cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel method for PTH soldering driven by the thermal restrictions of a PTH LCD device

The approaching deadline for the RoHS Server exemption expiration provides incentive to the server manufacturing industry to accelerate the Pb-free transition for complex manufacturing processes. The Pb-free soldering process requires a higher reflow temperature than standard eutectic SnPb solder to achieve proper solder joint formation, but introduces more thermal stress to thermally/temperature sensitive components (TSC), especially for the pin through hole (PTH) components attached by surface mount soldering/intrusive soldering or legacy wave soldering processes. Hand soldering and solder fountain (solder pot or selective wave) are two methods used as replacements for legacy wave-soldering to avoid thermal damage to TSC's. There are some challenges with hand soldering that include achieving the 50% hole fill requirements and consistently performing a manual operation during high volume mass production. Solder fountain has become the most reliable method for thermal sensitive PTH components to ensure temperature limitations. In one application that it was required to use solder fountain was the soldering of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) PTH component. This particular LCD component had very severe temperature limitations restricting its exposure to 90∼100°C. The method presented in this publication is to reduce the thermal exposure of this specific TSC PTH component, a process utilizing a solder fountain with some additional tools to reduce the heat transfer. In order to further control heat transfer via conduction, convection, or radiation, the idea of applying a controllable air flow between the component body and heated pins was conceived. The air flow between the heat source and component body formed an air wall thermally isolating the component without causing a disturbance with the soldering process. A design of experiments (DOE) using manufacturing parameters that influence component body temperature was completed and provided optimized settings for the “air wall's” effect. This paper documents the experiment varying contact cycles, contact time and air flow that generated an effective air wall process and discusses how the air wall successfully reduces heat transfer to the component body. It will compare the thermal impact on the LCD component body of hand soldering, solder fountain, and solder fountain with the “air wall” mechanism.
Tolerability and efficacy of oral loading of levetiracetam

Objective: Nonsedating antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that can be initiated rapidly are desirable in a variety of clinical situations. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a newer AED, with a recently approved parenteral formulation, that can be initiated at doses effective in controlling seizures. We investigated whether oral loading of levetiracetam is well tolerated and facilitates stabilization and discharge of patients in epilepsy monitoring units (EMU). Methods: Adult patients in the EMU at two centers were identified who received 1,500 mg of LEV in a single dose. This was an observational study of these patients where LEV was thought to be an appropriate component of the therapeutic regimen. Patients were either LEV naive or had been off all LEV for at least 3 days. LEV maintenance was begun 12 hours later at doses of 500 to 1,000 mg twice a day. Results: A total of 37 adult patients (20 female) were identified. There were no spontaneous complaints of side effects. Upon questioning, 33 patients (89%) denied side effects. The remaining 4 patients (11%) reported transient irritability, imbalance, tiredness, or lightheadedness. Eleven patients (mean weight = 85.0 Kg) had mean LEV serum concentration of 31.5 μg/mL after 1 hour, 23 (mean weight 85.7 Kg) had mean concentration of 30.77 μg/mL after 2 hours, five (mean weight 84.3 Kg) had mean concentration of 12.1 μg/mL after 12 hours, and two (mean weight 94 Kg) had mean concentration of 7.4 μg/mL after 14 hours. No seizures occurred within 24 hours of loading. All patients were able to be discharged 3 to 30 hours after loading. Conclusions: In the population surveyed, oral loading with levetiracetam was well-tolerated and rapidly yielded serum concentrations thought to decrease seizure frequency. This regimen facilitated discharge from the epilepsy monitoring units. GLOSSARY: AEDs = antiepileptic drugs; CBZ = carbamazepine; CZP = clonazepam; EMU = epilepsy monitoring units; GPN = gabapentin; LEV = levetiracetam; LTG = lamotrigine; OXC = oxcarbazepine; PB = phenobarbital; PHT = phenytoin; TPM = topiramate; VPA = valproic acid; ZNS = zonisamide.
Effect of clozapine, haloperidol, or M100907 on phencyclidine-activated glutamate efflux in the prefrontal cortex.

Background: The increase in glutamate efflux in the prefrontal cortex by the psychotomimetic drugs phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine may produce the dopaminergic and some of the behavioral effects of these drugs. Here, we examined whether antipsychotic drugs influence this increase. Methods: The effect of haloperidol, clozapine or the 5-HT2A antagonist, M100907, on PCP-induced increase in cortical glutamate efflux was examined by microdialysis. Because previous studies had suggested that M100907 attenuates some behavioral effects of PCP, we also examined the effect of M100907 on PCP-induced cortical and accumbal dopamine activation while making concomitant measures of locomotion and stereotypy. Results: Haloperidol, clozapine or M100907 did not significantly block hyperglutamatergic effects of PCP. M100907 was ineffective in inhibiting the dopaminergic and motoric effects of PCP. Conclusions: These results contrast previous findings with glutamatergic drugs, such as AMPA antagonists or group II metabotropic glutamate agonists, that blocked glutamatergic and motoric effects of PCP. Thus, the PCP glutamate activation model lacks predictive validity for conventional antipsychotics; however, this model may be useful for design of novel classes of drugs that target those symptoms of schizophrenia that are not generally treated with monoamine-based antipsychotics.
The Role of Rds in Outer Segment Morphogenesis and Human Retinal Disease

The Retinal Degeneration Slow (Rds) protein is required by photoreceptors for proper formation of the specialized outer segment organelle. Human mutations in Rds cause a multitude of blinding diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. In recent years, the use of animal models and biochemical approaches has provided evidence towards the precise function of Rds and its role in the pathogenesis of human disease. This review addresses the current understanding of the role of Rds in photoreceptor outer segment morphogenesis and provides insight into the design of therapeutic strategies to treat Rds-associated retinal diseases.
Average-case analysis of a greedy algorithm for the 0/1 knapsack problem

We consider the average-case performance of a well-known approximation algorithm for the 0/1 knapsack problem, the decreasing density greedy (DDG) algorithm. Let U"n={u"1,...,u"n} be a set of n items, with each item u"i having a size s"i and a profit p"i, and K"n be the capacity of the knapsack. Given an instance of the 0/1 knapsack problem, let P"L denote the total profit of an optimal solution of the linear version of the problem (i.e., a fraction of an item can be packed in the knapsack) and P"D"D"G denote the total profit of the solution obtained by the DDG algorithm. Assuming that U"n is a random sample from the uniform distribution over (0,1]^2 and K"n=@sn for some constant 0<@s<1/2, we show that n(P"L-P"D"D"G) converges in distribution.
Eliminativism, interventionism and the Overdetermination Argument

In trying to establish the view that there are no non-living macrophysical objects, Trenton Merricks has produced an influential argument—the Overdetermination Argument—against the causal efficacy of composite objects. A serious problem for the Overdetermination Argument is the ambiguity in the notion of overdetermination that is being employed, which is due to the fact that Merricks does not provide any theory of causation to support his claims. Once we adopt a plausible theory of causation, viz. interventionism, problems with the Overdetermination will become evident. After laying out the Overdetermination Argument and examining one extant objection to it, I will explicate the relevant aspects of an interventionist theory of causation and provide a characterization of overdetermination that follows from such an account. From this, I will argue that the Causal Principle that undergirds the Overdetermination Argument is false and hence the argument is invalid; and I claim that the only other available characterization of overdetermination would render a key premise in the argument false. Thus, the Overdetermination Argument fails to provide us with any reason to deny the causal efficacy of macrophysical objects, and therefore provides no reason to doubt their existence.
Monoamine transporter pharmacology and mutant mice

Monoamine transporters, such as the dopamine transporter, 5-HT transporter and noradrenaline transporter, in the plasma membrane provide effective control over the intensity of monoamine-mediated signaling by recapturing neurotransmitters released by presynaptic neurons. These proteins represent established targets for several psychotropic drugs, including psychostimulants and antidepressants; however, important issues regarding the selectivity and mechanisms of action of these drugs remain unresolved. Although monoamine transporter knockout mice have profound changes in neurotransmission, they provide useful in vivo models to analyze the effects of psychotropic drugs. In this review, we summarize recent insights into the pharmacology of psychotropic drugs using mice in which the genes encoding these transporters have been deleted.
The Development of Ultrafine, Superplastic Structures in White Cast Irons.

Abstract At room temperature white cast irons are normally regarded as very brittle materials due to a high content of brittle iron carbide. However, it has long been known that at high temperatures white cast irons and iron carbide are deformable by various hot working processes. Recent work at Stanford has demonstrated that a series of thermomechanical treatments, including extensive warm working, refines the as-cast structure so as to impart unusual and highly beneficial properties to the cast irons. In particular the worked white cast irons are considered to be superplastic and there is a great improvement in room temperature properties. This processing procedure may, therefore, have significant technological applications. Though the material is in an early development stage the paper suggests that the well-established properties of old materials can be drastically changed by modifying their microstructure.
Progress in the construction of the MICE cooling channel

The international Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment (MICE), sited at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the UK, aims to build and test one cell of a realistic ionization cooling channel lattice. This comprises three Absorber—Focus-Coil (AFC) modules and two RF— Coupling-Coil (RFCC) modules; both are technically challenging. The Focus Coils are dual-coil superconducting solenoids, in close proximity, wound on a common mandrel. Each pair of coils is run in series, but can be configured with the coil polarities the same ("solenoid mode") or opposite ("gradient mode"). At the center of each FC there is a 20-L liquid-hydrogen absorber, operating at about 14 K, to serve as the energy loss medium for the ionization cooling process. The longitudinal beam momentum is restored in the RFCC modules, each of which houses four 201.25-MHz RF cavities whose irises are closed with 42-cm diameter thin beryllium windows. To contain the muon beam, each RFCC module also has a 1.4-m diameter superconducting coupling solenoid surrounding the cavities. Both types of magnet are cooled with multiple two-stage cryo-coolers, each delivering 1.5 W of cooling at 4 K. Designs for all components are complete and fabrication is under way. Descriptions of the various components, design requirements, and construction status will be described.
Genetic Diversity and Heterosis of Spring Wheat Crosses

Genetic diversity between parents may contribute positively to both heterosis and transgressive segregation. The objectives of this study were to determine (i) whether genetic diversity in spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) affected F 2 bulk heterosis and (ii) whether genetic diversity affected the amount of transgressive segregation among progeny from a cross. Genetic diversity was measured by pedigrees, morphology, and gliadin seed proteins. Heterosis was evaluated for 137 F 2 bulks tested at two Minnesota locations in 1993 and three locations in 1994. These bulks were developed from crosses among 91 cultivars. No linear relationship between genetic distance and F 2 bulk heterosis was detected. However, when crosses were divided into related and unrelated groups, crosses with parents unrelated by pedigree or morphology expressed greater heterosis than crosses with related parents. Bulks of crosses between cultivars that were classified as unrelated by two or more of the distance measures showed more heterosis than related crosses. Thus, part of heterosis seems to be due to parental diversity, though not in a linear fashion. Expression of greater-than-average heterosis by the highest yielding bulks, without an increase in genetic distance, suggested additional factors were influencing the expression of heterosis. Transgressive segregation was evaluated for six of the 137 crosses; 30 to 40 inbred lines from each of the crosses was evaluated in three environments. Data for these populations were consistent with an additive genetic model. The expression of heterosis was due in part to genetic diversity but was unpredictable and also depended on factors not elucidated by this study.
Inhibition of Proteasome Activities and Subunit-Specific Amino-Terminal Threonine Modification by Lactacystin

Lactacystin is a Streptomyces metabolite that inhibits cell cycle progression and induces neurite outgrowth in a murine neuroblastoma cell line. Tritium-labeled lactacystin was used to identify the 20S proteasome as its specific cellular target. Three distinct peptidase activities of this enzyme complex (trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like, and peptidylglutamyl-peptide hydrolyzing activities) were inhibited by lactacystin, the first two irreversibly and all at different rates. None of five other proteases were inhibited, and the ability of lactacystin analogs to inhibit cell cycle progression and induce neurite outgrowth correlated with their ability to inhibit the proteasome. Lactacystin appears to modify covalently the highly conserved amino-terminal threonine of the mammalian proteasome subunit X (also called MB1), a close homolog of the LMP7 proteasome subunit encoded by the major histocompatibility complex. This threonine residue may therefore have a catalytic role, and subunit X/MB1 may be a core component of an amino-terminal-threonine protease activity of the proteasome.
A theorem of ordered duality

We associate, to any ordered configuration of n points or ordered arrangement of n lines in the plane, a periodic sequence of permutations of [1, n] in a way which reflects the order and convexity properties of the configuration or arrangement, and prove that a sequence of permutations of [1, n] is associated to some configuration of points if and only if it is associated to some arrangement of lines. We show that this theorem generalizes the standard duality principle for the projective plane, and we use it to derive duals of several well-known theorems about arrangements, including a version of Helly's theorem for convex polygons.
Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cell Expansion Required for Sustaining Pregnancy Compromises Host Defense against Prenatal Bacterial Pathogens

Although pregnancy confers unique susceptibility to infection, the pregnancy-associated immune defects that erode host defense remain largely undefined. Herein, we demonstrate that expansion of immune-suppressive Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) which occurs physiologically during pregnancy or when experimentally induced in transgenic mice caused enhanced susceptibility to prenatal pathogens including Listeria and Salmonella species. Reciprocally, infection susceptibility was uniformly reduced with Treg ablation. Importantly however, the sustained expansion of maternal Tregs was essential for maintaining immune tolerance to the developing fetus because even partial transient ablation of Foxp3-expressing cells fractured maternal tolerance to fetal antigen and triggered fetal resorption. Interestingly, Foxp3 cell-intrinsic defects in the immune-suppressive cytokine IL-10 alone were sufficient to override Treg-mediated infection susceptibility, while IL-10 was nonessential for sustaining pregnancy. Thus, maternal Treg expansion required for sustaining pregnancy creates naturally occurring holes in host defense that confer prenatal infection susceptibility.
Flow-cytometry-based DNA hybidization and polymorphism analysis

Functional analysis of the humane genome, including the quantification of differential gene expression and the identification of polymorphic sites and disease genes, is an important element of the Human Genome Project. Current methods of analysis are mainly gel-based assays that are not well-suited to rapid genome-scale analyses. To analyze DNA sequence on a large scale, robust and high throughput assays are needed. The authors are developing a suite of microsphere-based approaches employing fluorescence detection to screen and analyze genomic sequence. The approaches include competitive DNA hybridization to measure DNA or RNA targets in unknown samples, and oligo ligation or extension assays to analyze single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Apart from the advances of sensitivity, simplicity, and low sample consumption, these flow cytometric approaches have the potential for high throughput multiplexed analysis using multicolored microspheres and automated sample handling.
Lakshmi Planum, Venus: Characteristics and Models of Origin

Lakshmi Planum is distinctive and unique on the surface of Venus as an expansive (~2 × 106km2), relatively smooth, flat plateau containing two large shield volcanoes and abundant volcanic plains in the midst of a region of extreme relief. It rises 3–5 km above the datum and is surrounded on all sides by bands of mountains interpreted to be of compressional tectonic origin. The major units mapped on Lakshmi are volcanic edifices, smooth, ridged and grooved plains units, and structural units referred to as ridged terrain. Three styles of volcanism are observed to dominate the surface of Lakshmi. Distributed effusive volcanism is associated with extensive plains deposits and many of the small shields, domes and cones mapped within the plateau. Centralized effusive volcanism is primarily associated with the paterae, Colette and Sacajawea, and their circumferential low-shield-forming deposits. The precise origin and evolution of these unusually large and complex structures is not understood, although a catastrophic, explosive origin is unlikely. Pyroclastic volcanism may be represented by a unit referred to as the “diffuse halo”. The origin and evolution of Lakshmi Planum is closely related to its compressional tectonic environment; volcanism on Lakshmi has occurred synchronously with tectonism in the surrounding orogenic belts. A model for the origin and evolution of Lakshmi Planum consisting of a continuous sequence of convergence and horizontal shortening of crustal segments against a preexisting block of tessera seems best able to account for the elevation, plateau shape and irregular polygonal outline of Lakshmi, as well as the presence of ridged terrain and its resemblance to tessera. Volcanism on Lakshmi is proposed to be the result of basal melting of a thickened crustal root. According to this model, the origin and evolution of Lakshmi Planum has consisted of the following sequence of events: (1) formation of a large, elevated block of tessera surrounded by low-lying plains; (2) convergence and underthrusting of crustal segments to produce peripheral mountain ranges, thickening, and uplift of the plateau; and (3) basal melting of the thickened crust and underthrust material and surface volcanism that occurred synchronously with continued edge deformation.
A New Name For Dietitians? Attitudes Of Registered Dietitians Toward Three Possible Titles

Abstract This study tested the null hypotheses that registered dietitians would report significantly different attitudes toward the titles dietitian, nutritionist and medical nutrition therapist, that there would be differences in attitudes among dietitians from different areas of practice, and that age and years of practice would be correlated with the attitudes. The titles medical nutrition therapist and nutritionist were selected on the basis of their having been frequently mentioned in the literature as alternative titles for dietitians. The sample was one thousand RDs randomly selected from a list purchased from ADA; 45% of the mailed surveys were completed and returned. Most respondents were clinical dietitians in practice 16-20 years and between 41 and 45 years of age. The attitude section of the survey used a semantic differential instrument, with four pairs of adjectives applied to each title from three perspectives: the respondent's own, patients', and health care professionals'. The respondent indicated how (on a five point scale) each adjective pair would be applied from each perspective to each of the three titles. The three perspectives were combined to yield a total score (15 possible points) for each title. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), repeated measures of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), Pearson correlations and means comparisons were calculated using SPSS statistical software. Using repeated measures of ANCOVA with age as the covariate, neither interaction of age, nor main effect of title or area of practice was found. Neither was there an interaction of title and area of practice. Mean attitude scores revealed that all areas of practice, except for community dietitians, gave their highest scores to medical nutrition therapist, while community dietitians showed the highest mean score for nutritionist. However, the fact that the differences were not significant and that the mean scores were all in the range of 7.9–9.5 (of 15 possible points) indicate that no title was highly regarded and that the level of support for the three names was approximately equal. Based on the data obtained there is no indication that there is a commitment to change the professional title of dietitian.
Corticosterone regulates heme oxygenase-2 and NO synthase transcription and protein expression in rat brain.

: Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and -2 produce carbon monoxide, which is suspected, as is nitric oxide (NO), to function as a neuronal messenger. We report on glucocorticoid-mediated modulation of HO-2 and NO synthase expression in brain and the differential response of the two proteins to corticosterone in different brain regions. Corticosterone treatment (40 mg/kg, 20 days) had opposing effects on HO-2 and NO synthase transcript levels: increasing the 1.3- and 1.9-kb HO-2 mRNAs and decreasing that of the brain-specific 10.5-kb NO synthase. Corticosterone did not uniformly affect HO-2 protein expression in all regions, but appeared to cause a universal reduction in NO synthase, e.g., HO-2 was decreased in hippocampus (CA1 and dentate gyrus), but not in cerebellum. In contrast, NADPH diaphorase staining was reduced in hippocampus and in molecular and granule layers of cerebellum (not detected in Purkinje cells). Striking deficits in neuronal morphology and number of diaphorase-staining neurons were observed in the lateral tegmental area, paraventricular nucleus, and frontal cortex; HO-2 expression was only selectively affected. In cerebellum, activity of NO synthase, but not that of HO, was reduced. Consistent with the possibility that carbon monoxide can generate cyclic GMP, the change in cyclic GMP level did not mirror the decrease in NO synthase. We suggest that glucocorticoid-mediated deficits in hippocampal functions may reflect their negative effect on messenger-generating systems.
Extending volunteer computing through mobile ad hoc networking

Volunteer computing provides a practical and low cost solution to the increasing computational demands of many applications. Recent advancements in mobile device processing capabilities, combined with the energy efficiency of the mobile devices, make their inclusion in a distributed computing architecture particularly appealing. However, the intrinsic requirement of Internet connectivity to participate in volunteer computing limits the direct adoption of mobile devices due to service availability or related costs to connect to the Internet. In this paper, we propose and implement a novel computational architecture that extends the ability of mobile devices to participate in volunteer computing through ad hoc networking. By introducing decentralized task distribution points, mobile devices are invited to join the computation via device to device communication, removing the requirement for an Internet connection. Using a prototype implementation running on Android devices, we investigate the impact of a promising ad hoc communication technology, namely WiFi Direct, and two task distribution algorithms with different computation and communication overheads, under various scenarios. Experimental results show that our proposed approach is feasible with only minor additional energy consumption at the decentralized task distribution points.
Molecular characterization of clonal interference during adaptive evolution in asexual populations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The classical model of adaptive evolution in an asexual population postulates that each adaptive clone is derived from the one preceding it. However, experimental evidence has suggested more complex dynamics, with theory predicting the fixation probability of a beneficial mutation as dependent on the mutation rate, population size and the mutation's selection coefficient. Clonal interference has been demonstrated in viruses and bacteria but not in a eukaryote, and a detailed molecular characterization is lacking. Here we use three different fluorescent markers to visualize the dynamics of asexually evolving yeast populations. For each adaptive clone within one of our evolving populations, we identified the underlying mutations, monitored their population frequencies and used microarrays to characterize changes in the transcriptome. These results represent the most detailed molecular characterization of experimental evolution to date and provide direct experimental evidence supporting both the clonal interference and the multiple mutation models.
Thermal degradation of sulforaphane in aqueous solution.

Sulforaphane, a cancer chemopreventive agent identified from broccoli, was degraded in an aqueous solution at 50 and 100 °C. The reaction mixtures were extracted with methylene chloride and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Dimethyl disulfide, S-methyl methylthiosulfinate, S-methyl methylthiosulfonate, methyl (methylthio)methyl disulfide, 1,2,4-trithiolane, 4-isothiocyanato-1-(methylthio)-1-butene, and 3-butenyl isothiocyanate were identified as volatile decomposition products. After methylene chloride extraction, the aqueous layer was dried and silica gel column chromatography was used to separate and purify the nonvolatile decomposition products. The major thermal degradation compound was determined by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FAB-MS as N,N‘-di(4-methylsulfinyl)butyl thiourea. A possible mechanism for the formation of these products is proposed.‘ ‘‘ Keywords: Sulforaphane; isothiocyante; thermal decomposition; N,N‘-di(methylsulfinyl)butyl thiourea
Consistency considerations for a pair density functional theory

Abstract Assuming that the energy of a strongly interacting Bose liquid can be written as a functional of the bare interaction and the pair distribution function, a set of generic equations for the pair distribution function is derived from postulating reasonable behavior for short and long distances. In their simplest version, these equations are identical to the Euler equations of the hypernetted chain theory, or the central equations of the local parquet diagram theory.
Genetic and epitopic analysis of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) autoantibodies : markers of the human thyroid autoimmune response

TPO autoantibodies, the hallmark of human autoimmune thyroid disease, are of IgG class and are associated with thyroid destruction and hypothyroidism. Using the immunoglobulin gene combinatorial library approach, a panel of human monoclonal TPO autoantibodies (expressed as Fab) has been generated from thyroid tissue-infiltrating B cells. TPO-specific Fab closely resemble patients' serum autoantibodies in terms of L chain type, IgG subclass, affinities for TPO as well as epitopes recognized by > 80% of TPO autoantibodies in an individual's serum. TPO autoantibody V region genes are not unique; H chain V genes are usually mutated, while L chain V genes are sometimes in germ-line conformation. The autoantibodies recognize an immunodominant region involving conformational, overlapping epitopes in domains A and B. Finally, TPO autoantibody epitopic fingerprints are distinctive for individual sera, are not associated with hypothyroidism, but are conserved over time (indicating a lack of B cell epitope spreading). Evidence for conservation as well as inheritance of the fingerprints in some families, together with VH gene polymorphisms, may provide insight into the genetic basis of human autoimmune thyroid disease. Furthermore, monoclonal human TPO autoantibodies will be invaluable for B cell presentation of TPO to determine the T cell epitopes involved in TPO autoantibody production.
A RING E3–substrate complex poised for ubiquitin-like protein transfer: structural insights into cullin-RING ligases

How RING E3 ligases mediate E2-to-substrate ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) transfer remains unknown. Here we address how the RING E3 RBX1 positions NEDD8's E2 (UBC12) and substrate (CUL1). We find that existing structures are incompatible with CUL1 NEDD8ylation and report a new conformation of RBX1 that places UBC12 adjacent to CUL1. We propose RING domain rotation as a general mechanism for UBL transfer for the largest family of E3s.
Mapping candidate genes for oleate biosynthesis and their association with unsaturated fatty acid seed content in soybean

The development of high-oleate soybean germplasm is hindered by the lack of knowledge of the genetic factors controlling oleate phenotypic variation. In the present study, several candidate genes implicated in oleate biosynthesis were mapped and their cosegregation with oleate, linoleate and linolenate quantitative trait loci (QTLs) was investigated. FAD2-2C, a previously described ω-6 desaturase isoform, was localized on linkage group E; whereas, a novel FAD2-2 isoform, designated as FAD2-2D, mapped on linkage group N. In addition, two isoforms were identified for the aminoalcoholphosphotransferase-encoding GmAAPT1 gene, denoted AAPT1a and AAPT1b. A database query suggested that only one functional copy of the FAD6 gene, encoding a plastid localized ω-6 desaturase, exists in the soybean genome. AAPT1a and FAD6 mapped on linkage group D1b, 23.40 cM apart. Linolenate QTLs with minor effects were identified near the FAD6 and AAPT1a markers in two segregating populations.
CMOS Neuromorphic Optical Sensor Chip With Color Change-Intensity Change Disambiguation (CCICD)

In this paper, we propose a novel terrestrial retina-like neuromorphic sensor chip which can (1) perform irradiance and color detection via two pathways simultaneously and (2) can perform color change-intensity change disambiguation (CCICD). The irradiance detection pathway has a wide-dynamic detection range, spanning 3 orders of magnitude, and is robust to background light variations. The color detection pathway has a buried double junction photodiode as the photoreceptor followed by two parallel logarithmic I-V convertors whose outputs go to a differential amplifier. The output from this pathway is a color response which has roughly 50 nm resolution for wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm, and 22 nm resolution between 700-900 nm. With these two pathways, we can perform CCICD to determine if a change in the output of the irradiance pathway is because of irradiance change, color change, or both. This terrestrial retina-like neuromorphic sensor chip is implemented in AMI 1.5 mum technology, a standard CMOS fabrication process available at MOSIS.
Z-domain techniques in the analysis of Fabry-Perot étalons and multilayer structures

Z-domain and digital filter techniques are used to derive and interpret the transfer functions—transmission and reflection dependencies—for several etalonlike structures. Two-, three-, and four-mirror Fabry–Perot etalons and a seven-layer interference filter are analyzed. Although most of the examples have equally spaced mirrors, an example is also presented that illustrates the extension of the technique to structures with dissimilar lengths. Concepts such as group delay and state-variable descriptions may now be naturally applied to the analysis of these structures. The design of these structures may now benefit from algorithms developed for digital signal processing.
A Novel Risk Score to Predict Dysphagia After Cardiac Surgery Procedures

Background Although the exact cause of dysphagia after cardiac operations is unknown, timely diagnosis is critical to avoid a devastating aspiration event. Accordingly, we sought to generate the risk of dysphagia in cardiac surgery (RODICS) score to identify patients at risk for its development after heart surgery. Methods All adult heart surgery patients at our institution between January 2011 and March 2012 were analyzed. A videofluoroscopic swallow study stratified patients into two groups based on the presence or absence of dysphagia. Covariates ( p Results During the study period, 115 of 1,314 patients (8.8%) undergoing heart surgery were diagnosed with clinically significant dysphagia. The 38-point RODICS score comprises seven patient-specific characteristics and perioperative factors. The low risk (less than 4), intermediate risk (5 to 9), and high risk (more than 9) cohorts had postoperative dysphagia rates of 3.0%, 6.8%, and 21.6%, respectively ( p p = 0.01) and high-risk cohort (odds ratio 8.9, 95% confidence interval: 5.22 to 15.32, p Conclusions The incidence and impact of dysphagia after open cardiac operations is significant. This novel scoring system could lead to prompt identification of patients at high risk for postoperative dysphagia and potentially minimize the complications of aspiration.
Can I Help You?: A Framework for the Interdisciplinary Research on Customer Service Encounters

A framework is proposed for organizing and conceptualizing the interdisciplinary research on customer service encounters. The framework reflects clear research foci on provider service behaviors an...
Flexible measurement point management in an industrial automatic supervision system

Industrial automatic supervision system gives us a significantly better view of the process condition and provides operators with tighter control as well. The paper primarily discusses the measurement point (MP) management in an industrial automatic supervision system based on the reconfiguration concept using object-oriented software engineering methodology. The overall architecture of the automatic supervision system is introduced. The crucial issues regarding MP management, such as MP configuration, task configuration, dynamic configuration of MPs and tasks, and system running, etc., are discussed in detail. An illustrative example on the design and testing of a serial port driver is also presented. The design strategy for MP management proved to be successful, since the automatic supervision system has resulted in more efficient use of system resources and therefore greater operator productivity.
Critical examination of heat capacity measurements made on a Quantum Design physical property measurement system

Abstract We examine the operation and performance of an automated heat-capacity measurement system manufactured by Quantum Design (QD). QD’s physical properties measurement system (PPMS) employs a thermal-relaxation calorimeter that operates in the temperature range of 1.8–395 K. The accuracy of the PPMS specific-heat data is determined here by comparing data measured on copper and synthetic sapphire samples with standard literature values. The system exhibits an overall accuracy of better than 1% for temperatures between 100 and 300 K, while the accuracy diminishes at lower temperatures. These data confirm that the system operates within the ±5% accuracy specified by QD. Measurements on gold samples with masses of 4.5 and 88 mg indicate that accuracy of ±3% or better can be achieved below 4 K by using samples with heat capacities that are half or greater than the calorimeter addenda heat capacity. The ability of a PPMS calorimeter to accurately measure sharp features in Cp(T) near phase transitions is determined by measuring the specific heat in the vicinity of the first-order antiferromagnetic transition in Sm2IrIn8 (T0=14 K) and the second-order hidden order (HO) transition in URu2Si2 (TN=17 K). While the PPMS measures Cp(T) near the second-order transition accurately, it is unable to do so in the vicinity of the first-order transition. We show that the specific heat near a first-order transition can be determined from the PPMS-measured decay curves by using an alternate analytical approach. This correction is required because the latent heat liberated/absorbed at the transition results in temperature–decay curves that cannot be described by a single relaxation time constant. Lastly, we test the ability of the PPMS to measure the specific heat of Mg11B2, a superconductor of current interest to many research groups, that has an unusually strong field-dependent specific heat in the mixed state. At the critical temperature the discontinuity in the specific heat is nearly 15% lower than measurements made on the same sample using a semi-adiabatic calorimeter at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Sodium Asocorbate Affects Surimi Gel-forming Properties

Effect of sodium-L-ascorbate (SA) on the gel-forming properties of Alaska pollock surimi was studied with respect to optimum level, surimi quality, gel setting, vacuum chopping, freeze-thaw and thermal stabilities, and salt and moisture levels. SA significantly improved gel cohesiveness and sensory firmness of fiberized products with maximum strengthening effect at a 0.2% level. Its effectiveness was directly related to surimi quality regardless of vacuum treatment indicating the unimportance of airborne oxygen. Freeze-syneresis promoted by ascorbatc during frozen storage was moderated by the use of hydrox-ypropylatcd-modified starch.
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and Interleukin-8 Produced by Gastric Epithelial Cells during Helicobacter pylori Exposure Induce Expression and Activation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

While a link between Helicobacter pylori exposure and gastric cancer has been established, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. H. pylori induces a chronic inflammatory response in infected individuals. A link between chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis has long been suggested but never elucidated. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling plays an important role in both proinflammatory and procarcinogenic mechanisms and is upregulated on gastric epithelial cells (GECs) during H. pylori exposure. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two important proinflammatory cytokines released during H. pylori infection, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8), on the expression and transactivation of EGFR and on the proliferation of GECs during H. pylori exposure. The expression of EGFR by GECs was increased by exposure to either H. pylori, recombinant MIF, or recombinant IL-8. However, cag pathogenicity island knockout strains of H. pylori had very little effect on expression. MIF and IL-8 also induced phosphorylation of EGFR, signaling events, and proliferation during H. pylori exposure, all of which were decreased when they were neutralized by these cytokines or were blocked from their receptors. The overall role of EGFR in these responses to H. pylori exposure was assessed by knocking down EGFR expression by small interfering RNA.
The mosaic of pathophysiologycausing patellofemoral pain: Therapeutic implications

Abstract Before embarking on a therapeutic program to treat patients with patellofemoral pain, including surgicalintervention, it is crucial to have an understanding of the pathophysiology causing the symptoms. Our view of the genesis of patellofemoral pain is that the loss of homeostasis of innervated patellofemoral tissues often unimagable by standard radiographic studies, including magnetic resonance imaging, is a more important factor than the presence of abnormal structural characteristics. The most likely sources of nociceptive output in patients with patellofemoral pain are the innervated peripatellar soft tissues, including synovium, and the intraosseous environment of the patella. The goal of treatment of patients with patellofemoral pain should be the restoration of tissue homeostasis rather than the achievement of a “normal” patellofemoral position. Conservative measures, including scrupulous load restriction, anti-inflammatory therapy, and rehabilitation, should be tried first in most cases. Failing an appropriate conservative therapeutic course, a cautious and analytical approach to surgical treatment may be warranted.
Recall and recognition are equally impaired in patients with selective hippocampal damage

In two recent studies, the hypothesis that recall is more severely impaired than recognition in patients with damage thought to be limited to the hippocampus was tested. Yonelinas et al. (2002) reported findings that appeared to support this hypothesis, whereas Manns, Hopkins, Reed, Kitchener, and Squire (2003) found that recall and recognition were equally impaired. An analysis of the individual subject data from the two studies revealed that the apparent disagreement stemmed from the inclusion of a single outlying recognition score for 1 of the 55 control subjects in Yonelinas et al. (2002). When that outlier was excluded, the studies were in agreement that recognition and recall are substantially and similarly impaired in these patients. Yonelinas et al. (2002) also analyzed remember/know judgments and ROC data in an effort to show that recollection is selectively impaired in patients, but these analyses also raise problems.
Photoacoustic tomography through a whole adult human skull with a photon recycler

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) of the human brain is challenging due to the fact that the skull strongly absorbs and scatters light, and attenuates and distorts ultrasound as well. For the first time, we demonstrated the feasibility of PAT through a whole adult human skull. A photon recycler (PR) was built to increase light transmittance through the skull. Both a graphite target and a canine brain were imaged through the skull. Use of the PR was found to improve the photoacoustic signal-to-noise ratio by a factor of 2.4. In addition, subtraction of photoacoustic signals that arise from light absorption within the skull significantly improved the contrast of the target. Our results indicate that PAT can potentially be applied to in vivo human brain imaging.
Deletion of ELOVL6 blocks the synthesis of oleic acid but does not prevent the development of fatty liver or insulin resistance

Elongation of very long chain fatty acid-like family member 6 (ELOVL6) is a fatty acyl elongase that performs the initial and rate-limiting condensing reaction required for microsomal elongation of long-chain fatty acids. Our previous in vitro studies suggested that ELOVL6 elongated long-chain saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids with chain lengths of 12 to 16 carbons. Here, we describe the generation and phenotypic characterization of Elovl6−/− mice. As predicted from the in vitro studies, livers from Elovl6−/− mice accumulated palmitic (C16:0) and palmitoleic (C16:1, n-7) fatty acids and contained significantly less stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1, n-9) acids, confirming that ELOVL6 is the only enzyme capable of elongating palmitate (C16:0). Unexpectedly, Elovl6−/− mice produced vaccenic acid (C18:1, n-7), the elongated product of palmitoleate (C16:1, n-7), suggesting that palmitoleate (C16:1, n-7) to vaccenate (C18:1, n-7) elongation was not specific to ELOVL6. The only detected consequence of deleting Elovl6−/− in mice was that their livers accumulated significantly more triglycerides than wild-type mice when fed a fat-free/high-carbohydrate diet. When mice were fed a high-fat diet or ELOVL6 was deleted in ob/ob mice, the absence of ELOVL6 did not alter the development of obesity, fatty liver, hyperglycemia, or hyperinsulinemia. Combined, these results suggest that palmitoleic (C16:1, n-7) and vaccenic (C18:1, n-7) acids can largely replace the roles of oleic acid (C18:1, n-9) in vivo and that the deletion of ELOVL6 does not protect mice from the development of hepatic steatosis or insulin resistance.
Effects of Aripiprazole on Subjective and Physiological Responses to Alcohol

Background: Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic with partial agonist activity at D(2) receptors, which could reduce the reinforcing effects of alcohol. The present study examined whether aripiprazole modifies the behavioral and physiological effects of a moderate dose of alcohol in a group of social drinkers. Methods: Eighteen healthy subjects (9 men; mean age = 27.6 years) completed a double-blind, within-subject study with 3 experimental sessions in a randomized sequence, during which they received no medication, aripiprazole 2.5 mg, or aripiprazole 10 mg on the day prior to the laboratory session. During the session, subjects consumed alcohol that was served as three standardized drinks (i.e., a total of 0.8 g/kg for men and 0.7 g/kg for women). Breath alcohol concentration (BrAC), heart rate, blood pressure, static ataxia, and subjective effects were measured regularly throughout the laboratory sessions. Results: Alcohol consumption produced physiological and subjective responses that were consistent with the literature on its effects. Pre-treatment with aripiprazole was generally well tolerated, with tiredness being the most commonly reported adverse event. The medication was associated with modest physiological effects. It also significantly and dose-dependently increased the sedative effects of alcohol and, to a lesser degree, decreased the euphoric effects of alcohol. Conclusions: These findings require replication in a larger subject sample that includes heavy drinkers and in a study that employs a placebo session. Based on its capacity to increase the sedative effects and decrease the euphoric effects of alcohol, aripiprazole could be of value in the treatment of heavy drinking. Language: en
Behavioral Treatment of the Elderly Implications for Theory and Therapy

One's concept of aging and the methodology used to assess change are crucial to the development of effective treatment strategies for problems of the elderly. This review discusses these issues as they are related to a critical evaluation of behavioral interventions with the elderly. Behavioral interventions are demonstrated to be as effective in producing beneficial changes for the elderly as they are with other populations. It is not clear how long-lasting these changes are or which specific techniques are most effective. The most important conclusion drawn from this literature is that the environment plays a major role not only in the development and maintenance but also in the prevention of behavioral decline in the elderly. Consequently, such decline should not be assumed an inevitable result of age.