cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative analysis of a metalloprotein compositional stoichiometry with PIXE and PESA

An absolute measurement of the heavy element concentrations in a dried sample of aqueous protein solution has been combined with the absolute measurement of protein molecular concentration in the same sample. The ratio of these two measurements yields the metal-to-protein compositional stoichiometry of the metalloprotein. This combination of two Ion Beam Analysis techniques (Particle-Induced X-ray Emission and Proton Elastic Scattering Analysis) allows quantitative assessment of the metal atom to protein ratio in metalloproteins without direct measurement of sulfur atoms within the protein for the first time. While these results only demonstrate success with a single well-known metalloprotein, this combination of measurement ratios holds promise for future Ion Beam Analysis studies of metalloproteins.
Prevalence of cerebral palsy: Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, three sites, United States, 2004†

Abstract Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor disability in children and an important public health issue in the United States. The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network is a multisite program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine trends in the prevalence of children with developmental disabilities, including CP, in the United States. This report describes population-based estimates of CP prevalence among 8-year-old children in three sites in the United States. Methods The ADDM Network conducted surveillance of CP among 8-year-old children living in north central Alabama, metropolitan Atlanta, and south central Wisconsin in 2004 (N = 68,272). This multisite collaboration involved the retrospective collection, linking, and analysis of data from multiple service providers and the population census estimates. Results The average prevalence of CP in 2004 across the three sites was 3.3 per 1,000 (95% confidence interval, 2.9−3.8). The prevalence was significantly higher in boys than in girls overall (male/female ratio, 1.4:1). The most common subtype across all three sites was spastic CP, ranging from 85% in Georgia to 89% in Alabama and Wisconsin. Conclusions Ongoing, systematic, population-based surveillance in different areas of the United States is needed to describe and monitor CP prevalence. In addition, enhancing the surveillance system to include information about functional abilities is needed to better understand the public health impact of CP and strategies for improving quality of life and participation in activities at home and in the community.
Enhanced multiple exciton dissociation from CdSe quantum rods: the effect of nanocrystal shape.

A unique ability of semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) is the generation and accommodation of multiple excitons through either optical or electric current pumping. The development and improvement of NC-based optoelectronic devices that utilize multiple excitons requires the understanding of multiple exciton dynamics and their efficient conversion to emitted photons or external charges prior to exciton–exciton annihilation. Here, we demonstrate that significantly enhanced multiexciton dissociation efficiency can be achieved in CdSe quantum rods (QRs) compared to CdSe quantum dots (QDs). Using transient absorption spectroscopy, we reveal the formation of bound one-dimensional exciton states in CdSe QRs and that multiple exciton Auger recombination occurs primarily via exciton–exciton collision. Furthermore, quantum confinement in the QR radial direction facilitates ultrafast exciton dissociation by interfacial electron transfer to adsorbed acceptors. Under high excitation intensity, more than 21 electrons can...
Exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus in German shorthaired pointer dogs: disease development, progression and evaluation of three immunomodulatory drugs (ciclosporin, hydroxychloroquine, and adalimumab) in a controlled environment

Six German shorthaired pointer dogs (two females, four males) with exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ECLE) were studied in a controlled setting until disease progression necessitated euthanasia. During investigations into the heredity of disease, five dogs received immunomodulatory drugs to alleviate clinical signs (lameness, erythema, scaling, erosions/ulcers). One dog served as a control and received only baths and oral fatty acids. Four dogs received ciclosporin (5-10 mg/kg once daily) for 4.5 months to 2 years. Ciclosporin decreased erythema and arthralgia, but did not halt worsening of lesions. Three dogs received hydroxychloroquine (5-10 mg/kg once daily) for 8 weeks, 7 months, and 9 months, respectively, with no side effects. Hydroxychloroquine appeared to slow clinical progression in two dogs on extended treatment and normalized globulin levels in all three dogs while receiving the drug. Four dogs, including the control dog, were euthanized between 1 and 4.5 years of age. Two remaining male dogs received a tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonist, adalimumab, at 0.5 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 8 weeks then weekly for 8 weeks. Serum TNF-α levels were not significantly altered nor were quantifiable changes seen in skin lesions or lameness. Subsequently, the dogs were maintained on hydroxychloroquine for another year. This is the first study to evaluate the use of a TNF-α inhibitor for canine lupus and the first to address the safety of long-term administration of hydroxychloroquine, albeit in a small number of dogs. The study documents the progression of ECLE and generally poor response to therapy.
Phytoplankton in the Upper San Francisco Estuary: Recent Biomass Trends, Their Causes, and Their Trophic Significance

Several pelagic fish populations in the upper San Francisco Estuary have recently declined to historically low abundances, prompting an interest in the status of their food supply. Previous studies have indicated that the primary food supply for metazoans in the Delta is phytoplankton productivity, and the long-term decrease in phytoplankton over the last few decades may very well play a role in the long-term decline of pelagic fish abundance. Regional phytoplankton biomass trends during 1996–2005, however, are positive in the Delta and neutral in Suisun Bay, the two major sub-regions of the upper estuary. The trend in Delta primary productivity is also positive. Changes in phytoplankton biomass and production during the last decade are therefore unlikely to be the cause of these more recent metazoan declines. The main source of interannual phytoplankton variability in the Delta during 1996–2005, including the upward trend, appears to have been freshwater flow variability and its effect on particle residence time. This conclusion is supported by trend analyses; the concurrence of these time trends at widely-separated stations; empirical models at the annual and monthly time scales; particle residence time estimates; and experience from other estuaries. A significant temperature increase was also noticed, at least partially independent of flow changes, but its net effect on the phytoplankton community is unknown because of differential effects on growth and loss processes. Phytoplankton biomass in Suisun Bay, in contrast to the Delta, did not increase during 1996–2005. Consistent with this observation, Suisun Bay phytoplankton exhibited relatively low responsiveness to flow variability. This behavior differs from earlier chlorophyll-flow relationships reported in the literature. The reason appears to be the invasion of Suisun Bay by a clam—Corbula amurensis—in 1986, which has since maintained the phytoplankton community mostly at low levels by vigorous filter-feeding. In the past, flows into Suisun Bay generally diluted the higher phytoplankton concentrations within the bay; now they bring in higher phytoplankton concentrations from upstream. The supply of phytoplankton carbon to Suisun Bay has always been dominated by allochthonous sources, at least for mean flow conditions. Now this dominance must be even more pronounced.
EFFECTS OF NUTRITION-MEDIATED LARVAL CONDITION ON JUVENILE PERFORMANCE IN A MARINE MUSSEL

The potential for long-lasting effects of larval experience on early juvenile stages is growing in recognition as an important aspect of the ecology of organisms with complex life cycles. For marine species, most studies of recruitment have focused on the numbers of settlers that arrive to a site, largely ignoring the potential variability in larval condition or quality and how such variability may influence the likelihood of recruitment success. In this study, I investigated the effect of larval nutritional history on early juvenile performance, and whether these effects are mediated by conditions in the juvenile habitat for the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. I raised larvae in the laboratory under different food concentrations. Larvae raised with the highest food concentrations were significantly larger in size at metamorphosis and had higher proportional lipid content at metamorphosis than those from lower food concentrations. Half of the newly metamorphosed juveniles were outplanted into intertidal and subtidal habitats for 2 wk. The other half were maintained in the laboratory at two different juvenile rations for up to 20 d. Juveniles raised with high larval food had higher juvenile growth rates and attained larger juvenile sizes than those from lower larval food in all cases. There was a significant positive relationship between size at metamorphosis and juvenile growth for juveniles maintained in the laboratory. Early juvenile growth rates did not change over time (between 10 and 20 d post-metamorphosis). Juveniles raised in higher juvenile rations had elevated growth rates and attained larger final sizes after 20 d than juveniles from low juvenile rations across all sizes at metamorphosis. For juveniles in the field, there was no effect of tidal height on growth for 2 wk post-metamorphosis. Field conditions were more favorable than laboratory conditions for juvenile growth, yet even these more favorable conditions did not compensate for the effects of larval nutritional history on early juvenile growth. Losses of juveniles from both the field and the laboratory were higher for those that had been raised in lower larval food conditions than for those that had been raised in higher larval food, suggesting that vulnerability to early juvenile mortality may also be affected by larval history.
Burr holes for Moyamoya.

oyamoya disease (MMD) has led to the development and refinement of many revascularization techniques. M The 2 main methods of surgical revascularization currently used are direct, involving an end-to-side anastomosis of the superficial temporal artery (STA) to theM4branchof themiddle cerebral artery (MCA), and indirect, placing various combinations of arteries, muscle, dura, and galea on the cortical surface to provide revascularization (1, 2). There is no class I evidence to suggest that either one of these techniques is superior to the other; however, it is reported that revascularization does lead to reduction in the incidence of stroke and hemorrhage in these patients as opposed to medical or conservative management only (29). One must therefore choose the patients and the revascularization technique very carefully to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Crystal Structure of the Solid Electrolyte(C5H5NH) Ag5I6 at -30°C

The crystal structure of pyridinium hexaiodopentaargentate, (C5H5NH) Ag5l6, is unique among those of the halide and chalcogenide solid electrolytes in that face-sharing iodide octahedra as well as face-sharing tetrahedra and face-sharing between octahedra and tetrahedra provide the paths for silver ion transport. There are two formula units in a hexagonal cell, space group P6/mcc (D6h2). At -30°C, the lattice constants are a = 11.97 ± 0.02, c = 7.41 ± 0.01 A. The structure has three sets of sites for the silver ions. At -30°C two of these sets are apparently filled with the ten silver ions per unit cell, while the third set of tetrahedrally coordinated general positions is empty. Therefore, the conductivity at this temperature is limited by the thermal excitation of the silver ions into the empty tetrahedra.
Efficient global event predicate detection

Detection of global event predicates is an important issue for distributed systems, particularly for debugging and monitoring of such systems. The paper defines event normal form (ENF) event predicates, and two online algorithms to detect the first occurrence of such predicates. These algorithms differ in the technique used to match concurrent groups of events. The first builds and searches a tree of a possible matches. The second algorithm achieves the same result as the first, but needs only a single node of the tree at any time, resulting in better space and time complexity. We outline correctness proofs, and provide performance measurements from an implementation. >
Towards high-level analog and mixed-signal synthesis from VHDL-AMS specifications: a case study for a sigma-delta analog-digital converter

This paper presents our experience on high-level synthesis of Σ - Δ analog to digital converters (ADC) from VHDL-AMS descriptions. The proposed VHDL-AMS subset for synthesis is discussed. The subset has the composition semantics, so that specifications offer enough insight into the system structure for automated architecture generation and optimization. A case study for the synthesis of a fourth order Σ - Δ ADC is detailed. Compared to similar work, the method is more flexible in tackling new designs, and more tolerant to layout parasitic.
Synthesis and characterization of teflon-like macromolecular structures from dodecafluorocyclohexane and octadecafluorodecalin under RF-cold-plasma conditions

The chemical inertness, thermal stability, and low dielectric constant characteristics of polytetrafluoroethylene make this polymer very attractive for advanced technology applications. Current production technologies are not adequate for the deposition of often desired, thin-layer Teflon coatings. In this article the synthesis and characterization of Teflon-like macromolecular structures from dodecafluorocyclohexane and octadecafluorodecaline vapors under RF-cold-plasma conditions is discussed. It was demonstrated, based on high-resolution ESCA, ATR-FTIR, and LD-FT-ICR-MS investigations, that the deposited Teflon-like layers are built of CF, CF2, CF3, and ex situ origin CO groups with an over 60% fluorine content, and that they have a branched and/or crosslinked nature. These structures have a relatively high thermal stability (340°C) and are characterized by a low dielectric constant (2.1). Plasma-enhanced coatings of Teflon-like layers can be performed at room temperatures at large substrate areas. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1627–1639, 1999
Cognitive test performance predicts change in functional status at the population level: the MYHAT Project.

In the community at large, many older adults with minimal cognitive and functional impairment remain stable or improve over time, unlike patients in clinical research settings, who typically progress to dementia. Within a prospective population-based study, we identified neuropsychological tests predicting improvement or worsening over one year in cognitively-driven everyday functioning as measured by Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Participants were 1682 adults aged 65+ and dementia-free at baseline. CDR change was modeled as a function of baseline test scores, adjusting for demographics. Among those with baseline CDR=0.5, 29.8% improved to CDR=0; they had significantly better baseline scores on most tests. In a stepwise multiple logistic regression model, tests which remained independently associated with subsequent CDR improvement were Category Fluency, a modified Token Test, and the sum of learning trials on Object Memory Evaluation. In contrast, only 7.1% with baseline CDR=0 worsened to CDR=0.5. They had significantly lower baseline scores on most tests. In multiple regression analyses, only the Mini-Mental State Exam, delayed memory for visual reproduction, and recall susceptible to proactive interference, were independently associated with CDR worsening. At the population level, changes in both directions are observable in functional status, with different neuropsychological measures predicting the direction of change.
The Evaluation of an Effective Out-of-Core Run-Time System in the Context of Parallel Mesh Generation

We present an out-of-core run-time system that supports effective parallel computation of large irregular and adaptive problems, in particular unstructured mesh generation (PUMG). PUMG is a highly challenging application due to intensive memory accesses, unpredictable communication patterns, and variable and irregular data dependencies reflecting the unstructured spatial connectivity of mesh elements. Our runtime system allows to transform the footprint of parallel applications from wide and shallow into narrow and deep by extending the memory utilization to the out-of-core level. It simplifies and streamlines the development of otherwise highly time consuming out-of-core applications as well as the converting of existing applications. It utilizes disk, network and memory hierarchy to achieve high utilization of computing resources without sacrificing performance with PUMG. The runtime system combines different programming paradigms: multi-threading within the nodes using industrial strength software framework, one-sided active messages among the nodes, and an out-of-core subsystem for managing large datasets. We performed an evaluation on traditional parallel platforms to stress test all layers of the run-time system using three different PUMG methods with significantly varying communication and synchronization patterns. We demonstrated high overlap in computation, communication, and disk I/O which results in good performance when computing large out-of-core problems. The runtime system adds very small overhead~(up to 18\% on most configurations) when computing in-core which means performance is not compromised.
Towards a cross-disciplinary notion of data level in data curation

Originally focused on scientific data, the data curation community is now taking up the curation problems of humanities data as well. Sharing concepts and terminology across these domains should be valuable for both the practice of data curation, and the education of data curation professionals. To convene a discussion of the possibilities we outline an exercise mapping NASA's well-known four “data levels” to practices and concepts in traditional textual criticism.
Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity: A New Paradigm for an Old Classic

Anthracyclines are potent anti-neoplastic agents with proven efficacy in the treatment of many pediatric and adult hematologic and solid organ cancers. Dose-dependent anthracycline induced cardiomyopathy is the most notorious and well-studied chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular toxicity that was first described in 1971 in 67 patients treated with adriamycin for a variety of tumors.1 The clinical significance of anthracycline cardiotoxicity is growing with increasing cancer survivorship and increasing use of anthracyclines in cohorts predisposed to adverse cardiac effects such as the elderly, those with cardiovascular comorbidities, and those receiving additional chemotherapies and/or thoracic irradiation. However, our current knowledge of anthracycline cardiotoxicity derives mainly from retrospective analyses of cancer patients with symptomatic heart failure during or after chemotherapy. This had led to wide variations in the estimated incidence and prognosis of anthracycline cardiotoxicity and has contributed to the lack of accepted guidelines for the surveillance and management of this potentially important complication of cancer therapy. For these reasons, the prospective study by Cardinale et al. in this issue of Circulation 2 evaluating the incidence of cardiotoxicity, its timing of occurrence, and its clinical response to medical therapy in a large population of anthracycline-treated adults is an important step towards resolving these uncertainties.
Performance characteristics of the SPEC OMP2001 benchmarks

Parallel computing is becoming mainstream with the advent of general purpose cost effective Shared-memory Multiprocessor (SMP) systems. At the same time, new developments in parallel programming environments allow more rapid and efficient programming of these systems. To this end, OpenMP has emerged as a flexible and fairly comprehensive set of compiler directives, library routines, and environment variables to facilitate parallel programming of SMP systems in Fortran and C/C++. The Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC) has created a benchmark suite of eleven applications, named SPEC OMP2001, to be used for the performance evaluation and comparison of moderate size SMP systems. Each of the benchmarks in SPEC OMP2001 is either automatically or manually parallelized using OpenMP directives. In this paper, we present basic static and runtime characteristics of these benchmarks. We present data gathered using high resolution timers and the hardware counters available on our SMP system. We explain some of the benchmark performance characteristics with measured data and with a quantitative model.
A courseware package for iterative design of FIR digital filters

A computer algorithm written in BASIC is presented for the realization of a finite impulse response (FIR) digital filter designed using the Fourier series method. This method produces a linear-phase FIR filter of length L subject to an idealized geometry which assumes the passband is flat, the transition band is zero, and the stopband has infinite attenuation. The design technique allows the user to specify the minimum stopband attenuation (in dB). The resulting amplitude response is displayed on the terminal screen with the desired attenuation identified by a horizontal line throughout the stopband. The user either can modify L or insert/change the window function until the response is acceptable. The program is written for use with a personal computer and does not require a graphics board. The digital filter design package converts the Fourier series design algorithm from a hit-and-miss proposition to an iterative procedure which provides reasonable solutions. >
Application of the positive alpha-stable distribution

Many physical phenomena are non-Gaussian and if the observed data have frequently occurring extreme values, then the phenomena may be modeled as a random process with an alpha-stable distribution. When positive and negative outcomes are equally likely, then the process would be symmetric alpha-stable (S/spl alpha/S); however when only positive outcomes are possible, then the process would be positive alpha-stable (P/spl alpha/S). Phenomena related to energy or power are examples. This paper presents the characteristics and potential applications for the P/spl alpha/S distribution. For this distribution all negative-order moments exist, and ratios of these moments are used to estimate alpha. Application areas that are examined include: seismic activity, ocean wave variability, and radar sea clutter modulation. The correlation properties of these data are examined.
Longitudinal rupture of the peroneal tendons

To determine more precisely the injury mechanism of the peroneal tendon longitudinal tear, we studied 15 cadaveric lower extremities. Our study was motivated by our observation from a retrospective study of ath letes treated by one surgeon (FHB) over a 17-year period. Eight patients who sustained lateral ankle sprains by plantar flexion and inversion of the foot on the leg also had longitudinal tears (1 to 3 cm) of the peroneal tendon—five in the peroneus longus and three in the peroneus brevis. All of the lateral ankle sprains were successfully managed nonoperatively. However, even after a period of rehabilitation, when their ankles should have been asymptomatic, the patients continued to complain of persistent lateral ankle swelling, popping, and retrofibular pain. On physical examination, all ankles were clinically stable. Palpable retrofibular pop ping occurred with active foot rotation. There was no evidence of peroneal tendon instability. Radiographs were normal and tenograms were suggestive of pero...
Global Education Implications of the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination

Although the Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Examination (FPGEE) is not intended to measure educational outcomes or institutional effectiveness, it may be a reliable and valid criterion to assess the quality or success of international pharmacy programs. This comprehensive review describes the evolution and historical milestones of the FPGEE, along with trends in structure, administration, and passing rates, and the impact of country of origin on participant performance. Similarities between the FPGEE and the Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) are also explored. This paper aims to provide a global prospective and insight for foreign academic institutions into parameters for evaluating their students' educational capabilities.
A contingency model of computer and internet self-efficacy

Information system researchers have recently devoted considerable attention to the concept of computer self-efficacy in order to understand computer user behavior and system use. This article reports on the development and examination of a contingency model of computer and Internet self-efficacy. User attitude and computer anxiety were assumed to influence the development of computer and Internet self-efficacy. Measures of user attitude, computer anxiety, computer self-efficacy, and Internet self-efficacy were used in a university environment to collect 347 responses at both the beginning and end of an introductory computer course. Results suggested that training significantly improved computer and Internet self-efficacy. Respondents with 'favorable' attitudes toward computers improved their self-efficacy significantly more than respondents with 'unfavorable' attitudes. Respondents with 'low' computer anxiety improved their self-efficacy significantly more than respondents with 'high' computer anxiety. The interaction effect between attitude and anxiety was significant for computer self-efficacy scores but not for Internet self-efficacy scores. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Dynamin Reduces Pyk2 Y402 Phosphorylation and Src Binding in Osteoclasts

Signaling via the Pyk2-Src-Cbl complex downstream of integrins contributes to the assembly, organization, and dynamics of podosomes, which are the transient adhesion complexes of highly motile cells such as osteoclasts and dendritic cells. We previously demonstrated that the GTPase dynamin is associated with podosomes, regulates actin flux in podosomes, and promotes bone resorption by osteoclasts. We report here that dynamin associates with Pyk2, independent of dynamin's GTPase activity, and reduces Pyk2 Y402 phosphorylation in a GTPase-dependent manner, leading to decreased Src binding to Pyk2. Overexpressing dynamin decreased the macrophage colony-stimulating factor- and adhesion-induced phosphorylation of Pyk2 in osteoclastlike cells, suggesting that dynamin is likely to regulate Src-Pyk2 binding downstream of integrins and growth factor receptors with important cellular consequences. Furthermore, catalytically active Src promotes dynamin-Pyk2 association, and mutating specific Src-phosphorylated tyrosine residues in dynamin blunts the dynamin-induced decrease in Pyk2 phosphorylation. Thus, since Src binds to Pyk2 through its interaction with phospho-Y402, our results suggest that Src activates a negative-feedback loop downstream of integrin engagement and other stimuli by promoting both the binding of dynamin to Pyk2-containing complexes and the dynamin-dependent decrease in Pyk2 Y402 phosphorylation, ultimately leading to the dissociation of Src from Pyk2.
Business Leadership Judgment Integrity and Sustainable Competitive Advantage in the Global Digital Economy

To overcome the adverse impacts of overemphasizing external control in business leadership decision making and the adverse global impacts of extreme investor capitalism, the author proposes the development of judgment integrity capacity at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic levels. To address behavioral complexity at the microeconomic level, the author recommends the balanced, inclusive use of four global leadership theories in decision making: leadership rational goal theory, leadership internal process theory, leadership human relations theory and leadership open systems theory. The exercise of leadership by global business leaders implicitly disposes them to parallel ethics theories as they confront moral complexity at the microeconomic level and the opportunity to expand their judgment integrity capacity. To address economic complexity at the macroeconomic level, the author recommends the balanced, inclusive use of four global economics theories in decision making: investor capitalism, regulatory capitalism, managerial capitalism and entrepreneurial capitalism. Possible policy implications are mentioned.
Coronary heart disease and trekking

A substantial number of men and women over 50 years of age engage in trekking, skiing and mountaineering, in many instances at elevations from 8000 ft (2440 m) to 18000 ft (5490 m). Many of these individuals have known coronary artery disease or, if asymptomatic, may have subclinical coronary disease. Several observations are pertinent: (1) The risk of sudden death or acute infarction during vigorous exercise, such as during symptom limited exercise tests, rehabilitation programs or jogging, is extremely small; (2) In patients with known or suspected coronary disease, exercise testing should be performed to determine risk status before starting a program of vigorous exercise; (3) Low risk patients can be reassured that exercise is not harmful and appropriate medical management can be instituted; (4) High risk patients should be referred for coronary arteriography to establish the appropriate management, i.e., medical, surgical or angioplasty. Exercise testing in asymptomatic patients without risk factors for coronary disease is not usually indicated; and (5) Upon ascent to high altitude, symptoms of coronary disease are usually increased for the first few days after arrival due to increased sympathetic stimulation induced by hypoxemia. There is no evidence that exercise after acclimatization at high altitude is of greater risk to the heart than similar exercise performed at sea level.
ER-associated SNAREs and Sey1p mediate nuclear fusion at two distinct steps during yeast mating

During yeast mating, two haploid nuclei fuse membranes to form a single diploid nucleus. However, the known proteins required for nuclear fusion are unlikely to function as direct fusogens (i.e., they are unlikely to directly catalyze lipid bilayer fusion) based on their predicted structure and localization. Therefore we screened known fusogens from vesicle trafficking (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors [SNAREs]) and homotypic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) fusion (Sey1p) for additional roles in nuclear fusion. Here we demonstrate that the ER-localized SNAREs Sec20p, Ufe1p, Use1p, and Bos1p are required for efficient nuclear fusion. In contrast, Sey1p is required indirectly for nuclear fusion; sey1Δ zygotes accumulate ER at the zone of cell fusion, causing a block in nuclear congression. However, double mutants of Sey1p and Sec20p, Ufe1p, or Use1p, but not Bos1p, display extreme ER morphology defects, worse than either single mutant, suggesting that retrograde SNAREs fuse ER in the absence of Sey1p. Together these data demonstrate that SNAREs mediate nuclear fusion, ER fusion after cell fusion is necessary to complete nuclear congression, and there exists a SNARE-mediated, Sey1p-independent ER fusion pathway.
An approximate model-independent method to maintain constant plasma levels of intravenous drugs

To rapidly achieve and maintain constant plasma concentrations most intravenous drugs must be administered as an initial bolus followed by a combination of exponentially declining plus constant-rate infusions. In the clinical practice of anesthesia and critical care medicine this is often not practical without specialized equipment. In this paper a simpler approach of maintaining approximately constant plasma concentrations is developed using a loading dose with a two-stage infusion scheme (an initial rapid infusion reduced at a given time to a lower rate). Equations are developed for determining the rate of the infusions as well as the duration of the initial infusion by equating moments of the Laplace transform of the approximate infusion to the moments of the Laplace transform of an exact solution. This approach is independent of models and uses as parameters the moments of the curve relating the concentration following a single iv dose of unit magnitude as a function of time. The accuracy of this technique was assessed by computer simulation.
Molecular Mobility in Ultrasonically Devulcanized Unfilled Butadiene Rubber

Abstract We have used NMR relaxation and pulsed-gradient diffusion measurements at 70 °C in unfilled butadiene rubber (BR) before and after crosslinking, and after subsequent devulcanization by intense ultrasound. In an effort to support this method of rubber recycling, characterization has been performed at the molecular level. The transverse relaxation (T2) decay was successfully described using a three-component model. The components are attributed to entangled and crosslinked networks; light sol and dangling network fragments; and partially unreactive oligomers. All component molecular mobilities and the relative contributions of the components to the echo were investigated. Devulcanization decreases the diffusivity of the oligomer remnants and increases mean diffusivity of the light sol. The additional amount of extractable sol produced by devulcanization of BR is more than that of silicone rubber, indicating that the ultrasonic devulcanization of BR is more efficient than that of silicone rubber. Th...
Survival and Growth of American Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis) Hatchlings after Artificial Incubation and Repatriation

Hatchling American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) produced from artificially in- cubated wild eggs were returned to their natal areas (repatriated). We compared artificially incubated and repatriated hatchlings released within and outside the maternal alligator's home range with naturally incubated hatchlings captured and released within the maternal alligator's home range on Lake Apopka, Lake Griffin, and Orange Lake in Florida. We used probability of recapture and total length at approximately nine months after hatching as indices of survival and growth rates. Artificially incubated hatchlings released outside of the maternal alligator's home range had lower recapture probabilities than either naturally incubated hatchlings or artificially incubated hatchlings released near the original nest site. Recapture probabilities of other treatments did not differ significantly. Artificially incubated hatchlings were approximately 6% shorter than naturally incubated hatchlings at approximately nine months after hatching. We concluded that repatriation of hatchlings probably would not have long-term effects on populations because of the resiliency of alligator populations to alterations of early age-class survival and growth rates of the magnitude that we observed. Repatriation of hatchlings may be an economical alternative to repatriation of older juveniles for population restoration. However, the location of release may affect subsequent survival and growth.
Behaviors Reflecting Emotional Involvements during Reading and Writing Activities.

This article begins with a brief review of the literature that supports the relationship of emotional factors and success in reading and writing activities. Specific incidents that describe children's reading and writing behaviors comprise most of the article's content. Physical and language behaviors that indicate some emotional involvement with the success or lack of success in comprehension are emphasized. Strategies that help children to understand what they do and what they need to do to read and write more successfully end the article. Self‐evaluation tools that guide children to gain self‐esteem through independence are included in the strategy descriptions.
Reduction of poliovirus 1, bacteriophages, Salmonella montevideo, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on strawberries by physical and disinfectant washes.

The efficacy levels of different physical and chemical washing treatments in the reduction of viral and bacterial pathogens from inoculated strawberries were evaluated. Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Montevideo, poliovirus 1, and the bacteriophages PRD1, ϕX174, and MS2 were used as model and surrogate organisms. Chemicals readily available to producers and/or consumers were evaluated as antimicrobial additives for the production of washes. The gentle agitation of contaminated strawberries in water for 2 min led to reductions in microbial populations ranging from 41 to 79% and from 62 to 90% at water temperatures of 22 and 43°C, respectively. Significant reductions (>98%) in numbers of bacteria and viruses were obtained with sodium hypochlorite (50 to 300 ppm of free chlorine), Oxine or Carnebon (200 ppm of product generating “stabilized chlorine dioxide”), Tsunami (100 ppm of peroxyacetic acid), and Alcide (100 or 200 ppm of acidified sodium chlorite) washes. Overall, 200 ppm of acidified sodium chl...
Stochastic Incompressible Euler Equations in a Two-dimensional Domain

The aim of these notes is to give an overview of some current results about existence and uniqueness of solutions for the stochastic Euler equation driven by a Brownian noise in a two-dimensional bounded domain.
Feminist Values, Commercial Values, and the Bias Paradox in Biomedical Research

Growing concerns about the commercialization of biomedical research and its potential to lead to biased inquiry has sparked calls for a renewed commitment to impartiality. Feminists, however, have roundly rejected the idea that objectivity requires scientists to be value-neutral or disinterested. Indeed, some feminists have argued that concerns about profit-driven would be best addressed by incorporating feminist values into scientific practices. This is thought to present feminists with a paradox: If commercial interests are problematic in research because they are partial to non-epistemic interests, then it would seem that feminist values would also be problematic on similar grounds. Here we argue that this apparent tension trades on an equivocation about the sense in which commercial values are problematically partial. We show not only that the bias paradox can be resolved by feminist theorists, but that feminist values can play important roles in addressing concerns related to bias in profit-driven research.
Immunoglobulin Complex Deposits in Plasmodium Falciparum-Infected Placentas from Malawi and Papua New Guinea

Abstract Term placentas from 35 patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum were obtained in Malawi in southeast Africa and six term placentas from patients infected with P. falciparum were obtained in Wewak, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia. The placental tissues were examined by light microscopy and by an immunohistologic method to compare the pathologic changes of placentas in the two malaria-endemic countries. Using the number of parasitized red blood cells (PRBC) in intervillous spaces, pregnant women from Malawi with placental parasitemia were categorized into three groups. In the high PRBC group (> 20%, group I), there was no deposition of IgE in fetal blood vessels. In contrast, IgE was observed in fetal blood vessels of the intermediate PRBC group (1–10%, group II) and low PRBC group (< 1%, group III). In all six placentas from Papua New Guinean women, deposition of immune complexes, including IgE, was observed in the fetal blood vessels. All placentas with deposition of IgE in fetal blood vessels showed no sequestration of malaria parasites in intervillous spaces. Our data indicate that the amount of deposition of IgE in the placenta from women infected with P. falciparum is inversely correlated with the degree of parasitemia at that site.
Designing Compensatory Funds: In Search of First Principles

The World Trade Center Victims’ Compensation Fund of 2001 ushered in a new age of fund approaches to resolving claims for mass disasters in the United States. Since then, numerous funds have been created following several mass events injuring large numbers of claimants. The Gulf Coast Claims Facility, created in the immediate aftermath of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil platform explosion, represented a further expansion of fund design and operation. The funds that have been implemented since 2001, including the World Trade Center Fund, have been the object of both praise as well as criticism. Notably, all these funds have been designed and implemented after the events giving rise to a universe of mass claimants. This article suggests that the policy recommendations for future fund design largely fail to address antecedent threshold questions about the nature of the events giving rise to possible recourse to a fund for compensation of claims. Although such compensation funds have been intended to provide an alternative to the tort compensation system and to operate largely outside the purview of the judicial system, instead most fund designs have relied on tort notions of corrective justice that mimic the tort system. However, many funds have in practice entailed mixed theories of corrective and distributive justice, confusing the purpose, utility, and goals of such funds. This article asks fundamental questions about the goals of such funds and whether and to what extent disaster compensation funds comport with theories of justice. It suggests that certain types of mass disaster events ought not to be resolved through fund auspices at all, while only a limited universe of communitarian harms should give rise to such a response. Finally, a communitarian fund designed ex-ante might more fairly be based on theories of distributive justice based on an egalitarian social welfare norm.
7102 A new, improved colonoscope design.

Colonoscopes have had (with minor changes) the same distal length of bending section (BEND) and radius of angulation (ANGLE) since their introduction in 1965. Many endoscopists prefer the pediatric colonoscope (Olympus PCF-140L) because of its short BEND, tight ANGLE and thinness. Although useful for negotiating a tortuous colon (especially for the acute angles in the female mid-sigmoid), the PCF-140L is not sufficiently stiff to resist loop formation and can be difficult to straighten and reach the cecum. The stiffness of the PCF-140L can be increased by 1.6 x using a stiffening wire (XBO1-681-9) placed through the instrumentation/suction channel. This enhanced stiffness makes it comparable to the CFQ140L (adult colonoscope). A new variable-stiffness colonoscope (the preproduction model PCF-160AL) has the same initial physical characteristics as the PCF-140L, but has, in addition, the capability of a built-in continuous variable-stiffness control which can increase its stiffness up to 2 x that of the standard PCF-140L, without need of an extra putthrough device. Material and Methods: Over six months, the pre-production model PCF-160AL has been used in 525 patients, with superselective use in those referred for prior incomplete colonoscopy (38 pts) and in slender women (112 pts). A variety of instruments were used for the other 720 patients examined. The variable stiffness component of the PCF-160AL was employed 92% of the time and the cecum was reached in all patients, but in one, a different (longer) instrument was substituted to reach the cecum. In the 720 patients examined with standard instruments, thirteen required substitution of another instrument to complete the colonoscopy. Conclusion: The standard adult colonoscope instrument design has been improved upon. The ANGLE, BEND and variable stiffness of the PCF- 160AL make it an easier instrument to use in a wide variety of cases, including the difficult. The design of the PCF-160AL should be adopted as the new colonoscope standard.
Epichlorohydrin coupling reactions with wood: Part 1. Reaction with biologically active alcohols

Properties of wood can be improved by reacting chemicals with hydroxyl groups of wood cell wall polymers. To achieve this improvement in wood properties, bioactive compounds containing hydroxyl groups, such as pentachlorophenol, 3,5-dimethyl phenol, and 2-naphthol, can be reacted with epichlorohydrin to give corresponding glycidyl ethers. The new epoxide formed during this reaction can be used to bond bioactive compounds to wood. This bonding may result in improved wood properties. The objective of this study was to develop a simple procedure for synthesizing glycidyl ethers. The alcohol was reacted with epichlorohydrin and a catalyst and monitored by thin-layer chromatography. Shortwave ultraviolet light was used to detect spots. Resulting products were analyzed for carbon, hydrogen, and in one case, chlorine. Reaction of pentachlorophenol with epichlorohydrin formed only one enantiomeric glycidyl ether, whereas reaction of 3,5-dimethyl phenol with epichlorohydrin led to two enantiomeric glycidyl ethers in a 1 to 3 ratio. Reaction of 2-naphthol with epichlorohydrin also led to two enantoimeric glycidyl ethers in equal amounts. In future research, these glycidyl ethers will be reacted with wood, and their toxicity to wood-destroying fungi in bonded form will be determined.
A Note On Piketty’s Logic

I derive a simple model that allows us to see some hidden assumptions behind Thomas Piketty’s predictions of increasing inequality in his widely selling book Capital in the 21st Century. Although his proposition about the increasing share of capital income in the national income has not held true in the last six decades, I briefly explore whether his prediction (and past trends) will continue in the future.
Why Political Scientists Don't Study Black Politics, But Historians and Sociologists Do

because of its oil severance revenue is finding that that cow is running dry. There will be some tough decisions ahead for the politicians of New Orleans and Louisiana, politicians who were raised on the wisdom of folk characters such as Earl Long. The leaders of today may recall Long's astuteness when he asked a legislator how he stood politically. "Governor," the legislator responded, "when you're right I'm with you, when you're wrong I'm against you." To which Long retorted, "When I'm right I don't need your help."
Exploring the scope of neurometrically informed mechanism design

A basic goal in mechanism design is to construct mechanisms that simultaneously satisfy efficiency, voluntary participation, and dominant strategy incentive compatibility. Previous work has shown that this is impossible, unless the agents and planner have sufficient information about each other and common knowledge. These results have remained largely theoretical because the required information is generally not available in practical applications. However, recent work has shown that these limitations can be overcome in simple settings, using neurometric technologies that provide noisy signals of subjects' preferences that can be used in the mechanism design problem. Here we build on this work by carrying out two new experiments designed to test the extent to which these Neurometrically Informed Mechanisms (NIMs) can be applied to more complicated and realistic environments. We find robustness to large type and action space and to the degrees of loss and risk-aversion observed in most of our sample.