonality relations in a direct way, whereas for the purpose of orthonormalization of the last, one has to introduce two different kinds of such polynomials which are biorthogonal to each other.
Modelling of storage properties of higher level languages

The role of storage in the characterization of higher level programming languages is discussed. Assignment, in particular, has significantly different meaning in different languages, which can hardly be understood without reference to an underlying model of storage. A general storage model is sketched which can be specialized to a model of ALGOL 68 or of PL/I storage. The same model is used to discuss language features allowing highly flexible data structures.
A physiologic comparison of nasal and oral positive airway pressure.

Study objectives The effectiveness of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is based on raising the intramural pressure above a critical collapsing pressure of the oropharyngeal airway. It is currently unclear whether CPAP delivered orally is also capable of raising pressure in the oropharynx above the critical collapse pressure. Design We tested a novel oral CPAP device to determine whether the pressure-flow relationships are similar to nasal CPAP and whether the device alters these relationships. Patients were selected based on having moderately severe apnea and were randomized to nasal CPAP, nasal CPAP with oral device, or oral CPAP. Setting Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Baltimore, MD. Patients Five men and two women with OSA were studied. Interventions Individual pressure-flow curves were constructed during the application of nasal or oral CPAP. Results We found the following: (1) a similar effective pressure eliminated inspiratory flow limitation for the nasal or oral CPAP; (2) as pressure in the nose or mouth was lowered below the effective pressure, a linear pressure-flow curve was obtained and a critical closing pressure was described; (3) similar mean (± SD) critical pressures of −0.3 ± 5.3, 1.7 ± 4.0, and 0.5 ± 2.8 cm H 2 O, respectively, occurred for nasal CPAP, nasal CPAP with the oral device in place, and oral CPAP conditions (p > 0.1); and (4) the comparable mean values for upstream resistance were 27.8 ± 19, 19.1 ± 8.3, and 26.5 ± 26.7 cm H 2 O/L/s, respectively, for the above three conditions (p > 0.1). Conclusions We concluded that comparable upper airway pressure-flow relationships were obtained during oral and nasal breathing. Moreover, effective treatment pressure is obtained when constant pressure is applied through either the nasal or oral route.
Determinants of information-seeking behavior

Abstract Two studies examined situational determinants of choice among anagram tests that varied both in difficulty and in diagnosticity (the information they provided about one's own ability). In both studies, subjects worked on a preliminary anagram test before making their choices. Study 1 manipulated level of performance on the preliminary test. Results showed that high performance led to preferring more difficult and more diagnostic tests. In Study 2, subjects were either paid or not paid for their performance on the preliminary test. Results showed that pay led to a preference for more diagnostic tests. Unexpectedly, results of both studies showed that although difficulty and diagnosticity were defined independently of one another, they were not perceived as such. Thus, high diagnostic tests were perceived as more difficult; more difficult tests were perceived as more diagnostic; and the difference between high and low diagnostic tests in perceived diagnosticity and choice of items (high diagnostic tests had higher scores on both measures) were more pronounced among more difficult tests. Motivational as well as cognitive interpretations of the results were discussed.
Repair of vaginal vault prolapse by suspension of the vagina to iliococcygeus (prespinous) fascia

Abstract OBJECTIVES: We reviewed our experience with the use of iliococcygeus fascia for repair of vaginal vault prolapse. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review identified 110 patients who had repair of vaginal vault prolapse by suspension of the vagina to iliococcygeus fascia from March 1981 to April 1991. All patients were followed for a minimum of 3 years. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (33.6%) patients had uterine prolapse with enterocele. Posthysterectomy enterocele was present in 73 (66.4%) patients. All had a complex pelvic floor defect including cystocele or rectocele. Mean age was 54.5 ± 14.6 years and mean parity was 4.1 ± 3.2 births. Forty-two (38%) were grand multiparous patients. Five were nulliparous. Length of the procedure was 163.2 ± 11.4 minutes. Estimated blood loss was 358.2 ± 253.6 ml. Postoperative urinary catheterization was required for 6.1 ± 4.1 days. Duration of hospital stay was 5.5 ± 2.0 days. Three patients had hemorrhage > 750 ml and two required transfusion. One bowel injury and one bladder injury occurred. Forty-one patients had postoperative complications. The patients have been followed up for a minimum of 3 years, and four have had recurrent defects. All recurrent defects involved the anterior vaginal wall. CONCLUSIONS: Suspension of the vagina to the iliocoocygeus fascia for repair of vaginal vault prolapse provides excellent long-term results. Critical to the success of vaginal vault suspension are adequate dissection and repair of all fascial defects. Adequate repair of the perineal body also plays a pivotal role. The anterior vaginal wall remains susceptible to recurrence.
Blink rate in childhood schizophrenia spectrum disorder

Abstract Spontaneous blink rate, a putative measure of dopamine function, was measured in shcizophrenic, schizotypal, and normal children, aged 5.6–13.2 years during three different cognitive tasks. Unlike that of schizophrenic adults, the blink rate of the schizophrenic children who were not on neuroleptics was significantly lower than that of the normal children. There were no statistically significant differences, however, in the blink rates of the neuroleptic-treated schizophrenic children and the normal children. The schizophrenic and schizotypal children had similar spontaneous blink rates. Within each diagnostic group, the blink rate was lowest for listening, intermediate for conversation, and highest for verbal recall. These findings highlight the need to examine the relationship between age, blink rate, and dopamine function in childhood-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorder.
Adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurements of trace niobium levels following chelation with cupferron

Trace levels of niobium can be determined by adsorptive stripping voltammetry, with controlled interfacial accumulation of the niobium/cupferron complex onto the hanging mercury drop electrode. Optimal conditions (5 times; 10−6 M cupferron in acetate buffer (pH 4.0), a preconcentration potential of −0.2 V, and differential pulse stripping) allow convenient quantitation of μg/L (ppb) concentrations. The detection limit is 83 ppt (10 minute preconcentration); the response is linear over the 0–20 ppb range: and the relative standard deviation (at the 5 ppb level) is 2.0%. Most cations do not interfere in the determination of niobium. Complexation with cupferron also allows analogous trace measurements of vanadium.
Image reversal at nm-scales

Interferometric lithography (IL) techniques provide low-cost, large area nanoscale resolution. It is difficult to control positive resist process with narrow spaces (large line:space ratios) because of the large slope of the swing curve just as the resist clears. The sidewalls are inherently sloped with significant standing wave related distortions. Also, at nm-scales, resist pattern collapse becomes a serious limiting issue. We report on investigations of image reversal using positive photoresist AZ5206E. This photoresist is designed for reversal with a simple heating step followed by a blanket UV exposure. One-dimensional photoresist gratings were investigated with CDs varying from ∼ 100-250 nm. The image reversal process significantly reduced standing wave effects, eliminated the collapse issue, and provided under-cut profiles suitable for lift-off. At periods <300 nm, high aspect ratios with this photoresist could not be achieved probably due to a lack of resolution. Image reversal was also demonstrated in multiple exposure processes leading to sharp, square corners. Finally, the developed photoresist profiles with the image reversal process were found to be in good agreement with the Prolith TM modeling.
XML-based category-adaptive WWW data organization

ABSTRACT                                             ! " #      $%   # &     #    '     (    )      *#              ) #     + ,       # #   )     (  (    Keywords:              )      1. INTRODUCTION -         # .  #          -    #   +        /$01$     $            # #                                   ' 2       , #     #  #   3    *       4    (     '   # i.e.                    2    #  (  #  (   #  (         #   ( #             +           '    #     )   5+ #   6     (        #          '                    3 +    # 7&89     :  2# + $    :2$ '      
Does economic reform improve US–China relations?

Abstract If economic reform continues, and generates sustained economic growth in China, will US-China relations be improved or impeded? Using two polar scenarios, international relations theory, and the recent history of the political relationship between these two countries, this paper argues that no reasonable observer can feel optimistic about future relations. The paper offers a set of policy proposals.
Utilizing building-level demand response in frequency regulation of actual microgrids

This paper presents a methods of utilizing building-level demand response in microgrid frequency regulation. Based on an in-depth study of building loads, a bi-level framework of building demand response control is presented to determine the controllability and demand response participation timescale of different loads. Based on this framework, the internal control scheme of buildings is presented in analogy to negative generators. The contribution of building-level demand response to microgrid frequency regulation is discussed in details. The large power loss on transmission lines in microgrids is considered, and the heterogeneity among buildings in their contribution to system frequency deviation is discussed. A test case is studied to prove the efficacy of building-level demand response in microgrid frequency regulation, and the advantage of building-level demand response over single-load demand response.
Single Event Effects in Carbon Nanotube-Based Field Effect Transistors Under Energetic Particle Radiation

We present results from proton radiation experiments with carbon nanotube field effect transistors. Single event effects were observed consisting of drops in current, with very long durations (100 s of ms), and sudden, discrete switching events between quantized current levels. These studies are important for the development and understanding of advanced nano-electronic devices operating in the space radiation environment.
Imaging Early Steps of Sindbis Virus Infection by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

Sindbis virus (SINV) is an alphavirus that has a broad host range and has been widely used as a vector for recombinant gene transduction, DNA-based vaccine production, and oncolytic cancer therapy. The mechanism of SINV entry into host cells has yet to be fully understood. In this paper, we used single virus tracking under total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) to investigate SINV attachment to cell surface. Biotinylated viral particles were labeled with quantum dots, which retained viral viability and infectivity. By time-lapse imaging, we showed that the SINV exhibited a heterogeneous dynamics on the surface of the host cells. Analysis of SINV motility demonstrated a two-step attachment reaction. Moreover, dual color TIRFM of GFP-Rab5 and SINV suggested that the virus was targeted to the early endosomes after endocytosis. These findings demonstrate the utility of quantum dot labeling in studying the early steps and behavior of SINV infection.
Phosphates – Geochemical, Geobiological and Materials Importance.Edited by Matthew J. Kohn, John Rakovan and John M. Hughes. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, Vol. 48 (2002). Mineralogical Society of America, 1015 Eighteenth Street, Washington, D.C. 20036, U.S.A. US $40, $30 to MSA, GS, CMS members (ISBN 0–939950–60–X).

The phosphate minerals apatite, monazite and xenotime are easily recognizable phases found in an extraordinarily wide range of geological environments. They have become important source-materials for geochemical investigations. Trace or accessory minerals in high-temperature igneous, and metamorphic
Social Behaviour of the Parthenogenetic Indo-Pacific Gecko, Hemidactylus garnotii

Vocal and visual displays, territorial contests and spacing of individual geckos were studied in captivity. The geckos had only one vocalization, emitted in attack, tail wave and tail rattle. They were spaced but with no territoriality and exhibited no social hierarchy. Contests between individuals were uncorrelated asymmetric, the approached individual always attacked and won. Zusammenfassung Bei gefangen gehaltenen parthenogenetischen Hausgeckos Hemidactylus garnotii wurden drei verschiedene agonistische Signale festgestellt; ein lautes Quieken wahrend des Angriffes, ein Wedeln des Schwanzes bei Annaherung und ein Schutteln des Schwanzes vor dem Angriff. Alle Geckos interagierten miteinander ohne eine Rangordnung. Die Geckos verteilten sich auf Vorzugsplatze, aber nicht dauerhaft. Ein sich nahernder Gecko wurde immer durch den angegriffen, dem er sich naherte, und verlor dabei stets, wie bei einer nichtkorrelierten Asymmetrie.
Messenger RNA regulation: to translate or to degrade.

Quality control of gene expression operates post-transcriptionally at various levels in eukaryotes. Once transcribed, mRNAs associate with a host of proteins throughout their lifetime. These mRNA–protein complexes (mRNPs) undergo a series of remodeling events that are influenced by and/or influence the translation and mRNA decay machinery. In this review we discuss how a decision to translate or to degrade a cytoplasmic mRNA is reached. Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) and microRNA (miRNA)-mediated mRNA silencing are provided as examples. NMD is a surveillance mechanism that detects and eliminates aberrant mRNAs whose expression would result in truncated proteins that are often deleterious to the organism. miRNA-mediated mRNA silencing is a mechanism that ensures a given protein is expressed at a proper level to permit normal cellular function. While NMD and miRNA-mediated mRNA silencing use different decision-making processes to determine the fate of their targets, both are greatly influenced by mRNP dynamics. In addition, both are linked to RNA processing bodies. Possible modes involving 3′ untranslated region and its associated factors, which appear to play key roles in both processes, are discussed.
Sexual function after male radical cystectomy in a sexually active population

Objectives. To assess sexual dysfunction in sexually active men after radical cystectomy (RC) and to determine whether sildenafil citrate can improve erectile dysfunction after surgery. Methods. The baseline and follow-up data from 49 sexually active male patients (mean age 57.8 9.1 years) undergoing RC (1995 to 2002) were obtained. Of the 49 patients, 16 (33%) had undergone nerve-sparing RC; 38 (78%) had undergone orthotopic diversion; 8 (16%) had undergone ileal conduit diversion; and 3 (6%) had undergone cutaneous continent diversion. The data were assessed using the abridged 5-item International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire, referred to as the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM). Results. At a mean follow-up of 47.6 22.7 months, the total mean SHIM score decreased from 22.08 3.96 to 4.33 5.72 after RC (P 0.05). Of the 49 patients, 42 (86%) did not have erections sufficient for vaginal penetration. Of these 42 patients, 22 (52%) tried sildenafil citrate. Of these 22 patients, only 2 (9%) responded positively, with a total mean SHIM score of 23.50 2.12. Although the mean SHIM score after orthotopic substitution (5.24 6.21) was statistically significant compared with that after ileal conduit (1.13 0.33) and cutaneous continent (1.33 0.58) diversions, this was not clinically significant. Conclusions. Male erectile dysfunction after RC is a prevalent problem. In our series, only 9 (14%) of 49 sexually active men were potent after surgery. Of these 9 potent patients, 8 (89%) had undergone nerve-sparing RC. Of concern, only 52% of the patients with erectile dysfunction sought treatment after RC. UROLOGY 64: 682‐686, 2004. © 2004 Elsevier Inc.
The role of central venous oximetry, lactic acid concentration and shock index in the evaluation of clinical shock: a review

Initial therapy of shock in the emergency department emphasizes the normalization of hemodynamic variables e.g. heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP) rather than optimization of systemic and regional oxygenation. Central venous oximetry (ScvO2), arterial lactic acid concentrations (Lact) and the shock index (SI) were examined during initial hemodynamic stabilization of clinical shock in the emergency room. Although initial therapy normalized MAP, CVP and HR; ScvO2, Lact and SI continued to be abnormal indicating inadequate systemic oxygenation and left ventricular (LV) performance. Measurement of ScvO2, Lact and SI may provide valuable additional information on the adequacy of systemic oxygenation and LV function during initial therapy of shock. This may identify patients who require further monitoring and intervention to optimize systemic oxygen transport and cardiac performance and reduce their morbidity and mortality.
Titin Isoforms in Heart Failure Are There Benefits to Supersizing

Titin is a giant sarcomeric protein that functions as a complex, molecular spring. Its presence in the sarcomere of striated muscle was recognized in the 1980s,1 but its functions have been appreciated only over the past decade, in considerable measure because of the efforts of Granzier, Labeit, Linke, and coworkers.2–4 Earlier work by these investigators and others4 delineated the spring properties of titin and its role as the prime source of passive tension in the cardiomyocyte and, along with collagen, in myocardium. Titin also interacts and/or binds with a host of other proteins,4 including actin, a number of Z-disc proteins,5 obscurin,6 muscle LIM protein,4 and the group of muscle ankyrin repeat proteins.4,7 These interactions suggest additional functions, and recent evidence indicates that titin directly modifies sarcomere shortening and has intriguing and potentially diverse roles in mechanical sensing and signaling pathways.4 See p 155 Titin is encoded by a single gene containing 363 exons.8 Differential splicing results in two major isoforms, the shorter and stiffer N2B and the longer, more compliant N2BA.4,8 N2BA titin has numerous fetal-neonatal variants, but most variation is lost in adult life. Titin is positioned within the sarcomere such that its N-terminal segments are anchored in the Z disc and its C-terminal segments are bound to the thick filament in the M-line region (see Figure 1 in Granzier and Labeit4). The N-terminal segment penetrating the Z-disc is capped by telethonin (T-cap), a protein that may have a role in mechanical signaling and maintenance of important structural relationships4,8—for example, with the T-tubule system and sarcoplasmic reticulum. Adjacent to the Z disc is a nonextensible segment followed by titin’s complex, extensible I-band sequences consisting of tandem immunoglobulin (Ig)- and PEVK-rich segments, and the N2B sequence …
Tubulovascular Nitric Oxide Crosstalk: Buffering of Angiotensin II–Induced Medullary Vasoconstriction

Studies were designed to determine the source of NO responsible for buffering of the angiotensin II (Ang II)-mediated decrease of blood flow in the renal medulla. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and NO production ([NO]i) of pericytes and endothelium of the vasa recta were independently measured with the use of fura 2-AM and 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2DA), respectively, in microtissue strips of the vascular bundles of the outer medullary vasa recta. Disruption of the endothelium of the vasa recta by perfusion with latex microspheres enabled imaging of the pericytes. Ang II (1 micromol/L) produced an increase of [NO]i of 19+/-6 U in pericytes of the vasa recta when the vessels were adjacent to medullary thick ascending limbs (mTALs). Pericytes of isolated vasa recta without surrounding mTALs showed a rapid peak increase in [Ca2+]i of 248+/-107 nmol/L, with a sustained elevation of 107+/-75 nmol/L, but did not show an increase in [NO]i to either Ang II (1 micromol/L) or the Ca2+ ionophore 4-bromo-A23187 (5 micromol/L). These observations indicated the lack of Ang II and Ca2+-sensitive NO production in pericytes of the vasa recta. In isolated vasa recta with intact endothelium, Ang II reduced [Ca2+]i from 128+/-28 to 62+/-13 nmol/L and failed to increase [NO]i. However, the Ca2+ ionophore did increase [NO]i in the endothelium (47+/-8 U), indicating the presence of Ca2+-sensitive NO production. Significant increases of [NO]i were observed in single isolated mTALs in response to both Ang II (33+/-6 U) and the Ca2+ ionophore (51+/-18 U). We conclude that Ang II increases [Ca2+]i in pericytes of the descending vasa recta as part of its constrictor action and that this vasoconstriction is buffered by the NO from the surrounding tubular elements, such as mTALs.
Pushing the envelope: Looking beyond the variable context

However the variable context is defined, it is standard variationist practice to exclude tokens outside this context from further quantitative analyses. The role of occurrences of forms in contexts that lie outside the shared space of grammaticizing constructions in variation, ranging from highly infrequent occurrences to vast and diverse territories, has yet to be adequately explored. Spanish Synthetic Future (SF) in epistemic contexts does not overlap functionally with Spanish Periphrastic Future (PF). Four Goldvarb analyses of SF-PF variation since 1600, alongside quantitative analysis of epistemic SF, reveal an intimate relationship. Beyond a parallel rise in frequency of PF and epistemic SF, a connection between epistemic SF patterns and SF-PF variation is found in shifts in relative magnitudes of effect. It is argued that quantitative analysis of frequently occurring contexts that fall outside the envelope of variation may provide valuable explanatory insight regarding diachronic shifts within the variable context.
Political Modernization and Political Culture in Japan

The term “political modernization” is of late encountered with increasing frequency in the literature of political science. Its antecedents are somewhat diffuse. In the most general sense, it seems to represent a specialized adaptation of scholars' long-standing concern with the question of whether the process of social change is determinate or variable, random or patterned, continuous or episodic, cyclic or evolutionary. Within this tradition “political modernization” is a concept opposed in tendency to the relativistic character of much modern scholarship in the field of politics. It would seem to be oriented more in the direction of a patterned and evolutionary—although not necessarily determinate or value-laden—interpretation of social change.
Reducing confounding bias in predicate-level statistical debugging metrics

Statistical debuggers use data collected during test case execution to automatically identify the location of faults within software. Recent work has applied causal inference to eliminate or reduce control and data flow dependence confounding bias in statement-level statistical debuggers. The result is improved effectiveness. This is encouraging but motivates two novel questions: (1) how can causal inference be applied in predicate-level statistical debuggers and (2) what other biases can be eliminated or reduced. Here we address both questions by providing a model that eliminates or reduces control flow dependence and failure flow confounding bias within predicate-level statistical debuggers. We present empirical results demonstrating that our model significantly improves the effectiveness of a variety of predicate-level statistical debuggers, including those that eliminate or reduce only a single source of confounding bias.
Beyond My Wildest Expectations

With support from my parents, I fulfilled their and my expectations of graduating from college and becoming a scientist. My scientific career has focused on two organisms, Bacillus subtilis and Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and two experimental systems, aromatic amino acid synthesis and DNA transfer in bacteria and plants. Studies on B. subtilis emphasized the genetics and biochemistry of aromatic amino acid synthesis and the characterization of competence in DNA transformation. I carried out both as a postdoc at Stanford with Josh Lederberg. At the University of Washington, I continued these studies and then investigated how Agrobacterium transforms plant cells. In collaboration, Milt Gordon, Mary-Dell Chilton, and I found that this bacterium could transfer a piece of its plasmid into plant cells and thereby modify their properties. This discovery opened up a host of intriguing questions that we have tried to answer over the last 35 years.
Evaluating quality and comprehension of real-time sign language video on mobile phones

Video and image quality are often objectively measured using peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), but for sign language video, human comprehension is most important. Yet the relationship of human comprehension to PSNR has not been studied. In this survey, we determine how well PSNR matches human comprehension of sign language video. We use very low bitrates (10-60 kbps) and two low spatial resolutions (192×144 and 320×240 pixels) which may be typical of video transmission on mobile phones using 3G networks. In a national online video-based user survey of 103 respondents, we found that respondents preferred the 320×240 spatial resolution transmitted at 20 kbps and higher; this does not match what PSNR results would predict. However, when comparing perceived ease/difficulty of comprehension, we found that responses did correlate well with measured PSNR. This suggests that PSNR may not be suitable for representing subjective video quality, but can be reliable as a measure for comprehensibility of American Sign Language (ASL) video. These findings are applied to our experimental mobile phone application, MobileASL, which enables real-time sign language communication for Deaf users at low bandwidths over the U.S. 3G cellular network.
At Least One Intron Is Required for the Nonsense-Mediated Decay of Triosephosphate Isomerase mRNA: a Possible Link between Nuclear Splicing and Cytoplasmic Translation

Mammalian cells have established mechanisms to reduce the abundance of mRNAs that harbor a nonsense codon and prematurely terminate translation. In the case of the human triosephosphate isomerase (TPI gene), nonsense codons located less than 50 to 55 bp upstream of intron 6, the 3*-most intron, fail to mediate mRNA decay. With the aim of understanding the feature(s) of TPI intron 6 that confer function in positioning the boundary between nonsense codons that do and do not mediate decay, the effects of deleting or duplicating introns have been assessed. The results demonstrate that TPI intron 6 functions to position the boundary because it is the 3*-most intron. Since decay takes place after pre-mRNA splicing, it is conceivable that removal of the 3*-most intron from pre-mRNA “marks” the 3*-most exon-exon junction of product mRNA so that only nonsense codons located more than 50 to 55 nucleotides upstream of the “mark” mediate mRNA decay. Decay may be elicited by the failure of translating ribosomes to translate sufficiently close to the mark or, more likely, the scanning or looping out of some component(s) of the translation termination complex to the mark. In support of scanning, a nonsense codon does not elicit decay if some of the introns that normally reside downstream of the nonsense codon are deleted so the nonsense codon is located (i) too far away from a downstream intron, suggesting that all exon-exon junctions may be marked, and (ii) too far away from a downstream failsafe sequence that appears to function on behalf of intron 6, i.e., when intron 6 fails to leave a mark. Notably, the proposed scanning complex may have a greater unwinding capability than the complex that scans for a translation initiation codon since a hairpin structure strong enough to block translation initiation when inserted into the 5* untranslated region does not block nonsense-mediated decay when inserted into exon 6 between a nonsense codon residing in exon 6 and intron 6.
STUDIES ON THE COMMON COLD : III. THE UPPER RESPIRATORY FLORA OF INFANTS.

1. The upper respiratory tract is sterile at birth. 2. In the first 2 weeks of life the infant acquires a basal flora comparable to that of adults except that the potential pathogens are absent. 3. During the ensuing months the potential pathogens may appear without giving rise to symptoms and by 8 months the infant's flora is entirely comparable to the adult's. 4. There is no evidence of a specific bacterial incitant for the first colds of infancy. 5. In infants with recurrent colds, secondary infection of the nose with pneumococci or B. pfeifferi probably plays a part.
Nursing Clinical Teacher Effectiveness Inventory: a replication study of the characteristics of ‘best’ and ‘worst’ clinical teachers as perceived by nursing faculty and students

This study determined the characteristics of 'best' and 'worst' clinical teachers as perceived by 63 baccalaureate nursing faculty and 121 BSN students in Ohio. It is a replication of the 1987 study by Knox & Mogan. The Nursing Clinical Teacher Effectiveness Inventory (NCTEI) they developed is a 48-item Likert scale checklist which described discrete teacher characteristics clustered into five subscales or categories: teaching ability, nursing competence, personality traits, interpersonal relationship and evaluation. Respondents are asked to rate their 'best' clinical teacher using the NCTEI and then their 'worst' clinical teacher. Results show that both faculty and students agree, in both Knox & Mogan's sample and this sample, that the 'best' clinical teachers are good role models, enjoy nursing, enjoy teaching and demonstrate clinical skills and judgement. The 'worst' clinical teachers are not good role models. The most critical distinguishing characteristics between the 'best' and the 'worst' clinical teachers are being a good role model and encouraging mutual respect.
Genetic analysis of emerald ash borer ( Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) populations in Asia and North America

Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus plani- pennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is an invasive pest of North American ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees first discovered outside of its native range of northeastern Asia in 2002. EAB spread from its initial zone of discovery in the Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario metropolitan areas, in large part, from inadvertent human-assisted movement of infested ash materials. EAB infestations are now known in 15 US states and two Canadian provinces. The primary goal of this study was to use molecular markers to characterize the population genetic
Space-efficient static trees and graphs

Data structures that represent static unlabeled trees and planar graphs are developed. The structures are more space efficient than conventional pointer-based representations, but (to within a constant factor) they are just as time efficient for traversal operations. For trees, the data structures described are asymptotically optimal: there is no other structure that encodes n-node trees with fewer bits per node, as N grows without bound. For planar graphs (and for all graphs of bounded page number), the data structure described uses linear space: it is within a constant factor of the most succinct representation. >
Sequential test generation with reduced test clocks for partial scan designs

Partial scan design technique is often preferred to full scan because the use of smaller number of scan flip-flops leads to less performance degradation and less overhead. However, the number of clocks required to apply a test vector is proportional to the number of flip-flops in the scan path whenever scan is performed. This tends to increase the test application considerably. In this paper we presents an algorithm to generate a test with fewer test clocks for partial scan designs by using sequential test generation and scan strategies. The objective is to find a test that requires less test clocks while achieving high fault coverage. The algorithm, Test Application time Reduction for Partial scan design (TARP), is implemented and tested on a set of ISCAS sequential benchmark circuits. The algorithm produces a test with substantial reduction in the number of test clocks, compared to a test in which each test vector is associated with a scan operation. >
Pattern and process in the geographical ranges of freshwater fishes

North American freshwater fishes were studied to determine whether they displayed the same relationships between log (geographical range size) and log (body size) and the same pattern of range shape as found among North American birds and mammals. The forces that produce these patterns were also investigated. The log (geographical range size) : log (body size) relationship was analysed for 121 North American freshwater fish species. Thirty-two imperilled species were compared with 89 non-imperilled species to determine if the overall relationship could result from differential extinction. Range geometries were analysed, within and among habitat guilds, to determine if general patterns could be detected. The log (geographical range size) : log (body size) pattern among freshwater fish species was triangular and qualitatively similar to that found for North American birds and mammals. The results suggest that below a minimum geographical range, the likelihood of extinction increases dramatically for freshwater fishes and that this minimum range size increases with body size. The pattern of fish species' range shapes differs from that found for other North American vertebrate taxa because, on average, fish possess much smaller ranges than terrestrial species and most fish species' geographical ranges extend further on a north-south axis than on an east-west axis. The log (geographical range size) : log (body size) pattern reveals that fish species' geographical ranges are more constrained than those of terrestrial species. The triangular relationship may be caused by differential extinction of species with large bodies and small geographical ranges as well as higher speciation rates of small-bodied fish. The restricted geographical ranges of freshwater fishes gives them much in common with terrestrial species on oceanic islands. Range shape patterns within habitat guilds reflect guild-specific historical and current ecological forces. The overall pattern of range shapes emerges from the combination of ecologically different subunits.
Invariant Valuations on Star-Shaped Sets

The Brunn Minkowski theory of convex bodies and mixed volumes has provided many tools for solving problems involving projections and valuations of compact convex sets in Euclidean space. Among the most beautiful results of twentieth century convexity is Hadwiger's characterization theorem for the elementary mixed volumes (Quermassintegrals); (see [3, 5, 9]). Hadwiger's characterization leads to effortless proofs of numerous results in geometric convexity, including mean projection formulas for convex bodies [13, p. 294] and various kinematic formulas [7, 12, 14, 15]. Hadwiger's theorem also provides a connection between rigid motion invariant set functions and symmetric polynomials [1, 7]. Recently, advancements have been made in a theory introduced by Lutwak [8] that is dual to the Brunn Minkowski theory, a theory tailored for dealing with analogous questions involving star-shaped sets and intersections with subspaces (see also [2, 4, 6]). In the dual theory convex bodies are replaced by star-shaped sets, and support functions are replaced by radial functions. Hadwiger's characterizaton theorem is of such fundamental importance that any candidate for a dual theory must possess a dual analogue. However, the dual theory in its original form was not sufficiently rich to be able to accommodate a dual of Hadwiger's theorem. In [6], it was shown that the natural setting for the dual theory is larger than that envisioned by previous investigators. By defining the dual topology on star-shaped sets in terms of the L topology on the space of n-integrable functions on the unit sphere, the author was able to extend the dual theory to a broad class of star-shaped sets, called L-stars. Many new theorems can be proved within this larger framework, including a Hadwiger-style classification theorem for continuous valuations on star-shaped sets that are homogeneous with respect to dilation. In the present paper we discard the stringent requirement of homogeneity and continue with classification theorems for continuous valuations on article no. AI971601