cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of social media and the Internet in pathways to care for adolescents and young adults with psychotic disorders and non-psychotic mood disorders.

Aims Although psychosis often occurs during adolescence, there has been little research on how the ubiquitously used Internet and social media could impact pathways to care. We examined how youth with psychotic spectrum disorders (PSD) versus non-psychotic mood disorders (NPMD) use online resources in the early illness stages. Methods Social media use and pathways to care data were collected using a semi-structured interview from 80 youth (PSD = 40 and NPMD = 40) aged 12–21 years within 2 years of symptom onset. Results A total of 97.5% of participants (mean age = 18.3 years) regularly used social media, spending approximately 2.6 ± 2.5 h per day online. There were 22.4% of our sample (PSD = 19.4%, NPMD = 25.0%, P = 0.56) who reported waiting to reach out for help believing that symptoms would disappear. A total of 76.5% (PSD = 67.5%, NPMD = 85.0%, P = 0.06) noticed social media habit changes during symptom emergence. Thirty per cent reported discussing their symptoms on social media (PSD = 22.5%, NPMD = 37.5%, P = 0.14). NPMD patients sought information most on how to stop symptoms (40.0% vs. 13.5%, P = 0.01), while PSD youth were more commonly interested in what caused their symptoms (21.6% vs. 15.0%, P = 0.45). More PSD patients (42.9% vs. 25.0%, P = 0.10) would prefer to receive mental health information via the Internet. Altogether, 63.6% (PSD = 64.9%, NPMD = 62.5%, P = 0.83) were amenable to clinicians proactively approaching them via social media during symptom emergence. A total of 74.3% (PSD = 78.4%, NPMD = 70.0%, P = 0.40) liked the idea of obtaining help/advice from professionals via social media. Conclusions The Internet and social media provide an unparalleled opportunity to supplement and potentially transform early intervention services, and acceptance of this approach appears to be high.
Accounting for the environment

The paper discusses a major project to introduce imputed values of environmental services into the national accounts. After a short discussion of how the project relates to the social measurement research underway at the National Bureau of Economic Research, the accounting principles are briefly presented. Preliminary accounting data, as well as the results of a study of the distribution of air pollution damage, which relied on these data, are also presented. The paper includes a brief discussion of the policy and research implications suggested by these preliminary results. Finally, the paper closes with a technical appendix demonstrating that a sector's contribution to air pollution emissions may be a poor indicator of its contribution to social damage.
Surface-embedded passive RF exteroception: kepler, greed, and buffon's needle

Surface-embedded passive radio frequency (PRF) exteroception is a method whereby an action to be executed by a mobile unit is selected through a signal received from a surface-embedded external passive RFIDtransponder. This paper describes how Kepler's hexagonal packing pattern is used to embed passive RFID transponders into a carpet to create PRF surfaces. Proof-of-concepts experiments are presented that show how such surfaces enable mobile robots to reliably accomplish point-to-point navigation indoors and outdoors. Two greedy algorithms are presented for automated design of PRF surfaces. A theoretical extension of the classic Buffon's Needle problem from computational geometry is presented as a possible way to optimize the packing of RF transponders on a surface.
Flexor pollicis longus tendon rupture after volar plating of a distal radius fracture: pronator quadratus plate coverage may not adequately protect tendons.

Objective: The senior author previously reported a case of rupture of the flexor policis longus tendon after volar plating of a distal radius fracture. We hypothesized that restoration of the pronator quadratus to its native position after plating might prevent this problem. Methods: The authors report a new case of irritation of the flexor policis longus 2.5 years after volar plating of a distal radius fracture. The plate was in good contact with the bone, and the pronator quadratus had been restored to its native position. Despite this, there was a partial-thickness laceration of the tendon over the plate and a defect in the pronator quadratus muscle which had been between the plate and the tendon. Results: The patient was treated with removal of the plate and repair of the tendon. She never lost function of the flexor policis longus tendon and has full function of her hand. Conclusions: The authors believe that restoration of the pronator quadratus to its native position after volar plating of a distal radius fracture does protect the overlying flexor tendons. Even with this step, tendon irritation can still occur. The authors advise their patients at the time of discharge from initial treatment of their distal radius fracture to be vigilant for any evidence of flexor tendon irritation and to return for evaluation if they have any suspicion of this.
Future Probes of the Primordial Scalar and Tensor Perturbation Spectra: Prospects from the CMB, Cosmic Shear and High-Volume Redshift Surveys

Detailed study of the scalar and tensor perturbation spectra can provide much information about the primordial fluctuation-generator, be it inflation or something else. The tensor perturbation spectrum may be observable through its influence on CMB polarization, but only if the tensor-to-scalar ratio, r = T/S, is greater than about 10^{-5}. The tensor tilt can be measured with an error of sigma(n_T) that decreases with r from 0.1 at r=0.001 to 0.02 at r = 0.1. Current CMB constraints on the scalar perturbation spectrum can be improved by higher--resolution CMB observations and/or by tomographic cosmic shear observations. These can both shrink errors on the tilt (n_S) and running (n_S'= dn_S/d\ln k) to the 10^{-3} level. Stunning as these results would be, it may become very desirable to improve upon them an order of magnitude further in order to study the expected departures from n_S' = 0. Such improvements are likely to require observation of three--dimensional clustering over very large volumes. Unfortunately, to get down to the 10^{-4} level will require a sparse spectroscopic redshift survey with about 10^9 galaxies spread over a volume less than but comparable to that of the observable Universe.
OIV‐B‐1

BACKGROUND The erythromycin breath test (ERBT) has been widely used as a phenotypic measure of CYP3A activity in individuals and its modulation by inhibitors or inducers. However, it is not entirely clear what this trait measure actually reflects since, in addition to CYP3A, animal studies suggest that P-glycoprotein is also involved in erythromycin's hepatic disposition. Thus, studies were undertaken to determine the effect of tariquidar, a potent P-glycoprotein inhibitor that does not affect CYP3A activity, on the ERBT and on the CYP3A-mediated metabolism of midazolam - a non P-glycoprotein substrate. METHODS A randomized, double-blind, 2-way crossover trial was performed in 8 healthy subjects involving the intravenous administration of either placebo or tariquidar (150 mg over 30 min) on 2 study days separated by at least 2 weeks. On both days, a 1-hr ERBT was performed followed by determination of midazolam's systemic clearance after a 1 mg intravenous dose. RESULTS Tariquidar increased the ERBT value in all subjects by a median of 2.3-fold (range 1.4 to 3.2-fold; p = 0.012). By contrast, midazolam's systemic clearance after tariquidar was unchanged (p=0.25). CONCLUSION Hepatic P–glycoprotein is an important determinant of the ERBT and a potentially confounding factor in interpreting the meaning of the trait measure. Additionally, the results demonstrate the dynamic interplay between hepatic drug transport and metabolism of dual CYP3A/P-glycoprotein substrates. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 79, P33–P33; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2005.12.118
A Theoretical Tour of Connectivity in Image Processing and Analysis

Connectivity is a concept of great relevance to image processing and analysis. It is extensively used in image filtering and segmentation, image compression and coding, motion analysis, pattern recognition, and other applications. In this paper, we provide a theoretical tour of connectivity, with emphasis on those concepts of connectivity that are relevant to image processing and analysis. We review several notions of connectivity, which include classical topological and graph-theoretic connectivity, fuzzy connectivity, and the theories of connectivity classes and of hyperconnectivity. It becomes clear in this paper that the theories of connectivity classes and of hyperconnectivity unify all relevant notions of connectivity, and provide a solid theoretical foundation for studying classical and fuzzy approaches to connectivity, as well as for constructing new examples of connectivity useful for image processing and analysis applications.
Cultural Recognition, Cosmopolitanism and Multicultural Education

Much of the recent research on multicultural education supports a variety of programs designed to reinforce and sustain the survival of particular cultural identities in public schools. As Michael Olneck has argued recently, in an impressively erudite review of the recent multicultural education literature, a variety of recent programs and policies share an ideal of multicultural education that “would require that the explicit affirmation of minority identities...be permitted even within public schools.” These include bilingual and heritage language education programs that seek to reinforce and encourage the flourishing of local languages, and not simply to serve as temporary, transitional “bridges” designed to help minority language children assimilate to a larger English speaking public culture. As well, it includes recent attempts to reconfigure public school practices along multicultural lines (for example curricula) so that they adequately represent the cultural values, experiences and traditions of minority cultural groups. It also includes a variety of recent demands on the part of minority national and cultural groups — for example North American Indians, the Deaf, AfricanAmericans — for publicly funded schools designed to reinforce particular cultural, racial, gendered or other identities.
Dinosaurs and The Origin of Birds

The evolutionary relationships of birds have been debated ever since the discovery of a fossil bird, Archaeopteryx, in 1861, that has bird-like feathers but reptilian teeth and a long bony tail. Recent discoveries of feathered dinosaurs have confirmed analyses of bird relationships beginning in the 1970s that placed Archaeopteryx and birds within one group of dinosaurs, the Theropoda. Recognition of this relationship and discovery of a variety of new species have allowed evolutionary biologists to study for the first time many aspects of the transition from ground-living theropods to flying birds. Many new details about the evolution of feathers, reproductive features of birds and flight have emerged from these fossils and continue to emerge as new fossils are found. The precise relationships of birds to theropods is still debated, but the scansoriopterygids, dromaeosaurs and troodontids are amongst the closest relatives of birds. Key Concepts: The closest living relatives of birds are the crocodilians and together they form the group Archosauria. The origins of birds lie with fossil archosaurs, which include dinosaurs, the flying reptiles called pterosaurs and the many fossil relatives of crocodilians. Evolutionary relationships are studied using cladistic analysis of similarities shared amongst different species. Cladistic analyses strongly support birds being closely related to a subgroup within the theropod dinosaurs called Coelurosauria and especially with the scansoriopterygid, dromaeosaur and troodontid coelurosaurs. Fossil coelurosaurs with feathers from China provide convincing evidence that birds are coelurosaurs, and that during the course of evolution feathers arose before flight. Keywords: birds; dinosaurs; feathers; phylogeny
Synthesis and SAR optimization of diketo acid pharmacophore for HCV NS5B polymerase inhibition

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase is a key target for anti-HCV therapeutics development. Here we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of α,γ-diketo acids (DKAs) as NS5B polymerase inhibitors. We initiated structure-activity relationship (SAR) optimization around the furan moiety of compound 1a [IC(50) = 21.8 μM] to achieve more active NS5B inhibitors. This yielded compound 3a [IC(50) = 8.2 μM] bearing the 5-bromobenzofuran-2-yl moiety, the first promising lead compound of the series. Varying the furan moiety with thiophene, thiazole and indazole moieties resulted in compound 11a [IC(50) = 7.5 μM] bearing 3-methylthiophen-2-yl moiety. Finally replacement of the thiophene ring with a bioisosteric phenyl ring further improved the inhibitory activity as seen in compounds 21a [IC(50) = 5.2 μM] and 24a [IC(50) = 2.4 μM]. Binding mode of compound 24a using glide docking within the active site of NS5B polymerase will form the basis for future SAR optimization.
Assessment of laryngeal view: Percentage of glottic opening score vs Cormack and Lehane grading

Purpose To examine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of two methods that categorize laryngeal view during direct laryngoscopy, the Cormack-Lehane grading system and a new scale, the percentage of glottic opening (POGO) scale.
Mechanism for fragmentation of molecules by positron annihilation

A mechanism is proposed for fragmentation resulting from positron-induced ionization of polyatomic molecules at energies below the threshold for producing positronium. The mechanism is supported by calculation, and by comparison with experimental data.
Video Cases: An Alternative to the Term Paper

Detailed in this article is a a video production assignment for hospitality students. The goals of the project are discussed; methodology of the project is present; and challenges and successes are offered.
A comprehensive electrocardiogram-gated 64-slice multidetector computed tomography imaging protocol to visualize the coronary arteries, thoracic aorta, and pulmonary vasculature in a single breath hold.

Objectives Advances in computed tomography technology may permit the evaluation of coronary disease, aortic dissection, and pulmonary embolism with a single contrast bolus and breath hold. We sought to determine whether 64-slice computed tomography angiography (CTA) allows for simultaneous visualization of the coronary arteries, thoracic aorta, and pulmonary arteries (coronary, aorta, pulmonary [CAP]) with image quality comparable to routine CTA protocols. Materials and methods We prospectively enrolled 20 patients who underwent CAP CTA. Image quality of CAP CTA was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively and compared with dedicated coronary (n = 20) and pulmonary (n = 10) CTA data sets using matched controls. Results The mean amount of contrast and radiation dose was 132 +/- 10 mL and 17.8 +/- 1.8 mSv, 78 +/- 9 mL and 13.7 +/- 3.4 mSv, and 135 mL and 11.9 +/- 1.5 mSv for CAP CTA, coronary CTA, and pulmonary CTA, respectively (P = 0.001). There was no difference in overall image quality (P = 0.88), presence of motion artifacts (P = 0.40), or enhancement of the proximal coronary arteries (median [interquartile range for contrast-noise ratio was 12.5 9.9-15.2 vs 13.1 10.3-16.9; P = 0.17]) or thoracic aorta (264 [113-326] vs 245 [107-295]; P = 0.34) between CAP CTA and the dedicated coronary CTA, respectively. However, contrast attenuation was higher in the pulmonary arteries with CAP CTA (363 [253-424]) versus the standard pulmonary CTA protocol (235 [182-269]; P = 0.0001). Conclusions : Using an individually tailored single contrast injection, CAP CTA permits simultaneous visualization of the coronary arteries, thoracic aorta, and pulmonary arteries with excellent image quality. Further research is necessary to determine whether this protocol may enhance triage of patients with undifferentiated acute chest pain.
Computational micromechanics analysis of electron-hopping-induced conductive paths and associated macroscale piezoresistive response in carbon nanotube–polymer nanocomposites:

In this study, a computational model is developed using finite-element techniques within a continuum micromechanics framework to capture the effect of electron-hopping-induced conductive paths at t...
Bourdieu and organizational analysis

Despite some promising steps in the right direction, organizational analysis has yet to exploit fully the theoretical and empirical possibilities inherent in the writings of Pierre Bourdieu. While certain concepts associated with his thought, such as field and capital, are already widely known in the organizational literature, the specific ways in which these terms are being used provide ample evidence that the full significance of his relational mode of thought has yet to be sufficiently apprehended. Moreover, the almost complete inattention to habitus, the third of Bourdieu’s major concepts, without which the concepts of field and capital (at least as he deployed them) make no sense, further attests to the misappropriation of his ideas and to the lack of appreciation of their potential usefulness. It is our aim in this paper, by contrast, to set forth a more informed and comprehensive account of what a relational – and, in particular, a Bourdieu-inspired – agenda for organizational research might look like. Accordingly, we examine the implications of his theoretical framework for interorganizational relations, as well as for organizations themselves analyzed as fields. The primary advantage of such an approach, we argue, is the central place accorded therein to the social conditions under which inter- and intraorganizational power relations are produced, reproduced, and contested.
Test and debug strategy for TSMC CoWoS™ stacking process based heterogeneous 3D IC: A silicon case study

Recent advances in semiconductor process technology especially interconnects using Through Silicon Vias (TSVs) enable the heterogeneous system integration where dies are implemented in dedicated, optimized process technologies and stacked in a 3D form. TSMC has developed the CoWoS™ (Chip on Wafer on Substrate) process as a design paradigm to assemble silicon interposer-based 3D ICs. To reach quality requirements for volume production, several test challenges related to 3D ICs need to be addressed. This paper describes the test and debug strategy used in designing a CoWoS™ based stacked IC. The 3D design presented in the paper contains three heterogeneous dies (a logic, a DRAM, and a JEDEC Wide-I/O compliant DRAM) stacked on the top of a passive interposer. For passive interposer testing, a novel test methodology called Pretty-Good-Die (PGD) test is presented, while for inter-die test, a novel scalable multi-tower 3D DFT architecture is presented. Silicon results show that most of the test challenges can be solved efficiently if planned properly; and 3D ICs are reality and not a fiction anymore.
Traditional and Modified Soy Oils as Substitutes for Fish Oil in Feeds for Hybrid Striped Bass

Abstract In order to assess the relative merits of different soy oils as alternatives to fish oil, we evaluated the production performance and fillet fatty acid profiles of hybrid Striped Bass fed feeds containing fish oil (FO) or 50:50 blends of fish oil and standard (STD SO), saturated fatty acid-enriched (SFA SO), low alpha-linolenic acid (LOW ALA SO), or hydrogenated (HYD SO) soy oil for 12 weeks (4 tanks/diet, 8 fish/tank; initial weight = 67.8 ± 0.2 g, grand mean ± SE). Weight gain (214 ± 5%) and specific growth rate (1.4 ± 0.0% body weight/d) were unaffected by diet. Although some differences were observed for feed conversion ratio, none of the soy-fed groups were significantly different from the FO-fed group (1.2 ± 0.0). Feeding the soy diets altered fillet fatty acid composition, but coefficient of distance values indicated the SFA SO (Djh = 3.9) and HYD SO (Djh = 9.1) feeds yielded fillet fatty acid profiles that were more similar to the FO control than the STD SO (Djh = 17.3) and LOW ALA SO (Dj...
Effects of triiodothyronine on retention of beta-adrenergic responsiveness of voltage-gated transmembrane calcium current during culture of ventricular myocytes from neonatal rabbits.

ABSTRACT: To study the effects of triiodothyronine (T3) on responsiveness of L-type calcium currents to β-adrenergic stimulation in neonatal hearts, ventricular myocytes were isolated from neonatal rabbits and cultured in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum to which T3 had been added to achieve either hypothyroid, euthyroid, or hyperthyroid conditions, as assessed by measurement of free T3 concentrations. During a 24-h culture period, the striated rod-shaped myocardial cells progressively assumed a stellate shape with reduced surface area; however, the rate constants for diffusion of Na+ from a microelectrode pipette into the cells remained unchanged. Voltage-dependent characteristics of L-type calcium currents as assessed by whole-cell voltage clamp studies were also unchanged after culture with various concentrations of free T3. By contrast, the stimulation of voltage-gated transmembrane calcium current from baseline by isoproterenol was reduced (p 0.05). These results indicate that retention of β-adrenergic responsiveness of voltage-gated transmembrane calcium current in neonatal cardiac myocytes depends on physiologic amounts of active thyroid hormone. Our culture method for neonatal cardiac myocytes will be useful for studying physiologic modulation of β-adrenergic responsiveness.
Determining phase volume fraction in steels by electron backscattered diffraction

Abstract The relative sharpness of electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) patterns is used to quantify the volume fraction of ferrite in low-carbon steels. EBSD pattern quality (PQ) maps are shown to improve imaging of martensite and ferrite over optical and secondary electron imaging. Ferrite volume fraction in isothermally reacted Fe–0.12C–3.28Ni are quantified using PQ maps by manual point counting and image thresholding.
Inhibition of platelet lipoxygenase by toluene-3,4-dithiol and other ferric iron chelators

Abstract Arachidonate lipoxygenase, obtained from the soluble, cytoplasmic fraction of sonicated human platelets was strongly inhibited by toluene-3,4-dithiol and dithizone, agents which form strong complexes with ferric but not ferrous ions. Weak inhibition was noted with the less specific iron chelator ortho-phenanthroline and with potassium cyanide. There was no inhibition with the ferrous iron chelating agent 2,2′ dipyridyl nor with bathophenanthroline or EDTA. These findings suggest that platelet lipoxygenase activity depends on ferric iron.
Effect of high oxygen pressure on brain norepinephrine and serotonin turnover.

Abstract The effect of high oxygen pressure on the in vivo turnover of NE in mouse and rat brain, and the turnover of 5-HT in mouse brain was investigated. Turnover of NE and 5-HT was determined by steady-state kinetic methods. In mice, synthesis of NE was inhibited by the administration of α-MPT. In rats NE turnover was determined from the decline in intracisternally administered H 3 NE. Steady-state kinetic methods also were used to determine 5-HT turnover in mice, utilizing probenecid to block the transport of 5-HIAA. In these studies, 100% oxygen at 1 and 3 atmospheres had no effect on either NE turnover in mice and rats or 5-HT turnover in mice. These studies suggest that changes in NE and 5-HT turnover do not appear to be implicated in the onset of oxygen-induced convulsions.
Onset of Lymphocyte Function in the Developing Human Fetus

Extract: Lymphocytes capable of responding to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were present in human fetal thymus tissue by 12-week gestational age and in spleens 2–4 weeks later. In spleens, establishment of the PHA response was associated with the appearance of small lymphocytes in cuffs surrounding central arterioles. Speculation: Onset of PHA responsiveness in lymphocytes obtained from the embryonic thymus precedes that of the spleen. It would be of particular interest to know when bone marrow cells and lymph node lymphocytes start to show this function.
Sensitivity to spectral interaural intensity difference cues in space-specific neurons of the barn owl.

Barn owls use interaural intensity differences to localize sounds in the vertical plane. At a given elevation the magnitude of the interaural intensity difference cue varies with frequency, creating an interaural intensity difference spectrum of cues which is characteristic of that direction. To test whether space-specific cells are sensitive to spectral interaural intensity difference cues, pure-tone interaural intensity difference tuning curves were taken at multiple different frequencies for single neurons in the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus. For a given neuron, the interaural intensity differences eliciting the maximum response (the best interaural intensity differences) changed with the frequency of the stimulus by an average maximal difference of 9.4±6.2 dB. The resulting spectral patterns of these neurally preferred interaural intensity differences exhibited a high degree of similarity to the acoustic interaural intensity difference spectra characteristic of restricted regions in space. Compared to stimuli whose interaural intensity difference spectra matched the preferred spectra, stimuli with inverted spectra elicited a smaller response, showing that space-specific neurons are sensitive to the shape of the spectrum. The underlying mechanism is an inhibition for frequency-specific interaural intensity differences which differ from the preferred spectral pattern. Collectively, these data show that space-specific neurons are sensitive to spectral interaural intensity difference cues and support the idea that behaving barn owls use such cues to precisely localize sounds.
Laplace transforms for residual waiting times

Laplace transform expressions are derived for the distribution functions and moments of residual waiting times in renewal theory. These expressions are inverted numerically, and the results are contrasted with appropriate asymptotic expressions.
Use of gesture sequences in captive chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes ) play

This study examined the use of sensory modalities relative to a partner’s behavior in gesture sequences during captive chimpanzee play at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute. We hypothesized that chimpanzees would use visual gestures toward attentive recipients and auditory/tactile gestures toward inattentive recipients. We also hypothesized that gesture sequences would be more prevalent toward unresponsive rather than responsive recipients. The chimpanzees used significantly more auditory/tactile rather than visual gestures first in sequences with both attentive and inattentive recipients. They rarely used visual gestures toward inattentive recipients. Auditory/tactile gestures were effective with and used with both attentive and inattentive recipients. Recipients responded significantly more to single gestures than to first gestures in sequences. Sequences often indicated that recipients did not respond to initial gestures, whereas effective single gestures made more gestures unnecessary. The chimpanzees thus gestured appropriately relative to a recipient’s behavior and modified their interactions according to contextual social cues.
Scapholunate Advanced Collapse and Scaphoid Nonunion Advanced Collapse Arthritis—Update on Evaluation and Treatment

Scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) and scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse are common patterns of wrist arthritis. Scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse is caused by trauma, whereas SLAC wrist may also result from chronic pseudogout and can appear bilaterally without a clear history of injury. Surgical treatment for SLAC wrist includes 4-corner arthrodesis, capitolunate arthrodesis, complete wrist arthrodesis, proximal row carpectomy (PRC), denervation, and radial styloidectomy. Scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse wrist has the additional surgical option of excision of the distal ununited scaphoid fragment. Controversy persists over the relative merits of PRC versus 4-corner arthrodesis and whether PRC may be performed in the setting of capitate arthritis.
Nuclear Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-associated Factor 6 in Lymphoid Cells Negatively Regulates c-Myb-mediated Transactivation through Small Ubiquitin-related Modifier-1 Modification

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is an adaptor/scaffold protein that mediates several important signaling pathways, including the tumor necrosis factor-R:NF-kappaB pathway, involved in immune surveillance, inflammation, etc. Because most studies of TRAF6 function have focused primarily on its role as an adaptor molecule in signaling pathways in the cytoplasm, the potential functions of TRAF6 in other cellular compartments has not been previously investigated. Here, we demonstrate that TRAF6 resides not only in the cellular cytoplasm but is also found in the nuclei of both normal and malignant B lymphocytes. TRAF6 does not possess a nuclear localization signal but enters the nucleus through the nuclear pore complex containing RanGap1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation cloning experiments demonstrated that nuclear TRAF6 associates with c-Myb within the 5'-end of the c-Myb promoter. Further analysis showed that nuclear TRAF6 is modified by small ubiquitin-related modifier-1, interacts with histone deacetylase 1, and represses c-Myb-mediated transactivation. Thus, TRAF6 negatively regulates c-Myb through a novel repressor function in the nuclei of both normal and malignant B-lymphocytes that could represent a novel control mechanism that maintains cell homeostasis and immune surveillance.
Purification and properties of RhaR, the positive regulator of the l-rhamnose operons of Escherichia coli

Abstract The product of the rhaR gene, which regulates the level of mRNA produced from the four l -rhamnose-inducible promoters of the rhamnose operon, has been hypersynthesized and purified by a two-column procedure. The purified protein is a 33 kDa DNA-binding protein that binds to an inverted repeat structure located within the p sr promoter, the promoter for the rhaS and rhaR genes. The equilibrium binding constants and kinetic constants have been determined under a variety of solution conditions. The protein binds with high affinity and its binding is sensitive to salt concentration and the presence of l -rhamnose. The nucleotides and phosphate residues contacted by RhaR were identified by chemical interference assays. All of the contacts are made to one face of the DNA and the symmetrical pattern matches the inverted repeat sequence proposed for the binding site. An unusual property of the binding site is that the two half-sites of the inverted repeat are separated from one another by 17 base-pairs of uncontacted DNA. Significant binding is retained if the 17 base-pairs are extended by insertions of integral turns of DNA, but not by half-integral turns. The complex of RhaR-DNA appears to be sharply bent, approximately 160 °.
A bargaining game analysis of international climate negotiations

Progress towards reaching an international climate agreement has been painfully slow and fraught with difficulty. This work presents a newly developed game theoretic model aimed at the conceptual clarification of some key obstacles in current international negotiations. The model is then used to suggest possible solutions to these obstacles.
Monitoring R CrB at Minimum Light

The star R CrB has been monitored at its faintest known minimum brightness in a search for possible light variations. No short-term variations were identified. In addition, UBVRI photometry is presented for stars in the surrounding neighborhood.
Updating practice guidelines.

In this issue of JAMA, Neuman et al1 assessed the proportion of class I clinical practice guideline recommendations from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) that changed their level of support or were omitted from subsequent versions of the guideline. This is a significant topic as practice guidelines have become important tools to improve the quality of medical care. Practice guidelines are used by clinicians to help determine what care patients will receive, are used by patients to understand what their treatment options may be, are used to create performance measures to benchmark clinician care quality, and are used to help set payment policies (for example, the recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force and insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act). Reflecting this increasing importance, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently released standards for developing clinical practice guidelines.2
Photoelectrochemical etching of semiconductors

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) etching of III-V semiconductors has been used to fabricate unique structures in electronic and photonic devices, such as integral lenses on light-emitting diodes, gratings on laser structures, and through-wafer via connections in field-effect transistors. The advantages and characteristics of PEC etching are reviewed, and the extension of this processing technique to silicon is addressed. Three-dimensional structures are of great interest in silicon for electronic and micromechanical devices. Silicon is a challenging material to PEC-etch because the oxides formed during etching inhibit the dissolution rate and decrease the spatial resolution. In addition, the long carrier lifetime permits holes to react at unilluminated sites. Nonaqueous solvents provide a processing environment where oxides do not interfere with the spatial resolution and free fluoride is no longer needed in the dissolution of silicon.
A pleasure to work with--an analysis of written comments on student evaluations.

Objective. —Studies assessing rating scales on student evaluations are available. However, there are no data related to the written comments on these evaluations. This study was designed to evaluate these comments. Methods. —A content analysis was performed on the narrative section of pediatric clerks' evaluations. Final evaluations were obtained from 10 outpatient clinical sites staffed by full-time faculty over 14 months. A coding dictionary containing 12 categories (7 linked to clinical skills) was used. Results. —One thousand seventeen comments on 227 evaluations were coded. The mean number of comments per evaluation was 4. Learner and personal characteristics were the largest categories. Normative comments, such as "good physical exam," as opposed to more specific comments, such as "complete presentation," predominated in all categories. Conclusions. —Evaluation comments were infrequently related to basic clinical skills and were not often specific enough to lead to effective change in a student's performance. Faculty development is needed to make final evaluation comments more useful for students.
Echocardiographic Features of Genetic Diseases: Part 4. Connective Tissue

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of connective tissue disorders with simple mendelian inheritance. The cardinal manifestations of EDS are hyperextensible (“stretchy”) skin, hypermobile joints, and easy bruising.1 Ten types of EDS have been described.2 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome results from an abnormality of the connective tissues, and the clinical and genetic heterogenicity reflect in part an underlying biochemical heterogenicity.1 Type IV EDS is a dominantly inherited disorder that results from mutations in the type III collagen gene.3 COL5A1, the gene for the alfa-1 chain of type V collagen, is an important cause of EDS, and type I and type II are allelic.4 A study shows COL5A1 places between marker D9S66 and D9S67.5 Cardiovascular abnormalities are a recognized feature of connective tissue disorders, including EDS.
Improving maintenance effectiveness at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) nuclear power plants

Over a period of about five years, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has improved the effectiveness of the maintenance program at their nuclear plants. To achieve these improvements in productivity and quality, it was necessary to develop a high standard within the maintenance community. Some key factors were increased critical self-assessment, improved measurements, more effective communications, and increased work involvement and empowerment to allow everyone to become responsible for decision affecting their own work. The improvements achieved in the maintenance program are part of the overall total quality improvement initiatives that are underway throughout the TVA. Quality action teams are continuing to search for ways to improve maintenance processes. >
Genomic expression analysis implicates Wnt signaling pathway and extracellular matrix alterations in hepatic specification and differentiation of murine hepatic stem cells.

Abstract HBC-3 hepatic stem cells maintained in the undifferentiated state can be induced to differentiate along the hepatocyte lineage in response to DMSO (Rogler, 1997). In order to understand the complex transcriptional regulatory mechanisms associated with the differentiation of these somatic stem cells and to identify novel candidate stem cell and differentiation associated genes, we have begun to characterize the transcriptome of HBC-3 cells during a 7-day differentiation protocol. This analysis showed that differentiating HBC-3 cells undergo biphasic bursts of gene regulation peaking at 3 hours and 120 hours of DMSO treatment. In the undifferentiated state, HBC-3 cells express muscle, neuron, myeloid, and lymphoid specific genes that are rapidly downregulated during hepatocytic differentiation. Cluster analysis has revealed large groups of genes with different temporal regulation profiles demonstrating complex and widespread transcriptional changes. Specifically, we discovered a multifaceted downregulation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway accompanied by the repression of TCF target genes during HBC-3 differentiation. In addition, there is downregulation of cellular receptors for fibronectin and laminin and other extracellular matrix molecules indicative of widespread cell surface alterations. DMSO induces cell cycle arrest, and this is reflected in upregulation of growth inhibitory proteins such as cyclin I and p18 and downregulation of cyclins B1 and D. Genes needed for hepatocytic functions, such as apolipoprotein C-IV, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and asialoglycoprotein receptor were upregulated. Finally, transcriptional regulators including Twist, Snail, HNF1a, and GATA6 were upregulated during differentiation of HBC-3 cells. The significance of these findings is that our genome-based approach has allowed the parallel identification of multiple regulatory pathways that is needed to begin to fully understand the complex differentiation process.
Membrane association by bacteriophage lambda-DNA: possible direct role of regulator gene N.

After release of repression, λ DNA quickly becomes associated with a membrane fraction. This membrane association requires the product of the λ regulator gene N, but not the product of any known genes subject to N activation. Gene N may carry out its positive regulation of DNA replication and RNA transcription through direct control of membrane association.
Reduced lateral mobility of a fluorescent lipid probe in cholesterol-depleted erythrocyte membrane

Abstract The effect of cholesterol depletion of the human erythrocyte membrane on the lateral diffusion rate of a fluorescent lipid probe is reported. At low temperatures (−5 to 5°C), the diffusion of the probe is 50% slower in the cholesterol-depleted membrane than in non-depleted membrane. At high temperatures (30 to 40° C), probe mobility is not affected by cholesterol depletion. These results suggest that cholesterol suppresses aspects of phospholipid phase changes in animal cells in a manner consistent with its behavior in artificial bilayers and multilayers. Whole erythrocytes were depleted of 30–50% of their cholesterol by incubation with a sonicated dispersion of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine. Cells were then labeled with 3,3′-dioctadecylindocarbocyanine (diI), a phospholipid-like fluorescent dye, and hemolyzed into spherical ghosts. The rate of lateral motion of diI was measured by observing the fluorescence recovery after local photobleaching with a focused laser spot. The diffusion rate of the lipid probe in both control and cholesterol-depleted erythrocyte membrane is substantially smaller than in any cell or model membrane previously measured.
When rational men fall sick : An inquiry into some assumptions made by medical anthropologists

Medical anthropologists spend most of their time eliciting and interpreting people's statements about sickness and health. For this task, they make certain assumptions about the importance of language and reason. In this paper I argue that their assumptions are tailored to fit an hypothetical Rational Man rather than real people. The concept of ‘explanatory models of sickness’ is used to illustrate this point. My critique begins by drawing attention to two non-cognitive determinants of people's statements: their degree of emotional arousal and their capacities for discoursing on medical subjects. These determinants are briefly discussed and then set aside, to make room for the paper's argument proper. This starts with the observation that medical anthropologists tend to overlook the fact that they have established a cognitive no man's land stretching between their informants' statements and the cognitive structures which are supposed to generate these statements. I survey this void, using a five-fold model of medical knowledge. People use one kind of knowledge to organize their medical experiences and perceptions. In Rational Man writing, this form of knowledge is considered equivalent to cognitive structures (e.g., causal models, classificatory schemes), but I argue that it also includes knowledge of prototypical sickness events and knowledge that is embedded in actions, social relations, and material equipment. The theoretical implications of the five-fold model are outlined. This is followed by an analysis of the reasoning processes in which people use medical knowledge to produce the statements whose meaning we wish to learn. I demonstrate the importance of being able to distinguish operational and monothetic forms of reasoning from pre-operational and polythetic ones. Rational Man writers are described as ignoring the latter pair. The concept of ‘prototypes’ is reintroduced to illustrate these points.
An improved translational switch for long term maintenance of synaptic plasticity

Memory lasts a lifetime, yet the physiological substrate of memory, synaptic contacts, are composed of proteins that have much shorter lifetimes. A physiological analog of memory formation, long-term potentiation (LTP), has a late protein synthesis dependent phase (L-LTP) that can last for many hours in slices, or even days in vivo [1,2]. Our previous studies show that maintenance of L-LTP and memory can be accounted by persistent regulation of on-site synthesis of plasticity-related proteins by a self-sustaining regulation of translation. It has been shown that a αCaMKII-CPEB1 molecular pair can act as a bistable switch with different total amounts of αCaMKII in potentiated and non-potentiated synapses [3]. The molecular interaction model in our previous study comprised αCaMKII which could be in an inactive, active and active and phosphorylated forms together with a translation regulating molecule CPEB1, which can be in an active or inactive form. The model included both degradation and new protein synthesis of αCaMKII. We have showen that this model is bistable [3]. The bistability was caused by interaction of Ca2+-Calmodulin dependent and auto-phosphorylation activation, spontaneous degradation and synthesis loops of αCaMKII. This model could successfully account for maintenance of L-LTP over a long period of time and also proposes an explanation for why application of protein synthesis and αCaMKII inhibitors at induction and maintenance phases of L-LTP result in very different outcomes [3-5] However, the protein synthesis loop in our previous model was very simplistic. Here, we suggest a more detailed model of translation with explicit implementation of mRNA and poly-ribosome concentration in the pre-synaptic spine. We assume that activated CBEB1activates mRNA which then binds preferentially to poly-ribosome, as compared to a non-active mRNA, for αCaMKII synthesis. We show that this system can act as a bistable switch. We also look at the behavior of this system at low poly-ribosome and mRNA concentration levels using stochastic simulations with Gillespie algorithm.
A new proof of the three squares theorem

Abstract A theorem of Fein, Gordon, and Smith on the representation of −1 as a sum of two squares is shown to yield a new proof of the three squares theorem. A positive integer k can be represented as a sum of three integer squares if and only if k ≠ 4 a n with n ≡ 7 (mod 8) and a ≥ 0. This proof depends of the Brauer group and class field theory, not on ternary quadratic forms.
Coherent Duobinary Systems for High-Speed Optical Satellite Networks

Coherent optical communication systems are an attractive choice for future high-speed optical satellite networks due to the excellent receiver sensitivities that can be achieved by coherent detection techniques. Recently, the interest in coherent optical systems has increased with advances in photonic devices and high-speed digital signal processing (DSP). The best coherent receiver sensitivity (9 photons per bit) is obtained with phase-shift keying (PSK) modulation in combination with homodyne detection. In this paper, we propose coherent duobinary systems for high-speed optical satellite communications. It is shown that duobinary modulation combined with homodyne detection comes very close to the ultimate receiver sensitivity limit set by PSK. Moreover, duobinary modulation benefits from having a relatively narrow signal spectrum. Thus, duobinary systems generally require half the bandwidth of PSK, and are less susceptible to inter-symbol interference. These are advantageous attributes for overcoming the technological difficulties in high-speed systems. The duobinary homodyne receiver is also compatible with high-speed DSP post-processing for ameliorating the atmospheric channel impairments. Computer simulation studies show that the theoretical performance limits of coherent duobinary systems can be achieved with practical devices.
Values Education in the Contemporary Moment

The cultural landscape has shifted considerably since the heyday of values clarification and even since the upsurge of interest in Lawrence Kohlberg's cognitive-developmental approach to moral education. The shift has a good deal to do with the changing shape and impact of power in our society, the increasing inequities, the incoherence of the public sphere, and the growing complexity of moral issues that seem susceptible to resolution or repair. Technology and the technical rationality associated with it still substitute rules of expertise for value-oriented inquiries; decision makers in the professions often present themselves as detached and value-free. At once, fundamentalist religions and "new wave" faiths turn people toward reassuring authorities, as they provoke suspicions of secular choosing and the secular mind. In philosophy and the social sciences, there have been significant shifts as well. With a declining confidence in