cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic considerations in deaf patients

Abstract Mental health professionals who are unfamiliar with the psychosocial development of prelingually deaf individuals are likely to misdiagnose deaf patients. Concrete and sometimes fragmented deaf communication can be similar to the disordered language present in schizophrenic and organic mental disorders. Egocentric and rigid behaviors, products of deaf enculturation, can be mistaken for personality disorders. Linguistic and cultural differences limit the usefulness of standard assessment methods such as the mental status examination and psychological testing. An awareness of the complex problems associated with hearing impairment and the assistance of a professional trained in deafness are indispensable in the evaluation of deaf patients.
DENSITY-MEDIATED, CONTEXT-DEPENDENT CONSUMER–RESOURCE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ANTS AND EXTRAFLORAL NECTAR PLANTS

Interspecific interactions are often mediated by the interplay between resource supply and consumer density. The supply of a resource and a consumer's density response to it may in turn yield context-dependent use of other resources. Such consumer-resource interactions occur not only for predator-prey and competitive interactions, but for mutualistic ones as well. For example, consumer-resource interactions between ants and extrafloral nectar (EFN) plants are often mutualistic, as EFN resources attract and reward ants which protect plants from herbivory. Yet, ants also commonly exploit floral resources, leading to antagonistic consumer-resource interactions by disrupting pollination and plant reproduction. EFN resources associated with mutualistic ant-plant interactions may also mediate antagonistic ant-flower interactions through the aggregative density response of ants on plants, which could either exacerbate ant-flower interactions or alternatively satiate and distract ants from floral resources. In this study, we examined how EFN resources mediate the density response of ants on senita cacti in the Sonoran Desert and their context-dependent use of floral resources. Removal of EFN resources reduced the aggregative density of ants on plants, both on hourly and daily time scales. Yet, the increased aggregative ant density on plants with EFN resources decreased rather than increased ant use of floral resources, including contacts with and time spent in flowers. Behavioral assays showed no confounding effect of floral deterrents on ant-flower interactions. Thus, ant use of floral resources depends on the supply of EFN resources, which mediates the potential for both mutualistic and antagonistic interactions by increasing the aggregative density of ants protecting plants, while concurrently distracting ants from floral resources. Nevertheless, only certain years and populations of study showed an increase in plant reproduction through herbivore protection or ant distraction from floral resources. Despite pronounced effects of EFN resources mediating the aggregative density of ants on plants and their context-dependent use of floral resources, consumer-resource interactions remained largely commensalistic.
Vitamin D receptor and Alzheimer's disease: a genetic and functional study.

Genetic studies on late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) have repeatedly mapped susceptibility loci onto chromosome 12q13, encompassing the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. Epidemiology studies have indicated vitamin D insufficiency as a risk factor for AD. Given that VDR is the major mediator for vitamin D's actions, we sought to clarify the role of VDR in late-onset AD. We conducted an association study in 492 late-onset AD cases and 496 controls with 80 tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The strongest association was found at a promoter SNP rs11568820 (P = 9.1×10−6, odds ratio (OR) = 1.69), which resides within the transcription factor Cdx-2 binding site and the SNP has been also known as CDX2. The risk-allele at rs11568820 is associated with lower VDR promoter activity (p < 10−11). The overexpression of VDR or vitamin D treatment suppressed amyloid precursor protein (APP) transcription in neuroblastoma cells (p < 0.001). We provide both statistical evidence and functional data suggesting VDR confers genetic risk for AD. Our findings are consistent with epidemiology studies suggesting that vitamin D insufficiency increases the risk of developing AD.
Protein and peptide biomimicry: Gold‐mining inspiration from Nature's ingenuity

B iomimicry, a word derived from the Greek words ‘‘bios’’, meaning ‘‘life’’, and ‘‘mimesis’’, meaning ‘‘to imitate’’, has been accurately described by the Biomimicry Institute as a design principle that uses Nature as model, mentor, and measure. Nature’s elegant processes, refined over the course of evolution, provide myriad examples of systems that operate with unparalleled simplicity, efficiency, and durability. It is the essence of elegance in engineering. Through careful observation and dedicated study, Nature’s secrets begin to unfold and the fundamental principles underlying natural phenomena can become clear. Recognizing the wisdom that Nature has to offer, biomimetic researchers derive inspiration from or attempt to mimic directly the form and/or function of natural designs. The field of biomimicry has enjoyed a long and rich history spanning many decades, and has influenced a variety of disciplines, ranging from architecture and economics, to materials science and bioengineering. A particularly notable example of bioinspired design is Velcro, the hook-and-eye fastener invented by George de Mestral and modeled after the microscopic hooks on seed-bearing burrs that enable them to cling to animal fur and become dispersed. What began as natural curiosity in the mind of a Swiss mountaineer has today become a multimillion dollar global industry. State-of-the-art technology is enabling biomimeticists to examine Nature with an eye capable of resolving structures well below the macro-and micro-scales; the concerted efforts of microbiologists, chemists, physicists, and engineers have made observation at the nano and even the molecular scale a reality. Technological advances are continually expanding the frontier of what is possible in this field, which remains in its infancy. In particular, interdisciplinary research in biomimetic polymer engineering is poised to make lasting contributions to both the fundamental science and engineering applications of the basic building blocks of life—proteins. Hence, we focus here on the mimicry of these natural molecules, in particular.
A rare novel deletion of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene in Parkinson disease

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) enzyme is a rate limiting enzyme in dopamine biosynthesis. Missense mutation in both alleles of the TH gene is known to cause dopamine-related phenotypes, including dystonia and infantile Parkinsonism. However, it is not clear if single allele mutation in TH modifies the susceptibility to the adult form of Parkinson disease (PD). We reported a novel deletion of entire TH gene in an adult with PD. The deletion was first identified by copy number variation (CNV) analysis in a genome-wide association study using Illumina Infinium BeadChips. After screening 635 cases and 642 controls, the deletion was found in one PD case but not in any control. The deletion was confirmed by multiple quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays. There is no additional exonic single nucleotide variant in the one copy of TH gene of the patient. The patient has an age-at-onset of 54 years, no evidence for dystonia, and was responsive to L-DOPA. This case supports the importance of the TH gene in PD pathogenesis and raises more attention to rare variants in candidate genes being a risk factor for Parkinson disease. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
StEP(3D): a standardized evaluation plan for three-dimensional interaction techniques

Abstract Usability evaluation is a critical component of software development. However, skills necessary to develop a valid and reliable evaluation plan may deter some organizations from performing usability evaluations. These organizations would benefit by having an evaluation plan available to them that was already designed for their needs. A standardized evaluation plan (StEP) is designed to evaluate or compare a wide variety of systems that share certain capabilities. StEPs are developed for a specific domain by usability specialists. These plans can then be used by evaluators with limited experience or facilities because the skills necessary to use a StEP are not as demanding as the skills needed to develop a STEP. Techniques have been proposed to make three-dimensional interfaces more flexible and responsive to the user but the usability of these techniques have generally not been evaluated empirically. StEP(3D), a standardized evaluation plan for the usability of three-dimensional interaction techniques, combines performance-based evaluation with a user satisfaction questionnaire. It is designed to be portable and simple enough that evaluators can make comparisons of three-dimensional interaction techniques without special equipment or experience. It evaluates the usability of interaction techniques for performing quick and unconstrained three-dimensional manipulations. Two empirical experiments are reported that demonstrate the reliability and validity of StEP(3D). Experiment 1 shows StEP(3D) is appropriate for comparing techniques on different hardware platforms during summative evaluations. Experiment 2 shows StEP(3D) is sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in an interface during formative design. We make recommendations for developing StEPs based on data we collected and on our experiences with the development of StEP(3D). However, the recommendations are not limited to three-dimensional interaction techniques. Most of the recommendations apply to the development of StEPs in any domain and address issues such as portability, participant selection, experiment protocol and procedures, and usability measures. A collection of StEPs designed for particular domains and purposes would provide a library of reusable evaluation plans. This reusable approach to usability evaluation should reduce the cost of evaluations because organizations are able to take advantage of previously designed plans. At the same time, this approach should improve the quality of usability evaluations because StEPs are developed and validated by usability specialists.
Experimental evidence that group foragers can converge on predicted producer–scrounger equilibria

When foraging together, animals are often observed to feed from food discoveries of others. The producer-scrounger game predicts how frequently this phenomenon of food parasitism should occur. The game has two major requirements: (i) all individuals must either produce, meaning they invest time and/or energy getting resources, or scrounge, meaning they try to get resources from producers, and (ii) the payoffs received from the scrounger tactic must be highly negatively frequency-dependent such that they do better than producers when rare, but worse when common. This study provides the first experimental support for the use of the producer-scrounger game in group foraging contexts. A total of five flocks of spice finches (Lonchura punctulata) were used on two experiments. Payoffs were measured by feeding rate (seeds/s) in two feeding conditions. In all cases, payoffs to scroungers were found to be highly negatively frequency-dependent on the frequency of scrounging. All functions were linear (p $<$.05). In the second part of experiment 2, birds adopted the predicted producer or scrounger foraging tactics over a series of trials lasting 16 days (eight consecutive per feeding condition). In both experiments, individuals in the flocks also demonstrated plasticity in tactic used. Future studies should look at testing the performance of different learning rules using a similar experimental design.
Classical conditioning of vocalizations in the rat: Acoustic characteristics of the CR and UCR

Classically conditioned shock-elicited vocalizations in the adult rat were acoustically analyzed and described, The fundamental frequency of the CRs ranged between 2,000 and 3,600 Hz, with overtones that extended well into the ultrasonic range and with durations lasting approximately 1÷2 sec. Major differences between CR and UCR signals were apparent. The CR vocalizations had little frequency variation and little or no noise, while the UCR vocalizations were associated with highly irregular frequencies and broad-band noise. Post-shock vocalizations had combined features of the CR and UCR sounds. It is suggested that the differences between the CR and UCR are related to the CR being the emotional cry and the UCR the pain cry.
Phorbol Ester-induced Expression of Airway Squamous Cell Differentiation Marker, SPRR1B, Is Regulated by Protein Kinase Cδ/Ras/MEKK1/MKK1-dependent/AP-1 Signal Transduction Pathway *

The transcriptional induction of SPRR1B by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is mainly mediated by the first -152-base pair 5'-flanking region containing two functional AP-1 sites. In this study, we have analyzed the signaling pathways that mediate the induction in tracheobronchial epithelial cells. PKC inhibitor ablated PMA-stimulated expression of endogenous SPRR1B and reporter gene expression driven by SPRR1B promoter. PKC activator promoted the transcription. The dominant negative protein kinase Cdelta (dn-PKCdelta) and rottlerin (PKCdelta inhibitor) completely suppressed PMA-stimulated promoter activity. dn-Ras or dn-MEKK1 inhibited PMA-stimulated promoter activity, while their corresponding constitutively active mutants augmented it. dn-c-Raf-1 did not have any effect on reporter gene expression. Since MEKK1 activates multiple parallel pathways, we examined involvement of JNK/SAPK, p38, and MKK1 in promoter regulation. Co-expression of the dominant negative forms of MKK4, MKK7, JNK/SAPK, MKK3, MKK6, or p38alpha did not suppress PMA-stimulated reporter gene expression. However, MKK1 inhibitors UO126 and PD98095 suppressed gene expression. Consistent with this, expression of dn-MKK1 strongly suppressed PMA-stimulated promoter activity, while the constitutively active MKK1 augmented it. However, MKK1-mediated induction of SPRR1B probably does not depend on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, suggesting the requirement of another kinase(s). dn-c-Jun mutants abolished PMA-stimulated expression supporting an important role for AP-1 proteins in SPRR1B expression. Together, these results suggest that a PKCdelta/Ras/MEKK1/MKK1-dependent/AP-1 pathway regulates the PMA-inducible expression of the SPRR1B in tracheobronchial epithelial cells.
The effects of repeated restraint stress on energy balance and behavior of mice with selective deletion of CRF receptors

Mice subjected to restraint stress (RRS) daily for 3 days lose weight. Once stress ends they are slow to recover the weight loss and exhibit increased anxiety and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity in response to novel stressors. We tested the effect of RRS in mice deficient in corticotropin releasing factor receptor one (CRFR1-KO) or two (CRFR2-KO). Wild type (WT) and CRFR2-KO, but not CRFR1-KO, mice lost weight during RRS. All adrenalectomised mice lost weight and CRFR2-KO controls stopped gaining weight on the days of RRS. WT RRS mice returned to the weight of their controls 8 days after restraint. CRFR2-KO mice showed high levels of anxiety in an elevated plus maze (EPM) 11 days after RRS and in a light/dark choice test 14 days after RRS. CRFR1-KO mice displayed low anxiety in both tests, but RRS decreased EPM exploration. By contrast, exploration increased in RRS ADX mice. Testing in the EPM increased serum corticosterone level in all WT and CRFR2-KO mice. Corticosterone increased in RRS CRFR1-KO mice compared with their controls. These results suggest that CRFR1 are required for stress-induced weight loss, but that hyper-reactivity of the HPA axis in RRS mice exposed to a subsequent novel stress is independent of CRFR1.
Self-schemas, depression, and the processing of personal information in children

ecent research in information processing has yielded evidence supporting the self-as-schema model with adults. Further self-schema research with depressed and nondepressed persons has suggested the existence of negative self-schemas in depression, lending support to a content-specificity self-schema model. The present studies were designed to investigate the applicability of the self-as-schema model to children and to examine the extent of negative self-schemas in relatively depressed children. A depth-of-processing incidental recall memory paradigm was employed with two groups of normal third- to sixth-grade children. Results supported the self-as-schema model as applied to children, even the youngest group, by indicating superior recall for words encoded under self-reference instructions, compared to semantic or structural orienting instructions. The content-specificity hypotheses were tested with relatively depressed and nondepressed children, and were supported only for the nondepressed children, who recalled mostly positive content words. The relatively depressed children did not demonstrate content specificity in their recall, showing a more "confused" pattern, and the results were discussed in terms of a developmental model of acquisition of depression vulnerability requiring repeated depressive experiences over time. Although the results were consistent with a self-schema approach, current controversies over the implications of depth-of-processing methods require further research to clarify mechanisms of enhanced self-reference recall.
ANTI-HOMELESS LAWS AND PUBLIC SPACE: II. FURTHER CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES

(1998). ANTI-HOMELESS LAWS AND PUBLIC SPACE: II. FURTHER CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES. Urban Geography: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 98-104.
Multiphonon energy gap law in rare-earth doped chalcogenide glass

The parameters for multiphonon relaxation of rare earth (RE) ions in the sulfide glass Ge25As8.33Ga1.67S65 have been re-evaluated using the temperature dependence of the fluorescence lifetime to separate out true multiphonon decay from other non-radiative processes. It is found that for energy gaps to the next lowest level greater than 2500 cm−1, other non-radiative processes become dominant over multiphonon decay. The most likely process for this additional non-radiative decay is energy transfer to vibrational impurities such as OH and SH. The newly derived parameters lead to an electron–phonon coupling parameter ϵ=0.058, which is more in line with other glass types than the previously accepted value of ϵ=0.36. These new multiphonon relaxation parameters and the existence of additional non-radiative decay mechanisms has implications for the modeling of chalcogenide-based active devices.
Incorporating simulation in vascular surgery education

The traditional apprenticeship model introduced by Halsted of "learning by doing" may just not be valid in the modern practice of vascular surgery. The model is often criticized for being somewhat unstructured because a resident's experience is based on what comes through the "door." In an attempt to promote uniformity of training, multiple national organizations are currently delineating standard curricula for each trainee to govern the knowledge and cases required in a vascular residency. However, the outcomes are anything but uniform. This means that we graduate vascular specialists with a surprisingly wide spectrum of abilities. Use of simulation may benefit trainees in attaining a level of technical expertise that will benefit themselves and their patients. Furthermore, there is likely a need to establish a simulation-based certification process for graduating trainees to further ascertain minimum technical abilities.
An oxazine reagent for derivatization of carboxylic acid analytes suitable for liquid chromatographic detection using visible diode laser-induced fluorescence.

Abstract This study reports the use of Nile Blue, an oxazine dye, as a derivatization reagent that fluoresces in the far-red spectral region and is suitable for derivatization with carboxylic-acid-containing analytes. Model carboxylic acid analytes such as benzoic acid, acetic acid, phenylacetic acid and hexanoic acid have been reacted as acid chlorides to form Nile Blue derivatives. The synthesis product of the Nile Blue benzoic acid derivative was confirmed using electrospray-mass spectrometry, infrared spectrometry, 1 H and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance, reversed phase liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), normal phase-thin layer chromatography, and spectral characterization. The synthesized Nile Blue derivatives, separated from reaction by-products with RP-HPLC, all demonstrated an approximately 10-fold drop in molar absorptivity and relative quantum yield. In addition, a 40 nm increase in Stokes shift was observed. A portion of the fluorescence was regained through post-column ionization of the Nile Blue benzoic acid derivative at pH 12. A RP-HPLC limit of detection of 88.25 fmol on column has been reported with conventional fluorescence detection-post-column ionization of the Nile Blue benzoic acid derivative. A limit of detection of 1.99 fmol on column (3.98 × 10 −11 M) has been demonstrated for the Nile Blue benzoic acid derivative with the use of a laboratory-constructed visible diode laser fluorescence detector.
Some Factors Influencing Predation by the Flatworm, Stylochus ellipticus (Girard), on Oysters

Some of the effects of low temperature, low salinity, prey size, and predator source on the predatory activity ofStylochus ellipticus on oysters were investigated in the laboratory.
Natural shape detection based on principal component analysis

The classical Hough transform, the generalized Hough transforms, and their extensions are quite robust for detection of a large class of objects that can be categorized as industrial parts. These objects are rigid and have fixed shapes, i.e., different instances of the same object are more or less identical. These techniques, and indeed most current techniques, however, do not adequately handle shapes that are more flexible. These shapes are widely found in nature and are characterizedby the fact that different instances of the same shape are similar, but not identical, e.g., leaves and flowers. We present a new technique to recognize natural shapes, based on principal component analysis. A set of basis shapes are obtained using principal component analysis. A Houghlike technique is used to detect the basis shapes. The results are then combined to locate the shape in the image. Experimental resuits show that the approach is robust, accurate, and fast.
Effect of genetic deletion of the vanilloid receptor TRPV1 on the expression of Substance P in sensory neurons of mice with adjuvant-induced arthritis

The neuropeptide Substance P (SP), expressed by nociceptive sensory afferents in joints, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of arthritis. Capsaicin causes neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) to release SP from their central and peripheral axons, suggesting a functional link between SP and the capsaicin receptor, the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). The expression of both TRPV1 and SP have been reported to increase in several models of arthritis but the specific involvement of TRPV1-expressing articular afferents that can release SP is not completely understood. We here wanted to ascertain whether the increase in the number of SP-positive primary afferents in arthritis may be affected by genetic deletion of TRPV1. For this, we used immunohistochemistry to quantify the expression of SP in primary afferent neurons in wild-type mice (WT) vs. TRPV1-knockout (KO) mice with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). We found that the expression of SP in DRG (1) increased significantly over naive level in both WT and KO mice 3 weeks after AIA, (2) was significantly higher in KO mice than in WT mice in naive mice and 2-3 weeks after AIA, (3) was significantly higher on the side of AIA than on the contralateral, vehicle-injected side at all time points in WT mice, but not in KO mice, and (4) increased predominantly in small-size neurons in KO mice and in small- and medium-size neurons in WT mice. Since the size distribution of SP-positive DRG neurons in arthritic TRPV1-KO mice was not significantly different from that in naive mice, we speculate that the increased expression of SP is unlikely to reflect recruitment of A-fiber primary afferents and that the higher expression of SP in KO mice may represent a plastic change to compensate for the missing receptor in a major sensory circuit.
SU‐GG‐I‐26: The Effect of Tomosynthesis Acquisition Geometry on Automated Feature Extraction Applied to Image Guided Radiation Therapy of the Prostate

Purpose: Gantry mounted kV imaging enables volumetric imaging of patients in the treatment position using cone beam computerized tomography(CBCT)reconstruction algorithms. Tomosynthesis techniques offer the ability to produce volumetric imaging with reduced set of projections, at the cost of significantly reduced image quality, but may be advantageous in terms of patient dose and scan time. Adaptive radiation therapy requires imaging and fast objective feature extraction algorithms to localize anatomic landmarks and determine treatment adjustments. This work analyzes the relation between tomosynthesis scan angle and localization accuracy, including automated feature extraction, in the setting of image guided radiation therapy(IGRT) of the prostate using a rectal balloon for daily immobilization. Method and Materials: A FDK‐based CBTS reconstruction was applied to selected sets of projection data to simulate volumetric imaging achievable from tomosynthesis for a range of scan angles. Projection data was calculated from planning CTs of 10 patients treated with rectal balloon immobilization. An intensity based edge detection algorithm was used to objectively identify over 50 points at the tissue‐air interface. Point locations were compared to the location of the corresponding points extracted for full‐rotation‐CBCT reconstruction. A similar process was applied to rectal‐balloon phantom measurements. Results: Reducing the tomosynthesis scan angle reduces the ability to identify the prostate‐rectum interface. However a level based thresholding algorithm can be used to automatically identify the air‐tissue interface. The accuracy is quantified in terms of the mean discrepancy as a function of reconstruction angle as well as the fraction of points identified as a function of distance to agreement to full‐rotation‐CBCT. Conclusion: This work quantifies and presents the accuracy of automatic extraction of rectal balloon‐prostate interface from tomosynthesis as a function of scan angle. Such results may guide the choice of scan parameters used for patient localization based on the desired localization accuracy.
Effect of nitrogen gas on the lifetime of carbon nanotube field emitters for electron-impact ionization mass spectrometry

The lifetime of a patterned carbon nanotube film is evaluated for use as the cold cathode field emission ionization source of a miniaturized mass spectrometer. Emitted current is measured as a function of time for varying partial pressures of nitrogen gas to explore the robustness and lifetime of carbon nanotube cathodes near the expected operational voltages (70-100 eV) for efficient ionization in mass spectrometry. As expected, cathode lifetime scales inversely with partial pressure of nitrogen. Results are presented within the context of previous carbon nanotube investigations, and implications for planetary science mass spectrometry applications are discussed.
Beam quality restoration through gas prestripping of molecular ions in tandem accelerators

Abstract Beam quality degradation due to Coulomb explosion is effectively eliminated by dissociating molecular negative ions in a low pressure gas cell before they reach the foil stripper.
Toward modeling and simulation of critical national infrastructure interdependencies

Modern society's physical health depends vitally upon a number of real, interdependent, critical infrastructure networks that deliver power, petroleum, natural gas, water, and communications. Its economic health depends on a number of other infrastructure networks, some virtual and some real, that link residences, industries, commercial sectors, and transportation sectors. The continued prosperity and national security of the US depends on our ability to understand the vulnerabilities of and analyze the performance of both the individual infrastructures and the entire interconnected system of infrastructures. Only then can we respond to potential disruptions in a timely and effective manner. Collaborative efforts among Sandia, other government agencies, private industry, and academia have resulted in realistic models for many of the individual component infrastructures. In this paper, we propose an innovative modeling and analysis framework to study the entire system of physical and economic infrastructur...
Association of Vpu-binding protein with microtubules and Vpu-dependent redistribution of HIV-1 Gag protein.

The efficient exit of HIV-1 particles from cells requires the action of the viral encoded protein Vpu. Vpu-binding protein (Ubp) is a cellular protein that interacts with both Vpu and the major structural component of the viral capsid (Gag) and appears to affect the efficiency of particle exit. Elucidation of the function of Ubp and characterization of the spatial distribution of Ubp may provide information pertinent to understanding the role of Ubp in virus replication. To investigate the subcellular location of Ubp, and to see whether Vpu affects the intracellular distribution of Gag, we carried out immunofluorescence localization in conjunction with confocal microscopy. Based on this analysis Ubp is present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm, Ubp appeared to be associated with microtubules as evidenced by cofluorescence with tubulin in the absence and in the presence of colchicine. However, cytoskeletal isolation and detergent extraction of cells resulted in association of Ubp with the soluble fractions, indicating that Ubp is not in tight association with microtubules. Moreover, flotation gradient analysis demonstrated that Ubp is cytoplasmic and not stably associated with the plasma membrane. Interestingly, expression of Vpu in cells resulted in redistribution of both Ubp and Gag to a location near the periphery of the cell. The effect of Vpu on both Ubp and Gag protein has implications for Vpu-mediated particle exit from cells.
An economic evaluation of short-term inpatient rehabilitation for children with severe asthma

Abstract BACKGROUND: The cost of asthma care in the United States in 1990 has been estimated to be 6.2 billion dollars. The greatest proportion is due to hospital care. OBJECTIVE: We report changes in estimated medical charges of 59 children with severe asthma 1 year before inpatient rehabilitation and over a 4-year follow-up period. METHODS: Asthma resource use (e.g., hospital, physician, medication) was identified before and after inpatient rehabilitation. Estimated charges were assigned. This was done retrospectively for the 1-year period before rehabilitation, prospectively during rehabilitation, and over a 4-year follow-up period. Patients served as their own controls. There was no control group. RESULTS: When median asthma resource use 1 year before rehabilitation was compared with that during the first, second, third, and fourth years of follow-up, there was a reduction in median hospitalization and median emergency care. Compared with mean total medical charges the year before rehabilitation, reductions in mean total medical charges were 56.7% at the completion of the first year (excluding charges for rehabilitation), 70.5% at second year, 74.6% at third year, and 77.5% at fourth year. Over the 4-year postrehabilitation period, the discounted cumulative net savings was $29,605. The discounted cumulative net savings surpassed the mean rehabilitation charge during the early months of the fourth year of the postrehabilitation period. CONCLUSION: Inpatient rehabilitation was significantly associated with a reduction in estimated total medical charges over a 4-year follow-up period. (J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL 1996;98:264-73.)
Exploiting negative quantum capacitance of carbon nanotube FETs for low power applications

As conventional silicon-based CMOS technology is approaching its fundamental physical limits due to aggressive scaling, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been explored as promising candidates for both on-chip switching device and interconnect in post-Si nanoelectronics due to their superior current carrying and heat transfer capabilities. This paper investigates the prospect of bulk-modulated CNT field-effect transistors (CNTFETs) for low-power high-speed applications. It has been seen from atomistic density-functional theory (DFT) calculations that a negative quantum capacitance regime is achieved due to the one-dimensional (1D) screening of gate field in nanoscale CNTFETs. This unconventional negative quantum capacitance can be exploited to obtain a step-up voltage transformation at the gate of CNTFETs and, subsequently, sub-60mv/decade subthreshold swing. It is shown that a boosting efficiency greater than 2.2 is obtained at the gate of the CNTFETs.
The Impact of Misspecifying the Within-Subject Covariance Structure in Multiwave Longitudinal Multilevel Models: A Monte Carlo Study

This Monte Carlo study examined the impact of misspecifying the Σ matrix in longitudinal data analysis under both the multilevel model and mixed model frameworks. Under the multilevel model approach, under-specification and general-misspecification of the Σ matrix usually resulted in overestimation of the variances of the random effects (e.g., τ00, ττ11 ) and standard errors of the corresponding growth parameter estimates (e.g., SEβ 0, SEβ 1). Overestimates of the standard errors led to lower statistical power in tests of the growth parameters. An unstructured Σ matrix under the mixed model framework generally led to underestimates of standard errors of the growth parameter estimates. Underestimates of the standard errors led to inflation of the type I error rate in tests of the growth parameters. Implications of the compensatory relationship between the random effects of the growth parameters and the longitudinal error structure for model specification were discussed.
N-t-Butyl Hydroxylamine, a Hydrolysis Product of α-Phenyl-N-t-butyl Nitrone, Is More Potent in Delaying Senescence in Human Lung Fibroblasts *

Alpha-phenyl-N-t-butyl nitrone (PBN), a spin trap, scavenges hydroxyl radicals, protects tissues from oxidative injury, and delays senescence of both normal human lung fibroblasts (IMR90) and senescence-accelerated mice. N-t-butyl hydroxylamine and benzaldehyde are the breakdown products of PBN. N-t-Butyl hydroxylamine delays senescence of IMR90 cells at concentrations as low as 10 microM compared with 200 microM PBN to produce a similar effect, suggesting that N-t-butyl hydroxylamine is the active form of PBN. N-Benzyl hydroxylamine and N-methyl hydroxylamine compounds unrelated to PBN were also effective in delaying senescence, suggesting the active functional group is the N-hydroxylamine. All the N-hydroxylamines tested significantly decreased the endogenous production of oxidants, as measured by the oxidation of 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescin and the increase in the GSH/GSSG ratio. The acceleration of senescence induced by hydrogen peroxide is reversed by the N-hydroxylamines. DNA damage, as determined by the level of apurinic/apyrimidinic sites, also decreased significantly following treatment with N-hydroxylamines. The N-hydroxylamines appear to be effective through mitochondria; they delay age-dependent changes in mitochondria as measured by accumulation of rhodamine-123, they prevent reduction of cytochrome C(FeIII) by superoxide radical, and they reverse an age-dependent decay of mitochondrial aconitase, suggesting they react with the superoxide radical.
An Evaluation of Guests’ Preferred Incentives to Shift Time-Variable Demand in Restaurants

Asked for their reactions to specific demand-shifting tactics based on revenue management, patrons of a restaurant in Ithaca, New York, indicated that they generally would be willing to shift their dining time to off-peak hours in exchange for discounts on menu items. Better than three-quarters of the 367 respondents agreed that they would accept an incentive for dining at an off-peak time. Specific results and conclusions are detailed below.
Controlled-Potential Differential DC Polarography. V. Subtractive Polarography

SUMMARY Subtractive polarography is a differential polarographic technique that allows the measurement of wanted signals in the presence of unwanted signals. The technique requires two polarographic cells, with DME's operated at the same potential. The “unknown” solutionis placed in one cell and gives rise to the total current. The solution in the second cell contains those components of the “unknown” solution that give rise to the unwanted portion of the total signal. Measurement of the difference between the polarographic currents at the electrodes in the two solutions thus yields the wanted portion of the total signal. This technique has been evaluated with a controlled-potential differential dc polarograph that utilizes dropping-mercury electrodes having uncontrolled drop times, and the results are presented in this paper. The results indicate that subtractive polarography affords improved sensitivity, selectivity, and resolution over that of conventional dc polarography, and an improvement in resolut...
Determination of Airborne Fission Product Radioactivity using Gamma-Ray Spectrometry

A method for the rapid determination of the radon and thoron daughter content of an air filter shortly after removal from the pump is described. It utilizes gamma -ray measurements in a portion of the energy spectrum in which the spectral shape does not change with time. Afterwards, the contribution to the net counting-rate over a wider energy region from radon and thoron daughter products is removed. In addition to determining the concentration of gross gamma activlty due to fission products in terms of mu mu c/m/sup 3/ of air, the concentration of La/sup 140/ and Ba/sup 140/ was also measured. Beta and gamma mcasurements were made on the same portion of 50 daily air filters several days after collection. The gross BETA count-rates were expressed in mu mu c/ m/sup 3/ of air using a Tl./sup 204/ source of known activity. The ratio of BETA / gamma activlty was found to be 1.9 plus or minus 0.15. By using the BETA / gamma ratio it was possible to compare the gross gamma results with measurements made at other sites where air-borne radioactivity is expressed in terms of gross BETA activity. (P.C.H)
Recent Advances in the Psychopharmacological Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

This review has attempted to highlight the recent advances in our knowledge of the psychopharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders. Overall, substantial advances have been realized. We should anticipate further significant advances particularly in our understanding of the biology and treatment of panic disorder, social phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Oxidative injury induces selective rather than global inhibition of proteasomal activity

Abstract Oxidative injury has been found to be associated with proteasomal inactivity. In this study, the extent of oxidative damage and its effects on proteasomal function has been critically assessed. Left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded (ischemia) and reperfused with or without preconditioning in male Sprague–Dawley rats. For further validation, H9c2 cardiac myoblasts cultures were used. We demonstrate that ischemia–reperfusion causes extensive endoplasmic reticulum stress as evident from the degradation of GRP78 transcript followed by its rapid induction. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry showed that increasing duration of ischemia and reperfusion causes accumulation of phosphorylated IκB (p-IκB), thereby suggesting proteasomal inactivity. However, similar analysis for Nrf2, a key mediator of antioxidant defense, showed sustained activation, suggesting intact proteasomal function. Preconditioning of the myocardium preserves the degradation of p-IκB, suggesting effective functioning of proteasome after preconditioning. Further analysis with specific proteosomal inhibitors like epoxomicin (100 nM, inhibits chymotrypsin-like activities of proteasomes) and lactacystin (2 μM, inhibits chymotrypsin as well as some trypsin-like activities of proteasomes) suggests that degradation of p-IκB and Keap-1 in the proteasome occurs by independent mechanisms. This study gives further insight into interrelationship between oxidative injury and catalytic function of the proteasome in heart, where oxidative injury causes selective rather than global inhibition of proteasome.
The Effects of a Hydrostatic Pocket Aspect Ratio, Supply Orifice Position, and Attack Angle on Steady-State Flow Patterns, Pressure, and Shear Characteristics

The flow in a hydrostatic pocket is described by a mathematical model that uses the Navier-Stokes equations written in terms of the primary variables, u, v, and p. Using the conservative formulation, a finite difference method is applied through a staggered grid. The power law scheme is applied in the treatment of the convective terms for this highly recirculating flow. The discussion pertaining to the convergence of the numerical scheme and the computational error, shows that the strict convergence criteria applied to both velocities and pressure were successfully statisfied. The numerical model is applied in a parametric mode to the study of the velocities, the pressure patterns, and shear forces that characterize the flow in a square (α = 1), deep (α>1), and shallow (α≪1) hydrostatic pocket. The effects of the variation of the location and angle of the hydrostatic jet are also investigated.
A model to quantitate cell transplant function after liver-specific injury

Abstract Introduction: As the study of hepatic cytotherapeutics requires 1) selective pressure to improve engraftment of transplanted cells, and 2) a method to assess the hepatocyte-specific function of transplanted cells, we created a model to quantitate the functional engraftment of transplanted cells following liver-specific injury. Methods: Transgenic mice expressing human alpha-1 antitrypsin (hAAT) linked to the albumin promoter were used for donor cells. Liver injury was mediated through adenovirus transfection of urokinase-type tissue plasminogen activator (uPA). After uPA administration, 10 x 6 hAAT hepatocytes were injected into juvenile SCID mice. Control animals were uninjured. Recipients were bled serially after transplantation and the serum samples assessed for hAAT via ELISA. Results: Injection of uPA increased transaminase levels transiently, confirming hepatocyte injury. Uninjured SCID mice expressed 250 nanograms/mL of hAAT after injection of 10 x 6 hepatocytes. Mice receiving uPA prior to hepatocyte administration expressed 25 micrograms/mL of hAAT. Conclusions: uPA administration results in a 100-fold increase in transplanted hepatocyte engraftment and function. This model offers a method to confer positive selection for liver engraftment and yields a quantifiable increase in the hepatocyte-specific function of transplanted cells. This data establishes a basis to compare the kinetics of engraftment and function of cellular transplants from various sources after acute liver injury.
Five Dimensions of Therapy Process

Building on previous conceptual and methodological discussions, a five-dimensional model of the process of psychotherapy is proposed. The five dimensions are (1) Perspective of Observation (who observes the process: client, therapist, or researcher); (2) Person/Focus (who is observed: client, therapist, or dyad); (3) Aspect of Process (What communication feature is observed: content, action, style, or quality); (4) Unit Level (the hierarchical order or scale at which observation occurs, e.g., sentence/idea, speaking turn, episode, session, stage or treatment); and (5) Sequential Phase (the temporal orientation or purpose of observation: to understand context, process, or impact). The model and its potential value for identifying problems in existing process measures are illustreated using fifteen major process rating systems (Greenberg & Pinsof, 1986). The comprehensiveness of the model and its implications for research and theory are also discussed.
Perovskites take lead in solar hydrogen race

The world's growing population and industrialization result in an ever-increasing demand for energy. This poses society with a question of critical importance: Are we willing to accept the consequences of climate change linked to the combustion of fossil fuels in order to meet our energy demand? An answer of “no” requires us to quickly solve the challenging problem of developing alternative sources of energy that can replace fossil fuels. On page 1593 of this issue, Luo et al. ( 1 ) report an important step toward achieving that goal.
A mean-variance model for the minimum cost flow problem with stochastic arc costs

This article considers a minimum cost flow problem where arc costs are uncertain, and the decision maker wishes to minimize both the expected flow cost and the variance of this cost. Two optimality conditions are given, one based on cycle marginal costs, and another based on concepts of network equilibrium. Solution methods are developed based on these conditions. The value of information is also studied, and efficient approximation techniques are developed for the specific case of learning the exact cost of one or more arcs a priori. Finally, numerical results compare the solution methods developed in this work: the minimum mean cycle canceling algorithm performs better on all of the networks tested, although the equilibrium-based algorithm is more competitive for large networks. Solution sensitivity to input parameters is also examined, as is the performance of the approximation techniques for the value of information. Approximation techniques based on arc cost distributions were found to outperform those based on properties of optimal flows. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2010
Growth of diameter-modulated single-walled carbon nanotubes through instant temperature modulation in laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition

The diameter of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was successfully modulated along their axes by instant temperature control in a laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) process. SWNTs were grown using different temperature profiles to investigate the effects of temperature variation on their growth. Due to the inverse relationship between SWNT diameter and growth temperature, SWNTs with ascending diameters were obtained by reducing the LCVD temperature from high to low. The diameter-modulated SWNTs were grown across a pair of Mo electrodes to form field-effect transistors (FETs) for investigation of their electronic transport properties. Fabricated devices demonstrated properties similar to Schottky diodes, implying different bandgap structures at the ends of the SWNTs. Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electronic transport characteristics were studied to investigate the influence of temperature variation on the structural and electronic characteristics of SWNTs.
Aggregates as Embryos in Seeded Clouds

The growth of ice particles through aggregation is investigated for seeded clouds using currently available field data and a numerical particle-growth model. Observations indicate that the aggregation process is fairly common, even when moderate liquid water contents, ~0.5 g M−3, are available for particle growth through accretion. The modeling study suggests that certain temperature ranges are especially conducive to aggregate formation.