cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ecopolis: Architecture and Cities for a Changing Climate

Paul F. Downton. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, and CSIRO, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia, 2009. 608 pages. $259, $129 (paperback). Downton describes “ecopolis” as the next, most important...
Abstract 2: FGFR3 as a therapeutic target in squamous cell lung carcinoma

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Squamous cell lung carcinoma (lung SCC) is the second most common subtype of non-small cell lung cancer with, 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year in the United States. Unlike lung adenocarcinoma, few targetable genomic events are known drivers of lung SCC, and therefore, therapeutic options are limited for patients with this disease. As part of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project, we have analyzed the entire coding sequence of 196 lung SCCs for mutated genes which may be amenable to targeted therapeutics. In the 108 patient samples analyzed to date, we have observed mutations in the Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (FGFR3) kinase gene in six cases at four sites, or 3% of samples. The observed FGFR3 mutations are present in both the extracellular domain and the kinase domain of the protein, an observation that is consistent with activating mutations in FGFR3 that are known to drive bladder cancer, and in fact, two of the observed mutations are at sites previously observed in bladder cancer. We therefore hypothesized that these mutations are oncogenic and may be driving transformation in a subset of lung SCC patients. Expression of mutated FGFR3 in NIH-3T3 cells led to anchorage-independent colony formation, which was inhibited by treatment with a pan-FGFR inhibitor. A known mechanism of FGFR3 activation is the constitutive dimerization of receptors with mutated extracellular domains via intermolecular disulfide bond formation, and we have observed this phenomenon in our ECD mutants as well. These data suggest that mutations in the FGFR3 gene are sufficient to transform cells. This finding, along with recently published data suggesting that FGFR1 amplification is also able to drive lung SCC development, demonstrates that the FGFR family may be a promising therapeutic target in lung SCC. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2
Gas chromatography of nickel carbonyl in blood and breath.

A gas chromatographic method has been developed lor the detection of nickel carbonyl in blood and breath. Nickel carbonyl has been identified in blood following exposure of rats to nickel carbonyl by inhalation. Nickel carbonyl has also been identified in breath following administra" tion of nickel carbonyl to rats by intravenous injection. Therefore, this study has demonstrated that nickel carbonyl can pass across the pulmonary alveolus in either direction, without degradation or metabolic alteration. The gas chromatographic method is suggested as a technique for monitoring the concentrations of nickel carbonyl in industrial atmospheres and in the blood of workmen who are accidentally exposed to inhalation of nicke! carbonyl.
Decreases in protease nexins in Alzheimer's disease brain

Abstract A marked and significant reduction of protease nexin-1 (PN-1) and PN-2/amyloid β protein precursor (AβPP) was observed in selected regions of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains as compared to those of aged-matched controls. Correlative analysis indicated a relationship between PN-1 reduction and the severity of pathologic alterations. A statistically significant inverse correlation was noted between the level of PN-1 activity and the density of tau-positive dystrophic neurites in the hippocampus. In view of the ability of thrombin and PN-1 to regulate neurite outgrowth, it is possible that abnormal thrombin and PN-1 interactions may play a role in dystrophic neurite formation. The presence of clusters of dystrophic neurites around the capillaries suggests that bloodbrain barrier (BBB) dysfunction may enhance such abnormal interactions. The decrease in PN-2/AβPP levels in AD brains could possibly contribute to neuronal degeneration in AD in view of the ability of PN-2/AβPP to protect neurons against the toxic effects of the Aβ.
Electrical stimulation of cardiac tissue by an electrode in a conductive bath

We calculate the transmembrane potential in a passive, three-dimensional slab of cardiac tissue during electrical stimulation. The stimulating electrode is located in an isotropic, conductive bath adjacent to the tissue. The electrode is bipolar, with its axis perpendicular to the surface of the slab. The cathode is nearest the tissue surface. The bidomain model represents the electrical properties of the tissue. The tissue is depolarized under the cathode and hyperpolarized in the direction parallel to the fibers. These results are consistent with 2- and 3-dimensional bidomain simulations without a conductive bath. Unequal anisotropy ratios are not necessary for hyperpolarization to exist near the cathode.
Pharmacological characterization of the voltage-dependent sodium channels of rainbow trout brain synaptosomes

Abstract Batrachotoxin, aconitine, and veratridine, alkaloid activators of voltage-dependent sodium channels, stimulated 22 Na + uptake by rainbow trout brain synaptosomes. The potency and efficacy of activation by these compounds decreased in the following order: batrachotoxin > aconitine ⪢ veratridine. Aconitine-stimulated sodium uptake was completely inhibited by tetrodotoxin, a specific blocker of voltage-dependent sodium channels. Polypeptide toxins in the venom of the scorpion, Leiurus quinquestriatus , and the insecticide DDT enhanced veratridine-dependent sodium uptake but had no effect on non-specific uptake. These studies identify appropriate conditions for measuring sodium channel-dependent 22 Na + uptake in trout brain synaptosomes and characterize some of the pharmacological properties of trout brain sodium channels. Trout sodium channels differed from those in rat and mouse brain in their responses to batrachotoxin, aconitine, veratridine, and DDT but not to tetrodotoxin and Leiurus venom toxins. These results suggest that the specificity of some of the neurotoxin-binding domains of the trout brain sodium channel may differ from those of sodium channels in mammalian brain.
Controls on synchronous ephemeral- and perennial-river sedimentation in the middle sandstone member of the Triassic Chinle Formation, northeastern New Mexico, U.S.A.

Abstract The middle sandstone member of the upper Triassic Chinle Formation in northeastern New Mexico consists of ephemeral-river deposits along the Front Range adjacent to the Ancestral Rocky Mountains and perennial braided-river deposits on the Plains to the east. The two fluvial systems were synchronous; the ephemeral rivers existed as transverse tributaries to a perennial trunk system that flowed from south to north. Proximal ephemeral-stream deposits are characterized by 60–80 m thick sequences of coarse-grained, siliciclastic sediments deposited principally by overbank sheetflooding. Facies associations are dominated by sandstone with horizontal stratification and subordinate sets of tabular-tangential and trough cross-stratification. Incised streamflood deposits are represented by channeled conglomerates and single-story, massive and trough cross-stratified sandstones. Distal ephemeral-stream deposits are distinguished by their lenticular geometries, thicknesses of 20–30 m, and sedimentary structures indicative mainly of lower-flow-regime stream flooding. Channeled conglomerates and trough cross-stratified and parallel-stratified sandstones are capped by trough cross-laminated and subordinate horizontally stratified sandstones. Facies associations in the deposits of the trunk system are comparable to those of the Platte and South Saskatchewan braided rivers. Sets and cosets of tabular-tangential or trough cross-stratified conglomerate and sandstone are separated by variable thicknesses of horizontally stratidied sandstone. These facies dominate 10–30 m thick, sheet-like, siliciclastic bodies that are traceable laterally for tens of kilometers and are separated by comparable or lesser thicknesses of red mudstone. Both extrabasinal (allocyclic) and intrabasinal (autocyclic) controls influenced sandstone body geometries in the middle Chinle Formation. Uplift and subsidence determined the position of base level that, in turn, determined the nature of autocyclic processes. Adjacent to the Ancestral Rocky Mountains, sediment yield was great resulting in accumulation of sheetflood deposits above base level, thereby promoting local incision. Under these conditions and with a continuously rising base level, lenticular, coarse-grained sediment body geometries were produced along the Front Range. On the Plains, sediment yield was moderate and subsidence rates were slow. Bedload sediment accumulated to, but not above base level, thereby promoting avulsion and the development of thin, sheet-like coarse-grained sediment bodies. The contrast between the two coexisting fluvial sedimentation styles is attributed to differences in runoff. Adjacent to the Ancestral Rocky Mountains, seasonal rainfall resulted in ephemeral flow, whereas on the Plains, flow was perennial due to groundwater discharge from the highlands to the west.
Guiding Students toward Solutions in Field Experiences.

Professors who supervise students in field experiences have a unique challenge in helping students solve the problems that they face. The authors offer strategies for helping students analyze and solve problems that they experience in field experiences.
An Assessment of Primary Blast Injury in Human Brains: A Numerical Simulation

Most blast-related injuries happen as a result of complex pressure waves generated by the explosion. In this paper, we model the explosion from detonation and examine the blast propagation in air using Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) finite element formulation. The results of the simulation agree well with those of physical data obtained from blast wave experiments. Such results set the circumstances necessary for an examination of brain injury exposed to such situations. Thus the model will be coupled with a Fluid/Structure Interaction (FSI) algorithm to implicitly examine the blast wave interactions with a human head and to study the creation of high regions of biomechanics pressure and stress gradients.© 2007 ASME
Chronic neurologic sequelae to cholinesterase inhibition among agricultural pesticide applicators.

To test the hypothesis that chronic neurologic sequelae are associated with cholinesterase depression short of frank organophosphate poisoning, we compared 45 male subjects who had a history of moderate cholinesterase inhibition with 90 male subjects who had neither past cholinesterase inhibition nor current pesticide exposure. Cholinesterase-inhibited subjects were defined as having had a history of (a) red blood cell cholinesterase at 70% or less of baseline or (b) plasma cholinesterase at 60% or less of baseline absent symptoms of frank poisoning. In the subject comparison evaluation, only 1 of 27 neurologic tests (i.e., serial digit performance) was significant statistically, but it was opposite of the direction hypothesized. In a companion study for which the same battery of neurologic tests and the same subjects were used, neurologic sequelae were related to high exposures among subjects who sought treatment for organophosphate poisoning. The data in the current study, in which the subjects experienced lower exposures short of frank poisoning, provide some evidence that preventing acute organophosphate poisoning also prevents neurologic sequelae.
Calcium-ion efflux from brain tissue: power-density versus internal field-intensity dependencies at 50-MHz RF radiation

In previous experiments changes were found in calcium-ion efflux from chick-brain tissue that had been exposed in vitro to 147-MHz radiation across a specific range of power densities when the field was amplitude modulated at 16 Hz. In the present study, 50-MHz radiation, similarly modulated as a sinusoid, was found to produce changes in calcium-ion efflux from chick brains exposed in vitro in a Crawford cell. Exposure conditions were optimized to broaden any power-density window and to enhance the opportunity to detect changes in the calcium-ion efflux. The results of a power-density series demonstrated two effective ranges: One spanning a range from 1.44 to 1.67 mW/cm2, and the other including 3.64 mW/cm2, which were bracketed by no-effect results at 0.72, 2.17, and 4.32 mW/cm2. peaks of positive findings are associated with near-identical rates of energy absorption: 1.4 microW/g at 147 MHz, and 1.3 microW/g at 50 MHz, which indicates that the enhanced-efflux phenomenon is more dependent on the intensity of fields in the brain than on the power density of incident radiation. In addition, the phenomenon appears to occur at multiples of some, as yet unknown, rate of radiofrequency (RF) energy absorption. Because of the extremely small increments of temperaturemore » associated with positive findings (less than 4 X 10(-4) degrees C), and the existence of more than one productive absorption rate, a solely thermal explanation appears extremely unlikely.« less
2-Imidazolethiones protect ascorbic acid from oxidation induced by copper.

Abstract The oxidation of ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic acid was accelerated by metal ions such as copper. This stimulation of ascorbate oxidation was inhibited by the addition of 2-imidazolethiones and other sulfhydryl-containing compounds, but not by 2-imidazolones or phenytoin. Although the 2-imidazolethiones interacted with copper, as shown by a decrease in the ultraviolet absorbance of the compounds, the productformed still protected ascorbate from oxidation. The 2-imidazolethiones are proposed to complex copper through their free -SH groups.
Sleep-mode ready, area efficient capacitor-free low-dropout regulator with input current-differencing

This paper proposes an input current-differencing technique in designing a capacitor-free low-dropout regulator to simultaneously achieve sleep-mode efficiency and silicon real estate saving. With no minimum output current required to be stable, the regulator could greatly improve SoC efficiency during standby, which is extremely attractive for battery powered applications. Designed in TSMC 0.18-μm CMOS technology, it regulates 1.8---1.2 V supply down to 1 V with 100 mA maximum output current and can drive up to 100 pF of load parasitic capacitance. Compared with prior arts with the same sleep-mode compatibility and similar output current range, it reduces the on-chip compensation capacitance from 21 to 4.5 pF.
Outmigration For Coronary Bypass Surgery in an Era of Public Dissemination of Clinical Outcomes

Background Since 1989, New York State has disseminated comparative information on outcomes of coronary bypass surgery to the public. It has been suggested that this program played a significant role in the 41% decrease in the risk-adjusted mortality rate between 1989 and 1992. We hypothesized that some high-risk patients had migrated out of state for surgery. Methods and Results We reviewed 9442 isolated coronary bypass operations performed from 1989 through 1993 to assess referral patterns of case-mix and outcome. Expected and risk-adjusted mortality rates were computed using logistic regression models derived from the Cleveland Clinic and New York State databases. A mortality comparison was performed using the 1980 to 1988 time period as a historical control. Patients from New York (n=482) had a higher frequency of prior open heart surgery (44.0%) than patients from Ohio (n=6046) (21.5%, P <.001), other states (n=1923) (37.4%, P =.008), and other countries (n=991) (17.3%, P <.001). They were also more likely to be in NYHA functional class III or IV (47.6% versus Ohio 42.7%, P =.037; other states, 41.2%, P =.011; other countries, 34.1%, P =.001). The expected mortality rate was thus higher than among other referral cohorts. The observed 5.2% mortality rate among these patients was significantly greater than the 2.9%, 3.1%, and 1.4% mortality rates observed for patients from Ohio ( P =.004), other states ( P =.028), and other countries ( P <.001). These differences in outcome were not apparent between 1980 and 1988 among referrals from within the United States. Conclusions Public dissemination of outcome data may have been associated with increased referral of high-risk patients from New York to an out-of-state regional medical center.
Determination of bile acids in needle biopsies of human liver.

Abstract A microquantitative procedure is described to determine bile acids in 5–15 mg liver tissue, which can be obtained from the specimen of needle biopsy performed for histological examination. The tissue cylinder is solubilized in KOH and the bile acids are deconjugated by cholylglycine hydrolase, purified by thin-layer chromatography, methylated, and trimethylsililated for gas chromatographic separation and quantitation. Recovery of taurine- and glycine-conjugated bile acid standards is 73–86%; the experimental error of the procedure is less than 15%. The technique permits investigation of hepatic bile acids in liver diseases without requiring surgical exploration.
Interior Reflections of a Periodically Forced Equatorial Kelvin Wave

Abstract A fully three-dimensional, wind-forced equatorial model is used to study the effects of the strong near- surface equatorial pycnocline on energy transmission into the deep ocean. The equatorial Kelvin waves forced by a patch of zonal wind oscillating at the annual period are isolated from the complete response, and their energy transmission into the deep ocean is investigated as a function of forcing geometry, pycnocline structure, and the amplitude of deep-ocean mixing. Solutions form well-defined beams of energy that propagate through realistic pycnoclines with surprisingly little reflection. Vertical mixing damps the beams in the direction of their propagation and stretches their longitudinal extent. For sufficiently strong mixing the solutions low their beamline character and appear as surface-trapped signals. This result may help to resolve the differences between the solutions found in previous investigations.
A technique for EEG recording in the awake parakeet

the proper stereotaxic instrument for thespecies, (2) some degree of surgical sophistication,(3) sterile surgical conditions, (4) an accurate atlas of thespecies' brain and cranial bones, and (5) an anestheticduring the recording session. One of the standardtechniques used to circumvent some of these problems isto use stainless steel screw electrodes that are screwedinto the skull and held by dental acrylic. However, theparakeet skull is extremely thin and fragile-asis the casewith most small birds. This precluded the use of screwelectrodes and prompted the development of alternativeand somewhat simpler methods for attaching electrodesto the parakeet. These procedures may be ofparticularvalue in view of the recent interest in avian sleepprocesses and sensory processes (Van Twyver & Allison,1972; Dooling & Saunders. 1974).The skin covering the underside of the lower beak inthe parakeet is thin. This enables one to insert a 30-ga,Kynar-coated solid wire through the underside of themandible into the oral cavity and wrap it tightly aroundthe lateral portion of the lower beak. (See lower half ofFigure 1.) The length of wire wrapped around the beakis stripped to permit good electrical contact. Thisprocedure is applied to both sides of the parakeet'sbeakto provide both a ground and a reference electrode. Theinsulated portions of these beak electrode wires are ledto the back of the bird'shead, pulled taut, and threadedthrough the side holes ofa standard three-poletransistorplug as indicated in the upper half ofFigure I.A number of types of skull electrodes have been usedin combination with these beak electrodes. Theseinclude a 2 mm in diam coil of silver wire or a disk ofsilver foil, dental screws, and inverted wire nails.Regardless of the electrode type, it is attached to theskull using the following general procedures.The bird's head is cleaned with alcohol, and anincision is made along the medial axis of the scalpextending from the cere about 2 ern posteriorly. Theskin is pulled back, the skull surface wiped clean with acotton swab, and the electrode cemented to the skullwith conventional dental acrylic. The electrode lead isthen led to the third pole of the transistor plug. The
Intercolonial and Interimperial Relations in the Seventeenth Century

English, French, Dutch, and Spanish colonists and mariners in the seventeenth-century understood their positions in the Atlantic world vis-a-vis one another. Colonies mirrored international rivalries and depended on their respective imperial countries. But they also depended on one another, cooperating across colonial and imperial borders to ensure their own survival or profit.
Cocaine and Sexual Dysfunction: The Curse of Mama Coca

(1982). Cocaine and Sexual Dysfunction: The Curse of Mama Coca. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs: Vol. 14, Sexological Aspects of Substance Use & Abuse, pp. 71-74.
Advances in radiology and the real versus apparent effects of early diagnosis

Over the last two decades, technological advances in radiology have revolutionized the practice of medicine. Although the potential benefits of these advances are well recognized, the potential harms are not. This paper describes how early diagnosis can cause overestimations of disease prevalence and the effectiveness of intervention. The paper begins by demonstrating how the observed prevalence of disease increases with the sensitivity of the test and by explaining the concept of pseudodisease. Next, the paper explains how lead time bias, length bias and overdiagnosis bias cause overestimations of the effectiveness of earlier diagnosis and associated treatments. These biases pertain to both the detection and staging of disease. In addition, the paper explains how these overestimations of disease prevalence and the effectiveness of intervention can initiate a cycle of increasing testing and treatment, which may eventually cause more harm than benefit. Finally, randomized clinical trials and decision analysis are discussed in the context of evaluating new testing strategies.
Percutaneous Absorption and Disposition of [14C]Chlordecone in Young and Adult Female Rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of age and dosage on percutaneous absorption and disposition of [14C]chlordecone (Kepone) and to describe results using a physiological based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model. Female Fischer 344 rats 33 and 82 days old were used as the young and adult animal models, respectively, and were studied over a 10-fold dose range. [14C]Chlordecone (0.286 μmol/cm2) was applied to dorsal skin (2.3% BSA) and radioactivity was quantified in selected tissues and excreta up to 120 h. Absorption and disposition were also determined at three dose levels up to 2.68 μmol/cm2; fraction absorbed decreased as dose increased.In vitropercutaneous absorption was measured by static and flow-through methods; these yielded similar penetration rates, which were lower than those obtainedin vivo.In vivopercutaneous absorption over 120 h was 14.4±0.99 and 14.2±1.5% dose in young and adults, respectively. Organ and tissue content increased over time (carcass>liver>kidney), indicating prolonged absorption. Statistical differences between young and old were found for liver, skin, and urine, but not for absorption. Excretion occurred primarily in feces, but also in urine. A biophysically based percutaneous model was fitted to both young and adultin vivoabsorption data. This was embedded in a whole body PBPK model which, upon optimization with SAAM II, estimated apparent tissue partition coefficients, urinary and fecal excretion rates, and parameters characterizing hepatic nonlinear uptake of bound chlordecone. The model reasonably predicted tissue chlordecone content at higher doses, when decreased absorption was accounted for.
Burning rate studies of fuel air mixtures at high pressures

High pressure burning studies of fuel air mixtures (mainly JP4 and air) were investigated in a closed chamber to determine what parameters control the maximum combustion rate and maximum pressure. The fuel was injected through shower-type nozzles into air at initial pressures ranging 2000–4000 psi. Densities of loading ranged 0.18–0.36 gm/cm 3 , and the equivalence ratio ranged 0.6–2.7 fuel to air. A method for evaluating the burning velocity is presented. It was found that a wide variation in the burning velocity could be obtained with maximum burning velocities occurring at minimum fucl air mixing times. The pressure-time history during the closed vessel explosion agrees remarkably well with a time cubed dependence. Such pressure-time data is used to interpret the pressure rise predicted by a simple isothermal model. It is shown that at these high pressures the initial mass burning rate is approximately proportional to a reduced pressure raised to the 2/3 power.
Specification based intrusion detection for unmanned aircraft systems

In this paper, we propose a specification-based intrusion detection system for securing infrastructure (sensors or actuators) embedded in an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in which continuity of operation is of the utmost importance. We investigate the impact of attacker behaviors on the effectiveness of our malware detection technique. Using unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) as examples, we demonstrate that our intrusion detection technique can effectively trade false positives off for a high detection probability to cope with more sophisticated and hidden attackers to support ultra safe and secure UAS applications.
Psychological Science and Bipolar Disorder

Knowledge about bipolar disorder is rapidly advancing. One consequence is that current evidence about the diagnostic definitions, prevalence, phenomenology, associated features and underlying processes, risk factors and predictors, and assessment or treatment strategies for bipolar disorder is often markedly different than the conventional wisdom reflected even in recent textbooks and clinical training. This Special Issue draws together a series of reviews discussing the evidence with emphasis on the contributions of psychological science and attention to the implications for evidence-based practice. International experts from multiple disciplines provide additional commentaries that set the reviews in a global, interdisciplinary context.
Ischemic Preconditioning Attenuates Myocardial Apoptosis through Regulation of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1αand Heat Shock Protein 70

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) increases expression of several cardioprotective genes and attenuates myocardial dysfunction after ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. However, the precise cellular mechanisms by which IPC confers myocardial protection are incompletely understood. We hypothesized that the beneficial effect of IPC in the heart is due to upregulation of two key transcription factors, Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) and Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70). In this study, neonatal rat cardiomyoblasts (H9c2 cells) were subjected to IPC (four cycles of 15-min hypoxia/15-min reoxygenation), followed by 12-hr hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR). HIF-1α and HSP70 expression were measured by ELISA and immunoblot. Apoptosis was assessed by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity. The results showed that IPC induced HIF-1α and HSP70 expression and attenuated apoptosis after 12-hr HR. Pretreatment with DMOG, an HIF-1α activator, showed a similar protective effect as IPC. An HIF-1α inhibitor (CAY10585) or HSP70 inhibitor (KNK437) decreased IPC-induced HIF-1α or HSP70 expression, respectively, and abrogated the anti-apoptotic effect of IPC. In summary, IPC is associated with increased HIF-1α and HSP70 expression and a subsequent decreased apoptosis in neonatal cardiomyoblasts exposed to HR. These results suggest that HIF-1α and HSP70play important roles in IPC-induced cardioprotection, and these endogenous transcription factors may provide a novel therapeutic target to prevent myocardial IR injury in vivo .
Bottleneck Analysis to Reduce Surgical Flow Disruptions: Theory and Application

The work flow of surgical operations in emergency department and operating rooms can be interrupted due to various disruptions. Reducing such disruptions is of significant importance to ensure successful operations. In this paper, we introduce a continuous-time Markov chain model to analyze the disruptions and their impacts. Analytical formulas have been derived to evaluate the probabilities of normal operations and disruptions. A continuous improvement method has been developed to identify the disruption that impedes surgical operation in the strongest manner. Such a disruption is referred to as the bottleneck disruption. Specifically, the bottleneck disruption can be further categorized with respect to interruption time (BN- ${\rm t}$ ) and frequency (BN- ${\rm f}$ ), so that reducing the interruption time and frequency of the bottleneck, respectively, can lead to the largest improvement in normal operation. An application of the method at an emergency department of a large academic medical center is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the model and the improvement approach.
Behavioral and prolactin responses to 5-hydroxytrytophan in rats treated during development with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine

The serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), can induce a behavioral syndrome characterized by rigidity, splayed feet, tremor, head weaving, salivation and forepaw treading. This response to 5-HTP was markedly potentiated in adult rats treated intracisternally with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) during development. Prevention of the 5,7-DHT-induced reduction of brain norepinephrine with pargyline or desipramine did not diminish the potentiation of 5-HTP, suggesting that noradrenergic fibers are not contributing to the altered 5-HTP response. It was also found that treatments with 5,7-DHT potentiated the release of prolactin and the disruption of responding in a fixed-ratio operant task induced by 5-HTP. Other experiments indicated that 5,7-DHT treatments potentiated 5-HTP without affecting the action of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine. In addition, administration of the decarboxylase inhibitor, R0-4-4602, at a dose that inhibits enzyme activity in brain, blocked the 5-HTP-induced behavioral syndrome in 5,7-DHT-treated rats, indicating that 5-HTP must be converted to serotonin for 5-HTP to alter behavior. Thus, the present studies indicate that destruction of serotonergic fibers during development can produce permanent changes in central serotonergic mechanisms.
Adrenal dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity: 24-hour rhythmicity and evidence for pineal control

Adrenal medullary dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity was found in male rats to have a 24-hour rhythm, with an approximately 6-fold increase at about the time of the onset of darkness. This nocturnal rise in enzyme activity did not occur when lights were kept on, nor did it occur in animals that had been pinealectomized.
2D-IR experiments and simulations of the coupling between amide-I and ionizable side chains in proteins: application to the Villin headpiece.

The carboxylate side chains of Asp and Glu have significant coupling with the amide states of the backbone of the Villin headpiece. In two-dimensional spectroscopy, cross peaks are observed between...
Strain measurement of Fin structure using TEM objective lens dark-field off-axis holography

In this work, TEM dark-filed off-axis holography using objective lens was investigated to study strain distribution in Fin structure induced by stress liner. Compared with Lorentz lens mode holography, objective lens holography provides much more improved spatial resolution and contrast which are critical for reliable strain measurement of small structures such as FinFETs. Result was also compared with nano-beam diffraction strain measurement technique.
Behaviour of rubella virus in human diploid cell strains. II. Studies of infected cells.

Rubella virus infection of human diploid cells did not result in an ordinary cytopathic effect, but several kinds of human diploid cell strains (HDCS) responded to infection by ceasing to multiply. Inhibition occurred quickly (most lung strains), or after many weeks (skin and pharyngeal mucosa strains). HDCS could be classified according to their response. The response of lung cell strains was strictly related to thein vitro age of the strains at the time of infection. Older strains stopped multiplying several times more quickly than younger ones. The relationship was not found for HDCS of other organ and tissue origins. Pericardial cell strains possessed large amounts of acid phosphatase-containing granules in a small proportion of the cells. During chronic rubella infection, histochemical activity of the enzyme decreased. The chromosomes of chronically infected skin, lung, pharyngeal mucosa and pericardial strains, infected up to 17 cell generations earlier, showed a mild but definite increase in achromatic gaps and breaks. No evidence of cell transformation or induction of neoplastic changes was found in HDCS which had been actively dividing for up to 27 weeks while infected with rubella.
Price Protection and Productivity Growth

This study provides empirical evidence on the relationship between price protection and productivity growth. From theoretical considerations, it is concluded that the impact of price protection on productivity growth is ambiguous. Although protectionism may in some instances stimulate investment and adoption of new technologies, efficiency may decrease, particularly when farm prices and income are high. Empirical evidence from the New Zealand beef/sheep industry indicates that high protection during the 1975–85 period produced negative productivity growth. Following market liberalization in 1985, productivity growth increased substantially.
Multiscale relationships between fibronectin structure and functional properties.

Abstract Cell behavior is tightly coupled to the properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) to which they attach. Fibronectin (Fn) forms a supermolecular, fibrillar component of the ECM that is prominent during development, wound healing and the progression of numerous diseases. This indicates that Fn has an important function in controlling cell behavior during dynamic events in vivo. The multiscale architecture of Fn molecules assembled into these fibers determines the ligand density of cell adhesion sites on the surface of the Fn fiber, Fn fiber porosity for cell signaling molecules such as growth factors, the mechanical stiffness of the Fn matrix and the adhesivity of Fn for its numerous soluble ligands. These parameters are altered by mechanical strain applied to the ECM. Recent efforts have attempted to link the molecular properties of Fn with bulk properties of Fn matrix fibers. Studies of isolated Fn fibers have helped to characterize the fiber’s material properties and, in combination with models of Fn molecular behavior in the fibers, have begun to provide insights into the Fn molecular arrangement and intermolecular adhesions within the fibers. A review of these studies allows the development of an understanding of the mechanobiological functions of Fn.
β-Adrenergic regulation requires direct anchoring of PKA to cardiac CaV1.2 channels via a leucine zipper interaction with A kinase-anchoring protein 15

Activation of β-adrenergic receptors and consequent phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) greatly increases the L-type Ca2+ current through CaV1.2 channels in isolated cardiac myocytes. A kinase-anchoring protein 15 (AKAP15) coimmunoprecipitates with CaV1.2 channels isolated from rat heart membrane extracts and transfected cells, and it colocalizes with CaV1.2 channels and PKA in the transverse tubules of isolated ventricular myocytes. Site-directed mutagenesis studies reveal that AKAP15 directly interacts with the distal C terminus of the cardiac CaV1.2 channel via a leucine zipper-like motif. Disruption of PKA anchoring to CaV1.2 channels via AKAP15 using competing peptides markedly inhibits the β-adrenergic regulation of CaV1.2 channels via the PKA pathway in ventricular myocytes. These results identify a conserved leucine zipper motif in the C terminus of the CaV1 family of Ca2+ channels that directly anchors an AKAP15-PKA signaling complex to ensure rapid and efficient regulation of L-type Ca2+ currents in response to β-adrenergic stimulation and local increases in cAMP.
A multi-level analysis of thirty-two societies on marital and family satisfaction

When we examine the quality of life for each individual, several specific dimensions need to be considered. Health conditions and quality of family relationships are critical. When the individual in question is married, his/her marital quality is important. When he/she has a job, subjective assessment of that job is important. Social relationships regarding friends, neighbors, colleagues, relatives, etc. may be critical also. Although the quality of life is more than the sum of qualities of these specific areas of one's life, it is still determined to a great extent by the qualities of these sub-areas, including marital and family relationships (Proulx et al., 2007).
Infectious causes of multiple sclerosis

Summary Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious chronic neurological disorder in which demyelination and inflammation occur in the white matter of the CNS. The findings of many epidemiological studies and a discordance of MS in monozygotic twins suggest that the disorder is acquired. The most likely cause is a virus because more than 90% of patients with MS have high concentrations of IgG, manifest as oligoclonal bands, in the brain and CSF. Most chronic inflammatory CNS disorders are infectious. More indirect evidence that MS is caused by a virus is the association of several viruses with demyelinating encephalomyelitis in human beings, and the induction of demyelination in animals infected with viruses in research. Nevertheless, no virus has been isolated from the brains of patients who had MS. Molecular analysis of IgG gene specificity in the brain and CSF of those with MS has shown features of an antigen-driven response: clonal amplification and extensive somatic mutations. A viral antigen against which the IgG in MS brain and CSF is directed might be identified.
Cluster motion and particle-convective heat transfer at the wall of a circulating fluidized bed

Abstract A new technique has been developed to observe and measure the hydrodynamic properties of solid particles flowing at the wall of a fluidized bed. This technique is called ‘thermal image velocimetry’ or TIV. The TIV technique involves heating the clusters of particles that are at the wall and using their radiant emission to distinguish them from the rest of the bed, with an infrared camera as the detection device. The current setup is in a cold scale-model circulating fluidized bed with a riser that has a 0.159 m square cross-section and is 2.44 m tall. The TIV test section is located on one wall in the upper half of the riser. The hydrodynamic properties that have been measured are the descent velocities of clusters of particles at the surface of a flat wall and the contact times of these clusters with the wall. The measured cluster velocities are between 0.9 and 1.2 m s1, apparently accelerating to the higher value near the end of their travel. These velocities appear to be independent of the operating conditions (solid and gas flow rates) in the bed, and the apparent acceleration can be shown to affect heat transfer from the clusters. The average contact times measured are around 0.4 s, and a probabilistic analysis shows that individual cluster-wall contact times are distributed according to a gamma probability function. This analysis also highlights the concept of a thermal development region for particle-convective heat transfer.
Gate capacitance scaling and graphene field-effect transistors with ultra-thin top-gate dielectrics

Graphene has emerged recently as an attractive channel material for high frequency analog device applications. High carrier mobility and large gate capacitance are both desirable attributes for such devices. A main obstacle however in depositing thin dielectrics on graphene, with high dielectric constant is its chemical inertness. This obstacle can be overcome by either directly depositing the dielectric, e.g. using sputtering or e-beam evaporation, or by using a seed layer which provides nucleation sites for atomic layer deposition (ALD). The interfacial layer however reduces the gate capacitance and can also impact the quality of the ALD dielectric subsequently grown. Here we provide a systematic study of gate capacitance scaling of graphene field effect transistors with Al 2 O 3 gate dielectric with two seed layers, oxidized aluminum and oxidized titanium. Our results show the oxidized Ti film on graphene provides a smooth surface, which allows us to use a Ti nucleation layer as thin as 6A, and achieve uniform coverage required for the subsequent ALD. The k-value of the ALD Al 2 O 3 grown on graphene using oxidized Ti as nucleation layer is 12.7, a value 2.5 times larger than the ALD Al 2 O 3 grown using oxidized Al. We demonstrate graphene devices with ultra-thin top gate dielectrics, with EOT values as low as 3.5 nm.
Frequency-dependent electrical characteristics of GaAs MESFETs

Output resistance and transconductance of GaAs MESFETs have been observed to change significantly at very low frequencies. Extensive measurements of these characteristics as a function of device bias are reported. Direct measurements of the dispersive behavior between DC and 100 kHz and over a broad temperature range have been made on ion-implanted monolithic microwave IC (MMIC) devices. Conductance deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and microwave S-parameter measurements have also been made to investigate this behavior. These measurements reveal that surface or channel-substrate interface traps in the material are most likely to be responsible for the observed behavior. A new equivalent-circuit model which accounts for many of the observed characteristics is developed. Unlike previously proposed equivalent circuits, the model does not rely on physically unrealistic circuit element values in order to obtain accurate performance predictions. The bias dependence of circuit element values is computed for one device. Effects not described by the model are also discussed. >
Analyzing the Simultaneous Use of Auctions and Posted Prices for Online Selling

Many firms in the business-to-consumer market sell identical products online using auctions and posted prices at the same time. In this paper, we develop and analyze a model of the key trade-offs sellers face in such a dual-channel setting built around the optimal choice of three design parameters: the posted price, the auction lot size, and the auction duration. Our results show how a monopolist seller can increase his revenues by offering auctions and a fixed price concurrently, and we identify when either a posted price only or a dual-channel strategy is optimal for the seller. We model consumer choice of channels, and thus market segmentation, and find a unique (symmetric) auction-participation equilibrium exists in which consumers who value the item for more than its posted price use a threshold policy to choose between the two channels. The threshold defines an upper bound on the remaining time of the auction. We explain how optimizing the design parameters enables the seller to segment the market so that the two channels reinforce each other and cannibalization is mitigated. Our findings also demonstrate that there are two dominant auction design strategies in this setting: one-unit auctions that tend to be short and long multiunit auctions. The optimal strategy for the seller depends on the consumer arrival rate and the disutility of delivery delay incurred by high-valuation consumers. In either case, the optimal design of the dual channel can significantly outperform a single posted-price channel. We show even greater benefits over a naive approach to managing the two channels that optimizes each independently. Our results suggest that unless firms jointly manage these online channels, they may find that adding auctions actually reduces their revenues.
The CDRH Helix: An in vivo evaluation

The Helix is an electromagnetic heating device used to induce regional/systemic hyperthermia for cancer therapy. It is a resonant device operating at about 82 MHz with an aperture size of 60 cm × 40 cm (elliptical) × 40 cm long. The Helix deposits power in tissues (or phantoms) by producing a predominantly axial electric field within its radiating aperture. Five pig experiments were performed to provide in vivo verification of specific absorption rate (SAR) measurements and electric field measurements which were obtained earlier in tissue-equivalent phantom and 0.9% saline, respectively. In addition to verifying the power deposition patterns found in phantoms, the pig experiments provided valuable insight into the capabilities and limitations of electromagnetic regional heating. For example, a kidney with limited blood flow, simulating a necrotic tumor, heated very well—although the highest temperature was not always measured there. Also, fat heating may be a problem, since excessive temperatures in the f...
Advantages of hydrophobic culture bags over flasks for the generation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells for clinical applications.

Dendritic cells (DC), potent antigen presenting cells capable of activating both naive and primed T cells, are currently being pursued clinically in the development of cancer vaccines. Variations in the literature regarding DC source, culture conditions, maturation state, dose, and route of immunization make comparisons of clinical trial data difficult. In order to define and optimize the culture conditions for DC generation, we have performed a careful comparison of two culture methods, as well as different methods of DC maturation. Our studies demonstrate that high viability DC can be produced and matured in gas permeable hydrophobic culture bags. These cells express surface molecules characteristic of DC and have superior yield, viability, and function to cells cultured in plastic tissue culture flasks. These results suggest that hydrophobic culture bags are ideal for the preparation of clinical DC vaccines, as DC can be generated, antigen-loaded, and matured in a closed system, a scheme we have found to be superior to previously described flask culture methods.
On a system of rational difference equations

We investigate the global character of solutions of the system of difference equations with positive parameters and non-negative initial conditions.
Assessment of Teacher Attitudes Toward Inclusion of Students with Disabilities: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

The Teacher Integration Attitudes Questionnaire (TIAQ) was developed in order to assess the attitudes and beliefs of teachers (n = 110) with regard to the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education settings. Using Structural Equation Modeling, the final structural model of the TIAQ comprised four constructs, namely, “Skills,” “Benefits,” “Acceptance,” and “Support.” The final model was fully supported by the derivation sample of music education teachers (n = 54) and produced a Comparative Fit Index (CFI = 1.00). The replication sample of physical education teachers (n = 56) partially supported the generality of the TIAQ, (CFI = .844). Further, the internal consistency properties of the TIAQ (Cronbach’s alpha was .77 for both samples) were satisfactory. We conclude that the psychometric properties of the TIAQ were adequate, and it can be used as a valid assessment in evaluating the status of inclusion for students with disabilities as perceived by music education and physical education te...