cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioral Defects in C. elegans egl-36 Mutants Result from Potassium Channels Shifted in Voltage-Dependence of Activation

Mutations in the C. elegans egl-36 gene result in defective excitation of egg-laying and enteric muscles. Dominant gain-of-function alleles inhibit enteric and egg-laying muscle contraction, whereas a putative null mutation has no observed phenotype. egl-36 encodes a Shaw-type (Kv3) voltage-dependent potassium channel subunit. In Xenopus oocytes, wild-type egl-36 expresses noninactivating channels with slow activation kinetics. One gain-of-function mutation causes a single amino acid substitution in S6, and the other causes a substitution in the cytoplasmic amino terminal domain. Both mutant alleles produce channels dramatically shifted in their midpoints of activation toward hyperpolarized voltages. An egl-36::gfp fusion is expressed in egg-laying muscles and in a pair of enteric muscle motor neurons. The mutant egl-36 phenotypes can thus be explained by expression in these cells of potassium channels that are inappropriately opened at hyperpolarized potentials, causing decreased excitability due to increased potassium conductance.
Failure behavior of rocks at ambient temperature

Abstract This paper presents the results of triaxial loading experiments performed to determine the fracture strength characteristics of granite subjected to truly three-dimensional loading. These measurements were carried out on thin walled, hollow cores which were subjected to various tension-torsion, and compression-torsion loading paths in the presence of confining pressures of up to 48.3 MPa (7000 psi). The results were compared to the predicted values using the classical theories of Coulomb-Mohr and Drucker-Prager. It was observed that none of the above criteria were able to closely predict the failure over the entire range of stress states. Also, the experimental results of other investigators on the failure of Solenhofen limestone, sandstone, marble, and shale were compared with the failure criteria of Coulomb-Mohr and Drucker-Prager. It was then demonstrated that both of these criteria were effective in predicting rock failure for only lower values of 1 2 (σ 1 + σ 3 ) or J 1 . At higher values of J1, the above criteria were relatively less effective in predicting the failure of rocks.
Zimbabwean adolescents' condom use: what makes a difference? Implications for intervention.

Abstract Purpose To examine risk and resilience factors at multiple ecological levels related to Zimbabwean adoles-cents' practice of protected or unprotected sex. Methods Data were collected from adolescents in eight secondary schools in Zimbabwe. A 140-item instrument designed by the authors assessed adolescent perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes. Youth who had engaged in sexual intercourse (n = 730) were included in analyses. Risk and resilience factors related to self, peer, family, and community domains were examined. Data were analyzed separately by gender using discriminant anal-ysis to identify factors that predict whether youth engage in safe or unsafe sex. Results Boys who engaged in safe sex were older, more likely to report their parents were there when needed, spent more time in extracurricular activities, and reported a lower drop out likelihood. Girls who engaged in safe sex worried about HIV/AIDS more than those who engaged in unsafe sex. Conclusions Although both boys and girls need med-ically correct sexuality education, including education on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), the findings suggest that such education is not enough. Program planners must consider the influences of multiple ecological levels. Gender differences raise several issues for intervention.
Nurse home visits during pregnancy and early childhood improved maternal life course 7 years later.

D L Olds Dr D L Olds, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA; olds.david@tchden.org Do nurse home visits (NHVs) during pregnancy and early childhood affect maternal fertility and child functioning 7 years later? ### Design: randomised controlled trial. ### Allocation: {concealed}.* ### Blinding: blinded (outcome assessors). ### Follow-up period: 9 years (7 y after intervention ended). ### Setting: obstetric clinic in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. ### Patients: 743 women (64% age <18 y, 92% black) who were <29 weeks pregnant, had no previous live births, no chronic illness that might affect pregnancy outcome, and ⩾2 sociodemographic risk factors (unmarried, <12 y education, or unemployed). ### Intervention: 228 women were allocated to free transportation to prenatal appointments; a mean of 7 NHVs during pregnancy; 1 postpartum hospital visit; child developmental screening at …
A database selection expert system based on reference librarian's database selection strategy: a usability and empirical evaluation

The proliferation of digital information resources and electronic databases challenges libraries and demands that libraries develop new mechanisms to facilitate and better inform user selection of electronic databases and search tools. We developed a prototype, Web-based database selection expert system based on reference librarian's database selection strategy. This system allows users to simultaneously search all databases available to identify databases most relevant to their quests using free-text keywords or phrases taken directly from their research topics. This article reports on (1) the initial usability test and evaluation of the Selector - the test design, methodology used, performance results; (2) summary of search query analyses; (3) user satisfaction measures; (4) the use of the findings for further modification of the Selector; and (5) the findings of using randomly selected subjects to perform a usability test with predefined searching scenarios. Future prospects of this research have also been discussed in the article.
Progressive collapse simulation of precast panel shear walls during earthquakes

A distinct element method (DEM) program is modified to model precast panel shear walls. The influence of collapse time t"0 of local failure of a panel is presented. Integrity analyses of a twelve-storey, three-bay precast panel shear wall in different conditions with respect to earthquakes and progressive collapse are performed focusing on the shear ductility demands of the mechanical connectors in the vertical joints. The whole progressive collapse processes of the panel wall in various conditions are also simulated. Results indicate that if the design of this precast panel shear wall satisfies the seismic requirements, it will automatically meet the demands of shear ductility of connectors in vertical joints and shear slip in horizontal joints with respect to progressive collapse without earthquakes.
The use of stokeslets to describe the arbitrary translation of a disk near a plane wall

A previously presented method is extended to describe the fully three-dimensional Stokes flow generated by the translation in any direction of an arbitrarily oriented disk in fluid bounded by a plane wall. The velocity field is represented solely in terms of stokeslet distributions on the disk, modified to take account of the bounding wall according to the century-old idea of Lorentz. Sets of integral equations of the second kind, not all disjoint, are obtained for the Abel transforms in each Fourier mode of the density functions. However, only a few modes need be considered in determining the flow field to order D -3, where D is the distance of the disk axis from the wall. Less detail is required to evaluate the drag force and torque experienced by the disk.
Parental self-efficacy and asthma self-management skills.

Purpose. To determine whether a formal asthma self-management program and social support using lay health advisors increases parent self-efficacy in the management of their child's asthma, and whether parent self-efficacy predicts asthma self-management skills. DESIGN.Quasi-experimental with four time points measured over 2 years. PARTICIPANTS.Low-income, primarily Hispanic parents (N = 303) of children with moderately severe to severe asthma. SETTING.A Southwestern university medical setting in a rural state. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES.Parent self-efficacy and parent asthma self-management skill score scales. RESULTS.Parent self-efficacy increased significantly from baseline, but there were no significant differences between the control and treatment groups. The increase in self-efficacy was apparent at 6 months, then leveled off. Parent self-efficacy at either baseline or 12 months did not predict parents' asthma self-management skill score. CONCLUSIONS.Individual education was just as effective as group education in increasing parental self-efficacy. Parents felt more comfortable treating asthma episodes than preventing them, thus clinicians need to spend time teaching preventive strategies.
The past as prologue: Assessing theories of future warfare

(1998). The past as prologue: Assessing theories of future warfare. Security Studies: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 1-74.
Can Our Group Survive? An Investigation of the Evolution of Mixed-Mode Groups

Applying an ecological and evolutionary perspective, this study examines the evolution and the sustainability of "mixed-mode groups," a type of voluntary association created and organized online to interact physically in geographically defined ways.Meetup.comis a website that facilitates the creation and coordination of mixed-mode groups. Analysis of interviews with 34Meetupgroup organizers and a longitudinal analysis of 100 randomly selectedMeetupgroups revealed the evolutionary processes at the group and population level, respectively. Specifically, the ecological factor of population density, the demographic factor of group age, the group's profit orientation, experience of leadership change and shared leadership, and external ties played decisive roles in predicting group survival. Implications of the findings for theoretical and practical contributions are discussed.
Large deviations for multiscale diffusion via weak convergence methods

Abstract We study the large deviations principle for locally periodic SDEs with small noise and fast oscillating coefficients. There are three regimes depending on how fast the intensity of the noise goes to zero relative to homogenization parameter. We use weak convergence methods which provide convenient representations for the action functional for all regimes. Along the way, we study weak limits of controlled SDEs with fast oscillating coefficients. We derive, in some cases, a control that nearly achieves the large deviations lower bound at prelimit level. This control is useful for designing efficient importance sampling schemes for multiscale small noise diffusion.
Reproducibility of cytologic atypia in repeat nipple duct lavage.

BACKGROUND It is believed that atypical cells identified by nipple duct lavage (NDL) indicate an increased risk for breast carcinoma similar to atypical ductal hyperplasia diagnosed by tissue biopsy, but many basic performance characteristics of NDL currently are undefined. METHODS NDL was performed in 108 patients unselected for breast carcinoma risk and then was repeated after 2–14 months (median, 8 months) if the initial lavage was classified as atypical. Breast magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were obtained from a subset of patients who had atypical lavage results. RESULTS Marked atypia was diagnosed in 22% of 36 breasts with an incident carcinoma compared with 7% of 172 unaffected breasts (P = 0.01). After excluding breasts with an incident carcinoma, there were 32 patients (30%) with either mild or marked atypia. The lavage was repeated in 23 of these women, and the second lavage was classified as atypical in 48%. Neither marked atypia on the initial lavage nor a 5-year Gail risk ≥ 1.7% predicted atypia on repeat lavage, but there was a trend for improved reproducibility when the atypia initially was diagnosed in a fluid-producing duct. MRIs were abnormal in 13% of 24 breasts with an atypical lavage, and ductal carcinoma in situ was diagnosed subsequently in 1 breast. CONCLUSIONS Atypia frequently is diagnosed by NDL, but the reproducibility of repeat lavage is low. Lavage atypia may be physiologic or artifactual rather than pathologic in many instances. Marked atypia occasionally may represent mammographically occult ductal carcinoma in situ. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
UNIFIED THEORY OF AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE DEFLAGRATION AND THE LOW-PRESSURE DEFLAGRATION LIMIT.

Abstract A unified theory is proposed to explain using a single framework the hitherto separately treated aspects of the combustion of ammonium perehlorate: burning rate, low-pressure deflagration limit and ignition. The model on the basis of which the theory is formulated incorporates the experimentally observed microstructure of the burning surface of ammonium perehlorate, which provides an intermediate heat sink in an overall adiabatic system. The theory explains the existence of the low-pressure deflagration limit of ammonium perehlorate, which has eluded previous attempts at theoretical explanation. Furthermore, the theory predicts accurately the variation of the limiting pressure with initial solid temperature and also the nearly constant burning rate at the low-pressure deflagration limit regardless of initial solid temperature. The comparison of the theory and experiment for the low-pressure deflagration limit and burning rate of ammonium perehlorate indicates that the same reaction mechanisms pre...
On the Controllability Properties of Circulant Networks

This paper examines the controllability of a group of first order agents, adopting a weighted consensus-type coordination protocol over a circulant network. Specifically, it is shown that a circulant network with Laplacian eigenvalues of maximum algebraic multiplicity q is controllable from q nodes. Our approach leverages on the Cauchy-Binet formula, which in conjunction with the Popov-Belevitch-Hautus test, leads to new insights on structural aspects of network controllability.
On the Vertical Distribution of Local and Remote Sources of Water for Precipitation

The vertical distribution of local and remote sources of water for precipitation and total column water over the United States are evaluated in a general circulation model simulation. The Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) general circulation model (GCM) includes passive constituent tracers to determine the geographical sources of the water in the column. Results show that the local percentage of precipitable water and local percentage of precipitation can be very different. The transport of water vapor from remote oceanic sources at mid and upper levels is important to the total water in the column over the central United States, while the access of locally evaporated water in convective precipitation processes is important to the local precipitation ratio. This result resembles the conceptual formulation of the convective parameterization. However, the formulations of simple models of precipitation recycling include the assumption that the ratio of the local water in the column is equal to the ratio of the local precipitation. The present results demonstrate the uncertainty in that assumption, as locally evaporated water is more concentrated near the surface.
PREEMPTIVE AND REACTIVE SPENDING IN U.S. HOUSE RACES

This paper examines the spending behavior of candidates for the U,S. House of Representatives. Particular attention is paid to the timing of receipts and expenditures over the complete 2-year election cycle. Incumbents raise and spend large amounts of money very early in the race, and this preemptive spending may have a groat impact on the selection of challengers and therefore on electoral outcomes. In addition, a model of reactive spending is tested for the general election period. Incumbents' expenditures are a function of the underlying partisan division in the district, the strength of the challenge, and candidates' feelings of vulnerability. Ineumbents are strategic actors who attempt to maximize their chances of reelection. Early in the term, they spend preemptively in an effort to influence the selection of their challengers. Later in the term, they spend in reaction to the strength of their challengers' campaign. The role of money in congressional campaigns is neither simple nor direct. More attention needs to be given to the strategic uses of money in the period leading up to the general election campaign as well as to the dynamics of receipts and expenditures over an entire election cycle. Past scholarly work on the uses and consequences of money in campaigns has emphasized the direct effects of money spent on winning general elections. But incumbents spend for many different reasons, only one of which is to guarantee victory in a general election race with a particular challenger. Candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives are assembling war chests of campaign funds earlier in the 2-year cycle and in greater quantity than ever before; and most incumbents are finishing their campaigns with substantial cash balances, which they carry over to the next electoral cycle. These actions raise new questions about the strategic uses of money in campaigns as it b~omes clear that not all of the incumbents'
Gini Ratios: Some Considerations Affecting Their Interpretation

A CURRENTLY popular tool for studying concentration-the Gini ratio-is being used with increasing frequency [2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12]. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the possible shortcomings of this tool as a measure of relative distributional inequality. It will be shown that the common practice of reporting Gini coefficients without explicitly describing the distribution from which they are derived may be analogous to reporting regression coefficients without their standard errors. More precisely, it will be demonstrated that in certain cases interpreting Gini coefficients on a cardinal basis may lead to erroneous conclusions and that even conclusions drawn from ordinal ranking of Gini coefficients can be misleading.
MARKDEF: A METHODOLOGY FOR UNDERSTANDING COMPETITIVE SPACES BASED ON CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS

The study proposes and empirically tests a new model for delineating product markets-MARKDEF. In MARKDEF product market definitions are analytically obtained using consumer perceptions. MARKDEF provides important diagnostic capability. It not only enables one to gain insight into the overall similarity/dissimilarity of products but also the attributes which account for these. In particular, MARKDEF gives a measure called the overall index of deviation which reflects the overall degree to which two products differ from each other. In addition, MARKDEF provides a measure of deviation on each attribute for the products under consideration, which aids in understanding the attributes responsible for differentiating the products. MARKDEF is supported in the product class investigated, namely candy bars. Attempts are made to validate the methodology by comparing the results obtained from MARKDEF with those of other standard procedures like multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis, and it is demonstrated that MARKDEF has good overall validity.
On the possible contribution of mixed species flocks to species richness in neotropical avifaunas

Mixed species foraging flocks are a dominant component of the infra-structure of avian communities in neotropical forests. In Amazonia, these flocks consist of pairs of 10–20 species, many of which are permanently associated with mixed flocks. At least half of these flocking species maintain territories that correspond exactly to the flock home range. Small individuals that participate as permanent members of the flocks must adopt the large home range of the larger nucleus species. Therefore, the densities of smaller species are dependent on the availability and density of flocks rather than the availability of food resources. Single pairs of 4 small flocking species with individual body masses of 8 g occupied exclusive territories of 8–12 ha. These were the same exact territories that were defended by at least 6 other flocking species with individual body masses of up to 37 g. Because of their attachment to flocks with large territories, small species are expected to under-utilize available food resources. The under-utilization of food resources is expected to allow smaller species to coexist with greater niche overlap resulting in increased species richness. This hypothesis was tested by quantifying foraging niche in terms of foraging height, foraging maneuver, and prey substrate; and using these values in addition to body mass and bill size (length, depth and width) to determine relative niche overlap between large versus small species pairs. Smaller species had greater foraging overlap than large flocking species and particularly the three smallest species of the genus Myrmotherula; longipennis, axillaris and menetriesii had very high overlap (average foraging niche overlap for the 3 species=0.83±0.12 compared with 0.12±0.19 for all flocking species), similar body sizes (body masses differing by no more then 8%) and similar bill morphologies (maximum ratio in length=1.08, width=1.07, and depth=1.06). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that small species participating in Amazonian mixed flocks can coexist with greater niche overlap because their density is flock dependent rather than resource dependent.
Finite element analysis of steady nonlinear harmonic oscillations of axisymmetric shells

Abstract A finite element method is presented for the analysis of nonlinear harmonic oscillations of axisymmetric shells. More specifically, a computational approach is described which can be used to calculate the constants which arise due to the geometrically nonlinear effects in the amplitudefrequency equations for shells.
New expressions for the phase structure function based on a new spectrum model for the index of refraction

New analytical models of the spatial power spectra of temperature fluctuations and refractive-index fluctuations in the atmospheric boundary layer, showing the characteristic "bump" just prior to the dissipation ranges, have recently been developed as a modification of the standard Tatarski model. Using this new model for the power spectrum of the refractive index, new expressions are developed for the phase structure function of an optical wave propagating through atmospheric turbulence. The effects of this new phase structure function on the phase coherence length, and hence on Fried's seeing parameter r0 for the critical diameter of a telescope, are also examined.
Constructions of Hadamard Difference Sets

Using a spread ofPG(3, p) and certain projective two-weight codes, we give a general construction of Hadamard difference sets in groupsH×(Zp)4, whereHis either the Klein 4-group or the cyclic group of order 4, andpis an odd prime. In the casep?3 (mod 4), we use an ovoidal fibration ofPG(3, p) to construct Hadamard difference sets, this construction includes Xia's construction of Hadamard difference sets as a special case. In the casep?1 (mod 4), we construct new reversible Hadamard difference sets by explicitly constructing the two-weight codes needed in our general construction method. Using a well-known composition theorem, we conclude that there exist Hadamard difference sets with parameters (4m2, 2m2?m, m2?m), wherem=2a3b52c1132c2172c3p21p22?p2twitha, b, c1, c2, c3positive integers and where eachpjis a prime congruent to 3 modulo 4, 1?j?t.
Update in Cardiology

This year's Update in Cardiology features key reports in major areas of cardiovascular medicine: prevention, unstable coronary syndromes, chronic cardiovascular disease, arrhythmias, and peripheral...
The effect of acclimation temperature and the removal of peripheral temperature receptors on body temperature preference in the cockroach, Periplaneta americana

Abstract 1. 1.|Body temperature preferences were compared between cockroaches acclimated to different ambient temperatures and between 25°C acclimated cockroaches and cockroaches deprived of their peripheral temperature receptors. 2. 2.|Acclimation to 35°C resulted in a significantly higher mean body temperature and low body temperature selected compared with 25°C acclimated cockroaches. 3. 3.|Cockroaches deprived of their peripheral temperature receptors showed a significantly higher mean high body temperature selected when compared to normal 25°C acclimated cockroaches. 4. 4.|It is concluded that cockroach temperature regulation is more precise than expected and that central temperature receptors are the primary sensing elements for cockroach thermoregulation.
Growth of Aligned Square‐Shaped SnO2 Tube Arrays

Tin dioxide (SnO2) box beams, or tubes with square or rectangular cross-sections, are synthesized on quartz substrates using a combustion chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method in an open atmosphere at 850 °C to 1150 °C. The cross-sectional width of the as-synthesized SnO2 tubules is tunable from 50 nm to sub-micrometer depending on synthesis temperature. Each tubule is found to be a single crystal of rutile structure with four {110} peripheral surfaces and &n60;001&n62; growth direction. Although several growth patterns are observed for different samples, the basic growth mechanism is believed to be a self-catalyzed, direct vapor–solid (VS) process, where most new material is incorporated into the bottom parts of the existing SnO2 tubules through surface diffusion. The tubes are readily aligned in the direction perpendicular to the substrate surface to form tube arrays. These well-aligned SnO2 tubule arrays with tunable tube size could be the building blocks or templates for fabrication of functional nanodevices, especially those relevant to energy storage and conversion such as nanobatteries, nanofuel cells, and nanosensors. A gas sensor based on a single SnO2 nanotubes demonstrated extremely high sensitivity to ethanol vapor.
Propagation of finite amplitude waves in single crystals of high-purity aluminium

Abstract This paper presents conclusions concerning uniaxial deformations of single crystals. The dynamic deformations obtained from an experimental study of large amplitude compression waves in high-purity crystals of aluminium were shown to agree with the finite amplitude wave theory. It was also demonstrated that the aggregate theory of G. I. Taylor could be used to predict the same dynamic deformations of the single crystal study on the basis of the static compressive columnar multi-crystal and the static tensile polycrystalline deformation curves. The predominant deformation predicted from the static data was discovered to have a quadric temperature dependence.
Yellowstone hotspot volcanism in California? A paleomagnetic test of the Lovejoy flood basalt hypothesis

In 2000, D.L. Wagner and colleagues hypothesized that the middle Miocene Yellowstone hotspot volcanism thought to have produced the great expanses of Columbia River and Oregon Plateau Basalts also gave rise to the Lovejoy Basalt of California. Paleomagnetic directions of lava flows of the Lovejoy Basalt in isolated localities scattered more than 200 km across northeastern and central California show that they were erupted rapidly and that some of them traveled great distances. Most of the paleomagnetic directions form a tight cluster distinct from the Miocene mean field direction for the region, indicating eruption within a relatively short time span compared to geomagnetic secular variation—that is, within a few hundred to a few thousand years. Directional correlations demonstrate that some flows traveled at least 75 km and likely as much as 200 km. These findings support the hypothesis that the Lovejoy flows are flood basalts that compose a large southwestward extension of Yellowstone hotspot volcanism.
Negative regulation of Scl-70/topoisomerase I by zinc and an endogenous macromolecule

Abstract Scl-70/topoisomerase I (topo I), a target of autoantibodies in the human disorder scleroderma, may be linked to collagen overproduction. We report that physiologic concentrations of zinc (≥80 μM) potently inactivate human and rat topo I in the presence of a 125-fold molar excess of MgCl 2 . We also describe a highly acidic nuclear molecule which competitively inhibits topo I. 89kD complexes of topo I and inhibitor can be separated from active 70kD monomers by glycerol density gradient centrifugation. The complexes have a 20-fold higher Km for DNA than monomers. Dissociation by dilution results in a 50-fold increase in rat liver and a 47-fold increase in human fibroblast specific activity. Zinc inhibition is non-competitive, and independent of the endogenous inhibitor. Our studies suggest that the majority of topo I is normally maintained in an inactive state by physiologic inhibitors, and loss of negative regulation may have pathogenetic consequences.
Metal cavities as the efficiency killer in nanolasers and spontaneous light sources

The metal influence on light emitters has been studied for more than twenty years in semiconductor light emitters. A critical feature is reliance on the correct electromagnetic boundary conditions to understand and predict the performance of either lasers or spontaneous light emitters for which the metal may influence the emission properties. Here we show that nearly (all) recent studies of metal-coupled lasers or spontaneous light emitters leave out near-field interactions that seriously degrade the emission efficiency.
The treatment of hemorrhoids by dilatation and injection

‘HEN the diagnosis of a purely W hemorrhoida disease is established, the type of surgica1 measures for rehef must be considered, because no given procedure is best suited to al1 conditions. It is neither necessary nor profitabIe to discuss the many operative measures that have been advocated for the cure of interna hemorrhoids. A number of them are obsoIete and others are ineffectual. I hoId, however, that the folIowing procedures wiI1 sufice in a11 cases and the effort is made to indicate the type of operation best suited to certain hemorrhoida conditions.
Some Observations on Models of Parallel Computation

Although recent developments have clearly established parallelism as a viable approach to building faster computers, a consensus has not yet emerged on how parallelism should best be exploited. A variety of radically different architectures, languages, and frameworks for algorithm design have been proposed, praised, and criticized by different schools of thought. Many aspects of parallel computation have been analyzed in some depth, but mainly in isolation. Much less is understood on their global interaction. A characterization of the overall design space for parallel computing systems has not yet been formulated. As a first step, it is important to develop an understanding of how different models of parallel computation relate to each other.
AMPA Receptor Activates a G-Protein that Suppresses a cGMP-Gated Current

The AMPA receptor, ubiquitous in brain, is termed “ionotropic” because it gates an ion channel directly. We found that an AMPA receptor can also modulate a G-protein to gate an ion channel indirectly. Glutamate applied to a retinal ganglion cell briefly suppresses the inward current through a cGMP-gated channel. AMPA and kainate also suppress the current, an effect that is blocked both by their general antagonist CNQX and also by the relatively specific AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI-52466. Neither NMDA nor agonists of metabotropic glutamate receptors are effective. The AMPA-induced suppression of the cGMP-gated current is blocked when the patch pipette includes GDP-β-S, whereas the suppression is irreversible when the pipette contains GTP-γ-S. This suggests a G-protein mediator, and, consistent with this, pertussis toxin blocks the current suppression. Nitric oxide (NO) donors induce the current suppressed by AMPA, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors prevent the suppression. Apparently, the AMPA receptor can exhibit a “metabotropic” activity that allows it to antagonize excitation evoked by NO.
When are Enhanced Relationship Tax Compliance Programs Mutually Beneficial

This study investigates the circumstances under which "enhanced relationship" tax compliance programs are mutually beneficial to taxpayers and tax authorities, as well as how these benefits are shared. We develop a model of tax authority and taxpayer behavior inside and outside of an enhanced relationship program. Our model suggests that, despite the adversarial nature of the relationship, an enhanced relationship program is mutually beneficial in many settings. The benefits are due to lower audit costs and the effect of taxpayer disclosures on the tax authority's audit strategy. We also identify settings in which the program is socially beneficial, but these benefits are not achieved because one party is unwilling to enter the program. Finally, we show that an increase in the ability of the tax authority to identify uncertain tax positions makes an enhanced relationship tax compliance program more attractive to both the taxpayer and the tax authority.
Linear and nonlinear model predictive control using a general purpose optimal control problem solver RIOTS 95

In this paper, we introduce the general purpose optimal control problem solver RIOTS_95, Matlab toolbox, as a solver for general linear and nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) problems. This optimization toolbox is designed to solve a wide variety of optimal control problems and therefore constitutes a good candidate as a optimization solver in the MPC framework. The illustrative example of a DC motor is introduced to demonstrate the feasibility of model predictive control using RIOTS_95. Nonlinearities are added to the model to exemplify that RIOTS_95 is also suitable for nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC). The effectiveness and advantages of our RIOTS_95 based MPC are exemplified by comparing its results with those obtained by two readily available MPC tools.
High Fat Diet Modulates Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Associated Myocarditis

Background Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, has high affinity for lipoproteins and adipose tissue. Infection results in myocarditis, fat loss and alterations in lipid homeostasis. This study was aimed at analyzing the effect of high fat diet (HFD) on regulating acute T. cruzi infection-induced myocarditis and to evaluate the effect of HFD on lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and heart during acute T. cruzi infection. Methodology/Principal Findings CD1 mice were infected with T. cruzi (Brazil strain) and fed either a regular control diet (RD) or HFD for 35 days following infection. Serum lipid profile, tissue cholesterol levels, blood parasitemia, and tissue parasite load were analyzed to evaluate the effect of diet on infection. MicroPET and MRI analysis were performed to examine the morphological and functional status of the heart during acute infection. qPCR and immunoblot analysis were carried out to analyze the effect of diet on the genes involved in the host lipid metabolism during infection. Oil red O staining of the adipose tissue demonstrated reduced lipolysis in HFD compared to RD fed mice. HFD reduced mortality, parasitemia and cardiac parasite load, but increased parasite load in adipocytes. HFD decreased lipolysis during acute infection. Both qPCR and protein analysis demonstrated alterations in lipid metabolic pathways in adipose tissue and heart in RD fed mice, which were further modulated by HFD. Both microPET and MRI analyses demonstrated changes in infected RD murine hearts which were ameliorated by HFD. Conclusion/Significance These studies indicate that Chagasic cardiomyopathy is associated with a cardiac lipidpathy and that both cardiac lipotoxicity and adipose tissue play a role in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. HFD protected mice from T. cruzi infection-induced myocardial damage most likely due to the effects of HFD on both adipogenesis and T. cruzi infection-induced cardiac lipidopathy.
Interaction dynamics of multiple mobile robots with simple navigation strategies

The global dynamic behavior of multiple interacting autonomous mobile robots with simple navigation strategies is studied. Here, the effective spatial domain of each robot is taken to be a closed ball about its mass center. It is assumed that each robot has a specified cone of visibility such that interaction with other robots takes place only when they enter its visibility cone. Based on a particle model for the robots, various simple homing and collision-avoidance navigation strategies are derived. Then, an analysis of the dynamical behavior of the interacting robots in unbounded spatial domains is made. The article concludes with the results of computer simulations studies of two or more interacting robots.
Coping while Incarcerated: A Study of Male Juvenile Offenders

The present study examines the associations between coping efforts and psychological (internalizing and externalizing symptoms) and behavioral adjustment in a sample of 373 male juvenile offenders (ages 14-17) during the first month of incarceration. Social support seeking was associated with a more rapid decline in internalizing symptoms and lower levels of externalizing symptoms. Acceptance had a stress-buffering effect with regard to internalizing symptoms, whereas denial predicted higher levels of these symptoms. The only coping variable related to violent behavior was active coping, which was associated with lower rates of violent offending among youth with any violent incidents. The importance of fostering coping skills and increasing positive coping options for incarcerated adolescents is discussed.
The role of antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndromes and for secondary prevention following a myocardial infarction

Abstract Acute Coronary Syndromes Therapy with aspirin is recommended for all patients with acute myocardial ischemic syndromes unless contraindications for its use is present. None of the studies thus far have conclusively established evidence for a selective dose of aspirin. Until conclusive evidence exists, aspirin in doses of 81 mg (children's tablet) to 325 mg (adult tablet) are recommended. Ticlopidine may prove to be an attractive alternate choice in those who cannot take aspirin. According to the ACC/AHA task force recommendations, patients with acute myocardial infarction receiving thrombolytic therapy should receive both heparin and aspirin. 50 Aspirin is to be administered in a dose of 160 mg daily. Heparin can be discontinued after 2 days if the patient's clinical course remains uncomplicated. Aspirin should be continued indefinitely. An alternative strategy in those who cannot take aspirin is to switch to warfarin before hospital discharge with a view toward long-term anticoagulant therapy. Secondary Prevention Aspirin in a dose of 325 mg daily is recommended for all survivors of an acute myocardial infarction. No benefit derives from the addition of dipyridamole. The role of sulfinpyrazone remains undefined. Warfarin is an effective antithrombotic alternative to aspirin for secondary prevention after a myocardial infarction. 51 However, aspirin is cheaper to administer and follow up when compared with warfarin. From available information, aspirin appears to be an adequate antithrombotic agent in patients who have near-normal left-ventricular function, the elderly, patients with coexisting cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease, and those with contraindications for anticoagulants. Warfarin should be preferred in high-risk patients with anterior or apical myocardial infarction, left-ventricular dysfunction with or without a mural thrombus, and those with associated atrial fibrillation. A randomized study assessing aspirin versus warfarin for secondary prevention after myocardial infarction is being initiated to determine the relative efficacy and safety of these drugs in secondary prevention after myocardial infarction.
Review Of The Cyberspace Policy And Trusted Identity Documents

This paper gives a brief but substantial review of two documents promulgated by the U.S. Office of the President: the Cyberspace Policy Review and the National Strategy for Trusted Identity in Cyberspace. An identity ecosystem, consisting of participants and infrastructure, is proposed and an operational framework is envisioned. The underlying concepts are substantial, and the overall implications should be of interest to the academic, business, and government communities.
Coincident Idiopathic Left Ventricular Tachycardia and Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia: Control by Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of the Slow Atrioventricular Nodal Pathway

A healthy 37-year-old male presented with a history of frequent palpitations and sustained wide QRS complex tachycardia with a right bundle branch block and left axis morphology. Serial electrophysiological studies revealed two inducible tachycardias, which were shown to represent atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia and idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia. Transformation from one tachycardia to the other occurred spontaneously as well as following atrial or ventricular pacing. Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the slow atrioventricular nodal pathway resulted in cure of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia and the prevention of spontaneous recurrence of ventricular tachycardia, suggesting a role of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in triggering the clinical episodes of ventricular tachycardia. The patient has remained asymptomatic without antiarrhythmic therapy for 8 months.
Software Feature Understanding in an Industrial Setting

Software Engineers frequently need to locate and understand the code that implements a specific user feature of a large system. This paper reports on a study by Motorola Inc. and the Software Engineering Research Center to see if industrial tools currently in use at the company could be adapted for feature understanding. Software Engineers doing maintenance on industrial software often need to understand how a particular user feature of the program has been implemented. A user feature is often distributed across several different software modules, thus making it difficult to find and understand the code. A number of dynamic analysis methods have been proposed to help locate features [1, 5, 6]. These generally involve running the program with and without the feature, and then analyzing traces of program execution. Some academic tools are available (e.g. [3]) but there seem to be no commercial tools for feature location that are currently actively supported. Motorola Inc. was interested in knowing if commercial tools that the company currently uses could be adapted for feature location. It asked the University of West Florida and the Software Engineering Research Center (SERC)1 to study this issue, focusing specifically on CodeTEST from Metrowerks2 and on inSight from Klocwork3. Both tools are in use in Motorola and are known to be robust and effective. CodeTEST is a dynamic analysis tool and can produce traces of execution, while inSight.
20 watt spatial power combiner in waveguide

In this paper, we present the continued effort in the development of broadband waveguide-based spatial combiners. A 20 W result at X-band is reported. The combiner was implemented by using eight commercial GaAs MMIC amplifiers in a rectangular waveguide environment. A new combiner design is proposed to alleviate, if not eliminate, various technical problems and further improve the power performance. Resulting simplification in analysis also enable us to better characterize the combining circuits. The preliminary result suggests promising outlook in performance improvement.
The PRC-barrel: a widespread, conserved domain shared by photosynthetic reaction center subunits and proteins of RNA metabolism

The H subunit of the purple bacterial photosynthetic reaction center (PRC-H) is important for the assembly of the photosynthetic reaction center and appears to regulate electron transfer during the reduction of the secondary quinone. It contains a distinct cytoplasmic β-barrel domain whose fold has no close structural relationship to any other well known β-barrel domain. We show that the PRC-H β-barrel domain is the prototype of a novel superfamily of protein domains, the PRC-barrels, approximately 80 residues long, which is widely represented in bacteria, archaea and plants. This domain is also present at the carboxyl terminus of the pan-bacterial protein RimM, which is involved in ribosomal maturation and processing of 16S rRNA. A family of small proteins conserved in all known euryarchaea are composed entirely of a single stand-alone copy of the domain. Versions of this domain from photosynthetic proteobacteria contain a conserved acidic residue that is thought to regulate the reduction of quinones in the light-induced electron-transfer reaction. Closely related forms containing this acidic residue are also found in several non-photosynthetic bacteria, as well as in cyanobacteria, which have reaction centers with a different organization. We also show that the domain contains several determinants that could mediate specific protein-protein interactions. The PRC-barrel is a widespread, ancient domain that appears to have been recruited to a variety of biological systems, ranging from RNA processing to photosynthesis. Identification of this versatile domain in numerous proteins could aid investigation of unexplored aspects of their biology.
MRI contrast from relaxation along a fictitious field (RAFF)

A new method to measure rotating frame relaxation and to create contrast for MRI is introduced. The technique exploits relaxation along a fictitious field (RAFF) generated by amplitude- and frequency-modulated irradiation in a subadiabatic condition. Here, RAFF is demonstrated using a radiofrequency pulse based on sine and cosine amplitude and frequency modulations of equal amplitudes, which gives rise to a stationary fictitious magnetic field in a doubly rotating frame. According to dipolar relaxation theory, the RAFF relaxation time constant (T(RAFF)) was found to differ from laboratory frame relaxation times (T(1) and T(2)) and rotating frame relaxation times (T(1ρ) and T(2ρ)). This prediction was supported by experimental results obtained from human brain in vivo and three different solutions. Results from relaxation mapping in human brain demonstrated the ability to create MRI contrast based on RAFF. The value of T(RAFF) was found to be insensitive to the initial orientation of the magnetization vector. In the RAFF method, the useful bandwidth did not decrease as the train length increased. Finally, as compared with an adiabatic pulse train of equal duration, RAFF required less radiofrequency power and therefore can be more readily used for rotating frame relaxation studies in humans.