cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adipose stem cell secretome markedly improves rodent heart and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte recovery from cardioplegic transport solution exposure.

Heart transplantation is a life-saving therapy for end-stage organ failure. Organ deterioration during transportation limits storage to 4 hours, limiting hearts available. Approaches ameliorating organ damage could increase the number of hearts acceptable for transplantation. Prior studies show that adipose-derived stem/stromal cell secretome (ASC-S) rescues tissues from postischemic damage in vivo. This study tested whether ASC-S preserved the function of mouse hearts and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iCM) exposed to organ transportation and transplantation conditions. Hearts were subjected to cold University of Wisconsin (UW) cardioplegic solution ± ASC-S for 6 hours followed by analysis using the Langendorff technique. In parallel, the effects of ASC-S on the recovery of iCM from UW solution were examined when provided either during or after cold cardioplegia. Exposure of hearts and iCM to UW deteriorated contractile activity and caused cell apoptosis, worsening in iCM as a function of exposure time; these were ameliorated by augmenting with ASC-S. Silencing of superoxide dismutase 3 and catalase expression prior to secretome generation compromised the ASC-S cardiomyocyte-protective effects. In this study, a novel in vitro iCM model was developed to complement a rodent heart model in assessing efficacy of approaches to improve cardiac preservation. ASC-S displays strong cardioprotective activity on iCM either with or following cold cardioplegia. This effect is associated with ASC-S-mediated cellular clearance of reactive oxygen species. The effect of ASC-S on the temporal recovery of iCM function supports the possibility of lengthening heart storage by augmenting cardioplegic transport solution with ASC-S, expanding the pool of hearts for transplantation.
Epithelial infection with Candida albicans elicits a multi-system response in planarians

Candida albicans is one of the most common fungal pathogens of humans. Prior work introduced the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea as a new model system to study the host response to fungal infection at the organismal level. In the current study, we analyzed host-pathogen changes that occurred in situ during early infection with C. albicans. We found that the transcription factor Bcr1 and its downstream adhesin Als3 are required for C. albicans to adhere to and colonize the planarian epithelial surface, and that adherence of C. albicans triggers a multi-system host response that is mediated by the Dectin signaling pathway. This infection response is characterized by two peaks of stem cell divisions and transcriptional changes in differentiated tissues including the nervous and the excretory systems. This response bears some resemblance to a wound-like response to physical injury; however, it takes place without visible tissue damage and it engages a distinct set of progenitor cells. Overall, we identified two C. albicans proteins that mediate epithelial infection of planarians and a comprehensive host response facilitated by diverse tissues to effectively clear the infection.
Measurement Equivalence of Subjective Well-Being Scales under the Presence of Acquiescent Response Style for the Racially and Ethnically Diverse Older Population in the United States

Objectives. While valid assessment of subjective well-being (SWB) is at the forefront of ageing research, literature increasingly reports cross-cultural measurement invariance on scales designed to capture SWB. This study examines measurement properties of well-established SWB scales and their comparability between older Hispanics and Whites in the US. Methods. We examined measurement properties of the satisfaction with life (SWL), purpose in life (PIL)and positive affect (PAF) scales using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multigroup hierarchical CFA on three subgroups in the Health and Retirement Study: non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics interviewed in English and Hispanics interviewed in Spanish. We also examined acquiescence response style in measurement invariance testing. Results. SWL was the only scale that provided reasonable measurement invariance. However, it lacked comparability in its measurement validity, with much lower validity for Hispanics than Whites. Measurement invariance was observed lower across all models when fitted on the data restricted to respondents with a tendency to acquiesce than the counterpart. Discussion. Our analysis offers evidence that the traditional measurement invariance test is not effective under the presence of response style for measurement instruments that use the Likert-type response scales. Research into cross-cultural differences in conceptualization of SWB and methodology to measure SWB is likely to improve our ability to accurately understand SWB with the increasingly diverse population.
The Geography of Health Insurance Regulation: A Guide for Identifying, Exploiting, and Policing Market Boundaries

The health insurance market consists of three distinct segments -- individual, small group, and large group -- each governed by different economic and regulatory structures. A number of border-crossing techniques have arisen for avoiding the burdens of one segment and capitalizing on the benefits of others. Drawing from extensive qualitative research into the functioning of existing market structures, this article describes these techniques and their purposes and effects. This road map helps to identify which reform proposals seek to produce true economic efficiencies and which have the potential to undermine previous reform objectives.
Displayed Depression Symptoms on Facebook at Two Time Points: Content Analysis.

Background: Depression is a prevalent and problematic mental disorder that often has an onset in adolescence. Previous studies have illustrated that depression disclosures on social media are common and may be linked to an individual’s experiences of depression. However, most studies have examined depression displays on social media at a single time point. Objective: This study aims to investigate displayed depression symptoms on Facebook at 2 developmental time points based on symptom type and gender. Methods: Participants were recruited from an ongoing longitudinal cohort study. The content analysis of text-based Facebook data over 1 year was conducted at 2 time points: time 1 (adolescence; age 17-18 years) and time 2 (young adulthood; ages 20-22 years). Diagnostic criteria for depression were applied to each post to identify the displayed depression symptoms. Data were extracted verbatim. The analysis included nonparametric tests for comparisons. Results: A total of 78 participants’ Facebook profiles were examined, of which 40 (51%) were male. At time 1, 62% (48/78) of the adolescents had a Facebook profile, and 54% (26/78) displayed depression symptom references with an average of 9.4 (SD 3.1) references and 3.3 (SD 2.3) symptom types. Of the 78 participants, 15 (19%) females and 12 (15%) males displayed depression symptom references; these prevalence estimates were not significantly different by gender (P=.59). At time 2, 35 young adults displayed symptoms of depression with an average of 4.6 (SD 2.3) references and 2.4 (SD 1.3) symptom types. There were no differences in the prevalence of symptoms of depression displayed between males (n=19) and females (n=16; P=.63). Conclusions: This content analysis study within an ongoing cohort study illustrates the differences in depression displays on Facebook by developmental stage and symptom. This study contributes to a growing body of literature by showing that using social media to observe and understand depression during the emerging adult developmental period may be a valuable approach. Trial Registration:
Stimulation of Dopamine Production by Sodium Benzoate, a Metabolite of Cinnamon and a Food Additive.

Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most important neurodegenerative disorders in human in which recovery of functions could be achieved by improving the survival and function of residual dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the dopamine (DA) biosynthesis pathway. Objective Earlier our laboratory has shown that sodium benzoate (NaB), a metabolite of cinnamon and an FDA-approved drug against urea cycle disorders and glycine encephalopathy, increases neuroprotective molecules and protects dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of PD. Here, we examined whether NaB could stimulate the production of DA in dopaminergic neurons. Methods We employed PCR, real-time PCR, western blot, immunostaining, and HPLC to study the signature function of dopaminergic neurons. Locomotor functions were monitored in mice by open-field. Results NaB increased the mRNA and protein expression of TH to produce DA in mouse MN9D dopaminergic neuronal cells. Accordingly, oral feeding of NaB increased the expression of TH in the nigra, upregulated striatal DA, and improved locomotor activities in striatum of normal C57/BL6 and aged A53T-α-syn transgenic mice. Rapid induction of cAMP response element binding (CREB) activation by NaB in dopaminergic neuronal cells and the abrogation of NaB-induced expression of TH by siRNA knockdown of CREB suggest that NaB stimulates the transcription of TH in dopaminergic neurons via CREB. Conclusion These results indicate a new function of NaB in which it may be beneficial in PD via stimulation of DA production from residual dopaminergic neurons.
Network Intrusion Detection System using Deep Learning

Abstract The widespread use of interconnectivity and interoperability of computing systems have become an indispensable necessity to enhance our daily activities. Simultaneously, it opens a path to exploitable vulnerabilities that go well beyond human control capability. The vulnerabilities deem cyber-security mechanisms essential to assume communication exchange. Secure communication requires security measures to combat the threats and needs advancements to security measures that counter evolving security threats. This paper proposes the use of deep learning architectures to develop an adaptive and resilient network intrusion detection system (IDS) to detect and classify network attacks. The emphasis is how deep learning or deep neural networks (DNNs) can facilitate flexible IDS with learning capability to detect recognized and new or zero-day network behavioral features, consequently ejecting the systems intruder and reducing the risk of compromise. To demonstrate the model’s effectiveness, we used the UNSW-NB15 dataset, reflecting real modern network communication behavior with synthetically generated attack activities.
Rebel, Rebel! How Megan Rapinoe’s Celebrity Activism Forges New Paths for Athletes

This chapter examines the evolution of Megan Rapinoe as an influential celebrity activist, employing social media, mass media images, and sports journalism. Meanings both visually and textually are examined, identifying implications for women, women athletes, out athletes, the sports world, and society as a whole. Identification and discussion of power and hegemonic masculinity in sports are presented, as well as cultural studies and queer theories. In an intersectional, third-wave, feminist theory, and queer theory-based analysis, the authors argue that the global fame and popularity of Rapinoe are important not only as media phenomena, but in the very real impact athletes and their activism can and do have on culture and changes in gender roles, in normative behavior, and on the individuals who follow them.
Cut-and-project graphs and other complexes

Abstract The cut-and-project method may be applied to graphs and complexes, although there are technical difficulties, most notably “collisions,” i.e. when the images (under the projection) of two disjoint edges or cells intersect. Given a particular periodic structure, a particular projection space, an appropriate “window” in the orthogonal complement of that space, the induced substructure within the cartesian product of the window and the projection space is projected to the projection space to produce a “model structure.” We may use an index space of vectors from the orthogonal complement to move the window around and obtain a “model system” of model structures. We adapt the notion of “general position” to higher dimensions: the projection space is in “doubly general position” with respect to a graph or complex when the projection of that structure maps vertices of that structure injectively into the projection space and the edges or polytopes of that structure injectively so that their dimension is not reduced and disjoint edges and polytopes remain disjoint. We find that if the initial structure was a periodic graph, if the projection space and its complement are in general position with respect to the vertices and edges, and the window is also in general position, then the model system has uncountably many isomorphism classes - with distinct coordination sequences.
Thermal Conductivity of Hazardous Materials by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

The thermal conductivity of materials are commonly determined experimentally by heating relatively large samples for hours or days in each determination. The large sample size and long heating periods greatly increase the hazards involved if the samples are explosives or propellants. However, thermal characteristics such as thermal conductivity of such materials are critically needed in order to model their ignition and combustion.
Towards a deep-packet-filter toolkit for securing legacy resources

Users of a network system often require access to legacy resources. Providing this access is a difficult task for system administrators because the access protocols for those resources are typically insecure. A common approach is to develop a custom wrapper or proxy that securely processes user requests before forwarding them to the legacy server. The problem with this approach is that administrators must develop a custom solution for every resource. We believe that there are common requirements for managing these resources that can be addressed from a more centralized model. The userspace queuing extensions of the Netfilter firewall modules provide a generic environment in which protocol-aware deep packet filters can be constructed to enhance the security of resource access protocols. We employ this environment to strengthen two commonly used legacy protocols, and compare their requirements. We show that it is possible to secure legacy resources with minimal degradation in performance. We also discuss considerations for development of a deep packet filter toolkit to aid system administrators in securely managing legacy network resources.
Physiology of prevertebral ganglia in mammals with special reference to inferior mesenteric ganglion

The sections in this article are: 1 Neuroanatomy of Prevertebral Ganglia 1.1 General Descriptions 1.2 Components of Prevertebral Ganglia 2 Innervation of Prevertebral Ganglia 2.1 Spinal Preganglionic Neurons to Prevertebral Ganglion Cells 2.2 Visceral Afferent Fibers to Prevertebral Ganglion Cells 3 Electrophysiology of Prevertebral Ganglion Cells 3.1 Resting Membrane Potential 3.2 Neuromodulation of Resting Membrane Potential 3.3 Other Modulations of Resting Membrane Potential 3.4 Firing Patterns of Sympathetic Neurons 3.5 Modification of Firing Patterns 3.6 Afterspike Hyperpolarizations of Sympathetic Neurons 4 Synaptic Transmission in Prevertebral Ganglia 4.1 Fast Synaptic Transmission 4.2 Slow Synaptic Transmission 5 Neurotransmitters in Prevertebral Ganglia 5.1 Substance P 5.2 Enkephalins and Endorphin 5.3 Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide 5.4 Cholecystokinin 5.5 Dynorphin 5.6 Bombesin 5.7 Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide 5.8 Neurotensin 5.9 Serotonin 5.10 Vasopressin 5.11 Somatostatin and Neuropeptide Y 6 Summary
Dynamic Characteristics of a PUMA 560 Manipulator, and a Complementary Tracking Control Strategy

The dynamic characteristics of a PUMA 560 industrial robot have been obtained from analyzing the robot’s input and output signals. Motor currents, and the resultant joint motions, were monitored while the robot was under VAL control. The data obtained shows that a simple model-based control strategy is an appropriate choice to implement robot trajectory tracking control.
Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae catalyzes the formation of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and ADP from phosphatidylinositol and ATP. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase catalyzes the first phosphorylation reaction in the reaction sequence phosphatidylinositol → phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate → phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. This phosphorylation sequence in S. cerevisiae is regulated by glucose and sterol. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate appears to play an essential role in cell proliferation of S. cerevisiae . Since phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase catalyzes the first step in the phosphorylation sequence of phosphatidylinositol, the enzyme should play a major role in phosphoinositide synthesis and cell growth in S. cerevisiae . Two membrane-associated (45 kDa and 55 kDa) forms and one cytosolic-associated (125 kDa) form of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase have been purified and characterized from S. cerevisiae . The membrane-associated phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases differ with respect to their physiochemical, enzymological, and kinetic properties. The binding and catalytic steps of the reactions catalyzed by the membrane-associated phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases toward phosphatidylinositol has been been defined through meaningful kinetic analyses using Triton X-100/PI-mixed micelles. Detailed kinetic analyses of the inhibition of membrane-associated phosphatidylinositol 4-kinases by nucleotides has led to insights on the regulation of phosphoinositide synthesis in response to glucose.
Enzymatic formation of inosine 3',5'-monophosphate and of 2'-deoxyguanosine 3',5'-monophosphate. Inosinate and deoxyguanylate cyclase activity.

Abstract Enzymes in particulate fractions from sea urchin sperm and in soluble fractions from rat lung were shown to catalyze the formation of inosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic IMP) and of 2′-deoxyguanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic dGMP) from ITP and dGTP, respectively. With sea urchin sperm particulate fractoins, Mn2+ was an essential metal cofactor for inosinate, deoxyguanylate, guanylate and adenylate cyclase activities. Heat-inactivation studies differentiated inosinate and deoxyguanylate cyclase activities from adenylate cyclase, but indicated an association of these activities with guanylate cyclase. Preincubation of sea urchin sperm particulate fractions with trypsin altered in a very similar manner guanylate, inosinate, and deoxyguanylate cyclase activities, and various metals and metal-nucleotide combinations protected the three cyclase activities to comparable degrees against trypsin. The relative guanylate, deoxyguanylate and inosinate cyclase activities at 0.1 mM nucleoside triphosphate were 1.0, 0.5 and 0.08, respectively. With these three cyclase activities, plots of reciprocal velocities against reciprocal Mn2+-nucleoside triphosphate concentrations were concave upward, suggesting positive homotropic effects. With rat lung soluble preparations, relative guanylate, deoxyguanylate, inosinate and adenylate cyclase activities at 0.09 mM nucleoside triphosphate were 1.0, 1.7, 0.1 and 0, respectively. MnGTP was a competitive inhibitor of deoxyguanylate cyclase activity ( K i = 12.2 μ M ) and MndGTP was a competitive inhibitor of guanylate cyclase activity ( K i = 16.2 μ M ). Inhibition studies using ITP were not conducted. When soluble fractions from rat lung were applied to Bio-Gel A 1.5 m columns, elution profiles of guanylate, deoxyguanylate and inosinate cyclase activities were similar. These results suggest that deoxyguanylate, guanylate and inosinate cyclase activities reside within the same protein molecule.
Regulation of renal Cry2 expression by the circadian clock protein Per1 (912.12)

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that the circadian clock plays a critical role in the regulation of renal function and blood pressure. We have shown that the circadian protein Per1 regulates e...
High mobility p-channel germanium MOSFETs with a thin Ge oxynitride gate dielectric

We report Ge p-channel MOSFETs with a thin gate stack of Ge oxynitride and LTO on bulk Ge substrate without a Si cap layer. Excellent device characteristics (IV and CV) are achieved with subthreshold slope 82mV/dec. /spl sim/40% hole mobility enhancement is obtained over the Si control with a thermal SiO/sub 2/ gate dielectric. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of Ge MOSFETs with less than 10nm thick gate dielectric and less than 100mV/dec subthreshold slope.
Hume on Practical Reason: Normativity and Psychology in Treatise 2.3.3

I argue for an interpretation of Hume on practical reason different both from the traditional instrumentalist interpretation and the more recent nihilist interpretation. Both involve reading Hume as making normative claims. On the nihilist interpretation, Hume denies that either passions or actions can violate authoritative norms of reason; on the instrumentalist interpretation, Hume denies that passions can violate authoritative norms of reason, but holds that instrumentally irrational actions violate the one such authoritative norm. I argue instead for a purely psychological interpretation of T 2.3.3 and parallel passages in T 3.1.1. As I interpret him, Hume does not here even address the question whether passions or actions can violate authoritative norms. His conclusion is merely that a person's beliefs cannot conflict with her passions.
An incremental sliding mode controller (ISMC) for chattering reduction

An incremental control action sliding mode controller (ISMC) is presented in the current work to solve the chattering characteristic of sliding mode controller (SMC). The design of the ISMC controller takes into account critical parameters that are usually discarded in the design of the SMC. These parameters are the time constant of the actuator, the step size of the real time solver, previous state information of the system, previous control action and the maximum jerk of the plant. The main advantage of this novel controller is the significant reduction of the chattering in the control action. The incremental control action sliding mode controller is compared to the traditional sliding mode controller and the advantages of the former will be highlighted through the simulations of the benchmark control problem of the automobile electronic throttle.
Replication of secondary bacteriophage genomes in heterologous and homologous superinfections.

Replication of a superinfecting secondary T4 bacteriophage genome (measured by 5-bromodeoxyuridine-induced mutation of its r II gene) can proceed without further protein synthesis in the presence of early protein elicited by primary infection with either the homologous T4 or the heterologous T2. However, replication of the secondary genome is only one-tenth as efficient in heterologous superinfection as in homologous superinfection. The genotypic constitution of progeny containing a replicated genetic marker from the secondary genome suggests that this genome is unable to replicate independently, and that for replication of any of its genetic markers to proceed, recombination of these markers into a primary phage genome is required. It is proposed that the tenfold decrease of replication of the secondary genome observed in heterologous T2–T4 superinfections derives from a cross-over interference for the recombinational events necessary for incorporating parts of the secondary T4 genome into the heterologous primary T2 phage genome. The genotypic constitution of the progeny of superinfections suggests, further, that most of the genetic markers of the super-infecting phage appearing in progeny have not replicated in the infected cell.
Automated radiometric cryoprobe of IR focal plane array wafers

Texas Instruments (TI) validated the feasibility of cryoprobing IRFPA arrays in late 1991. Since then, TI has developed a revolutionary automated cryoprobe for screening four and six inch wafers of IRFPAs. Generic prober automation features include cassette to cassette wafer load and unload, wafer alignment, black body selection, aperture selection, probe tip continuity test, and 77.5 degree(s) to 400 degree(s)K wafer temperature control. Modular construction of the prober enables placement of product specific components such as MWIR or LWIR bandpass filters, coldshield, coldfilter, probe card, and noise suppression circuitry on an easily removable `product specific' tooling plate. Prober operation is controlled through object oriented software. IRFPA specific software modules control array operation, data collection, and data reduction. In addition to describing the prober capabilities and versatility, this paper compares prober test data to lab dewar test data for 240 X 1 IRFPAs and projects benefits in reduced cycle time and labor savings.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Air pollution in the shore zone of a Large Alpine Lake – 1 – Road dust and urban aerosols at Lake Tahoe, California–Nevada

Abstract Concentrated human activity and limited atmospheric mixing create a high potential for airborne pollutant impacts to alpine lakes developed as mountain resorts. Lake Tahoe is a major alpine resort straddling the California–Nevada border, receiving more than two million visitors each year. The lake’s clarity has declined substantially since the inception of intense development in the Tahoe basin in the 1970s. The 2002–2004 Lake Tahoe Atmospheric Deposition Study (LTADS) was conducted as part of a multi-agency effort to develop a water quality management plan for the lake. Estimating aerosol deposition to the lake requires detailed knowledge of the spatial and temporal patterns of aerosol concentration, size distribution, and chemical composition over the entire basin – and developing a management plan requires also that the sources of the aerosols be known with considerable specificity. In lieu of the intensive measurement network implied by this level of detail, we hypothesized that a set of measurements to characterized the temporal, spatial, and size distribution patterns of particles in ambient air and in local emissions in the vicinity of Lake Tahoe could be used to extrapolate long time series of simple measurements to an annual aerosol deposition computation. Here we report the results of our detailed aerosol measurement campaign. Our results show that there are strong systematic and repeating gradients in aerosol loading that occur as functions of location, land use, traffic activity, and time of day, and that road dust is a major source of aerosols around the lake. In addition, we observed strong consistency of particle size distributions as a function of source type, largely independent of particle concentrations. Finally, we demonstrated the use of particle counters to directly observe downwind dispersion and deposition of particles. Together, these findings support the use of imputed location- and time-specific size distributions in annual aerosol deposition calculations, even though particle size distributions were not directly measured in the LTADS baseline monitoring program, and that program was conducted at only a limited set of sites in the Tahoe basin. Two companion articles in this journal issue describe the overall findings of the LTADS study (Dolislager et al., “Overview of the Lake Tahoe Atmospheric Deposition Study”) and the results of measurements taken on the lake itself (VanCuren et al., “Air Pollution in the Shore Zone of a Large Alpine Lake – 2 – Local and Regional Pollutant Distribution over Lake Tahoe California–Nevada”).
The influence of cortisone on EEG and seizure activity in the baboon Papio papio

The ability of cortisone to modify EEG and seizure activity was investigated in the baboon, Papio papio. Acute intramuscular doses (0.5-4 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent increase in seizure response to a flashing light stimulus. This increase in seizure response was apparent in both seizure duration and the spread of convulsive activity. Along with enhancement of seizures, cortisone was found to cause marked changes in the EEG, ranging from the appearance of interictal paroxysmal activity to alterations in spectral characteristics of the wave forms. Increases in slow waves appeared concomitant with a decrease in fast activity in the 18-25 c/sec range. Since previous studies have indicated that seizure proclivity in the Papio papio is maximal at the time of the day when cortisol excretion rates peak, these findings lend further evidence to the idea that corticosteroids may be involved in the thythmic variation of seizure activity in the baboon.
THE DIRECTIONAL DEPENDENCE OF COMETARY MAGNETIC ENERGY DENSITY IN THE QUASI-PARALLEL AND QUASI- PERPENDICULAR REGIMES

Thedirection of propagation of low frequency magnetic fluctuations generated by cometary ion pick-up is examined by means of one-dimensional electromagnetic hybrid simulations. The newborn ions are injected at a constant rate, and the helicity and direction of propagation of magnetic fluctuations are explored for cometary ion injection angles of 00 and 900 relative to the solar wind magnetic field. The parameter i~ represents the relative contribution of wave energy propagating in the direction away from the comet, parallel to the beam. For small (quasi-parallel) injection angles i~ was to found to be of order unity, while for larger (quasi-perpendicular) angles r~was found to be of order 0.5.
ACCOUNTING FOR MUNICIPAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Local economic development analysis typically emphasizes the metropolitan area, rather than municipalities, because it is the basic economic space, but it is not a strong unit of local government. Brief reference is made here to parallel research published elsewhere on a coordinated metropolitan development model and then focus shifts to a municipal model that evaluates the position, prospects, and potential of a given piece of space within the local economy. Three basic municipal economic roles—on occasion alternatives, complementary, or sequential—are itentified: (1) a site for export production contrasting goods and services), (2) a center for metropolitan trade and services (for business or households), and (3) as a preferred place of residence (for high or low income households). The central city of Cleveland is compared to its metropoltan area, using readily available Census data for the 32 largest metropolitan areas and their central cities. Other Census data on the age distribution of housing and residential relocation between central cities and suburbs (disaggregated by occupation, education, and income) are examined as additional examples of the kind of data that can and will be integrated into this three-path muncipal model. The ultimate objective is to link that metropolitan (economic) model and this municipal (policy) model into a broad decision-making framework for local economic development policy and planning.
Comment on N. Fergany's "On the Human Survivorship Function and Life Table Construction".

Fergany's article "On the Human Survivorship Function and Life Table Construction" (Demography, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 331-334) presents itself as a challenge to the earlier works of Reed and Merrell (1939) and of Greville (1943). Fergany is surprised that these earlier methods "went unquestioned by demographers for more than thirty years." In fact, however, his criticisms are unjust, his results are well known, his assumptions are questionable. Fergany points out that Reed and Merrell's assumption of ln p (x) = a + ,3x within a given interval can also generate his equation (5). If Reed and Merrell's assumptions are subject to criticism, Fergany has an even more serious problem with his assumption of constancy of the force of mortality within the interval, particularly when the interval is large. If simplicity is the main issue why not settle for the still simpler formula generated by the assumption that p (x) is a linear function of x, for which not even the tables of exponential functions are necessary. Fergany may wish to compare the results shown in his Table A with that obtained by the linear assumption, and he will find little difference between them. Reed and Merrell modified their formula with the help of empirical data. Greville showed that his general formula (which does not depend on any assumption)
Active patch antenna element for array applications

A packaged microwave FET has been integrated directly onto a rectangular patch antenna, forming an active radiating element for array applications. The FET is mounted across a narrow slot in the patch, and operates in a single bias, common-source configuration. A total radiated power of approximately 6 mW was measured at 8.2 GHz.
Analytical and experimental study of steady-state convection in a double-loop thermosyphon

Abstract Steady-state natural convection in a toroidal loop with a heated diametrical branch and cooled side branches is studied. The loop is rotated to vary the tilt angle of the diametral branch. A one-dimensional analysis provides the fluid velocities and temperature distributions in the loop. The effects of axial conduction are examined. With increasing tilt from the vertical, the fluid in the lower side branch slows down and reverses. The flow through the central branch increases and the main return path is through the upper side branch. For small tilt angles around the horizontal, multiple steady states exist. Comparison experiments on a water-filled glass loop are in qualitative agreement with the analysis and multiple steady states are observed.
The human cardiac hormone fragment N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide is an intrinsically unstructured protein

The cardiac hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is synthesized as a prepro 134 residue molecule which is further proteolytically processed into a 76 residue fragment termed N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) and the active portion of this hormone, a 32-residue disulfide-linked peptide (BNP-32). The active hormone regulates cardiac hemodynamic output while as yet no biological function has been attributed to NT-proBNP. Some solution properties of synthetically generated NT-proBNP in benign media are known. The protein is monomeric, elutes aberrantly on size-exclusion chromatography as an apparent larger molecular species, and possesses little global secondary structure as assessed by circular dichroism. To explore the solution structure of NT-proBNP in greater detail, we use 2D-NOESY and 2D-TOCSY NMR on recombinant NT-proBNP to obtain a high resolution solution conformation at the alpha-carbon level. Importantly, NH(i)-NH(i+1) coupling is virtually absent at room temperature implying that large stretches of primary sequence are unordered. Together, the results of these physicochemical measurements classify NT-proBNP as a naturally unfolded protein referred to as an Intrinsically Unstructured Protein (IUP). The calculations of FoldIndex, a computer program which predicts disorder, were compared to the experimental results described here for NT-proBNP in addition to proBNP. NT-proBNP thus appears to be an ideal candidate for the study of native, unfolded proteins.
JAM-A is present in mammalian spermatozoa where it is essential for normal motility

Junctional Adhesion Molecules (JAMs) that are expressed in endothelial and epithelial cells and function in tight junction assembly, also perform important roles in testis where the closely-related JAM-A, JAM-B, and JAM-C are found. Disruption of murine Jam-B and Jam-C has varying effects on sperm development and function, however deletion of Jam-A has not yet been studied. Here we show for the first time that in addition to expression in the Sertoli-Sertoli tight junctions in the seminiferous tubules, the ∼32 kDa murine JAM-A is present in elongated spermatids and in the plasma membrane of the head and flagellum of sperm. Deletion of Jam-A, using the gene trap technology, results in flagellar defects at the ultrastructural level. In Jam-A-deficient mice, which have reduced litter size, both progressive and hyperactived motility are significantly affected (P<0.0001) before and, more severely, after capacitation. The findings show that JAM-A is involved in sperm tail formation and is essential for normal motility, which may occur via its signal transduction and protein phosphorylation properties. Detection of JAM-A in human sperm protein indicates that its role may be conserved in sperm motility and that JAM-A may be a candidate gene for the analysis of idiopathic sperm motility defects resulting in male subfertility in the human population.
Psychological adjustment to gynecologic cancer

Abstract Women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers face many complex psychological issues. These issues vary depending on the cancer, but include accommodations to changes in identity, sexuality, fertility, and quality of life. Depending on their coping skills and psychosocial supports, their psychological adjustment to their diagnoses and treatments may be more or less adaptive and may have a significant bearing on their psychiatric morbidity. Depression and anxiety are not uncommon among women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers. Obstetrician/gynecologists working with this population have a unique opportunity to recognize adjustment difficulties and initiate appropriate and timely interventions.
Toward optimal recording of surgical complications: concurrent tracking compared to the discharge data set.

Background Information extracted from the hospital discharge data set is used increasingly for outcomes research and for benchmarking hospital and provider performance. The accuracy of these data in detecting vascular complications has never been validated. Methods We compared morbidity and mortality data derived from the hospital discharge data set to similar data recorded concurrently by our Surgical Activity Tracking System (SATS) for 1 year on the vascular surgery service. Results Of 798 total admissions, no complications were detected by either system in 598 admissions (75%). In 200 admissions (25%), there were 335 complications, including 24 deaths (3.0%), that occurred either in-hospital or within 30 days of the date of operation or the date of discharge for nonoperative admissions. Of the 335 complications, 180 (53.7%) were recorded by both systems; the SATS missed 59 complications recorded in the hospital discharge data set (17.6%), whereas the hospital discharge data set missed 96 complications recorded in the SATS (28.7%, P = .003). Of the 289 in-hospital complications, the SATS recorded 230 (79.5%), whereas the hospital discharge data set recorded 229 (79.2%). Of the 24 deaths, the hospital discharge data set missed 6 that occurred after discharge but within the 30-day reporting period Conclusions Both systems are not completely accurate for tracking inpatient complications. The SATS was more representative than the hospital discharge data set in capturing 30-day morbidity and mortality. An amalgamation of the 2 systems would provide more optimal tracking of complications.
Solid modeling of kinematic chains

This paper discusses the application of superellipsoids for solid modeling of kinematic chains. Superellipsoids belong to a family of surfaces called superquadrics. They are very flexible, and easy to deform and manipulate by mathematical transformations. They also have a well defined inside-outside function, which to a great extent facilitates testing of interference between objects. The authors describe how kinematic chains can be modeled using superellipsoids. A systematic way of determining transformation matrices between kinematic links is presented. The technique has been implemented in a hybrid telerobotic simulation system for undersea operations. It has proved to be efficient for object detection and object interactions simulation. >
Applications of the quark parton model in one-particle inclusive leptonic-induced reactions

The quark parton model is applied to the deep-inelastic region of single-particle inclusive lepton-hadron processes. The current-fragmentation region is mainly discussed. Various conclusions concerning experimentally observable quantities such as single-particle distribution functions and average multiplicities are reached. Sum rules such as the Bjorken and Adler sum rules are generalized to this case. The average multiplicities of current-fragment pions in neutrino reactions are found to be independent of the target and of x. They are related to electroproduction multiplicities. A relationship is established between the x → 0 limit of the latter, and pion multiplicities in e+e− annihilation. Assuming SU(3) invariance, relations among π and K multiplicities are derived.
How I treat poisoning with vitamin K antagonists

Severe deficiency of vitamin K-dependent proteins in patients not maintained on vitamin K antagonists is most commonly associated with poisoning by or surreptitious ingestion of warfarin, warfarin-like anticoagulants, or potent rodenticides ("superwarfarins"), such as brodifacoum. Serious bleeding manifestations are common. Superwarfarins are 2 orders of magnitude more potent than warfarin and have a half-life measured in weeks. These rodenticides are readily available household environmental hazards and are sometimes consumed accidentally or as manifestations of psychiatric disease. Immediate diagnosis and proper therapy is critically important to minimize morbidity and mortality because this condition, affecting thousands of patients annually, is reversible. Treatment with large doses of oral vitamin K1, often over months to years, to maintain a near-normal prothrombin time can reverse the coagulopathy associated with superwarfarins. Although these patients initially present to various medical specialties, the hematologist is often consulted to offer the definitive diagnosis and proper therapy.
Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (TA-4) inpenile carcinoma

TA-4 antigen, originally isolated from women with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, is elevated in the sera of patients with squamous cell carcinomas of several sites, including esophagus, lungs, and head and neck. In this study, we compared the serum levels of TA-4 in normal volunteers, patients with resected penile squamous cell carcinoma, and patients with metastatic penile squamous cell carcinoma. TA-4 values were elevated in 5 of 11 patients (45%) who had metastatic disease. In 2, TA-4 was normal the first time metastasis was clinically detected but rose as the disease progressed. Moreover, in 3 patients in whom serial determinations were made, serum TA-4 values correlated well with disease progression and response to treatment. We conclude that TA-4 values are elevated in some patients with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and may become a useful marker for monitoring response to therapy.
Cardiovascular risks associated with incident and prevalent periodontal disease

Aim While prevalent periodontal disease associates with cardiovascular risk, little is known about how incident periodontal disease influences future vascular risk. We compared effects of incident versus prevalent periodontal disease in developing major cardiovascular diseases (CVD), myocardial infarction (MI), ischaemic stroke and total CVD. Material and Methods In a prospective cohort of 39,863 predominantly white women, age ≥45 years and free of cardiovascular disease at baseline were followed for an average of 15.7 years. Cox proportional hazard models with time-varying periodontal status [prevalent (18%), incident (7.3%) versus never (74.7%)] were used to assess future cardiovascular risks. Results Incidence rates of all CVD outcomes were higher in women with prevalent or incident periodontal disease. For women with incident periodontal disease, risk factor adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.42 (95% CI, 1.14–1.77) for major CVD, 1.72 (1.25–2.38) for MI, 1.41 (1.02–1.95) for ischaemic stroke and 1.27 (1.06–1.52) for total CVD. For women with prevalent periodontal disease, adjusted HRs were 1.14 (1.00–1.31) for major CVD, 1.27 (1.04–1.56) for MI, 1.12 (0.91–1.37) for ischaemic stroke and 1.15 (1.03–1.28) for total CVD. Conclusion New cases of periodontal disease, not just those that are pre-existing, place women at significantly elevated risks for future cardiovascular events.
Fungal Types and Concentrations from Settled Dust in Normal Residences

Analysis of settled dust collected from carpeting and furnishings is occasionally used by investigators to determine whether an environment contains unusual fungi. Little information is available concerning the types and concentrations of culturable fungi present on textile surfaces in normal residential settings not affected by unusual mold reservoirs, such as from fungal growth sites within the built environment. This study presents the results of the collection and analysis of surface dust from 26 residential environments that were prescreened by interview, physical inspection, and air sampling to limit the surface dust collection to structures in which there was no history of water intrusion, flooding, plumbing leaks, signs of mold growth, or evidence of unusual airborne fungal spore types or concentrations. In those structures found to have no history or indications of water events or unusual fungi, surface dust was vacuumed from prescribed horizontal areas on carpet and textile-covered furnishings. ...
Incentive auction: a proposed mechanism to rebalance spectrum between broadcast television and mobile broadband [Spectrum policy and regulatory issues]

The lifeblood of wireless technology is the spectrum that it uses. Formal regulation of spectrum, on both the national and international levels, generally began after the Titanic disaster in 1912. Since that period the upper limit of practical spectrum use has moved steadily higher, spectrum efficiency has greatly improved, and new services have emerged that both serve the public and compete for spectrum with longer standing services. A general problem for spectrum managers around the world is how to adapt spectrum policy to such changes, for while technology moves at "Internet speed," most governments agencies move at "government speed," which is much slower.
The specificities of human IgE antibodies combining with cereal grains.

Abstract A series of sera from 125 atopic patients was studied by the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) with eight allergens including cereals, grass pollen, two milk proteins and ovalbumin. Twenty-six of these sera including eight from patients with overt immediate hypersensitivity reactions to cereal grains and three with probable reactions were selected for further study including inhibition of RAST and absorption experiments. Those sera reacting with wheat were studied with six fractions prepared from whole wheat. Sera from patients with overt symptoms from cereal ingestion or inhalation were not distinguishable from sera obtained from patients without symptoms. Some of the sera were cross reactive with grass, others were not. Corn and rice antigens appeared to be closely related. In those sera which contained IgE antibodies reacting with wheat most of the activity was found to bind to albumins and globulins, the soluble proteins, with only small amounts binding to gliadin and gluten.
Attitudes Toward Disabilities: A Research Note on Activists with Disabilities

This research note explores the difficulties and importance of obtaining research data on attitudes of disability-rights activists. Remarkably little research has been done on the attitudes that pe...