cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Costly Litigation and Legal Error under Negligence

In this article, private enforcement under negligence when there is legal error and litigation is costly is examined. Ordover (1978) demonstrated that in a negligence regime in which there is no legal error and litigation is costly, equilibrium requires the presence of actors who refuse to obey the due-care standard. Accordingly, in such a negligence regime, an undercompliance equilibrium must result. Since the existence of litigation costs implies that the socially optimal level of care is greater than that required by the traditional Hand formula, which defines negligence as a failure to take care where the cost of taking care is less than the expected loss if the accident occurs, 1 it is a short step from Ordover's undercompliance result to the conclusion that injurers,2 under negligence, exercise less than the socially optimal level of precaution (see Hylton). It is demonstrated that, because of legal error, an undercompliance equilibrium need not result under negligence. In a negligence regime in which courts err and litigation is costly, perfect and overcompliance equilibria are
BABY BOOM SINGLES: THE SOCIAL SEEKERS

This article examines single baby boom consumers on demographic and psychographic dimensions tested in a survey of 267 respondents. We found differences between singles and marrieds in social self‐image, age identification, nature and frequency of leisure activities, and shopping habits. Singles are characterized as “Social Seekers” because they socialize more and show more concern with their social image than marrieds. Marketing implications exist for a variety of products related to gender and marital status.
Sexual assault on college campuses: Is an ounce of prevention enough?

Abstract This article provides a construct-by-construct review of the effectiveness of sexual asault prevention programs in modifying sexual assault-related attitudes, cognitions, emotions, and behaviors. This article also discusses variables that may moderate program effectiveness, variables that may mediate program effectiveness, methodological issues, programs for special populations, and iatrogenic effects. In general, sexual assault prevention programs have been shown to be effective in producing short-term reductions in rape-supportive attitudes. There is insufficient evidence, however, to conclude that such programs are effective in reducing the incidence of sexual assault.
Elimination of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the anterior interventricular vein with ablation in the right ventricular outflow tract.

Idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias not infrequently arise from the left ventricular summit, the superior most portion of the epicardium near the bifurcation of the left main coronary artery.1 These arrhythmias have an inferior axis and usually demonstrate a negative to isoelectric configuration in lead 1. Typically, there is a left bundle branch block pattern in lead V1, with early precordial transition. Often there is a pattern break in lead V2, with a more net negative complex compared with leads V1 and V3. The epicardial left ventricular summit is best accessed for catheter ablation via the coronary venous system.2 However, ablation within the anterior interventricular vein (AIV) can be limited by inability to advance the catheter to the site of interest, inadequate power delivery secondary to impedance/temperature rises, and most importantly, proximity to the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. When one of these limitations is present, ablation can be successful from nearby structures, including the left coronary cusp or left ventricular endocardium.3 We describe for the first time successful elimination of ventricular arrhythmias arising from the left ventricular summit AIV region with ablation from the nearby right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). A 30-year-old woman presented with palpitations. Holter monitoring revealed a 17% burden of monomorphic ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs). Transthoracic echocardiogram was normal. After treatment with a β-blocker failed, catheter ablation was performed. Baseline rhythm was sinus with frequent VPDs (right bundle branch block morphology in lead V1, right inferior axis). Activation mapping …
Carbon and nitrogen ratios of aquatic and terrestrial prey for freshwater fishes

become the basis of the stream food web. Terrestrial arthropods that fall into streams are often an important food resource for fishes, but variation in the nutritional quality of aquatic versus terrestrial items has not been fully assessed. Carbon and nitrogen ratios in invertebrates roughly reflect relative amounts of structural chitin and since chitin is mostly indigestible to fishes, it can be an indicator of food quality, where a greater amount of chitin (or greater C:N) indicates lower quality. To better understand potential differences in the quality of terrestrial versus aquatic arthropods, we sampled terrestrial and aquatic arthropods during winter, spring, and summer, and measured their molar C:N values. We tested arthropod C:N values for origin (terrestrial vs. aquatic), taxonomy (order level), and time of year (winter, spring, and summer). We did not detect significant differences in any of these comparisons. The average molar C:N (� 1 SD) for aquatic arthropods (n ¼ 81 samples) was 5.0 � 0.6 and ranged from 4.7 to 5.6 and that for terrestrial arthropods (n ¼ 42 samples) was 5.1 � 0.7 and ranged from 4.4 to 5.6. Molar C:N values were not different among aquatic and terrestrial arthropods (df ¼ 74.3, t ¼� 0.995, p ¼ 0.418) and did not differ across arthropod taxa (F7,50 ¼ 1.9, p ¼ 0.087). Any trends in molar C:N variability in arthropods, whether they be aquatic or terrestrial, are probably due to relative amounts of structural chitin. Since chitin is largely undigested in fish diets, molar C:N might be important in considering the true benefits of terrestrial subsidies on fish life histories.
Current role of cabozantinib in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Over 80% of men with castration-resistant prostate cancer have bone metastases. This condition can dramatically impact quality of life and is associated with short-term survival. Consequently, the development of bone-targeted therapies is a relevant topic on prostate cancer management. Hepatocyte growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathways have been identified to play a role in prostate cancer progression and bone metastasis and are potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Early-phase studies have shown encouraging responses in bone metastases and pain control with cabozantinib, a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting hepatocyte growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. Despite striking responses seen in some patients, preliminary results from a pivotal Phase III study have failed to produce survival benefit. This review encompasses preclinical and clinical data of cabozantinib in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer ...
Understanding the growth of Eu2O3 nanocrystal films made via electrophoretic deposition

Eu2O3 nanocrystals, surface-functionalized with oleic acid, were assembled into transparent thin films via electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Suspended in a non-polar solvent (hexane), the nanocrystals were cast into stable films on both the cathode and the anode. We characterized the nanocrystal films using optical microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy provided information regarding the morphology, topology and surface coverage of the films. These homogeneous, densely packed films were composed predominantly of agglomerates (~15 nm) of the Eu2O3 nanocrystals rather than of individual nanocrystals. Nonetheless, the films possessed low root mean square (RMS) roughness (~1.4 nm). High transparency of the film in the visible region was facilitated by the dense packing and the small diameter of the agglomerates, which reduced transmission losses due to scattering. The effect of EPD process parameters (applied voltage and nanocrystal concentration) on the growth uniformity and the thickness of the films was examined via surface contact profilometry. We discovered a correlation among the said EPD process parameters, the overall quality and thickness of these transparent films, which provided insight into the mechanisms of the nanocrystal deposition process.
An Archaeal Photosignal-Transducing Module Mediates Phototaxis in Escherichia coli

Halophilic archaea, such as Halobacterium salinarum and Natronobacterium pharaonis, alter their swimming behavior by phototaxis responses to changes in light intensity and color using visual pigment-like sensory rhodopsins (SRs). In N. pharaonis, SRII (NpSRII) mediates photorepellent responses through its transducer protein, NpHtrII. Here we report the expression of fusions of NpSRII and NpHtrII and fusion hybrids with eubacterial cytoplasmic domains and analyze their function in vivo in haloarchaea and in eubacteria. A fusion in which the C terminus of NpSRII is connected by a short flexible linker to NpHtrII is active in phototaxis signaling for H. salinarum, showing that the fusion does not inhibit functional receptor-transducer interactions. We replaced the cytoplasmic portions of this fusion protein with the cytoplasmic domains of Tar and Tsr, chemotaxis transducers from enteric eubacteria. Purification of the fusion protein from H. salinarum and Tar fusion chimera from Escherichia coli membranes shows that the proteins are not cleaved and exhibit absorption spectra characteristic of wild-type membranes. Their photochemical reaction cycles in H. salinarum and E. coli membranes, respectively, are similar to those of native NpSRII in N. pharaonis. These fusion chimeras mediate retinal-dependent phototaxis responses by Escherichia coli, establishing that the nine-helix membrane portion of the receptor-transducer complex is a modular functional unit able to signal in heterologous membranes. This result confirms a current model for SR-Htr signal transduction in which the Htr transducers are proposed to interact physically and functionally with their cognate sensory rhodopsins via helix-helix contacts between their transmembrane segments.
The equational specification of efficient compiler code generation

Abstract We describe a retargetable compiler code generation system that has two distinguishing features. First, the system produces code generators from equational specifications. The equational notation directly supports the conceptually attractive view of code generation as term rewriting. Second, the system produces code generators that are very efficient. We discuss experimental evidence that indicates that code generators produced by our system run extremely fast. This experimental evidence includes direct comparisons to Davidson-Fraser code generators. Graham-Glanville code generators, and the Portable C compiler's code generator.
The effect of Trypanosoma equiperdum on the lesions of experimental influenza virus pneumonia.

Abstract The effects of chronic Trypanosoma equiperdum infection on the lesions of influenza Ao WSN virus pneumonia in deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ) were studied by light microscopy and image analysis. Trypanosome-infected mice given virus had a severe bronchitis, bronchiolitis and alveolitis characterized by respiratory epithelial necrosis and dense infiltrations of perivascular and peribronchial spaces by plasma cells. Trypanosome-free mice given virus had similar but less severe lesions and the peribronchial and perivascular infiltrates were mainly neutrophils and lymphoid cells. Regeneration of the bronchiolar epithelium was observed 2 days earlier in trypanosome-free mice than in trypanosome-infected mice. Image analysis showed that cellular infiltration of the respiratory tissues was greater during the course of influenza virus pneumonia in trypanosome-infected mice. It is suggested that the reduced ability of trypanosome-infected mice to mobilize neutrophils caused the more severe influenza virus pneumonia in these mice. It is further suggested that animals suffering from chronic trypanosomiasis have an impaired cell regeneration potential and respond to virus infections by a trypanosome-induced polyclonal activation of plasma cells.
Successful application of a modified ambegaokar-halperin model to fit the current-voltagecharacteristics of bulk PbHgBaCaCUO

Abstract We report measurements of the current-voltage (I–V) characteristics of a sample of Pb 0.2 Hg 0.8 Ba 2 Ca 1.25 Cu 3 O x at 77 K, 27 K and 4.2 K in applied magnetic fields varying from 0 to 6 T. These data are fitted very well by a modified Ambegaokar-Halperin model. Useful information about the material, including its critical current and pinning potential, may be obtained from the fits.
Toxicity of the explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine, and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine in sediments to Chironomus tentans and Hyalella azteca: Low-dose hormesis and high-dose mortality

The toxicity of the explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT); hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (royal demolition explosive [RDX]); and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (high-melting explosive [HMX]), was evaluated in spiked sediment with two freshwater invertebrates. The midge Chironomus tentans and the amphipod Hyalella azteca demonstrated significant toxic effects after exposure to TNT and its degradation products, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB) and 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene (2,4-DANT). Significant reductions in survival of C. tentans exposed to TNT, TNB, and 2,4-DANT were observed at nominal sediment concentrations as low as 200 mg/kg. Hyalella azteca was more sensitive to TNT, TNB, and 2,4-DANT than the midge, where significant reductions in survival were observed at nominal concentrations of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Survival of the midge and the amphipod was unaffected after exposure to RDX or HMX at the highest concentrations of 1,000 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Growth of the midge, measured as total weight, was significantly reduced by 2,4-DANT. However, significantly increased growth was observed after exposure to sublethal concentrations of RDX and HMX. Although significant reductions in amphipod survival were observed at high concentrations of TNB, growth was significantly increased at sublethal concentrations. The results of the current investigation suggest that organisms exposed to explosives at contaminated sites may be affected at concentrations less than 25 mg/kg through hormetic growth enhancement and at higher concentrations through increased mortality.
Mutant onco-proteins as drug targets: successes, failures, and future prospects

Mutant onco-proteins play a direct, causal role in cancer and are therefore considered attractive drug targets. Clinical experience has supported this view, with some exceptions. However, clinical benefit has often been restricted by rapid emergence of drug-resistant clones through several distinct mechanisms. This problem can, in principle, be addressed through cocktails containing several drugs. However, the number of tumors whose survival is dependent on a single, druggable mutant onco-protein is currently unknown. The majority of tumors may be driven either by single drivers that are un-druggable, or by combinations of drivers. In both cases, new approaches will be necessary. Development of systemic RNA interference may be a solution to these problems.
A time derandomizer for analog pulses

Abstract A storage unit for analog pulses is described which is used to decrease counting losses in high-rate, high-resolution, pulse-height analysis experiments. Three pulse stretchers connected in series store up to three pulses until they can be processed by an external analog-to-digital converter. An effective dead time of 6 μs is achieved when analyzing randomly occuring pulses at rates up to 20 000 cps. No degradation in pulse height resolution due to the insertion of this instrument has been detected.
Dealing with data: training new scientists.

The data deluge is already here (special section on Dealing with Data, 11 February, p. [692][1]). As a community, we should encourage young scientists to prepare for careers, such as bioinformatics, that will help address data issues. We should also find ways to move beyond specialization in one field and teach interdisciplinary flexibility. Scientists are needed who can communicate with the molecular biologists, pathologists, and geneticists as well as the bio informaticians, programmers, and IT specialists. Unfortunately, the best way to train this next generation of scientists is unclear. Current interdisciplinary PhD programs do not ensure that coursework is balanced across disciplines. One alternative would be to encourage wet-lab trained PhD students to apply for post-doc positions in bioinformatics. This would provide the foundation to understand and communicate with both the bench scientist and bioinformatician, but it also requires that we as a community be willing to take a chance and hire bench-trained PhDs with some bioinformatics affinity over the bioinformatics-only trained PhDs who are currently in short supply. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.331.6018.692
Cell-type specific expression of p11 controls cocaine reward.

Background The high rate of comorbidity between depression and cocaine addiction suggests shared molecular mechanisms and anatomical pathways. Limbic structures, such as the nucleus accumbens (NAc), play a crucial role in both disorders, yet how different cell types within these structures contribute to the pathogenesis remains elusive. Downregulation of p11 (S100A10), specifically in the NAc, elicits depressive-like behaviors in mice, but its role in drug addiction is unknown. Methods We combined mouse genetics and viral strategies to determine how the titration of p11 levels within the entire NAc affects the rewarding actions of cocaine on behavior (six to eight mice per group) and molecular correlates (three experiments, five to eight mice per group). Finally, the manipulation of p11 expression in distinct NAc dopaminoceptive neuronal subsets distinguished cell-type specific effects of p11 on cocaine reward (five to eight mice per group). Results We demonstrated that p11 knockout mice have enhanced cocaine conditioned place preference, which is reproduced by the focal downregulation of p11 in the NAc of wild-type mice. In wild-type mice, cocaine reduced p11 expression in the NAc, while p11 overexpression exclusively in the NAc reduced cocaine conditioned place preference. Finally, we identified dopamine receptor-1 expressing medium spiny neurons as key mediators of the effects of p11 on cocaine reward. Conclusions Our data provide evidence that disruption of p11 homeostasis in the NAc, particularly in dopamine receptor-1 expressing medium spiny neurons, may underlie pathophysiological mechanisms of cocaine rewarding action. Treatments to counter maladaptation of p11 levels may provide novel therapeutic opportunities for cocaine addiction.
The effect of coupled stochastic processes in a two-state biochemical switch.

Cell signaling pathways consist of multiple connections of different types of gene, mRNA and protein networks. It is not a trivial task to follow the signals flowing through these networks. The difficulty comes from considering the entire biological structure as a single network without breaking it into connected modules. The study of these networks simplifies if the complex system is reduced to a hierarchy of interconnected modules. Out of many potential modules, a specific one, namely the Goldbeter–Koshland switch, was encountered by the authors during their study of the Mammalian Heat Shock Response Network (MHSRN) where the switch acts as a stress sensor. Usually, only the steady state behavior of the switch is studied, in which the phosphorylated protein is given as a function of the enzyme concentration. Experimental results show that the heat shock response is still present 20 h after the temperature stress had ended. Thus, it is useful to analyze the transient behavior of the switch that couples the environment to the MHSRN. A stochastic model for the switch is proposed using the Master Equation which is subsequently transformed into an equation for the factorial cumulant generating function. This generating function can be easily read from a graphical representation of the stochastic switch. The second order approximation of the equation for the factorial cumulant generating function is solved and the time dependence of the transient regime of the mean and standard deviation is readily obtained. Using the mean and standard deviation of the switch’s output as a function of the stochastic input signals that represent the environment, we classify the switches according to different criteria. The switches differ by the numerical values of the parameters that characterize the switch’s chemical reactions. The classifying criteria will distinguish the switches by the levels of the response for a given transition time and by the sensitivity of the response to the enzyme levels. It is also found that the environment can drastically change the response of the switch, which has important biological consequences.
Psychological factors in hiv testing among sexually transmitted disease clinic patients: An exploratory study

Abstract Substantial numbers of persons at risk for HIV infection do not seek HIV testing and factors influencing testing decisions are not well understood. To identify psychological characteristics of persons who remain unwilling to receive HIV testing, we surveyed patients of an inner-city sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic (n = 181). Participants completed an anonymous survey and were grouped on the basis of HIV testing history and compared on measures of testing perceptions, attitudes, and decision making influences. Results showed that untested participants feared testing and had a sense of not knowing if they needed to be tested. In contrast, participants who were getting tested believed that testing would help them feel better about their health. Results also showed that participants lacked accurate information about some HIV testing procedures. We conclude that identifying concerns which inhibit seeking HIV testing can be useful in developing effective methods of promoting HIV testing.
The Spectra of Main-Sequence Stars in Galactic Globular Clusters. I. CH and CN Bands in M13*

Spectra with a high signal-to-noise ratio of 50 stars that are just below the main-sequence turnoff and are members of M13 are presented. They yield indices for the strength of the CH and the ultraviolet CN band. There is no evidence for a variation in the strength of either feature from star to star in this intermediate-metallicity Galactic globular cluster and, thus, no evidence for primordial variations in the abundance of C and N in M13. This supports the hypothesis that abundance variations found among the light elements in the evolved stars of M13 and commonly seen on the giant and subgiant branches of globular clusters of comparable metallicity are due primarily or entirely to mixing within a fraction of individual stars as they evolve.
The Verbal Expression of Love by Women and Men as a Critical Communication Event in Personal Relationships

(1987). The Verbal Expression of Love by Women and Men as a Critical Communication Event in Personal Relationships. Women's Studies in Communication: Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 15-24.
Synthesis and optical absorption spectra of Cr2+-containing orthosilicates

By reacting chromium metal with appropriate oxides in a neutral atmosphere at high temperature it is possible to prepare Mg2SiO4 with the olivine structure containing Cr++ and also Cr2SiO4. X-ray powder diffraction data for chromous orthosilicate may be indexed on an orthorhombic cell with a=5.690, b=11.262, and c=9.584 A. The compound is not isotructural with olivine. Optical absorption spectra of Cr2+ in both hosts have been obtained and also indicate large differences between the two structures.
Effects of Turbidity on Ventilation Rates and Oxygen Consumption of Green Sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus

Abstract Ventilation and oxygen consumption rates of green sunfish exposed to bentonite clay suspensions were measured at 5, 15, 25, and 35 C. Ventilation rates were not affected by bentonite clay suspensions below 2,125 FTU (Formazin Turbidity Units) at 5 C, 1,012 FTU at 15 C, and 898 FTU at 25 C. At turbidity levels exceeding 1,012 FTU at 15 C and 898 FTU at 25 C ventilation rates increased 50-70%. Tests were inconclusive at 35 C due to high mortality. Oxygen consumption rates were not affected by turbid suspensions of up to 3,500 FTU at any of the four temperatures. Evidence suggests that increased ventilation rates under highly turbid conditions are a means of compensating for reduced respiratory efficiency and a strategy for maintaining a constant oxygen uptake. The costs of increased ventilation rates were probably met by a reduction in activity.
Chalcogenide phase change induced with single-wall carbon nanotube heaters

Micro and Nanotechnology Lab, 208 N Wright St, Urbana IL 61801. Phase-change memory (PCM) is a promising candidate for non-volatile data storage [1]. PCM works by switching a phase-change material (chalcogenide) between its amorphous and crystalline states through Joule heating. The resistivity change is more than 100x, thus stored information can be easily retrieved. An attractive feature of PCM is its potential to scale below 32 nm Flash, yet it is unclear how such memory would be addressed or heated in such highly localized fashion. In this study, we demonstrate a key step in this area, by inducing ultra-narrow (5–10 nm) phase-change regions with individual single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNTs) heaters, and programming currents of the order 10 μA.
Translational initiation: Defects arising in Escherichia coli infected with phage T7, λ, and Qβ

Abstract Certain DNA-containing phage prevent the production of coinfecting RNA phage and shut-off a variety of host functions. It has been suggested that aspects of both these phenomena might be due to specific alterations in the host cell's translational initiation system. In order to explore the role of translational initiation in these processes, we have examined the effect of infection with a variety of phage on the initiation system of Escherichia coli . Our studies viewed cells infected with DNA phage T7 (including a mutant defective in the T7 RNA polymerase) as well as cells infected with the RNA phage Qβ and lysogenic cells induced for the phage λ. Relevant components from infected cells were tested for their ability to carry out the elongation reactions, to synthesize initiation dipeptides corresponding to Qβ and late-expressed T7 cistrons and to recognize the initiation codon, AUG. The most striking effect of infection was a loss of initiation factor activity in all infected cells. In contrast to what might have been expected, the defect induced by T7 infection did not appear to discriminate in favor of translation of late T7 mRNA, but, as with Qβ infection and λ induction, resulted in a general loss of the ability to initiate late T7 and Qβ mRNAs as well as a loss in the ability to recognize the initiation codon AUG. This activity, in the ease of AUG recognition, could be restored to the initiation factors by adding purified IF-1 and IF-2. These results are not easily explained in terms of a model which assumes that phage infection results in altering the specificity of the initiation system.
A block iteration scheme for the solution of systems of equations resulting from linear and nonlinear finite element models

Abstract An algorithm combining direct and iterative solution procedures is proposed for the solution of the discrete equations resulting from static or dynamic finite element models. In this technique, the discrete model is broken into regular or irregular blocks of elements. The algorithm is composed of two analysis steps, which are repetitively carried out. In the first step, using the specified boundary data on the block boundaries, the solutions within the blocks are defined directly. In the second step the variables on the block boundaries are updated iteratively. The algorithm would be particularly useful in solving large nonlinear or dynamic problems.
Mutations Enhance the Aggregation Propensity of the Alzheimer's Aβ Peptide

Aggregation of the amyloid beta (A beta) peptide plays a key role in the molecular etiology of Alzheimer's disease. Despite the importance of this process, the relationship between the sequence of A beta and the propensity of the peptide to aggregate has not been fully elucidated. The sequence determinants of aggregation can be revealed by probing the ability of amino acid substitutions (mutations) to increase or decrease aggregation. Numerous mutations that decrease aggregation have been isolated by laboratory-based studies. In contrast, very few mutations that increase aggregation have been reported, and most of these were isolated from rare individuals with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease. To augment the limited data set of clinically derived mutations, we developed an artificial genetic screen to isolate novel mutations that increase aggregation propensity. The screen relies on the expression of A beta-green fluorescent protein fusion in Escherichia coli. In this fusion, the ability of the green fluorescent protein reporter to fold and fluoresce is inversely correlated with the aggregation propensity of the A beta sequence. Implementation of this screen enabled the isolation of 20 mutant versions of A beta with amino acid substitutions at 17 positions in the 42-residue sequence of A beta. Biophysical studies of synthetic peptides corresponding to sequences isolated by the screen confirm the increased aggregation propensity and amyloidogenic behavior of the mutants. The mutations were isolated using an unbiased screen that makes no assumptions about the sequence determinants of aggregation. Nonetheless, all 16 of the most aggregating mutants contain substitutions that reduce charge and/or increase hydrophobicity. These findings provide compelling evidence supporting the hypothesis that sequence hydrophobicity is a major determinant of A beta aggregation.
Nuclear Export of Retinoid X Receptor α in Response to Interleukin-1β-mediated Cell Signaling ROLES FOR JNK AND SER260

As the obligate heterodimer partner to class II nuclear receptors, the retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha) plays a vital physiological role in the regulation of multiple hepatic functions, including bile formation, intermediary metabolism, and endobiotic/xenobiotic detoxification. Many RXRalpha-regulated genes are themselves suppressed in inflamed liver via unknown mechanisms, which constitute a substantial component of the negative hepatic acute phase response. In this study we show that RXRalpha, generally considered a stable nuclear resident protein, undergoes rapid nuclear export in response to signals initiated by the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a central activator of the acute phase response. Within 30 min of exposure to IL-1beta, nuclear levels of RXRalpha are markedly suppressed in human liver-derived HepG2 cells, temporally coinciding with its appearance in the cytoplasm. The nuclear residence of RXRalpha is maintained by inhibiting c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK, curcumin or SP600125) or CRM-1-mediated nuclear export (Leptomycin B). Pretreatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 blocks IL-1beta-mediated reductions in nuclear RXRalpha levels while increasing accumulation in the cytoplasm. Mutational studies identify one residue, serine 260, a JNK phosphoacceptor site whose phosphorylation status had an unknown role in RXRalpha function, as critical for IL-1beta-mediated nuclear export of transfected human RXRalpha-green fluorescent fusion constructs. These findings indicate that inflammation-mediated cell signaling leads to rapid and profound reductions in nuclear RXRalpha levels, via a multistep, JNK-dependent mechanism involving Ser260, nuclear export, and proteasomal degradation. Thus, inflammation-meditated cell signaling targets RXRalpha for nuclear export and degradation; a potential mechanism that explains the broad suppression of RXRalpha-dependent gene expression in the inflamed liver.
Communication efficiency in multi-agent systems

Despite the growing number of multi-agent software systems, relatively few physical systems have adopted multi-agent systems technology. Agents that interact with a dynamic physical environment have requirements not shared by virtual agents, including the need to transfer information about the world and their interaction with it. The agent communication languages proven successful in software based multi-agent systems incur overheads that make them impractical or infeasible for the transfer of low-level data. Instead, real world systems typically employ application specific protocols to transfer video, audio, sensory, or telemetry data. These protocols lack the transparency and portability of formal agent communication languages and consequently are limited in their scalability. We propose augmenting the capabilities of current multi-agent systems to provide for the efficient transfer of low-level information, by allowing backchannels of communication between agents with flexible protocols in a carefully principled way. We show that this extension can yield significant performance increases in communication efficiency and discuss the benefits of incorporating backchannels into a search a rescue robot system.
Success Through Teamwork in the Home Health Setting: The Role of Occupational Therapy

Since 2002 and the introduction of outcome-based quality improvement reports by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, all home health professionals have recognized a heightened importance...
Anomie and vocational-technical education

Abstract Graduates from a public, postsecondary vocational-technical school are compared with a control group of individuals without such education in order to assess differences in level of anomie (via Srole Scale). While differences in some cases were minimal, vocational-technical graduates generally revealed a more positive attitude about the present and future. It is suggested that since their education is more job-centered, and they have already experienced some occupational “success”, they are more likely to have internalized and reflect traditional societal norms. The control group, while possessing similar demographic backgrounds, still are in transition-attending college, looking for work, etc.
Global existence for the dissipative wave equations with space–time dependent potential

Abstract This research paper aims at studying the long time behavior of solutions for wave equations with focusing nonlinearity. We consider p c r ( n , α , β ) p ( n + 2 ) / ( n − 2 ) , and separable potential a ( t , x ) = λ ( x ) η ( t ) with λ ( x ) ∼ ( 1 + | x | ) − α and η ( t ) ∼ ( 1 + t ) − β satisfying conditions (3) , (4) which are given below. The main result is that if the exponent p lies between p c r : = 1 + 4 ( β + 1 ) 2 ( n − α ) ( β + 1 ) − β ( 2 − α ) p n − 2 n + 2 , the solutions are global for sufficiently small data. Also, the precise decay estimates for the energy, L 2 and L p + 1 norms of solutions in the region of global solutions have been found.
Graphite formation in the Hiroshima fire storm

Abstract In order to investigate what might be the composition and optical properties of particles that could lead to a “nuclear winter,” a search has been made for particles that had been generated in urban fire storms. Deposits containing small amounts of graphite have been found on an artifact from the Hiroshima fire storm. The fire storm was initiated on August 6, 1945, by the atomic bomb detonation. The particles were rained out of the atmosphere in the “black rain” that commenced following the urban fire storm. Initial studies using electron microscopy have revealed that the particles consist of a mixture of clay and amorphous sooty carbon. Scanning electron photomicrographs have suggested the presence of graphite. Its presence has been confirmed using laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), surface ionization mass spectroscopy (SIMS), and electron scattering for chemical analysis (ESCA). Significant amounts of the sooty material consists of clay, and the graphite is probably present as short-range ordered structure in sooty microspheres. The results of this study are presented with a discussion of conditions that may lead to graphite formation.
The interaction between divalent cations and botulinum toxin type a in the paralysis of the rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation

Abstract 1. The effects of divalent cations (Ca 2+ , Sr 2+ and Mg 2+ ) on botulinum toxin paralysis of rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations have been investigated. Variations in divalent cation concentration were intended to modify transmitter release from nerve terminals. 2. Onset of botulinum toxin activity was found to be dependent upon the process of transmitter release. Either Ca 2+ or Sr 2+ could initiate toxin activity. Tissues bathed in medium devoid of added Ca 2+ or Sr 2+ did not undergo botulinum paralysis. Likewise, preparations bathed in Ca 2+ or Sr 2+ plus high Mg 2+ were resistant to toxin action. 3. After onset of toxin activity, transmitter release acted to antagonize botulinum paralysis. Thus, high levels of Ca 2+ or Sr 2+ caused prolongation of paralysis times of toxin treated neuromuscular preparations. 4. A partial model is proposed to explain the interaction between the mechanism of transmitter release and botulinum toxin paralysis.
Modified superior pharyngeal flap for the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency in children

Abstract Objective To describe a modified rolled superior pharyngeal flap for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in children. Methods Prospective case series at a tertiary care multidisciplinary aerodigestive center. Four children, aged 5–12 years, with VPI refractory to speech therapy resulting after cleft palate (bilateral, submucous, or soft palate only) repair, failed traditional superior pharyngeal flap, fine motor incoordination, or adenoidectomy were studied. All 4 children underwent surgery with a modified superior pharyngeal flap, where aspects of the most commonly employed pharyngeal flap designs were combined to achieve the benefits of each technique and to allow for mucosal covering on either side of the flap, improved control of the lateral port size due to the horizontal-to-horizontal inset technique, and the ability to avoid a vertical or horizontal split in a previously repaired cleft palate. Results All 4 patients demonstrated resolution of their VPI as measured by subjective and/or objective criteria. Every patient required additional speech therapy postoperatively. Conclusions Our modified superior pharyngeal flap technique may be a good option in patients with small velopharyngeal gaps undergoing revision velopharyngeal surgery. A larger, longitudinal study would better address the overall outcomes of this technique.
Radio frequency heating: a potential method for post-harvest pest control in nuts and dry products

The multi-billion dollar US tree nut industries rely heavily on methyl bromide fumigation for postharvest insect control and are facing a major challenge with the mandated cessation by 2005 of its use for most applications. There is an urgent need to develop effective and economically viable alternative treatments to replace current phytosanitary and quarantine practices in order to maintain the competitiveness of US agriculture in domestic and international markets. With the reliable heating block system, the thermal death kinetics for fifth-instar codling moth, Indianmeal moth, and navel orangeworm were determined at a heating rate of 18 °C/min. A practical process protocol was developed to control the most heat resistant insect pest, fifth-instar navel orangeworm, in in-shell walnuts using a 27 MHz pilot scale radio frequency (RF) system. RF heating to 55 °C and holding in hot air for at least 5 min resulted in 100% mortality of the fifth-instar navel orangeworm. Rancidity, sensory qualities and shell characteristics were not affected by the treatments. If this method can be economically integrated into the handling process, it should have excellent potential as a disinfestation method for in-shell walnuts.
The organization and repair of DNA in the mammaliam chromosome. I. Calibration procedures and errors in the determination of the molecular weight of native DNA

The semiautomated sucrose gradient system of Lange and Liberman (1974) (Anal. Biochem.59, 129–145) has been used to determine an accurate value of the exponent k of the Burgi and Hershey equation (1963) (Biophys. J. 3, 309–321) under conditions of 1M salt. A complete analysis of the variance of k was done for data from both systems. The results lead to the conclusion that the value k = 0.401 (±0.012 for reproducibility; ±0.019 for total error) obtained here is considerably more accurate than that of Burgi and Hershey (even when corrected for DNA concentration effects and the improved size estimates of T4 DNA size). The use of the Burgi and Hershey relationship and a T4 DNA metric to determine molecular weights of mammalian DNA requires the utmost precision in the exponent if useful estimates are to be obtained. This also has implications for double-strand breakage and repair estimates.
Pancreatoduodenal surgery in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: Operative outcomes, long-term function, and quality of life

Background Pancreatoduodenal (PD) neoplasms represent the principal disease-specific lethality in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). Potential oncologic benefits of PD resection must be weighed against operative morbidities, compromised pancreatic function, and quality of life (QOL). Methods Fifty MEN1 patients underwent PD resections during 1984-2004. Postoperative pancreatic function and QOL were assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 and a disease-specific questionnaire (response rate, 78%). Results Twelve patients (24%) had asymptomatic disease detected by screening; 38 patients (76%) were symptomatic. All gross neoplasm was resected in 80% of patients. No patients died; 21 patients (42%) had complications. At 5 years postoperatively, 60% of patients were alive without disease, 24% of patients were with disease, 10% of patients died of PD neoplasms, 4% of patients died of other malignancies, and 2% of patients died of an unknown cause. Diabetes that requires insulin or oral hypoglycemics developed in 20% of patients. Frequent steatorrhea (>once/week) occurred in 25% of patients, early dumping occurred in 25% of patients, bloating occurred in 25% of patients, late dumping occurred in 7% of patients, hypoglycemia occurred in 7% of patients, and vomiting occurred in 4% of patients. Global QOL did not differ from that of the reference population (72.8 vs 75.3; P = .58). Conclusion PD resections in MEN1 are associated with perioperative risks and altered pancreatic function. The moderate compromise in patient-perceived QOL suggests that most patients accept and adapt to these trade-offs for the potential of prolonged survival.
Relativism and the Interpretation of Texts

This article examines the relativistic view according to which the interpretation of texts is a matter of opinion and one interpretation is as good as any other. It clarifies the question by establishing precise understandings of texts and interpretations and by introducing various distinctions between different kinds of interpretations based on their function. It argues that not all kinds of interpretations are relativistic, although all interpretations are relative, and that even those interpretations that are relativistic are not so in the same ways.
Do zebra finches prefer to mate with close relatives

A breeding experiment was performed to examine the hypothesis that zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) preferentially mate with full sibs. Each bird had the opportunity to mate with one of 2 sibs or 28 nonsibs. Preferential mating between relatives did not occur. Offspring of sib pairs developed more slowly and sib pairs experienced more reproductive loss through death of offspring.
Overcrowding and Fiscal Pressures in Emergency Medicine

Emergency departments in America are disappearing at an alarming rate. Those that remain face a daily ordeal of overcrowding and budgetary shortfalls. The reasons for this phenomenon include changes in reimbursement rates by managed care organizations, the nationwide reduction of hospital beds, the nursing shortage, a more acute patient mix, and a general deterioration of the healthcare safety net. Another reason--more vital today than ever before--is the uncompensated integration of EDs into governmental disaster planning and response. Despite their importance to society, the emergency department is the first to be cut. Emergency departments are much more than the nation's last line of defense for the medically indigent; they are the frontline caregivers to all of us, providing care during our most vulnerable times: emergencies and disasters.
1601 NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND NUTRITIONAL INVESTIGATIONS DURING DISCONTINUATION OF THE PHENYL-ALANINE-RESTRICTED DIET IN CHILDREN WITH CLASSICAL PHENYLKETONURIA (PKU)

Children with classical PKU had been maintained on a lowphenylalanine diet from the first few weeks of life until their 5th birthday when the phenylalanine-restricted diet was stepwise changed to a regular diet. Physical and neurological examinations, nutritional evaluations, anthropometric measurements, and psychological assessments were done at 4, 4½, 5, and 6 years of age. In addition, neurophysiological investigations including somatosensory, auditory and visual evoked responses were obtained at 4 years 10 months, 5 years, 5 years 2 months, and 5 years 6 months. Analysis of relationships among the study variables revealed that children who had adequate dietary control and who were of average or above average intelligence displayed normal somatosensory evoked potentials, whereas those children with less adequate dietary control and lower IQ scores had atypical somatosensory evoked potential waveforms. Yet, these multiple assessments did not uncover any significant changes when pre-diet termination data were compared with post-diet termination results.
Ultrasonic monitoring of early­stage biofilm growth on polymeric surfaces

Abstract Biofilm growth on polymeric surfaces was monitored using ultrasonic frequency-domain reflectometry (UFDR). The materials utilized for this study included nonporous polycarbonate (PC) sheets, polyamide (PA) nanofiltration composite membranes and porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microfiltration membranes (nominal pore size: 0.65 μm). Coupons of each material were placed in a biologically active annular reactor for up to 300 days, and subjected to a constant shear field (0.12 N m − 2 ), which induced sessile microbial growth from acetate amended municipal tap water. Acoustic monitoring was non-destructively executed by traversing coupons in a constant temperature water bath using a spherically focused 20- MHz immersion transducer. This semi-automated system was configured to obtain reflections from 50 regions (c.a. 120 × 10 3 μm 2 ) distributed evenly near the centerline of each coupon. The resulting reflected power distributions were compared with standard biochemical and microscopic assays that described surface associated biofilms. When compared to clean (virgin) conditions, biofilms growing on coupons induced consistent attenuations in reflection amplitude, which caused statistically significant shifts in reflected power ( p − 2 . Above these threshold levels, increasing amounts of exocellular polysaccharides correlated with significant decreases in total reflected power (TRP). The distribution of biomass on the coupon surfaces determined by acoustic spectra was consistent with that observed using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). These results suggest that UFDR may be used as a non-destructive tool to monitor biofouling in a wide variety of applications.