cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alternative synthetic routes to N-methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (MeTAD) and other triazolinedione derivatives

Abstract N -Methyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (MeTAD) is a powerful electrophile and a versatile synthetic reagent. In this Letter we describe two methods for the synthesis of N -methylurazole, the direct precursor to MeTAD, on gram scales and in good yields. Both methods provide pure urazole while avoiding the necessity of large scale purification via column chromatography or recrystallization. One of the methods proved to be amenable for the synthesis of derivatives other than N -methyl.
Compartmentalized dendritic plasticity and input feature storage in neurons

Although information storage in the central nervous system is thought to be primarily mediated by various forms of synaptic plasticity, other mechanisms, such as modifications in membrane excitability, are available. Local dendritic spikes are nonlinear voltage events that are initiated within dendritic branches by spatially clustered and temporally synchronous synaptic input. That local spikes selectively respond only to appropriately correlated input allows them to function as input feature detectors and potentially as powerful information storage mechanisms. However, it is currently unknown whether any effective form of local dendritic spike plasticity exists. Here we show that the coupling between local dendritic spikes and the soma of rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons can be modified in a branch-specific manner through an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent regulation of dendritic Kv4.2 potassium channels. These data suggest that compartmentalized changes in branch excitability could store multiple complex features of synaptic input, such as their spatio-temporal correlation. We propose that this ‘branch strength potentiation’ represents a previously unknown form of information storage that is distinct from that produced by changes in synaptic efficacy both at the mechanistic level and in the type of information stored. A newly discovered mechanism for synaptic plasticity whereby higher-order information can be stored in the forward propagation of local dendritic branch spikes is described. It is reported that coupling between branches and the soma is not static as previously thought, but that an associative form of branch plasticity allows neurons to encode the spatio-temporal correlation of inputs.
Conversion Of A Radiology Department To Rare-Earth Screen-Film Systems

The Department of Radiology at Jackson Memorial Hospital performs 204,000 x-ray examinations per year involving 816,000 x-ray films. When it became necessary to replace a large percentage of existing screens we decided that, in view of the large potential saving in radiation dose to the community, the conversion to Rare-Earth Technology had to be considered. The size and complexity of this department makes it difficult to attempt a piecemeal conversion and therefore a combination phantom-patient study was undertaken to determine what - if any - compromises in image quality would be necessary to achieve significant dose reduction. Pelvic phantom images were produced at the same kVp, mA and identical film density (at a predetermined spot) utilizing 34 different film-screen combinations at surface exposures ranging from 55 mR to 650 mR. Radiologists in the department were asked to rank the films, blind, (including a sample of the system in use at that time, i.e. Dupont Hi-Plus Screens and 3M Type R Film) for contrast, sharpness, noise and overall subjective image quality on a scale of 1-5. The dependence of image quality on kVp was examined by taking phantom images of selected film-screen systems at 70, 90, and 110 kVp. These were ranked in a similar way. Simultaneous to the above phantom study, selected film-screen combinations were used for various routine diagnostic examinations to establish whether or not x-ray techniques could be adjusted to produce acceptable diagnostic image quality using Rare-Earth Systems in the entire department.
Statistical Estimation Of The Cumulative Distribution Function For Power Dissipation In VLSI Circuits

This paper proposes to use quantile points of the cumulative distributionfunction for power consumption to provide detailed informationabout the power distribution in a circuit. The paper also presentstwo techniques based on population pruning and stratification to improvethe efficiency of estimation. Both population pruning and stratificationare based on a lowcost predictor, such as zero-delay powerestimate. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposedtechniques in providing detailed power distribution information.
Quality indicators of image-based overlay

A new method for indicating the image quality of overlay measurement is proposed in this paper. Due to the constraint of the overlay control tolerance, the overlay metrology requirement has become very stringent. Current indicators such as the total measurement uncertainty (TMU) are insufficient to guarantee a good overlay measurement. This paper describes two quality indicators, the contrast index (CI) and the asymmetry index (AI). The CI is a crucial quality indicator that affects the overlay accuracy greatly. The AI, based on an imaging process with modified cross-correlation operation, shows alignment mark robustness in both the x and the y directions. For determination of the best recipe, the box-in-box overlay marks are measured to obtain the images with different conditions. The conventional TMU indicators are used first to sieve out the better choices. Then the CI and AI can help to judge whether the overlay results are reliable and can be applied to monitoring of process variations.
Metabolic Risk Factors, Endothelial Dysfunction, and Erectile Dysfunction in Men With Diabetes

ABSTRACT Background The prevalence of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and concomitant diabetes mellitus continues to increase. ED, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia (components of the metabolic syndrome) are associated with endothelial dysfunction. ED has been reported to be a marker for cardiovascular arterial disease. Effective treatment of ED requires recognition of the condition and its associated comorbidities, including endothelial dysfunction. Methods An electronic search of the literature was conducted to review information concerning the prevalence of ED, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, endothelial dysfunction, and treatment of ED. Results Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are effective vasodilating agents with a predominant effect on penile vasculature and are therefore first-line treatment for men with ED. These agents have also been demonstrated to have a beneficial effect in other vascular beds. PDE5 inhibitors have not been shown to have an adverse effect on cardiovascular morbidity or mortality or on glycemic control in men with diabetes. In addition, no causal association has been established between nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy and PDE5 inhibitors. Conclusions PDE5 inhibitors have a beneficial effect on endothelial dysfunction and ED in men with diabetes and metabolic risk factors.
Electron Microscopic Exploration of Human Endothelium in Step-Serial Sections of Early and Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions

A transmission electron microscopic study of step-serial sections of numerous human early and advanced atherosclerotic lesions obtained under conditions preventing artificial endothelial loss was undertaken. It was found that (1) no endothelial denudation with platelet aggregation occurred over any early myoproliferative lesions, (2) endothelial denudation with platelet aggregation had developed only over the mostly necrotic caps of some advanced end-stage lesions, and (3) all stages of atherosclerosis showed endothelial changes that indicated increased permeability of the endothelium over plaques for plasma constituents, namely, opened interendothelial junctions and endothelial lipid inclusions. These results suggest that endothelial denudation and platelet aggregation is not an initiating event in human atherogenesis but something that happens late over the disintegrating surface of some end-stage lesions as a prelude to supra-plaque thrombosis--in agreement with our light microscopic findings of 25 years ago that thrombosis in human atherosclerotic arteries is usually triggered by a breakdown of the mostly necrotic caps of advanced plaques.
Improving the performance of TCP over the ATM-UBR service

In this paper we study the design issues for improving TCP performance over the ATM UBR service. ATM-UBR switches respond to congestion by dropping cells when their buffers become full. TCP connections running over UBR can experience low throughput and high unfairness. Intelligent switch drop policies and end-system policies can improve the performance of TCP over UBR with limited buffers. We describe the various design options available to the network as well as to the end systems to improve TCP performance over UBR. We study the effects of early packet discard, and present a per-VC accounting-based buffer management policy. We analyze the performance of the buffer management policies with various TCP end system congestion control policies, including slow start and congestion avoidance, fast retransmit and recovery and selective acknowledgments. We present simulation results for various small and large latency configurations with varying buffer sizes and number of sources.
Multi-tape and multi-head pushdown automata

This paper considers multi-tape and multi-head extensions of various models of pushdown automata. One-way and two-way deterministic and nondeterministic multi-tape and multi-head pushdown automata are introduced and studied. The closure, characterization, and decision properties of the sets definable by these automata are iavestigated and the relationship between these sets and some well known families of languages is established.
The parametric, psychological, neuropsychological, and neuroanatomical properties of self and world evaluation.

Background As an individual moves from adolescence to adulthood, they need to form a new sense of self as their environment changes from a limited to a more expansive structure. During this critical stage in development the last dramatic steps of neural development occur and numerous psychiatric conditions begin to manifest. Currently, there is no measure that aids in the quantification of how the individual is adapting to, and conceptualizing their role in, these new structures. To fill this gap we created the Self and World Evaluation Expressions Test(SWEET). Method Sixty-five young adults (20.6 years-old), 36 with a history of drug use, completed the SWEET. A factor analysis was performed on the SWEET and the resultant factors were correlated with psychological, neuropsychological, and neuroanatomical battery that included both T1-wieghted and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging scans. Results We derived four factors: Self, Social-Emotional, Financial-Intellectual, and Spirituality. While showing limited relationships to psychological and neuropsychological measures, both white matter integrity and gray matter density showed significant relationships with SWEET factors. Conclusions These findings suggest that while individual responses may not be indicative of psychological or cognitive processes they may relate to changes in brain structure. Several of these structures, such as the negative correlation of the affective impact of world with the dorsal anterior corpus callosum white matter integrity have been observed in psychiatric conditions (e.g., obsessive-compulsive disorder). Further longitudinal research using the SWEET may help understand the impact of dramatic shifts in self/world conceptualization and potentially link these shifts to underlying changes in brain structure.
Duality, unitarity and the Pomeranchuk singularity

Abstract A dual narrow resonance-Regge amplitude is unitarized. Regge trajectories are renormalized and acquire an imaginary part. Regge cuts appear. An SU(3)-singlet t-channel singularity builds up from the nonresonating s-channel background: the Pomeranchuk singularity.
The Working Conditions and Induction Support of Early Career Special Educators

This article presents a profile of early career special educators' (n = 1,153) working conditions, induction support, and career plans using data from the Study of Personnel Needs in Special Education (SPeNSE). The majority of respondents are Caucasion and female, and 80% are certified for their main assignments. Most respondents reported receiving informal support from other teachers and viewed this informal support as more valuable than other forms of support. Approximately 60% of respondents participated in formal mentoring, although one third did not find this support helpful. Those who reported higher levels of induction support reported greater job manageability and success in getting through to difficult students. School climate was related to teachers' intent to remain in special education.
A CUDA implementation of thumbnail-assisted decoder motion search for error concealment

We describe the real-time CUDA implementation of an error concealment algorithm for high definition video at 720p. The concealment method is based on decoder motion search on high resolution frame, using a thumbnail as a guide, and is therefore comparable in complexity as encoder motion search. We discuss the different requirements for decoder motion search compared to encoder search, and present a fast motion search algorithm suitable for parallel implementation in GPU. The design of the real-time CUDA implementation and its performance analysis are also presented.
Increased Negative Impact of Anti-Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor Antibodies Together with De Novo Donor HLA Specific Antibodies on Graft Outcome in Heart Transplant Recipients

Purpose De novo donor HLA specific antibodies (dnDSA) and non-HLA antibodies (abs) including anti Angiotensin Type 1 receptor (AT 1 R) abs have been associated with ab mediated rejection (AMR) and decreased graft survival in solid organ recipients (recips). In renal recips high levels of anti-AT 1 R have been associated with AMR in the absence of DSA and C4d deposition. We examined the impact of dnDSA and anti-AT 1 R abs on graft outcome including AMR, cellular mediated rejection (CMR), coronary artery vasculopathy (CAV), and survival. Methods and Materials Pre and post transplant (tx) sera from 200 heart recips txed between May 2007 and August 2011 were tested for DSA (Luminex Single Antigen Beads) and anti-AT 1 R (ELISA) with high levels being defined as >=17units. The clinical outcome parameters examined were: 5 yr AMR/CMR (>=grade2), CAV, and survival. Results 20 recips (10%) developed dnDSA: 3 cl I only, 5 cl I and II; 12 cl II only (predominantly DQ). 76 recips had pretx AT 1 R >=17 units (HI-AT 1 R) and 155 recips AT 1 R 1 R group. Importantly, 5 recips with AMR+/or CMR had HI-AT 1 R levels and no dnDSA. dnDSA+ recips tended to have lower survival (P=0.097) and significantly lower freedom from AMR (P 1 R and dnDSA. The hazard ratio for AMR/CMR at 5 yrs. was 5.8 for dnDSA+ (P 1 R, and increased to 8.1 when both dnDSA and HI-AT 1 R were considered (P= Conclusions HI-AT 1 R may account for the AMR +/or CMR diagnoses without concomitant dnDSA. The presence of both HI-AT 1 R and dnDSA resulted in the lowest freedom from AMR/CMR emphasizing the importance of both HLA & non-HLA specific abs in the immune response to organ tx.
Method to Evaluate Pollen Viability of Upland Cotton: Tests with Chromosome Translocations

Translocation heterozygotes consistently produced higher frequencies (12.3-38.8%) of less intensely fluorescing pollen grains than homozygotes (0.4-6.4%) or normals (0.4-4.0%). Results were concordant with cytogenetic expectations and meiotic analyses, indicating that these and perhaps other cytogenetically aberrant types of cotton can be discerned phenotypically on the basis of percent pollen viability, thereby facilitating their detection and use as cytogenetic tools
Family and community influences on educational outcomes among appalachian youth

Recent research has shown how quantifiable aspects of community context affect a wide range of behaviors and outcomes. Due partially to the historical development of this field, currently published work focuses on urban rather than rural areas. We draw upon data from a longitudinal study of families and health in Appalachia—the Great Smoky Mountains Study (GSMS), and an ethnographically based interview tool—the Life Trajectory Interview for Youth (LTI-Y), to examine the impact of community and family poverty and educational attainment on educational goals and attainment among rural white youth (n=200). Exposure to family poverty and more educated parents were associated with youths' educational attainment. Meanwhile, both community education levels and parental education were associated with college goal-setting. These relationships were particularly strong among rural white males. This evidence suggests that more attention should be focused on how rural environments affect the lives and life chances of their inhabitants. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Choosing Between Parametric and Nonparametric Tests

A fundamental analysis decision confronting researchers in psychology and education is the choice between parametric and nonparametric tests. Despite the statistical and substantive implications of this important decision, many researchers unerringly employ parametric tests and thus ignore the advantages of their nonparametric counterparts. One justification for this behavior has been the absence of guidelines for choosing between these procedures. A second has been the lack of a comprehensive nonparametric test that is computationally manageable. In this article, the author discusses several statistical and substantive criteria that can be used to choose between parametric and nonparametric tests. A non-parametric test capable of testing a number of statistical hypotheses using existing computer packages is also presented. Recommendations are made encouraging researchers to routinely use nonparametric tests in their data analytic work.
Supercomputing-balancing resources

The need for high-speed data communications and mass storage systems for supercomputing is examined. The former could be serious bottlenecks in the not-too-distant future, because their capabilities have not kept up with those of supercomputers themselves. The potential of fiber-optic technologies for meeting data communication requirements is discussed, and research around the world is briefly cited. Trends in mass storage are briefly discussed. >
The Effect of Wound Management on the Interaction of Burn Size, Heat Production, and Rectal Temperature

Metabolic and temperature data were collected for 56 patients with burns managed with four wound care protocols. Group I (n = 7) treated with dressings and variable ambient temperature selected for patient subjective comfort; group II (n = 7) managed without dressings and variable ambient temperature for patient comfort; group III (n = 6) no dressings, ambient temperature of 25 degrees C and the output of electromagnetic heaters adjusted for patient comfort; group IV (n = 36) dressings and ambient temperature of 28 degrees C. All groups were cold challenged: groups I and II by sequentially lowering ambient temperature, group III by decreasing the electromagnetic heater output, and group IV by removing dressings with ambient temperature remaining at 28 degrees C. Only groups II and IV demonstrated correlation between percent body surface area burn and heat production. The slope of the regression for group IV neutral was significantly less than that for group IV cold and group II neutral and cold. The relationship between percent body surface area burn and rectal temperature for groups I, II, and III neutral was equal to .03 degrees C increase in rectal temperature per 1% body surface area burn (Y = 37 + 0.03; r = 0.74; df 18; p < 0.01) and was not significantly different when cold. This predicts a 1.5 degrees C increase in rectal temperature for a patient with a 50% body surface area burn who does not have sepsis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Becoming “American-Italian”: an Immigrant's Narrative of Acquiring English as an L2

This article tells the story of a child immigrant's L2 acquisition process. The narrative demonstrates the effects of social and academic factors on motivation to acquire an L2 and the result of immigration at a young age on cultural identity formation. The article begins by discussing the need for research into sociocultural factors in the second language acquisition process and by reviewing recent research on motivation and identity. The author then describes the development of a coding scheme of motivation and identity factors for the study. The author uses life story and visual anthropology methods to present the narrative of an Italian man who immigrated to the United States at age seven and analyzes the narrative according to the coding scheme. The narrative and its discussion reveal the way that teachers contribute to students' L2 success and the importance of fostering hybrid cultural identities among L2 learners.
The effect of reserpine pretreatment on myocardial damage associated with stimulated intracranial hemorrhage in mice

Abstract Simulated intracranial hemorrhage was produced in four groups of TS stock female mice by intracranial injection of whole blood. In groups I and II subarachnoid and intracerebrral hemorrhages were simulated, respectively. Groups III and IV were pretreated daily for two weeks with reserpine and then were subjected intracranial hemorrhage as in groups I and II. Control animals were run for each group. After seven days following injection of blood the animals were sacrified and their hearts and brains studied histologically. Experimentally-induced subarachnoid and intracerebral hemorrhage resulted in focal myocardial necrosis in 48–60 percent of the animals. No myocardial lesions were observed within the hearts of 92 percent of animals pretreated with reserpine. Reserpine offered protection against heart necrosis apparently resulting from intracranial hemorrhage. These findings support the hypothesis that intracranial hemorrhage may trigger a sympathetic response which could produce segmental necrosis within the myocardium.
A software investigation of the radiation impedance of disc, cone and dome pistons

Abstract The effects of radiation impedance on the acoustical output of a sound source are often dismissed or oversimplified. This paper addresses the effects of geometry on the radiation impedance of disc, cone and dome piston sources, by developing a geometrical model which can be easily implemented on a Personal Computer. The technique is found to be accurate for the disc, but initial attempts to extend the model to the non-planar sources demonstrate that the effects of reflections across the surface must be included. However, results at high frequencies indicate that such modifications would be worthwhile.
Validation of otolith increment daily periodicity in captive juvenile sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) experimentally immersed in strontium chloride (SrCl2)

Abstract We used a chemical marking experiment to validate the daily periodicity of otolith increment deposition in juvenile sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria. The sagittal otoliths of 26 live juvenile sablefish were marked twice by immersion in saltwater baths containing elevated levels of strontium chloride (SrCl2) during June–August of their first year of life (age 0). The number of otolith increments detected between strontium bands from three readings (median 15–20) was compared to the number of days between marking events (15–17 days). Median discrepancies between otolith increment counts and days between strontium bands were small (mean 1.1, S.E. 0.81, n = 20) and suggest that otolith increment counts from age 0 juvenile sablefish may provide a useful proxy for daily age. However, median discrepancies in June (mean 4.7, S.E. 0.65, n = 9 otoliths) were significantly (*P ≤ 0.05) higher than those in July (mean −1.8, S.E. 0.40, n = 6) and August (mean −1.8, S.E. 0.66, n = 5). Increment banding patterns were more difficult to identify in otoliths marked in June (mean sablefish size 84.9 mm FL) because of changes in the structure of the sagittae associated with the formation of accessory primordia.
Azole Antifungal Drugs: Old and New

Excerpt The therapeutic armamentarium against both systemic and superficial fungal infections consists primarily of the polyenes, amphotericin B and nystatin; flucytosine, a fluorinated pyrimidine ...
Optimal Nutrition in Hemodialysis Patients

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is highly prevalent in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). It is important to note that there is a robust association between the extent of PEW and the risk of hospitalization and death in these patients, regardless of the nutritional marker used. The multiple etiologies of PEW in advanced kidney disease are still being elucidated. Apart from the multiple mechanisms that might lead to PEW, it appears that the common pathway for all of the derangements is related to exaggerated protein degradation along with decreased protein synthesis. The hemodialysis procedure per se is an important contributor to this process. Metabolic and hormonal derangements such as acidosis, inflammation, and resistance to anabolic properties of insulin resistance and growth hormone are all implicated for the development of PEW in MHD patients. Appropriate management of MHD patients at risk for PEW requires a comprehensive combination of strategies to diminish protein and energy depletion and to institute therapies that will avoid further losses. The mainstay of nutritional treatment in MHD patients is provision of an adequate amount of protein and energy, using oral supplementation as needed. Intradialytic parenteral nutrition should be attempted in patients who cannot efficiently use the gastrointestinal tract. Other anabolic strategies such as exercise, anabolic hormones, anti-inflammatory therapies, and appetite stimulants can be considered as complementary therapies in suitable patients.
Diffusion coefficients of paramagnetic species in solution

Abstract The translational diffusion constants of cupric sulfate and di- t -butyl nitroxide in water and vanadyl acetylacetonate in toluene are measured at room temperature (26 ± 2°C) by a capillary diffusion method. Concentration changes are followed by monitoring the electron spin resonance spectral intensities as a function of time. The technique is suitable for the simultaneous analysis of diffusion processes and electron spin relaxation effects for a dilute solution of paramagnetic species.
DETERMINATION OF DISODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE IN FRENCH-FRIED POTATOES

An analysis procedure was developed to determine residual disodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) in French-fry strips after treatment. The uptake of SAPP in relation to concentrations and temperatures of the treating solution, lengths of treating time and loss of P2O7 from the finish-fried French fries are also considered.
GaAs optical time-shift network for steering a dual-band microwave phased-array antenna

A monolithic optical time-shift network is described which is designed to steer a dual-band microwave phased array antenna at 2 and 10 GHz. The advantages of using cascade type network architectures to achieve the desired resolution are demonstrated. The implementation of different delay times in this optical time-shifter via bias control of detectors integrated monolithically on a GaAs wafer is described.
Ultrastructure of Plastids in Normal and Variegated Leaves in Abutilon striatum

Abutilon striatum possessing white-margin leaves was studied with light and electron microscopes. The white margin tissue was found less thick than the normal green part and lack palisade mesophyll layer under the light microscope. Electron microscopic studies indicated great alterations occurred within the plastids, at the white margin portion of the leaf blade. Three major alterations were disclosed: 1) the absence of grana, 2) the abnormality of lamellar system, 3) the occurrence of vacuole-like circular bodies. The causes of these were proposed due to a destruction of the lamellar system by vacuolization follows the termination of the differentiation of grana.
Dance arenas, dance events

Katrina Hazzard‐Gordon. Jookin’: The Rise of Social Dance Formations in African‐American Culture. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1990. xiii + 226 pp. including bibliographic end notes and index. $24.95. Jane K. Cowan. Dance and the Body Politic in Northern Greece. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1990. xv + 252 pp. including references and index. $45.00 cloth, $14.95 paper.
Comparison of vectorial ion transport in primary murine airway and human sinonasal air-liquid interface cultures, models for studies of cystic fibrosis, and other airway diseases.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare vectorial ion transport within murine trachea, murine nasal septa, and human sinonasal cultured epithelium. Our hypothesis is that murine septal epithelium, rather than trachea, will more closely mimic the electrophysiology properties of human sinonasal epithelium. METHODS Epithelium from murine trachea, murine septa, and human sinonasal tissue were cultured at an air-liquid interface to confluence and full differentiation. A limited number of homozygous dF508 epithelia were also cultured. Monolayers were mounted in modified Ussing chambers to investigate pharmacologic manipulation of ion transport. RESULTS The change in forskolin-stimulated current (delta-I(SC), expressed as micro-A/cm(2)) in murine septal (n = 19; 16.84 +/- 2.09) and human sinonasal (n = 18; 12.15 +/- 1.93) cultures was significantly increased over murine tracheal cultures (n = 15; 6.75 +/- 1.35; p = 0.035 and 0.0005, respectively). Forskolin-stimulated I(SC) was inhibited by the specific cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) inhibitor INH-172 (5 microM). No forskolin-stimulated I(SC) was shown in cultures of dF508 homozygous murine septal epithelium (n = 3). Murine septal I(SC) was largely inhibited by amiloride (12.03 +/- 0.66), whereas human sinonasal cultures had a very limited response (0.70 +/- 0.47; p < 0.0001). The contribution of CFTR to stimulated chloride current as measured by INH-172 was highly significantly different between all groups (murine septa, 19.51 +/- 1.28; human sinonasal, 11.12 +/- 1.58; murine trachea, 4.85 +/- 0.49; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Human sinonasal and murine septal epithelial cultures represent a useful model for studying CFTR activity and may provide significant advantages over lower airway tissues for investigating upper and lower respiratory pathophysiology.
A Multiscale Assembly and Packaging System for Manufacturing of Complex Micro-Nano Devices

Reliable manufacturability has always been a major issue in commercialization of complex and heterogeneous microsystems. Though successful for simpler and monolithic microdevices such as accelerometers and pressure sensors of early days, conventional surface micromachining techniques, and in-plane mechanisms do not prove suffice to address the manufacturing of today's wide range of microsystem designs. This has led to the evolution of microassembly as an alternative and enabling technology which can, in principle, build complex systems by assembling heterogeneous microparts of comparatively simpler design; thus reducing the overall footprint of the device and providing high structural rigidity in a cost efficient manner. However, unlike in macroscale assembly systems, microassembly does not enjoy the flexibility of having ready-to-use manipulation systems or standard off-the-shelf components. System specific designs of microparts and mechanisms make the fabrication process expensive and assembly scheme diverse. This warrants for a modular microassembly cell which can execute the assembly process of multiple microsystems by reconfiguring the kinematics setup, end-effectors, feedback system, etc.; thus minimizing the cost of production. In this paper, we present a multiscale assembly and packaging system (MAPS) comprising of 20 degrees of freedom (DoFs) that can be arranged in several reconfigurable micromanipulation modules depending on the specific task. The system has been equipped with multiple custom-designed microgrippers and end-effectors for different applications. Stereo microscopic vision is achieved through four high-resolution cameras. We will demonstrate the construction of two different microsystems using this microassembly cell; the first one is a miniature optical spectrum analyzer called microspectrometer and the second one is a MEMS mobile robot/conveyor called Arripede.
Viscosities of coal—water—methanol mixtures

Abstract A plot of viscosity measurements for coal—water—methanol mixtures vs. percentage methanol in the liquid indicates that the viscosities of both coal—water and coal—alcohol slurries are increased by the addition of the second liquid. The shape of the slurry viscosity curve is very similar, on a greatly exaggerated scale, to the plot of viscosity versus percentage methanol for the pure liquid mixtures. Measurements were made as a part of a test program involving coal—water-methanol fuels. Initial mixtures were 60 wt% Pittsburgh seam coal in liquids composed of varying proportions of water and methanol. Slurries of Montana Rosebud and Texas Lignite coals in water—methanol mixtures also displayed viscosity maxima, but at different fractions of methanol. There was no viscosity peak for 40, 50 or 55% petroleum coke slurries. Slurries of ground glass in water-methanol mixtures were evaluated for comparison and a viscosity maximum was observed, although the peak occurred at a methanol concentration somewhat lower than it occurs in the pure liquid mixture.
Product commonality in multiple‐period, make‐to‐stock systems

It is well known that replacing several products by a single common product can reduce required safety stock levels due to the benefits of risk pooling. Recent research utilizing single-period models has investigated the cost savings (or losses) from doing so. This paper uses a very general multiple-period model, with general demand distributions, any number of products, and the objective of minimizing production, holding, and shortage costs. Two scenarios are considered-one that utilizes a common product and one that does not. Prior results utilizing single-period models indicate that even if the common product is more expensive than the products it replaces, there are many circumstances under which it is still worthwhile to employ. Surprisingly, this paper will show that this is almost never the case in a multiple-period model.
Cost aware fault tolerant logic synthesis in presence of soft errors

With the emergence of sub-100 nanometers, soft error failure rates (SER) due to Single-event Upsets (SEU) from particle strikes become unacceptable for combinational logic circuits. Triple modular redundancy (TMR) is applied to improve the reliability of VLSI circuits, entailing additional cost (area, delay, power consumption, e.g.). This paper introduce a partial TMR solution to optimize the area of fault tolerant VLSI circuits with SER constraints, presenting a novel optimization method by Binary Integer Linear Programming (BILP) with components consideration,. It also proposes an efficient SER evaluation model base on linear gate error propagation. A series of simulation on NCMC'89 benchmark is made. The experiment results show that this technique improves reliability by an average 57.95% with only 36.98% area overhead.
Assessing Poggendorff effects via collinearity, perpendicularity, parallelism, and Oppel (distance) experiments*

By adjusting the orientation of, and separation between, two free-standing dots, Ss indicated directions and distances associated with the Poggendorff display (a transversal interrupted by parallel lines). Judged distance between parallels (with transversal absent) increased slightly when additional interior parallels were added; this Oppel effect can be interpreted as contour repulsion. Errors in judging the orientation of an actual transversal segment were too small to account for the Poggendorff effect. The usual large errors occurred for estimates of the orientation of the missing transversal segment between the parallel lines. Cognitive mistracking adequately describes the Poggendorff effect. Mistracking is a function of the angle subtended between transversal and parallels, and of the orientation of the entire display.
Time–temperature equivalence and adiabatic heating at large strains in high density polyethylene and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

Abstract Time–temperature equivalence is a phenomenon common to many time-dependent material systems. This is typically used to generate loci of material properties as a function of temperature and strain-rate. Past work in polyethylene has shown the yield strength to obey a simple empirical temperature/strain-rate equivalence law, with one-decade increase in strain-rate approximately equivalent to a 10 K drop in temperature. This work extends this equivalence relation to continuous stress–strain curves in polyethylene for isothermal deformation states. Large strains are accommodated by invoking adiabatic heating at elevated strain-rates, and equivalence of the isothermal response under adiabatic conditions is checked by constructing a locus of isothermal flow stresses from a series of strain-rate jump tests. Good agreement between isothermal deformation response curves was found. Finally, the system of temperature/strain-rate equivalent curves was validated for large compressive deformations at ∼104 s−1 Taylor impact, with good agreement. Thus, temperature/strain-rate equivalence methods can be used to populate a high strain-rate constitutive description directly from continuous stress–strain curves from the laboratory without extrapolating to those states using an advanced constitutive model.
How CaBPs Prevail over CaM in Modulating Cav1 Channels

Calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs), a subfamily of calmodulin (CaM)-like proteins, are widely expressed throughout the brain. They are believed to compete with CaM for binding to target molecules, thereby exerting vital modifications of Ca2+/CaM regulation. Yet, deep sequencing of brain reveals CaBP transcript levels 100-10000 times lower than for CaM. How could so little CaBP produce effects in the brain? Here, we examine this fundamental paradox in L-type CaV1.3 Ca2+ channels, whose Ca2+/CaM-dependent inactivation (CDI) can be suppressed by CaBP4. Upon fusion of CaM to CaV1.3 (a), the ultra-high local CaM concentration should occlude CaBP4 access to a common site. Remarkably, separately expressed CaBP4 still eliminates CDI (b), arguing for different CaBP4 and CaM sites. FRET assays map these distinct sites, and establish corresponding association constants for binding. This noncompetitive scheme predicts that micromolar CaBP4 should reduce CDI, even with abundant CaM. To test this, we used patch fluorometry to measure CDI while gauging the concentration of fluorescently labeled CaBP4 (c). CaBP4 indeed halves CDI by ∼0.5 uM (d, measured), with abundant CaM throughout. Hence, CaBP molecules may prevail over CaM by utilizing distinct sites on target molecules across the brain.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
INHIBITORY EFFECT OF INTRAVESICALLY APPLIED BOTULINUM TOXIN A IN CHRONIC BLADDER INFLAMMATION

ABSTRACT Purpose: We evaluated a putative inhibitory effect of intravesical botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) on afferent pathways in conditions of chronic bladder inflammation. Materials and Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups, namely group 1—saline treated, group 2—BTX-A treated, group 3—cyclophosphamide (CYP) treated and group 4—BTX-A and CYP treated. At the beginning of the treatment period all animals received intravesical protamine sulfate (1%), followed by intravesical BTX-A or saline. Subsequently CYP or saline was injected intraperitoneally every 3 days for 10 days. The rats then underwent cystometrogram evaluation prior to spinal cord harvest. Sections from the L6 and S1 spinal cord segments were examined for the total number of Fos immunoreactive cells. Results: Comparisons of the L6 and S1 sections showed a significant difference among groups (p Conclusions: In a CYP model of chronic bladder inflammation intravesical BTX-A significantly inhibits the afferent neural response without impairing efferent bladder function.
Identification of a Microtubule-binding Domain in a Cytoplasmic Dynein Heavy Chain

As a molecular motor, dynein must coordinate ATP hydrolysis with conformational changes that lead to processive interactions with a microtubule and generate force. To understand how these processes occur, we have begun to map functional domains of a dynein heavy chain from Dictyostelium. The carboxyl-terminal 10-kilobase region of the heavy chain encodes a 380-kDa polypeptide that approximates the globular head domain. Attempts to further truncate this region fail to produce polypeptides that either bind microtubules or UV-vanadate cleave, indicating that the entire 10-kilobase fragment is necessary to produce a properly folded functional dynein head. We have further identified a region just downstream from the fourth P-loop that appears to constitute at least part of the microtubule-binding domain (amino acids 3182–3818). When deleted, the resulting head domain polypeptide no longer binds microtubules; when the excised region is expressed in vitro, it cosediments with added tubulin polymer. This microtubule-binding domain falls within an area of the molecule predicted to form extended α-helices. At least four discrete sites appear to coordinate activities required to bind the tubulin polymer, indicating that the interaction of dynein with microtubules is complex.
Interpolating sequences and the Shilov boundary of H∞(Δ)

Abstract Let H ∞ ( Δ ) denote the Banach algebra of bounded analytic functions on the open unit disc, let M denote its maximal ideal space, and let ∂ denote its Shilov boundary. D. J. Newman has shown that a homomorphism ϑ in M will be in ∂ if and only if ϑ is unimodular on all Blaschke products. We answer a question of K. Hoffman by showing that ϑ will be in ∂ if and only if ϑ is unimodular on every Blaschke product whose zero set is an interpolating sequence. Our method is based on a construction due to L. Carleson, originally developed for the proof of the Corona theorem.
Defect compensation, clustering, and magnetism in Cr-doped anatase Ti O 2

The origin of the magnetism in recently reported Cr doped anatase $\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ is investigated with first principles full-potential linearized augmented plane wave calculations. Through a systematic study over a range of defect compensation, we predict a strikingly different behavior of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ (compensated species) and ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{4+}$ (noncompensated species): ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ tends to distribute uniformly but contributes only to paramagnetism. By contrast, ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{4+}$ tends to form clusters which induces strong ferromagnetism. The same $p\text{\ensuremath{-}}d$ hopping interaction found in Mn:GaAs also explains the presence or absence of ferromagnetism and its dependence on the compensation; this short-range bonding interaction is also one of the major sources for the predicted clustering of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{4+}$. Our results thus contradict the experimental interpretation that oxygen vacancies induced the ferromagnetic coupling between ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ through the F-center bound magnetic polaron (FCBMP) mechanism. We show that large size magnetic polarons cannot form in $\mathrm{Cr}:\mathrm{Ti}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ and that the FCBMP mechanism does not apply.
A polynomial analogue of the twin prime conjecture

We consider the problem of counting the number of (not necessarily monic) 'twin prime pairs' P, P + M e Fg[T] of degree n, where M is a polynomial of degree < n. We formulate an asymptotic prediction for the number of such pairs as q n → oo and then prove an explicit estimate confirming the conjecture in those cases where q is large compared with n 2 . When M has degree n - 1, our theorem implies the validity of a result conditionally proved by Hayes in 1963. When M has degree zero, our theorem refines a result of Effinger, Hicks and Mullen.
Party nationalization in a multilevel context: Where's the variance?

We use estimates of variance in district-level electoral data as a way to identify multiple dimensions of the nationalization of party support, including “static nationalization” and “dynamic nationalization.” The multilevel model we use—also described as a random coefficient, mixed, growth curve, and hierarchical model—yields estimates of a party's mean national trajectory of electoral support (fixed effects), as well as estimates of variability around the mean trajectory parameters (random effects). Using a general model, we present a two-step approach to first identify electoral variability and then account for it. We develop the model, apply it to three political parties, demonstrate its behavior under controlled conditions using data we create, and demonstrate its application for explanatory purposes.
Seismic Shifts in the Education Landscape: What Do They Mean for Arts Education and Arts Education Policy?

The field of education in the United States is in a period of unprecedented change. Educators in all disciplines are challenged to understand and respond to the waves of reform sweeping over the national education landscape. Linking these reforms to meaningful outcomes that will produce more rigorous and effective measures of quality and performance in our schools is an ongoing goal for all educators as they work to respond to calls for educational reform. Changes in the general field of education have direct implications for arts education policy and practice. Arts educators find themselves in the position of making sense of these landmark reforms and changes in the context of arts education and determining what courses of action and responses they should pursue on the road to meaningful reform. This report provides an overview of a selected number of contemporary developments in the general field of education, brief summaries of consequential studies and education-related reports, and an examination of ...
The Zeeman Effect in the Spectrum of Chlorine I

Zeeman effects of about two hundred lines have been measured in the spectrum of chlorine I and have led to the discovery of 12 new lines and about 50 new classifications. Seventeen new levels have been found, completing parts of configurations given by Kiess. A striking example of the sharing of $g$-values by two configurations is demonstrated.
Multiple forms of casein kinase from rabbit erythrocytes

Two rabbit erythrocyte casein kinases, GTP:casein kinase I and GTP:casein kinase II, have been purified 29 000- and 47 000-fold, respectively. Studies employing sucrose density gradient centrifugation indicate that kinase I has a molecular weight of about 9.5 - 10(5) (25 S) and kinase II about 1.4 - 10(6) (32 S). These enzymes can utilize either ATP or GTP as the phosphoryl donor. Among various protein substrates examined, these kinases catalyze the phosphorylation of casein greater than 50% dephosphorylated phosvitin congruent to 50% dephosphorylated casein greater than phosvitin. Histones, protamine and bovine serum albumin are poor phosphoryl acceptors. Kinetic data indicate that both enzymes are inhibited by high casein substrate concentrations which may be partially relieved by NaCl. Both phosphotransferases require Mg(2+) for activity and are optimally active at pH 9.0. The enzymes have apparent Km values of 2.5 - 10(-5) M for GTP, 2 - 10(-5) M for ATP, and 0.4--0.6 mg/ml for casein. The incorporation of the terminal phosphate of GTP into casein as catalyzed by these enzymes is inhibited to varying degrees by ATP, ITP, ADP, and GDP but not by UTP, CTP, GMP, adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate, and guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate. In addition, NaF and 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid are also found to inhibit the activity of both kinases. The effect of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate is interesting and suggests that this metabolite may regulate the activity of the casein kinases in the red blood cells.