cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strong-interaction effects in weak radiative decay

Abstract Strong-interaction corrections to the effective hamiltonian for weak radiative B - meson decay (i.e., B → X s γ , where Xs denotes a strange hadronic final state) are calculated using the leading logarithmic approximation. The inclusive rate for decays B → X s γ , where the energy of the photon is large, is computed in the standard model with minimal particle content and in extensions of the minimal standard model with two Higgs doublets.
INTRATEXT, DECLAMATION AND DRAMATIC ARGUMENT IN TACITUS' DIALOGUS DE ORATORIBUS

Tacitus' Dialogus de oratoribus (c. 100 c.e.) may be the most perplexing of the extant Roman dialogues, quite possibly, of the entire Greco-Roman tradition. Despite advances in the rhetorical and literary appreciation of ancient dialogues, this text continues to elude understanding. Oddly, the difficulties stem neither from obscurities of subject matter and presentation nor from any anomalism vis-a-vis the norms of the genre. Six compelling speeches lucidly detail the value, history and development of eloquentia (‘skilled speech’) from the perspective of the late first and early second centuries c.e. They provide convincing accounts of rhetoric and its evolution: the social and political efficacy of eloquentia (Marcus Aper's and Curiatius Maternus' prescriptions on how best to assert oneself with and against the powerful, and the famous yet notoriously tumultuous oratory of the Late Republic), evaluative categories for rhetoric, including the competing discourses that prized renown and canonical status (Vipstanus Messalla's praise of the ancients), or external and absolute aesthetic criteria; and lastly, exemplary instances (e.g. past luminaries) or suitable models for imitation (ancient and modern orators and poets). The richness of these diverse emphases, along with the complex and ambiguous reworking of literary forerunners, not to mention the open-endedness at the work's conclusion, all conspire against the expectation of a uniform message.
The co-evolution of culturally inherited altruistic helping and cultural transmission under random group formation

Limited migration results in kin selective pressure on helping behaviors under a wide range of ecological, demographic and life-history situations. However, such genetically determined altruistic helping can evolve only when migration is not too strong and group size is not too large. Cultural inheritance of helping behaviors may allow altruistic helping to evolve in groups of larger size because cultural transmission has the potential to markedly decrease the variance within groups and augment the variance between groups. Here, we study the co-evolution of culturally inherited altruistic helping behaviors and two alternative cultural transmission rules for such behaviors. We find that conformist transmission, where individuals within groups tend to copy prevalent cultural variants (e.g., beliefs or values), has a strong adverse effect on the evolution of culturally inherited helping traits. This finding is at variance with the commonly held view that conformist transmission is a crucial factor favoring the evolution of altruistic helping in humans. By contrast, we find that under one-to-many transmission, where individuals within groups tend to copy a "leader" (or teacher), altruistic helping can evolve in groups of any size, although the cultural transmission rule itself hitchhikes rather weakly with a selected helping trait. Our results suggest that culturally determined helping behaviors are more likely to be driven by "leaders" than by popularity, but the emergence and stability of the cultural transmission rules themselves should be driven by some extrinsic factors.
Discovering recurring anomalies in text reports regarding complex space systems

Many existing complex space systems have a significant amount of historical maintenance and problem data bases that are stored in unstructured text forms. The problem that we address in this paper is the discovery of recurring anomalies and relationships between problem reports that may indicate larger systemic problems. We illustrate our techniques on data from discrepancy reports regarding software anomalies in the Space Shuttle. These free text reports are written by a number of different people, thus the emphasis and wording vary considerably. We test four automatic methods of anomaly detection in text that are popular in the current literature on text mining. The first method that we describe is k-means or Gaussian mixture model and its application to the term-document matrix. The second method is the Sammon nonlinear map, which projects high dimensional document vectors into two dimensions for visualization and clustering purposes. The third method is based on an analysis of the results of applying a clustering method, expectation maximization on a mixture of von Mises Fisher distributions that represents each document as a point on a high dimensional sphere. In this space, we perform clustering to obtain sets of similar documents. The results are derived from a new method known as spectral clustering, where vectors from the term-document matrix are embedded in a high dimensional space for clustering. The paper concludes with recommendations regarding the development of an operational text mining system for analysis of problem reports that arise from complex space systems. We also contrast such systems with general purpose text mining systems, illustrating the areas in which this system needs to be specified for the space domain
Binding Sites on Microtubules of Kinesin Motors of the Same or Opposite Polarity

The kinesin motor proteins translocate toward either the plus or minus end of microtubules (MTs). Competitive microtubule binding assays were carried out with monomeric motor domains of the minus-e...
Mars Media Mayhem

As lead author of a recent report ([1][1]) advising the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on a strategy for the search for evidence of life on Mars, I was besieged for most of the first week of August by media representatives needing an instant opinion on the Research Article by D
Exploring new strategies for cellulosic biofuels production

A research program has been initiated to formulate new strategies for efficient low-cost lignocellulosic biomass processing technologies for the production of biofuels. This article reviews results from initial research into lignocellulosic biomass structure, recalcitrance, and pretreatment. In addition to contributing towards a comprehensive understanding of lignocellulosic biomass, this work has contributed towards demonstrated optimizations of existing pretreatment methods, and the emergence of new possible pretreatment strategies that remain to be fully developed.
When is Echocardiography Unreliable in Patients Undergoing Catheterization for Pediatric Cardiovascular Disease

Technologic advances in echocardiography (e.g., better spatial resolution, Doppler, and color flow mapping) have improved our ability to demonstrate anatomy and physiology in previously problematic conditions, precluding catheterization and angiography in some instances. However, diagnostic catheterization remains necessary in other instances. The aims of this study were to determine whether echocardiography alone was sufficient to delineate the anatomic and flow abnormalities in patients subsequently selected to undergo catheterization and, if not, under what circumstances was echocardiography unable to establish the definitive diagnosis. Echocardiograms of 252 infants and children who underwent catheterization during a 14-month interval were analyzed retrospectively to determine whether the echographic assessment was nondiscrepant (group 1) or discrepant (group 2) with the catheterization assessment. Any deviation in the complete accurate assessment constituted a discrepancy; identification of more than one discrepancy in a single patient was possible. Independent variables included patient's age, weight, operative status, use of color flow mapping, echocardiograph operator, and interval between echocardiogram and catheterization. To determine whether the discrepancies were clinically significant, data from patients in group 2 were reviewed independently by three cardiologists to determine whether patient management would have changed given the added data provided by catheterization. Echocardiographic evaluations were discrepant in 155 instances. In 54 of 155 instances (35%), discrepancies were judged to be clinically significant (group 3). Twenty-three of 54 cases (43%) involved extracardiac lesions (i.e., aortic arch, pulmonary arterial, bronchial collateral, and pulmonary venous anomalies), 20 of 54 (37%) involved pressure gradients, 7 of 54 (13%) involved intracardiac lesions, and 4 of 54 (7%) involved coronary arterial lesions. Patients who had previous surgery had a higher incidence of subsequent discrepant echocardiograms ( p = 0.04). Patients with clinically significant discrepant studies were found to be older and heavier than those with nondiscrepant studies (mean age, 5.1 versus 3.3 years, p = 0.017; mean weight, 18.5 versus 13.4 kg, p = 0.017). We conclude that echocardiography is more likely to be discrepant in older, heavier patients and in those who have had previous surgery. Particular caution must be exercised in evaluating extracardiac anatomy and pressure gradients. Technologic advances in echocardiography have improved our diagnostic capability; however, this modality and cardiac catheterization remain complementary procedures.
Subdivision Infrastructure Affecting Storm Water Runoff and Residential Property Values

AbstractIn many areas of the country, urban storm water runoff is a growing water quality problem. To improve storm water programs, regulatory officials are now placing greater emphasis on reducing the volume of runoff. Called green infrastructure or low-impact development, storm water control is increasingly focused on reducing the amount of urban impervious land cover and using vegetative conveyance systems and infiltration areas to reduce negative environmental impacts. While many green infrastructure practices reduce capital infrastructure costs, less is known about the opportunity costs and pecuniary benefits to developers from implementation of green infrastructure to reduce storm water effects. This paper presents a hedonic property-value model of residential property sale prices regressed on property and location characteristics, which include differing infrastructure design features that affect storm water runoff (street widths, cul-de-sacs, curb-and-gutters). The data include 1,360 single-family...
Differential suppressive effects of low physiological doses of estradiol-17β in vivo on levels of mRNAs encoding steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and three steroidogenic enzymes in previtellogenic ovarian follicles of rainbow trout.

Numerous recent reports have demonstrated effects of estrogenic chemicals on reproductive physiology of fish. However, there is little information available on the regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis by physiological levels of endogenous steroids in teleosts. Therefore, we analyzed the levels of mRNAs encoding steroidogenic proteins in ovaries of E2-treated rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss). Previtellogenic (perinucleolar oocyte stage) trout received either blank or E2 implants (0.1 microg, 1 microg or 10 microg/g BW) for 7 days in order to achieve low, medium and high physiological levels of E2 in plasma. Plasma E2 levels were measured using radioimmunoassay. Levels of mRNAs encoding steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) and P450 aromatase A (P450aromA) in the ovary were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. E2 levels in control animals were approximately 0.5 ng/ml. Levels in treated fish were approximately 1 ng/ml (0.1 microg implant), 2.6 ng/ml (1 microg implant) and 90 ng/ml (10 microg implant), within or just above the physiological range of immature and maturing female rainbow trout. StAR mRNA levels were significantly reduced by all E2 treatments. P450scc mRNA levels were not affected, but 3beta-HSD and P450arom mRNA levels were significantly decreased by the 1 and 10 microg E2/BW implants. These results indicate that E2, either directly or indirectly, downregulates expression of StAR and major steroidogenic enzyme genes in rainbow trout ovary. Furthermore, expression of the trout StAR gene seems particularly sensitive to E2.
A Comparison of Associational and Claimless-Informational Advertising in Russia

Abstract This study investigates the efficacy of cross-class associational advertising in Russia. This proven Western approach seems to be particularly appropriate as it involves a heavily unfamiliar brand, which serves to lessen counter-arguing. However, this study denotes a Russian culture characterized by a mistrust and skepticism of advertising and a suspicion of the claims of unfamiliar brands. A comparison of claimbased associational advertising with claimless-informational advertising confirms the inappropriateness of the Western approach. The study thus suggests that informational advertising that furthers the creation of brand knowledge and awareness may be a useful precursor to associational advertising for an unfamiliar brand.
Expression of the RNA component of human telemorase (hTR) in ThinPrep® preparations from bladder washings

BACKGROUND The enzyme telomerase is associated with cellular immortality and is expressed in the vast majority of human neoplasms. The expression of the RNA component of human telomerase (hTR) shows excellent concordance with enzyme activity. METHODS In this study, hTR expression was analyzed in a series of 18 perioperative bladder washings and compared with histologic diagnoses from material obtained in the same setting. The hTR expression analysis used an 35S-based in-situ hybridization assay. ThinPrep® preparations fixed in PreservCyt® solution (Cytyc Corporation, Boxborough, MA) were hybridized with sense and antisense hTR probes. A 1–4+ grading scheme was used, with appropriate positive and negative controls. RESULTS Five of six (83%) lesions with benign histology had hTR expression that was 2+ or less in the exfoliated urothelial cells. In contrast, 11 of 12 (93%) lesions with malignant histology had an hTR expression that was focally 3+ or more, with 7 of 12 (58%) lesions having 4+ hTR expression in at least some urothelial clusters. Although increased hTR expression was present in smears with malignant urothelial cells, a similar trend was not seen with muscularis propria invasion or higher grades of TCC on subsequent histology. CONCLUSIONS The use of in situ hybridization technique bypasses the need for stringent specimen processing and allows identification of the specific cell type that expresses telomerase. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2001;93:73–79. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
The Taliban's war on women

When the UN, on May 13, 1998, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Taliban, the organization agreed with the Taliban's position on women's health care, work, and education, effectively denying Afghan women any rights in these areas. Afghan women are currently beaten for appearing on the street without a male chaperone or without wearing a burka (a garment which covers them from head to toe). They are forced to beg, destitute, on the streets. A study conducted by the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) describes the effects of this system upon the mental and physical health of Afghan women. For 3 months, PHR interviewed 200 women living in Kabul and in refugee camps in Pakistan. The health of 142 (71%) had deteriorated over the past 2 years; 106 (53%) described incidences where they were denied medical care while seriously ill. A 20-year-old woman who suffered from stomach pains for days before dying could not be taken to a hospital because her mother did not own a burka. Other women had been denied care because of economic hardship, the absence of female doctors or of male chaperones, mobility restrictions, or refusals by hospitals to care for females. Interviewed physicians described worsening child nutrition, increasing rates of tuberculosis, and increasing prevalence of other communicable diseases. 97% of the women had major depression; 42% suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder; and 21% often had suicidal thoughts. Language: en
A note on uniquely reducible graphs

A graph has been defined to be uniquely reducible if the deletion of any line yields a subgraph that is not isomorphic to any other subgraph. It is shown here that a uniquely reducible graph without K2 or more than one isolate as components is asymmetric, that a regular asymmetric graph is uniquely reducible, and that a graph is uniquely reducible if and only if its line graph has no isomorphic point-deleted subgraphs.
Interaction between brain enzymes glutamate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase

Abstract Fluorescence spectroscopic methods were used to study the interaction between aspartate aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase isolated from pig brain. The conversion of the P-pyridoxal form of the aminotransferase to the P-pyridoxamine form of the enzyme is easily monitored by recording emission spectra upon excitation at 330 nm. Evidence for the interaction between the enzymes was obtained from fluroescence measurements conducted on aspartate aminotransferase label with a fluorescence probe (1-5-AEDANS) attached to one sH residue of the protein. The interaction of the aminotransferase (1μM) with glutamate dehydrogenase (2μM) brings about an enhancement as well as a blue shift in the band position of the fluorescence emitted by the dansyl chromophore. Polarization of fluorescence measurements conducted over a wide range of temperatures reveal that the rotational correlation time of aspartate aminotransferase (35 n.seconds) is increased to a value of 100 n.seconds upon addition of glutamate dehydrogenase.
A total salt balance model for concentration polarization in crossflow reverse osmosis channels with shear flow

Abstract A new model in determining concentration polarization in reverse osmosis (RO) channel was developed, upon previous works on the retained salt for the transverse distribution and the total salt balance (TSB) along the longitudinal direction in the RO channel. Shear flow was employed in the new formulation of concentration polarization in the RO channel so that the result of the model could be compared to the analytical solution of Song–Elimelech model for the membrane channels where the changes in hydraulic conditions were negligible. When applied to long-narrow RO channels, the difference in concentration polarization caused by employment of plug or shear flows was shown to be small, indicating the applicability of relatively simple formulation based on plug flow in determining concentration polarization of practical RO processes. Finally, comparisons of the mass transfer method and Song–Elimelech model with the new model indicated that the former two methods could only be used with precautions in the predicting polarization modulus and permeate velocity under certain conditions.
Pertussis toxin lesioning of the nucleus caudate-putamen attenuates adenylate cyclase inhibition and alters neuronal electrophysiological activity.

Abstract Receptor-mediated inhibition of brain adenylate cyclase activity has been well characterized at the biochemical level. However, less understood is how these, typically modest, inhibitory effects on cyclase activity correlate with the electrophysiological activity of brain preparations. In addressing this question, we injected pertussis toxin (PT) into the nucleus caudate-putamen of intact rats, and observed a subsequent attenuated inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in caudate membranes, which correlated with altered electrophysiological activity in this nucleus. PT completely abolished and significantly reduced, respectively, dopamine D 2 and opioid receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase. In addition, pretreatment of rat caudate nuclei with PT attenuated the amount of in vitro ADP-ribosylation of 41,000 and 39,000 Da PT substrates measured in caudate membranes. Extracellular recording of the spontaneous activity of caudate neurons revealed that PT pretreatment significantly increased firing rates above those of cells recorded from sham-operated and unoperated controls. Furthermore, a significantly greater number of cells pretreated with PT displayed interspike intervals less than 50 ms, reflecting ‘burst-like’ activity. In short, the inactivation of G-proteins serving as PT substrates in rat caudate-putamen renders caudate cells more likely to fire spontaneously, and to fire in bursting, rather than uniform, patterns of activity. These observations suggest that PT substrates identical or similar to those which regulate adenylate cyclase, play a significant role in governing the electrophysiological behavior of intact caudate neurons.
Production of electronically excited NF by the reaction of fluorine atoms with HN3

Abstract Electronically excited NF in both the a 1 Δ and b 1 Σ + states hasbeen observed from the reaction of fluorine atoms with HN 3 . The results suggest that fluorine atoms first abstract the hydrogen atom from HN 3 , then react with the remaining N 3 to form NF ≠ (a 1 Δ). NF * (b 1 Σ + ) is produced by a subsequent energy pooling reaction between NF ≠ (a 1 Δ) and vibrationally excited HF. The rate of the F + N 3 reaction is estimated to be ≈ 10 12 and 3 mole −1 s −1 .
Immunotherapy of EL4 lymphoma with reovirus

EL4 lymphoma was grown as an ascitic tumor in the peritoneal cavity of C57Bl/6 mice. Animals with different tumor burdens (either 107 or 109 cells) were treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of BCNU using doses from 20–40 mg/kg. Response as measured by mean survival time and percent survival was dependent on tumor burden and dose of drug. The objective of chemotherapy was to increase the mean survival time, but not the percent survival, in order to evaluate the therapeutic effect of reovirus. Mice were given 108, 109, or 1010 Pfu of reovirus at various times with respect to chemotherapy. The number of mice cured after treatment with both BCNU and reovirus was significantly greater compared to mice treated with BCNU only. Mice cured with combination therapy developed tumor-specific immunity as measured by cytotoxic lymphocytes and serum, and resistance to a lethal tumor challenge.
U2n test for uniformity of discrete distributions

Lockhart et al. have given an elegant account of this recently. In this paper, I will show that the method which originally led to U2n works just as well in the discrete case-and suggests a proof in the continuous case.
Clinical Characteristics and In-Hospital Outcomes of Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Insights From the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Database

Background— There exist few studies that characterize contemporary clinical features and outcomes or risk factors for operative mortality in cardiogenic shock (CS) patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods and Results— We evaluated data of 708 593 patients with and without CS undergoing CABG enrolled in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Database (2002–2005). Clinical, angiographic, and operative features and in-hospital outcomes were evaluated in patients with and without CS. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of operative mortality and to estimate weights for an additive risk score. Patients with preoperative CS constituted 14 956 (2.1%) of patients undergoing CABG yet accounted for 14% of all CABG deaths. Operative mortality in CS patients was high and surgery specific, rising from 20% for isolated CABG to 33% for CABG plus valve surgery and 58% for CABG plus ventricular septal repair. Although mortality for CABG surgery overall declined signifi...
The arbitration of whistleblower cases

Disputes regarding termination of employment under the Whistleblower provisions of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Corporate Reform Act of 2002 are subject to required arbitration according to the “Boss” decision. This article explores the requirements under self regulatory organization (SRO) rules of employees in the securities industry to arbitrate disputes with their employers, exceptions to the requirement to arbitrate, and the expansion of the requirements to cover activities under the Sarbanes Oxley statute. The article sets out to demonstrate the commitment to arbitration in the securities industry not only to resolve investor disputes, but to apply the same standards and requirements to employees and the industry as a whole. The article also shows the resilience of the rules and procedures to adjust and improve to meet the challenges presented by new types of claims, and to ensure that statutory rights are addressed adequately
Compliance‐gaining in marital interaction: Power bases, processes, and outcomes

Couples attempted to gain compliance from their spouse. Specific marital types were determined by using the Relational Dimensions Instrument (Fitzpatrick, 1977). Messages were coded into specific categories of compliance‐gaining by the Verbal Interaction Compliance‐Gaining Scheme. This scheme references the bases of power speakers use when attempting to gain compliance. The short term outcomes of the interactions were coded as to whether the husband or wife won and whether mutual resolution or no resolution was achieved. Log‐linear analysis indicated that the various marital types utilized were found to have different patterns of compliance‐gaining communication associated with them.
Nearly antiferromagnetic Fermi liquids are high temperature superconductors: Are the superconducting cuprates nearly antiferromagnetic liquids?

Abstract Following a brief review of the weak coupling calculations by Monthoux, Balatsky, and Pines, and the strong coupling calculations of Monthoux and Pines which demonstrate that the spin-fluctuation-induced interaction between planar quasiparticles in a nearly antiferromagnetic Fermi liquid produces a transition to a superconducting d x 2 −y 2 pairing state at high temperatures, I review recent theoretical calculations and experiments which provide strong evidence for the physical and mathematical description of the normal state of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 as a nearly antiferromagnetic Fermi liquid, with commensurate nearly antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations providing the mechanism for high T c .
Design of remote monitoring and control system center of photovoltaic power station

This article analyzes function requirements of a remote monitoring center for PV stations and designs system framework and functions for the monitoring center. The system framework applies multilayer-distributed structure; basic functions of the monitoring center system include monitoring and controlling of operating status of PV stations; advanced application functions include statistics and analysis of operating data, and overall evaluation of both technical and economical indices. Highly adaptive communication channels are designed and advanced communication protocols are applied. Data model based on IEC61850 is established which ensures the system with higher operability.
Hemeralopia in an older adult.

Abstract An elderly male was referred for evaluation of hemeralopia when cataract extraction did not alleviate his symptom of difficulty seeing in bright illumination. Visual acuity was 20 40 OU. Funduscopic examination revealed marked arteriolar attenuation, disc pallor, and retinal pigment epithelial changes. Visual fields demonstrated relative paracentral scotomata. An ERG was consistent with widespread photoreceptor degeneration. A diagnosis of visual paraneoplastic syndrome was made and an extensive systemic evaluation revealed a squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The presentation and evaluation of acquired photoreceptor dysfunction in adulthood is discussed.
Parallel Activation of Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase and Phospholipase C by the Extracellular Calcium-sensing Receptor

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) is a G protein-coupled receptor that regulates physiological processes including Ca(2+) metabolism, Na(+), Cl(-), K(+), and H(2)0 balance, and the growth of some epithelial cells through diverse signaling pathways. Although many effects of CaR are mediated by the heterotrimeric G proteins Galpha(q) and Galpha(i), not all signaling pathways regulated by CaR have been identified. We used human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells that stably express human CaR to study the regulation of inositol lipid metabolism by CaR. The nonfunctional mutant CaR(R796W) was used as a negative control. We found that CaR regulates phosphatidylinositol (PI) 4-kinase, the first step in inositol lipid biosynthesis. In cells pretreated with to inhibit phospholipase C activation and to block the degradation of PI 4,5-bisphosphate to form [(3)H]inositol trisphosphate (IP(3)), CaR stimulated the accumulation of [(3)H]PI monophosphate (PIP). Additionally, wortmannin, an inhibitor of both PI 3-kinase and type III PI 4-kinase, blocked CaR-stimulated accumulation of [(3)H]PIP and inhibited [(3)H]IP(3) production. CaR-stimulated inositol lipid synthesis was attributable to PI 4-kinase and not PI 3-kinase because CaR did not activate Akt, a downstream target of PI 3-kinase. CaR associates with PI 4-kinase based on the findings that CaR and the 110-kDa PI 4-kinase beta can be co-immunoprecipitated with antibodies against either CaR or PI 4-kinase. The PI-4 kinase in co-immunoprecipitates with anti-CaR antibody was activated in Ca(2+)-stimulated HEK-293 cells, which stably express the wild type CaR. Pertussis toxin did not affect the formation of [(3)H]IP(3) or the rise in intracellular Ca(2+) (Handlogten, M. E., Huang, C. F., Shiraishi, N., Awata, H., and Miller, R. T. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 13941-13948). RGS4, an accelerator of GTPase activity of members of the Galpha(i) and Galpha(q) families, attenuated the CaR-stimulated PLC activation and IP(3) accumulation, which is mediated by Galpha(q), but did not inhibit CaR-stimulated [(3)H]PIP formation. In HEK-293 cells, which express wild type CaR, Rho was enriched in immune complexes co-immunoprecipitated with the anti-CaR antibody. C(3) toxin, an inhibitor of Rho, also inhibited the CaR-stimulated [(3)H]IP(3) production but did not lead to CaR-stimulated [(3)H]PIP formation, reflecting inhibition of PI 4-kinase. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CaR stimulates PI 4-kinase, the first step in inositol lipid biosynthesis conversion of PI to PI 4-P by Rho-dependent and Galpha(q)- and Galpha(i)-independent pathways.
HIGH-INTENSITY COMPTON SCATTERING AND THE ORIGIN OF THE WAVELENGTH SHIFT WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF A SEMICLASSICAL TREATMENT.

Using group-theoretical arguments, it is shown that the nonlinear wavelength shift predicted by Goldman and by Brown and Kibble in high-intensity Compton scattering comes about from the particular symmetry properties of the circularly polarized plane wave used to describe the laser beam.
The solubilization of an elastin-like protein from copper-deficient porcine aorta.

Abstract 1. 1. A soluble elastin-like protein is present in the aortas of copper-deficient swine. Studies were undertaken to determine the optimal means of selectively solubilizing this protein. 2. 2. Swelling and solubilization studies on copper-deficient and normal, young, porcine aortas over a range of pH values revealed a marked difference in the behavior of the two tissues. Sharp maxima of swelling and solubilization were observed in the copper-deficient tissue at pH 3 and 7. 3. 3. By further studies of the effects of salt at these pH's, it was determined that a relatively pure elastin-like protein can be solubilized from the copper-deficient aorta at pH 3 and low salt concentration. A method of extracting the aorta under these conditions is described.
Which Physicians And Practices Are Using Electronic Medical Records

Greater use of electronic medical records (EMRs) has the potential to improve the quality of medical care and has become a goal of the U.S. administration. According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, only an average of 17.6 percent of physicians reported use of EMRs in their office-based practices. The adoption rate did not increase from 2001 through 2003. Practices with more physicians and those owned by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were significantly more likely to use this technology, but use varied little by the characteristics of individual physicians, the practice’s scope of services, or the practice’s sources of revenue.
Covalent immobilization of polypropylene thin films

This article describes a simple and versatile approach to the covalent attachment of ultrathin polypropylene films on silicon wafers. The immobilization was accomplished by way of the C–H insertion reaction of perfluorophenyl nitrenes generated by thermolysis or photolysis of perfluorophenyl azides. Covalently immobilized thin films of crystalline and amorphous polypropylene and an elastomeric copolymer of polypropylene were successfully fabricated. Patterned polypropylene films were also delineated.
Hitchcock's Villains: Murderers, Maniacs, and Mother Issues Eric San Juan and Jim McDevitt. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2013.

Hitchcock's Villains: Murderers, Maniacs, and Mother Issues Eric San Juan and Jim McDevitt. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2013.San Juan and McDevitt proclaim that Hitchcock's villains are "better written" than his heroes (vi) and have held up over time as "surprisingly modern character studies" (vii). That's why they published Hitchcock's Villains, a viewer's guide to nine of his most unforgettable bad guys (Hitchcock never based a movie on a woman villain).Each villain gets his own chapter, about a dozen pages long. Take for instance the first chapter on Karl Anton Verloc, the villain in Sabotage (1936). It begins with a two hundred and fifty word plot summary and a table of eleven character facts: sex; marital status; occupation; family members; place of residence; associates; motivation for villainy; preferred method of killing; body count, and fate. We learn that Verloc is driven by his "ideological differences with the British government" to plant "bombs set to explode in crowded areas" (2). At first, these lists may seem kitschy add-ons, more suitable for a character sheet in a roleplaying game than a summary in a viewer's guide. Later, however, they will likely become the feature of the book most frequently consulted for quick references. The middle of each chapter develops the villain in detail. Although Verloc loves his family members, we are told, he is willing to sacrifice them for his own warped political cause. The very brief coda of each chapter suggests parallel traits shared by the villain andthe director. For example, both Verloc and Hitchcock hide dark desires behind a respectable facade: the character is a killer masquerading as a family man who runs a neighborhood movie theatre; the director is a fetishist who makes very popular films. This coda feels superficial. Its problem stems from the dicey business of trying, in one hundred and fifty words or less, to psychoanalyze a creator in terms of traits found in his creation.Interestingly, the authors are much more adept at psychoanalyzing elsewhere. Alternating with chapters about villains are expansive essays about villainrelated themes. One of the best of these essays explores Hitchcock's biography, especially his obsession with blondes; his notorious stalking of actress Tippi Hedren is the most widely publicized instance. The authors believe this real-life mania is projected onto the screen in the character of John "Scottie" Ferguson (Vertigo, 1958) as he neurotically forces a brunette woman to wear a wig and ape the mannerisms of a blonde. …
Mitigation of radiation nephropathy after internal α-particle irradiation of kidneys

Purpose: Internal irradiation of kidneys as a consequence of radioimmunotherapy, radiation accidents, or nuclear terrorism can result in radiation nephropathy. We attempted to modify pharmacologically, the functional and morphologic changes in mouse kidneys after injection with the actinium ( 225 Ac) nanogenerator, an in vivo generator of α- and β-particle emitting elements. Methods and Materials: The animals were injected with 0.35 μCi of the 225 Ac nanogenerator, which delivers a dose of 27.6 Gy to the kidneys. Then, they were randomized to receive captopril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor), L-158,809 (angiotensin II receptor-1 blocker), spironolactone (aldosterone receptor antagonist), or a placebo. Results: Forty weeks after the 225 Ac injection, the placebo-control mice showed a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (87.6 ± 6.9 mg/dL), dilated Bowman spaces, and tubulolysis with basement membrane thickening. Captopril treatment accentuated the functional (BUN 119.0 ± 4.0 mg/dL; p p = 0.02 vs. placebo controls). Spironolactone treatment, however, significantly prevented the development of histopathologic and functional changes (BUN 31.2 ± 2.5 mg/dL; p Conclusions: Low-dose spironolactone and, to a lesser extent, angiotensin receptor-1 blockade can offer renal protection in a mouse model of internal α-particle irradiation.
Theoretical Current-Voltage Curve in Low-Pressure Cesium Diode for Electron-Rich Emission

Although considerable interest has been shown in the space-charge analysis of low-pressure (collisionless case) thermionic diodes, there is a conspicuous lack in the presentation of results in a way that allows direct comparison with experiment. The current-voltage curve of this report was, therefore, computed for a typical case within the realm of experimental interest. The model employed in this computation is shown in Fig. 1 and is defined by the limiting potential distributions [curves (a) and (b)]. Curve (a) represents the potential V as a monotonic function of position with a slope of zero at the anode; curve (b) is similarly monotonic with a slope of zero at the cathode. It is assumed that by a continuous variation of the anode voltage, the potential distributions vary continuously from one limiting form to the other. Although solutions for infinitely spaced electrodes show that spatically oscillatory potential distributions may exist, they have been neglected in this computation.
Attention as a decision in information space

Decision formation and attention are two fundamental processes through which we select, respectively, appropriate actions or sources of information. Although both functions have been studied in the oculomotor system, we lack a unified view explaining both forms of selection. We review evidence showing that parietal neurons encoding saccade motor decisions also carry signals of attention (perceptual selection) that are independent of the metrics, modality and reward of an action. We propose that attention implements a specialized form of decision based on the utility of information. Thus, oculomotor control depends on two interacting but distinct processes: attentional decisions that assign value to sources of information and motor decisions that flexibly link the selected information with action.
ANTIESTROGENS ACTIVATE AN ESTROGEN RECEPTOR MUTANT EXHIBITING ENHANCED BINDING TO THE ESTROGEN RESPONSE ELEMENT

The appearance of constitutively active and antiestrogen resistant estrogen receptor variants has been proposed as one of several factors leading to the development of antiestrogen resistant breast cancers. We recently described the ER2, estrogen receptor mutant, which exhibits enhanced binding to the estrogen response element on DNA, and partial constitutive estrogen-independent) ability to activate transcription. In this work we used transient transfections to show that the antiestrogens trans hydroxytamoxifen and ICI 164,384 are unable to suppress the constitutive activity of the ER2 mutant. Instead, both antiestrogens were concentration-dependent activators of the ER2 mutant. The ER2 mutant appears to be the first estrogen receptor mutant to show activation of a simple estrogen response element-containing promoter using the "pure" antiestrogen ICI 164,384.
An Experimental Study of Powder Melting During Low Pressure Plasma Deposition

Low pressure plasma deposition (LPPD), a recent advancement in plasma spray metallizing, is currently being developed for high performance materials applications. An experimental study of particle melting within the plasma jet was pursued to identify the effect of the process variables and the material properties on the resultant deposit. In tandem the experimental results have been utilized in the development and verification of a mathematical model for the melting of powder particles during the process. Two binary iron based model alloys - Fe-20 wt% Mn and Fe-20 wt% Cu - were plasma sprayed using Ma 2.4 and Ma 3 guns. Two different methods were used to evaluate the degree of particle melting within the plasma jet. The first method intercepts the particle path in the plasma jet with a glass slide, whereas in the second method the powder particles are collected in free flight using a powder collector (resolidification of powder particles occurs before they impact the collector walls). The droplets which impacted on glass slides and the collected (using the powder collector) powder particles were studied for mode and degree of powder particle melting using scanning electron microscopy. “Sweet spot” deposits (with no relative motion between the plasma gun and the substrate) were also made for the two model alloys in different size ranges using the Ma 2.4 and Ma 3 guns. The resulting deposits were metallographically evaluated. Mode and degree of particle melting injected under different process variables as well as the resultant deposit structures are presented.
New Observations on the Gastroesophageal Antireflux Barrier

The use of high-frequency ultrasound transducers combined with manometry in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has yielded important findings concerning the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the high-pressure zone of the gastroesophageal junction and the sphincteric muscles within. These transducers have made previously invisible portions of the GI tract accessible to investigation. Three distinct high-pressure zones have been identified and correlated with anatomic structures: the extrinsic sphincter (crural diaphragm) and the two components of the intrinsic sphincter (an upper LES and a lower LES [the gastric sling fiber/clasp fiber complex]). This article discusses the possible underlying pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease; the biomechanics of the gastroesophageal junction high-pressure zone; and the mechanism of action of standard surgical and newer endoscopic therapies for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Disk Mass Limits and Lifetimes of Externally Irradiated Young Stellar Objects Embedded in the Orion Nebula

?????We present 1.3 mm wavelength interferometric observations of externally irradiated young stellar objects (proplyds) embedded within the Orion Nebula, including the three largest circumstellar disks seen in silhouette against the background nebular light. One field is centered on the 2'' diameter edge-on disk 114-426. The second field is centered on the large teardrop-shaped object 182-413 (HST 10), which contains a very opaque 04 diameter edge-on disk. This field also contains four other proplyds, including the large pure silhouette 183-405 (HST 16). We derive upper bounds on the dust masses of these disks from the absence of continuum emission and upper bounds on the gas masses from the lack of CO emission. These limits imply circumstellar disk masses less than 0.015 M? for the observed sources and upper bounds on the column density of 13CO of N(13CO) < 1.4 ? 1015 cm-2 averaged over the synthesized beam. Comparison with lower bounds on the dust content derived from the visibility of the circumstellar material in silhouette against the background nebular light and the extinction toward the embedded central star implies that 13CO may be less abundant in these circumstellar environments than in normal molecular clouds. The nondetection statistics are combined with estimates of radiation-induced mass-loss rates to derive an upper bound on the UV irradiation time for these young stellar objects. The young stellar objects in the Orion Nebula that are still surrounded by circumstellar material have been exposed to external UV radiation for less than 105 yr and possibly for as little as 104 yr.
Association of Focal Adhesion Kinase with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 in the Regulation of S6 Kinase Activation and Cell Growth

Tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (TSC1) and TSC2 tumor suppressor proteins have been shown to negatively regulate cell growth through inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that plays a critical role in integrin signaling. Here we identify a novel interaction between FAK and TSC2 and show that TSC2 is phosphorylated by FAK. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of FAK kinase dead mutant inhibits the phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein-1, two key mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) downstream targets, and negatively regulates the cell size and that FAK regulation of S6K phosphorylation is through TSC2. Finally, we provide data that FAK plays a positive role in cell adhesion-induced S6K phosphorylation, whereas TSC2 is required for cell suspension-induced S6K inactivation. Together, these results suggest that FAK might regulate S6K activation and cell size through its interaction with and phosphorylation of TSC2 and also provide a previously unappreciated role of TSC2 in the regulation of mTOR signaling by cell adhesion.
Fidelity Control Of Electrophotographic Print Process

The stroke-width and halftone print fidelity from an electrophotographic (EP) printer is dependent on the size and shape of the discharge exposure spot. However, there are conflicting requirements on the spot size in that a large spot is needed to prevent scan lines in discharge areas, while a small spot is needed to print fine details. Others have proposed methods of optimizing the spot size. This paper presents the analysis and experimental verification of a data-dependent method of exposure control that allows the simultaneous satisfaction of both requirements. The result is better print fidelity over a broad range of applications from text to halftone images. This approach also leads to the more general result that, under certain conditions, the print fidelity from EP printers can be independently controlled, thereby allowing a greater latitude in the optimization of electrostatic set points, developer parameters, and optical spot size. This independence also allows relatively simple compensation for variations in other parameters that affect fidelity as well as adjustments based on user preference.
Supporting PHP dynamic analysis in PHP AiR

The PHP AiR framework is currently being developed to support software metrics, empirical software engineering, and program analysis for real-world PHP systems. While most of the work on program analysis has focused on static analysis, to help address the dynamic nature of the language we have also started to extend PHP AiR with support for dynamic program analysis. This extended abstract highlights two parts of this support: integration with xdebug for trace analysis, and instrumentation of an open-source PHP interpreter with a focus on supporting string origins, allowing us to explore how strings are created in security-sensitive areas such as database calls and HTML generation.