cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sport Event Tourism and the Destination Brand: Towards a General Theory

Sport events are being used with increasing frequency to build the brand of their host destinations. Events can take different roles relative to the destination brand: as co-branding partners with the destination brand, as extensions of the destination brand, or as features of the destination brand. Which role is appropriate depends on the nature of the event's brand. Since each role presents different opportunities, risks and requirements, events must be incorporated strategically into the destination's marketing plan. Strategic incorporation of sport events into destination branding requires that each event be cross-leveraged with others in the destination's event portfolio, as well as with the destination's other sport activities and attractions.
Dynamically reconfigurable optical interconnect architecture for parallel multiprocessor systems

The progress in parallel processing technology in recent years has resulted in increased requirements to process large amounts of data in real time. The massively parallel architectures proposed for these applications require the use of a high speed interconnect system to achieve processor-to-processor connectivity without incurring excessive delays. The characteristics of optical components permit high speed operation while the nonconductive nature of the optical medium eliminates ground loop and transmission line problems normally associated with a conductive medium. The MITRE Corp. is evaluating an optical wavelength division multiple access interconnect network design to improve interconnectivity within parallel processor systems and to allow reconfigurability of processor communication paths. This paper describes the architecture and control of and highlights the results from an 8- channel multiprocessor prototype with effective throughput of 3.2 Gigabits per second (Gbps).© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Posttraumatic stress, functional impairment, and service utilization after injury: a public health approach.

Each year in the United States approximately 2.5 million Americans incur injuries so severe that they require inpatient admissions to acute care medical settings. This article reviews the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related comorbid medical conditions among injured trauma survivors. Between 10% and 40% of injured trauma survivors appear to develop PTSD in the weeks and months after their injury. The symptoms of PTSD are clearly linked to a broad spectrum of functional impairment and diminished well-being in injured patients. Although PTSD, depression, somatic amplification, and recurrent substance use are common disturbances after injury, it appears that few symptomatic trauma survivors receive formal mental health evaluation or treatment. Substantial perceived and structural barriers to accessing care exist for injured trauma survivors. The public health significance of these findings is discussed and implications for future intervention development are explored in the following chapters.
Region-specific regulation of neuropeptide mRNAs in rat limbic forebrain neurones by aldosterone and corticosterone.

1. We have determined in adrenalectomized male rats the effects of clamping plasma corticosterone and aldosterone at various concentrations on corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), neurotensin/neuromedin N (NT/N) and proenkephalin (pENK) mRNAs in the hypothalamus and amygdala using semi-quantitative in situ hybridization. 2. Corticosterone differentially regulated the levels of CRH and NT/N but not pENK mRNA. These effects were cell specific. CRH mRNA was reduced in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVH), but increased in the central nucleus of the amygdala and bed nuclei of the stria terminalis. NT/N mRNA was never seen in the PVH, whereas levels increased in the central nucleus of the amygdala, but were unaffected in the lateral hypothalamic area. In those regions expressing pENK mRNA, levels were unaffected in all treatment groups. 3. CRH mRNA in both the central nucleus of the amygdala and PVH, and NT/N mRNA in the central nucleus of the amygdala were most sensitive to plasma corticosterone concentrations of less than 120 ng ml-1, i.e. those seen away from the peak of the diurnal rhythm. In adrenalectomized animals CRH mRNA in both the central nucleus of the amygdala and PVH could be set at levels usually seen in intact animals by the same plasma concentration of corticosterone. 4. The levels of CRH mRNA in the PVH and the central nucleus of the amygdala were closely correlated, while CRH and NT/N mRNA levels were similarly correlated in the central nucleus of the amygdala suggesting the existence of a common regulatory mechanism. The ED50 of their responses to corticosterone and correlations with thymus weight suggested the operation of glucocorticoid (type II) receptor mechanisms. 5. In the absence of corticosterone, aldosterone increased CRH and NT/N mRNA accumulation in the central nucleus of the amygdala, and increased CRH but not NT/N mRNA accumulation in the PVH. Aldosterone also blunted the dose-response effects of corticosterone on CRH and NT/N mRNA levels in the central nucleus of the amygdala, but not in the PVH. 6. These results suggest that, in intact animals, adrenal steroids play a major role in maintaining the levels of neuropeptide mRNAs in the PVH, bed nuclei of the stria terminalis and central nucleus of the amygdala. The results underscore the importance of cell-specific mechanisms operating to regulate the expression of neuropeptide genes in different cell types in response to diverse physiological conditions.
Response to comments to "A distributive-transconductance model for border traps in III¿V/High-k MOS capacitors"

Summary form only given. We would like to thank Professor Taur and his colleagues for pointing out that the variation of an additional factor, emission probability (en), affects the charging current associated with border traps. While the new derivation shown in their comments is complete, we believe that the transconductance model of the above-named article [ibid., vol. 34, no. 6, pp. 735-737, Jun. 2013] does not introduce significant numerical error when applied to interpret the C-V data (1 kHz-1 MHz) measured from the high-k/GaAs MOS systems discussed in the original article. The original authors present a model to show that in spite of the missing factor in transconductance model, the model does not introduce significant errors within the parameter range discussed in the original work so the conclusions about the GaAs MOS capacitors in the original article should still be considered valid.
Joseph Gall—pioneering nuclear biology

Throughout his career, Joe has had a strong interest in the history of cell biology and has collected early books on cell biology. His selections of historically important and aesthetically pleasing illustrations from these books made the covers of the first 60 issues of Molecular Biology of the Cell collector's items. Fortunately, those covers and the descriptions of each illustration have recently been collected in a book, Views of the Cell: A Pictorial History. It is entirely fitting that a scientist whose work is consistently at the forefront of the field should have a deep understanding of its history.
Beamforming using spatial matched filtering with annular arrays (L).

A linear array beamforming method for ultrasonic B-mode imaging using spatial matched filtering (SMF) and a rectangular aperture geometry was recently proposed Kim et al., [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 120, 852–861 (2006)]. This letter extends those results to include circularly symmetric apertures. SMF applied to annular arrays can improve the lateral resolution and echo signal-to-noise ratio as compared with conventional dynamic-receive delay-sum beamforming. At high frequencies, where delay and sum beamforming is problematic, SMF showed greatly improved target contrast over an extended field of view.
Capacitative Calcium Entry

A long-standing mystery in the cell biology of calcium channel regulation is the nature of the signal linking intracellular calcium stores to plasma membrane capacitative calcium entry channels. An RNAi-based screen of selected Drosophila genes has revealed that a calcium-binding protein, stromal interaction molecule (STIM), plays an essential role in the activation of these channels and may be the long sought sensor of calcium store content.
Synthesis of glyco(lipo)peptides by liposome-mediated native chemical ligation.

Although native chemical ligation (NCL) is emerging as a powerful method for the assembly of (glyco)peptide building blocks, its applicability is reduced when peptide segments are poorly soluble in aqueous buffer. We have found that incorporating reactants in liposomes allows NCL of lipophilic peptides and lipopeptides. Furthermore, the reaction rates of liposome-mediated NCL are higher than traditional reaction conditions resulting in improved yields.
Temporal structure of variability decreases in upper extremity movements post stroke

Background The objective of this study was to determine movement variability in the more-affected upper-extremity in chronic stroke survivors. We investigated two hypotheses: (1) individuals with stroke will have increased amount of variability and altered structure of variability in upper-extremity joint movement patterns as compared to age-matched controls; and (2) the degree of motor impairment and joint kinematics will be correlated with the temporal structure of variability.
California's reaction to Caulerpa taxifolia : a model for invasive species rapid response*

The invasive marine alga Caulerpa taxifolia was discovered June 12, 2000, in California at Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Due to a 15-year history of spread in the Mediterranean Sea, C. taxifolia had already been placed on the US Federal Noxious Weed list in 1999. Awareness of this threat greatly facilitated consensus building and setting clear eradication goals among a large number of state, federal and local agencies as well as private groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that became the ‘Southern California Caulerpa Action Team’ (SCCAT). Field containment and treatments began 17 days after the discovery due to: (1) timely identification and notification of the infestation; (2) the proactive staff of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board who deemed this invasion tantamount to an ‘oil spill’, thus freeing up emergency funding; (3) the mobilization of diver crews already working at the site. Three well-integrated components of this rapid response have resulted in an effective eradication program: (a) expertise and knowledge on the biology of C. taxifolia; (b) knowledge on the uses, ‘ownership’ and characteristics of the infested site; (c) knowledge and experience in the implementation of aquatic plant eradication. Together, with the requisite resources (approximately $US1.2 million per year), this approach has resulted in containment, treatment and excellent progress toward eradication of C. taxifolia. Successful rapid response to other aquatic invasive species will require similar readiness to act, and immediate access to adequate funding.
Impact of Sample Selection on APOE ∈4 Allele Frequency: A Comparison of Two Alzheimer's Disease Samples

OBJECTIVE In a highly selected sample of unrelated Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, we found that the APOE epsilon 4 allele frequency was higher than previously reported. Differing selection and ascertainment criteria may lead to these differences. To address this possibility, we compared the epsilon 4 allele frequency in two samples of AD patients selected from the same geographical area. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Cases (n = 55) and controls (n = 99) from a research clinic-based sample were compared with subjects (n = 537) from a community-based AD patient sample. The samples consisted of unrelated cases who met NINCDS/ADRDA criteria for probable AD. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS Clinical characteristics and APOE genotype data were obtained from AD cases and controls from both samples. RESULTS Frequency of APOE epsilon 4 allele in the research cases compared with the community cases (0.45 vs 0.36) was nearly significant. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics that might account for this difference and found that the research cases were younger, had an earlier age of onset, and had more advanced disease than the community cases. After onset age was controlled, there was no overall difference between epsilon 4 allele frequency of the two samples. CONCLUSIONS We found that the epsilon 4 allele frequency tended to be higher in the research AD sample compared the community-based sample. The two samples differed in several demographic and clinical characteristics. We conclude that research-based samples may lead to enrollment of younger patients with more severe disease who have higher APOE epsilon 4 allele load. This potential selection bias must be considered in the interpretation of studies of APOE allele frequency.
Biblical Feminisms: Knowledge, Theory and Politics in the Study of Women in the Hebrew Bible

The proliferation of biblical feminist interpretations and readings in the last two decades suggests that we may witness the emergence of an autonomous field of studies. In this essay I suggest that in order for such a field to emerge as an autonomous and thriving area of academic inquiry we must begin to think theoretically and critically about the work that has been done, the objectives of this work and the relationships between and among various approaches to the field. In this essay I call for a rigorous and critical biblical feminist epistemology that seeks to address on every turn the question of knowledge production as power; on the other hand I call for a radical democratization of the field and the questioning of any and all orthodoxies and hierarchies that may have already emerged in the field. The first "centripetal" approach insists on clarifying the foundations of the field, establishing genealogies of knowledge and an evolutionary trajectory, crediting and acknowledging theoretical points of origination. Respect for precedence and antecedence is required so as to avoid repetition, imitation and dilution. The second "centrifugal" approach emphasizes the need for interrogating, displacing and destabilizing foundational paradigms in Biblical Studies at large and for the continued questioning of stable identities of "women" as subjects and objects of inquiry. A vigorous field of Feminist Biblical Studies ought to deploy both approaches opening the way to both debate and contestation between various feminist approaches to the Bible on the one hand and to dialogue and alliance between methodologically, theoretically, politically and culturally different approaches on the other.
The effect of scopolamine on the Kamin effect: A test of the parasympathetic overreaction hypothesis

The Kamin effect, the U-shaped curve of retention of a partially learned shuttle avoidance response, was replicated in animals trained and tested for retention after delays of 0, 1, 4, ov 24 h. Other animals treated with scopolamine hydrobromide, a cholinergic blocker, during the 1-h delay between learning and relearning showed no performance decrement. However, animals treated with methylscopoiamine, which does not cross the blood-brain barrier, during the 1-h delay did show the typical Kamin effect decrement in performance. The results were interpreted as supporting a central cholinergic basis for the Kamin effect.
Sulfurized carbon: a class of cathode materials for high performance lithium/sulfur batteries

Liquid electrolyte lithium/sulfur (Li/S) batteries cannot come into practical applications because of many problems such as low energy efficiency, short cycle life, and fast self-discharge. All these problems are related to the dissolution of lithium polysulfide, a series of sulfur reduction intermediates, in the liquid electrolyte, and resulting parasitic reactions with the Li anode. Covalently binding sulfur onto carbon surface is a solution to completely eliminate the dissolution of lithium polysulfide and make the Li/S battery viable for practical applications. This can be achieved by replacing elemental sulfur with sulfurized carbon as the cathode material. This article reviews the current efforts on this subject and discusses the syntheses, electrochemical properties, and prospects of the sulfurized carbon as a cathode material in the rechargeable Li/S batteries.
Thermochemical and kinetic analysis on the reactions of O2 with products from OH addition to isobutene, 2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl, and 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl radicals: HO2 formation from oxidation of neopentane, Part II.

Unimolecular dissociation of a neopentyl radical to isobutene and methyl radical is competitive with the neopentyl association with O2 ((3)Sigma(g)-) in thermal oxidative systems. Furthermore, both isobutene and the OH radical are important primary products from the reactions of neopentyl with O2. Consequently, the reactions of O2 with the 2-hydroxy-1,1-dimethylethyl and 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl radicals resulting from the OH addition to isobutene are important to understanding the oxidation of neopentane and other branched hydrocarbons. Reactions that correspond to the association of radical adducts with O2((3)Sigma(g)-) involve chemically activated peroxy intermediates, which can isomerize and react to form one of several products before stabilization. The above reaction systems were analyzed with ab initio and density functional calculations to evaluate the thermochemistry, reaction paths, and kinetics that are important in neopentyl radical oxidation. The stationary points of potential energy surfaces were analyzed based on the enthalpies calculated at the CBS-Q level. The entropies, S(degrees)298, and heat capacities, C(p)(T), (0 <or= T/K <or= 1500), from vibration, translation, and external rotation contributions were calculated using statistical mechanics based on the vibrational frequencies and structures obtained from the density functional study. The hindered internal rotor contributions to S(degrees)298 and C(p)(T) were calculated by solving the Schrodinger equation with free rotor wave functions, and the partition coefficients were treated by direct integration over energy levels of the internal rotation potentials. Enthalpies of formation (DeltaH(f)(degrees)298) were determined using isodesmic reaction analysis. The DeltaH(f)(degrees)298 values of (CH3)2C*CH(2)OH, (CH3)2C(OO*)CH(2)OH, (CH3)2C(OH)C*H2, and (CH3)2C(OH)CH(2)OO* radicals were determined to be -23.3, -62.2, -24.2, and -61.8 kcal mol(-1), respectively. Elementary rate constants were calculated from canonical transition state theory, and pressure-dependent rate constants for multichannel reaction systems were calculated as functions of pressure and temperature using multifrequency quantum Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel (QRRK) analysis for k(E) and a master equation for pressure falloff. Kinetic parameters for intermediate and product formation channels of the above reaction systems are presented as functions of temperature and pressure.
A method for diastereoselective synthesis of unsaturated acyclic amines

Abstract Diels-Alder adducts of dienes and N-sulfinyltoluenesulfonamide can be used in synthesis of homoallylic amine derivatives having predictable stereochemistry and double bond geometry.
Loss of the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase in DNA double-strand-break-repair mutant mammalian cells.

Abstract The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) consists of three polypeptide components: Ku-70, Ku-80, and an approximately 350-kDa catalytic subunit (p350). The gene encoding the Ku-80 subunit is identical to the x-ray-sensitive group 5 complementing gene XRCC5. Expression of the Ku-80 cDNA rescues both DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and V(D)J recombination in group 5 mutant cells. The involvement of Ku-80 in these processes suggests that the underlying defect in these mutant cells may be disruption of the DNA-PK holoenzyme. In this report we show that the p350 kinase subunit is deleted in cells derived from the severe combined immunodeficiency mouse and in the Chinese hamster ovary cell line V-3, both of which are defective in DSB repair and V(D)J recombination. A centromeric fragment of human chromosome 8 that complements the scid defect also restores p350 protein expression and rescues in vitro DNA-PK activity. These data suggest the scid gene may encode the p350 protein or regulate its expression and are consistent with a model whereby DNA-PK is a critical component of the DSB-repair pathway.
Sphingolipid metabolism in the regulation of bioactive molecules

In conclusion, the study of signaling and cell regulation through ceramide has now evolved to the biochemical level by focusing on specific enzymes of ceramide metabolism. A general hypothesis can be presented whereby individual enzymes of ceramide metabolism serve as input points in the regulation of ceramide levels (Scheme 1). For example, activation of SMases or ceramide synthase would elevate ceramide levels and activate ceramide-induced responses. On the other hand, activation of enzymes of ceramide degradation or incorporation such as ceramidases or SM synthase decreases and attenuates ceramide levels. Also, as an important corollary, some of these enzymes may play an additional fundamental role in interconverting lipid signals. For example, SM synthase has the capacity of interconverting a ceramide signal into a DAG signal, whereas ceramidases can transform a ceramide signal into a sphingosine or sphingosine-phosphate signal. This area of research promises great future insight into important areas of cell studies.
Loss in Yield of Rice Caused By the Ring Nematode Criconemoides Onoensis Revealed By Elimination of Yellow Nutsedge, Cyperus Esculentus

Nematicidal control of ring nematode lowered rice yields in plots infested with yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus). Control of nematodes stimulated weed growth more than rice growth. Nematode control plus weed removal produced large, significant increases in rice yield. This is the first report of a migratory root-parasitic nematode, and of a ring nematode, (Criconemoides onoensis), of uniform distribution across many soil series, in a large region, producing significant and symptom-less yield reductions in a major crop. Common association in paddy rice of nematodes and weed hosts suggests similar interactions may be widespread.
Recording EEG in immature rats with a novel miniature telemetry system

Serial EEG recordings from immature rat pups are extremely difficult to obtain but important for analyzing animal models of neonatal seizures and other pediatric neurological conditions as well as ...
Graviresponsiveness and the Development of Columella Tissue in Primary and Lateral Roots of Ricinus communis

Half-tipped primary and lateral roots of Ricinus communis cv Hale bend toward the side of the root on which the intact half-tip remains. Therefore, the minimal graviresponsiveness of lateral roots is not due to the inability of their caps to produce growth effectors (presumably inhibitors). The columella tissues of primary (i.e. graviresponsive) roots are (a) 4.30 times longer, (b) 2.95 times wider, (c) 37.4 times more voluminous, and (d) composed of 17.2 times more cells than those of lateral roots. The onset of positive gravitropism by lateral roots is positively correlated with a (a) 2.99-fold increase in length, (b) 2.63-fold increase in width, and (c) 20.7-fold increase in volume of their columella tissues. We propose that the minimal graviresponsiveness of lateral roots is due to the small size of their columella tissues, which results in their caps being unable to (a) establish a concentration gradient of the effector sufficient to induce gravicurvature and (b) produce as much of the effector as caps of graviresponsive roots.
Locomotor stereotypy is produced by methylphenidate and amfonelic acid and reduced by haloperidol but not clozapine or thioridazine

In addition to its well-known behavioral effects in rats, amphetamine also produces patterned locomotion (referred to below as locomotor stereotypy) in an open field. Locomotor stereotypy may be mediated by different mechanisms than those mediating the better-known behavioral effects of amphetamine. To determine whether the ability to produce locomotor stereotypy is an exclusive property of amphetamine or is a property of many amphetamine-like stimulants, several doses of methylphenidate and amfonelic acid were tested. The ability of both atypical and typical neuroleptics to block amphetamine-induced locomotor stereotypy was also tested. Both amfonelic acid and methylphenidate produced some degree of locomotor stereotypy. In addition, amphetamine-induced locomotor stereotypy was reduced by haloperidol but not by clozapine or thioridazine. These data suggest that locomotor stereotypy is more closely related to focused stereotypy than to hyperlocomotion.
Body weight-supported treadmill training vs. overground walking training for persons with chronic stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Objective To compare the effects of body weight-supported treadmill training and overground walking training when matched for task and dose (duration/frequency/intensity) on improving walking function, activity, and participation after stroke. Design Single-blind, pilot randomized controlled trial with three-month follow-up. Settings University and community settings. Subjects A convenience sample of participants (N = 20) at least six months post-stroke and able to walk independently were recruited. Interventions Thirty-minute walking interventions (body weight-supported treadmill training or overground walking training) were administered five times a week for two weeks. Intensity was monitored with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale at five-minute increments to maintain a moderate training intensity. Main measures Walking speed (comfortable/fast 10-meter walk), walking endurance (6-minute walk), spatiotemporal symmetry, and the ICF Measure of Participation and ACTivity were assessed before, immediately after, and three months following the intervention. Results The overground walking training group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in comfortable walking speed compared with the body weight-supported treadmill training group immediately (change of 0.11 m/s vs. 0.06 m/s, respectively; p = 0.047) and three months (change of 0.14 m/s vs. 0.08 m/s, respectively; p = 0.029) after training. Only the overground walking training group significantly improved comfortable walking speed (p = 0.001), aspects of gait symmetry (p = 0.032), and activity (p = 0.003) immediately after training. Gains were maintained at the three-month follow-up (p Conclusion Overgound walking training was more beneficial than body weight-supported treadmill training at improving self-selected walking speed for the participants in this study.
Are reports of posttraumatic growth positively biased

This study examines positivity bias in reports of growth following exposure to traumatic events. Participants (N = 276) from an urban university and a superior court jury pool were randomly assigned to one of two methodological groups. In one, participants responded to the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) in relation to a specific stressful event. In the other, PTGI questions were not linked to specific events. Findings indicate that current methods for assessing posttraumatic growth (PTG) may actually underestimate growth. That is, linking questions about growth to specific stressors may have led participants to be cautious about attributing their growth experiences to a traumatic event. These findings contradict notions that current methods of measuring PTG create a positivity bias. Suggestions for future research include the use of prospective designs and corroborating reports of growth.
Effect of lime pretreatment on granulation of switchgrass.

Densification of switchgrass into consistent and high-density solid feedstock will reduce the cost of transport, handling, and storage to produce fuels and chemicals. Development a novel, low-cost densification technology is critical for reducing the delivered cost of feedstock while improving the bulk flow properties of densified products. In this paper, a novel wet granulation technology was proposed to investigate the effect of lime pretreatment on the production of switchgrass granules. Granulation is a process of agglomerating fine powders by wetting powder surfaces with liquid binders and mild application of shear/vibrating forces. Switchgrass was size reduced into fine powders using a knife mill and pretreated with three lime loading rates (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 g/g of biomass) at 121 °C for 30 min and at room temperature (25 °C) for 72 h. The structural modification of pretreated samples was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and autofluorescence microscopy. Pretreated samples were granulated using a pan granulator with pre-formulated starch binder. Granules made from 20 % (0.2 g/g of biomass) lime loading rate had significantly higher single granule density and angle of repose with lower binder requirement than that of untreated granules. Lime treatment did not significantly increase the bulk density and hardness of granules. Lime-treated granules had significantly higher ash content and lower gross calorific value than that of untreated granules. In overall, lime treatment was not attractive to produce granules for thermochemical conversion platform, but lime-treated granules could be used to produce liquid biofuels and platform chemicals in biochemical conversion platform.
Transcriptional Co-repressors of Runx2

Runx2 is an essential transcription factor for skeletal mineralization because it stimulates osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, promotes chondrocyte hypertrophy, and contributes to endothelial cell migration and vascular invasion of developing bones. Runx2 is also expressed during mouse embryo development in nascent mammary gland epithelium. Recent evidence implicates deregulation of Runx2 as a contributing factor in breast cancer-induced osteolysis and invasion, as well as in ectopic vascular calcification. Like other Runt domain proteins, Runx2 is a context-dependent transcriptional activator and repressor of genes that regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation. Proteins that temporally and spatially associate with Runx2 dictate these opposing transcriptional activities. Recent studies have identified several co-repressor proteins that bind to Runx2 to regulate gene expression. These co-factors include histone deacetylases (HDACs), transducin-like enhancer of split (TLE) proteins, mSin3a, and yes-associated protein (YAP). These proteins do not bind DNA themselves and appear to act by preventing Runx2 from binding DNA, altering chromatin structure, and/or by possibly blocking co-activator complexes. The nuclear localization of several of these factors is regulated by extracellular signaling events. Understanding the mechanisms whereby co-repressor proteins affect Runx2 activity during normal cellular development and tumor progression will identify new therapeutic targets for skeletal disorders such as osteoporosis and for bone metastatic cancers.
Using otoacoustic emissions to screen for hearing loss in early childhood care settings

Summary Objective Until recently, no objective tool has been available to help health and early childhood education providers screen young children for hearing loss. The aim of this study was to screen underserved children ≤3 years of age for hearing loss using otoacoustic emissions (OAE) technology and to systematically document multi-step screening and diagnostic outcomes. Methods A total of 4519 children, ≤3 years of age in four states were screened by trained lay screeners using portable OAE equipment set to deliver stimuli and measurement levels sensitive to mild hearing loss as low as 25 decibels (dB) hearing level. The screening and follow-up protocol specified that children not passing the multi-step OAE screening be evaluated by local physicians and hearing specialists. Results Of the 4519 children screened as a part of the study, 257 (6%) ultimately required medical or audiological follow-up. One hundred and seven children were identified as having a hearing loss or disorder of the outer, middle or inner ear requiring treatment or monitoring. Of these 107 children, 5 had permanent bilateral and 2 had permanent unilateral hearing loss. The seven children with permanent hearing loss included four who had passed newborn screening, two who were not screened at birth and one who did not receive follow-up services after referring from newborn screening. Conclusions OAE screening, using a multi-step protocol, was found to be a feasible and accurate practice for identifying a wide range of hearing-health conditions warranting monitoring and treatment among children ≤3 years of age in early childhood care programs. Future studies are needed to: (1) further examine barriers to effective OAE screening in early childhood care settings and (2) explore the value of extending early childhood OAE hearing screening into health care clinics and settings where young children receive routine care.
Uroflow in murine urethritis

Abstract Objectives To develop a noninvasive method to measure urinary flow rate in the mouse. This could be useful for the study of bladder outlet obstruction, as well as processes affecting detrusor function in the awake animal. Genetically engineered mice can improve our understanding of a variety of human bladder diseases. Methods A metabolic cage without a fecal separation screen was placed above a precision balance that reported the mass of the excreta pan every 100 ms. A computational algorithm identified voids suitable for assessment of uroflow from other excretory events. These algorithms were verified by comparison with a series of images obtained automatically before and during the excretory events. Intraurethral acetic acid was used to induce urethritis and to verify the sensitivity of the measurement technique. Results Automatic categorization and characterization of uroflow was successful. Brief exposures of the urethra of the female C57BL6/J mouse to 2% acetic acid decreased uroflow and increased the void duration without a change in the voided volume. Conclusions This method will enable studies of urologic function in mice of differing age, sex, strain, and genetic constitution. Murine urethritis can be differentiated from cystitis, known to be associated with a decrease in voided volume. The observed changes were consistent with urethral obstruction induced by local swelling and inflammation.
Parental Stress and Childhood Wheeze in a Prospective Cohort Study

Background. Although studies indicate that psychological stress is linked with asthma morbidity, it is unknown whether stress is associated with the incidence of asthma symptoms. Method. In a cohort of 5-to 6-year-old school children participating in the southern California Children's Health Study, we evaluated parent-reported wheeze in the child using a standardized questionnaire and perceived parental stress at study entry. Wheeze in the child was evaluated one year later. Analyses were restricted to children without asthma at study entry (N = 2,888, of whom 286 had wheeze at follow-up). Results. There was an increase in wheeze across an interquartile range of parent stress (odds ratio [OR] 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99, 1.42). Parent stress was associated with wheeze among children with no parental asthma (OR 1.24; CI 0.99, 1.55) and among boys (OR 1.34; CI 1.04, 1.74), but not among girls or children with parental asthma. Among boys with no parental asthma there was a strong dose-response re...
Multiple host transfers, but only one successful lineage in a continent-spanning emergent pathogen

Emergence of a new disease in a novel host is thought to be a rare outcome following frequent pathogen transfers between host species. However, few opportunities exist to examine whether disease emergence stems from a single successful pathogen transfer, and whether this successful lineage represents only one of several pathogen transfers between hosts. We examined the successful host transfer and subsequent evolution of the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum, an emergent pathogen of house finches (Haemorhous (formerly Carpodacus) mexicanus). Our principal goals were to assess whether host transfer has been a repeated event between the original poultry hosts and house finches, whether only a single host transfer was ultimately responsible for the emergence of M. gallisepticum in these finches, and whether the spread of the pathogen from east to west across North America has resulted in spatial structuring in the pathogen. Using a phylogeny of M. gallisepticum based on 107 isolates from domestic poultry, house finches and other songbirds, we infer that the bacterium has repeatedly jumped between these two groups of hosts but with only a single lineage of M. gallisepticum persisting and evolving in house finches; bacterial evolution has produced monophyletic eastern and western North American subclades.
Hybrid control for interactive character animation

We implement a framework for animating interactive characters by combining kinematic animation with physical simulation. The combination of animation techniques allows the characters to exploit the advantages of each technique. For example, characters can perform natural-looking kinematic gaits and react dynamically to unexpected situations. Kinematic techniques such as those based on motion capture data can create very natural-looking animation. However, motion capture based techniques are not suitable for modeling the complex interactions between dynamically interacting characters. Physical simulation, on the other hand, is well suited for such tasks. Our work develops kinematic and dynamic controllers and transition methods between the two control methods for interactive character animation. In addition, we utilize the motion graph technique to develop complex kinematic animation from shorter motion clips as a method of kinematic control.
Enzyme Inhibitors XXIII: Syntheses of 9-(Substituted Aralkyl)-6-Substituted Purines as Inhibitors of Adenosine Deaminase

A series of 9-(substituted aralkyl)-6-substituted purines was prepared as potential inhibitors of adenosine deaminase. The adenine derivatives were reversible inhibitors of adenosine deaminase, with potencies not strikingly different than the corresponding benzyl derivatives. However, 9-(p-bromoacetamidophenethyl)-adenine (XV) and 9-(3-o- and p-bromoacetamidophenylpropyl)-adenines (XXIXaand XXIXb) were incapable of causing irreversible inhibition of adenosine deaminase, whereas the corresponding ortho- and para-benzyl derivatives (I and II) and 9-(m-bromoacetamidophenethyl)adenine (IV) caused rapid irreversible inactivation of this enzyme. These experiments demonstrated the selectivity of irreversible inhibition that can be obtained by site-directed irreversible enzyme inhibitors.
3D GPU architecture using cache stacking: Performance, cost, power and thermal analysis

Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) offer tremendous computational and processing power. The architecture requires high communication bandwidth and lower latency between computation units and caches. 3D die-stacking technology is a promising approach to meet such requirements. To the best of our knowledge no other study has investigated the implementation of 3D technology in GPUs. In this paper, we study the impact of stacking caches using the 3D technology on GPU performance. We also investigate the benefits of using 3D stacked MRAM on GPUs. Our work includes cost, power, and thermal analysis of the proposed architectural designs. Our results show a 53% geometric mean performance speedup for iso-cycle time architectures and about 19% for iso-cost architectures.
Transmission of Solar Radiation by Clouds over Snow and Ice Surfaces. Part II: Cloud Optical Depth and Shortwave Radiative Forcing from Pyranometer Measurements in the Southern Ocean

Downward solar irradiance at the sea surface, measured on several voyages of an icebreaker in the Southern Ocean, is used to infer transmittance of solar radiation by clouds. Together with surface albedo estimated from coincident hourly sea ice reports, instantaneous cloud radiative forcing and effective cloud optical depth are obtained. Values of “raw cloud transmittance” (trc), the ratio of downward irradiance under cloud to downward irradiance measured under clear sky, vary from 0.1 to 1.0. Over sea ice, few values of trc were observed between 0.8 and 1.0, possibly due to the threshold nature of the aerosol-to-clouddroplet transition. This sparsely populated region of transmittances is referred to as the Kohler gap. The instantaneous downward shortwave cloud radiative forcing is computed, as well as the time-averaged net forcing. The net forcing at a solar zenith angle of 60° is typically 250 Wm 2 over open ocean, but only half this value over sea ice because of the higher surface albedo and less frequent occurrence of clouds. “Effective” optical depths (for a radiatively equivalent horizontally homogeneous cloud) are classified by season and surface type. The frequency distributions of are well fitted by decaying exponentials, giving a characteristic optical depth of 15 at 47°S, increasing to 24 in the region of maximum cloud cover at 58°S, and decreasing to 11 at 67°S near the coast of Antarctica.
A tunable combline bandpass filter using barium strontium titanate interdigital varactors on an alumina substrate

Barium strontium titanate (BST) has a field-dependent permittivity that enables it to be used as a dielectric in a voltage-tunable capacitor or varactor. A tunable combline bandpass filter was designed and characterized using BST varactors fabricated on a polycrystalline alumina substrate with copper metallization and is 14 mm /spl times/ 14 mm in size. The center frequency of the filter varies from 1.6 to 2.0 GHz with the application of 200 V tuning voltage. A 25% tuning range was achieved using tuning field strength of 300 kV/cm. The zero bias insertion loss was 6.6 dB and this decreased to 4.3 dB at the high bias state. The return loss was better than 10 dB.
Abū ayyan al-Taw īdī and the Brethren of Purity

Since the famous tenth-century man of letters Abū Hayyān al-Tawĥīdī (Ca. 320/932–414/1023) named four specific contemporary writers as the authors of the otherwise anonymous encyclopedic work Rasā'il Ikhwān al-Safā' , it became almost traditional for both medieval and modern scholars to accept his story as fact.
Time synchronization in sensor networks: a survey

Time synchronization is an important issue in multihop ad hoc wireless networks such as sensor networks. Many applications of sensor networks need local clocks of sensor nodes to be synchronized, requiring various degrees of precision. Some intrinsic properties of sensor networks, such as limited resources of energy, storage, computation, and bandwidth, combined with potentially high density of nodes make traditional synchronization methods unsuitable for these networks. Hence, there has been an increasing research focus on designing synchronization algorithms specifically for sensor networks. This article reviews the time synchronization problem and the need for synchronization in sensor networks, then presents in detail the basic synchronization methods explicitly designed and proposed for sensor networks.
Reproductive Ecology and Demography of the ‘ĀKohekohe

Abstract The ‘Ākohekohe (Palmeria dolei) is an endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to the montane rain forests of east Maui in the Hawaiian Islands. We investigated ‘Ākohekohe nesting ecology using color-banded birds for the first time as a background to understanding the species' conservation. From 1994–1997, we color-banded 78 individuals, located and monitored 46 active nests, and took behavioral data during 534 hr of nest observation at Hanawī Natural Area Reserve, near the center of the species' range. ‘Ākohekohe nesting behavior and life history closely resembled that of ‘Apapane (Himatione sanguinea) and related honeycreepers. The birds were monogamous within and among years, and we found no evidence of polyandry, polygyny, or helpers at the nest. The nesting season extended from November to early June. Females performed all incubation and brooding. Males provisioned females and nestlings, and they were more active than females in feeding fledglings during the two-week period of parental depen...
REGRESSION ANALYSIS OF MATCHED CASE-CONTROL DATA

A regression methodology is outlined for the logistic analysis of matched pair case-control data. This weighted least squares technique is applicable to the problem of analyzing multiple, but categorical, risk factors. Estimates of odds ratios and statistics for hypothesis testing are directly produced with the procedure. The proposed methodology may be viewed as an alternative to that described by Holford et al. (Am J Epidemiol 1978;107:245-56). The required computations may be performed with standard programs for least squares categorical data analysis. Language: en
Smoking Status Confirmation by Proxy: Validation in a Smoking Cessation Trial.

INTRODUCTION Biochemical confirmation (BC) of self-report is the gold standard of evidence for abstinence in smoking cessation research, but difficulty in obtaining samples may bias estimates of quit rates. Proxy confirmation (PC) has not been validated in cessation trials. We assessed the feasibility and validity of PC in a cessation trial for hospitalized smokers. METHODS We enrolled 402 daily cigarette smokers during a hospital admission. At enrollment, participants provided demographics, smoking history, and named proxies to confirm their smoking status at follow-up. Participants provided self-reported (SR) 7-day tobacco abstinence by telephone at 6 months post-discharge. SR quitters were asked to mail a saliva sample for BC. Incentives were offered for survey completion ($20) and returned samples ($50). We called proxies for all those with SR to obtain PC. Quit rates were calculated with missing data indicating smoking. We assessed associations of nonresponse with baseline characteristics using chi-squared tests and logistic regression. We calculated the sensitivity and specificity of PC in detecting smokers as determined by BC. RESULTS All patients named at least one proxy. Response rates were 82% for SR, 84% for PC, and 69% for BC. Observed participant characteristics were unrelated to provision of sample for BC. Estimated quit rates were 35% for SR, 27% for SR + PC, 21% for SR + BC and 27% for SR + BC or PC. Sensitivity of PC was not higher than SR (73% vs. 77%); specificity was lower (84% vs. 100%). CONCLUSION PC was feasible but not superior to self-report in a cessation trial.
Sol-Gel Processed Alumina based Materials in Microcalorimeter Sensor Device Fabrication for Automotive Applications

The application of sol-gel processed materials in a variety of sensors has been proposed. We describe microcalorimeter sensor devices employing sol-gel processed alumina based materials which can be used to monitor pollutants in automotive exhaust. These sensors operate by measuring changes in resistance upon catalysis and are economically acceptable for automotive applications. It is important to point out that automobiles will be required to have a means of monitoring exhaust gases by on-board sensors as mandated by the EPA and the California Air Resources Board (OBD-II).
Optically Addressed Quantum Computer in Diamond

Design of a solid-state VLSI-type quantum computer using nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers in diamond will be described. The advantages are an optical