cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of kidney dopamine in the natriuretic response to volume expansion in rats.

It has been postulated that endogenously produced dopamine (DA) may play a role in the regulation of renal sodium excretion. In the present study, experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that acute volume expansion with isotonic sodium chloride stimulates the production of DA within the kidney, which in turn acts on specific DA1 receptors to promote sodium excretion. In pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, acute volume expansion over a period of 1 hour evoked a pronounced increase in urine output and urinary sodium excretion. These diuretic and natriuretic effects were not accompanied by any significant changes in blood pressure or heart rate. However, there was a significant elevation in central venous pressure and a transient rise in glomerular filtration rate. The natriuretic and diuretic response was accompanied by a significant increase in urinary DA excretion, and this effect was clearly dissociated from the rise in glomerular filtration rate. In a separate group of rats, the effects of acute volume expansion were studied in the presence of selective DA1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390 (50 micrograms/kg i.v. bolus; 10 micrograms/kg/min). During DA1 receptor blockade, there was a marked attenuation in the diuretic and natriuretic response throughout the period of volume expansion, when compared with that in the control group. The changes in central venous pressure and glomerular filtration rate were identical in the two groups. In another group of rats, the renal effects of exogenously administered DA were studied. DA (0.5 micrograms/kg/min) produced significant increases in urine output and urinary sodium excretion, without causing any alterations in blood pressure or glomerular filtration rate, suggesting a tubular site of action.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Selection and design of an aerosol sampler simulating respirable penetration.

(1978). Selection and design of an aerosol sampler simulating respirable penetration. American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal: Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 317-321.
A Test of an Experimental Hypothesis of Negligible Difference between Means

Haitovsky's recent note (1) in The American Statistician shows that R2 (the corrected multiple correlation coefficient) will increase when a single variable is removed from a regression equation if and only if the corresponding t-statistic is less than unity. This is a special case of the mnore general property that R2 will increase when a group of variables are removed if and only if the corresponding F-statistic is less than unity. The generalization of t-tests to F-tests in the analysis of variance framework is well known, and it is nice to be able to tie in the R2 statistic for pedagogical purposes. We shall give the proof in terms of the estimated equation error variance. Of course, R2 bears an exact mirror relation to the estimated variance, that being R = 1 (v/c) where v is the sum of squared errors divided by degrees of freedom and c is the varianice of the dependent variable. Starting with k original variables and removinig r of thlem, we may study the resulting changes in -the error variance estimates from the analysis of variance form:
A Novel Method For Investigating The Azimuthal Rotation Of Molecular Motors Utilizing Dielectrophoresis And Optical Tweezers

Molecular motors are studied in vitro to understand their Biophysics and Cell Biology. Most mechanical studies of myosin and other molecular motors have utilized surface-immobilized motors or filaments, which impact their range of motion. One way of avoiding surface immobilization of the filament and motor is to suspend filaments from fixed supports, giving the motor or the motor-coated cargo unimpeded freedom of motion about its track (Ali et al., Nat Struct Biol. 9:464, 2002). We used dielectrophoresis at 4-12 V, 2 MHz to stretch and suspend actin filaments across a 2 x 7 um2 trench etched between two gold electrodes patterned on a glass slide. Optical tweezers were used to bring a myosin-coated bead into close proximity to a pre-selected, suspended actin filament, facilitating bead attachment to the filament in motility buffer. Using defocused images, the bead's three-dimensional position was tracked as a function of time to obtain its trajectory on the actin. Experiments were carried out with myosin V and myosin X. Both motor proteins followed left-handed helical paths with 1.5 - 2 um pitch. Variants of this technique will enable types of higher complexity found in cells to be addressed with in vitro experiments. We thank Drs. Mitsuo Ikebe and Osamu Sato for the gift of myosin X and the Nano/Bio Interface Center (NSF NSEC DMR-0425780) and the NIH (grant AR26846) for support.
Genetic screening for susceptibility to infection in the NICU setting.

Genetic Screening for Susceptibility to Infection in the NICU Setting: Commentary on the article by Ahrens et al. on page 652
Air quality impacts of distributed power generation in the South Coast Air Basin of California 1: Scenario development and modeling analysis

Distributed generation (DG) is generally defined as the operation of many small stationary power generators throughout an urban air basin. Although DG has the potential to supply a significant portion of the increased power demands in California and the rest of the United States, it may lead to increased levels of in-basin pollutants and adversely impact urban air quality. This study focuses on two main objectives: (1) the systematic characterization of DG installation in urban air basins, and (2) the simulation of potential air quality impacts using a state-of-the-art three-dimensional computational model. A general and systematic approach is devised to construct five realistic and 21 spanning scenarios of DG implementation in the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB) of California. Realistic scenarios reflect an anticipated level of DG deployment in the SoCAB by the year 2010. Spanning scenarios are developed to determine the potential impacts of unexpected outcomes. Realistic implementations of DG in the SoCAB result in small differences in ozone and particulate matter concentrations in the basin compared to the baseline simulations. The baseline accounts for population increase, but does not consider any future emissions control measures. Model results for spanning implementations with extra high DG market penetration show that domain-wide ozone peak concentrations increase significantly. Also, air quality impacts of spanning implementations when DG operate during a 6-h period are larger than when the same amount of emissions are introduced during a 24-h period.
Intravacuolar proteolysis in Plasmodium falciparum digestive vacuoles is similar to intralysosomal proteolysis in mammalian cells

Abstract Hemoglobin of intact human erythrocytes was labelled with [ 125 I]iodide and these cells were inoculated with late-stage cultures of Plasmodium falciparum . Subcellular parasite particulate material containing intact digestive vacuoles filled with 125 I-labelled hemoglobin was incubated in sucrose-buffer medium and degradation of labelled intravacuolar hemoglobin was measured by precipitation with trichloroacetic acid. Proteolysis was maximal at pH 5.0 or in the presence of MgATP at pH 8.0. The stimulatory effect of MgATP was probably due to energization of a proton pump activity as reported by others (Krogstad, D.J., Schlesinger, P.H. and Gluzman, I.Y. (1984) J. Cell Biol. 101, 2302–2309). Proteolysis was also inhibited by ionophores and antimalarials. These results suggest that P. falciparum digestive vacuoles have an ATP-dependent acidification mechanism similar to mammalian lysosomes but with some exceptions. The properties of this intravacuolar proteolysis were remarkably similar to intralysosomal proteolysis in mouse liver or kidney preparations.
Recognition of child abuse in the epilepsy monitoring unit

Despite being underreported and underrecognized, child maltreatment is one of the most common causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. The epilepsy monitoring unit is especially amenable for identification of those at risk because it involves direct observation of behavior for days at a time. Although nonepileptic events may suggest psychosocial etiologies, we describe a case where the diagnosis of child maltreatment was made when no habitual events were recorded in the epilepsy monitoring unit.
End of the line for the local loop monopoly

Abstract This paper argues that local network competition is increasingly feasible, both technically and in terms of cost increasingly accepted by investors, and offers important public policy benefits—especially the potential to stimulate investment. The author describes how local network competition is contributing to improved economic performance of the telecommunications sectors in such countries as Ghana, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Oxidation products of INCONEL alloys 600 and 690 in pressurized water reactor environments and their role in intergranular stress corrosion cracking

In this work, thermodynamic arguments for the stability of Ni and Cr compounds developed under pressurized water reactor environments (\(P_{H_2 O} \) and\(P_{H_2 } \)) were experimentally tested. A mechanism is proposed to explain crack initiation and propagation alloy 600 along the grain boundaries, where Cr2O3 has formed from the leaching of Cr from the matrix, leaving behind a porous Ni-rich region. The mechanism is based on the thermodynamic potential for the transformation of a protective NiO surface layer into an amorphous nonprotective Ni(OH)2 gel. This gel would also form along the grain boundaries and when hydrogenated steam reaches the porous Ni-rich regions. Crack initiation is then favored by tensile stressing of the grain boundary regions, which can easily rupture the gelatinous film. The leaching of matrix Cr to form nonprotective CrOOH gel at the crack tip followed by the exposure of fresh porous Ni to the environment could explain crack propagation in INCONEL alloy 600. The proposed crack initiation mechanism is not expected to occur in alloy 690 where a protective Cr2O3 film covers the entire metal surface. However, crack propagation along the grain boundaries in alloy 600 and precracked alloy 690 is expected to be active as hydroxide-forming reactions weaken the boundaries.
Microradiographic Comparison of Artificial Caries Systems

A study was made of early enamel caries produced artificially by three different systems. Factors involved in each system were varied. The lesions were examined microradiographically to determine preservation of the enamel surface, thickness of the relatively intact surface layer, and depth of the lesion. The radiographs reflected the severity of the artificial caries attack.
A note on biological periodicities.

The approximation method for solving diffusion problems is generalized to enable computation not only of the fundamental frequency, but also of higher harmonics in certain types of periodic solutions.
Recent artificial selection in U.S. Jersey cattle impacts autozygosity levels of specific genomic regions.

Genome signatures of artificial selection in U.S. Jersey cattle were identified by examining changes in haplotype homozygosity for a resource population of animals born between 1953 and 2007. Genetic merit of this population changed dramatically during this period for a number of traits, especially milk yield. The intense selection underlying these changes was achieved through extensive use of artificial insemination (AI), which also increased consanguinity of the population to a few superior Jersey bulls. As a result, allele frequencies are shifted for many contemporary animals, and in numerous cases to a homozygous state for specific genomic regions. The goal of this study was to identify those selection signatures that occurred after extensive use of AI since the 1960, using analyses of shared haplotype segments or Runs of Homozygosity. When combined with animal birth year information, signatures of selection associated with economically important traits were identified and compared to results from an extended haplotype homozygosity analysis. Overall, our results reveal that more recent selection increased autozygosity across the entire genome, but some specific regions increased more than others. A genome-wide scan identified more than 15 regions with a substantial change in autozygosity. Haplotypes found to be associated with increased milk, fat and protein yield in U.S. Jersey cattle also consistently increased in frequency. The analyses used in this study was able to detect directional selection over the last few decades when individual production records for Jersey animals were available.
Maximizing Cochlear Implant Patients’ Performance with Advanced Speech Training Procedures

Advances in implant technology and speech processing have provided great benefit to many cochlear implant patients. However, some patients receive little benefit from the latest technology, even after many years’ experience with the device. Moreover, even the best cochlear implant performers have great difficulty understanding speech in background noise, and music perception and appreciation remain major challenges. Recent studies have shown that targeted auditory training can significantly improve cochlear implant patients’ speech recognition performance. Such benefits are not only observed in poorly performing patients, but also in good performers under difficult listening conditions (e.g., speech noise, telephone speech, music, etc.). Targeted auditory training has also been shown to enhance performance gains provided by new implant devices and/or speech processing strategies. These studies suggest that cochlear implantation alone may not fully meet the needs of many patients, and that additional auditory rehabilitation may be needed to maximize the benefits of the implant device. Continuing research will aid in the development of efficient and effective training protocols and materials, thereby minimizing the costs (in terms of time, effort and resources) associated with auditory rehabilitation while maximizing the benefits of cochlear implantation for all recipients.
A Face Can Launch a Thousand Shares—And an 0.80% Abnormal Return

In this paper we examine the market reaction—price and volume—to the appearance of a firm in the Who's News column of The Wall Street Journal. We differentiate between those firms whose articles are accompanied by a picture of an executive and a control set of firms whose articles on the same day are not accompanied by a picture. The results show a more pronounced market reaction to the “cum picture” articles, consistent with the incomplete information theory of Merton [1987] and the heuristic-based familiarity hypothesis. There is no evidence of significant long-run abnormal performance for the sample firms.
Vanadyl hydrogenphosphate hydrates: VO(HPO4) · 4H2O and VO(HPO4) · 0.5H2O

Abstract Two vanadyl(IV) monohydrogenphosphate hydrates have been crystallized from aqueous media and their structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The first, a tetrahydrate, VO(HPO4) · 4H2O, is triclinic, P 1 , with a = 6.379(2), b = 8.921(2), c = 13.462(3) A, α = 79.95(2), β = 76.33(3), γ = 71.03(3)°. Final residuals of R1 = 0.058 and R2 = 0.065 were obtained using 1250 unique data and 140 parameters. The second was found to be the hemihydrate, VO(HPO4) · 0.5H2O, with orthorhombic symmetry, Pmmn. Complete structure solution and refinement using data from a 2.7 × 105 μm3 crystal gave atomic parameters in close agreement with those recently reported in a parallel study (C. C. Torardi and J. C. Calabrese, Inorg. Chem. 23, 1308, 1984). Final residuals R1 = 0.041 and R2 = 0.042 were obtained on optimizing the 45 structural variables using 458 observed intensities. The structures of these two hydrates and that of the pyrophosphate, (VO)2P2O7, show a close correspondence. The degree of condensation of the vanadyl octahedra and phosphate tetrahedra, and the amount of water of crystallization in these materials are closely coupled and depend on the formation temperature.
Accessory Beta Subunits Alter the Interaction Between the Membrane-Spanning and Cytosolic Domains in BK Channels

Large conductance, Ca2+ and voltage-dependent K+ (BK) channels modulate physiology processes such as smooth muscle contraction and neurotransmission. BK channels are composed of the pore-forming α subunit (slo1) and four types of auxiliary β subunits (β1-4). While these β subunits show structural homology, they regulate gating properties of BK channels with distinct characteristics. For instance, the β1 subunit targets the membrane-spanning voltage sensor domain (VSD), while the β2 subunit targets the cytosolic domain (CTD) of slo1 to enhance Ca2+ sensitivity. Here we study how these β subunits perform a similar function by affecting two different structural domains of slo1. Using patch clamp techniques to study BK channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, we found that both β1 and β2ND (the N-terminal residues 2-20 deleted to eliminate inactivation) alter channel activation by Mg2+ that is bound at the interface between VSD and CTD, suggesting that both β subunits alter the interaction between the two domains. Our data also show that a disulfide bond between residues 99C (in VSD) and 397C (in CTD) forms in the absence but not in the presence of β subunits, indicating that the alignment between the VSD and CTD is changed by both β subunits. Conversely, two mutations, N172R and N172RE399R, which have been found to alter the alignment between the VSD and CTD by introducing electrostatic forces between the two structural domains, change the effects of both β subunits on BK channel activation. Taken together, these results suggest that both β1 and β2 subunits alter the interactions between the VSD and the CTD by targeting one of the domains respectively to activate BK channels. This mechanism might be common for different β subunits modulating BK channel gating.
Gender and sex role differences in the perception of social support

This study examined the relationships among support types (i.e., emotional, instrumental, and nonintimate social participation), gender, sex role orientation, and stress level among college undergraduates (N=253). Dependent variables included need, perceived availability, and satisfaction with support. Sex differences were found only in emotional support, with men reporting less need, perceived availability, and marginally less satisfaction than women. The only gender by sex role interaction was on need for emotional support. Traditional sex-typed men reported less need than traditional women, whereas there was no difference between androgynous men and women. While sex differences do exist for emotional support, the effects of sex role orientation on perceptions of social support appears to be somewhat circumscribed.
Tunable High Performance Cross-Linked Alkaline Anion Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

Fuel cells are energy conversion devices that show great potential in numerous applications ranging from automobiles to portable electronics. However, further development of fuel cell components is necessary for them to become commercially viable. One component critical to their performance is the polymer electrolyte membrane, which is an ion conductive medium separating the two electrodes. While proton conducting membranes are well established (e.g., Nafion), hydroxide conducting membranes (alkaline anion exchange membranes, AAEMs) have been relatively unexplored by comparison. Operating under alkaline conditions offers significant efficiency benefits, especially for the oxygen reduction reaction; therefore, effective AAEMs could significantly advance fuel cell technologies. Here we demonstrate the use of ring-opening metathesis polymerization to generate new cross-linked membrane materials exhibiting high hydroxide ion conductivity and good mechanical properties. Cross-linking allows for increased ion incorporation, which, in turn supports high conductivities. This facile synthetic approach enables the preparation of cross-linked materials with the potential to meet the demands of hydrogen-powered fuel cells as well as direct methanol fuel cells.
Acidification and endosome-like compartments in the presynaptic terminals of frog retinal photoreceptors.

By using the ‘acidotropic’ vital dye, Acridine Orange, we have found that the presynaptic terminals of rod and cone photoreceptors in retinas ofRana pipiens maintain a low pH relative to the surrounding medium through an energy dependent mechanism. When this pH is raised, by exposing the retinas to weak bases like ammonium chloride, the terminals exhibit large, membrane-delimited compartments, many of which accumulate endocytic tracers. This effect is partly reversed when the weak bases are removed. We infer that among the acidified structures within the terminals are endocytic compartments with at least some of the characteristics of the endosomes that participate in receptor-mediated endocytosis in other cell types. One role of these structures in the terminals may be in the recycling of synaptic vesicles.
A quasi-one-dimensional theory for anisotropic propagation of excitation in cardiac muscle

It has been shown that propagation of excitation in cardiac muscle is anisotropic. Compared to propagation at right angles to the long axes of the fibers, propagation along the long axis is faster, the extracellular action potential (AP) is larger in amplitude, and the intracellular AP has a lower maximum rate of depolarization, a larger time constant of the foot, and a lower peak amplitude. These observations are contrary to the predictions of classical one-dimensional (1-D) cable theory and, thus far, no satisfactory theory for them has been reported. As an alternative description of propagation in cardiac muscle, this study provides a quasi-1-D theory that includes a simplified description of the effects of action currents in extracellular space as well as resistive coupling between surface and deeper fibers in cardiac muscle. In terms of classical 1-D theory, this quasi-1-D theory reveals that the anisotropies in the wave form of the AP arise from modifications in the effective membrane ionic current and capacitance. The theory also shows that it is propagation in the longitudinal, not in the transverse direction that deviates from classical 1-D cable theory.
American Individualism and Structural Injustice: Tocqueville, Gender, and Race

American individualist ideology facilitates structural injustice. Through an analysis of Alexis de Tocqueville on individualism, gender domination, and white supremacy in the United States, this essay explains why. The peculiar social cognition of the American individualist desensitizes him to structural injustice. To preserve his faith that his fate lies entirely in his own hands, he blinds himself to the ways social structure constrains personal freedom and independence; the individualist also construes the unjust benefits of social privilege (like those accompanying whiteness and maleness in Jacksonian America) as products of personal ingenuity and character. Democracy in America (1835/40) thus illuminates the elective affinity between American individualism and structural injustice.
Human Visual and Vestibular Heading Perception in the Vertical Planes

Heading estimation has not previously been reported in the vertical planes. This is a potentially interesting issue because although distribution of neuronal direction sensitivities is near uniform for vertical headings, there is an overrepresentation of otolith organs sensitive to motion in the horizontal relative to the vertical plane. Furthermore, thresholds of horizontal motion perception are considerably lower than those of vertical motion which has the potential to bias heading perception. The current data from 14 human subjects (age 19 to 67) measured heading estimation in response to vestibular motion of 14 cm (28 cm/s) over a 360 ° of headings at 5 ° intervals. An analogous visual motion was tested in separate trials. In this study, earth and head vertical/horizontal were always aligned. Results demonstrated that the horizontal component of heading was overestimated relative to the vertical component for vestibular heading stimuli in the coronal (skew) and sagittal (elevation) planes. For visual headings, the bias was much smaller and in the opposite direction such that the vertical component of heading was overestimated. Subjects older than 50 had significantly worse precision and larger biases relative to that of younger subjects for the vestibular conditions, although visual heading estimates were similar. A vector addition model was fit to the data which explains the observed heading biases by the known distribution of otolith organs in humans. The greatly decreased precision with age is explained by the model with decreases in end organ numbers, and relatively greater loss of otoliths that are sensitive to vertical motion.
Non-hydrodynamic contribution to the concentration dependence of the self diffusion of interacting brownian macroparticles

Abstract The generalized Langevin equation and the stationary requirement for an equilibrium system are used to calculate the modification of the self (tracer) diffusion coefficient by direct interactions. In the absence of hydrodynamics, this modification of D??? is equal to the previously predicted modification of the mutual-diffusion coefficient Dm by the same effect, though Dm is also modified by direct interactions in another way. The effect treated here may be viewed as being a change in the generalized Smoluchowski equation in which the free-particle diffusion coefficient Do is replaced by a dressed diffusion coefficient, and not as being a memory-function effect in the conventional generalized Smoluchowski equation.
Electron-impact collision strengths for inner-shell excitation of doubly excited levels from singly excited levels in He-like ions

Abstract A simple Coulomb-Born-Exchange method has been used to calculate electron-impact colision strengths for inner-shell excitation of the doubly excited levels with n = 2 in He-like ions from the singly excited levels. The results are of particular interest for plasma diagnostic purposes. The calculations were made for nine impact electron energies in threshold units ϵ = 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.9, 2.5, 4.0, 6.0, 10.0 and 15.0 for 19 He-like ions with nuclear charge number Z in the range 6 ≤ Z ≤ 74. Fits are given of the scaled collision strength Z 2 Ω to simple functions of ϵ that are readily integrated over a Maxwellian distribution to obtain collision rates. Configuration-interaction and intermediate-coupling effects have been included in the calculations. Calculated values for transition energies and radiative line strengths are also given.
Heat transfer and evaporation rates of small liquid droplets on heated horizontal surfaces

The evaporation rates of small liquid droplets were observed and quantified in order to measure heat transfer rates when individual droplets evaporate on a horizontal heated surface. Single water droplets with a post-impact diameter of approximately 1 mm and n-heptane droplets approximately 5 mm in diameter were gently placed on aluminum and copper surfaces that were maintained at temperatures below the saturation temperatures of the liquids, and the evaporation was observed at atmospheric pressure. The droplets were videotaped throughout the entire evaporation process and transient variations of the diameter, height were measured. From the measured quantities, the contact angle and evaporation rates were calculated and used to predict the heat transfer rate on the surface. The results show that the trends in the wetted diameter, height and contact angle for water droplets are fundamentally different than the geometric changes for heptane droplets. Even though the evaporation rates of the n-heptane droplets were an order of magnitude greater than the water droplets, the heat fluxes for the n-heptane droplets are approximately an order of magnitude less than the water drops. The experimental results are compared with recent analytical models which predict the evaporation rates of small liquid droplets.
The Childhood and Adolescent Career Plans of College Women.

Abstract In 1968, 1188 freshman women were asked to report, retrospectively, which of 135 occupational titles they had ever considered as careers. The overall popularity of each occupation, the median age at which each occupation was first considered, and the persistence of various preferences were investigated. A restricted range of occupations was considered early in life. While occupations preferred early were popular, not all early preferences persisted. Typically feminine occupations were the most persistent preferences of this group. The early preferences of freshman women currently planning careers in either social work or medical technology were also contrasted.
Monoclinic zirconia distributions in plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings

Phase composition in an air plasma-sprayed Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) top coating of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) system was characterized. Both the bulk phase content and localized pockets of monoclinic zirconia were measured with Raman spectroscopy. The starting powder consisted of ∼15 vol.% monoclinic zirconia, which decreased to ∼2 vol.% in the as-sprayed coating. Monoclinic zirconia was concentrated in porous pockets that were evenly distributed throughout the TBC. The pockets resulted from the presence of unmelted granules in the starting powder. The potential effect of the distributed monoclinic pockets on TBC performance is discussed.
On a level field: The utility of studying native and non-native species in successional systems

Questions: How do successional systems contribute to our understanding of plant invasions? Why is a community-level approach important in understanding invasion? Do native and non-native plant species differ in their successional trajectories within communities? Location: Northeastern United States, in the Piedmont region of New Jersey. Previously farmed since the 1700s, ten fields were experimentally retired from agriculture beginning in 1958. Methods: Fifty years of permanent plot data were used to quantify the population demographics of the 84 most abundant species during succession. These measures were then used to compare native, non-native and non-native invasive species' population dynamics in succession. Results: Once basic life-history characteristics were accounted for, there were no differences in the population dynamics of native, non-native, and non-native invasive plant species. However, the species pool in this study was biased towards ruderal species, which largely constrained non-native species to early succession. Conclusion: Successional systems are crucial to our understanding of invasions as they constrain all species to the role of colonizer. By focusing on the whole community, rather than on individual problematic species, we found no systematic differences between native and non-native species. Thus, knowing simple life-history information about a species would be much more useful in setting management priorities than where the species originated.
A Public Health Nurse's Guide to Reading Meta-Analysis Research Reports

Abstract Meta-analysis research reports are increasingly found in the public health literature. Meta-analysis is a quantitative method for summarizing existing studies. Although it is often advocated to synthesize research, nurses must be able to read these reports critically to determine applicability to practice.
Methylation of Histone H3 by COMPASS Requires Ubiquitination of Histone H2B by Rad6

The DNA of eukaryotes is wrapped around nucleosomes and packaged into chromatin. Covalent modifications of the histone proteins that comprise the nucleosome alter chromatin structure and have major effects on gene expression. Methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 by COMPASS is required for silencing of genes located near chromosome telomeres and within the rDNA (Krogan, N. J, Dover, J., Khorrami, S., Greenblatt, J. F., Schneider, J., Johnston, M., and Shilatifard, A. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 10753–10755; Briggs, S. D., Bryk, M., Strahl, B. D., Cheung, W. L., Davie, J. K., Dent, S. Y., Winston, F., and Allis, C. D. (2001) Genes. Dev. 15, 3286–3295). To learn about the mechanism of histone methylation, we surveyed the genome of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for genes necessary for this process. By analyzing ∼4800 mutant strains, each deleted for a different non-essential gene, we discovered that the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme Rad6 is required for methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3. Ubiquitination of histone H2B on lysine 123 is the signal for the methylation of histone H3, which leads to silencing of genes located near telomeres.
Evidence for individual differences in regulatory focus in rats, Rattus norvegicus.

Regulatory focus (Higgins, 1997) builds on the classic approach-avoidance distinction by identifying two important approach orientations: the promotion focus (approaching gains and attainment) and the prevention focus (approaching nonlosses and safety). Though individual differences in regulatory focus have been widely studied in human psychology, it is unknown if such differences exist in other species. To explore this possibility, we designed a series of tests for laboratory rats, paralleling human regulatory focus research on risk taking. In home-cage tests, rats (N = 23) were given an opportunity to prevent a loss by burying a noxious novel object. In solitary tests in a novel enclosure, the same rats had the opportunity to pursue gains (food rewards) and/or safety (darkness). Rats demonstrated stable individual differences on both tests (p's .8). Some aspects of these results were compatible with alternative approaches, such as the bold-shy axis and "if-then" personality profiles (Mischel & Shoda, 1995). Regulatory focus theory, however, was uniquely able to predict the overall pattern, which may be an indication that it could contribute to future research in animal personality, motivation, and welfare.
Sonja Arntzen and Itō Moriyuki, The Sarashina Diary: A Woman’s Life in Eleventh Century Japan

At once complex, compelling, and canonical, the Sarashina nikki by Takasue no Musume (b. 1008) stands out from earlier works of diary literature on account of the length of its narrative arc, which...
New Techniques in the Treatment of Common Perianal Diseases: Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy, Botulinum Toxin, and Fibrin Sealant

There have been several recent advances in the treatment of common perianal diseases. Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is a procedure of hemorrhoidal fixation, combining the benefits of rubber band ligation into an operative technique. The treatment of anal fissure has typically relied upon internal sphincterotomy; however, it carries a risk of incontinence. The injection of botulinum toxin represents a new form of sphincter relaxation, without division of any sphincter muscle; morbidity is minimal and results are promising. For the treatment of fistula in a fistulotomy remains the gold standard, however, it carries significant risks of incontinence. Use of fibrin sealant to treat fistulae has been met with variable success. It offers sealing of the tract, and then provides scaffolding for native tissue ingrowth.
The adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in patients with sepsis.

Adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) to nylon in patients with bacteremia was studied using a whole-blood assay. Adherence of PMNLs was studied in blood obtained from patients who were not in shock; the results did not differ from the control values (70.9%0 + 4.9% vs. 72.1% + 2.8%0, respectively; P> 0.3). Adherence of PMNLs in the whole blood of patients was studied 24-36 hr after antibiotic therapy was begun for documented bacteremia, and elevated values were demonstrated (79.2% + 8.6%0; P < 0.01). Patients with bacteremic shock had a greatly augmented level of PMNL adherence (91.1%o + 8.5%o; P < 0.001), and enhanced adherence was demonstrated when the normal PMNLs were suspended in plasma from hypotensive patients. The administration of methylprednisolone significantly reduced the adherence of PMNLs in the whole blood of four patients with bacteremia. Assay of PMNL adherence to nylon is a simple test with the potential of identifying bacteremic patients who are at risk of developing shock. The adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) to vascular endothelial cells in vivo represents a necessary primary step in the inflam
Polyculturalism and openness about criticizing one's culture: Implications for sexual prejudice

Abundant research on the relationship between ideologies and sexual prejudice has not focused on intergroup ideologies such as colorblindness, multiculturalism, and polyculturalism. In three studie...
The benefit of categorization in visual search: Target location without identification

Prior studies have shown that between-category visual search (e.g., looking for a “6” among letters) is easier that within-category search (e.g., looking for a “6” among other digits). Four experiments were performed to determine what particular benefits are conferred in between-category search. The first experiment demonstrates that this category-effect occurs even when the subject has to identify the target, this suggests that the between-category search can “tag” the categorially different item for further processing. Three further experiments provide evidence that this tag is based on the item’s spatial location within the array.
Solar-Assisted Electric Auto Rickshaw Three-Wheeler

Auto rickshaws are three-wheeled vehicles that are extensively used in many Asian countries as taxis of people and goods. Although the vehicle design is well suited to the environment in which it operates, it is a crude and inefficient design. Due to poor vehicle maintenance and the use of inefficient two- or four-stroke engines with very little pollution control, auto rickshaws present a grave pollution problem in major Indian cities. This paper details the overall development of an advanced solar-assisted electric auto rickshaw. Research on the conventional auto rickshaw is presented, as well as future conceptual infrastructure designs for electric rickshaws and the recent design research, simulations, and experimental validation of the next auto rickshaw. The proposed solar/battery electric three-wheeler is meant to match and exceed the conventional vehicle's performance but with a more intelligent and efficient design. We introduce the next overall design of the rickshaw in this paper as Auto Rickshaw 2.0, where the conventional vehicle is version 1.0. The technical development aim for Auto Rickshaw 2.0 is to decrease the total electric power needed for propulsion with an optimized battery system and a more efficient motor and inverter. Four system drive-train options are covered, a rickshaw prototype is built, and several configurations are simulated and analyzed in the Advanced Vehicle Simulator (ADVISOR) software. Additionally, conceptual infrastructure designs are modeled and optimized in the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) software.
Functional implications of the localization and activity of acid-sensitive channels in rat peripheral nervous system

Acid-sensitive ion channels (ASIC) are proton-gated ion channels expressed in neurons of the mammalian central and peripheral nervous systems. The functional role of these channels is still uncertain, but they have been proposed to constitute mechanoreceptors and/or nociceptors. We have raised specific antibodies for ASIC1, ASIC2, ASIC3, and ASIC4 to examine the distribution of these proteins in neurons from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and to determine their subcellular localization. Western blot analysis demonstrates that all four ASIC proteins are expressed in DRG and sciatic nerve. Immunohistochemical experiments and functional measurements of unitary currents from the ASICs with the patch–clamp technique indicate that ASIC1 localizes to the plasma membrane of small-, medium-, and large-diameter cells, whereas ASIC2 and ASIC3 are preferentially in medium to large cells. Neurons coexpressing ASIC2 and ASIC3 form predominantly heteromeric ASIC2–3 channels. Two spliced forms, ASIC2a and ASIC2b, colocalize in the same population of DRG neurons. Within cells, the ASICs are present mainly on the plasma membrane of the soma and cellular processes. Functional studies indicate that the pH sensitivity for inactivation of ASIC1 is much higher than the one for activation; hence, increases in proton concentration will inactivate the channel. These functional properties and localization in DRG have profound implications for the putative functional roles of ASICs in the nervous system.
Social phobia and the recall of autobiographical memories.

Although cognitive theories of anxiety suggest that anxious individuals are characterized by the biased tendency to recall negative experiences with perceived threat, few empirical studies have confirmed this notion. To investigate personal memories associated with threatening experiences, individuals with socio phobia (n=16) and nonanxious individuals (n=17) completed an autobiographical memory-cueing procedure. Participants were presented with 15 social threat words and 15 neutral words, and they recorded the first specific memory that came to mind. Autobiographical memories were coded for specificity and affective tone. There were no group differences in the extent to which participants retrieved specific memories. A greater number of memories cued by social threat words were characterized by negative affect in the social phobia group than in the nonanxious group. However, examination of the means suggests that this effect was small and most likely not of practical significance. It is suggested that memory biases toward threat are not a prominent part of cognitive symptoms that characterize individuals with social phobia.
Prostate Cancer Immunology: Biology, Therapeutics, and Challenges

A number of recently developed and promising approaches to antitumoral immunotherapy are being investigated as potential treatments for advanced prostate cancer. These approaches largely revolve around strategies to increase antigen-specific T-cell activation against prostate tumors as well as precise manipulations of critical co-regulatory receptors that help to maintain and prolong the activity of antigen-presenting cells and T cells that are capable of mediating tumor regression. Herein, we describe the experience with the most recent and promising approaches pertaining to prostate cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, we discuss the mechanistic basis for these approaches as well as current limitations that must still be addressed in order to propel immunotherapy into the forefront of prostate cancer treatment.
The Minimum Data Set Pressure Ulcer Indicator: Does It Reflect Differences in Care Processes Related to Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment in Nursing Homes?

Objectives: To determine whether nursing homes (NHs) that score in the extreme quartiles of pressure ulcer (PU) prevalence as reported on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) PU quality indicator provide different PU care. Design: Descriptive, cohort. Setting: Sixteen NHs. Participants: Three hundred twenty-nine NH residents at risk for PU development as determined by the PU Resident Assessment Protocol of the MDS. Measurements: Sixteen care process quality indicators (10 specific to PU care processes, five related to nutrition, and one related to incontinence management) were scored using medical record data, direct human observation, interviews, and data from wireless thigh movement monitors. Results: There were no differences between homes with low- and high-PU prevalence rates reported on the MDS PU quality indicator on most care processes. NHs with high PU prevalence rates used pressure-reduction surfaces more frequently and were better at documentation of four wound characteristics when PUs were present. No measure of PU care processes was better in low-PU NHs. Neither low- nor high-PU prevalence NHs routinely repositioned residents every 2 hours, even though 2-hour repositioning was documented in the medical record for nearly all residents. Conclusion: The assumption that homes with fewer PUs and thus low PU prevalence according to the MDS PU quality indicator are providing better PU care was not supported in this sample. NHs that scored low on the MDS PU quality indicator did not provide significantly better care than NHs that scored high. All NHs could improve PU prevention, as evidenced by the poor performance on prevention care processes by low- and high-PU NHs. The MDS PU quality indicator is not a useful measure of the quality of PU care in NHs and can be misleading if not presented with an explanation of the meaning of the indicator.
Hexagonal Pattern in Cell Walls of Escherichia coli B

Cell walls, isolated from Escherichia coli B, as examined by electron microscopy and optical diffraction contain a hexagonal lattice structure, the (1,0) planes of which are separated by 140 ± 8 angstroms. Unless the walls are briefly heated (10 minutes, 90°C) early in the isolation, the hexagonal array cannot always be observed. Enzymatic digestion with pancreatin and amylase improves visualization of the lattice; subsequent treatment with pepsin and sodium dodecylsulfate removes the hexagonal pattern. Protein or lipoprotein globular units within the wall may thus be arranged in a hexagonal array uponthe mucopeptide layer.
Effect of cooling conditions on the design and operation of IPMSM

High power Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines (IPMSM) are used extensively in hybrid vehicle applications due to their high power density, wide speed range and better efficiency. In general, a high power IPMSM and its cooling is designed according to its rated power. Depending upon the application, specific power demand (other than rated) may arise to run the same machine at less or more than rated current. One may like to keep the same machine but change its cooling. Modification in machine cooling can compensate for the increase in machine losses due to its current change. The design of such a machine needs special attention because every machine designed for rated current may not be used continuously at current greater than that. In this paper, the operational range of a baseline machine design is presented and analyzed at less as well as more than rated current, using a cross saturated dq model. It is imperative to consider the demagnetization limit of permanent magnets in the analysis of machine operation. Different machine designs are presented and compared for torque-speed profile and efficiency at different current conditions with increased machine cooling. Machine design with increased width of permanent magnets provides more wider operating region at the cost of reduction in its efficiency for higher speeds.
One bit higher order sigma-delta A/D converters

A topology for higher-order sigma-delta modulations is described, and synthesis equations are given which allow for the arbitrary shaping of the signal and quantization noise transfer functions. The synthesis procedure is similar to that of switched-capacitor filters and uses switched-capacitor design techniques such as dynamic-range scaling, impedance scaling, and circuit noise analysis. Placement of passband zeros for the optimization of the quantization noise transfer functions is discussed, and some results measured on a third-order test chip are presented. Simulated results on nonlinear stabilization of the loop are discussed. The need for simulating the analog front-end along with the digital filters to find the true dynamic range of the system is indicated. >