cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decoupled DIMM: building high-bandwidth memory system using low-speed DRAM devices

The widespread use of multicore processors has dramatically increased the demands on high bandwidth and large capacity from memory systems. In a conventional DDR2/DDR3 DRAM memory system, the memory bus and DRAM devices run at the same data rate. To improve memory bandwidth, we propose a new memory system design called decoupled DIMM that allows the memory bus to operate at a data rate much higher than that of the DRAM devices. In the design, a synchronization buffer is added to relay data between the slow DRAM devices and the fast memory bus; and memory access scheduling is revised to avoid access conflicts on memory ranks. The design not only improves memory bandwidth beyond what can be supported by current memory devices, but also improves reliability, power efficiency, and cost effectiveness by using relatively slow memory devices. The idea of decoupling, precisely the decoupling of bandwidth match between memory bus and a single rank of devices, can also be applied to other types of memory systems including FB-DIMM.Our experimental results show that a decoupled DIMM system of 2667MT/s bus data rate and 1333MT/s device data rate improves the performance of memory-intensive workloads by 51% on average over a conventional memory system of 1333MT/s data rate. Alternatively, a decoupled DIMM system of 1600MT/s bus data rate and 800MT/s device data rate incurs only 8% performance loss when compared with a conventional system of 1600MT/s data rate, with 16% reduction on the memory power consumption and 9% saving on memory energy.
Structural, NMR Spectroscopic, and Computational Investigation of Hemin Loading in the Hemophore HasAp from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

When challenged by low-iron conditions several Gram-negative pathogens secrete a hemophore (HasA) to scavenge hemin from its host and deliver it to a receptor (HasR) on their outer membrane for internalization. Here we report results from studies aimed at probing the structural and dynamic processes at play in the loading of the apo-hemophore secreted by P. aeruginosa (apo-HasAp) with hemin. The structure of apo-HasAp shows a large conformational change in the loop harboring axial ligand His32 relative to the structure of holo-HasAp, whereas the loop bearing the other axial ligand, Tyr75, remains intact. To investigate the role played by the axial ligand-bearing loops in the process of hemin capture we investigated the H32A mutant, which was found to exist as a monomer in its apo-form and as a mixture of monomers and dimers in its holo-form. We obtained an X-ray structure of dimeric H32A holo-HasAp, which revealed that the two subunits are linked by cofacial interactions of two hemin molecules and that th...
LOCALIZATION OF VIBRATION IN DISORDERED MULTI-SPAN BEAMS WITH DAMPING

The combined effects of disorder and structural damping on the dynamics of a multi-span beam with slight randomness in the spacing between supports are investigated. A wave transfer matrix approach is chosen to calculate the free and forced harmonic responses of this nearly periodic structure. It is shown that both harmonic waves and normal modes of vibration that extend throughout the ordered, undamped beam become spatially attenuated if either small damping or small disorder is present in the system. The physical mechanism which causes the attenuation, however, is one of energy dissipation in the case of damping but one of energy confinement in the case of disorder. The corresponding rates of spatial exponential decay are approximated by applying statistical perturbation methods. It is found that the effects of damping and disorder simply superpose for a multi-span beam with strong inter-span coupling, but interact less trivially in the weak coupling case. Furthermore, the effect of disorder is found to be small relative to that of damping in the case of strong inter-span coupling, but of comparable magnitude for weak coupling between spans. The adequacy of the statistical analysis to predict accurately localization in finite disordered beams with boundary conditions is also examined.
Microstructural evolution in a non-cell forming metal: AlMg

Abstract Microstructural evolution in Al + 5.5 at.% Mg lightly deformed by rolling was studied using transmission electron microscopy. Observations show that the dislocations are organized into a Taylor lattice containing multiple burgers vectors and having alternating misorientations along {111} slip planes. These observations are in contrast to the usual description of these structures as “random” dislocation tangles. With increasing strain, a grain is subdivided into several domains of differently oriented Taylor lattices. The newly observed boundaries between different domains are long single dislocations walls formed along {111}. As a further evolutionary progression, the single walled domain boundaries develop into microbands. The observed grain subdivision parallels that observed in cell forming metals. Subdivision occurs to accommodate strain using fewer slip systems than required by the Taylor criterion.
Analysis of difference in vivo effects of TCDD between c-src +/+ mice, c-src deficient, -/+ and -/- B6, 129-Src tm l sor mice and their wild-type littermates

Abstract Toxicities of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) were tested on two strains of c-src deficient B6, 129-Src tm l sor mice, c-src −/+ and c-src −/− and their matched wild-type littermates c-src +/+ mice along with another c-src +/+ mice, from the same genetic lineage, B6, 129-Fos tm l Pa mice. The most conspicuous effect of c-src deficiency on the toxicity of TCDD appears to be the reduced hepatotoxicity. TCDD-treated c-src deficient mice show only modest degrees of hepatomegaly and triglycerides accumulation as compared to treated wild-type mice.
On the Design of Optical Systems Containing Aspheric Surfaces

Third-order aberration contributions of aspheric surfaces are derived from the point of view of wave theory. The design of a double aspheric curved field anastigmat based on third-order theory is then presented and its performance compared to a similar (Petzval) system consisting solely of spherical surfaces. The control of higher order aberrations and the possibility of increasing the relative aperture of the system with the aid of aspherics are discussed.
A new fractionation assay, based on the size of formaldehyde-crosslinked, mildly sheared chromatin, delineates the chromatin structure at promoter regions

To explore the higher order structure of transcribable chromatin in vivo, its local configuration was assessed through the accessibility of the chromatin to crosslinking with formaldehyde. The application of crosslinked and mildly sheared chromatin to sedimentation velocity centrifugation followed by size-fractionation of the DNA enabled us to biochemically distinguish between chromatin with heavily versus sparsely crosslinkable structures. The separated fractions showed a good correlation with gene expression profiles. Genes with poor crosslinking around the promoter region were actively transcribed, while transcripts were hardly detected from genes with extensive crosslinking in their promoter regions. For the inducible gene, Il2, the distribution of the promoter shifted in the gradient following T-cell receptor stimulation, consistent with a change in structure at this locus during activation. The kinetics of this switch preceded the chromatin change observed in a DNase I accessibility assay. Thus, this new chromatin fractionation technique has revealed a change in chromatin structure that has not been previously characterized.
Risk factors for asthma in US adults: results from the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Background. Identifying populations at risk for having asthma is an essential step toward appropriately allocating resources and reducing the burden of this disease. To date, the impact of demograp...
Research Productivity, Gender, Family, and Tenure in Organization Science Careers

In a sample of 162 associate professors of organization science, women in more research-oriented departments had published significantly more during their assistant professor periods than did those in less research-oriented departments, whereas this effect was not observed for men. In more research-oriented departments, men were more likely to have had families (partners and/or dependents) in their assistant professor periods than were women. Patterns in the data suggest that women published more than men in more research-oriented departments but less than men in less research-oriented departments. Findings are discussed in light of person–organization fit theories, gender theories, academic productivity, and gender differences research.
Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha mediates activation of NF‐κB and JNK signaling cascades in retinal ganglion cells and astrocytes in opposite ways

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) is an important mediator of the innate immune response in the retina. TNF can activate various signaling cascades, including NF-κB, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways. The harmful role of these pathways, as well as of TNF, has previously been shown in several retinal neurodegenerative conditions including glaucoma and retinal ischemia. However, TNF and TNF-regulated signaling cascades are capable not only of mediating neurotoxicity, but of being protective. We performed this study to delineate the beneficial and detrimental effects of TNF signaling in the retina. To this end, we used TNF-treated primary retinal ganglion cell (RGC) and astrocyte cultures. Levels of expression of NF-κB subunits in RGCs and astrocytes were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB) analysis. NF-κB and JNK activity in TNF-treated cells was determined in a time-dependent manner using ELISA and WB. Gene expression in TNF-treated astrocytes was measured by qRT-PCR. We found that NF-κB family members were present in RGCs and astrocytes at the mRNA and protein levels. RGCs failed to activate NF-κB in the presence of TNF, a phenomenon that was associated with sustained JNK activation and RGC death. However, TNF initiated the activation of NF-κB and mediated transient JNK activation in astrocytes. These events were associated with glial survival and increased expression of neurotoxic pro-inflammatory factors. Our findings suggest that, in the presence of TNF, NF-κB and JNK signaling cascades are activated in opposite ways in RGCs and astrocytes. These events can directly and indirectly facilitate RGC death.
Cationic Unsymmetrical 1,4-Diazabutadiene Complexes of Platinum(II)

The synthesis of the silyl-protected 1,4-diazabutadiene ligands glyoxal−bis((2-α-triisopropylsiloxymethyl)-6-methylphenyl)diimine (TIPS-6-MPD) and glyoxal−bis((2-α-triisopropylsiloxymethyl)-4-methylphenyl)diimine (TIPS-4-MPD) and their subsequent reactions with trans-Pt(SMe2)2(Me)Cl to generate the corresponding complexes (TIPS-6-MPD)Pt(Me)Cl (1a) and (TIPS-4-MPD)Pt(Me)Cl (1b) are described. Cationic complexes of the type [(N,N-chelate)Pt(Me)(L)]BF4 (where L = solvent/olefin and N,N-chelate = TIPS-6-MPD and TIPS-4-MPD) are generated by the reaction of chloro methyl complexes 1a and 1b with AgBF4 in the presence of L. Various exchange reactions were examined for [(TIPS-6-MPD)Pt(Me)(NCCH3)]BF4 (2a), in which it was determined that the coordinated solvent reversibly exchanges with acrylonitrile, ethylene, fumaronitrile, cis-pentenenitrile, benzonitrile, dimethyl sulfide, and carbon monoxide to generate the corresponding cationic complexes 3−9, respectively. Kinetics experiments under pseudo-first-order condi...
Structure elucidation of maytenonic acid, a new triterpene from Maytenus senegalensis (celastraceae).

Evidence for the structure of a new triterpene from Maytenus senegalensis, named maytenonic acid, is presented. The structure was postulated mainly on the basis of interpretation of IR, NMR, and mass spectral data.
Beneficial effects of C1 esterase inhibitor in murine traumatic shock.

Activation of the complement system is an integral part of the initiation and maintenance of the inflammatory process such as that occurring in traumatic shock, and is considered responsible for much of the trauma-induced microvascular injury. We investigated the effects of early complement blockade induced by a C1 esterase inhibitor (C1 INH) in a rat model of traumatic shock. Pentobarbital-anesthetized rats subjected to Noble-Collip drum trauma developed a shock state characterized by marked hypotension and a 83.3% mortality rate with a mean survival time of 157.5 +/- 26 min. Accompanying these effects were significant endothelial dysfunction and elevated intestinal myeloperoxidase activity. Treatment with C1 INH 15 mg/kg administered intravenously 10 min post-trauma, increases survival rate to 66.7% (p < .05), and prolonged survival time to 248 +/- 27 min (p < .05). C1 INH significantly preserved the endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine and attenuated the increase in myeloperoxidase activity in C1 INH-treated rats compared with untreated trauma rats (p < .05). Our results suggest that complement activation plays an important role in tissue injury associated with trauma, and that its inhibition at an early step in the complement cascade through a C1 esterase inhibitor is beneficial in rats experiencing traumatic shock. The mechanisms of the protective effect of C1 INH involves preservation of vascular endothelial function and diminished neutrophil accumulation leading to reduced neutrophil-mediated tissue injury.
Experimental Performance of an Open Ends, Centrally Grooved, Squeeze Film Damper Operating With Large Amplitude Orbital Motions

Aircraft engines customarily implement squeeze film dampers (SFDs) to dissipate mechanical energy caused by rotor vibration and to isolate the rotor from its structural frame. The paper presents experimental results for the dynamic forced performance of an open ends SFD operating with large amplitude whirl motions, centered and off-centered. The test rig comprises of an elastically supported bearing with a damper section, 127 mm in diameter, having two parallel film lands separated by a central groove. Each film land is 25.4 mm long with radial clearance c = 0.251 mm. The central groove, 12.7 mm long, has a depth of 9.5 mm (38c). An ISO VG 2 lubricant flows into the groove via three 2.5 mm orifices, 120 deg apart, and then passes through the film lands to exit at ambient condition. Two orthogonally placed shakers apply dynamic loads on the bearing to induce circular orbit motions with whirl frequency ranging from 10 Hz to 100 Hz. A static loader, 45 deg away from each shaker, pulls the bearing to a static eccentricity (es). Measurements of dynamic loads and the ensuing bearing displacements and accelerations, as well as the film and groove dynamic pressures, were obtained for eight orbit amplitudes (r = 0.08c to ∼0.71c) and under four static eccentricities (es = 0.0c to ∼0.76c). The experimental damping coefficients increase quickly as the bearing offset increases (es/c → 0.76) while remaining impervious to the amplitude of whirl orbit (r/c → 0.51). The inertia coefficients decrease rapidly as the orbit amplitude grows large, r > 0.51c, but increase with the static eccentricity. A comparison with test results obtained with an identical damper but having a smaller clearance (cs = 0.141 mm) (San Andres, L., 2012, “Damping and Inertia Coefficients for Two Open Ends Squeeze Film Dampers With a Central Groove: Measurements and Predictions,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, 134(10), p. 102506), show the prior damping and inertia coefficients are larger, ∼5.0 and ∼2.2 times larger than the current ones. These magnitudes agree modestly with theoretical ratios for damping and inertia coefficients scaling as (c/cs)3 = 5.7 and (c/cs) = 1.8, respectively. In spite of the large difference in depths between a groove and a film land, the magnitudes of dynamic pressures recorded at the groove are similar to those in the lands. That is, the groove profoundly affects the dynamic forced response of the test damper. A computational physics model replicates the experimental whirl motions and predicts force coefficients spanning the same range of whirl frequencies, orbit radii, and static eccentricities. The model predictions reproduce with great fidelity the experimental force coefficients. The good agreement relies on the specification of an effective groove depth derived from one experiment.
Quasihole lifetimes in electron gases and electron-hole plasmas in semiconductor quantum wells.

The lifetime of a final-state quasihole (i.e., an empty state under the Fermi level created, for example, by interband optical transitions) due to inelastic-scattering processes is calculated as a function of the quasihole energy in {ital n}-type and {ital p}-type modulation-doped quantum wells as well as in electron-hole plasmas in undoped quantum wells. Carrier-carrier scattering and carrier--longitudinal-optical-phonon interactions are considered for the energy-relaxation processes. For carrier-carrier scattering, quasiholes are found to decay through single-particle excitations without plasmon emission at zero temperature. The dependences of the scattering lifetimes on the well width, carrier density, in-plane effective carrier mass, and temperature are studied. The effects of static and dynamic dielectric screening are compared. The relevance of these results to recent luminescence data in modulation-doped quantum wells and to recent thermalization data in hot plasmas in undoped quantum wells is discussed.
Diversity within a human isolate of coxsackie B4: Relationship to viral‐induced diabetes

The ability of different strains of a single virus type to produce different pathogenic expressions is well documented within the picornavirus group. Coxsackievirus, group B, type 4 (CB4) has been associated with viral-induced diabetes in man, but expression of its potential to induce diabetes in experimental animals is variable. Evidence is presented here for one of the primary sources of this variability that could explain resulting contradictory reports offered in support or rejection of its diabetogenic potential. C57B1/6 and SWR mice were infected with the Edwards isolate of CB4 (CB4-Edw) and three of its plaque-purified virion "strains." These were designated Edwards isolate-1 (E1), E2, and E3. CB4-Edw, E1, E2, and E3 were serologically similar by infectivity neutralization tests, had identical plaque morphology, and replicated to a similar level in the pancreas. The most profound difference was the level of virus antigen accumulation in the islet cells as determined by immunoperoxidase localization. CB4-Edw had moderate antigen accumulation in most islet cells of SWR mice but was restricted to only a few specific cells within the periphery islets of C57B1/6 mice. Unlike CB4-Edw all three new isolates accumulated antigen in most islet cells of both mouse strains. Virus isolate (strain) E2 showed the most intense accumulation in islet cells. These observations suggest that the Edwards isolate of CB4, like other human isolates of CB4 virus, probably exists as a heterogeneous population of virion strains. The pathogenic consequences and expression of any diabetogenic potential is, therefore, dependent on virus strain selection. This diversity must be considered when evaluating the pathogenic nature of CB4 viruses in experimental animals and the possible role of the viruses in diabetes of man.
Anticonvulsant effects of memantine and MK-801 in Guinea Pig hippocampal slices☆

The anticonvulsant properties of memantine (Mem) were compared to those of MK-801. Extracellular field recordings were obtained from area CA1 of guinea pig hippocampal slices in a total submersion chamber at 32 degrees C in normal oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF). Evoked responses were elicited by 0.07 Hz stimulation of the Schaffer collateral and commissural fibers. Bath perfusion of slices with Mg(2+)-free ACSF and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-containing ACSF induced epileptiform afterdischarges following evoked responses. Pretreatment of slices by bath application of 100 microM Mem for 18-20 min prevented epileptiform afterdischarges under both convulsant conditions. Perfusion with 100 microM Mem alone for up to 50 min had no discernible effect on evoked responses. MK-801 was as effective at < or = 10 microM and required application for over 15 min to suppress afterdischarges completely. Both Mem and MK-801 suppressed epileptiform activity when applied after such activity was induced by NMDA or MG(2+)-free ACSF. The EC50 of Mem was 16.6 microM and that of MK-801 was 0.19 microM for blocking NMDA-induced evoked response suppression. Thus, in the guinea pig hippocampal slice preparation, Mem appeared to have anticonvulsant properties qualitatively similar to those of MK-801, but was 10-100 fold less potent.
Shifting public health practice to advance health equity: recommendations from experts and community leaders.

Context While the evidence base regarding the social determinants of health and their relationship to health inequities grows, the field of public health is challenged to translate this knowledge into practice changes that advance health equity. Objective Drawing on the knowledge, beliefs, and experiences of public health experts and community leaders working to advance health equity, our objective was to develop and disseminate recommendations for changing public health practice to better address this problem. Design We conducted semistructured, qualitative telephone interviews (n = 25) with key informants. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data were coded and analyzed using both inductive and deductive methods. Member checks were used to enhance quality. Setting and participants A purposeful sample of key informants was selected from content experts and community leaders involved with the development of the Unnatural Causes public impact campaign. Participants represented state and local health departments, community-based organizations, national research/advocacy organizations, and academic institutions across the country. Results Participants distinguished between social determinants of health and their structural precursors in social and political institutions. They believed that the field of public health has an obligation to address health inequities and shifts in practice are needed that focus more attention on societal factors that underlie such inequities. According to participants, specific practice changes are difficult to identify because actions should be community specific and community driven. Recommended approaches that may be adapted to community-based needs and assets include building nontraditional partnerships, engaging in political advocacy, promoting community leadership, collecting better data on social conditions and institutional factors, and enhancing communication for health equity. Conclusions Recommended shifts in practice may be facilitated by revisiting our understanding of the 3 core functions of public health-assessment, assurance, and policy development.
General Metabolism in Patients with Acute Paraplegia and Quadriplegia

This study measured the nutritional status of eight spine-injured patients during their first 10 to 14 days in the hospital. Initial and follow-up nutritional assessment showed that their nutritional status deteriorated at least partly due to an inadequate supply of protein and calories. Infective complications and prolonged respiratory support were common and may have been caused in part by impaired nutrition. This suggests that a prospective study of aggressive nutritional support for patients with spinal cord transection should be initiated to determine whether this acquired malnutrition and its associated complications can be prevented.
Mechanism of proteinuria in nonglomerular renal disease

The proteinuria observed in diseases which predominantly affect glomeruli is not unexpected. Presumably, the disease process with its attendant severe, structural alterations increases the permeability of the glomeruli to protein, and the subsequent increase in filtered load of protein overwhelms the tubular reabsorptive capacity [1]. Proteinuria also occurs, however, in nonglomerular renal diseases. For example, in man with only moderately advanced pyelonephritis, it is not unusual for protein excretion rates to range between 1 and 2 g/day [2], and sometimes the proteinuria is of such a magnitude that it results in a nephrotic syndrome [3]. Why such proteinuria occurs is not clear, because pathologic alterations of the glomeruli are not characteristic of pyelonephritis and need not be present for proteinuria to occur. The present studies were undertaken in the rat to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the proteinuria observed in renal diseases which do not affect the glomeruli primarily. The results indicate that such proteinuria occurs in the absence of any underlying pathologic process and thus is not dependent on anatomic abnormalities. Rather, it appears to be the consequence of adaptive changes which occur in residual nephrons when total nephron population is reduced. It is suggested that the alterations in glomerular permselectivity characteristics which were observed in animals with reduced nephron mass, permit increased passage of plasma proteins across the glomerular barrier and that it is this change which is primarily responsible for the increased urinary protein excretion observed in nonglomerular renal diseases.
Finite-amplitude longitudinal waves in non-uniform bars

Abstract An analysis is presented of the non-linear propagation of longitudinal waves along a bar whose geometrical and material properties vary slowly along its length, taking into account the effects of a small viscosity. A first-order uniform expansion for small but finite amplitudes is obtained by using the method of multiple scales. The analytical solution shows the effects of non-linearity, heterogeneity, and dissipation on the distortion of the waves and the formation of shock waves. The present results show that if the speed of sound or the cross-sectional area of the rod decreases in the direction of propagation, the wave amplitude and the rate of progress of finite-amplitude distortion increase as the wave propagates.
The estimation of derivatives of a nonparametric regression function when the data are correlated

A kernel estimator of a derivative of arbitrary order of a nonparametric average population curve is considered for a correlated-errors model with balanced replicate measurements at each design point. Asymptotic expansions of the mean squared error are derived for two classes of correlation functions in the model. Consistency, choice of smoothing parameter, and rates of convergence are examined for the important special cases of estimating the first and second derivatives.
Detection of Dormant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Clones in the Bone Marrow of Patients in Complete Molecular Remission

Abstract Background Several methods are available to detect MRD in patients with CML in complete molecular remission (CMR) and taking tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Materials and Methods We performed clonogenic assays on mononuclear bone marrow cells from 14 patients. Of the 10 assessable samples, 6 were from patients in CMR and 4 from patients in complete cytogenetic remission but had detectable MRD using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis (positive controls). At least 10 colonies per sample were microaspirated and individual colonies were subjected to PCR analysis. Results Of the 6 patients in CMR, 5 harbored breakpoint cluster region abelson ( BCR-ABL1 ) negative colonies but in 1 sample, 1 of the 10 colonies analyzed was positive for BCR-ABL1 . Of the 4 patients with evidence of MRD in peripheral blood, 2 had negative and 2 had positive BCR-ABL1 colonies. Conclusion MRD is still detectable using clonogenic assays in some patients with CML after achieving CMR using TKI therapy, which is likely responsible for relapse on TKI discontinuation. Because of the large number of single colonies that need to be analyzed, the use of clonogenic assays in clinical practice to determine the feasibility of TKI discontinuation is not recommended.
Estimating absolute salinity (SA) in the world׳s oceans using density and composition

Abstract The practical ( S p ) and reference ( S R ) salinities do not account for variations in physical properties such as density and enthalpy. Trace and minor components of seawater, such as nutrients or inorganic carbon affect these properties. This limitation has been recognized and several studies have been made to estimate the effect of these compositional changes on the conductivity–density relationship. These studies have been limited in number and geographic scope. Here, we combine the measurements of previous studies with new measurements for a total of 2857 conductivity–density measurements, covering all of the world׳s major oceans, to derive empirical equations for the effect of silica and total alkalinity on the density and absolute salinity of the global oceans and to recommend an equation applicable to most of the world׳s oceans. The potential impact on salinity as a result of uptake of anthropogenic CO 2 is also discussed.
Distribution of a catecholamine-binding mechanism in rat brain.

The existence of characteristic regional differences in the binding capacity of tissue for catecholamines was demonstrated by incubating sections of rat brain with tritiated norepinephrine or epinephrine or dopamine, and by radioautography. Microscopically, catecholamine binding occurred diffusely in the neuropil, or in pericellular aggregates upon nerve cells, in a pattern highly suggestive of synaptic buttons. A neuroanatomical account of the regional distribution patterns of norepinephrine binding in rat brain showed similarity to the known regional distribution of norepinephrine. However, there were quantitative and qualitative differences between the distribution of the binding mechanism and that of norepinephrine. Minor differences were found between the binding of norepinephrine and epinephrine; little binding occurred for dopamine. The binding mechanism was not facilitated by ATP, and was resistant to reserpine.
Microstructure and mechanical behavior of spray-deposited Al-Cu-Mg(-Ag-Mn) alloys

The effect of alloy composition on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of four spray-deposited Al-Cu-Mg(-Ag-Mn) alloys was investigated. Precipitation kinetics for the alloys was determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and artificial aging studies coupled with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. DSC/TEM analysis revealed that the spray-deposited alloys displayed similar precipitation behavior to that found in previously published studies on ingot alloys, with the Ag containing alloys exhibiting the presence of two peaks corresponding to precipitation of both Ω-Al2Cu and θ′-Al2Cu and the Ag-free alloy exhibiting only one peak for precipitation of θ′. The TEM analysis of each of the Ag-containing alloys revealed increasing amounts of Al20Mn3Cu2 with increasing Mn. In the peak and over-aged conditions, Ag-containing alloys revealed the presence of Ω, with some precipitation of θ′ for alloys 248 and 251. Tensile tests on each of the alloys in the peak-aged and overaged (1000 hours at 160 °C) conditions were performed at both room and elevated temperatures. These tests revealed that the peak-aged alloys exhibited relatively high stability up to 160 °C, with greater reductions in strength being observed at 200 °C (especially for the high Mn, low Cu/Mg ratio (6.7) alloy 251). The greatest stability of tensile strength following extended exposure at 160 °C was exhibited by the high Cu/Mg ratio (14) alloy 248, which revealed reductions in yield strength of about 2.5 pct, with respect to the peak-aged condition, for the alloys tested at both room temperature and 160 °C.
A bilateral comparison of spectral responsivity measurements in the spectral range 250 nm to 1800 nm between the NIST (USA) and the NRC (Canada)

This intercomparison of spectral responsivity between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States and the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada was carried out to test the level of agreement between the two laboratories for routine detector calibrations and also to support the uncertainties quoted by NIST and NRC in appendix C of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) drawn up by the International Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM). The comparison was carried out in two stages: 250 nm to 1100 nm using three silicon (Si) photodiodes, then 700 nm to 1800 nm using two germanium (Ge) and two indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) detectors. This paper describes briefly the derivation of the spectral responsivity scales, measurement procedures and apparatus used for each laboratory. The results of the intercomparison are presented. In the spectral ranges from 250 nm to 1000 nm for silicon and 750 nm to 1700 nm for germanium and InGaAs, the agreement between the two laboratories is well within the combined uncertainties. In particular, in the 450 nm to 1000 nm spectral range, the agreement is better than ±0.2%. In the 900 nm to 1600 nm spectral range, the agreement is typically ±0.5%. Consequently, the results of this intercomparison are shown to support the uncertainties claimed by NIST and NRC in their routine calibrations, and in their appendix C entries of the MRA.
Pitch and space maps of skilled cellists: accuracy, variability, and error correction.

Based on a newly developed method that combines finger position tracking and spectral analysis of the concurrent acoustic record, we studied the accuracy and variability of pitch performance in eight skilled cellists and the role of acoustic feedback in their performance. The tasks required shifting movements between pairs of notes and separated by various distances (pitch intervals) on a single string at the rate of 1 note/s. The same tasks were performed either using the bow, providing acoustic feedback, or without the bow. Overall, our subjects exhibited a high degree of accuracy in executing tasks when using the bow. When using the bow, two types of variability were observed: (1) trial-to-trial variability: in most subjects the mean fundamental frequency of a single nominal note was significantly different from trial to trial; and (2) within-trial variability. The within-trial variability includes two sub-types: (a) the pitch of a given note changed between notes within a 50-note trial; and (b) within a single note there were positional changes that we hypothesize are attempts by the performer to adjust the fundamental pitch within the note. When acoustic feedback was absent, note distributions were shifted, multimodal, and had large variability; error-correction movements within a single note also significantly decreased, indicating that the stability and precision of the motor map depends on constant re-calibration and updating by acoustic information. Our results suggest that a performer’s intonation should not be viewed as a fixed entity implied by the score but as a sample from a statistical distribution.
Just the Two of Us: Misalignment of Theory and Methods in Examining Dyadic Phenomena

Many organizational phenomena such as leader-member exchange, mentoring, coaching, interpersonal conflict and cooperation, negotiation, performance appraisal, and the employment interview involve inherently dyadic relationships and interactions. Even when theories explicitly acknowledge the dyadic nature of such phenomena, it is not uncommon to observe a disconnection or misalignment between the level of theory and method. Our purpose in the current paper is to discuss how organizational scholars might better align these components of their research endeavors. We discuss how recent developments involving the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) and reciprocal one-with-many (OWM) models are applicable to studying dyadic phenomena in organizations. The emphasis is on preanalytic considerations associated with collecting and organizing reciprocal dyadic data, types of research questions that APIM and reciprocal OWM models can help answer, and specific analytic techniques involved in testing dyadic hypotheses.
Prophylactic Surgery for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type IIa after Genetic Diagnosis: Is Parathyroid Transplantation Indicated?

Identification of germline mutations in theRETproto-oncogene predisposing to multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa (MEN-IIa) has allowed a DNA-based approach to diagnosis and treatment by prophy- lactic thyroidectomy in children testing genetically positive. Although total thyroidectomy is the accepted operation for C cell disease, the necessity of routine total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation as previously described in these asymptomatic children is questionable, particularlygiventhelowoccurrenceofhyperparathyroidisminMEN-IIa (10-20%). Thirty-six children (ages 1 month to 12 years) from four MEN-IIa kindreds at risk for disease underwent genetic testing. Muta- tional analysis was done using a highly sensitive PCR-based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique. Parathyroid or serum calcium concentrationsweredeterminedpreoperatively.Ofthe36childrenatrisk, 18 were found to have a MEN-IIa mutation; 11 have undergone prophy- lactic thyroidectomy at ages ranging from 2 to 12 years (mean 7.5 years). In each case, there was no biochemical evidence of hypercalcemia preoperatively,andallparathyroidglandswereidentifiedandwerefound to be grossly normal at exploration. Glands were carefully dissected and left in situ. Postoperatively, 10 of the 11 children maintained normocal- cemia, allowing discharge within 24 to 36 hours. Resected thyroid glands contained C cell hyperplasia in nine, medullary carcinoma in one, and normal histology in one. We conclude that an alternative to routine parathyroidectomy may be desirable for prophylactic treatment of MEN- IIa. In situ parathyroid preservation can be safely achieved without compromising the completeness of the thyroid resection. This conserva- tive approach obviates the potential morbidity associated with total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation. Germline missense mutations responsible for hereditary medul- lary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in the autosomal dominant cancer
The Jeffords Switch and Public Support for Divided Government

On 24 May 2001, US Senator James M. Jeffords of Vermont formally announced that he intended to leave the Republican party to become an Independent. Although congressional party switches in the United States are noteworthy because of their infrequency, the Jeffords switch was especially significant because he would caucus with the Democratic party, handing the Democratic party control of the Senate by a one-vote margin. When Jeffords formally left the Republican party on 5 June 2001, it was the first time that partisan control of the US Senate changed hands mid-session. Perhaps most importantly, with the House and presidency under Republican control, the Jeffords move ushered in the return of divided government – split party control of the executive and legislative branches. Indeed, Jeffords' switch received vast amounts of media attention precisely for this reason. The scant attention given to other recent party defectors in the US Senate such as Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado or Robert (Bob) Smith of New Hampshire suggests that the Jeffords switch was much larger than a senator simply changing his party affiliation.Over the last twenty years, split partisan control of the executive and legislative branches occurred in American government roughly two-thirds of the time. Given the frequency of divided government, especially in the post-war era, scholars have written much about its causes. The focus of much of this research concerns voting behaviour, especially ticket-splitting and voting against the president's party at the midterm (midterm voting). Some scholars advocate ‘cognitive madisonianism’ or ‘policy-balancing’ explanations, which posit that a subset of voters with moderate policy preferences intentionally, but not necessarily consciously, engage in ticket-splitting or midterm voting to bring about policy moderation or ‘balance’ among the parties. Others contend that ticket splitting and midterm voting is unintentional, a by-product of factors that shape voting behaviour such as candidates, partisanship and campaigns.
Mixed signal validation of the Intel/spl reg/ Pentium/spl reg/ 4 microprocessor power-up sequence

The design of a robust microprocessor requires extensive logic validation. Millions of test vectors are applied and the output of every logic node is checked against the expected output. This is largely done with RTL simulators. Such simulators ignore the analog aspects of the circuits such as power supply noise and transmission line effects. Traditionally, the analog aspects are taken into account using SPICE-like simulators to model representative cases and design for what is perceived to be the worst-case input stimulus. Alternatively, in this paper, we will present a mixed signal validation approach that comprehends both the logic and analog aspects of the circuits. We show how we applied this to the Pentium 4 processor power-up sequence validation. We will also discuss extending this approach to other disciplines such as platform and packaging.
What About People in High Technology? Some Research and Policy Considerations

One of the fundamental aspects of “high technology” is its reliance on people. The high-tech context permits a reexamination of several elements of regional research and policy, including technical workers, entrepreneurship, the effect of new technology in the workplace, and the potential for public policies to address people-related issues. This paper suggests that an orientation toward people relates more accurately to the underlying processes, particularly those that focus on flows of people and information. Entrepreneurship, for example, depends critically on people and their social networks. Likewise, the level of technology in a region or nation is defined by the stock of knowledge and skills found within firms and people. A long-term perspective is necessary for public policies that address regional competitiveness.
Some issues on hydrogen and hydrogenation of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposited films in a-Si : H thin-film transistors

Abstract Several hydrogenation issues related to properties of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited (PECVD) films and the performance of an a-Si : H thin-film transistor (TFT) have been studied. The a-Si : H/a-Si : H interface hydrogen concentration is higher than those of individual a-Si : H films. The small amount of loosely bound hydrogen in the TFT, which can be removed at a temperature lower than the film deposition temperature, is responsible for the major function of the transistor. The plasma hydrogenation process cannot restore all characteristics of de-hydrogenated TFT because of the generation of new types of damages. Plasma hydrogenation of the SiN x surface includes two mechanisms : passivation of dangling bonds and selective etching of N-containing groups. Depending on the process condition, TFT characteristics can be improved or deteriorated by the interface hydrogenation step. The experimental result is consistent with the deposition-etching mechanism in the PECVD SiN x deposition process.
Biliary excretion of manganese in rats, rabbits, and dogs☆

Abstract The disappearance of 54 Mn from the blood and plasma of rats and its excretion into bile was measured for 2 hr after the iv administration of 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, and 10 mg/kg of manganese. The maximal rate of excretion of manganese into the bile was approximately 8.5 μg/min/kg after the 2 higher doses. The bile concentration was found to be 100–200 times that in the plasma for the 3 lower doses. This was due both to the higher concentration of manganese in the liver than the plasma (15- to 20-fold) and in the bile than the liver (6- to 10-fold). Bile had about 50% the affinity for manganese as plasma, and about 20% the affinity as did liver. This suggests that manganese does not pass from plasma to bile because of a higher affinity for bile than plasma. These results show that manganese is excreted into the bile of rats against an apparent concentration gradient and suggest that an active transport mechanism for the excretion of manganese may exist. Lead does not decrease the excretion of manganese, and the excretion of manganese is not highly temperature-dependent as is that of lead, suggesting that manganese is excreted by a different pathway than lead. Manganese is also excreted into the bile of rabbits and dogs with a species variation in the rate of excretion. Manganese did not decrease bile flow in rats when it was given alone or when bilirubin was given 15 min before manganese administration; however, a marked decrease in flow was observed when bilirubin was given 15 min after manganese administration.
Electrostatics and the membrane association of Src: theory and experiment

The binding of Src to phospholipid membranes requires both hydrophobic insertion of its myristate into the hydrocarbon interior of the membrane and nonspecific electrostatic interaction of its N-terminal cluster of basic residues with acidic phospholipids. We provide a theoretical description of the electrostatic partitioning of Src onto phospholipid membranes. Specifically, we use molecular models to represent a nonmyristoylated peptide corresponding to residues 2−19 of Src [nonmyr-Src(2−19); GSSKSKPKDPSQRRRSLE-NH2] and a phospholipid bilayer, calculate the electrostatic interaction by solving the nonlinear Poisson−Boltzmann equation, and predict the molar partition coefficient using statistical thermodynamics. The theoretical predictions agree with experimental data obtained by measuring the partitioning of nonmyr-Src(2−19) onto phospholipid vesicles: membrane binding increases as the mole percent of acidic lipid in the vesicles is increased, the ionic strength of the solution is decreased, or the net ...
Positive correlation of employment and psychological well-being for veterans with major abdominal surgery

Abstract Background Intestinal stomas (ostomies) have been associated negatively with multiple aspects of health-related quality of life. This article examines the relationship between employment status and psychological well-being (PWB) in veterans who underwent major bowel procedures with or without ostomy. Methods Veterans from 3 Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers were surveyed using the City of Hope ostomy-specific questionnaire and the Short Form 36 item Veteran's version (SF-36V). Response rate was 48% (511 of 1,063). Employment and PWB relationship was assessed using multiple regression with age, income, SF-36V physical component summary (PCS), and employment status as independent variables. Results Employed veterans reported higher PWB compared with unemployed veterans ( P = .003). Full-time workers also reported higher PWB than part-time or unemployed workers ( P = .001). Ostomy was not an independent predictor of PWB. Conclusions Employment among veterans after major abdominal surgery may have intrinsic value for PWB. Patients should be encouraged to return to work, or do volunteer work after recovery.