cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decision making and testosterone: When the ends justify the means

Abstract Behavioral endocrinology research suggests that testosterone may play a role in moral decision making. Studies involving human and nonhuman animals indicate that high basal testosterone is associated with decreased aversion to risk and an increased threshold for conflict, fear, stress, and threat. We tested the role of testosterone in moral decision making. We predicted and found that individuals high in testosterone are more likely to make utilitarian decisions—specifically when doing so involves acts of aggression and social cost.
Real cobordism and greek letter elements in the geometric chromatic spectral sequence

In this paper, we give a basic application of our AdamsNovikov spectral sequence analogue based on Real cobordism. Concretely, using that technique, we prove restrictions on Greek letter elements which can be permanent cycles or targets of dierentials in the geometric chromatic spectral sequence.
Tumoral non-amyloidotic monoclonal immunoglobulin light chain deposits ('aggregoma'): presenting feature of B-cell dyscrasia in three cases with immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses.

Summary. Tumoral monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) light chain non-fibrillar deposits (‘aggregomas’), which can be considered analogous to solitary light chain amyloidomas, are a rare presenting feature of B-cell dyscrasias. It is not certain if they are truly localized or if in reality they represent an initial expression of a silent systemic non-amyloid light chain deposition disease (LCDD). This report describes three patients, two of whom presented with cervical masses and the third with a solitary lung nodule, each comprising granular aggregates of monoclonal kappa light chain. Extracted deposits from the lymph node of one patient were shown by N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis to belong to the variable-region kappa I (Vκ I) light chain subgroup, the first reported κ-LCDD protein encoded by the L9 gene and the first report of an expressed protein related to this gene. Extracted deposits from the lung nodule of the second patient belonged to the Vκ IV light chain subgroup encoded by the B3 germ line gene. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the light chains from the aggregomas were compared with the related germ line sequences and to the N-terminal amino acid sequences of the nine other known κ-LCDD light chains reported thus far from patients with systemic LCDD.
Studies in mathematical theory of human relations. II

In continuation of previous studies, an abstract mathematical theory is developed for the interaction of several social classes, of which one influences and controls the behavior of the others. In some cases such interaction results in the existence of two configurations of equilibrium for the social structure, characterized by different types of behavior. Each configuration corresponds to one definite type of behavior. The transition from one configuration to the other, in other words, the transition from one behavior to another, occurs rather rapidly. Equations governing these transitions are given. In other cases, namely when the efforts of the individuals to influence others into a given behavior lessen as the success of this influence increases, there is only one stable configuration characterized by a mixed behavior. Due to the dissimilarity of parents and progeny, the composition of each social class changes with time, as generations change. This results in the appearance of instabilities of the social structure and in relatively sudden social changes. Possibilities of quasi-periodic alterations of different social structures are discussed. Finally, the developed equations are applied to the case of physical conflicts between groups of individuals, such as riots, wars, etc. Possible factors in addition to mere physical force which may determine the outcome of such conflicts are investigated.
Interactions of Cu(I) with Selenium-Containing Amino Acids Determined by NMR, XAS, and DFT Studies

Cu(I) coordination by organoselenium compounds was recently reported as a mechanism for their prevention of copper-mediated DNA damage. To establish whether direct Se–Cu coordination may be involved in selenium antioxidant activity, Cu(I) coordination of the selenoamino acids methyl-Se-cysteine (MeSeCys) and selenomethionine (SeMet) was investigated. NMR results in D2O indicate that Cu(I) binds to the Se atom of both MeSeCys and SeMet as well as the carboxylic acid oxygen atom(s) or amine nitrogen atoms. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and density functional theory (DFT) results confirm Se–Cu coordination, with the identification of a 2.4 A Se–Cu vector in both the Se- and Cu-EXAFS data. XAS studies also show Cu(I) in an unusual three-coordinate environment with the additional two ligands arising from O/N (2.0 A). DFT models of 1:1 Cu-selenoamino acid complexes suggest that both selenoamino acids coordinate Cu(I) through the selenium and amino groups, with the third ligand assumed to be water. These c...
Possible mechanisms of inhibition with atropine against noradrenaline-induced contraction in the rabbit aorta.

Abstract 1. In the rabbit isolated aorta, atropine (3 x 10(-6) M-10(-4) M) inhibited contractile response to noradrenaline without affecting contraction to KCl. 2. In the presence of contraction to noradrenaline, atropine (3 x 10(-7) M-10(-4) M) caused concentration-dependent relaxation. Pretreatment with theophylline (10(-3) M) potentiated the relaxant action of atropine. Relaxation to atropine was not affected by the specific guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase inhibitor, M & B 22,948 (10(-4) M), tetraethylammonium (10 mM), indomethacin (10(-5) M), propranolol (10(-7) M), nifedipine (10(-6) M) or removal of the endothelium. 3. Relaxation to either atropine or prazosin was not affected by preincubation with prazosin and atropine, respectively. 4. In Ca(2+)-free medium containing EGTA and nifedipine, atropine (10(-7) M-10(-4) M) inhibited the residual noradrenaline response more than the subsequent Ca(2+)-induced contraction. Pretreatment with either theophylline (10(-3) M), forskolin (3 x 10(-7) M) or a low concentration of prazosin (3 x 10(-9) M) also inhibited the residual contraction to noradrenaline and Ca2+. The effect of combined treatment of atropine and any of these agents was much greater than with each individual agent. 5. Atropine (10(-6) M-10(-4) M) also inhibited increases in the level of inositol monophosphates (IP) in response to noradrenaline. Theophylline (10(-3) M) and a low concentration of prazosin (3 x 10(-9) M) also inhibited IP formation. Combined with atropine, the effect was much greater than with each of these agents individually. 6. Atropine did not affect adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels in the aorta and also failed to displace specific [3H]-prazosin binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Influence of vasoactive drugs on wall shear stress distribution in the abdominal aortic bifurcation : An in vitro study

The present study compares the wall shear stress (rate) distribution in a compliant aortic bifurcation model under three different hemodynamic states: normal state, angiotensin II infusion state (vasoconstrictor), and isoproterenol infusion state (vasodilator). Using a Newtonian blood analog fluid, flow wave forms corresponding to each flow state were generated in an in vitro flow loop and a photographic flow visualization technique was employed to measure wall shear rate. The results indicate a zone of low mean wall shear stress and highly oscillatory shear stress on the outer (lateral) wall of the bifurcation. In this zone, the mean wall shear stress became negative for all three hemodynamic states indicating flow separation. However, the spatial extent of the flow separation zone was not affected significantly by the flow state. The study also revealed a large spatial variation of the phase angle between the hoop strain (circumferential strain due to radial artery expansion) and the wall shear stress, the two main mechanical stimuli acting on endothelial cells which affect their biology. In the zone of low mean wall shear stress on the outer wall, the two stimuli were more out of phase relative to the mother branch, whereas they were less out of phase (by about 50°) on the inner wall (flow divider side). This phase angle was affected significantly by the flow state. For angiotensin II, the phase angle reached a maximum of 125° in the low mean shear zone while the maximum was 94° and 66° for the normal and isoproterenol states, respectively. Our observation that large phase angles between the hoop strain and wall shear stress wave forms are localized in the low shear stress region where atherosclerotic disease occurs suggests the possible physiological relevance of this phase angle to the development of atherosclerosis. © 1998 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC98: 8745Hw
Clinical practice guidelines: renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal malignancy and is increasing at an annual rate of approximately 2% worldwide. Metastatic RCC is among the more chemotherapy-refractory malignancies, with a 5-year survival rate less than 2%. A variety of therapies are currently under investigation for the treatment of metastatic RCC, particularly involving immunotherapeutic agents such as interferon alfa. OBJECTIVES To review and compare historical and current data that define practice guidelines in the treatment of RCC. DISCUSSION Of the various treatment modalities available for RCC, only surgery with complete removal of tumor burden can be considered as potentially curative, since the tumor is resistant to chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and radiation therapy. However, biologic response modifiers (BRMs)—particularly immunotherapeutic agents such as interferon alfa—have been extensively studied and appear to produce objective tumor regression in selected patients with advanced disease. CONCLUSIONS In patients with metastatic RCC, performance status is the most important predictor of outcome, and should therefore be utilized for therapeutic decision making. Immunotherapy with BRMs such as recombinant interferon alfa and recombinant interleukin-2 has been associated with meaningful antitumor responses in selected patients. Combination therapy with recombinant interferon alfa, recombinant interleukin-2, and 5-fluorouracil may offer considerable promise, and the subcutaneous administration of recombinant interferon alfa and recombinant interleukin-2 may improve the tolerability and convenience of these cancer treatments by reducing side effects and permitting outpatient administration. As treatment expectations for metastatic RCC are limited, experimental approaches are warranted.
Combining contracts and exemplar-based programming for class hiding and customization

For performance reasons, client applications often need to influence the implementation strategies of libraries whose services they use. If an object-oriented library contains multiple service classes customized for different usage patterns, applications can influence service implementations by instantiating the customized classes that match their needs. However, with many similar service classes, it can be difficult for applications to determine which classes to instantiate. Choosing the wrong class can result in very subtle errors since a customized class might use optimizations that work only over a restricted domain. In this paper, we show how client-side software contracts and exemplar-based class factories can be used to construct customized server objects. By expressing priorities and requirements in contracts, clients can delegate service class selection to the library and thereby avoid implicit dependencies on the library implementation. We have used this approach in the implementation of a real-time database system.
The Relationship of Religiosity and Spirituality to Quality of Life Among Cancer Patients

Most quality of life (QOL) assessments measure patients’ emotional well-being, functional well-being, interpersonal/social well-being, and satisfaction with treatment. Little attention has been given to patients’ spirituality or religiosity. Further, studies that have examined the impact of spirituality or religiosity on QOL have not differentiated between the constructs. The purpose of this study was to examine religiosity and spirituality as separate variables, and to define their relationship to QOL for 61 persons with cancer. Regression analyses indicated that, while spirituality and religiosity are moderately intercorrelated, spirituality has a stronger relationship with QOL than religiosity. When attempting to understand a person's spiritual life and its impact on QOL, there is a need for clear distinction between and separate assessment of spirituality and religiosity.
A comparison of lysis mediated by Lyt 2+ TNP-specific cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte (CTL) lines with that mediated by rapidly internalized lymphotoxin-containing supernatant fluids: evidence for a role of soluble mediators in CTL-mediated killing.

Abstract A series of Lyt 2 + , trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific T-cell lines are shown to lyse 51 Cr-labeled target cells in an antigen-specific, H -2-restricted fashion in a 4-hr assay. These cells also produce lymphotoxin, in addition to other factors, upon stimulation with TNP-haptenated syngeneic splenocytes. A technique for introducing macromolecules into the cytoplasm of fibroblasts by inducing the cells to pinocytose the molecule in hypertonic medium, and then lysing the newly formed pinocytic vesicles with a mild hypotonic shock was used to assess the role of soluble mediators in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated lytic process. The technique itself has little effect on cell growth rate or viability. A minimum of 24 hr, and more frequently 48–72 hr is required for lymphotoxin to manifest it's lethal effect when it is merely included in the culture medium of growing fibroblasts. In contrast, supernatant fluids from the Lyt 2 + cells kill 51 Cr-labeled fibroblasts in a dose-dependent fashion during a 4-hr assay when they are rapidly internalized via the osmotic procedure. The data serve as preliminary evidence of a role for soluble mediators such as lymphotoxin in T-cell-mediated lysis, and suggest that the cytotoxic-T-cell lethal hit may include a mechanism for rapidly internalizing a toxin into appropriate target cells.
Nitrates in Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Congestive Heart Failure

Nitrates are widely used in the therapy of heart failure despite the absence of US Food and Drug Administration approval or of a marketing effort by pharmaceutical companies. Their efficacy is related to the generation of nitric oxide, a vasodilator and antiproliferative substance that may be deficient in cardiovascular disease states. The hemodynamic action of nitrates reduces impedance to left ventricular ejection, increases capacitance of the venous system to reduce cardiac filling pressure and results in increased exercise capacity. The antiproliferative effect induces regression of left ventricular remodeling. Co-administration of hydralazine inhibits the development of nitrate tolerance. Long-term administration of combined therapy causes regression of structural remodeling and reduced mortality from heart failure. The short-term and long-term efficacy of this combination added to conventional therapy should be tested in large-scale trials.
The Whittier Narrows, California Earthquake of October 1, 1987—Preliminary Analysis of Peak Horizontal Acceleration

Abstract The Ml=5.9 Whittier Narrows, California, earthquake triggered several hundred accelerographs in the greater Los Angeles area. One‐hundred and sixty‐eight of these were used to develop attenuation relationships for peak horizontal acceleration. The analysis indicates that the attenuation of peak acceleration during the earthquake was generally consistent with that predicted from the attenuation relationships of Campbell (in press). However, the acceleration amplitudes were about 65‐percent higher than predicted. An analysis of residuals clearly showed that the ground motions recorded during this earthquake were influenced by a complex interaction of source mechanism, building embedment, site geology, and geography. Source effects may have been responsible for the higher‐than‐expected accelerations as well as some of the observed azimuthal variation. The correlation of peak acceleration with geography may have been caused in part by the gross geologic structure of the region. Buildings with basemen...
Finding a best traveling salesman 4-opt move in the same time as a best 2-opt move

A special class of 4-opt moves plays a key role in several leading heuristics for the traveling salesman problem (TSP). However, the number of such moves is quite large—O(n4) for a graph of n nodes, on the order of the square of the number of 2-opt moves. Consequently, classical TSP heuristics have not attempted to seek best (and often not even improving) instances of these moves. We show that a best move from the collection that consists of these moves, together with an additional class of 4-opt moves and certain related 3-opt moves, can nevertheless be found in the same order of time required to find a best 2-opt move. Our method employs an acyclic shortest path model based on ideas introduced with ejection chain procedures and generates a sequence that can include improving moves at earlier stages. Joined with candidate list strategies that limit the tour edges available to be dropped, the method can also be structured to find best members from the set of implied surviving moves in O(n) time, making available TSP strategies for incorporating 4-opt moves that were previously beyond practical consideration.
A similarity measure for motion stream segmentation and recognition

Recognition of motion streams such as data streams generated by different sign languages or various captured human body motions requires a high performance similarity measure. The motion streams have multiple attributes, and motion patterns in the streams can have different lengths from those of isolated motion patterns and different attributes can have different temporal shifts and variations. To address these issues, this paper proposes a similarity measure based on singular value decomposition (SVD) of motion matrices. Eigenvector differences weighed by the corresponding eigenvalues are considered for the proposed similarity measure. Experiments with general hand gestures and human motion streams show that the proposed similarity measure gives good performance for recognizing motion patterns in the motion streams in real time.
The circulation of Lake Mendota

The wind-driven circulation of two-layered lakes may be interpreted in terms of kinetic-energy production and horizontal divergence. Evidence from Lake Mendota, Wisconsin, indicates that the epilimnion is circulated directly by the wind, with some piling up of the water downwind. This increased lake level results in depression of the thermocline, which in turn represents a solenoid concentration capable of circulating the hypolimnion.
Integrins αvβ3 and αvβ5 promote adenovirus internalization but not virus attachment

Abstract Adenovirus contains a heterodimeric protein complex consisting of 186 kd fiber protein that mediates high affinity virus attachment to cells and a 400 kd pentavalent subunit (penton base) that contains five Arg-Gly-Asp sequences, implying a role for integrins in adenovirus infection. We demonstrate that the vitronectin-binding integrins α v β 3 and α v β 5 promote viral infection in a novel way since antibodies against these receptors or soluble penton base block virus internalization without affecting attachment. Moreover, adenovirus binds to cultured cells lacking α v integrins but fail to become internalized, thus restricting infection of these cells. Transfection of α v (−) cells with a cDNA encoding α v results in the expression of integrins α v β 3 and α v β 5 and allows virus internalization and infection. These data indicate that adenovirus attachment and uptake into cells are separate but cooperative events that result from the interaction of distinct viral coat proteins with a receptor for attachment and α v integrin receptors for internalization.
Asynchronous Sigma Delta Modulator based subdural neural implants for epilepsy patients

Although recent advances in neuroscience, information technology and microelectronics have enabled implanting miniature and highly intelligent devices within the brain for in vitro diagnostic and therapeutic functions, novel signal processing methods are required for energy efficient data acquisition due to power constraints accompanying these miniature devices. We present a new method for signal acquisition in brain implants based on Asynchronous Sigma Delta Modulators (ASDM) which requires less power than conventional methods. We also present a computationally efficient signal reconstruction algorithm using the time codes from the output signal of ASDM. Our method and algorithm are validated using subdural EEG signals recorded from an epilepsy patient.
Antibiotic Prescription With Asthma Medications: Why Is It So Common?

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are among the most common reasons for visits to primary care pediatricians and emergency departments.1 Infections with respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, human metapneumovirus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are frequently associated with wheezing, which leads to the clinical entities of bronchiolitis in infants and asthmatic bronchitis (also known as wheezy bronchitis) in older children.2 In general, bacterial superinfection is uncommon after these respiratory virus infections, and antibiotics do not generally play a role in the management of wheezing associated with signs of acute infection.2,–,5 It is important to note that bacterial infections are more common after infection with influenza A or B, but these viruses do not generally trigger wheezing in children. Two reports in this issue of Pediatrics indicate that, unfortunately, simultaneous prescription of antibiotics and medications used for asthma is extremely common.6,7 De Boeck et al6 used a health insurance database that encompassed the records of 892 841 Belgian children seen in 1 year to examine antibiotic-prescribing practices. During this period, an antibiotic was dispensed to 44.21% of the children covered by this insurance provider, and an asthma drug (β-adrenergic agents, inhaled corticosteroid, ipratropium, and/or leukotriene receptor antagonist) was dispensed to 16.04%. An antibiotic was dispensed to 38.62% of children without an asthma drug versus 73.50% of children with an asthma drug dispensed ( P < .0001). Moreover, 35.64% of the children given an asthma drug had an antibiotic prescribed on the same day, which suggests concerns for the coexistence of asthma and a bacterial infection. Similarly, Paul et al7 used data … Address correspondence to Paul Krogstad, MS, MD, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095. E-mail: pkrogstad{at}mednet.ucla.edu
Biomechanical investigation of a novel ratcheting arthrodesis nail

Background: Knee or tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is a salvage procedure, often with unacceptable rates of nonunion. Basic science of fracture healing suggests that compression across a fusion site may decrease nonunion. A novel ratcheting arthrodesis nail designed to improve dynamic compression is mechanically tested in comparison to existing nails. Methods: A novel ratcheting nail was designed and mechanically tested in comparison to a solid nail and a threaded nail using sawbones models (Pacific Research Laboratories, Inc.). Intramedullary nails (IM) were implanted with a load cell (Futek LTH 500) between fusion surfaces. Constructs were then placed into a servo-hydraulic test frame (Model 858 Mini-bionix, MTS Systems) for application of 3 mm and 6 mm dynamic axial displacement (n = 3/group). Load to failure was also measured. Results: Mean percent of initial load after 3-mm and 6-mm displacement was 190.4% and 186.0% for the solid nail, 80.7% and 63.0% for the threaded nail, and 286.4% and 829.0% for the ratcheting nail, respectively. Stress-shielding (as percentage of maximum load per test) after 3-mm and 6-mm displacement averaged 34.8% and 28.7% (solid nail), 40.3% and 40.9% (threaded nail), and 18.5% and 11.5% (ratcheting nail), respectively. In the 6-mm trials, statistically significant increase in initial load and decrease in stress-shielding for the ratcheting vs. solid nail (p = 0.029, p = 0.001) and vs. threaded nail (p = 0.012, p = 0.002) was observed. Load to failure for the ratcheting nail; 599.0 lbs, threaded nail; 508.8 lbs, and solid nail; 688.1 lbs. Conclusion: With significantly increase of compressive load while decreasing stress-shielding at 6-mm of dynamic displacement, the ratcheting mechanism in IM nails may clinically improve rates of fusion.
Idol and Gift in Volpone

AbstractFor their helpful comments on a draft of this essay, I thank John Portmann, Michael Murrin, Howard Marchitello and members of audiences to my lecture version of this material, as presented at the University of Maryland, Cambridge University, University of Virginia, University of Newcastle, University of Liverpool, University of Leeds, the Shakespeare Institute of the University of Birmingham at Stratford‐upon‐Avon, the Pittsburgh Renaissance Consortium, and the University of Utah.
Intraoperative Laparoscopic Ultrasound

In parallel with the increasing move from open surgical procedures to laparoscopic approaches, laparoscopic ultrasound (LLIS) is being used with increasing frequency to image normal structures and intr.i-abdominal pathology. Special transducers and scanning techniques are required to perform LLIS with a different set of considerations. Within the spectrum of I.US applications, HIS is used to complement laparoscopy for oncology staging, to facilitate an array of surgical procedures, and to guide laparoscopic biopsies.
Drs. Herold and Fitzgerald respond

Stanczyk takes issue with our statement that “there are no convincing data showing that extraction/chromatography testosterone RIAs work” (1), but presents no references to refute our claim. We stand by our statement, as we have found no convincing evidence that extraction/chromatography RIAs for testosterone are accurate. As stated previously, the only two published reports comparing extraction/chromatography RIAs for testosterone with isotope-dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) show potential problems with this type of methodology (2)(3). We do not disagree that the RIA has made significant contributions to science in general and endocrinology in particular. Our point is that every clinical assay should be validated by an independent chemical technique before it is …
VR JuggLua: A framework for VR applications combining Lua, OpenSceneGraph, and VR Juggler

A gap exists between virtual reality (VR) software platforms designed for optimum hardware abstraction and cluster support, and those designed for efficient content authoring and exploration of interaction techniques through prototyping. This paper describes VR JuggLua, a high-level virtual reality application framework based on combining Lua, a dynamic, interpreted language designed for embedding and extension, with VR Juggler and OpenSceneGraph. This work allows fully-featured immersive applications to be written entirely in Lua, and also supports the embedding of the Lua engine in C++ applications. Like native C++ VR Juggler applications, VR JuggLua-based applications run successfully on systems ranging from a single desktop machine to a 49-node cluster. The osgLua introspection-based bindings facilitate scenegraph manipulation from Lua code, while bindings created using the Luabind template meta-programming library connect VR Juggler functionality. A thread-safe run buffer allows new Lua code to be passed to the interpreter during run time, supporting interactive creation of scene-graph structures. It has been successfully used in an immersive application implementing two different navigation techniques entirely in Lua and a physically-based virtual assembly simulation where C++ code handles physics computations and Lua code handles all display and configuration.
CD40-independent pathways of T cell help for priming of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes

In many cases, induction of CD8+ CTL responses requires CD4+ T cell help. Recently, it has been shown that a dominant pathway of CD4+ help is via antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation through engagement of CD40 by CD40 ligand on CD4+ T cells. To further study this three cell interaction, we established an in vitro system using dendritic cells (DCs) as APCs and influenza hemagglutinin (HA) class I and II peptide–specific T cell antigen receptor transgenic T cells as cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors and CD4+ T helper cells, respectively. We found that CD4+ T cells can provide potent help for DCs to activate CD8+ T cells when antigen is provided in the form of either cell lysate, recombinant protein, or synthetic peptides. Surprisingly, this help is completely independent of CD40. Moreover, CD40-independent CD4+ help can be documented in vivo. Finally, we show that CD40-independent T cell help is delivered through both sensitization of DCs and direct CD4+–CD8+ T cell communication via lymphokines. Therefore, we conclude that CD4+ help comprises at least three components: CD40-dependent DC sensitization, CD40-independent DC sensitization, and direct lymphokine-dependent CD4+–CD8+ T cell communication.
Isolation of a putative phospholipase c gene of drosophila, norpA, and its role in phototransduction

Summary Severe norpA mutations in Drosophila eliminate the photoreceptor potential and render the fly completely blind. Recent biochemical analyses have shown that norpA mutants lack phospholipase C (PLC) activity in the eye. A combination of chromosomal walking and transposon-mediated mutagenesis was used to clone the norpA gene. This gene encodes a 7.5 kb RNA that is expressed in the adult head. In situ hybridizations of norpA cDNA to adult tissue sections show that this gene is expressed abundantly in the retina. The putative norpA protein is composed of 1095 amino acid residues and has extensive sequence similarity to a PLC amino acid sequence from bovine brain. We suggest that the norpA gene encodes a PLC expressed in the eye of Drosophila and that PLC is an essential component of the Drosophila phototransduction pathway.
Regional Development in China: Transitional Institutions, Embedded Globalization, and Hybrid Economies

This paper by a recognized specialist reviews the substantial recent literature on regional development in China, emphasizing studies of regional inequality and local development. It attempts to critically assess progress and changes in the structure of such research, highlighting the important role of institutions and geography, as well as emerging theoretical notions of transitional institutions, embedded globalization, and hybrid economies. The paper identifies intriguing and important questions that remain understudied, and highlights concepts deserving further development. In so doing, it raises questions relating to future research and explores avenues for moving the field forward.
Fast parallel FFT on a reconfigurable computation platform

We present implementation of a very fast parallel complex FFT on M2, the second generation of MorphoSys reconfigurable computation platform, which is targeting on streamed applications such as multimedia and DSP. The proposed mapping comprises fast presorting, cascaded radix-2 stages, and postreordering. Data and twiddle factors are 16-bit real and 16-bit imaginary in 2's complement format and scaling is performed to avoid overflow. The mapping is tested on our cycle-accurate simulator, "mulate", and the performance is encouragingly better than other architectures such as Imagine and VIRAM. Moreover, the performance is scalable according to FFT sizes. Since there is no functionality specifically tailored to FFT, the results demonstrate the capability of MorphoSys architecture to extract parallelism from streamed applications. Further rationales are given based on the concepts of scalar operand networks and memory hierarchy.
Effect of prolactin administration and suppression on blood pressure and body fluid compartments in the rat.

The effects of chronic hyper- and hypoprolactinemia on blood pressure (BP), body fluid compartments, and renal function in male rats were studied. Chronic hyperprolactinemia was induced by administration of ovine PRL (oPRL) over 7 days at a rate of 8.9 μg/h via an ip osmotic minipump. Hypoprolactinemia was induced by lergotrile mesylate (LM), administered at 10.0 μg/h via osmotic pump. In addition, several rates of oPRL administration (0.6, 2.9, 5.7, 11.3, and 22.7 μg/h) were studied. Total body water, extracellular fluid volume (ECF), and plasma volume were determined by dilution of 3H2O, 35SO4, and 51Cr-chloride, respectively. BP increased after oPRL administration at 0.6 μg/h (P < 0.001) and decreased after oPRL administration at 8.9 μg/h (P < 0.001) and 22.7 μg/h (P < 0.01). The oPRL (8.9 μg/h) -induced fall in BP was associated with an increased ECF (P < 0.05) and plasma volume (P < 0.05). Total body water was unchanged in all studies. Similar to the high dose oPRL administration, LM also lowered BP ...
IMC bonding for 3D interconnection

We performed stacking experiments on Si dies using annular tungsten TSVs (Through Silicon Vias) and Cu studs with low-volume solder micro-bumps. Unlike standard 100-micron C4 (Controlled Collapse Chip Connection) solder balls, very small solder volumes (< 6 microns in height) form IMC (InterMetallic Compounds) in the junctions during the bonding or reflow processes. The two interconnect metallurgies of Cu/Ni/In and Cu/Sn joints were considered for low-volume lead-free solder micro-bumps for 3D integration. A previous study on these metallurgies [5] showed that the Cu/Sn joints form thermally stable intermetallics while in the Cu/Ni/In joints, some indium solder remains unreacted due to the presence of the Ni barriers. The shear testing on the stacked systems showed that the die stacks with Cu/Sn joints exhibit higher shear strengths than those with Cu/Ni/In joints. However the impact shock testing on the systems revealed that the die stacks with Cu/Sn joints are less resistant to mechanical shocks than the systems with Cu/Ni/In joints. This new work focuses on thermal cycle testing of the die stack systems with the Cu/Ni/In and Cu/Sn interconnections. Preliminary thermal cycle testing on the die stack systems with Cu/Ni/In joints showed that the joints are stable against thermal cycle stresses for thousands of cycles. To quickly compare the systems with two metallurgies, we mounted the Si die stacks onto organic substrates to impose additional stresses on the systems. In addition to standard DTC (Deep Thermal Cycle) tests, we also conducted a HAATS (Highly accelerated Air to Air Thermal Shock) test [23] with a short cycle time to reduce the testing time. The DTC and HAATS tests showed that the stacked systems with Cu/Ni/In joints had fewer failures and smaller increases in the electrical resistances of the joints during the tests than the systems with Cu/Sn joints.
High-frequency generation of conditional mutations affecting Drosophila melanogaster development and life span.

Genome sequencing reveals that a large percentage of Drosophila genes have homologs in humans, including many human disease genes. The goal of this research was to develop methods to efficiently test Drosophila genes for functions in vivo. An important challenge is the fact that many genes function at more than one point during development and during the life cycle. Conditional expression systems such as promoters regulated by tetracycline (or its derivative doxycycline) are often ideal for testing gene functions. However, generation of transgenic animals for each gene of interest is impractical. Placing the doxycycline-inducible (“tet-on”) promoter directed out of the end of the P transposable element produced a mobile, doxycycline-inducible promoter element, named PdL. PdL was mobilized to 228 locations in the genome and was found to generate conditional (doxycycline-dependent), dominant mutations at high frequency. The temporal control of gene overexpression allowed generation of mutant phenotypes specific to different stages of the life cycle, including metamorphosis and aging. Mutations characterized included inserts in the α- mannosidase II ( dGMII ), ash1 , and pumilio genes. Novel phenotypes were identified for each gene, including specific developmental defects and increased or decreased life span. The PdL system should facilitate testing of a large fraction of Drosophila genes for overexpression and misexpression phenotypes at specific developmental and life cycle stages.
THE WILSONIAN DILEMMA

This essay explores James Wilson’s approach to the so-called “Madisonian Dilemma. ” I first explain how the tension between majority rule and minority rights was more extreme for Wilson than for most founders. I then show how his view of human nature and moral epistemology allowed him to resolve the dilemma. Although Wilson’s solution may be less realistic than Madison’s, it is still worthy of serious consideration because of its influence on the creation of America’s constitutional system.
Paracellular nutrient absorption in a gum-feeding new world primate, the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus.

The common marmoset is one of the few callitrichid species that is not threatened or endangered in the wild, and is widely used in biomedical research, yet relatively little is understood about its digestive physiology. Dietary specialization on plant exudates has lead to relatively reduced small intestines, yet the common marmoset has exceptional dietary breadth, allowing it to successfully utilize a variety of habitats. We predicted that passive, paracellular nutrient absorption would be used by the common marmoset to a greater extent than in other non-flying mammals. We measured the bioavailability and rates of absorption of two metabolically inert carbohydrates not transported by mediated pathways (L-rhamnose and cellobiose, molecular masses of 164 and 342, respectively) to measure paracellular uptake, and of a non-metabolized D-glucose analog (3-O-methyl-D-glucose) to measure total uptake by both mediated and paracellular pathways. We found high bioavailability of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (83 ± 5%), and much higher bioavailability of the paracellular probes than in similarly sized non-flying mammals (30 ± 3% and 19 ± 2% for L-rhamnose and cellobiose, respectively). Passive, paracellular nutrient absorption accounts for around 30% of total glucose absorption in common marmosets and intestinal permeability is significantly higher than in humans, the only other species of primate measured to date. This may allow the common marmoset to maintain high digestive efficiency when feeding on higher quality foods (fruit, arthropods, gums with higher proportions of simple sugars), in spite of relatively reduced small intestines correlated with adaptations for fermentative digestion of plant gums. We find no evidence to support, in primates, the hypothesis that reliance on paracellular nutrient absorption should increase with body size in mammals, but suggest instead that it may be associated with small body size and/or taxon-specific adaptations to diet.
First record of the hybodont shark genus, “Polyacrodus” sp., (Chondrichthyes; Polyacrodontidae) from the Kiowa Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of McPherson County, Kansas

Abstract Three unassociated tooth fragments of the hybodont shark, Polyacrodus sp., were recovered from a quarry in the Kiowa Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Albian), McPherson County, Kansas, in June of 2003. The teeth of this shark represent a new record for the poorly known vertebrate marine paleofauna of the Kiowa. The fragments were discovered in association with the teeth of another hybodont, two lamniform sharks, a ray, and a pycnodont fish; a turtle vertebra; a plesiosaur tooth fragment; and bone, osteoscute, and tooth fragments of crocodilians. The teeth are the first recognized occurrence of “Polyacrodus” in Kansas, and further document the diversity of this near-shore paleofauna in the Western Interior Sea during the Early Cretaceous.
The Greatest Art is The Greatest Propaganda: the Fascinating and Tragic Life of Margaret Walker Alexander

In 1949, the famed author and poet Margaret Walker took a position of employment with the English Department at Jackson State University, an appointment that she would hold for the next 30 years. Her tenure at Jackson State coincided with the rise of the Modern Civil Rights Movement and her diary entries during these turbulent years illustrate a woman in flux and tragically silenced as the black freedom struggle unfolded. This article discusses Walker’s dilemma as it related to feeling voiceless in Mississippi’s closed society but it also examines the ways in which Walker molded her students and in doing so, made contributions to their politicization and development as change agents. Walker’s career would become a source of inspiration for later artists and writers of the Black Power and Black Arts Movements.
The History of Texas Civil Procedure

The promulgation of rules of court by the Texas Supreme Court has been the principal mechanism for the regulation of proceedings in Texas courts. This article provides a historical overview of the development of these rules, the rule-making process, the impact of procedural rule-making on the administration of justice in Texas courts, and the continuing need for revision and reorganization of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. This article also acknowledges the enormous debt that is owed to the Texas judges, lawyers, and professors who have participated in the rule-making process, mostly without plaudits or even public recognition. In a small way, this paper attempts to pay that debt.
The effects of multiple chronic conditions on hospitalization costs and utilization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions in the United States: a nationally representative cross-sectional study

The presence of multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) complicates inpatient hospital care, leading to higher costs and utilization. Multimorbidity also complicates primary care, increasing the likelihood of hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how MCCs relate to inpatient hospitalization costs and utilization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. The 2012 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) State Inpatient Databases (SID) provided data to carry out a cross-sectional analysis of 1.43 million claims related to potentially preventable hospitalizations classified by the AHRQ Prevention Quality Indicator (PQI) composites. Categories of MCCs (0–1, 2–3, 4–5, and 6+) were examined in sets of acute, chronic, and overall PQIs. Multivariate models determined associations between categories of MCCs and 1) inpatient costs per stay, 2) inpatient costs per day, and 3) length of inpatient hospitalization. Negative binomial was used to model costs per stay and costs per day. The most common category observed was 2 or 3 chronic conditions (37.8 % of patients), followed by 4 or 5 chronic conditions (30.1 % of patients) and by 6+ chronic conditions (10.1 %). Compared with costs for patients with 0 or 1 chronic condition, hospitalization costs per stay for overall ambulatory care sensitive conditions were 19 % higher for those with 2 or 3 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.19–1.20), 32 % higher for those with 4 or 5 (95 % CI 1.31–1.32), and 31 % higher (95 % CI 1.30–3.32) for those with 6+ conditions. Acute condition stays were 11 % longer when 2 or 3 chronic conditions were present (95 % CI 1.11–1.12), 21 % longer when 4 or 5 were present (95 % CI 1.20–1.22), and 27 % longer when 6+ were present (95 % CI 1.26–1.28) compared with those with 0 or 1 chronic condition. Similar results were seen within chronic conditions. Associations between MCCs and total costs were driven by longer stays among those with more chronic conditions rather than by higher costs per day. The presence of MCCs increased inpatient costs for ambulatory care sensitive conditions via longer hospital stays.
Citizen Worker: The Experience of Workers in the United States with Democracy and the Free Market during the Nineteenth Century

Acknowledgements Introduction Part I. Wage-Labor, Bondage and Citizenship: 1. The Right to Quit 2. Free Labor in the Shadow of Slavery 3. Quitting and Getting Paid 4. Citizenship and the Terms of Employment Part II. Policing People for the Free Market: 5. The Definition and Prosecution of Crime 6. The Privatization of Poor Relief 7. The Crime of Idleness 8. Arms and the Man 9. Police Powers and Workers' Homes Part III. Political Parties: 10. Black Workers and Republicans in the South 11. Industrial Workers and Party Politics 12. Workers and Tammany Hall 13. Labor Reform and Electoral Politics 14. Citizenship and the Unseen Hand Bibliography.
Spatial Organization of the Drosophila Nucleus: A Three-Dimensional Cytogenetic Study

The combination of optical fluorescence microscopy with digital image processing and analysis has been used to examine the three-dimensional organization of chromosomes within intact polytene nuclei. Although the arrangement indicates a high degree of flexibility, there are many conserved features between nuclei at the same developmental state. For example, chromosome arms are loosely coiled with centromeres clustered at the opposite end of the nucleus from the telomeres. Individual chromosome arms are not interwoven but occupy different spatial domains. Chromosomal sites that contact the envelope correlate with intercalary heterochromatin. Connections are observed between actively transcribing regions.
Treasury Cash Management and its Coordination With Debt Management

The efficient treasury cash management should be matched with a developed and sophisticated bond operation project. This paper introduces two typical modes of treasury cash management abroad. It also puts forward some suggestions on how to manage China's treasury cash efficiently from the practice of commercial banks and the money market.
Analysis of cutaneous perfusion: an aid to lower extremity reconstruction.

The use of cutaneous and musculocutaneous flaps has been greatly enhanced by a better understanding of vascular anatomy. Cutaneous vessels reach the skin by three basic pathways: over the muscle layer, through the muscles, and between the muscles. The authors’ anatomic investigation of each of these three types of vessels and the clinical application of this information is presented.
Roboterprogrammierung und Roboterprogrammiersprachen

Die Roboterprogrammierung hat das Ziel, den Roboter bestimmte Tatigkeiten im Rahmen einer Fertigungsorganisation durchfuhren zu lassen.
Mountain Agriculture for Global Markets: The Case of Greenhouse Floriculture in Ecuador

Mountain agriculture has been conceptualized in terms of altitudinal zones, verticality, and agroecosystems, but an alternative framework is that of adaptive dynamics, conceptualizing farming in te...