cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors mediating synaptic transmission in the avian cochlear nucleus: Effects of kynurenic acid, dipicolinic acid and streptomycin

Abstract We have examined the effects of a number of excitatory amino acid antagonists on transmission at the cochlear nerve-nucleus magnocellularis synapse in the chicken. Using an in vitro preparation and bath application of drugs, we studied the effects of kynurenic acid and several related substances, streptomycin and a selective N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor antagonist, dl -α-aminosuberate. The last compound had no effect on evoked transmission. Of the various kynurenic acid-related compounds tested, only kynurenic and dipicolinic acid selectively altered responses in nucleus magnocellularis. Quinolinic acid, a kynurenic acid analogue that is structurally akin to dipicolinic acid but which acts selectively at N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors, was without effect. The effect of kynurenic acid was solely inhibitory, completely blocking postsynaptic responses with a potency dependent on the frequency of nerve stimulation. No such frequency dependence was seen with dipicolinic acid although this compound also completely suppressed evoked responses. In addition dipicolinic acid potentiated postsynaptic responses at concentrations only slightly lower than those causing inhibition. Streptomycin inhibited responses in nucleus magnocellularis but this effect seems to result partially from the ability of the drug to inhibit presynaptic calcium influx. Our finding that selective antagonists of N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors were ineffective while antagonists of both receptor types, such as kynurenic and dipicolinic acids, inhibited evoked responses reinforces the conclusion that postsynaptic receptors mediating transmission at this synapse are of thenon- N -methyl- d -aspartate type[Nemeth et al. (1983) Neurosci. Lett. 40 , 39–44]. However, differences in the effects of kynurenic and dipicolinic acids on evoked responses indicate that they do not have a single common mechanism of action. Our results with streptomycin, although possibly reflecting the involvement of quisqualate-preferring receptors in transmission, also indicate that the usefulness of this drug as a probe for that receptor subtype may be limited by its non-specific actions. Finally, our findings differ from those in the cat anteroventral cochlear nucleus, mammalian homologue of nucleus magnocellularis, where N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors appear to mediate transmission. This difference between otherwise very similar synapses in two different species suggests that selection of a particular receptor and/or transmitter is largely independent of other functional properties.
Global vs. local information processing in visual/spatial problem solving: The case of traveling salesman problem

Human visual/spatial problem solving often requires both global and local information to be processed. But the relationship between those two kinds of information and the way in which they interact with one another during problem solving has not been thoroughly discussed. In the particular setting of solving the traveling salesman problem (TSP), we investigated into the relative roles of global and local information processing. An experiment was conducted to measure the importance of global information and the possible constraints of global information processing on search. A model was built to simulate human TSP performance and was used to investigate further the relationship between global information processing and local information processing. Our model was compared with the human data we collected and with other models of human TSP solving.
Analysis of epistasis correlation on NK landscapes with nearest-neighbor interactions

Epistasis correlation is a measure that estimates the strength of interactions between problem variables. This paper presents an empirical study of epistasis correlation on a large number of random problem instances of NK landscapes with nearest neighbor interactions. The results are analyzed with respect to the performance of hybrid variants of two evolutionary algorithms: (1) the genetic algorithm with uniform crossover and (2) the hierarchical Bayesian optimization algorithm.
Delineation of a Fundamental α-Ketoheterocycle Substituent Effect for Use in the Design of Enzyme Inhibitors

The synthesis and examination of a systematic series of 5-substituted 2-keto oxazoles as inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) defined a fundamental substituent effect that led to the discovery of inhibitors with Ki's as low as 400 pM. The intrinsic basis of the relationship (−log Ki vs σp), which relates Ki with the Hammett σp constant of the substituent, the magnitude of the effect (ρ = 3.01), and its predictive value (R2 = 0.91) suggest a widespread applicability in studies beyond FAAH.
Nutritional evaluation of some heated oils

Soybean oil, cottonseed oil, and lard were heatedin vacuo for either 70 and/or 100 min. at 610°F. and were fed to male and female rats at a level of 15% in the diet over a complete life span. Nutritional indices such as growth, including food efficiency and digestibility of the fats, reproduction and lactation, longevity, and tissue cholesterol and total lipid were measured. No evidence of impaired nutrition or harmfulness was observed in any group except in those fed the more highly polymerized soybean oil, where a decrease in iodine value of 10% and a 100% increase in viscosity was associated with a slight depression in growth and an interference with reproductive performance in the female animal. This interference with the reproductive process was alleviated by supplementation with α-tocopherol. There was no evidence of increased tumor incidence in the groups ingesting the heated oils. Digestibility of the heated soybean and cottonseed oils was only slightly reduced.
Abnormal Exercise Electrocardiograms in Master Athletes After Three Months of Deconditioning

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of 3 months of voluntary deconditioning on cardiac function in master athletes. DESIGN: A prospective study. SETTING: Research participants at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center PARTICIPANTS: Ten older (59 ± 8 years, mean ± SD), highly conditioned (maximal aerobic capacity VO2 max 50 ± 5 mL/kg/min), aerobically trained athletes MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Three months after the cessation of training, three of the 10 athletes had unexpected, new, markedly asymptomatic, ischemic-appearing, exercise-induced ST-segment depression on their maximal exercise tests. After retraining, the ST-segment changes disappeared in two of the subjects, but it persisted, although at a higher work load, in one of the athletes. CONCLUSION: In three master athletes, voluntary cardiopulmonary deconditioning was associated with the development of new, asymptomatic, exercise-induced ST-segment depression on exercise ECG. The mechanisms underlying these new ischemic-appearing ST-segment changes accompanying detraining and their clinical significance are not known and warrant further investigation.
Inadvertent intravenous administration of maternal breast milk in a six-week-old infant: a case report and review of the literature.

Background: Accidental intravenous administration of an enteral feeding can be fatal or cause complications such as sepsis, acute respiratory and circulatory failure, acute renal failure, hepatic insufficiency, coagulation disorders and severe permanent neurological sequelae. These “wrong route” errors are possible due to compatible connections between enteral feeding systems and intravascular infusion catheters. Case presentation: We report a six-week-old male infant who received a 5 ml intravenous infusion of breast milk. Within five minutes of administration the child developed tachycardia and tachypnea, accompanied by a sudden decrease in oxygen saturation on pulse oximetry to 69%. The infant received supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula and was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered for 48 hours. Vital signs returned to normal within a few hours. Neurological follow-up through 3 years did not reveal any neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Conclusion: Development of specific enteral feeding connections, which are incompatible with intravascular catheter connections, is needed urgently to prevent a misconnection with potential morbidity or mortality of children.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Clinical assessment and review of 176 cases

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to delineate salient disease characteristics and to determine factors associated with survival in a series of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Study Design: To address our research objective, we used a retrospective cohort study design and a sample of patients who presented for evaluation and management of NPC. Demographic data, medical history, radiographic findings, staging, and histology were recorded. Treatment and follow-up information were ascertained. Survival data and descriptive statistics were calculated. Multivariate analyses identified risk factors associated with survival rates for all World Health Organization (WHO) types. Results: The sample comprised 123 men and 53 women (n = 176) of which 70% were white and 23% were Asian. A neck mass was the initial symptom in 49% of patients. In 99% of cases, radiation therapy was the primary treatment mode. WHO types 1 and 3 were most common. Overall 5-year disease-free survival rate was 45.5%. Age, use of tobacco or ethanol, and number of presenting symptoms were statistically associated with decreased survival rate in WHO 1 (squamous cell) tumors. Male gender and total number of presenting symptoms were associated with decreased survival rate for WHO 2 and 3 (nonkeratinizing or undifferentiated) tumors. Conclusions: Being attuned to the presenting signs of NPC may lead to a more expedient diagnosis. The differing risk factors associated with WHO 1 tumors become clear in this predominantly white population. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2001;91:205-14)
The Galaxy activity-interaction connection. II - Radio observations

VLA results are presented for southern interacting galaxies at 6 and 20 cm, with a view to the detection and classification of the nature of radio emission in a set of advanced-interaction disk galaxies. Maps of radio emission are given for the 42 interacting systems in the sample, as well as 10 control systems, and radio properties are compared with optical and IR properties; the radio in all of the present interacting galaxies are attributable to properties associated with a burst of star formation due to galaxy interaction.
Treating Sexually Aggressive Children

Abstract Many of the perpetrators of sexual abuse are children. Frequently, mental health counselors provide evaluation and clinical services to children who sexually abuse others. Although clinical and empirical data have been offered about sexually aggressive children, few have suggested the necessary components of clinical treatment protocols for them. This article reviews the plausible etiologies and the correlates of sexual aggression by children to delineate the necessary treatment elements for them and their families.
My Fair Physicist? Feminine Math and Science Role Models Demotivate Young Girls

Women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are labeled unfeminine, a costly social label that may discourage female students from pursuing these fields. Challenges to this stereotype include feminine STEM role models, but their counterstereotypic-yet-feminine success may actually be demotivating, particularly to young girls. Study 1 showed that feminine STEM role models reduced middle school girls’ current math interest, self-rated ability, and success expectations relative to gender-neutral STEM role models and depressed future plans to study math among STEM-disidentified girls. These results did not extend to feminine role models displaying general (not STEM-specific) school success, indicating that feminine cues were not driving negative outcomes. Study 2 suggested that feminine STEM role models’ combination of femininity and success seemed particularly unattainable to STEM-disidentified girls. The results call for a better understanding of feminine STEM figures aimed at motivati...
Soot-field structure in laminar soot-emitting microgravity nonpremixed flames

Due to the intrinsic interest in laminar flame regimes that cannot be attained in normal gravity (1 g), the microgravity environment (0 g) offers an attractive and promising perspective to enhance our understanding of soot formation mechanisms in diffusion flames. An experimental investigation conducted at the 2.2-s drop tower of the NASA Lewis Research Center is presented to define the soot-field structure within 0-g laminar jet nonpremixed flames which operate above their smoke point. Parallel work on earthgravity flames is also presented to facilitate comparisons and define the effect of gravity on the soot fields. The experiment considers jet diffusion flames of nitrogen-diluted acetylene burning in quiescent air at atmospheric pressure. A full-field laser extinction technique is utilized to determine the transient soot spatial distributions in axisymmetric flames with fixed flow conditions corresponding to Rc=O(100). Results are presented for a nonsmoking normal-gravity flame and its nonbuoyant counterpart which releases soot from its blunt tip. Quantitative measurements on the transient postignition character of the soot field in 0 g are presented for the first time and indicate that millimeter-diameter burners result in brief soot-field transients in microgravity. At a fuel flow rate which is nearly twice that at the smoke point in 0 g, the soot field after the initial transient period sustains its annular structure throughout the luminous nonbuoyant-flamezone. The maximum soot volume fraction measured at 0 g is nearly double that at 1 g for the same flow rate, thus attesting to the higher sooting tendency of nonbuoyant flames. The results indicate that the prolonged residence times under microgravity promote soot growth more than oxidation, thus producing more soot in 0 g. Side-by-side comparisons of the soot distributions in 0-g and 1-g flames demonstrate the increased spatial resolution afforded in microgravity flames.
Cellulolytic and physiological properties of Clostridium thermocellum

Three strains of Clostridium thermocellum obtained from various sources were found to have nearly identical deoxyribonucleic acid guanosine plus cytosine contents that ranged from 38.1–39.5 mole-%. All strain examined fermented only cellulose and cellulose derivatives, but not glucose, or xylose or other sugars. The principal cellulose fermentation products were ethanol, lactate, acetate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Growth of C. thermocellum on cellulose resulted in the production of extracellular cellulase that was non-oxygen labile, was thermally stable at 70° C for 45 min and adsorbed strongly on cellulose. Production of cellulase during fermentation correlated linearly with growth and cellulose degradation. Both the yield and specific activity of crude cellulase varied considerably with the specific growth substrates. Highest cellulase yield was obtained when grown on native cellulose, α-cellulose and low degree of polymerization cellulose but not carboxymethylcellulose or other carbohydrate sources. Cellulase activity was not detected when cells were grown on cellobiose. Crude extracellular protein preparations lacked proteolytic and cellobiase activity. The pH and temperafure optima for endoglucanase activity were 5.2 and 65° C, respectively, while that of the exoglucanase activity were 5.4 and 64° C, respectively. The specific activity at 60° c for exoglucanase and endoglucanase of crude cellulase obtained from cells grown on cellulose (MN 300) was 3.6 μmoles reducing sugar equivalents released per h (unit)/mg of protein and 1.5 μmole reducing sugar equivalent released per min (unit)/mg of protein, respectively. The yield of endoglucanase was 125 units per g of cellulose MN 300 degraded and that of exoglucanase was 300 units per g of cellulose MN 300 degraded. Glucose and cellobiose were the hydrolytic end products of crude cellulase action on cellulose, cellotraose and cellotriose in vitro.
Preconditions for Increased Workers' Influence Factors in the Swedish Case

With the introduction of a series of legislative acts and pending proposals, the seventies and early eighties in Sweden have been marked by an increasing interest in worker influence or participation in decision making. This emphasis is seen both on the level of industrial democracy and economic democracy. The following article outlines these moves, concentrating on the Act on Employee Participation in Decision Making (MBL) and the Meidner proposal for Wage-Earners' Investment Funds. Relying on interview data from representatives of major Swedish political and economic organizations, journalists, and alternative groups, an attempt is made to explain the rise in participatory demands that surfaced in Sweden in the late sixties and has permeated the seventies and early eighties. Contrary to postindustrial theorists' contention that participatory demands rise out of the positive effects of industrial development, findings suggest that a more common perspective of Swedish interview respondents is that the inc...
A rule-based system for generating a ladder logic control program from a high-level systems model

In this article an interface between a high-level specification of a system and a logic controller of that system is developed. The interface is based on a number of rules to transform an IDEF0 specification into an intermediate-level Petri-net-based controller and to transform the intermediate specification into a ladder logic program which can be run on a PLC. These rules could be used as a basis for developing an expert system to handle the interface. Such an expert system provides an environment for rapid prototyping and analysis of controllers.
Effects of the freeze-thaw process on α amylase

Abstract Purified α amylase in an aqueous solution has been subjected to various rates of freezing and thawing. The slower rate of freezing and thawing was more detrimental to the enzyme activity than the faster process. The effect of “protective additives” has also been investgated on this enzyme. Protection was evident for high concentrations of additive but for low concentrations of additive (~0.01%) the enzyme activity was lower than the freeze-thawed enzyme water system.
Coagulation of an aerosol in a laminar coaxial jet

Abstract The evolution of the ultrafine coagulating, coalescing aerosol in laminar, isothermal, and nonisothermal coaxial jets was studied in computer “experiments.” Four processes affect the aerosol particle size distribution for both the isothermal and the nonisothermal jets. These are axial and radial convection, Brownian coagulation, and Brownian diffusion. The additional process of thermophoresis is important in the nonisothermal jet. At the particle concentration levels studied, most of the change in aerosol characteristics occurs within axial distances of the order of 100 nozzle diameters. Also, bimodal number and mass density functions are found at the periphery of the jet near the nozzle. Characteristic times for the various processes occurring in the laminar jet are defined and used qualitatively to generalize specific results given in the paper.
Protein Farnesyltransferase from Trypanosoma brucei A HETERODIMER OF 61- AND 65-kDa SUBUNITS AS A NEW TARGET FOR ANTIPARASITE THERAPEUTICS

We have previously shown that protein prenylation occurs in the Trypanosomatids Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania mexicana and that protein farnesyltransferase (PFT) activity can be detected in cytosolic extracts of insect (procyclic) form T. brucei. A PFT that transfers the farnesyl group from farnesyl pyrophosphate to a cysteine that is 4 residues upstream of the C terminus of the Ras GTP-binding protein RAS1-CVIM has now been purified 60,000-fold to near homogeneity from procyclic T. brucei. By screening a mixture of hexapeptides SSCALX (X is 20 different amino acids), it was found that SSCALM binds to T. brucei PFT with sub-micromolar affinity, and affinity chromatography using this peptide was a key step in the purification of this enzyme. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the enzyme migrates as a pair of bands with apparent molecular masses of 61 and 65 kDa, and thus its subunits are approximately 30% larger than those of the mammalian homolog. The 61-kDa band was identified as the putative beta-subunit by photoaffinity labeling with a 32P-labeled analog of farnesyl pyrophosphate. Mimetics of the C-terminal tetrapeptide of prenyl acceptors have been previously shown to inhibit mammalian PFT, and these compounds also inhibit T. brucei PFT with affinities in the nanomolar to micromolar range, although the structure-activity relationship is very different for parasite versus mammalian enzyme. Unlike mammalian cells, the growth of bloodstream T. brucei is completely inhibited by low micromolar concentrations of two of the PFT inhibitors, and these compounds also block protein farnesylation in cultured parasites. These compounds also potently block the growth of the intracellular (amastigote) form of T. cruzi grown in fibroblast host cells. The results suggest that protein farnesylation is a target for the development of anti-trypanosomatid chemotherapeutics.
Outsourcing process-development and manufacturing of rDNA-derived products

Outsourcing cGMP process-development and manufacturing is a viable alternative to hiring and training staff, and to designing, building and financing new cGMP manufacturing facilities for the production of recombinant-protein and peptide drugs. The risks of large capital expenditures before the success of a new drug is assured can be avoided. Clients can gain immediate access to the high degree of technical competency and expertise required to build, validate and operate such facilities without having to hire and train skilled individuals. Outsourcing also allows companies access to a breadth of technology and scale of production that would be very costly to assemble and maintain internally.
Humankapital, politischer Wandel und langfristige Wirtschaftsentwicklung

Seit Mitte der achtziger Jahre hat die neue Wachstumstheorie verstarkt Aufmerksamkeit auf Humankapital als eine Quelle des Wirtschaftswachstumsngelenkt. Neuere empirische Ergebnisse weisen allerdings darauf hin, dass Bildungsinvestitionen nur geringe soziale Externalitaten erzeugen und dass der direkte Beitrag des Humankapitals zum Wirtschaftswachstum relativngering ist. In dieser Arbeit wird der Beitrag des Humankapitals zur Wirtschaftsentwicklungnim Rahmen der langfristigen Wachstumstheorie dargestellt,nderen Gegenstand ist, den Ubergang von Landern von vor-industrieller Stagnation zu stetigem Wirtschaftswachstum zu erklaren. Hier erweist sich,ndass Humankapital nicht nur direkte Produktivitatseffekte erzeugt, sondern auch als Ausloser verschiedener entwicklungsfordernder politischer Reformen dienen kann.
Semantics of object representation in machine learning

Justification of learning tools requires investigations on data representations.Machine learning act exhibits multiple levels of abstraction.Idealization is realized with feature selection and model construction.Different idealization schemes are considered with distinct representational goals.Latent variables are problematic in their semantics. With the growing success of machine learning, both researchers and philosophers have recently regained their interest in the foundational problems of statistical learning. The cooperation between philosophy and machine learning has been recognized to be mutually beneficial that may provide fundamental shift in the paradigms of both camps. In this paper, a unidirectional interaction between philosophy and machine learning is considered. This type of interaction becomes necessary as we reflect upon the practical implications of the model construction. To this extent, I review a specific set of contributions of philosophy to machine learning in determining epistemic standing of object representation and algorithmic design. I discuss three aspects of statistical models, pertaining to semantics of object representation, namely idealization (simplifying properties of an object), abstraction (representing an object with another object that is easier to handle), and use of latent variables. I argue to what extent these aspects necessitate philosophical attention to justify their practical use. To this end, I elucidate different philosophical concepts that are utilized by researchers mostly tacitly when dealing with uncertainties in features and their functional relationships. This is expected to help pave the way for further investigations on semantics of object representation in machine learning.
Women on the market: Marriage, consumption, and the Internet in urban Cameroon

In this article, I show how dramatic social changes in Yaounde, Cameroon, are the product of women applying long-standing cultural schemata in a changed economic context. Marriage rates are falling precipitously, and growing numbers of relatively elite women are looking beyond the nation's borders for husbands. Yet, as these women seek foreign husbands, their models of marriage are largely transposed out of older forms of bridewealth: E-mail-mediated marriage draws as much on local history as on global politics.
A survey of cost-benefit methodologies for information systems

Cost justification has become one of the important factors influencing the pace of business automation, particularly end user computing. The primary difficulty with it is the evaluation of benefits. This paper identifies and discusses seven methodologies which have evolved to quantify the benefits of information systems. These are: decision analysis, cost displacement/avoidance, structural models, cost effectiveness analysis, breakeven analysis, time savings times salary, and the hedonic wage model.
Vacuum Erection Associated Impotence and Peyronie's Disease

AbstractPurpose: Use of a nonmedical, catalogue type vacuum erection device resulted in a case of vacuum induced vasculogenic impotence and Peyronie's disease.Materials and Methods: A 66-year-old potent man used a nonmedical vacuum erection device (cylinder plus a hand pump without a pressure-release valve and a doughnut-shaped ring at the base without tension bands) after having achieved a spontaneous rigid erection. The resultant excessive overinflation of the penis was followed by dorsal curvature, diminished rigidity and decreased erectile maintenance.Results: Physical examination revealed a dorsal mid shaft Peyronie's plaque. Nocturnal penile tumescence testing and office injection testing were abnormal and demonstrated partial, shortlived, dorsally curved erections. Dynamic pharmaco-cavernosometry and pharmaco-cavernosography established vasculogenic impotence with site-specific crural (unrelated to the Peyronie's plaque) veno-occlusive dysfunction and dorsal penile curvature.Conclusions: Vacuum ere...
Topical Zinc Therapy for Acne Vulgaris

A double-blind study of 30 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a topically applied 2% zinc sulfate solution for acne therapy. Over a 12-week period, no difference was noted between placebo- and zinc-treated participants in regard to either the number or type of acne lesions. The irritancy due to topically applied zinc was significantly greater (p less than or equal to 0.05) than that due to the placebo. Zinc serum levels were not significantly elevated between the two regimens before, during, or after treatment. This study suggests that topical zinc therapy alone is not of significant benefit in the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Synthetic organo- and polymer- clays : preparation, characterization, and materials applications.

Abstract We have over the years developed and patented a general technique for the hydrothermal synthesis of clay minerals in the presence of organic, organometallic, and polymeric intercalants. This review will summarize the details for crystallization of modified hectorites along with their characterization and materials applications. Among the several potential uses of these synthetic materials, there are two important applications concerning catalysis and composites. The fate of the template dictates which of these applications is pertinent. First, if the organic molecule or polymer is used with the intention of acting as templates of pore structure, then the organic template is removed after the modified clay has been crystallized. Upon template removal, the now porous materials are examined for their use as potential catalysts and catalyst supports. We have recently proven a correlation between catalyst pore size in the mesoporous range and the size and concentration of a polymeric template that is used. Preliminary hydrodesulfurization catalytic results have been obtained using these materials. If, on the other hand, intercalants are allowed to remain as a part of the structure, then a distinctive class of organic–inorganic composites becomes possible. When polymeric intercalants are used, especially at high concentrations, the materials have relevance to nanocomposite applications. Work in this area has focused on incorporating polymers at higher than 85 wt.% of the nanocomposite.
Molding technology development of large QFN packages

Encapsulation of large QFN packages (> 5 × 5mm) are quite challenging as compared to normal small QFN packages as the big die pad in leadframe and multiple narrow gaps between leads may caused mold void rejects at the half etch areas. High density of fragile wires is prone to have wire sweep too as the EMC flow impact on longer wire length is significant which can caused wires sweep during mold filling.
Strategic opportunities in the oversight of the U.S. hospital accreditation system.

Abstract Hospital accreditation and state certification are the means that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) employs to meet quality of care requirements for medical care reimbursement. Hospitals can choose to use either a national accrediting agency or a state certification inspection in order to receive Medicare payments. Approximately, 80% of hospitals choose the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The purpose of this paper is to analyze and discuss improvements on the structure of the accreditation process in a Principal–Agent–Supervisor framework with a special emphasis on the oversight by the principal (CMS) of the supervisor (JCAHO).
An ALS-Linked Mutant SOD1 Produces a Locomotor Defect Associated with Aggregation and Synaptic Dysfunction When Expressed in Neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans

The nature of toxic effects exerted on neurons by misfolded proteins, occurring in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, is poorly understood. One approach to this problem is to measure effects when such proteins are expressed in heterologous neurons. We report on effects of an ALS-associated, misfolding-prone mutant human SOD1, G85R, when expressed in the neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans. Stable mutant transgenic animals, but not wild-type human SOD1 transgenics, exhibited a strong locomotor defect associated with the presence, specifically in mutant animals, of both soluble oligomers and insoluble aggregates of G85R protein. A whole-genome RNAi screen identified chaperones and other components whose deficiency increased aggregation and further diminished locomotion. The nature of the locomotor defect was investigated. Mutant animals were resistant to paralysis by the cholinesterase inhibitor aldicarb, while exhibiting normal sensitivity to the cholinergic agonist levamisole and normal muscle morphology. When fluorescently labeled presynaptic components were examined in the dorsal nerve cord, decreased numbers of puncta corresponding to neuromuscular junctions were observed in mutant animals and brightness was also diminished. At the EM level, mutant animals exhibited a reduced number of synaptic vesicles. Neurotoxicity in this system thus appears to be mediated by misfolded SOD1 and is exerted on synaptic vesicle biogenesis and/or trafficking.
Vegetative Delineation of Coastal Salt Marsh Boundaries

Legislation mandating the protection of wetlands, combined with current pressures to convert them to other uses, emphasize the need to determine accurately a wetland-upland boundary We investigated six methods designed to establish such a boundary based on vegetation Each method was applied to a common data set obtained from 295 quadrats along 22 transects between marsh and upland areas in 13 intertidal saline wetlands in Oregon and Washington. The multiple occurrence, joint occurrence, and five percent methods required plant species to be classified as salt marsh, upland, and non-indicator, cluster and similarity methods required no initial classification Close agreement on wetland-upland boundaries determined by the six methods suggests that preclassification of plants and collection of plant cover data may not be necessary to determine the boundary
Experimental Study and Numerical Analysis of Water Single-Phase Pressure Drop Across a Micro-Pin-Fin Array

This study investigates the hydraulic performance of a copper micro-pin-fin array subjected to water liquid single-phase flow conditions. The test section contains an array of 1950 staggered square micro-pin-fins with 200 micron × 200 micron cross-section by 670 micron height. The ratios of longitudinal pitch and transverse pitch to pin-fin equivalent diameter are equal to 2. Seven water inlet temperatures from 22°C to 80°C, and seventeen maximum mass velocities for each inlet temperature, ranging from 181 to 1649 kg/m2 s, were tested. The test module was well insulated to maintain adiabatic conditions. Comparison of predictions of eleven existing friction factor correlations with the experimental data show relatively large discrepancies. The experimental study was complemented with a numerical analysis of single-phase flow in the micro-pin-fin array. Numerical results show excellent agreement with experimental data for Reynolds numbers below 700.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
POSITIONAL ORDER OF THE PINNED ABRIKOSOV FLUX LINE LATTICE IN SAMPLES OF FINITE THICKNESS

We study translational correlations of the vortex center of mass positions of the Abrikosov flux line lattice in superconducting samples of finite thickness L (along the direction of flux lines). The Larkin correlation lengths for the center of mass mode of the flux lines in the presence of point and correlated disorder are computed, and we find that in the case of point disorder the average (i.e. center of mass) position of flux lines maintains positional order on length scales which scale like $\sim\sqrt{L}$ in 2+1 dimensions. On still longer length scales, however, we find using a replica Gaussian variational approach that center of mass correlations cross over to a power law growth of the form r⊥/L, which should be observable in superconducting thin films.
The repeating sequence of the capsular polysaccharide of Staphylococcus aureus M.

The anomeric configuration of the sugar residues of the capsular polysaccharide antigen of Staphylococcus aureus M were established by 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy, and the linkage positions by g.l.c.-m.s. after methylation, indicating a leads to 4)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 leads to 4)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 leads to 3)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-fucopyranosyl)-(1 leads to repeating unit. A taurine residue is linked by an amide bond, on the average, to every fourth 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactopyranosyluronic acid residue.
Beyond OFDM: Best-effort dynamic spectrum access using filterbank multicarrier

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), widely recommended for sharing the spectrum among different nodes in a dynamic spectrum access network, imposes tight timing and frequency synchronization requirements. We examine the use of filterbank multicarrier (FBMC), a somewhat lesser known and understood alternative, for dynamic spectrum access. FBMC promises very low out-of-band energy of each subcarrier signal when compared to OFDM. In order to fully understand and evaluate the promise of FBMC, we first examine the use of special pulse shaping filters of the FBMC PHY layer in reliably transmitting data packets at a very high rate. Next, to understand the impact of FBMC beyond the PHY layer, we devise a distributed and adaptive medium access control (MAC) protocol that coordinates data packet traffic among the different nodes in the network in a best effort manner. Using extensive simulations, we show that FBMC consistently achieves at least an order of magnitude performance improvement over OFDM in several aspects including packet transmission delays, channel access delays, and effective data transmission rate available to each node. Using measurements of power spectral density and high data rate transmissions from a transceiver that we build using our National Instruments hardware platform, we show that while FBMC can decode/distinguish all the received symbols without any errors, OFDM cannot. In summary, FBMC offers a much higher performing alternative to OFDM for networks that dynamically share the spectrum among multiple nodes.
Long-term depression of nociceptive synapses by non-nociceptive afferent activity: Role of endocannabinoids, Ca2+, and calcineurin

Activity in non-nociceptive afferents is known to produce long-lasting decreases in nociceptive signaling, often referred to as gate control, but the cellular mechanisms mediating this form of neuroplasticity are poorly understood. In the leech, activation of non-nociceptive touch (T) mechanosensory neurons induces a heterosynaptic depression of nociceptive (N) synapses that is endocannabinoid-dependent. This heterosynaptic, endocannabinoid-dependent long-term depression (ecLTD) is observed where the T- and N-cells converge on a common postsynaptic target, in this case the motor neuron that innervates the longitudinal muscles (L-cells) that contributes to a defensive withdrawal reflex. Depression in the nociceptive synapse required both presynaptic and postsynaptic increases in intracellular Ca²⁺. Activation of the Ca²⁺-sensitive protein phosphatase calcineurin was also required, but only in the presynaptic neuron. Heterosynaptic ecLTD was unaffected by antagonists for NMDA or metabotropic glutamate receptors, but was blocked by the 5-HT₂ receptor antagonist ritanserin. Depression was also blocked by the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant, but this is thought to represent an effect on a TRPV-like receptor. This heterosynaptic, endocannabinoid-dependent modulation of nociceptive synapses represents a novel mechanism for regulating how injury-inducing or painful stimuli are transmitted to the rest of the central nervous system.
Differences in sperm function in vitro but not in vivo between inbred and random‐bred mice

Genetic variation in spermatozoa was used to examine mechanisms important for fertilization in the mouse. A significantly greater proportion of cauda epididymal sperm from C57BL/6 (inbred) males were motile than from random-bred (CFW) males. Random-bred sperm, however, were able to fertilize a significantly greater percentage of eggs in vitro than were inbred sperm. When sperm of these two genotypes were used for insemination in vivo, and the penetrated eggs cultured through the first cleavage, the levels of cleavage were similar, suggesting that neither levels of sperm motility nor sperm penetration in vitro accurately reflect the ability of the same sperm populations to penetrate eggs in vivo.
Ductile Web Fracture Initiation in Steel Shear Links

Tests conducted in the 1980s showed that well-detailed short shear links can exhibit stable and ductile cyclic behavior. Recent tests of prevailing A992 rolled shapes revealed that shear links designed according to current seismic specifications can fail by ductile fracture in the link web, a mode of failure that was not observed in earlier tests. This paper investigates the observed ductile fractures through computational structural simulation. An existing criterion for judging the propensity for ductile fracture initiation in steel is modified based on published tests results for notched bars to better pinpoint the location of ductile fracture initiation. Validated finite- element analyses of previously tested shear links are conducted and the results postprocessed to evaluate the potential for ductile fracture of specimens with several different types of details. Reasons for the occurrence of web fractures in new A992 steel beams as opposed to older links are discussed. An alternative stiffener configuration that mitigates ductile fracture and is at the same time practical to construct is proposed.
A ‘rational’ explanation for ‘irrational’ forecasts of inflation

Abstract This paper analyzes professionals' forecasts of nominal income and the inflation rate. The analysis indicates that both monetary and fiscal policy data was used efficiently to forecast income, but the monetary policy data was not used efficiently to forecast the inflation rate. Further analysis suggests that the apparent inefficient use of the monetary data results from the non-stationary money-inflation relationship predicted by rational expectations models. These models then provide an explanation for the inconsistent conclusions regarding the income forecasts and the inflation rate forecasts.
Estimation of uncertainty in isotherms deduced from Hugoniots resulting from shockwave generated defects

The problem of how defect concentrations produced in a shock experiment affect the isothermal equation of state is considered. From the few experimental results available that bear directly on this question, it appears the effect could be substantial, i.e., the pressure in material free of defects may be 10–25% lower at a given volume than the isothermal pressure deduced from Hugoniot data on the assumption that defects are negligible in the shocked material. This correction caused by the presence of defects is called the defect pressure.
Efficacy Trial of a Selective Prevention Program Targeting Both Eating Disorder Symptoms and Unhealthy Weight Gain among Female College Students.

Objective Evaluate a selective prevention program targeting both eating disorder symptoms and unhealthy weight gain in young women.
Vibrational Symmetry and Selection Rules for an Ethane‐Type Molecule

The vibrational symmetry and selection rules for an ethane‐type molecule are re‐examined. It is demonstrated that the kinetic and potential energy matrices can be fully reduced under either D3h or D3d. However, the dipole moment and polarizability tensors do not, in general, show quite as much symmetry, so that certain infrared and Raman coincidences, forbidden by D3d selection rules, become allowed.
pH-Dependent solubility and permeability criteria for provisional biopharmaceutics classification (BCS and BDDCS) in early drug discovery.

The Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) is a scientific framework that provides a basis for predicting the oral absorption of drugs. These concepts have been extended in the Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS) to explain the potential mechanism of drug clearance and understand the effects of uptake and efflux transporters on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. The objective of present work is to establish criteria for provisional biopharmaceutics classification using pH-dependent passive permeability and aqueous solubility data generated from high throughput screening methodologies in drug discovery settings. The apparent permeability across monolayers of clonal cell line of Madin–Darby canine kidney cells, selected for low endogenous efflux transporter expression, was measured for a set of 105 drugs, with known BCS and BDDCS class. The permeability at apical pH 6.5 for acidic drugs and at pH 7.4 for nonacidic drugs showed a good correlation with the...
Improving Manual Tracking of Systems With Oscillatory Dynamics

This paper examines the manual control of systems with oscillatory dynamics. Tracking performance is improved by using input shaping to suppress command-induced oscillation. An operator study tested tracking behavior using controlled elements with both low-frequency (1.25 rad/s) and high-frequency (5 rad/s) oscillatory modes. After each experimental trial, measures of tracking performance and subjective task difficulty were recorded, and frequency-domain control characteristics were computed. Results showed that the high-frequency oscillatory mode did not greatly decrease the tracking performance from the nonoscillatory case; thus, input shaping did not produce a significant improvement in the tracking performance. However, input shaping did cause a decrease in the average subjective task difficulty and made the system closely resemble McRuer's “crossover model.” For the low-frequency case, the addition of input shaping significantly improved the tracking performance and reduced the tracking difficulty. These results demonstrate that input shaping can greatly improve the continuous tracking ability of human-machine systems that have oscillatory modes.
Frequency and Risk Factors for Urinary Tract Infection in Cats with Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Identification and control of infections are important in the management of diabetic cats. Urinary tract infections have not been well characterized in diabetic cats. This retrospective study was performed to review and characterize urinary tract infections in diabetic cats. Hypothesis: Urinary tract infections are common in diabetic cats. Animals: A review was made of the medical records of 141 diabetic cats that had had urine obtained for culture by antepubic cystocentesis and that had not been treated with antibiotics, undergone urinary tract catheterization or urinary tract surgery within 2 weeks of urine collection or had urethral obstruction at the time of urine collection. Methods: A review of medical records. Results: Urinary tract infection was identified in 18 of 141 diabetic cats. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate (67%). Female cats were at increased risk (prevalence odds ratios [POR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 10.2; P= .013). Clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease and findings on urine sediment examination were good predictors of positive urine cultures. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Urinary tract infections are common in diabetic cats regardless of status of diabetic control, suggesting routine monitoring with urine sediment exams or urine culture is warranted.