cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequential motor unit stimulation through peripheral motor nerves in the cat.

An electrode array is described that can be used to stimulate skeletal muscle through the peripheral motor nerves. This electrode array differs from the sleeve electrode that is used conventionally in that the motor units are stimulated sequentially, a mode of stimulation which closely mimics the normal asynchronous firing pattern of motor units that occurs during voluntary activity. Using this stimulation technique, tetanic contractions can be developed by muscle at low stimulation voltages and within physiological stimulation frequencies. Furthermore, unlike synchronous electrical stimulation, during sequential stimulation, submaximal tensions can be maintained for sustained periods of time. The applications of this electrode array to rehabilitation medicine are discussed
Synthesis of functional materials using olefin metathesis catalysts and initiators

Ruthenium based olefin metathesis catalysts have provided new routes to olefins that appear in a variety of structures. Their functional group tolerance and ease of use allow their application in the synthesis of multifunctional bioactive molecules. The same systems are also useful for the synthesis of an array of new materials from multifunctional polymers to supramolecular systems. Underlying these developments has been the discovery of active catalysts with controlled selectivity through the synthesis of new ligands that control the geometry of the intermediate carbene and metallacycle complexes.
Reduction of instabilities in wire arrays Z-pinches

Abstract Sheared flows have been predicted to stabilize the kink instability that disrupts the Z-pinch. Experiments conducted at the Nevada Terawatt Facility used conical wire arrays with the addition of a wire on axis to create a sheared flow. Multiframe laser images and time integrated pinhole images suggest that the sheared flow generated in this configuration is sufficient to suppress the kink instability.
Near-infrared surface plasmon polariton dispersion control with hyperbolic metamaterials

We demonstrate experimentally signatures and dispersion control of surface plasmon polaritons from 1 to 1.8 µm using periodic multilayer metallo-dielectric hyperbolic metamaterials. The fabricated structures are comprised of smooth films with very low metal filling factor. The measured dispersion properties of these hyperbolic metamaterials agree well with calculations using transfer matrix, finite-difference time-domain, and effective medium approximation methods despite using only 2.5 periods. The enhancement factor in the local photonic density of states from the studied samples in the near-infrared wavelength region is determined to be 2.5-3.5. Development of this type of metamaterial is relevant to sub-wavelength imaging, spontaneous emission and thermophotovoltaic applications.
An ultra-fast floating-body/gate cell for embedded DRAM

Floating-body DRAM cells (FBCs) on SOI are of interest because of integration problems associated with the large storage capacitor of nanoscale conventional 1T/ 1C DRAM. However, limitations on FBC speed, due to relatively slow write times governed by the usual impact-ionization or tunneling body-charging processes, preclude the application of most interest - embedded DRAM. We recently proposed a novel 2T (T1 and T2) FBC, i.e., a floating-body/gate cell (FBGC) , which enables design flexibility for optimizing performance. We present herein a new 2T design concept (FBGC4) that gives ultra-fast write times, in addition to good current-signal margin and long retention times, and thus enables the embedded-DRAM application. Further, low power and good reliability are implied because of low-voltage operation afforded by FBGC4.
Relationship between tryptophan metabolism and heterotopic recurrences of human urinary bladder tumors

In order to investigate the possible relationship between tryptophan metabolism and heterotopic recurrences of human bladder tumors, tryptophan metabolite excretion patterns of 38 patients with low-stage bladder tumors were analyzed before and after the ingestion of L-tryptophan. Periodic cystoscopic examinations were performed after the initial removal of bladder tumors. Among 38 patients, 20 patients had normal tryptophan metabolism, and 18 patients had abnormal tryptophan metabolism. Follow-up studies disclosed that all of 18 patients with abnormal tryptophan metabolism had one or more recurrences within 5 years; however, among 20 patients with normal tryptophan metabolism, 8 patients had no recurrences for 5 years, and 12 patients had recurrences within 5 years. These data suggest that tryptophan metabolites may play a role in heterotopic recurrences of bladder tumors in patients with abnormal tryptophan metabolism and that it might be possible to retard the development of recurrences by correction of tryptophan metabolism in those patients.
Dose‐survival curves of cis‐platinum, melphalan, and velban in human granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells

In previous studies, we analyzed the hemopoietic precursor cells of tumor-bearing nude mice with marked neutrophilia induced by a transplanted human lung cancer. In this study, we examined the morphology of granulocyte-macrophage colonies using a technique for cytochemical examination of all colonies grown in agar gel culture. By stimulation with spleen cell-conditioned medium, the bone marrow cells and spleen cells of tumor-bearing nude mice formed a higher proportion of granulocyte-containing colonies than those of control mice. However, a larger number of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors were not definitely committed to differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages, as no significant differences in cellular composition of colonies between tumor-bearing mice and control mice were observed by stimulation with L cell-conditioned medium.
The Marketing Trade Show: A New Method for Incorporating Student Projects into Large Classes:

At many universities, class sizes are increasing for the introductory marketing principles courses. Instructors of these large classes often abandon teaching methods in which students are active, s...
Functional linkage between the glutaminase and synthetase domains of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase. Role of serine 44 in carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase-aspartate carbamoyltransferase-dihydroorotase (cad).

Mammalian carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase is part of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase-aspartate carbamoyltransferase-dihydroorotase (CAD), a multifunctional protein that also catalyzes the second and third steps of pyrimidine biosynthesis. Carbamoyl phosphate synthesis requires the concerted action of the glutaminase (GLN) and carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase domains of CAD. There is a functional linkage between these domains such that glutamine hydrolysis on the GLN domain does not occur at a significant rate unless ATP and HCO3−, the other substrates needed for carbamoyl phosphate synthesis, bind to the synthetase domain. The GLN domain consists of catalytic and attenuation subdomains. In the separately cloned GLN domain, the catalytic subdomain is down-regulated by interactions with the attenuation domain, a process thought to be part of the functional linkage. Replacement of Ser44 in the GLN attenuation domain with alanine increases thekcat/Km for glutamine hydrolysis 680-fold. The formation of a functional hybrid between the mammalian Ser44 GLN domain and the Escherichia coli carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase large subunit had little effect on glutamine hydrolysis. In contrast, ATP and HCO3− did not stimulate the glutaminase activity, indicating that the interdomain linkage had been disrupted. In accord with this interpretation, the rate of glutamine hydrolysis and carbamoyl phosphate synthesis were no longer coordinated. Approximately 3 times more glutamine was hydrolyzed by the Ser44 → Ala mutant than that needed for carbamoyl phosphate synthesis. Ser44, the only attenuation subdomain residue that extends into the GLN active site, appears to be an integral component of the regulatory circuit that phases glutamine hydrolysis and carbamoyl phosphate synthesis.
Farm-level analysis of agricultural insurance: A mathematical programming approach

Abstract A nonlinear mathematical programming model for farm-level analysis of agricultural insurance is presented. Maximization of the expected utility of profit is the assumed objective function. Model input includes specification of the insurance policy under consideration, per acre stochastic production functions, the joint probability distribution for output prices and the random variables affecting yields, the risk aversion parameter, and any desired linear constraints. The model solution includes the optimal values for the choice variables: per acre input usages and the number of acres planted to the different crops. Means and variances are calculated for yields, profit, and indemnities. The model also returns the maximum amount the farmer would be willing to pay for the insurance policy.
Selective conversion of CO2 to CO with high efficiency using an inexpensive bismuth-based electrocatalyst.

The wide-scale implementation of solar and other renewable sources of electricity requires improved means for energy storage. An intriguing strategy in this regard is the reduction of CO2 to CO, which generates an energy-rich commodity chemical that can be coupled to liquid fuel production. In this work, we report an inexpensive bismuth–carbon monoxide evolving catalyst (Bi-CMEC) that can be formed upon cathodic polarization of an inert glassy carbon electrode in acidic solutions containing Bi3+ ions. This catalyst can be used in conjunction with ionic liquids to effect the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to CO with appreciable current density at overpotentials below 0.2 V. Bi-CMEC is selective for production of CO, operating with a Faradaic efficiency of approximately 95%. When taken together, these correspond to a high-energy efficiency for CO production, on par with that which has historically only been observed using expensive silver and gold cathodes.
The p14ARF Tumor Suppressor Protein Facilitates Nucleolar Sequestration of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) and Inhibits HIF-1-mediated Transcription

Oncogenic alterations can influence tumor cell survival partly by affecting the activity of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) transcription factor. The α subunit of HIF-1 was found to be frequently overexpressed in advanced tumors, which was proposed to help the adaptation of tumor cells to hypoxia. Here we show that an important tumor suppressor protein, p14ARF(alternative reading frame product of the INK4A locus) can directly inhibit the transcriptional activity of HIF-1 by sequestering its α subunit into the nucleolus. The interaction requires neither p53 nor HDM2. This is one of the first reports that describe the interaction of p14ARF with a protein besides HDM2, which may define a p53-independent tumor suppressor activity for p14ARF.
Intravenous Induction of Therapeutic Hypothermia in the Management of Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia: A Pilot Study

Therapeutic hypothermia has been used to treat children with postcardiotomy junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET). However, cooling techniques have not been systematically studied. This pilot study investigates the safety and efficacy of intravenous cold saline infusions used to augment surface cooling to achieve a core temperature of 32–34°C for pediatric patients with JET. For this study, 10 patients with JET were cooled using cooling blankets and 4°C normal saline infusions to a target central temperature of 32–34°C. Vital signs and central temperatures were monitored continuously during the cooling period. Comprehensive metabolic panels, complete blood counts, coagulation studies, and cultures were obtained per study protocol. Therapeutic hypothermia was achieved within 65 min (interquartile range [IQR], 45–75 min). The median heart rate decreased from 187 beats per min (bpm) (IQR, 184–190 bpm) to 158 bpm (IQR, 121–162 bpm). For all the patients, atrioventricular synchrony was restored either with conversion to normal sinus rhythm or with successful atrial pacing. No clinically significant electrolyte abnormalities or bleeding events occurred. Two deaths, not directly attributable to the cooling protocol, occurred. Intravenous induction of therapeutic hypothermia can be safely and effectively performed for children with JET. Further studies, powered for clinically relevant outcomes, should evaluate this potentially valuable therapeutic method.
Reactive oxygen species induced by proteasome inhibition in neuronal cells mediate mitochondrial dysfunction and a caspase-independent cell death

While increasing evidence shows that proteasome inhibition triggers oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and death in neuronal cells, the regulatory relationship among these events is unclear. Using mouse neuronal cells we show that the cytotoxicity induced by mild (0.25 microM) and potent (5.0 microM) doses of the proteasome inhibitor, N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-Ile-Glu (O-t-butyl)-Ala-leucinal, (PSI) involved a dose-dependent increase in caspase activation, overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a mitochondrial dysfunction manifested by the translocation of the proapoptotic protein, Bax, from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria, membrane depolarization and the release of cytochrome c and the apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria to the cytoplasm and nucleus, respectively. Whereas caspase or Bax inhibition failed to prevent mitochondrial membrane depolarization and neuronal cell death, pretreatments with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) or overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL abrogated these events in cells exposed to mild levels of PSI. These findings implicated ROS as a mediator of PSI-induced cytotoxicity. However, depletions in glutathione and Bcl-xL with potent proteasome inhibition exacerbated this response whereupon survival required the cooperative protection of NAC with Bcl-xL overexpression. Collectively, ROS induced by proteasome inhibition mediates a mitochondrial dysfunction in neuronal cells that culminates in death through caspase- and Bax-independent mechanisms.
Incomplete revolutions: Gendered participation in productive and reproductive labor in Mozambique and Nicaragua

(2004). Incomplete revolutions: Gendered participation in productive and reproductive labor in Mozambique and Nicaragua. Socialism and Democracy: Vol. 18, Gender and Globalization: Marxist-Feminist Perspectives, pp. 7-42.
Hydroxy- and Hydroperoxy-6,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic Adds Induce Sister Chromatid Exchanges in Cultured Mammalian Cells

ABSTRACT Oxygen radical-induced genetic damage may be mediated by products of lipid peroxidation, in particular, arachidonic acid. Several isomeric hydroxy- and hydroperoxy- 6,8,11, 14-eicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs and HPETEs), intermediates of arachidonic acid metabolism, were evaluated for their ability to cause sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in Chinese hamster ovary (OHO) cells. Both HETEs and HPETEs induced SCEs in a dose-dependent fashion at concentrations of 5, 10, and 20 μ M. At each concentration, HETEs were more effective in producing SCEs than the corresponding HPETEs. Each of the isomeric forms used were equally effective in producing genetic damage. Antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase and mannitol) were protective suggesting an intermediate rote for the hydroxyl radical. Iron chelation by desferrioxamine suppressed SCE induction by 45% and an additional 33% inhibition was observed upon the addition of the calcium chelator EGTA.
Informed consent in clinical neuropsychology practice ☆: Official statement of the National Academy of Neuropsychology

Complications arising from patient–provider interactions remains a primary source of ethical complaints or violations. One ethical issue that has a direct bearing on the patient–provider relationship is informed consent. The origin of informed consent in clinical venues has been a direct outgrowth of more than a century of legal precedents, advances in professional ethics, and progressive moral development. Informed consent allows patients to explore options and to take responsibility for their own welfare through consideration of the costs and benefits associated with the services and procedures offered to them and alternatives to those services. Informed consent is integral to patient autonomy and self-determination. Informed consent is decidedly the starting point for the patient–provider relationship and the genesis of the three key elements of ethical behavior: autonomy, nonmaleficence, and beneficence. Historically, in comparison to the provision of psychotherapy services, formal consent procedures have been used less often in the context of neuropsychological services. Early attempts to apply the 1992 Ethics Code (American Psychological Association, 1992) to neuropsychology opined that informed consent procedures were not needed for assessment procedures. Also, there were no binding legal precedents that required informed consent for psycholog-
Antipodal hotspot pairs on the Earth

The results of statistical analyses performed on three published hotspot distributions suggest that significantly more hotspots occur as nearly antipodal pairs than is anticipated from a random distribution, or from their association with geoid highs and divergent plate margins. The observed number of antipodal hotspot pairs depends on the maximum allowable deviation from exact antipodality. At a maximum deviation of not greater than 700 km, 26 to 37 percent of hotspots form antipodal pairs in the published lists examined here, significantly more than would be expected from the general hotspot distribution. Two possible mechanisms that might create such a distribution include: (1) symmetry in the generation of mantle plumes, and (2) melting related to antipodal focusing of seismic energy from large-body impacts.
Line-orientation generalization in children and adults as a function of the number of training trials

Children and adults learned to discriminate between a vertical line (S+) and its absence (S−). Children received either 10 or 40 training trials while adults received either 1, 10, 20, or 40 training trials. All groups were then tested for line orientation generalization. The results showed that overtraining did not differentially affect generalization patterns. Children responded to all test stimuli while individual adults responded either to the vertical, the vertical and horizontal, or all test stimuli. The role of activation and selection mechanisms in generalization performance was discussed.
Mold compound fracture mode study for high reliability package

This paper presents TI development of high reliability molding compound material for power enhancement packages with PPF LDF. The mold gate remains due to good molding compound high adhesion and low flexural strength/Modulus are observed in several packages during mass production run. Correlations of adhesion and modulus change with Respect to its fracture strength under different conditions are studied. As a result, the gate remains solved by achieving the sweet spot based on material properties on optimized molding parameters. The gate remains on LDF side rail which will be stuck at T&F process. A modification to dies and LDF design can jump across the hurdle, but high investment needed. With this study, the gate remains can be conquered after an effective DOE with the proper understanding of Material (Mold compound) properties and Mold Machine's capability.
Effect of early postpartum ovulation on fertility in dairy cows.

Contents Our objectives were to determine the effects of early ovulation on fertility and uterine health of dairy cows. Four hundred and forty-five Holstein cows (185 primiparous and 260 multiparous) from five herds were used. Blood samples were collected at 21, 35 and 49 days in milk (DIM) and cows were considered to be cyclic at 21 DIM (Cyc21) if serum progesterone (P4) concentration was above 1 ng/ml, cyclic by 49 DIM (Cyc49) if P4 concentration was above 1 ng/ml at 35 or 49 DIM, or not cyclic (NotCyc) if P4 concentration was below 1 ng/ml at all sample times. Endometrial cytology for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis was examined at 49 DIM in a subset of 414 cows. Cows in the group Cyc21 had increased hazard of insemination, for the first service, compared with cows in Cyc49 [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.10–1.79; p = 0.006] and NotCyc (HR = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.52–2.82; p < 0.001). Cows in the Cyc49 group also had increased hazard of insemination compared with cows in the NotCyc group (HR = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.13–1.93; p = 0.005). Median days to insemination were, respectively, 71, 76 and 96 for cows in Cyc21, Cyc49 and NotCyc groups. Cows in Cyc21 had greater first service pregnancy per AI than Cyc49 [38.6 vs 28.1%; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.01–2.75; p = 0.04] and NotCyc (38.6 vs 23.6%; AOR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.08–4.00; p = 0.03). Pregnancy per AI was similar in Cyc49 and NotCyc cows (28.1 vs 23.6%; AOR = 1.25; 95% CI = 0.70–2.24; p = 0.45). Cows in Cyc21 had increased hazard of pregnancy up to 300 DIM compared with Cyc49 (HR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.17–1.96; p = 0.002) and NotCyc (HR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.41–2.78; p < 0.001). Cows in Cyc49 tended to have increased hazard of pregnancy compared with NotCyc (HR = 1.31; 95% CI = 0.96–1.77; p = 0.09). Median days to pregnancy were, respectively, 103, 147 and 173 for cows in Cyc21, Cyc49 and NotCyc groups. Cows in the Cyc21 group had decreased prevalence of subclinical endometritis compared with cows in the NotCyc group (29.9 vs 43.7%; AOR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.29–0.97; p = 0.04); however, the prevalence did not differ from the Cyc49 group (29.9 vs 39.1%; AOR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.41–1.14; p = 0.15). Cyc49 cows had similar prevalence of subclinical endometritis compared with NotCyc cows (AOR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.46–1.29; p = 0.32). Early postpartum ovulation was associated with improved uterine health and fertility.
Comparative Optimization on the Focusing Methods of Solar-Electric Dish Stirling System

Nowadays, the high-speed economic development has caused significant consumption of energy. While the circumstance is getting severer, solar energy is taken as a kind of clean, environmental friendly resource with infinite storage that has aroused a wide public concern. Photovoltaic and solar thermal are two main categories of solar applications. Because of its high conversion efficiency, low emission and flexible installation, dish Stirling solar power technology is more preferable to be used among the solar thermal area. From the view of practical engineering application, this paper illustrates multiple focusing methods of the current dish Stirling solar power systems in detail, and the comparison of these methods are given to analyze their advantages, disadvantages and their application scenarios. It can be used for the future development of dish Stirling solar power technology and applied as a reference for large dish solar thermal power plants’ installations and tests.
Self‐care agency in persons with rheumatoid arthritis

Using a framework based on Orem's self-care deficit theory, five hypotheses related to conditioning factors in self-care agency were tested. The study sample consisted of 60 outpatients with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in a large research hospital. Patients completed the Exercise of Self-Care Agency instrument and the Health Assessment Questionnaire; a physician rated their arthritis severity. Twenty percent of subjects had high scores on self-care agency, 63% had average scores, and 16% had low scores. The conditioning factor of age was not related to self-care agency. However, education and the duration of illness were related to self-care agency in this group of persons with rheumatoid arthritis.
Single-shot hyperspectral coherent Raman planar imaging in the range 0–4200 cm−1

We propose a technique for ultrabroadband planar coherent Raman spectroscopy that enables wideband chemically selective mapping of molecular partition functions in the gas-phase within a single-laser-shot. A spectral region spanning 0–4200 cm−1 is excited simultaneously, in principle allowing for coherent planar imaging of most all fundamental Raman-active modes. This unique instantaneous and spatially correlated assessment enables multiplexed studies of transient dynamical systems in a two-dimensional (2D) field. Here, we demonstrate single-laser-shot high temperature diagnostics of H2, with spatially resolved 2D measurement of transitions of both the pure-rotational H2 S-branch and the vibrational H2 Q-branch, analyzing the temperature contour of a reacting fuel-species as it evolves at a flame-front.
A clustering algorithm for asymmetrically related data with applications to text mining

Clustering techniques find a collection of subsets of a data set such that the collection satisfies a criterion that is dependent on a relation defined on the data set. The underlying relation is traditionally assumed to be symmetric. However, there exist many practical scenarios where the underlying relation is asymmetric. One example of an asymmetric relation in text analysis is the inclusion relation, i.e., the inclusion of the meaning of a block of text in the meaning of another block. In this paper, we consider the general problem of clustering of asymmetrically related data and propose an algorithm to cluster such data. To demonstrate its usefulness, we consider two applications in text mining: (1) summarization of short documents, and (2) generation of a concept hierarchy from a set of documents. Our experiments show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is superior to that of more traditional algorithms.
Continuous arterial-venous diahemofiltration and continuous veno-venous diahemofiltration in infants and children

Continuous arterial-venous diahemofiltration and continuous veno-venous diahemofiltration [CAVH(D)/CVVH(D)] in the infant and pediatric population is increasingly being utilized in the child needing renal replacement therapy (RRT). Difficulties with infant- and pediatric-specific equipment remains a limitation. The availability of techniques and equipment in this unique population is addressed. Use of this form of RRT as opposed to hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is discussed. The decision for CAVH(D) or CVVH(D) remains an individual choice.
Gap suppression by self-injection of quasiparticles in tin--tin-oxide--tin tunnel junctions

A decrease of the superconducting energy gap has been observed in high-current-density tin--tin-oxide--tin tunnel junctions. This effect cannot be adequately accounted for by simple heating and is attributed to the presence of a nonequilibrium excess quasiparticle population created by the tunnel current. Analysis using a phenomenological model of the nonequilibrium superconductor yields a determination of the phonon-trapped quasiparticle recombination lifetime in tin in good agreement with the results of other experiments. A size-dependent enhancement of the phonon-emission efficiency of very narrow tunnel junctions is also observed and explained.
REMOTE CONTROLLED SLITS FOR THE MSU CYCLOTRON EXTERNAL BEAM SYSTEM.

Abstract Circuitry and mechanical design are described for the remotely-operated water-cooled slit jaws on the MSU cyclotron external beam line. The displacement of the slit jaw from the center of the beam line is automatically set on the reading of the fifteen-turn helipot on the console of the cyclotron. The setting accuracy and reproductibility is ±0.05 mm.
Regulation of the promoters for the human bone morphogenetic protein 2 and 4 genes.

Abstract The bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4 are known to be important in bone formation and are expressed in both the developing and adult mammalian bone. Understanding the regulation of these genes in osteoblasts may yield methods by which we can control expression to induce bone formation. We have isolated and characterized the human BMP-2 and BMP-4 promoters and report substantially more upstream sequence information than that which has been published. Human osteoblasts were found to have a single transcript initiation site that is conserved across species, rather than multiple start sites, as has previously been reported (Feng, J.Q., Harris, M.A., Ghosh-Choudhury, N., Feng, M., Mundy, G.R., Harris, S.E., 1994. Structure and sequence of mouse morphogenetic protein-2 gene (BMP-2): comparison of the structures and promoter regions of BMP-2 and BMP-4 genes. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1218, 221–224; Heller, L.C., Li, Y., Abrams, K.L., Rogers, M.B., 1999. Transcriptional regulation of the Bmp2 gene. J. Biol. Chem. 274, 1394–1400; Sugiura, T., 1999. Cloning and functional characterization of the 5′-flanking region of the human bone morphogenetic protein-2 gene. Biochem. J. 338, 433–440). A series of promoter deletions for both human BMP-2 and BMP-4 fused to the luciferase reporter gene were analyzed thoroughly in human and murine osteoblastic cell lines. Several compounds and growth factors that stimulate general or osteogenic pathways were used to treat cells transfected with the promoter constructs. Retinoic acid compounds and the phorbol ester, PMA were found to stimulate BMP-2 and, to a lesser degree, BMP-4 . The combination of all trans -RA and PMA caused a synergistic increase in BMP-2 promoter activity and endogenous mRNA. The RA stimulation appears to be an indirect effect on the BMP-2 promoter, as the most highly conserved RRE in the BMP-2 promoter was unable to functionally bind or compete for protein binding. Potential binding sites in both promoters for the bone-specific transcription factor, Cbfa-1, were found to specifically bind Cbfa-1 protein in osteoblast nuclear extracts; however, deletion of these sites did not significantly affect transcriptional activity of the promoters in osteoblasts. These data thus present new sequence and regulatory information for the human BMP-2 and BMP-4 promoters and clarify the human BMP-2 gene transcriptional start site in osteoblasts.
A precise method for evaluating election schemes

A previously published paper evaluated election schemes under a wide variety of election circumstances. This paper improves upon the previous work by refining the measures used to rate the election schemes and increasing the statistical significance of those ratings. With these modifications, we can now draw some new conclusions: (a) In general circumstances, the Borda System outperforms the Copeland System which outperforms Approval which outperforms Majority Rule. (b) The Maximin Rule — strongly supported by Rawls's — turns out to be a reasonable election rule if the number of election alternatives is large relative to the number of voters. (c) With two exceptions, all our election systems performed quite well given a society with highly correlated utilities. (d) Given a polarized society, a serial dictatorship was better than every other election system except Borda.
The use of simulated visual impairment to identify hospital design elements that contribute to wayfinding difficulties

Abstract Many public facility layouts have been developed with little consideration of the visually impaired, producing difficult and unpleasant wayfinding experiences. Not all wayfinding elements can be applied universally to all environments; several wayfinding elements are specific to the type of industry being considered. No known research has been conducted within healthcare systems to find wayfinding limitations among visually impaired users during the navigation process. The purpose of this study was to analyze the current issues in a wayfinding task for the visually impaired and normally sighted to identify wayfinding design deficits. Normally-sighted participants (m = 25, f = 25) wore one of five different vision simulator goggles to simulate a specific visual impairment (diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and hemianopsia) and were then given directions how to get to specific series of departments within a hospital campus. Participants then navigated a second time (using a different, but similar series of paths) without the vision simulator goggles (normal vision) so comparisons could be made. During participant wayfinding, behaviors such as stopping, looking around, touching walls, becoming lost and/or confused were recorded by location of each instance on a map. Questionnaires asking about the surrounding environment were completed after each condition. The results of this study identified several design elements involving signage, paths/target sites, lighting and flooring that created wayfinding issues for both experimental conditions. The effects of the wayfinding issues on participants ranged from tripping to becoming lost in the surrounding environment. Enhancing wayfinding for the most highly visually impacted individuals may also improve wayfinding for those with normal vision via universal design. The hospital design flaws identified by this study provide key areas and elements (not previously investigated) for further research studies to analyze more comprehensively and ultimately provide sound design recommendations to enhance effective wayfinding. Relevance to the industry This paper offers information relevant to a growing healthcare sector facing an aging population with growing needs. Applying organizational, architectural and design principles from this paper can lead to improved patient satisfaction, safety and patient flow within the hospital setting for the visually impaired and others without visual impairment.
Identifying learning difficulties based on email responses of technologically-impoverished users

This presentation and report offers a methodology for assessing communication interactions that can be used to help improve course content, delivery, resources, and support. As such it can be used in an academic or training setting, as well as in the design and maintenance of help systems. By applying the methodology over time, designed and educators should be able to identify problems as they emerge and react to them in a timely manner.
On the analysis of dead-end filtration of microbial suspensions

Cake filtration, often referred to as dead-end filtration is used to separate microbial solids from aqueous solutions. In order to scale up such processes, it is necessary to determine the specific resistance and compressibility of the microbial cell cakes. Equations obtained from conventional cake filtration theory must be applied with particular care in such situations with due regard to the assumptions made in deriving them. This communication is intended to present a brief account of the conventional theory and to provide an examination of the filtration flux equation and the conditions under which this equation may or may not be used. Methods to obtain specific filtration resistance from water permeation through formed filter cakes must account for the concentration profiles within these cakes and the fact that they may not correspond to those obtained during a conventional filtration process.
Mapping of two genes that influence susceptibility to audiogenic seizures in crosses of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice.

The difference in susceptibility to audiogenic seizures (AGS) between C57BL/6J and DBA/2J inbred strains of mice is due to multiple genetic factors. AGS susceptibility was tested in 21-day-old mice from classical crosses, BXD recombinant inbred (RI) strains, a congenic DBA/2N.B6N-Ahb inbred strain and crosses between the BXD RI strains and DBA/2J. Analysis of these data reveals that the variation in AGS susceptibility between these two strains results from allelic differences at three or more loci. Most of the variation is due to allelic differences at two loci. The first, Asp-1 (formerly Ias), is a major gene located on chromosome 12, between Ah and D12 Nyul. The second, Asp-2 (formerly asp), is a minor gene located on chromosome 4, tightly linked to b. The negative correlation of brain stem Ca2(+)-ATPase activity and AGS susceptibility in the BXD RI strains suggests that the strain difference in Ca2(+)-ATPase activity is inherited as a polygenic trait and that Asp-1 and Asp-2 are linked to, or identical to, factors that influence Ca2(+)-ATPase activity.
What Does It Mean to Be Relational? A Framework for Assessment and Practice

The authors begin with a question regarding how to better draw upon relational thinking in making case assessments and treatment plans. They first address issues regarding the cultural construction of self and relationships, integrating women's psychology, family systems, and collectivist culture literatures within a discussion of power. Then they present a heuristic framework for how individuals orient themselves within relationships that includes two dimensions--focus and power--and evolves out of the social context. From these two dimensions, a typology of four basic relational orientations is presented: position directed, rule directed, independence directed, and relationship directed. Case examples from couple's therapy and suggestions for practice are provided.
Charting the pacific: an empirical assessment of integration initiatives

Trade negotiations after Uruguay may well be dominated by the Pacific Rim, where two free trade areas (ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, or AFTA; and North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA) already exist and larger agreements are under active discussion (involving the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, area and an East Asian Economic Group). This article analyzes several initiatives using a simple global general equilibrium model that incorporates conventional welfare gains as well as benefits derived from firm level economies of scale, induced changes in foreign investment, and dynamic increases in productivity. Broad Pacific liberalization—i.e., East Asia, North America, and Australasia—is shown to be superior for each participant to liberalization limited to individual countries or East Asia, but not by much. Most favored nation liberalization is shown to be superior for each participant to preferential liberalization—if the actor is East Asia, but not the Pacific as a whole. These estimates ...
The experience of freedom in daily life.

Self-reports in response to repeated random paging provide reliable profiles of daily activities and psychological states relevant to the measurement of the quality of life. The subjective experience of freedom was shown to vary through the day depending on the activity subjects engaged in, depending on their sex, and time of day. The relationship of perceived skills and of intrinsic motivation to the experience of freedom was examined. Results that conflict with previous findings of experimental studies are explained in terms of differences between real life and laboratory settings.
Development of acoustic cue discrimination in children

Abstract Three groups of twelve subjects each, ages four, five and six years, respectively, made same-different judgements on six speech discrimination tests. On each test, a single acoustic cue signaled a phonemic difference in minimal pairs which were otherwise acoustically identical. On three of the tests, the independent variable was a spectral cue and on three others a temporal cue was manipulated. With one exception, all subjects passed tests involving a spectral cue, however, significant developmental differences were apparent on tests in which a temporal cue signaled a phonemic difference. The probable contribution of these cues to the perception of speech in young children is discussed.
Effects of an ACTH 4--9 related peptide upon intracranial self stimulation and general activity in the rat.

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were stereotactically implanted with electrodes within the anterior medial forebrain bundle: The rats were trained to respond for intracranial self-stimulation (ICS) and treated with control solution or varying doses of an ACTH 4-9 related synthetic peptide (Org 2766; H-Met(O2)-Glu-His-Phe-d-Lys-Phe-OH). The drug affected ICS as measured in overnight response records, with the highest dose reliably increasing the amount of responding. In a second experiment rats were similarly treated and general activity was assessed. No remarkable changes in activity were present at any tested dose. The findings corroborate previous reports suggesting ACTH-related peptides may be active in a variety of motivated tasks, but less active with respect to general activity.
In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of IGF-I on Adiposity in HIV-associated Metabolic Disease: A Pilot Study

Background and Aims We tested the effects of recombinant insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in an adipocyte model of HIV lipodystrophy and in an open label study on body composition and metabolism in patients with HIV lipodystrophy. Methods The effects of IGF-I on ritonavir-induced adipocyte cell death were studied in vitro . We assessed lipid accumulation, IGF signaling, apoptosis, and gene expression. We conducted a 24-week open label trial of recombinant IGF-I in ten adults with HIV associated lipoatrophy. Laboratory assessments included glucose, insulin, lipids, and IGF-I. At weeks 0 and 24, body composition studies were performed including skinfold measurement, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and computed tomography of the abdomen and thigh. Results In vitro , ritonavir increased delipidation and apoptosis of adipocytes, whereas co-treatment with IGF-I attenuated the effect. In the clinical study, subcutaneous adipose tissue did not increase in patients after treatment with IGF-I; however, there was a decrease in the proportion of abdominal fat (39.8 ± 7% vs. 34.6 ± 7%, p = 0.007). IGF-I levels increased with treatment (143 ± 28 μg/L at week 0 vs. 453 ± 212 μg/L at week 24, p = 0.002), whereas IGFBP-3 levels declined (3.554 ± 1.146 mg/L vs. 3.235 ± 1.151 mg/L, p = 0.02). Insulin at week 12 decreased significantly (90.1 ± 39.8 pmol/L vs. 33.2 ± 19.6 pmol/L, p = 0.002). There was a nonsignificant decrease in visceral adipose tissue (155.2 ± 68 cm 2 at week 0 vs. 140.6 ± 70 cm 2 at week 24, p = 0.08). Conclusions Use of recombinant IGF-I may lower fasting insulin and abdominal fat in patients with lipoatrophy associated with HIV infection. Further evaluation of this agent for treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy may be warranted.
The Measurement of Noise in Microwave Transmitters

A tutorial review of the basis for transmitter noise measurements shows that noise is best described and measured as AM and FM noise. The determination of RF spectrum is done by calculation after the AM and FM noise are known. The contribution of AM noise to RF spectrum shape is determined by the power spectral density shape of the AM noise. The contribution of FM noise to RF spectrum is to make the shape that of an RLC circuit resonant response rather than a delta function with a sideband structure. The measurement of AM noise is done with a direct detector diode. The measurement of FM noise for frequencies above 5 GHz is done with a discriminator based on a one-port cavity resonator. The measurement of FM noise below 5 GHz is done with an improved transmission line discriminator which is described in detail. Measurement of low-power low-noise signal sources is made posbible with an injection-locked oscillator for a preamplifier to the discriminator. The most widely used baseband analyzer is the constant bandwidth superhetdrodyne wave or spectrum analyzer. Most differences in measurement results are resolved by understanding the baseband analyzers. At least the baseband spectrum analysis of transmitter noise measurements can be automated with worthwhile savings in time and improvement of documentation.
OCCULT REACTIVE AIRWAY DISEASE AFTER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE IN INFANTS TREATED WITH ECMO. † 1578

Reactive airway disease (RAD) is a known sequellae in newborn infants treated with ECMO for respiratory failure. Infants may manifest clinical evidence of RAD or may be found to have a beneficial response to bronchodilators (BD) by pulmonary function testing prior to hospital discharge. The development of RAD during the first 6 months of life in infants treated with ECMO has not been studied. As part of our ECMO follow-up study, crying vital capacities (CVC) were performed at the first follow-up visit on infants without known chronic lung disease (CLD).
Ultrasound and handedness.

In this issue of Epidemiology, Kieler and colleagues re? port that men who were exposed to ultrasound in utero appear to have a higher probability of becoming lefthanded.1 This curious finding raises several important questions. Is the finding real? Is it important? What should be done about it? The study assesses ultrasound exposure from aggregate data. The University Hospital in Malmo was the first medical center in Sweden to use ultrasound scans as part of standard antenatal care. Males born at this medical center after the routine use of ultrasound was introduced were compared with males born during the same time period at other Swedish medical centers that had not yet introduced ultrasound. The study included only males because handedness was determined as part of eligibility testing for military service. There is no doubt that the rough method of assigning ultrasound exposure has mis? classified some of the people in the study. To what extent could such misclassification of ultrasound expo? sure be related to the handedness of the offspring? Low birth weight is related to handedness. It is theoretically possible that women in Malmo, the site of the exposed cohort, deliver a greater proportion of their babies with a low birth weight. Kieler et al had informa? tion available on birth weight, however, and found that controlling for differences in birth weight had little effect on the estimates in their study. Nor does any other selection or confounding factor appear to explain the admittedly modest association in their data between ultrasound and handedness. If anything, the possibilities for nondifferential misclassification seem greater than those for differential misclassification, which implies that the relation between ultrasound and handedness may be larger than what is reported. Even if there is no obvious non-causal explanation for the finding, its novelty will certainly fuel skepticism. But let us suppose for a moment that this finding eventually is confirmed in other studies, and that it reflects a newly discovered causal relation. What would be its import? The estimated effect is about a 30% increase in the "risk"
Hibernation at moderate temperatures: a continuation of slow wave sleep.

Golden-mantled ground squirrels (Citellus lateralis) displayed virtually continuous electrophysiological states of sleep when hibernating at moderate ambient temperatures (22°C). Rapid-eye-movement sleep progressively diminished with the fall in body temperature so that at a body temperature of 23°C it was completely absent. At this temperature hibernation was characterized by slow wave sleep isomorphic with slow wave sleep episodes at non-hibernating (euthermic) body temperatures.
Hepatitis C virus reinfection in orthotopic liver transplant patients with or without concomitant hepatitis B infection.

Although recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) patients is frequent, the relationship between HCV recurrence and graft pathology, particularly in patients who also have a history of hepatitis B virus (HBV), is unclear. The recurrence of HCV after OLT was determin
Inverse control for nonlinear excitation and governor control

This paper presents the results of a study of the Inverse Control technique for the design of excitation and governor controllers for a power system. Control laws for rotor angle and field flux are derived. The closed loop system is shown to be asymptotically stable. The system can be transferred to a new operating condition corresponding to any desired terminal voltage Vl and tie-line power Ptie. Although this control law was not experimentally tested on a power system, implementation issues are discussed in robotic and aerospace applications.