cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonrenovascular renal hypertension in children

Abstract Hypertension in children has been reported with increasing frequency because of increased awareness of its occurrence by clinicians. Renovascular lesions have been stressed in the past. However, in recent years, a number of nonrenovascular renal lesions have received attention and form the basis for this report. Unilateral chronic atrophic pyelonephritis, segmental unilateral pyelonephritis, the Ask-Upmark kidney, and unilateral renal hypoplasia have been associated with curable hypertension. The subject of juxtaglomerular cell hyperplasia, which has variably been reported in these cases, is reviewed. Ureteral obstruction, in the form of ureteropelvic or ureterovesical junction obstruction, solitary renal cysts, the unilateral multicystic kidney, renal trauma, and renal tumors (Wilms' tumor and juxtaglomerular cell tumors) may also be associated with hypertension in children. Pheochromocytoma must be ruled out in all cases. Because of renewed interest, these nonrenovascular renal causes of hypertension are now likely to be diagnosed with increased frequency.
Detection theory, micromatching, and the constant-ratio rule

The conformance of detection theory and micromatching with the constant-ratio rule (CRR) was determined by calculations for sets of three stimuli and subsets of two stimuli. For an arbitrary selection of sets, the CRR would be expected to hold quite well if either detection theory or micromatching lay behind the responses. For specific stimulus configurations, however, detection theory and micromatching differ considerably from one another and from the CRR. These configurations are found particularly for the univariate distributions, and this corresponds to empirical findings that the CRR holds better for multidimensional than for unidimensional stimuli. It is shown how the differences between the three theories in the implied constancies of ratios can be used in diagnosis of the basis ofempirical confusion matrices.
Robust statistical inference: weighted likelihoods or usual m-estimation?

We review the weighted likelihood estimating equations methodology introduced by Markatou, Basu and Lindsay (1995). and Basu, Markatou and Lindsay (1995) and compare it, in the case of symmetric and asymmetric contamination, with Huber's M-estimators of location. The simulation study shows that the weighted likelihood estimating equations estimator is at least as competitive as Huber's M-estimators in the case of symmetric contamination. In the case of asymmetric contamination it may be superior than Huber's M-estimators
"Fitter families for future firesides": Florence Sherbon and popular eugenics.

In the 1920s, eugenicists adapted public health contests to create “Fitter Family for Future Firesides” contests. Designed by Mary T. Watts and Dr. Florence Sherbon, these contests were deliberately staged at agricultural fairs. These contests encouraged families to re-imagine their histories as pedigrees subject to scientific analysis and control, while appealing to a deeply rooted sense of nostalgia for the rural family as the nation became increasingly urban, as rural children left farms, and as the culture of the Roaring Twenties challenged “traditional values.” As such, the fitter family contests fused nostalgia for the farm family with a modernist promise of scientific control.
Hydrogen Bond-Assisted Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Doubly Discotic Supermolecules Based on Porphyrin and Triphenylene

Hydrogen bonding is a powerful driving force for the supramolecular self-assembly of discotic mesogens, and molecular shape also plays an important role in such systems. To study these effects, doubly discotic supermolecules have been synthesized by linking a meso-tetraphenylporphine-4,4′,4′′,4′′′-tetracarboxylic acid (Py) core with four triphenylenes (Tp) arms via either amide or ester bonds. The spacer length between the Py core and Tp disks was C6 and C10, and the alkyl arm length in the Tp disks was C5 and C12, respectively. Compared to the ester-linked Py(Tp)4 supermolecules, the amide-linked samples exhibited rich crystalline and liquid-crystalline phases, suggesting that the intracolumnar hydrogen-bonding among trans amide bonds was the primary driving force for the self-assembly. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to understand the supramolecular self-assembly of the amide-linked Py(Tp)4 doubly discotic supermolecules. When the spacer length was no shorter than or similar to the triphenylene alkyl a...
Measurements of the Spectral and Directional Emission From Microgrooved Silicon Surfaces

This paper reports measurements of both the spectral and specular thermal radiation emission characteristics of very regularly microconfigured grooved surfaes in silicon substrate at 300 and 400C. The resulting surfaces were phosphorous-doped, to assure the dominance of the emission from the material near the sample surface. The samples had groove depths H of zero for a reference, to 42 {mu}m, or 455 grooves grooves per cm. The grooves correspond directly in size to the band of principle emission wavelengths {lambda} that arises at these temperature levels. The measurements show strong spectral effects for normal emission, including highly favored frequencies, fro H > {lambda}. This suggests a cavity organ pipe mode of emission. Similar, through modified, effects were found in directional emission, away from the normal. There also were stron polarization effects, wtih the cross-groove polarization mode dominant.
The effects of freeze-thaw on β-trace protein and β2-microglobulin assays after long-term sample storage

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effect of a freeze–thaw cycle on β-trace protein (βTP) and β2-microglobulin (β2M). Design and methods We compared βTP and β2M concentrations before and after a single freeze–thaw cycle in long-term stored samples from 172 participants of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Results Measurements of βTP and β2M before and after freeze–thaw were highly correlated with Spearman's coefficients of 0.90 and 0.99, respectively. Serum concentrations of βTP were slightly lower after freeze–thaw (− 0.05 mg/L, P = 0.006). Measurements of β2M did not differ before and after freeze–thaw (P = 0.35). Conclusions βTP and β2M measurements were robust to a single freeze–thaw cycle, although β2M appeared more stable than βTP. These results have implications for future studies of these biomarkers.
One stressful event blocks multiple actions of diazepam for up to at least a month

Based on recent findings of this laboratory, the hypothesis was tested that a single stressful encounter might have a persistent antidiazepam influence. Our results indicate that one exposure to a brief stressful event up to at least one month earlier prevented completely the effect of diazepam on pentylenetetrazole-induced changes in dopamine in the rat frontal cortex, elevations of plasma corticosterone levels and seizures.
Degenerate transient beam combination

Recently, energy transfer has been observed between two pulsed, degenerate laser beams copropagating almost collinearly into isotropic Kerr media with temporal relaxation. Theoretical calculations have been made which agree with the experimental data. This paper will briefly describe the experiment, and develop the theory which simulates the lab situation. The physical mechanism regulating this beam combination will also be discussed. Comparisons between the numerical simulations and the experimental data will also be presented.
Ruthenium(II) MLCT Excited States. Stabilization toward Ligand Loss in Rigid Media.

Photosubstitution and/or photoisomerization in cis-[Ru(bpy)2(py)2](PF6)2 and trans-[Ru(bpy)2(4-Etpy)2](PF6)2 or the molecular assemblies cis-[Ru(bpy)2(MQ+)2](PF6)4 and trans-[Ru(bpy)2(MQ+)2](PF6)4 are greatly inhibited in the rigid matrixes poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films and silica sol−gel monoliths. There can also be profound changes in photophysical properties as illustrated below for emission from cis-[Ru(bpy)2(py)2](PF6)2 in CH3CN and in the silica sol−gel.
Towards the understanding of resistance mechanisms in clinically isolated trimethoprim-resistant, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus dihydrofolate reductase

Resistance to therapeutics such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has become an increasing problem in strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Clinically isolated trimethoprim-resistant strains reveal a double mutation, H30N/F98Y, in dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). In order to develop novel and effective therapeutics against these resistant strains, we evaluated a series of propargyl-linked antifolate lead compounds for inhibition of the mutant enzyme. For the propargyl-linked antifolates, the F98Y mutation generates minimal (between 1.2- and 6-fold) losses of affinity and the H30N mutation generates greater losses (between 2.4- and 48-fold). Conversely, trimethoprim affinity is largely diminished by the F98Y mutation (36-fold) and is not affected by the H30N mutation. In order to elucidate a mechanism of resistance, we determined a crystal structure of a complex of this double mutant with a lead propargyl-linked antifolate. This structure suggests a resistance mechanism consistent both for the propargyl-linked class of antifolates and for trimethoprim that is based on the loss of a conserved water-mediated hydrogen bond.
The role of communication channel and self-esteem in romantic couple conflict

This work explores the role of self-esteem and communication channel (i.e., face-to-face and computer-mediated communication) during romantic couple conflict. Interviews revealed that couples use a variety of channels during conflict that provide both benefits and drawbacks. To better understand these communication processes, I will conduct a lab study where couples discuss a conflict either FtF or over instant messenger (IM). I hypothesize that low self-esteem individuals will report more negative message interpretation, communication quality, and relationship satisfaction via IM than via FtF communication since the ambiguity of CMC allows them more room to project their negative biases onto their partners.
Glucocorticoid receptor regulation

Glucocorticoids, like other classes of steroid hormones, must bind to cellular receptors in order to exert their effects. Because of this central role in mediating hormone action, it is important to elucidate those factors that control receptor content. The purpose of this minireview is to summarize the recent work that explores the mechanisms through which cells modulate their glucocorticoid receptor binding capacity.
Condor: Better Topologies Through Declarative Design

The design space for large, multipath datacenter networks is large and complex, and no one design fits all purposes. Network architects must trade off many criteria to design cost-effective, reliable, and maintainable networks, and typically cannot explore much of the design space. We present Condor, our approach to enabling a rapid, efficient design cycle. Condor allows architects to express their requirements as constraints via a Topology Description Language (TDL), rather than having to directly specify network structures. Condor then uses constraint-based synthesis to rapidly generate candidate topologies, which can be analyzed against multiple criteria. We show that TDL supports concise descriptions of topologies such as fat-trees, BCube, and DCell; that we can generate known and novel variants of fat-trees with simple changes to a TDL file; and that we can synthesize large topologies in tens of seconds. We also show that Condor supports the daunting task of designing multi-phase network expansions that can be carried out on live networks.
The isolation of three inositols from Vernonia altissima.

Abstract The isolation of levo ‐inositol, meso ‐inositol, and scyllitol from an aqueous extract of the air‐dried leaves of Vernonia altissima is reported. Meso ‐inositol was isolated from a basic lead acetate precipitate, and levo ‐inositol and scyllitol from the deionized filtrate by fractional crystallization.
Decomposition rates and phosphorus concentrations of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and cattail (Typha spp.) in fourteen Minnesota wetlands

Purple Loosestrife is rapidly displacing native vegetation in North American wetlands. Associated changes in wetland plant communities are well understood. Effects of Loosestrife invasion on nutrient cycling and decomposition rates in affected wetlands are unknown, though potentially of significance to wetland function. We used litter bag methods to quantify decomposition rates and phosphorus concentrations of purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and native cattails (Typha spp.) in fourteen Minnesota wetlands. A 170-day study that began in autumn modeled decomposition of Loosestrife leaves. Loosestrife stems andTypha shoots that had overwintered and fragmented were measured in a 280- day study that began in spring. In general, Loosestrife leaves decomposed most rapidly of the three;Typha shoots decomposed faster than Loosestrife stems. Significant decay coefficients (k-values) were determined by F-testing single exponential model regressions of different vegetation types in the fourteen wetlands. Significant decay coefficients were:k = 2.5 × 10−3 and 4.32 × 10−3 for all Loosestrife leaves (170 d);k = 7.2 × 10−4 and 1.11 × 10−3 for overwintered Loosestrife stems (280-d) andk = 7.9 × 10−4, 1.42 × 10−3 and 2.24 × 10−3 for overwinteredTypha shoots (280-d). Phosphorus concentrations of plant tissue showed an initial leaching followed by stabilization or increase probably associated with microbial growth. Loosestrife leaves had twice the phosphorus concentration of Loosestrife stems andTypha shoots. Our results indicate that conversion of wetland vegetation from cattails to Loosestrife may result in significant change in wetland function by altering timing of litter input and downstream phosphorus loads. Conversion of a riverine, flow- through wetland fromTypha to Loosestrife may effectively accelerate eutrophication of downstream water bodies. Impacts of Loosestrife invasion must be considered when wetlands are managed for wildlife or for improvement of downstream water quality.
Statistical indicators and state–space population models predict extinction in a population of bobwhite quail

Early warning systems of extinction thresholds have been developed for and tested in microcosm experiments, but have not been applied to populations of wild animals. We used state-space population models and a statistical indicator to detect a transcritical bifurcation extinction threshold in a pop- ulation of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) located in an agricultural region experiencing habitat deterioration and loss. The extinction threshold was detectible using two independent data sets. We compared predictions from state-space popula- tion models to predictions from a statistical indicator and found that predictions were corroborated. Using state-space popula- tion models, we estimated that our study population crossed the extinction threshold in 2010 (2002-2036; 95 % confidence intervals (CI)) using the whistle count (WC) data set and in 2008 (1999-2064; 95 % CI) using the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data. With the statistical indicator, we estimated that the extinction threshold will be crossed in 2018 (2004-2031; 95 % CI)using theWC dataandwill be crossed in 2012 (2006-2018; 95 % CI) using the BBS data. We expect extinction in our study population soon after crossing the extinction threshold, but the time to extinction and potential reversibility of the threshold are unknown. Our results suggest that neither small nor decreasing population size will warn of the transcritical bifurcation extinc- tion threshold. We suggest that managers of wildlife popula- tions in regions experiencing land use change should try to predict extinction thresholds and make management decisions to ensure the persistence of the species.
Nonlinear stationary waves and solitary waves in fluid systems with long-range forces

Abstract We study a class of nonlinear model equations which represent one-dimensional fluid systems with long range forces (such as gravity). We present elementary theorems which constrain the allowed types of stationary wave and solitary wave solutions for this class of systems.
Involvement of the neuropeptide substance P in lung inflammation induced by hepatic ischemia/reperfusion.

Objective and Design:The purpose of this study was to examine the potential role of substance P in accumulation of neutrophils in the lung following hepatic ischemia/reperfusion. Materials and Methods:Male C57BL/6 mice (8–10 weeks of age) were subjected to either sham surgery, partial hepatic ischemia with or without reperfusion, or intratracheal administration of saline or 1 ng substance P. Lung neutrophil accumulation was assessed by tissue content of myeloperoxidase. Activation of the transcription factor, NF-κB, was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Levels of substance P and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results:Significant pulmonary neutrophil accumulation was observed just prior to hepatic reperfusion in association with increased BAL levels of substance P. Intratracheal administration of substance P resulted in a similar pattern of neutrophil accumulation which was associated with activation of NF-κB and increased BAL levels of the chemokine, MIP-2. Conclusions:The data suggest that hepatic ischemia causes substance P release in the lung which activates NF-κB leading to the production of MIP-2 and accumulation of neutrophils.
A Very Hungry City: Urban Energy Efficiency and the Economic Fate of Cities by Austin Troy

Austin Troy, A Very Hungry City: Urban Energy Efficiency and the Economic Fate of Cities (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012).In A Very Hungry City, Austin Troy highlights the concepts of e...
On the question of intermolecular entropy effects in low-pressure ion/molecule equilibria: An analysis based on the langevin model

Abstract A recently proposed kinetic model of ion/molecule equilibria states that the total entropy change is given by the sum of two terms, an ideal contribution and a contribution due to the ion/neutral long-range interaction. The proposed kinetic model postulates that this second contribution remains finite even in the zero pressure limit. A simple kinetic model is developed which shows that the entropy change for ion/molecule equilibria must, in the zero pressure limit, be given solely by the ideal contribution. The error in the proposed kinetic model is traced to an incorrect definition of reaction probabilities. A modified collision-theory expression for endoergic ion/molecule reactions is derived. When this expression is used to estimate experimental reaction probabilities the basis for postulating an intramolecular entropy contribution disappears.
A New Look at Methodologies in the Study of Article Acquisition for Learners of ESL.

In order to have a greater understanding of the processes underlying interlanguage development, it is essential to use methods of analysis that can adequately uncover those processes. The current study attempts to demonstrate how an analysis based on suppliance of morphemes in obligatory contexts alone cannot account for the systematic nature of interlanguage variability. A longitudinal study of one Japanese learner of ESL was conducted and the learner's article system was analyzed using three systems of analysis: Huebner's (1979, 1983) system of analysis based on semantic types, an adaptation of his system, and an analysis based on suppliance of morphemes in obligatory contexts. By using a combination of methods of analysis, it is found that, although this learner's use of articles is not target-like, it is not totally random. Systematicity in the article system is found to be governed by the semantic function of noun phrases, lexical categories of NPs and attempts to keep linguistically related forms consistent with one another.
Half density quantization of the moduli space of flat connections and witten's semiclassical manifold invariants

LET PpB denote the moduli space of flat connections on (the trivial SU(2) bundle on) a compact, oriented two-manifold P. The space s”, is a stratified space containing an open dense set Yg which is a symplectic manifold of (real) dimension 6g - 6. There exists a natural line bundle 9 -+ ,Fb, with hermitian metric ( , ), whose restriction to Y9 has a connection V with curvature given by the symplectic form o on Y9. If we equip the two-manifold Xg with a metric, the resulting Hodge star operator turns ,Yg into a Klhler manifold, with w as the Kahler form. Setting aside for the moment concern with the singularities of Pg,, we arrive at the usual setting for geometric quantization: we are given a symplectic manifold (qg, o), a line bundle 3’ + 9, with connection of curvature CO, and a polarization of the space of sections of 3. The quantization CYY~(C~) = H”(Pg, Yk) of this system has been of importance in attempts to construct a topological field theory. A topological field theory would assign to every two-manifold Cg the quantization XDk(Cg) of the system (Pg, CO, 9, V), which must be proved independent of the choice of Kahler structure on -Fg, coming from a choice of metric on X9. The space Xk(Xg) can be given the structure of a Hilbert space with the metric given by ((s1,s~)) = j(si>s~)~~~-~. A topological field theory would also assign an element sN of the quantization Xk(Xg) to every three-manifold N3 whose boundary is given by 8N3 = Cg. If this assignment satisfied the axioms of topological field theory, the space Zk(Eg) would be equipped with a representation of the group Diff(Xg) of diffeomorphisms of Eg. Furthermore, we would obtain invariants of closed three-manifolds as follows. Let N be a closed three-manifold, and let N = H be a
A measurement model of youth physical activity using pedometer and self, parent, and peer reports.

Background Because no single measure is able to accurately assess all types of physical activity (PA), some researchers advocate use of multiple methods and multiple informants to measure PA. However, little research has tested the validity of proxy reports of youth PA.
Flocculation of wall-deficient cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant cw15 by calcium and methanol

Abstract Flocculation is a common and inexpensive method for harvesting algae from solution. After nitrogen starvation, it was shown that 83 ± 3% of the wall-deficient cells of the cw 15 mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii flocculated from 12 mL samples within 15 min after the addition of 15 mM calcium chloride at pH 8.4. Only 24 ± 2% of the wildtype strain flocculated under these conditions, thus demonstrating how a simple mutation might facilitate process design. The data suggested that algae grown in waters with similar calcium concentrations (e.g. certain wastewaters) might be harvested through simple pH adjustment. It was also discovered that the addition of small amounts ( cw15 cells flocculated. Methanol is fully recoverable by distillation, and its use might enable flocculation without further water salinization when media calcium concentrations fall short of 15 mM. It was further shown that substrates for and/or products of cellular growth affected flocculation adversely. Nearly 81% of cells flocculated from fresh medium compared to only 54% in spent medium.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Abstract First described by Pretty 1 in 1931, isolated spontaneous coronary artery dissection (in the absence of dissection of the aorta) is exceedingly rare, with >90% diagnosed at autopsy. Most occur in young women, particularly in the peripartum period. 2,3 This report describes a patient with primary coronary dissection related to pregnancy who was treated successfully with angioplasty.
A Theatrical Intervention to Improve Cognition in Intact Residents of Long Term Care Facilities

This study explored a theatrically-based intervention for old-olds (average age: 82.3) living in a continuing care facility. Approximately half of the participants used hearing aids and/or walkers, canes or wheelchairs, and most had self-reported memory concerns although they did not suffer from serious mental impairment as assessed by the SPMSQ. A distinguishing feature of the intervention was that no element of the theatre instruction was targeted to the test instruments. Instead, participants were trained to create life-like characters who could spontaneously interact with others. The design consisted of a one group pretest-posttest with double pretest. After four weeks of twice-weekly instructional sessions, the researchers found significant improvement in recall and problem-solving ability. Reasons for the efficacy of theatrical training with this population are discussed. Also, evidence is presented for the self-reinforcing nature of the program.
Dynamic playout scheduling algorithms for continuous multimedia streams

In this paper, we investigate a playout scheduling framework for supporting the continuous and synchronized presentations of multimedia streams in a distributed multimedia presentation system. We assume a situation in which the server and network transmissions provide sufficient support for the delivery of media objects. In this context, major issues regarding the enforcement of the smooth presentation of multimedia streams at client sites must be addressed to deal with rate variance of stream presentations and delay variance of networks. We develop various playout-scheduling algorithms that are adaptable to quality-of-service parameters. The proposed algorithms permit the local adjustment of unsynchronized presentations by gradually accelerating or retarding presentation components, rather than abruptly skipping or pausing the presentation materials. A comprehensive experimental analysis of the proposed algorithms demonstrates that our algorithms can effectively avoid playout gaps (or hiccups) in the presentations. This scheduling framework can be readily used to support customized multimedia presentations.
Precipitation of phosphorus from solid solution in Ge-Si alloy

Abstract The rate of precipitation of P from solid solution in Ge-Si alloy has been measured for times between 0.1 and 1000 hr over the temperature range 450°–700°C. Except for short times, the kinetics obey the rate law Z 3 = kt + B where Z is the inverse fractional supersaturation and k and B are constants. This equation has been shown by Lifshitz and Slyozov to apply to a process in which surface energy causes the number of precipitate sites to decrease and the average particle size to increase with time. Thus, precipitation and coarsening appear to be occurring simultaneously in this system.
Structural basis for activation of human lymphocyte kinase Lck upon tyrosine phosphorylation

Regulation through phosphorylation is a characteristic of signalling pathways and the lymphocyte kinase Lck (p56lck) both performs phosphorylation and is affected by it. Lck is a Src-family tyrosine kinase expressed in T lymphocytes, where it participates in the cellular immune response. Like all Src homologues, it comprises SH3, SH2 and kinase domains. Lck associates through its distinctive amino-terminal segment with the cytoplasmic tails of either T-cell co-receptor, CD4 or CD8-alpha. Activated Lck phosphorylates T-cell receptor zeta-chains, which then recruit the ZAP70 kinase to promote T-cell activation. Lck is activated by autophosphorylation at Tyr 394 in the activation loop and it is inactive when Tyr 505 near the carboxy terminus is phosphorylated and interacts with its own SH2 domain. Here we report the crystal structure of the Lck tyrosine kinase domain (LCKK) in its activated state at 1.7 A resolution. The structure reveals how a phosphoryl group at Tyr 394 generates a competent active site. Comparisons with other kinase structures indicate that tyrosine phophophorylation and ligand binding may in general elicit two distinct hinge-like movements between the kinase subdomains. From modelling studies, we suggest a basis for inhibition by phosphorylation at Tyr 505.
Synchrotron X-ray diffraction study of load partitioning during elastic deformation of bovine dentin.

Abstract The elastic properties of dentin, a biological composite consisting of stiff hydroxyapatite (HAP) nano-platelets within a compliant collagen matrix, are determined by the volume fraction of these two phases and the load transfer between them. We have measured the elastic strains in situ within the HAP phase of bovine dentine by high energy X-ray diffraction for a series of static compressive stresses at ambient temperature. The apparent HAP elastic modulus (ratio of applied stress to elastic HAP strain) was found to be 18 ± 2 GPa. This value is significantly lower than the value of 44 GPa predicted by the lower bound load transfer Voigt model, using HAP and collagen volume fractions determined by thermo-gravimetric analysis. This discrepancy is explained by (i) a reduction in the intrinsic Young’s modulus of the nano-size HAP platelets due to the high fraction of interfacial volume and (ii) an increase in local stresses due to stress concentration around the dentin tubules.
24(S)-Hydroxycholesterol as a Modulator of Neuronal Signaling and Survival:

The major cholesterol metabolite in brain, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (24S-HC), serves as a vehicle for cholesterol removal. Its effects on neuronal function, however, have only recently begun to be investigated. Here, we review that nascent work. Our own studies have demonstrated that 24S-HC has potent positive modulatory effects on N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) function. This could have implications not only for brain plasticity but also for pathological NMDAR overuse. Other work has demonstrated effects of 24S-HC on neuronal survival and as a possible biomarker of neurodegenerative disease. Depending on circumstances, both upregulation/mimicry of 24S-HC signaling and down-regulation/antagonism may have therapeutic potential. We are interested in the possibility that synthetic analogues of 24S-HC with positive effects at NMDARs may hold neurotherapeutic promise, given the role of NMDA receptor hypofunction in certain neuropsychiatric disorders.
Ultra-submicrometer microwave GaAs MESFETs and HEMTs

Ultra-submicron gate GaAs MESFETs and AlGaAs/GaAs HEMTs have been fabricated in an electron- beam lithographic process with gate lengths varying from 25 to 80 nm. For gate length less than 100 nm, electrical characteristics deteriorate due to fringing capacitance at a low aspect ratio. Velocity overshoot is observed for gate length shorter than about 55 nm. The maximum effective electron saturation velocity obtained is 3x107 cm/sec for a 30 nm HEMT. A maximum fT value of 167 GHz was obtained for a 37.5 nm MESFET.
Optimal Model-Based Decomposition of Powertrain System Design

Optimal design of large engineering systems modeled as nonlinear programming problems remains a challenge because increased size reduces reliability and speed of numerical optimization algorithms. Decomposition of the original model into smaller coordinated submodels is desirable or even necessary. The article presents a methodology for optimal model-based decomposition of design problems, whether or not initially cast as optimization models. The overall model is represented by a hypergraph that is optimally partitioned into weakly-connected subgraphs satisfying partitioning constraints. The formulation is robust enough to account for computational demands and resources, and the strength of interdependencies between the design relations contained in the model. This decomposition methodology is applied to a vehicle powertrain system design model consisting of engine, torque converter, transmission, and wheel-tire assemblies, with 87 design relations and 119 design and state/behavior variables.
Femtosecond investigations of optical switching and χ(3) in GaAs waveguides

We describe a new technique for performing femtosecond transient measurements of nonlinear index and absorption in waveguide devices. Using a time division interferometry technique in conjunction with a tunable femtosecond laser source we have performed the first measurement of the wavelength dependent nonresonant nonlinear index in A1GaAs. Contributions to nonlinear index arise from both virtual as well as real population mediated processes depending on the wavelength detuning from resonance. Complementary pump-probe measurements of transient absorption provide information on excited state population as well as two-photon induced absorption processes. These measurements provide imformation on the mechanism and dynamics of fundamental nonlinear optical processes below the band edge in semiconductors and are relevant to possible all optical switching applications in waveguide devices.
Visualizing Chondrocyte Mechanotransduction in 3D

Chondrocytes are the only cell type present in the articular cartilage and their response to mechanical stimuli influences the maintenance and remodeling of the cartilage. Numerous studies have shown that the balance between anabolic and catabolic responses of the chondrocytes to mechanical loading is dependent on the loading intensities (reviewed in ref. [1]). Moderate, physiological loading, for instance, increases synthetic activity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) such as collagen type II, aggrecan, and proteoglycan, while decreasing the catabolic activity of degradative enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) [2,3]. In contrast to moderate loading, static or high-intensity loading has been shown to degrade the cartilage resulting from inhibition of matrix synthesis and up-regulation of catabolic activities [3,4]. Therefore, the importance of these load-dependent signaling pathways involved in the maintenance and remodeling of the cartilage is widely accepted. However, the underlying mechanisms as to how varying magnitudes of mechanical stimuli trigger differential signaling activities that consequently lead to selective gene expression are not clear. FAK and Src are considered to be the main mechanotransduction signaling proteins at the cell-ECM adhesion sites and their activities influence various structural and signaling changes within the cell, including cytoskeletal organization, migration, proliferation, differentiation, and survival [5]. Accumulating evidence has shown that Src and FAK play crucial roles in regulating cartilage maintenance and degeneration and their activation stimulates matrix catabolic genes and activity [6,7]. Rho family GTPases such as RhoA and Rac1 play critical roles in fundamental processes including morphogenesis, polarity, movement, and cell division [8]. They also contribute to cartilage development and degradation [9,10]. Despite these studies, much remains to be elucidated on how load-induced Src and FAK participate in chondrocyte functions, and how their interactions are linked and regulated in connection to the activities of RhoA and Rac1 under different loading conditions. In this study, we use fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors to monitor activities of Src and FAK as well as individual GTPases and evaluate the potential linkage of a network of these signaling molecules under different loading conditions.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The Stewardship and Valuation Implications of Accrual Accounting Systems

In this paper we explore the role of accruals in determining “earnings quality” from both a stewardship and a valuation perspective. We show that the valuation and stewardship qualities of accrual accounting are maximized by either an “aggressive” or a “conservative” accrual strategy. Furthermore, accrual strategy choices can be delegated to management as it does not benefit by implementing a strategy that is not in the best interests of the shareholders. We also investigate the implications of accrual strategies for standard empirical measures of “earnings quality”: regression coefficients and R-squares from price-earnings and market-to-book regressions. We show that such measures respond differently, and in some cases adversely, to the kind of strategies that make accounting constructs more correlated with the underlying economic activities of firms.
Reply to Marcora

Intrathecal fentanyl affects a subset of Group III/IV muscle afferents, i.e., those that are μ-opioid receptor sensitive. The percentage of Group III/IV afferents that is opioid receptor sensitive is unknown. Therefore a considerable amount of afferent feedback likely remained intact during our
Three-dimensional variations in extensional fault shape and basin form: The Cache Valley basin, eastern Basin and Range province, United States

Seismic reflection profiles, drill-hole data, and geologic maps delimit the form of normal faults and Tertiary sedimentary rocks in the southern half of the Cache Valley basin in northern Utah. Dips of faults and sedimentary rocks were estimated from time-migrated reflection profiles by using the stacking velocities for the data. At the southern end of the basin, the East Cache fault zone is listric; it shows 50°W dips near the surface and ≈20°W dips at depth. The fault zone has been the site of ≈5.6 km of net dip slip. Tertiary rocks dip 18°E–25°E and exhibit a rollover geometry above the fault zone. No faults are interpreted on the western side of the basin. In the central part of the basin in Utah, the East Cache fault is a single fault that dips at least 45°W near the surface and is the site of 4.5–6.4 km of net dip slip. Here, the basin is bounded to the west by the West Cache fault, which is the site of at least 1 km of net slip that increases northward to 2 km of net slip. Slip on the East Cache fault resulted in planar, east-dipping, older Tertiary rocks near the bottom of the basin. Younger Tertiary strata, with southwest, west, and northwest dips, reflect complex tilting due to slip on the West and East Cache faults. Anticlines in the Tertiary basin-fill deposits are present in the central part of the basin and may reflect changes in normal-fault geometry at depth. Northward, dip slip on the East Cache fault zone decreases to 2.5 km. The basin is broad, shallow, and filled with nearly flat lying Tertiary rocks. This area, near the north-south midpoint of the basin, is bounded by the West and East Cache faults, but slip on the West Cache fault appears to diminish northward. A north-trending reflection profile tied to both drill-hole data and the east-trending seismic profiles indicates that the basin is deeper in the southern end. The along-strike changes in fault geometry, the amount of fault-slip, the subsurface form of the basin-filling sedimentary rocks, and the form of the basin indicate a complex history of faulting and deposition during its formation. This study and other recent ones from the Basin and Range province indicate that such complexities may be typical of many Tertiary basins in the region.
Predicting mathematics-related choice and success behaviors: Test of an expanded social cognitive model

Abstract This study explored the nature of the relations among prior achievement, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and interests in predicting students′ choice of, and performance in, mathematics-related college courses. Subjects were 166 introductory psychology students. Results indicated that the effects of past achievement on course interest were mediated by self-efficacy, and that interests, in turn, mediated the effects of self-efficacy on students′ intentions to enroll in mathematics-related courses. Past achievement and self-efficacy were each useful predictors of mathematics grades, with the effects of past achievement being partially mediated by self-efficacy. Outcome expectations complemented self-efficacy in predicting interest and course enrollment intentions. Implications for the further application of social cognitive theory to academic and career behavior are discussed.
Critical Transition in Tissue Homeostasis Accompanies Murine Lung Senescence

Background Respiratory dysfunction is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in aged populations. The susceptibility to pulmonary insults is attributed to “low pulmonary reserve”, ostensibly reflecting a combination of age-related musculoskeletal, immunologic and intrinsic pulmonary dysfunction. Methods/Principal Findings Using a murine model of the aging lung, senescent DBA/2 mice, we correlated a longitudinal survey of airspace size and injury measures with a transcriptome from the aging lung at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 months of age. Morphometric analysis demonstrated a nonlinear pattern of airspace caliber enlargement with a critical transition occurring between 8 and 12 months of age marked by an initial increase in oxidative stress, cell death and elastase activation which is soon followed by inflammatory cell infiltration, immune complex deposition and the onset of airspace enlargement. The temporally correlative transcriptome showed exuberant induction of immunoglobulin genes coincident with airspace enlargement. Immunohistochemistry, ELISA analysis and flow cytometry demonstrated increased immunoglobulin deposition in the lung associated with a contemporaneous increase in activated B-cells expressing high levels of TLR4 (toll receptor 4) and CD86 and macrophages during midlife. These midlife changes culminate in progressive airspace enlargement during late life stages. Conclusion/Significance Our findings establish that a tissue-specific aging program is evident during a presenescent interval which involves early oxidative stress, cell death and elastase activation, followed by B lymphocyte and macrophage expansion/activation. This sequence heralds the progression to overt airspace enlargement in the aged lung. These signature events, during middle age, indicate that early stages of the aging immune system may have important correlates in the maintenance of tissue morphology. We further show that time-course analyses of aging models, when informed by structural surveys, can reveal nonintuitive signatures of organ-specific aging pathology.
Methane on breath testing is associated with constipation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background A growing body of literature suggests an association between methane and constipation. Studies also link degree of methane production to severity of constipation and have shown constipation is improved following antibiotics.
Tracking the eye non-invasively: simultaneous comparison of the scleral search coil and optical tracking techniques in the macaque monkey

From human perception to primate neurophysiology, monitoring eye position is critical to the study of vision, attention, oculomotor control, and behavior. Two principal techniques for the precise measurement of eye position—the long-standing sclera-embedded search coil and more recent optical tracking techniques—are in use in various laboratories, but no published study compares the performance of the two methods simultaneously in the same primates. Here we compare two popular systems—a sclera-embedded search coil from C-N-C Engineering and the EyeLink 1000 optical system from SR Research—by recording simultaneously from the same eye in the macaque monkey while the animal performed a simple oculomotor task. We found broad agreement between the two systems, particularly in positional accuracy during fixation, measurement of saccade amplitude, detection of fixational saccades, and sensitivity to subtle changes in eye position from trial to trial. Nonetheless, certain discrepancies persist, particularly elevated saccade peak velocities, post-saccadic ringing, influence of luminance change on reported position, and greater sample-to-sample variation in the optical system. Our study shows that optical performance now rivals that of the search coil, rendering optical systems appropriate for many if not most applications. This finding is consequential, especially for animal subjects, because the optical systems do not require invasive surgery for implantation and repair of search coils around the eye. Our data also allow laboratories using the optical system in human subjects to assess the strengths and limitations of the technique for their own applications.
Selective area MOVPE of GaInAs/InP heterostructures on masked and nonplanar (100) and ?111? substrates

Abstract GaInAs/InP heterostructures have been grown by low-pressure metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy on nonplanar and SiO 2 masked (100), {111}A and {111}B InP substrates, patterned with stripes of different width, spacing and orientation. On (100) substrates, the growth rate of both materials is found to be strongly dependent on the mask design. Using low-temperature cathodoluminescence, we show that the stoichiometry of the GaInAs layers is also strongly influenced by the local growth environment. On partly masked {111} nonplanar substrates, we find that lateral growth takes place and that the epilayers form stable {111} surfaces which planarize the grooves. This technique is shown to be promising for the fabrication of one-step grown buried GaInAs quantum well wire arrays.
Measures of Resolution for Multicomponent Systems in One and Two Dimensions with Application to Pore Gradient Electrophoresis

Abstract Several criteria are suggested for measuring the effectiveness of separation systems (chromatography, electrophoresis, etc.) in one and two dimensions in the presence or absence of gradients. A major point is that resolution is truncated so that if two peaks are separated by more than some sufficient amount, ΔS, their effective separation remains constant. This eliminates overemphasis on large separations which tend to obscure less well-separated peaks. It is shown that the qualitative behavior of at least two of the suggested class of criteria are similar, and that the criteria are insensitive to arbitrary parameters over a wide range. Illustrative examples are given from one-and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, including the effects of pore gradients and/or ionic detergents (e.g., sodium dodecyl sulfate).
Arthroscopic treatment of septic arthritis/physitis of the femoropatellar joint in a foal: a case report

A 1-month old 103-kg Quarter Horse foal was admitted to the Texas Veterinary Medical Center for evaluation of right rear lameness, effusion of the right femoropatellar joint, and a swollen umbilicus. At admission, the foal was non-weight beating (Grade 5) on the affected limb and marked effusion of the right femoropatellar joint was present on palpation. The umbilical region was warm, swollen and sensitive to palpation. The foal's temperature was elevated (39.7°C). Radiographic examination of the right stifle revealed an osteolytic lesion in the crainal aspect of the distal femur, involving the physis (Figure 1). Because of the radiographic appearance of the lesion in conjunction with the marked effusion of the femoropatellar joint, septic physitis and osteomyelitis was tentatively diagnosed. Radiography of the contralateral stifle did not reveal the osteolytic lesion in the distal femur that was observed in the affected stifle. Ultrasonographic examination of the umbilicus revealed enlarged umbilical arteries. Arthoscopic surgery was recommended to debride the lesion in the distal femur and lavage the femoropatellar joint. In addition, surgical exploration of the umbilical region was recommended since the enlarged umbilical arteries were presumed to be the source of sepsis within the femorpatellar joint. Aspiration of synovial fluid from the femoropatellar joint for cytology, culture and susceptibility was not performed until the time of surgery.