cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Commentary on Gregory Tassey’s “Rationales and mechanisms for revitalizing US manufacturing R&D strategies”

Greg Tassey’s new paper pulls together and augments a number of themes and recommendations that he has espoused and championed over the past decade. During that period, he has been an unabashed critic of the ‘‘vast majority of economists in the United States’’ who espouse a ‘‘neoclassical economic philosophy’’ that is ‘‘inaccurate,’’ because of dependence on outdated views of comparative advantage based upon shifts in relative prices. Of most concern to Tassey, who is chief economist of the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, is an alleged indifference to allowing industrial technology ‘‘to offshore in response to trends in comparative advantage’’ and the lack of policies to maintain ‘‘a viable domestic-based manufacturing capability.’’ Indeed, though he alludes to the necessity for more broad-based economic growth models, Tassey does not provide such a comprehensive alternative: rather, the bulk of the paper is concerned with one (quite important) component of economic growth: technology policy, as a subset of broader R&D and innovation policy. He argues for a new public–private paradigm in this area that will create policies to manage the ‘‘entire technology life cycle,’’ including all major elements of domestic and global supply chains. Implicit in his critique of current ‘‘neoclassical’’ economics is a deep-seated skepticism of the effects of globalization, particularly the impact of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) by US multinational companies, and—most important—the movement to locate R&D facilities outside the United States. The paper underscores repeatedly the purported danger from the fact that R&D investment by US multinationals outside the country is growing at three times the rate of domestic R&D investment. ‘‘This trend needs to be reversed,’’ he argues. In the brief space allotted for this comment on the paper, I will not be able to pass judgment on all of the facts and arguments advanced in the dense and detailed analysis. Indeed, one preliminary note on presentation would be that the paper could have been cut by at least half in order to sharpen Tassey’s most important points. I found a slide presentation of the paper a good deal more cogently argued. In any case, whatever my
Pushing IT up a Notch: Embracing Technology for the Public and Corporate Good

The IT industry has long been a significant contributor to global warming, but green computing is a strong and growing trend that seeks to reverse that impact. First steps include some relatively simple technical andbehavioral changes that can help make adifference and pave the way for larger-scale efforts.
Laser-beam and photon-assisted processed materials and their microstructures

Laser processing is a relatively new technique for modifying the near-surface region of materials without altering the in-bulk characteristics. A single laser can perform several functions by manipulating processing conditions such as laser power, beam diameter, and traverse speed. Lasers have shown attractive applications, such as cutting, welding, glazing, alloying, and cladding. A laser glazing process has demonstrated an improvement in the microstructure of vacuum plasma-coated copper-based alloys containing cavities, unmelted particles, and segregation. Laser glazing has also been shown to restore the degraded microstructure of components and make them equivalent to, or better than, the original wrought alloy. The laser cladding concept was used to develop nickel-based alloys for high-temperature applications that exhibited higher thermal stability than the nickel-based Rene-95 alloy. Rapid melting and quenching occurred during the laser glazing, alloying, and cladding processes resulting in a fine-grained microstructure, metastable phases and extended solid solubility of alloying additions in the matrix. Photon-assisted processing of material is a relatively new technique being explored to synthesize new materials from various substrates (solid, liquid, and gas). This process is successfully used to fabricate high-quality thin films for electronic industries. Thin films of multicomponents can be deposited with stoichiometric composition. Diamond thin films have been synthesized from liquid hydrocarbon (Benzene, C6H6) by laser-liquid hydrocarbon-substrate interaction. A laser-assisted physical vapour deposition process was found to be very successful in depositing stoichiometric compositions of multilayered thin films such as superconducting YBa2Cu3O7, ferroelectric Pb0.52Zr0.48TiO3 and other coatings such as TiN and CoSi2. This review reports some of the major advances in the understanding and engineering of new materials for electronic industries and high-temperature applications in the auto, aerospace, and turbine industries.
Thermodynamic properties of small aggregates of rare-gas atoms

The present work reports on the equilibrium thermodynamic properties of small clusters of xenon, krypton, and argon atoms, determined from a biased random-walk Monte Carlo procedure. Cluster sizes ranged from 3 to 13 atoms. Each cluster was found to have an abrupt liquid-gas phase transition at a temperature much less than for the bulk material. An abrupt solid-liquid transition is observed for thirteen- and eleven-particle clusters. For cluster sizes smaller than 11, a gradual transition from solid to liquid occurred over a fairly broad range of temperatures. Distribution of number of bond lengths as a function of bond length was calculated for several systems at various temperatures. The effects of box boundary conditions are discussed. Results show the importance of a correct description of boundary conditions. A surprising result is the slow rate at which system properties approach bulk behavior as cluster size is increased.
CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein Homologous Protein (DDIT3) Induces Osteoblastic Cell Differentiation

CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP/DDIT3), a member of the C/EBP family of transcription factors, plays a role in cell survival and differentiation. CHOP/DDIT3 binds to C/EBPs to form heterodimers that do not bind to consensus Cebp sequences, acting as a dominant-negative inhibitor. CHOP/DDIT3 blocks adipogenesis, and we postulated it could induce osteoblastogenesis. We investigated the effects of constitutive CHOP/DDIT3 overexpression in murine ST-2 stromal cells transduced with retroviral vectors. ST-2 cells differentiated toward osteoblasts, and CHOP/DDIT3 accelerated and enhanced the appearance of mineralized nodules, and the expression of osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase mRNAs, particularly in the presence of bone morphogenetic protein-2. CHOP/DDIT3 overexpression opposed adipogenesis, and did not cause substantial changes in cell number. CHOP/DDIT3 overexpression did not modify C/EBPalpha or -beta mRNA levels but decreased C/EBPdelta after 24 d of culture. Electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays demonstrated that overexpression of CHOP/DDIT3 decreased the binding of C/EBPs to their consensus sequence by interacting with C/EBPalpha and -beta, confirming its dominant-negative role. In addition, CHOP/DDIT3 enhanced bone morphogenetic protein-2/Smad signaling. In conclusion, CHOP/DDIT3 enhances osteoblastic differentiation of stromal cells, in part by interacting with C/EBPalpha and -beta and also by enhancing Smad signaling.
The NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 attenuates c-Fos expression in the lumbosacral spinal cord following repetitive noxious and non-noxious colorectal distention.

The effects of pretreatment with an NMDA receptor antagonist, MK-801, on c-Fos (Fos) expression in the lumbosacral spinal cord following repetitive, noxious (80 mmHg) or non-noxious (20 mmHg) colorectal distention (CRD) was examined immunocytochemically in awake and urethane anesthetized rats. In awake rats, noxious CRD induced Fos expression in the lumbosacral spinal cord. Pretreatment with MK-801 (0.1-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) produced no change or an increase in noxious CRD induced-Fos expression and caused aversive side effects. In order to examine greater doses of MK-801, further experiments were performed in rats anesthetized with urethane. Both noxious and non-noxious CRD induced Fos in the lumbosacral spinal cord. Pretreatment with MK-801 (0.5, 1.0, 5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently attenuated noxious CRD-induced Fos by 20-40%. Five mg/kg MK-801 attenuated non-noxious CRD-induced Fos by 20%. Lesser doses did not significantly attenuate Fos expression. The laminar distribution of Fos following MK-801 pretreatment revealed a tendency towards the deeper laminae showing the greatest attenuation at the highest dose of MK-801. Protein plasma extravasation in the colon measured with Evan's blue dye showed no difference between rats without balloons, rats with balloons that were not distended and non-noxious CRD. There was significantly more extravasation following noxious CRD. Pretreatment with systemic MK-801 had no effect on plasma extravasation produced by noxious CRD. These data suggest that the induction of Fos in the lumbosacral spinal cord by noxious and non-noxious CRD is partially NMDA receptor mediated. However, NMDA receptor activation contributes significantly more to noxious than non-noxious CRD-induced Fos. Inflammation of the colon following noxious CRD likely contributes to sensitization of colonic afferents which may contribute to the increased NMDA receptor-mediated Fos following the noxious stimulus.
China Must Convince the World Its Rise Is Peaceful

Globalization has indeed flattened the earth, paving the way for new beginnings and the resurgence of old cultures alike by levelling the playing field for all comers. While this new era of post-globalization certainly heralds de-Westernization by century's end, is it more likely to mean a revival of the old ways of the East or the new hybrid ways of the first global civilization? Some of Asia's most provocative voices, as well as the world's most renowned cellist and cross-pollinating musician, offer their views.
Heightened Thermal Convection as a Result of Splitting a Square Cavity Diagonally in Half

This investigation addresses the thermogeometric performance of a two-square cavity system contrasted against a two-isosceles triangular cavity system, with an exactly equal heating segment and comparable cooling segment. When one square cavity is cut diagonally in half, it results in a pair of isosceles triangular cavities. The isosceles triangular cavity on the left is heated from the left vertical wall, the top wall is insulated, and the inclined wall is cold; the so-called HIC triangular cavity. The isosceles triangular cavity on the right is heated from the right vertical wall, the bottom wall is insulated, and the inclined wall is cold; the so-called HCI triangular cavity. It may be speculated that the two-isosceles triangular cavity system may find application in the miniaturization of electronic packaging severely constrained by space and/or weight. The finite volume method, accounting for temperature-dependent thermophysical properties of air, is employed to perform the computational analysis. Representative height-based Rayleigh numbers assume values up to 10 6 to avoid oscillations that occur at a Rayleigh number between R att =2 × 10 6 and 2.2 X 10 6 . Numerical results are reported for the velocity field, the temperature field, and the local and the mean convective coefficient along the heated vertical wall. Under a dominant conduction condition for Ra H =10 3 , the heat flux across the derived two-isosceles triangular system is 334% higher than its counterpart across the original two-square system. In contrast, for a dominant convection condition for Ra H =10 6 , this margin diminishes to 20%, but still constitutes a significant improvement. For the design of two-triangular cavity systems, a Nu H correlation equation has been constructed yielding a maximum error of 2% at Ra H =10 4 .
Laguerre-volterra identification of spike-timing-dependent plasticity from spiking activity: A simulation study

This paper presents a Laguerre-Volterra methodology for identifying a plasticity learning rule from spiking neural data with four components: 1) By analyzing input-output spiking data, the effective contribution of an input on the output firing probability can be quantified with weighted Volterra kernels. 2) The weight of these Volterra kernels can be tracked over time using the stochastic state point processing filtering algorithm (SSPPF) 3) Plasticity system Volterra kernels can be estimated by treating the tracked change in weight over time as the plasticity system output and the spike timing data as the input. 4) Laguerre expansion of all Volterra kernels allows for minimization of open parameters during estimation steps. A single input spiking neuron with Spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) and prolonged STDP induction is simulated. Using the spiking data from this simulation, the amplitude of the STDP learning rule and the time course of the induction is accurately estimated. This framework can be applied to identify plasticity for more complicated plasticity paradigms and is applicable to in vivo data.
Least-squares design of two-dimensional recursive filters with specified magnitude and linear phase

Abstract An efficient space-domain procedure is presented for the design of two-dimensional recursive filters with specified magnitude and linear phase. The design procedure is based on both the canonical and the modified least-squares approximation techniques. The nonlinear equations obtained in the canonical least-squares approximation are efficiently solved by the one- dimensional Gauss—Newton optimization method, after the two-dimensional data are lexico- graphically ordered. The gradient and the Hessian matrix, needed in the solution, are calculated recursively. Initial values of the parameters are obtained from the linear modified least-squares (MLS) approximation. To illustrate the efficiency of the proposed design procedure, the design of fan and circularly symmetric filters are given.
Prenatal hypoxia-induced adaptation and neuroprotection that is inducible nitric oxide synthase-dependent.

Abstract The incidence of perinatal stroke is ∼0.025%. About two thirds of these patients develop long-lasting neurological deficits. Preconditioning-induced neuroprotection, a phenomenon in which application of a stimulus induces brain ischemic tolerance, is investigated to improve outcome after a perinatal stroke. We applied prenatal hypoxia to fetuses by exposing 22-day pregnant mother rats to 15% oxygen for 30 min and subjected newborns with or without this prenatal hypoxia to brain ischemia 48 h later. Newborns with the prenatal hypoxia had a lower mortality rate, less brain tissue and neuronal loss and fewer active caspase 3 (an indicator for cell apoptosis) positive brain cells than newborns with the brain ischemia only. This neuroprotection was abolished by an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The expression of iNOS proteins but not endothelial and neuronal NOS proteins was increased by the prenatal hypoxia. Thus, the prenatal hypoxia-induced neuroprotection may be iNOS-dependent.
Molecular motions in solid estradiol studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Abstract The temperature dependence of the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation time T1 and second moment M2 of polycrystalline β-estradiol hemihydrate (1,3,5-estratriene-3,17β-diol) is measured at frequencies of 14 and 25 MHz. Below 260 K relaxation is found to be dominated by C3 reorientation of the single methyl group in each molecule, characterized by an activation energy of 9.4 ± 0.1 kJ mol . Above 260 K another relaxation mechanism becomes evident, characterized by an activation energy of 22 ± 2 kJ mol and ascribed to motion of the water molecules in the solid.
Multiple remote-US preexposures and the blocking effect produced by a proximal-US

Weanling, young-adult, and old-age Wistar albino rats were used to determine whether number of unconditioned stimulus (US) presentations, given 24 h or more (remote preexposure) prior to conditioning, alters the blocking effect of a single-US preexposure given 2 h before (proximal) taste aversion conditioning. As the number of remote-US preexposures increased from 0 to 6, the ability of the proximal-US preexposure to block conditioning initially increased then decreased for all age groups. Of the models put forth to explain US preexposure effects on conditioned taste aversion (CTA), only Wagner's information processing model adequately explained the reduction of the blocking effect of the proximal-US preexposure produced as a result of increasing remote-US preexposures.
Antinociceptive effects of the kappa opioid, U50,488: lack of modulation by 5-HT2 antagonists.

The kappa opioid, U50,488, was examined alone and in combination with the 5HT2 antagonists, ketanserin, pirenperone and LY 53857. Squirrel monkeys responded under a shock titration procedure in which shock intensity increased every 15 s from 0.01 to 2.0 mA in 30 steps. Five responses terminated the shock for 15 s, after which the shock resumed at the next lower intensity. The level at which the monkeys kept the shock 50% of the time (median shock level/MSL) was determined. U50,488 alone produced dose-dependent increases in median shock level whereas none of the 5-HT2 antagonists altered responding under this procedure. When ketanserin (0.032–5.6 mg/kg) was administered in combination with U50,488, very high doses of ketanserin (3.2–5.6 mg/kg) shifted the U50,488 dose-effect curve to the left. Neither pirenperone (0.032–10.0 µg/kg) nor LY53857 (0.01–0.32 mg/kg) altered the U50,488 dose-effect curve in any monkey. Taken together, these data do not support a role for the 5-HT2 system in kappa-induced antinociception in the primate.
PYOGENIC SACROILIITIS REPORT OF 11 CASES AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

The general principle of treatment of pyogenic sacroiliitis is antibiotic therapy over a six-week duration with or without surgery. Surgery is believed to be reserved for drainage of local abscess, obtaining specimens for pathologic diagnosis, and for cases with poor medical responses. From 1987 to 1999, there were 11 cases (6 women and 5 men) with confirmed diagnosis of pyogenic sacroiliitis treated at the authors' institute. The average age was 42 years. The onset of disease was acute in 8, subacute in 2, and chronic in 1 case. The most common causative pathogen was staphylococcus aureus. Among the 11 cases, only 2 cases were treated by surgery and the remaining 9 cases were treated medically. All the 11 patients recovered well without major complication. To re-examine whether an abscess formation warrants surgical drainage, 193 cases collected from the literature were analyzed with specific attention to the reported surgical indication. The results indicated that an abscess need not be drained surgically and the surgically treated patients were neither more toxic nor with more favorable outcomes than the medically treated patients. In conclusion, the authors suggest that pyogenic sacroiliitis can primarily be treated conservatively with antibiotics and image-guided drainage. It is thought that surgery should be reserved for cases with poor medical response or for advanced sacroiliac destruction.
Can the distress thermometer (DT) identify significant psychological distress in long-term cancer survivors?: a comparison with the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18)

Background As the number of cancer survivors continues to grow, identification of brief, valid psychological screening measures is critical for providing these survivors with appropriate psychosocial care. The distress thermometer (DT) is a one-item distress screening recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for screening cancer patients during their treatment.
1335 Niv in Infants and Children with Acute Respiratory Failure - Practical Issues

Non - invasive ventilation (NIV) is defined as theuse of a mask or interface to provide ventilatorysupport. Avoiding endotracheal intubation and reducing therate of complications and mortality secondary tointubation is the most important advantage. In adults noninvasive positive pressure ventilation(NIPPV) is used as a first line intervention in acuterespiratory failure (ARF). Many trials have proventhe beneficial effects of NIPPV in adult patients withchronical deseases. In pediatric patients with acute respiratory failureNIPPV is still not as well established. There is stilla lack of suitable interfaces for pediatric patientsespecially in small infants. Resting upon more than ten years experience intreatment of infants and children with NIPPV in ARFI will focus on practical issues and pitfalls concerningnoninvasive ventilation in these group of patients. The presentation covers both the publishedexperience and practical aspects of noninvasiveventilation in pediatric patients with ARF.. Apart from mentioning different interfaces andventilators it is more important to show how to dealwith the interfaces and the ventilators. We have to do with questions concerning e.g. skindamage by ventilation interfaces, ineffective humification, air leaks by gastric tubes, noncompliant patients and how to proceed whithcritical ill children in ARF. The keypoint of NIPPV in infants and children is theinterdisciplinary collaboration of doctors and caregivers. Improvement of NIV in pediatrics is a question ofcontinuous training and education of your team inthe ward.
Interobserver Variability in Histologic Evaluation of Radical Prostatectomy Between Central and Local Pathologists: Findings of TAX 3501 Multinational Clinical Trial

Objectives To determine the agreement between the local pathologist findings and central pathologist findings using data from the TAX 3501 trial. TAX 3501 was a randomized, multinational trial comparing the outcomes of patients with high-risk prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation with or without docetaxel after radical prostatectomy (RP). Patient eligibility was determined by a minimal 5-year progression-free survival estimate of 60% using Kattan's nomogram. Methods The pathologic findings were reassessed in 257 consecutive RP specimens by 2 central pathologists and compared with the local pathologist data. Results For the Gleason score, agreement was found in 181 (70%) of 257 cases, upgrading in 57 (75%), and downgrading in 25% of the RP specimens The most frequent upgrade was from Gleason score 7 to 8 or 9 and downgrading from Gleason score 8 to 7. Of the upgrades and downgrades, 37% and 21% were of 2 Gleason score points, respectively. For the tumor extent, agreement was found in 179 (70%) of 256 specimens, with upstaging in 70 (91%) and downstaging in 9%. The most frequent upstage was from focal to extensive extraprostatic extension (45%). For seminal vesicle invasion, agreement was found for 238 (93%) of 256 RP specimens Almost equal rates of underdiagnosing and overdiagnosing seminal vesicle invasion was observed. For margin status, agreement was present for 229 (89%) of 256 cases. The central pathologist review led to reclassification as a positive margin in 17 cases and a negative margin in 10. For lymph node status, 2 (1%) of 210 RP specimens had positive nodes identified only by the central pathologist. Agreement was observed in 154 negative and 54 positive cases. Conclusions Significant interobserver variations were found between the central and local pathologists. From the central pathologist review, the progression-free survival estimates were altered in 31 patients (13%), including 22 who were reassigned a greater risk estimate, rendering them study eligible. Thus, interobserver variability affected prognostication and trial accrual.
Carbon dioxide levels in the biosphere: Effects on plant productivity

Human society is now inadvertently conducting a great biological and environmental experiment, the outcome of which is not known. Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) is increasing at the rate of 1.5 parts per million (ppm) per year. It has risen from 315 ppm to 340 ppm in the past 25 years — a 9% increase. Because CO2 is among the factors which can limit the growth of plants, the increase may be beneficial. An increase in plant growth due to “fertilization”; of extra CO2 has not been measured, but a 5 to 10% increase may already have occurred. Current data indicate that plants growing at higher than normal CO2 levels are more tolerant of water, temperature, light, and atmospheric pollutant stresses. There are effects on carbon metabolism, plant growth and development, microbial activity, and terrestrial and aquatic plant communities. The current rising level of atmospheric CO2 represents ,a dramatic change in a resource base and can affect the total biological productivity of the earth. A global change in a ...
Spreadsheets for automated data collection, analysis, and report generation for diagnostic medical physics: publicly available on the world wide web.

A library of spreadsheets has been developed to facilitate the practice of diagnostic physics quality assurance. Each spreadsheet follows a standard template and uses the highest ranking controlling authority (within the United States) for pass/fail criteria and testing procedures. Sheets are now available for CT (computed tomography), MR (magnetic resonance), US (ultrasound), screen-film mammography, stereotactic breast, radiographic, fluoroscopic, computed radiography, film digitizer, and display quality control. Use is made of spreadsheet "workbooks" so that each testing event is a single sheet in the workbook. Thus, results over the lifetime of the device are gathered in a single file, and historical control charts are gathered on the first sheet. The spreadsheets are available at http://radweb.mcis.washington.edu/~sglanger, and are released under the Gnu (a recursive acronym. Gnu's Not Unix) public license. It is expected that others will add improvements, and they are expected and requested to submit them back to the author to be shared with the diagnostic physicist community at large.
Growth of lung cancer cells in three-dimensional microenvironments reveals key features of tumor malignancy

Cultured human lung cancer cell lines have been used extensively to dissect signaling pathways underlying cancer malignancy, including proliferation and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. However, the ability of malignant cells to grow and metastasize in vivo is dependent upon specific cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, many of which are absent when cells are cultured on conventional tissue culture plastic. Previous studies have found that breast cancer cell lines show differential growth morphologies in three-dimensional (3D) gels of laminin-rich (lr) ECM, and that gene expression patterns associated with organized cell structure in 3D lrECM were associated with breast cancer patient prognosis. We show here that established lung cancer cell lines also can be classified by growth in lrECM into different morphological categories and that transcriptional alterations distinguishing growth on conventional tissue culture plastic from growth in 3D lrECM are reflective of tissue-specific differentiation. We further show that gene expression differences that distinguish lung cell lines that grow as smooth vs. branched structures in 3D lrECM can be used to stratify adenocarcinoma patients into prognostic groups with significantly different outcome, defining phenotypic response to 3D lrECM as a potential surrogate of lung cancer malignancy.
Some observations on food allergy

Some fundamenally important concepts of allergy and the methods of identification of the extrinsic causative factors in allergic disease have been reviewed.
2.09-µm degenerate femtosecond OPO with over 60% conversion efficiency and 0.6-W output

We report a broad frequency comb centered at 2.09mm produced by a degenerate OPO. We achieve 0.6W of 94-fs transform limited pulses at 250MHz and a conversion efficiency of 64%.
Stable expression of a biodegradable protein-based polymer in tobacco chloroplasts

Bioelastic protein-based polymers (PBP) have several medical (prevention of post-surgical adhesions) and non-medical (biodegradable plastic) applications. This study compares expression levels of PBP genes (synthetic) integrated into the nuclear genome or the large single-copy (LSC) or inverted repeat (IR) region of the chloroplast genome in transgenic tobacco plants. Polymer transcripts accumulated up to 100-fold higher in the IR plants than in those of nuclear transgenic plants. Integration of foreign genes into all of the chloroplast genomes (homoplasmy) and higher levels of polymer transcripts were observed only in the IR and not in LSC transgenic plants. Expression of the polymer protein was further confirmed by Western blot analysis.
The role of dynamic palmitoylation in Ca2+ channel inactivation

N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels regulate a number of critical physiological processes including synaptic transmission and hormone secretion. These Ca2+ channels are multisubunit proteins, consisting of a pore-forming α1, and accessory β and α2δ subunits each encoded by multiple genes and splice variants. β subunits alter current amplitude and kinetics. The β2a subunit is associated with slowed inactivation, an effect that requires the palmitoylation of two N-terminal cysteine residues in β2a. In the current manuscript, we studied steady state inactivation properties of native N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels and recombinant N-type Ca2+ channels. When bovine α1B and β2a and human α2δ were coexpressed in tsA 201 cells, we observed significant variations in inactivation; some cells exhibited virtually no inactivation as the holding potential was altered whereas others exhibited significant inactivation. A similar variability in inactivation was observed in native channels from bovine chromaffin cells. In individual chromaffin cells, the amount of inactivation exhibited by N-type channels was correlated with the inactivation of P/Q-type channels, suggesting a shared mechanism. Our results with recombinant channels with known β subunit composition indicated that inactivation could be dynamically regulated, possibly by alterations in β subunit palmitoylation. Tunicamycin, which inhibits palmitoylation, increased steady-state inactivation of Ca2+ channels in chromaffin cells. Cerulenin, another drug that inhibits palmitoylation, also increased inactivation. Tunicamycin produced a similar effect on recombinant N-type Ca2+ channels containing β2a but not β2b or β2a subunits mutated to be palmitoylation deficient. Our results suggest that Ca2+ channels containing β2a subunits may be regulated by dynamic palmitoylation.
Infrared Spectroscopy of Symbiotic Stars. II. Orbits for Five S-Type Systems with Two-Year Periods

Infrared radial velocities have been used to determine orbital elements for the cool giants of five well-known symbiotic systems, Z And, AG Dra, V443 Her, AX Per, and FG Ser, all of which have orbital periods near the two-year mean period for S-type symbiotics. The new orbits are in general agreement with previous orbits derived from optical velocities. From the combined optical and infrared velocities, improved orbital elements for the five systems have been determined. Each of the orbital periods has been determined solely from the radial-velocity data. The orbits are circular and have quite small mass functions of 0.001–0.03 M⊙. The infrared velocities of AG Dra do not show the large orbital velocity residuals found for its optical radial velocities.
Communication issues in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: children at risk.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation is to describe the communication profile of children with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome from infancy through school age and to examine the influence of other medical aspects, such as palate anomalies, learning disorders, and cardiac defects of the syndrome to communication. Methods: Seventy-nine children were examined using standardized tests of speech and language and perceptual measures of resonance and voice. Results: Results show significant delay in emergence of speech and language milestones with delay/disorder in speech-language processes persisting into the school aged years, including those children diagnosed with nonverbal learning disabilities. Persistent articulation and resonance disorders were also present, presumed to be related in part to palatal anomalies. No correlation was found between cardiac status, learning disorders, palate anomalies and communication disorders. Conclusion: The need for early identification and management of communication skills is crucial in the care of children with the 22q11.2 deletion.
Isolated limb reperfusion with tumor necrosis factor and melphalan in patients with extremity melanoma after failure of isolated limb perfusion with chemotherapeutics

BACKGROUND This retrospective study evaluated the benefit of using tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and melphalan administered via an isolated limb perfusion (ILP) in a series of patients with metastatic melanoma who failed initial ILP with chemotherapeutics. METHODS Seventeen patients with extremity melanoma who underwent prior ILP with conventional chemotherapeutics (10 with melphalan; 4 with platinum; 2 with platinum, dacarbazine, thiotepa, actinomycin D, and nitrogen mustard; and 1 with thiotepa, actinomycin D, and nitrogen mustard) and had local recurrences were treated with a 90-minute isolated hyperthermic limb reperfusion with melphalan (10 mg/L limb volume) plus TNF (2-6 mg). Five prior ILPs were adjuvant and 12 were therapeutic. RESULTS Reperfusion was associated with an overall 94% response rate and a 65% complete response (CR) rate. Of the patients who failed an initial ILP with melphalan alone the overall response rate was 90% after the reperfusion with TNF and melphalan. In patients who failed an initial ILP with agents other than melphalan the CR rate was 100% after ILP with TNF and melphalan. TNF/melphalan isolated limb reperfusion was found to be more effective in terms of CR after initial ILP regimens that did not utilize melphalan (100% CR after nonmelphalan ILP vs. 50% CR after melphalan ILP [P = 0.04]). Regional toxicity was comprised of mild skin blistering and peeling in 47% of patients. One patient developed Grade 3 (based on National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria) skin necrosis, and one developed Grade 5 muscle and nerve toxicity, requiring an amputation. CONCLUSIONS Isolated limb reperfusion with TNF and melphalan can be performed safely with response rates similar to those of other trials of single perfusions. Repeat ILP using TNF and melphalan in patients with melanoma who have failed prior ILP with chemotherapeutics is justified. The utility of TNF (vs. melphalan alone) will be defined in ongoing Phase III trials. Cancer 1997; 80:2084-90. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
The interplay between antiferromagnetism and superconductivity in disordered ultrathin high-Tc films

Abstract A series of ultrathin films of DyBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x , with properties spanning the zero-field superconductor-to-insulator transition, were prepared for the purpose of investigating the magnetic field driven superconductor-insulator transition. The resistance of these films was found to exhibit a peak whose magnitude became larger with the weakening of the superconductivity of the films. For a film just on the superconducting side of the zero-field superconductor-to-insulator transition, three successive changes in the sign of the low temperature d R /d T with increasing field were found. These have been taken as evidence of the superconducting state being successively excited, reentered, and finally exited with increasing field as the sign changes from positive to negative, to positive, and finally to negative. This unusual behavior may result from an interaction of the carriers with Cu 2+ ions on the copper-oxygen sheets. These spins exhibit an increasing tendency to antiferromagnetic ordering as the superconductivity of the films is weakened. The presence of many grain boundaries in the films may be the reason the effect is strikingly large.
Parental perceptions of constraints to family participation in nature-based, outdoor experiences.

Engagement in nature-based outdoor activities can promote youth wellbeing and physiological and psychological health. Youth are partaking in fewer nature-based experiences, and efforts to promote participation in nature-based, outdoor experiences often neglect family involvement, an essential element in positive youth development. This qualitative study of parents of youth ages 10-15 investigated caregiver perceptions of the constraints to participation in nature-based, outdoor experiences. Analysis of semi-structured interviews found that parents identified intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural constraints to participation in nature-based, outdoor experiences. While exploratory in nature, results of this study could be used by recreation managers to improve family-inclusive outdoor recreation experiences.
Expression of Kv1.1 Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels in Lec Mutant Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Lines Reveals a Role for Sialidation in Channel Function

Kv1.1 potassium (K+) channels contain significant amounts of negatively charged sialic acids. To examine the role of sialidation in K+ channel function, Chinese hamster ovary cell lines deficient in glycosylation (Lec mutants) were transfected with rat brain Kv1.1 cDNA. The K+ channel was functionally expressed in all cell lines, but the voltage dependence of activation (V1/2) was shifted to more positive voltages and the activation kinetics were slower in the mutant cell lines compared with control. A similar positive shift in V1/2 was recorded in control cells expressing Kv1.1 following treatment with sialidase or by raising extracellular Ca2+. In contrast, these treatments had little or no effect on the Lec mutants, which indicates that channel sialic acids appear to be the negative surface charges sensitive to Ca2+. The data suggest that sialic acid addition modifies Kv1.1 channel function, possibly by influencing the local electric field detected by its voltage sensor, but that these carbohydrates are not required for cell surface expression.
Inhibition of hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis by green coffee beans

Forty female Syrian Golden hamsters were divided into two equal groups and placed on one of two diets. The hamsters in Group I received a normal chow, and the animals in Group II were given the same chow supplemented with powdered green coffee beans (20%). After the hamsters adjusted to the diets, 16 animals from each group were selected. The right buccal pouch of each of these hamsters was painted three times weekly with a 0.5% solution of 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in heavy mineral oil. The eight remaining animals, four in each group, served as controls and were treated three times weekly with heavy mineral oil. After a total of 50 treatments (16 1/2 weeks), the hamsters were killed. The animals receiving green coffee beans exhibited a significant delay in the development of DMBA-induced carcinogenesis of the buccal pouch mucosa, as determined by both visual and histologic examination.
Animation of the dynamical events of the elongation cycle based on cryoelectron microscopy of functional complexes of the ribosome.

Using three-dimensional cryoelectron microscopy, the binding positions of tRNA and elongation factors EF-G and EF-Tu (the latter complexed with aminoacyl tRNA and GTP) on the ribosome were determined in previous studies. On the basis of these studies, the dynamical events that take place in the course of the elongation cycle of protein synthesis have been animated. The resulting 3-min movie is accessible here as two attached files (avi and mov) Download video (34MB)Help with avi files applic1. Download video (33MB)Help with mov files applic2. . The following article provides a brief annotation of those frames of the movie for which experimental support is available.
Volumetric Flow at the Supraceliac and Infrarenal Levels in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Waveforms and Allometric Scaling Relationships

Hemodynamic forces are thought to play a critical role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation and growth, as well as in the migration and failure of aortic stent grafts. Computational simulation of blood flow enables the study of such hemodynamic forces; however, these simulations require accurate geometries and boundary conditions, usually in the form of flow and pressure data at specific locations. Although hundreds of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies of AAA geometry are performed daily in the clinical setting, flow information is difficult to obtain: It is not possible to reliably measure flow using CT, and while phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) can measure velocities, it is rarely used clinically for AAA patients. As a result, many AAA blood flow simulations use highly resolved patient-specific geometries, but may utilize literature-derived flows for inlet boundary conditions from a single, unrelated, sometimes healthy person of dissimilar body mass.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Prevalence of Cardiometabolic Risk Factor Clustering and Body Mass Index in Adolescents

Objective To establish prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factor clustering within US adolescent body mass index (BMI) groups. Study design Data were obtained from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants (12-18 years, n=2457) recruited from 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, and 2007-2008 surveys. Prevalence of risk factor clustering (≥2 risk factors: triglycerides; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; systolic/diastolic blood pressure; fasting glucose) was determined within Centers for Disease Control–defined BMI groups (normal weight, th percentile; overweight, 85 th to 94 th percentile; obese, ≥95 th percentile). Logistic regression examined associations of risk factor clustering within BMI groups for sex, race/ethnicity, income, household size, smoking, age, and BMI z -score. Results Approximately 9%, 21%, and 35% of normal weight, overweight, and obese adolescents had risk factor clustering. Adolescents with risk factor clustering were less likely to be female (OR 95% CI: overweight, 0.33, 0.16-0.68; obese, 0.38, 0.18-0.78) and non-Hispanic black (normal weight, 0.31, 0.17-0.55; overweight, 0.22, 0.07-0.69; obese, 0.24, 0.12-0.50), but more likely to be a smoker (overweight: 4.32, 1.44-12.96), and have a higher BMI z -score (obese, 3.15, 1.29-7.68). Lower income was associated with risk factor clustering in overweight adolescents (0.28, 0.12-0.63), but a higher income was related to risk factor clustering in obese adolescents (1.90, 1.04-3.48). Conclusions The prevalence of risk factor clustering increases across adolescent BMI categories; however, associations with sex, race/ethnicity, income, smoking, and BMI vary across groups.
A 62-Year-Old Woman With Skin Cancer Who Experienced Wrong-Site Surgery: Review of Medical Error

After a life-threatening complication of an injection for neck pain several years ago, Ms W experienced a wrong-site surgery to remove a squamous cell lesion from her nose, followed by pain, distress, and shaken trust in clinicians. Her experience highlights the challenges of communicating with patients after errors. Harmful medical errors occur relatively frequently. Gaps exist between patients' expectations for disclosure and apology and physicians' ability to deliver disclosures well. This discrepancy reflects clinicians' fear of litigation, concern that disclosure might harm patients, and lack of confidence in disclosure skills. Many institutions are developing disclosure programs, and some are reporting success in coupling disclosures with early offers of compensation to patients. However, much has yet to be learned about effective disclosure strategies. Important future developments include increased emphasis on institutions' responsibility for disclosure, involving trainees and other team members in disclosure, and strengthening the relationship between disclosure and quality improvement.
Handbook of reflector antennas and feed systems. volume 3: applications of reflectors [reviews and abstracts]

The implementation of electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures in all areas of high-frequency design is gaining widespread use. The applications for antennas include low-profile antennas, on-chip antennas, phased arrays, waveguides, and microwave filters. This book is an excellent resource on this subject. The book appeals to a wide array of readers that includes students, researchers, and practitioners. The book is a reference that presents the state of the art in antenna-specific EBG technologies. The book could also serve as a textbook for a class on the subject, as there are suggested projects at the end of each chapter that can be implemented to check for understanding. I especially like how each chapter builds upon the understanding of the previous chapters.
Effects of diagenesis on the isotopic record of late paleogene tropical sea surface temperatures

Abstract Oxygen isotope records of planktonic foraminifera indicate that Late Eocene and Oligocene tropical sea surface temperatures were as much as 8°C lower than present at a time when high latitude sea surface temperatures were higher than present. Using a numerical model which describes oxygen isotope exchange during burial and recrystallization of deep sea carbonate, the effects of diagenesis on bulk carbonate δ 18 O records for the Cenozoic are quantified for four tropical sites. Most of the observed variations in measured δ 18 O values at all sites can be accounted for by diagenetic effects. There are no systematic trends that support substantial variations in tropical sea surface temperatures beyond diagenetic effects, with the possible exception of the Early Eocene for which the data are consistent with slightly higher sea surface temperatures. Reconstructions based on oxygen isotope records of planktonic foraminifera which indicate cooler tropical sea surface temperatures for the Eocene and Oligocene may be artifacts of diagenetic recrystallization as such records are particularly sensitive to diagenetic effects.
Oligonucleotide interactions. IV. Conformational differences between deoxy- and ribodinucleoside phosphates

The circular dichroism spectra of all 16 ribodinudeoside phosphates containing the bases adenine, uracil, cytosine, and guanine have been measured at room temperature and neutral pH. These results are compared with the circular dichroism spectra of the corresponding deoxy compounds. From the optical properties it is clear that the geometry of the base-stacked conformation of ribo compounds must differ substantially from that of deoxy compounds. Because of this, it is not possible to draw firm conclusions about the relative extent of stacking in most ribo and deoxy compounds. The optical rotatory dispersion of about a dozen deoxy and ribodinucleoside phosphates has been studied as a function of temperature. These results confirmed the conclusions drawn earlier from measurements at a single temperature. Several dinucleoside phosphates containing a 2′ 5′ phosphodiester bond have also been examined. These compounds have a substantial degree of base stacking at room temperature. The geometry of the stacked conformation is different from that of either the normal ribo dimer or the deoxy dimer. The role of the 2′-hydroxyl group in stabilizing base stacked geometries has been examined by studies on C-2′-O-methyl-pC. This compound has optical properties almost identical to those of CpC. This suggests that the effect of the 2′ hydroxyl is felt indirectly through its perturbation of the geometry of the sugar ring rather than directly by hydrogen bonding. It is not possible at present to identify precise conformational differences among deoxy-, ribo-and 2′ 5′ ribodinucleoside phosphates.