cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoacoustic monopole radiation in one, two, and three dimensions.

We show that the photoacoustic pressure in one, two, and three dimensions can be found as mappings of the optical deposition of heat in space for short optical radiation pulses. In addition, we find the photoacoustic pressure to be proportional to the zeroth derivative in one dimension, the one-half derivative in two dimensions, and the first derivative in three dimensions of the optical radiation intensity for long pulses. Experiments with fluid layers, cylinders, and droplets give ultrasonic wave forms that are in general agreement with the theorems.
Discovery of a second narrow absorption feature in the near-infrared spectrum of Io

A high resolution survey of the near-IR reflectance spectrum of Io has shown a sharp absorption feature centered at 5045 +/- 1/cm; this feature is not present in laboratory spectra of dilute CO2 in a matrix. Since the spectrum of cold H2S ice crystals exhibits structure near this wavelength, it is suggested that either (1) the difference in width between this feature and that of the much broader Ionian H2S ice may be due to the presence of different phases of ice at different temperatures, so that these are emphasized in the different spectral regions, or (2) H2S is trapped in an SO2 matrix.
The Evolutionary Histories of Clinical and Environmental SHV β-lactamases are Intertwined

The rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens focuses our attention on the source of antibiotic resistance genes, on the existence of these genes in environments exposed to little or no antibiotics, and on the relationship between resistance genes found in the clinic and those encountered in non-clinical settings. Here, we address the evolutionary history of a class of resistance genes, the SHV β-lactamases. We focus on bla SHV genes isolated both from clinical and non-clinical sources and show that clinically important resistance determinants arise repeatedly from within a diverse pool of bla SHV genes present in the environment. While our results argue against the notion of a single common origin for all clinically derived bla SHV genes, we detect a characteristic selective signature shaping this protein in clinical environments. This clinical signature reveals the joint action of purifying and positive selection on specific residues, including those known to confer extended-spectrum activity. Surprisingly, antibiotic resistance genes isolated from non-clinical—and presumably antibiotic-free—settings also experience the joint action of purifying and positive selection. The picture that emerges undercuts the notion of a separate reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes confined only to clinical settings. Instead, we argue for the presence of a single extensive and variable pool of antibiotic resistance genes present in the environment.
Temperature- and length-dependent energetics of formation for polyalanine helices in water : Assignment of wAla(n,T) and temperature-dependent CD ellipticity standards

Length-dependent helical propensities wAla(n,T) at T = 10, 25, and 60 °C are assigned from t/c values and NMR 13C chemical shifts for series 1 peptides TrpLysmInp2tLeu−AlantLeuInp2LysmNH2, n = 15, 19, and 25, m = 5, in water. Van't Hoff analysis of wAla(n,T) show that α-helix formation is primarily enthalpy-driven. For series 2 peptides Ac−Trp Lys5Inp2tLeu−βAspHel−Alan−beta−tLeuInp2Lys5NH2, n = 12 and 22, which contain exceptionally helical Alan cores, protection factor-derived fractional helicities FH are assigned in the range 10−30 °C in water and used to calibrate temperature-dependent CD ellipticities [θ]λ,H,n,T. These are applied to CD data for series 1 peptides, 12 ≤ n ≤ 45, to confirm the wAla(n,T) assignments at T = 25 and 60 °C. The [θ]λ,H,n,T are temperature dependent within the wavelength region, 222 ± 12 nm, and yield a temperature correction for calculation of FH from experimental values of [θ]222,n,T,Exp.
Calcium signals in lymphocyte activation and disease

Calcium ions function as universal second messengers in virtually all eukaryotic cells including cells of the immune system where they are crucial for the function of T and B cells, mast cells and dendritic cells. The predominant mechanism regulating intracellular Ca2+ levels in cells of the adaptive immune system is store-operated Ca2+ influx through so-called Ca2+−release activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels. We identified ORAI1 (also named CRACM1) as a pore subunit of the CRAC channel essential for the function of T cells and mast cells. Mutation of ORAI1 in humans is associated with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), increased susceptibility to infections and a failure to thrive. ORAI1/CRAC channels are activated when intracellular Ca2+ stores are depleted. The resulting decrease in the ER Ca2+ concentration is sensed by stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) that is required for activation of ORAI1/CRAC channels. We showed that murine T cells lacking STIM1 exhibit severely impaired store-operated Ca2+ influx. T cells from mice lacking STIM1 or its paralogue STIM2 both showed significantly reduced cytokine production in vitro and a defect in regulatory T cell development as well as lympho- and myeloproliferation in vivo. T cells from mice transgenic for an R91W mutation in ORAI1 that abrogates CRAC channel function in T cells from human SCID patients also showed substantially impaired store-operated Ca2+ influx and cytokine gene expression. This important role of STIM1 and ORAI1 in T cell function in mice is also apparent in T cells from human patients with SCID, which lack expression of ORAI1 and STIM1, respectively. Taken together STIM1, STIM2 and ORAI1 are essential regulators of store-operated Ca2+ entry in cells of the immune system and other tissues.
Increased opioid receptor binding and G protein coupling in the accumbens and ventral tegmental area of postnatal day 2 rats.

In some regions of the developing rat brain such as the nucleus accumbens (Acb), mu opioid (MOP) receptor specific binding in the perinatal period exceeds that in the adult. To investigate the significance of these developmental changes, MOP and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) receptor binding and G protein coupling as determined by GTPγS binding experiments were examined in mesolimbic regions of postnatal day 2 (P2) pups and compared to those of their dams. Acb of the P2 pup exhibited 2-fold greater MOP receptor specific binding than that of the dam. In the ventral tegmental area (VTA), NOP specific binding was about 2-fold higher in the P2 pup. A correlation was found between MOP and NOP binding and their coupling to G protein on dam and P2 pup brain sections. However, the magnitude of increases in MOP and NOP receptor G protein coupling to G protein in P2 pups exceeded the 2-fold differences in binding between pups and dams. Furthermore, the amplitude of the MOP receptor G protein coupling in female P2 Acb was greater than increases in male P2 pup Acb. Differences in MOP and NOP binding and G protein coupling in other mesolimbic regions between P2 pups and dams were rarely observed. The data indicate that greater binding and G protein coupling of MOP and NOP receptors occur in discrete, mesolimbic regions of P2 pups when compared to their dams. It may be of significance that these brain regions, Acb and VTA, are undergoing maturation on P2.
Decision Making: Food Safety Applications

Foodborne outbreak investigations are a special category of epidemiologic study. These investigations, by their nature, are not planned research studies. In addition, because there is often time pressure to determine if a problem might be ongoing and require urgent public health action, epidemiologists often need to use preliminary information as a basis for subsequent actions. Investigations often begin as a perceived increase in gastrointestinal illness without clear food-related hypotheses. They often require the use of available descriptive statistics to generate hypotheses before analytic studies are conducted to test these hypotheses. This process is usually iterative, in that it may be repeated throughout an investigation, and the epidemiologists assess the direction of the study at each step. Thus, foodborne outbreaks can be constantly evolving investigations, rather than fixed designs, and their design may change based on the analysis of incomplete data at unanticipated intervals. Historically, r...
The chest radiograph in rocky mountain spotted fever

Chest radiographs of 43 patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever were reviewed to elucidate the frequency and types of involvement of the lower respiratory tract. The abnormal radiographic patterns included localized and diffuse infiltrates of both interstitial and alveolar type. Autopsies were performed in five cases, and findings in several of these are described to help provide radiologic-pathologic correlation. An association of lung involvement (as evidenced by diffuse infiltrates on chest radiographs) and increased mortality was demonstrated.
Polygenic analysis of larval locomotor activity in Drosophila melanogaster

The genetic basis of larval locomotor activity inDrosophila melanogaster was studied by comparing four strains that differ significantly in activity levels. The inbred wild-type strain Canton-S had the lowest activity level, while the relatively heterogeneous wild-type OK1 genotype had the highest. Activities could not be explained simply in terms of a difference in catecholamine levels. The analysis of heterozygous whole-chromosome effects suggested that chromosome 2 carried modifiers that increased activity, but an interchromosomal interaction balanced its effect in OK1. A sex-limited interaction countering an X-chromosome effect in Canton-S was also consistent with the conclusion that stabilizing interactions are an important part of the genetic control of this behavioral phenotype.
Neuronal cell lines expressing PC5, but not PC1 or PC2, process Pro-CCK into glycine-extended CCK 12 and 22.

Abstract Endocrine tumor cells in culture and in vitro cleavage assays have shown that PC1 and PC2 are capable of processing pro-CCK into smaller, intermediate and final, bioactive forms. Similar studies have shown that PC5 has the ability to process a number of propeptides. Here, we use GT1–7 (mouse hypothalamic) and SK-N-MC and SK-N-SH (human neuroblastoma) tumor cell lines to study the ability of PC5 to process pro-CCK. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the cells express PC5 mRNA and protein, but not PC1 or PC2. They were engineered to stably overexpress CCK and cell media was analyzed for pro-CCK expression and cleavage of the prohormone. Radioimmunoassays showed that pro-CCK was expressed, but no amidated CCK was detected. Lack of production of amidated CCK may be due to the lack of the appropriate carboxypeptidase and amidating enzymes. Production of glycine-extended CCK processing products was evaluated by treatment of media with carboxypeptidase B followed by analysis with a CCK Gly RIA. Glycine-extended forms of the peptide were found in the media. The predominant forms co-eluted with CCK 12 Gly and CCK 22 Gly on gel filtration chromatography. The results demonstrate that these cell lines which express PC5 and not PC1 or PC2 have the ability to process pro-CCK into intermediate, glycine-extended forms more closely resembling pro-CCK products in intestine than in brain.
Apparent Reduced Absorption of Gemfibrozil When Given with Colestipol

Colestipol and gemfibrozil may be used in combination to lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Since colestipol is known to bind certain anionic drugs, we studied the effect of colestipol on the pharmacokinetics of gemfibrozil in 10 patients with elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Each patient received 600 mg of gemfibrozil by mouth during four different studies. Gemfibrozil was given randomly either alone, with, 2 hours before, or 2 hours after 5 grams of colestipol. The serum gemfibrozil concentration time curves were similar when gemfibrozil was given alone or two hours before or after colestipol. There was also no statistical difference in peak gemfibrozil concentration (Cmax), time to Cmax (tmax), area under the curve (AUC), or serum elimination half-life (t1/2) between any of these three treatments. However, when colestipol was given with gemfibrozil, there was a decrease in AUC (43.6 ± 21.9 mg*hr/L) compared with gemfibrozil given alone (62.6 ± 10.3 mg*hr/L) which was statistically different by both ANOVA and paired t-test. This finding suggests a decrease in gemfibrozil bioavailability. Cmax when colestipol was given with gemfibrozil (14.7 ± 6.6 mg/L) was not statistically different from gemfibrozil alone (20.1 ± 4.9 mg/L). However, the mean serum concentrations when gemfibrozil was given with colestipol were significantly lower at the 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 hour sampling times when compared to the other regimens. Gemfibrozil serum elimination half-life was not significantly altered by combination with colestipol. The data suggest a reduction of gemfibrozil bioavailability when colestipol is administered concomitantly. Separating the administration of these two drugs by at least two hours will avoid this drug interaction.
Transcription and replication of animal mitochondrial DNAs.

Publisher Summary This chapter explores how animal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is expressed and replicated. The mtDNA contain only one significant stretch of nucleotide sequence that does not code for RNA or a protein molecule. This region is the displacement-loop (Dloop) portion, which is a signature feature of vertebrate mtDNA. The essential major cis -acting elements necessary for transcriptional initiation are located within the confines of the D-loop region, which is defined explicitly as that sequence bounded by the genes for transfer RNA (tRNA)-phenylalanine and tRNA-proline. The D-loop region also contains all of the required template information necessary for the initiation of nascent heavy (H)-strand DNA synthesis, which marks the beginning of a round of DNA replication in this system. Human mtDNA promoters include a short region encompassing the transcriptional start sites that has important sequence requirements, as evidenced by the fact that mutations in these start sites have serious consequences for promoter function. Efficient transcription requires the presence and action of the only identified trans -acting factor in vertebrate mitochondrial transcription. This factor, termed “mtTFl,” functions by binding immediately upstream of the transcriptional start sites from positions –10 to –40 at each promoter.
Quantitating the association of charged molecules with ionic micelles.

Abstract We have studied micelles comprised of cationic (CTAB) and anionic (SDS) surfactants through the interactions of solution phase anionic disodium fluorescein (DSF) and cationic rhodamine 110 (R110) dyes with perylene sequestered within the micelles. Fluorescence lifetime measurements monitor energy transfer between the nonpolar optical donor within the micelle and ionic probes in the surrounding solution. The efficiency of this process is mediated by the extent to which the ionic dyes interact with the micelle palisade layer, and our fluorescence lifetime data allow us to determine the association constants for acceptor–micelle interactions.
Phase-field simulations of Te-precipitate morphology and evolution kinetics in Te-rich CdTe crystals

Te precipitates are one of principal defects that form during cooling of melt-grown CdTe or CZT crystals when grown Te-rich. Many factors such as the kinetic properties of intrinsic point defects (vacancy, interstitial, and antisite defects); stresses associated with the lattice mismatch between precipitate and matrix; temperature gradients and extended defects (dislocations, twin and grain boundaries); non-stoichiometric composition; thermal treatment history all affect the formation and growth/dissolution of Te precipitates in CdTe. A good understanding of these effects on Te precipitate evolution kinetics is technically important in order to optimize material processing and obtain high-quality crystals. This research develops a phase-field model capable of investigating the evolution of coherent Te precipitates in a Te-rich CdTe crystal undergoing cooling from the melt. Cd vacancies and Te interstitials are assumed to be the dominant diffusing species in the system, which is in two-phase equilibrium (matrix CdTe and liquid Te inclusion) at high temperatures and three-phase equilibrium (matrix CdTe, Te precipitate, and void) at low temperatures. Using available thermodynamic and kinetic data from experimental phase diagrams and thermodynamic calculations, the effects of Te interstitial and Cd vacancy mobility, cooling rates and stresses on Te precipitate, and void evolution kinetics are investigated.
Raising the Bar for the Care of Seriously Ill Patients: Results of a National Survey to Define Essential Palliative Care Competencies for Medical Students and Residents

Purpose Given the shortage of palliative care specialists in the U.S., to ensure quality of care for patients with serious, life-threatening illness, generalist-level palliative care competencies need to be defined and taught. The purpose of this study was to define essential competencies for medical students and internal medicine and family medicine (IM/FM) residents through a national survey of palliative care experts.
Network constraints and multi-objective optimization for one-class classification

Abstract This paper introduces a constrained second-order network with a multiple objective learning algorithm that forms closed hyperellipsoidal decision boundaries for one-class classification. The network architecture has uncoupled constraints that give independent control over each decision boundary's size, shape, position, and orientation. The architecture together with the learning algorithm guarantee the formation of positive definite eigenvalues for closed hyperellipsoidal decision boundaries. The learning algorithm incorporates two criteria, one that seeks to minimize classification mapping error and another that seeks to minimize the size of the decision boundaries. We consider both additive combinations and multiplicative combinations of the individual criteria, and we present empirical evidence for selecting functional forms of the individual objectives that are bounded and normalized. The resulting multiple objective criterion allows the decision boundaries to increase or decrease in size as necessary to achieve both within-class generalization and out-of-class generalization without requiring the use of non-target patterns in the training set. The resulting network learns compact closed decision boundaries when trained with target data only. We show results of applying the network to the Iris data set (Fisher (1936), Annals of Eugenics, 7(2), 179–188). Advantages of this approach include its inherent ability for one-class generalization, freedom from characterizing the non-target class, and the ability to form closed decision boundaries for multi-modal classes that are more complex than hyperspheres without requiring inversion of large matrices.
A Kelvin transmission line pulsing system with optimized oscilloscope ranging

In this work, a custom transmission line pulsing system is built using common laboratory equipment and off-the-shelf components. The combination of Kelvin probing, ground return line length reduction, and an optimized oscilloscope ranging algorithm provide excellent TLP I-V curves and enables highly accurate measurement of device on-resistance.
Color Analysis of Facial Skin: Detection of Emotional State

Humans show emotion through different channels such as facial expression, head poses, gaze patterns, bodily gestures, and speech prosody, but also through physiological signals such as skin color changes. The concentration levels of hemoglobin and blood oxygenation under the skin vary due to changes in a person's emotional and physical state, this produces subtle changes in the hue and saturation components of their skin color. In this paper, we present an evaluation of facial skin color changes as the only feature to infer the emotional state of a person. We created a dataset of spontaneous human emotions with a wide range of human subjects of different ages and ethnicities. We used three different types of video clips as stimuli: negative, neutral, and positive to elicit emotions on subjects. We performed experiments using various machine learning algorithms including decision trees, multinomial logistic regression and latent-dynamic conditional random field. Our preliminary results show that facial skin color changes can be used to infer the emotional state of a person in the valence dimension with an accuracy of 77.08%.
Frege's puzzle and Frege cases: Defending a quasi-syntactic solution

When a subject acquires a concept, one of her cognitive vehicles comes into an appropriate causal or informational relation to whatever that concept is a concept of. Social interaction helps in significant ways to ground this relation. I expound, then apply this perspective to a philosophical problem concerning conceptual content: Frege's puzzle. The socially interactive processes of language-learning and concept acquisition depend heavily on the mastery of reliable inferences involving the terms learned and concepts acquired. As a side effect, we are inclined to think that patterns of inferential relations constitute content itself. Thus, we are inclined to think that a subject's differing ways of thinking about the same object-i.e., her possession of two cognitive vehicles that refer to the same object but which participate in different patterns of subjectively drawn inferences-correspond to differences in mental, or conceptual, content. I argue that this is an illusion, an understandable one caused by the difficulty of language-learning and concept acquisition and the concomitant need to rely on inferential patterns to get ourselves into the appropriate causal and informational relations to the things represented by our thoughts and words. The illusion is strengthened, I claim, by the way in which subjects acquire the very concept of content.
Comparative diagnostic utility of 1H MRS and DWI in evaluation of temporal lobe epilepsy

Objective: To compare the ability of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and 1H MRS to lateralize to the temporal lobe of seizure onset and to predict postoperative seizure control in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Methods: Forty TLE patients who subsequently underwent epilepsy surgery and 20 normal subjects were studied with 1H MRS and DWI. Medial parietal and temporal lobe N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) ratios and hippocampal and temporal stem apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were obtained. Lateralization to either temporal lobe with each MR measurement was based on the threshold values derived from ±1-SD right/left ratios of normal subjects. Results: Temporal lobe NAA/Cr lateralized to the operated temporal lobe in 18 of 40 (45%), hippocampal ADC in 32 of 40 (80%), and temporal stem ADC in 26 of 40 (65%) patients. Almost all of the cases that lateralized to the surgical side with NAA/Cr ratios (94%) had an excellent postoperative seizure control (p = 0.01). Lateralization to the side of surgery was not associated with surgical outcome with hippocampal and temporal stem ADC (p > 0.05). Conclusion:1H MRS and DWI complement each other in the clinical setting. DWI more frequently lateralized to the operated side, and 1HMRS was a better predictor of postoperative seizure control.
Anatomical analysis of afferent projections to the medial prefrontal cortex in the rat

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been associated with diverse functions including attentional processes, visceromotor activity, decision making, goal directed behavior, and working memory. Using retrograde tracing techniques, we examined, compared, and contrasted afferent projections to the four divisions of the mPFC in the rat: the medial (frontal) agranular (AGm), anterior cingulate (AC), prelimbic (PL), and infralimbic (IL) cortices. Each division of the mPFC receives a unique set of afferent projections. There is a shift dorsoventrally along the mPFC from predominantly sensorimotor input to the dorsal mPFC (AGm and dorsal AC) to primarily 'limbic' input to the ventral mPFC (PL and IL). The AGm and dorsal AC receive afferent projections from widespread areas of the cortex (and associated thalamic nuclei) representing all sensory modalities. This information is presumably integrated at, and utilized by, the dorsal mPFC in goal directed actions. In contrast with the dorsal mPFC, the ventral mPFC receives significantly less cortical input overall and afferents from limbic as opposed to sensorimotor regions of cortex. The main sources of afferent projections to PL/IL are from the orbitomedial prefrontal, agranular insular, perirhinal and entorhinal cortices, the hippocampus, the claustrum, the medial basal forebrain, the basal nuclei of amygdala, the midline thalamus and monoaminergic nuclei of the brainstem. With a few exceptions, there are few projections from the hypothalamus to the dorsal or ventral mPFC. Accordingly, subcortical limbic information mainly reaches the mPFC via the midline thalamus and basal nuclei of amygdala. As discussed herein, based on patterns of afferent (as well as efferent) projections, PL is positioned to serve a direct role in cognitive functions homologous to dorsolateral PFC of primates, whereas IL appears to represent a visceromotor center homologous to the orbitomedial PFC of primates.
Spin-phonon effects in the two-band Hubbard model

Abstract A one-dimensional two-band Hubbard model with the electron–phonon interaction is studied using the exact diagonalization method. We focus on the bond-stretching phonon mode and its effect on the spin-charge system as a function of wave vector and doping. We calculate the magnetic structure factor and investigate the ground state spin correlations and spin dynamics. We observe a strong softening of the lowest energy spin excitation as a result of the electron–phonon interaction.
Polyalanylation of bovine somatotropin peptide 96-133.

Abstract Polyalanylation of bovine somatotropin peptide 96–133 has been investigated. Polyalanylated peptides contained an average of 3–50 additional alanines per mole of peptide. As indicated by circular dichroism, the parent peptide and the polyalanylated peptides were helical at pH 4.0. The biological activity per mole of peptide with 50 additional alanines was approximately the same as that of the parent peptide.
Regression and replacement of hydranths in thecate hydroids, and the structure of hydrothecae

In 1953 the author described a regression and replacement cycle of hydranths in Laomedea flexuosa and proposed that this is a common feature of thecate hydroids. Here examples are presented of replacement of hydranths in species from 5 families of thecates, but it has not been demonstrated that this is as common as had been thought. More continuous studies are needed. A brief consideration is given to the origin of hydrothecae and their development.
Finding reachable states of finite-state concurrent systems

Abstract We present detailed algorithms for finding, for a given finitestate concurrent software system, all states reachable from a given set of possible initial states. Our systems consist of processes that send and receive messages through links of bounded capacity. Input to the algorithm is a software system, described in a modeling notation that resembles a programming language. Of particular interest are the techniques for modeling the effects of concurrency and nondeterminism, for detecting infinite loops, and for selecting a set of particularly significant states to report to the user. We discuss performance of the algorithms and provide data from implementations.
Recent advances in the stabilization of proteins encapsulated in injectable PLGA delivery systems

Injectable controlled-release systems based on biodegradable copolymers of lactic and glycolic acids (PLGAs) have become widely used for delivery of protein therapeutics and vaccine antigens. Over the last five years, great strides have been made toward overcoming the difficulty of stabilizing PLGA-encapsulated proteins. In addition to stabilizing proteins during encapsulation with anhydrous methods, two approaches have proven highly effective to stabilize proteins during 1-month release incubation under physiological conditions: protein complexation with zinc and control of PLGA microclimate pH with antacid excipients. Described here are recent advances in the stabilization of proteins encapsulated in PLGA delivery systems.
Molecular Action of Lidocaine on the Voltage Sensors of Sodium Channels

Block of sodium ionic current by lidocaine is associated with alteration of the gating charge-voltage (Q-V) relationship characterized by a 38% reduction in maximal gating charge (Q(max)) and by the appearance of additional gating charge at negative test potentials. We investigated the molecular basis of the lidocaine-induced reduction in cardiac Na channel-gating charge by sequentially neutralizing basic residues in each of the voltage sensors (S4 segments) in the four domains of the human heart Na channel (hH1a). By determining the relative reduction in the Q(max) of each mutant channel modified by lidocaine we identified those S4 segments that contributed to a reduction in gating charge. No interaction of lidocaine was found with the voltage sensors in domains I or II. The largest inhibition of charge movement was found for the S4 of domain III consistent with lidocaine completely inhibiting its movement. Protection experiments with intracellular MTSET (a charged sulfhydryl reagent) in a Na channel with the fourth outermost arginine in the S4 of domain III mutated to a cysteine demonstrated that lidocaine stabilized the S4 in domain III in a depolarized configuration. Lidocaine also partially inhibited movement of the S4 in domain IV, but lidocaine's most dramatic effect was to alter the voltage-dependent charge movement of the S4 in domain IV such that it accounted for the appearance of additional gating charge at potentials near -100 mV. These findings suggest that lidocaine's actions on Na channel gating charge result from allosteric coupling of the binding site(s) of lidocaine to the voltage sensors formed by the S4 segments in domains III and IV.
Imaging, Manipulating, and Analyzing with Nanometer Precision: Application of the Nanoworkbench

We report the development of novel nanometer-scale manipulative and analytical devices for imaging, chemically analyzing and manipulating nanometer-scaled materials. Two different versions of the nanoworkbench are operating currently at the Surface Science Center of the University of Pittsburgh and at the Seagate Research Center in Pittsburgh. The instrument at Seagate consists of a modified commercially available high resolution scanning electron microscope (lateral resolution ~1 nm at 10 kV) in combination with a set of four unique nano-manipulators, operating in the pressure range from 102 to 10−7 mbar. At the University of Pittsburgh a home-built UHV version of the nano-workbench is in operation. In this UHV-instrument, several inter-connected UHV chambers allow in-situ deposition of thin-films and conventional surface analysis. The resolution of the SEM of the UHV system is limited to about 50 nm. We report the first results obtained by using both versions of the nanoworkbench, where we succeeded in writing patterns of ultra-small carbon-containing dots (8nm in diameter) with high position accuracy (<5nm) by electron-beam-induced deposition of carbon-containing background gases. Additionally, four-point probe measurements were performed on a SiGe system.
Multi-channel testing architecture for high-speed eye-diagram using pin electronics and subsampling monobit reconstruction algorithms

This paper proposes a new multi-channel testing architecture for high-speed eye-diagram. The proposed architecture reconstructs the eye-diagram of a multi-Gbps bit pattern with the combination of pin electronics and reconstruction algorithms. A scalability of the test system significantly increases in behalf of a monobit receiver and its designated reconstruction algorithm. A novel reconstruction algorithm using monobit receiver and subsampling clock enables the test system to monitor the signal quality in low-cost. The proposed architecture is implemented and demonstrated in a hardware prototype. Experiment with the hardware prototype shows that an eye-diagram of 3.2Gbps bit pattern can be reconstructed within sub-picosecond resolution by the proposed method with subsampling clock (below 100MHz).
Multi-system influences on adolescent risky sexual behavior†

We examined multi-system influences on risky sexual behavior measured by cumulative sexual risk index and number of nonromantic sexual partners among 4,465 single, sexually experienced adolescents. Hierarchical Poisson regression analyses were conducted with Wave I–II data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Individual and family factors predicted both outcome measures. Neighborhood set predicted cumulative sexual risk index only, and peer factors predicted the number of nonromantic sexual partners only. School set did not predict either outcome. There were significant associations among risky sexual behavior, drug use, and delinquent behaviors. The results highlight the need for multifaceted prevention programs that address relevant factors related to family, peer and neighborhood influence as well as individual factors among sexually active adolescents. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:512–527, 2010
A Duty-Cycle Correction Circuit for High-Frequency Clocks

We present a circuit to control duty-cycle of high-frequency clocks with very fine resolution. The proposed duty-cycle detection and correction circuits are digital and do not require external references and matching devices. The circuits are designed to compensate for duty-cycle uncertainties in a floating point unit implemented using limited switch dynamic logic (LSDL) (Belloumini, 2005). The results show that the circuit can correct the duty-cycle of an 8-GHz clock with plusmn0.8% accuracy for an input range of 25% to 75%
A new technique for mitigating risk on US college campuses

High‐profile criminal acts continue to plague United States (US) college campuses despite recent efforts to implement more aggressive risk mitigation practices, such as criminal background checks. Despite these efforts, incidents such as the most recent shootings at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University continue to demonstrate that, although these efforts are welcome, they are not enough to address the ever‐increasing risks facing universities. This article addresses some of the gaps in existing risk mitigation efforts on US college campuses and examines a relatively new incident reporting technology that is fast gaining acceptance as an additional and ongoing risk mitigation tool for these environments.
Multiple access protocol for power-controlled wireless access nets

We consider ad hoc wireless networks that are configured as Mobile Backbone Networks. A hierarchical network architecture is synthesized, consisting of Access Nets (ANets) and Backbone Nets (BNets). Each ANet is managed by a (dynamically elected) Backbone Node (BN) that is equipped with higher capability (transmission and processing) modules. The BNs are chosen from currently active mobile backbone-capable nodes or are represented by (ground and/or airborne) unmanned vehicles (UVs) that are guided into selected positions. We develop and investigate a new joint power controlled medium access control (MAC) algorithm for wireless access nets (ANets). Under our new protocol, the net backbone node instructs the ANet nodes to make power control adjustments while simultaneously allocating to them slots for the requested transmissions of their packets. This algorithm, in contrast to other employed conventional graph-based scheduling algorithms, satisfies the requirement that a minimum signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR) is met at all intended receivers. We show our algorithm to lead to a significant increase in the net throughput level by attaining high spatial reuse.
Administration of CI-1033, an irreversible pan-erbB tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is feasible on a 7-day on, 7-day off schedule : a phase I pharmacokinetic and food effect study

Purpose: To determine the maximum tolerated dose of administrating CI-1033, an oral 4-anilinoquinazoline that irreversibly inhibits the tyrosine kinase domain of all erbB subfamilies, on an intermittent schedule, and assess the interaction of CI-1033 with food on the pharmacokinetic behavior. Experimental Design: Escalating doses of CI-1033 from a dose level of 300 mg/day for 7 days every other week were administered to patients with advanced solid malignancies. Plasma concentration-time data sets from all evaluable patients were used to develop a population pharmacokinetic model. Noncompartmental methods were used to independently assess the effect of a high-fat meal on CI-1033 absorption and bioavailability. Results: Twenty-four patients were treated with 69 twenty-eight day courses. The incidence of unacceptable toxicity, principally diarrhea and skin rash, was observed at the 300 mg/day dose level. At the 250 mg/day level, toxicity was manageable, and protracted administration was feasible. A one-compartment linear model with first-order absorption and elimination adequately described the pharmacokinetic disposition. CL/ F , apparent volume of distribution ( V d / F ), and k a (mean ± relative SD) were 280 L/hour ± 33%, 684 L ± 20%, and 0.35 hour −1 ± 69%, respectively. C max values were achieved in 2 to 4 hours. Systemic CI-1033 exposure was largely unaffected by administration of a high-fat meal. At 250 mg, concentration values exceeded IC 50 values required for prolonged pan-erbB tyrosine kinase inhibition in preclinical assays. Conclusions: The recommended dose on this schedule is 250 mg/day. Its tolerability and the biological relevance of concentrations achieved at the maximal tolerated dose warrant consideration of disease-directed evaluations. This intermittent treatment schedule can be used without regard to meals.
Discharge mechanism for electrostatic fly control

Electrostatic force has been proposed for use in fly height reduction and control. The dominant failure mode is electrical discharge at the head-disk interface (HDI) due to field emission. Ballast resistor films have been used for limiting field emission. We applied this idea to the HDI by depositing a thick coating of diamond-like carbon (DLC) on the slider. A typical slider has 25 /spl Aring/ of DLC and exhibits breakdown voltage of less than 3 V on product media. When the coating thickness was increased to 430 /spl Aring/, it was sufficient to prevent discharge up to 6 V and allowed approximately 33% clearance reduction without crashing or discharging. The result is in good agreement with fly height modeling, which takes into account the head-disk electrostatic force.
Pharmacokinetics of valaciclovir

While active against Herpesviridae, oral aciclovir is limited by low and inconsistent bioavailability. Modification of aciclovir by valine esterification, producing valaciclovir, results in significant increases in systemic aciclovir plasma levels. The exact mechanism of increased absorption with valaciclovir is not fully determined but probably involves intestinal dipeptide transporters, followed by rapid ester hydrolysis in the small intestine and liver. The enhanced pharmacokinetics of valaciclovir have translated into improvements in clinical efficacy and patient convenience.
Food company sponsorship of nutrition research and professional activities: a conflict of interest?

Marion Nestle Public Health Nutrition / Volume 4 / Issue 05 / October 2001, pp 1015 ­ 1022 DOI: 10.1079/PHN2001253, Published online: 02 January 2007 Link to this article: http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1368980001001069 How to cite this article: Marion Nestle (2001). Food company sponsorship of nutrition research and professional activities: a conflict of interest?. Public Health Nutrition, 4, pp 1015­1022 doi:10.1079/PHN2001253 Request Permissions : Click here
Prevention of infection in the intensive care unit.

Purpose of reviewTo review tactics used to prevent intensive care unit infections, particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-related bloodstream infections.Recent findingsHealth-care-associated infections in the intensive care unit are associated with elevated mortality, morbidity, a
Enzyme-Induced Formation of Thermoreversible Micellar Gels from Aqueous Solutions of Multiresponsive Hydrophilic ABA Triblock Copolymers

We report on the synthesis of thermo- and enzyme-responsive hydrophilic ABA triblock copolymers, poly(ethoxydi(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-4-((dihydroxyphosphoryl)oxy)butyl acrylate)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(ethoxydi(ethylene glycol) acrylate-co-4-((dihydroxyphosphoryl)oxy)butyl acrylate) (P(DEGEA-co-OPBA)-b-PEO-b-P(DEGEA-co-OPBA)), and the enzyme-induced formation of thermoreversible micellar gels from their moderately concentrated aqueous solutions at 37 °C. PDEGEA is a thermosensitive water-soluble polymer with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at 9 °C in water. The block copolymers were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization of DEGEA and 4-((di-tert-butoxyphosphoryl)oxy)butyl acrylate and subsequent removal of tert-butyl groups. To seek optimal conditions for enzymatic gelation of aqueous solutions of triblock copolymers, a study of dephosphorylation of a random copolymer P(DEGEA-co-OPBA) by acid phosphatase in water at 37 °C was carried out. The time for the solution to tur...
Information Resource Construction Mode and Teaching form Evolution in Higher Education

The fast development of information technology has a revolutionary influence on organization structure and teaching form in higher education,the information of higher education is an important component of national information development strategy. The construction of education resources adapting to the internationalization of higher education and information development requirements is the important premise of realizing the higher education modernization,which is necessary under the tendency of individual autonomous learning. Scientifically grasping the technical specification,main mode and basic characteristics of education resource construction,fully reflecting the main position of teaching and quality first principle,perfecting the management service mechanism and ensuring the information accuracy and the security are the keys of information education resource construction.
A New Type of Modular High-voltage High-power DC-DC Converter

A new-type modular DC-DC converter is proposed for the demand for high-voltage high-power DC conversion.With a lower switching frequency and smaller power loss,a simple structure without any internal transformer coil,the new converter has a simpler control mode and is easy to extend.It is suitable for the DC power transmission with a higher voltage level and larger transmission capacity.For both unidirectional and bidirectional DC-DC converters designed,a detailed description is made of the converter topology,working principles as well as control strategy.It is shown by simulation results in the PSCAD/ EMTDC environment that the new type of DC-DC converter can better realize the function of the DC transformer with ideal DC voltage and current than do its counterparts.
Dimension of the Solution Space

In this chapter, we will discuss solution spaces, convex sets and convex functions, the geometry of linear programs, and the theorem of separating hyperplanes. We will apply what we cover in this chapter to build our understanding of the Simplex Method, duality theory, and other concepts in subsequent chapters.
Navigating the Corporate University Reflections on the Politics of Research in Neoliberal Times

In this article, the authors highlight numerous encounters with and critiques of academic life in the corporate university. From disagreements with colleagues and anxiousness over the job market to...
Management of asymptomatic pulmonary vein aneurysm

Aneurysm of a pulmonary vein is a rare vascular anomaly that is usually discovered incidentally as a pulmonary nodule or mediastinal mass. Most patients do not have any symptoms but some patients can present with dyspnea, hemoptysis, or cerebral thromboembolism. Proper diagnosis is crucial as to avoid unnecessary testing or surgical procedures. We highlight a case of an asymptomatic 59-year-old female with a pulmonary vein aneurysm presenting as a 1.5 cm right infrahilar nodule on contrast-enhanced CT during evaluation for acute cholecystitis. Further investigation with MRA revealed that it was vascular in nature, and pulmonary angiography showed dilation of the right inferior pulmonary vein with no communication to the pulmonary artery. On serial imaging, there has been no change in the size of the aneurysm. A small non-enlarging pulmonary vein aneurysm should be managed expectantly.
Long-Term Outcomes of Balloon Valvuloplasty for Isolated Pulmonary Valve Stenosis

To evaluate the long-term cumulative incidence of ≥ moderate pulmonary regurgitation (PR) and re-intervention following balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV). While BPV for pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) relieves obstruction acutely, long-term outcomes are not well documented. Between 1982 and 2002, 211 patients had BPV for isolated PS. Follow-up data were available for 103 patients. Cumulative incidence of ≥ moderate PR and re-intervention was evaluated and risk factors for ≥ moderate PR assessed in univariate and multivariable analyses. Median age at BPV was 0.7 years (range 1 day–42.2 years); peak catheter gradient was 65 mmHg (range 31–169 mmHg); 23% had critical PS. Sixty-two patients had a recent echocardiogram with median follow-up 15.1 years (range 10.1–26.3 years); 60% had ≥ moderate PR. Three patients had pulmonary valve replacement following BPV due to symptomatic severe PR. In univariate analysis, critical PS, younger age, smaller BSA, and smaller pulmonary annulus at the time of BPV, as well as greater baseline PS gradient by catheterization, were associated with ≥ moderate PR (all p 10-year outcomes following BPV, 60% of patients with available follow-up data developed ≥ moderate PR. Few patients had pulmonary valve replacement. Patients with lower BSA at the time of BPV were more likely to have greater PR at late follow-up.
Splitting hairs and trimming tresses: translating Amīr Khusraw’s Persian locks into an American 'do

ABSTRACTThis article examines the process involved in translating a passage by medieval Indian court poet Amīr Khusraw (d. 1325) that appears in a preface to a book of his poetry, Vasaṭ al-Ḥayāt (The Middle of Life). The article demonstrates possible solutions to difficult problems of translation, including how to render double entendres relating to the metaphor of hair. Trimming some of the puns, briefly suggesting others, and adding explanatory notes when necessary yielded a translation that strove to convey much of the sense and richness of the original without getting bogged down in an excess of wordplay.