cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase transition in current-biased arrays of small Josephson junctions

We present a variational approach to treat the metastable superconducting state in an array of small Josephson junctions driven by an applied current. Using this approach, we calculate an approximate phase diagram of such an array with a current bias. Our approach is a generalization of one previously used for such an array at zero applied current. We find that, for a given array, a superconducting to nonsuperconducting transition at zero temperature can be achieved either by varying the magnitude of the applied current at fixed direction or by varying the direction of the applied current at fixed magnitude. We examine this transition in two-dimensional arrays on both square and triangular lattices, and in a simple cubic array. We also calculate the dependence of this transition on the direction of the applied current. For a given array and bias current, a superconductor-to-insulator transition also takes place as the temperature is increased. Using the variational approach, we calculate critical values of the junction parameters, temperature, and current for this transition on three different lattices.
Embedded Tutorial ET1: Pole-Zero Analysis of Low-Dropout (LDO) Regulators: A Tutorial Overview

Summary form only given: We discuss the low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator pole-zero analysis in this tutorial. A priori knowledge of poles and zeros assist in choosing the right topology and appropriate frequency compensation techniques before implementing the transistor level design, as the location of poles move with output load current. The objective of this tutorial is to provide a step-by-step procedure for analyzing poles and zeros in LDO regulators. To this end, two recent state-of-the-art LDO regulators from the literature are analyzed, explaining several intricacies involved. We explain step-by-step procedure in developing the small-signal model, breaking the voltage/current loop and techniques for quickly arriving at simple and approximate pole-zero equations. During the process, several frequency compensation techniques are elucidated. The derived analytic expressions for poles and zeros help in developing intuition of circuit behavior.
Strategically Localized Dendritic Cells Promote Rapid T Cell Responses to Lymph-Borne Particulate Antigens

Upon infection, adaptive immune responses play catch-up with rapidly replicating pathogens. While mechanisms for efficient humoral responses to lymph-borne antigens have been characterized, the current paradigm for T cell responses to infections and particulate vaccines involves delayed migration of peripheral antigen-bearing dendritic cells (DCs) to lymph nodes (LNs), where they elicit effector T cell responses. Utilizing whole LN 3D imaging, histo-cytometry, and intravital 2-photon microscopy, we have identified a specialized population of DCs, enriched in the LN-resident CD11b(+) subset, which resides within the lymphatic sinus endothelium and scans lymph with motile dendrites. These DCs capture draining particles and present associated antigens to T lymphocytes, inducing T cell responses much sooner than and independently of migratory DCs. Thus, strategic DC subset positioning in LNs limits a potentially costly delay in generation of T cell responses to lymph-borne antigens, contributing to effective host defense. These findings are also highly relevant to vaccine design.
Three-loop vanishing of the superstring cosmological constant

Abstract We employ a holomorphic unitary gauge to evaluate the genus-three partition function for closed superstrings in ten-dimensional flat space in the picture-changing representation. The Riemann identity leads to a pointwise vanishing measure in moduli space which trivially avoids global ambiguities.
Sequence Correlations between Cro Recognition Helices and Cognate OR Consensus Half-sites Suggest Conserved Rules of Protein–DNA Recognition

The O R regions from several lambdoid bacteriophages contain the three regulatory sites O R 1, O R 2 and O R 3, to which the Cro and CI proteins can bind. These sites show imperfect dyad symmetry, have similar sequences, and generally lie on the same face of the DNA double helix. We have developed a computational method, which analyzes the O R regions of additional phages and predicts the location of these three sites. After tuning the method to predict known O R sites accurately, we used it to predict unknown sites, and ultimately compiled a database of 32 known and predicted O R binding site sets. We then identified sequences of the recognition helices (RH) for the cognate Cro proteins through manual inspection of multiple sequence alignments. Comparison of Cro RH and consensus O R half-site sequences revealed strong one-to-one correlations between two amino acids at each of three RH positions and two bases at each of three half-site positions (H1→2, H3→5 and H6→6). In each of these three cases, one of the two amino acid/base-pairings corresponds to a contact observed in the crystal structure of a lambda Cro/consensus operator complex. The alternate amino acid/base combinations were rationalized using structural models. We suggest that the pairs of amino acid residues act as binary switches that efficiently modulate specificity for different consensus half-site variants during evolution. The observation of structurally reasonable amino acid-to-base correlations suggests that Cro proteins share some common rules of recognition despite their functional and structural diversity.
The Effects on Clinician Identification when Clinician and Client Share a Common Ethnic Minority Background

ABSTRACT A quasi-experimental study addressed the question of whether clinician identification with the client differs in therapeutic dyads in which clinician and client are from the same ethnic minority background than in therapeutic dyads in which clinician and client are from a different ethnic background. An availability sampling plan was used to obtain a sample of sixty Japanese American and sixty White social workers. Subjects watched one of two videotaped vignettes of either a Japanese American or White client. An identification inventory was used to measure range and intensity of identification. Findings demonstrated that match of ethnic minority background heightened range and intensity of identification. Additionally, match of generation, place of origin, and assimilation level also increased the respondent's identification with the client. Furthermore, feelings of vulnerability, a concern of overidentifying, and an added sense of investment occurred more frequently when the respondent and vigne...
Crystal structure of fatty acid/phospholipid synthesis protein PlsX from Enterococcus faecalis.

PlsX is a key enzyme that coordinates the production of fatty acids and membrane phospholipids. The plsX gene is co-localized with a bacterial fab gene cluster which encodes several key fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes. The protein is a member of a large, conserved protein family (Pfam02504) found exclusively in bacteria. The PlsX sequence homologues include both phosphate acetyltransferases and phosphate butaryltransferases that catalyze the transfer of an acetyl or butaryl group to orthophosphate. We have determined the crystal structure of PlsX from the human pathogen Enterococcus faecalis. PlsX is a α/β/α sandwich that resembles a Rossmann fold and forms a dimer. A putative catalytic site has been identified within a deep groove on the interface between monomers. This site showed strong surface similarity to epimerases and reductases. It was recently proposed that PlsX is a phosphate acyltransferase that catalyzes the formation of acyl-phosphate from the acyl–acyl carrier protein; however the specific biochemical function of the PlsX protein awaits further experimental scrutiny.
Design and code traceability using a PDL metrics tool

Abstract This article describes an analysis tool that extracts complexity metrics from program design language (PDL) as contained in design specification documents. The tool analyzes pseudocode and computes token-count metrics of PDL complexity on a module by module basis. We used the tool to measure consistency within and across modules and for assessing traceability between PDL and the corresponding source code. In applications of the tool, we were able to identify PDL descriptions that were too detailed, those lacking sufficient detail, identify inconsistent PDL descriptions, and measure traceability between the PDL description and the corresponding source code.
A quarter century of end-of-life issues in U.S. medical schools.

This study examined medical school offerings on end-of-life issues between 1975 and 2000. Five national surveys of US medical schools were conducted in 1975, 1980, 1985, 1995, and 2000 (response rates of 95%, 96%, 9 0%, 93%, and 92%, respectively). Results revealed that between 1975 and 2000, the offerings in death and dying increased. A multidisciplinary-team approach continued over the 25-year period. In 2000,palliative care was directly addressed in 87% of medical schools responding, and the majority of students were exposed to a hospice patient.The increased attention to death and dying in medical schools should enhance the medical student's relationship with terminally ill patients. An awareness of, and acquired knowledge about, these issues in the medicalization of students should result in end-of-life concerns being more tolerable for both patients, their families, and physicians.
Amiloride and carotid body chemroception of hypercapnia and hypoxia

Abstract The sodium-proton (Na+-H+) antiporter has been found in virtually every tissue where its presence has been investigated. Its principal physiological role is to regulate intracellular pH (pHi). Amiloride (10−3−10−4 M) is a known of the antiporter when Na is present in normal physiological concentrations (130–140 × 10−3 M). In order to determine if the Na+-H+ antiporter participated in the chemoreception of hypercapnia or hypoxia anesthetized, paralyzed, artificially ventilated cats were fitted with a loop in the right common carotid artery for the selective perfusion of the carotid body. Neural activity (imp/10 sec) was recorded from single or few fiber preparations during hypercapnia (Paco2 = 48–64 Torr) while the carotide body was perfused with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution for 2.5 min, then with its own hypercapnic arterial blood (4 min), then with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution containing 0.6-0.8 × 10−3 M amiloride (2.5 min), then with its own hypercapnic blood (4 min). After 20 min of rest the protocol was repeated during hypoxia (Pao2 = 35–45 Torr). The carotid body response to hypercapnic blood was unaffeted by a precedign perfusion of the amiloride-containing solution but the response to hypoxic blood was decreased by 25% by the amiloride-containing solution. The data suggest the possibility of different mechanisms being involved in the chemoreception of hypercapnia and hypoxia.
Living-donor renal transplantation of grafts with incidental renal masses after ex-vivo partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES To assess transplantation of high-risk kidneys with incidental renal masses (found occasionally during the routine evaluation of a living kidney donor) into recipients with limited life-expectancy on haemodialysis, as this offers a potential solution to the current organ deficit. PATIENTS AND METHODS We detected five small (<2.3 cm), incidental, enhancing renal masses during donor evaluation. All patients had a standard metastatic evaluation. After laparoscopic donor nephrectomy a back-table partial nephrectomy was performed and frozen-section analysis was used to confirm both the diagnosis and negative surgical margins before transplantation. RESULTS Renal cell carcinoma was found in three of the five masses (one each cystic, clear cell and papillary; Fuhrman grades II, II and III, respectively) and the other two patients had angiomyolipoma. There were no long-term complications in the transplanted kidneys. One patient developed delayed acute humoral rejection after transplantation and was treated appropriately. Both donor and recipient were followed with periodic imaging. At a median (range) last follow-up of 15 (1-41) months, four patients were alive and one had died from complications after a fall. The cancer-specific survival was 100%. There was no evidence of local recurrence in any patient at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION Live donor kidneys with incidental small renal masses might be acceptable for transplantation in high-risk recipients after careful back-table partial nephrectomy.
Development of a Flexible Platform for Studying the Single Molecule Dynamics of Nucleic Acid Manipulating Enzymes by TIRF Microscopy

Proper replication and maintenance of genomic material is fundamental to all life. Nature utilizes a large array of complex molecular machines to physically manipulate DNA, manipulations that are accomplished by mechanisms ranging from small and subtle shifts in protein structure, to large and dynamic changes in oligomerization and dissociation events between protein domains and even entire enzymatic assemblies. Two distinct examples from the later end of this spectrum are DnaA, the bacterial replication initiator responsible for unwinding and melting origin DNA, and eukaryotic topoisomerase II, which aids in maintaining genomic integrity and in decatenating daughter chromosomes by modulating the super-helical structure of DNA. Current structural and biochemical data support both large scale dynamic mechanisms for the action of DnaA and topoisomerase II, and further suggest labeling strategies for fluorescent localization and FRET studies by which to characterize these dynamic movements in real time. To this end, we have combined established single molecule TIRF microscopy and solution switching microfluidic chip designs as part of a flexible platform to follow both DnaA assembly with various nucleic acid substrates, including supercoiled plasmids, and the dynamic movements associated with topoisomerase II mediated strand passage. FRET-based assays using either fluorescently labeled DnaA, fluorescently labeled nucleic acid substrates, or both, will serve to address the role of DnaA assembly in its manipulations of double and single-stranded DNA. In the case of topoisomerase II, a set of fluorescently labeled constructs have been designed which track the movements of the enzyme's three protein gates via FRET during the DNA strand passage reaction on supercoiled plasmid. Here, we provide a proof of principle for both systems, and additionally present preliminary data on the dynamics of these two molecular machines.
Dysthymia among the community-dwelling elderly.

There are few data on the clinical features of dysthymia among the community-dwelling elderly. Forty elderly individuals with dysthymic disorder were identified following screening in the community with GMS AGECAT. A detailed clinical history was obtained and DSM-1V checklists and standardized scales were used, at a second interview. Comparisons were made with a group of 630 non-depressed elderly from the same community. Dysthymia was predominately of late onset (93%) and associated with a major stressor in 65% of cases. Comorbid axis 1 disorders were present in 15% of dysthymics and an axis 2 disorder in 10%. The dysthymic group had significantly higher degrees of physical impairment than the non-depressed elderly. The symptom profile demonstrated prominent anxiety and functional features. Eighty-three per cent of the elderly with dysthymia had presented to their GP with anxiety/depressive symptoms at some stage during the dysthymic disorder. The presentation of dysthymia in older people differs from that in earlier life. Late life dysthymia is less associated with axes I and 2 comorbidity but is associated with significant degrees of physical impairment. Dysthymia in older people presents to primary care, rather than specialist services, and interventions must be delivered at this level.
Potential tumor suppressor role for the c-Myb oncogene in luminal breast cancer.

Background: The transcription factor c-Myb has been well characterized as an oncogene in several human tumor types, and its expression in the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell population is essential for proper hematopoiesis. However, the role of c-Myb in mammopoeisis and breast tumorigenesis is poorly understood, despite its high expression in the majority of breast cancer cases (60–80%). Methodology/Principal Findings: We find that c-Myb high expression in human breast tumors correlates with the luminal/ ER+ phenotype and a good prognosis. Stable RNAi knock-down of endogenous c-Myb in the MCF7 luminal breast tumor cell line increased tumorigenesis both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a possible tumor suppressor role in luminal breast cancer. We created a mammary-derived c-Myb expression signature, comprised of both direct and indirect c-Myb target genes, and found it to be highly correlated with a published mature luminal mammary cell signature and least correlated with a mammary stem/progenitor lineage gene signature. Conclusions/Significance: These data describe, for the first time, a possible tumor suppressor role for the c-Myb protooncogene in breast cancer that has implications for the understanding of luminal tumorigenesis and for guiding treatment.
Aesthetic improvement resulting from craniofacial surgery in craniosynostosis syndromes

A consecutive series of 21 patients with craniosynostosis syndromes (9 Crouzon's, 6 Pfeiffer's, 6 Apert's) was evaluated for reconstructive postoperative aesthetic improvement resulting from craniofacial surgery (Le Fort III, sliding genioplasty, nasal septal reconstruction and cranioplasty). The same consecutive series of patients had been previously evaluated for stability of Le Fort III advancement. All the patients were assessed at least one year post operatively. Stability of the advancement was confirmed. In the present study, various midline bony and soft tissue profile measurements were obtained from lateral cephalograms. These measurements were compared to similar measurements (standards) in normals. "Normal" standards and "normal" appearance imply harmonious and aesthetically pleasing facial features. This study showed markedly abnormal positions of the selected bony and soft tissue landmarks preoperatively compared to the normal but following surgery the measurements studied approached or were similar to the normal standards. Based on these measurements, the patient's appearance improved significantly following reconstructive craniofacial surgery. Suggestions for additional surgery based on these studies are made.
CYSTINE IS THE FIRST LIMITING AMINO ACID FOR UTILIZATION OF ENDOGENOUS AMINO ACIDS IN CHICKS FED A PROTEIN-FREE DIET

Three bioassays were conducted to determine the limiting order of amino acids for endogenous amino acid utilization in chicks fed a protein-free diet. The studies were conducted during the period 10 to 21 d posthatching. Experiment 1 was a deletion assay in which a protein-free basal diet was supplemented with an amino acid mixture containing methionine, cystine, threonine, arginine, phenylalanine and glutamine. Each amino acid, or methionine + cystine together, was then deleted singly from the amino acid mixture. Supplementing the protein-free basal diet with the amino acid mixture reduced weight loss. Deletion of methionine and cystine from the amino acid mixture increased (P < 0.05) weight loss. Deleting threonine from the amino acid mixture also resulted in weight loss that was intermediate between the amino acid-supplemented diet and the protein-free basal diet, indicating it was second limiting after sulfur amino acids. Experiments 2 and 3 were amino acid addition assays. Additions of methionine or cystine to the protein-free basal diet, either singly or in combination, resulted in lower rates of weight loss and protein depletion. Addition of threonine to the diet supplemented with methionine and cystine further reduced weight loss. These studies indicate that sulfur amino acids are the first-limiting amino acids for utilization of endogenous amino acids. However, our results clearly demonstrate that the primary need is for cystine, and not for methionine per se.
C-plane reconstructions from sheaf acquisition for ultrasound electrode vibration elastography

This paper presents a novel algorithm for reconstructing and visualizing ablated volumes using radiofrequency ultrasound echo data acquired with the electrode vibration elastography approach. The ablation needle is vibrated using an actuator to generate shear wave pulses that are tracked in the ultrasound image plane at different locations away from the needle. This data is used for reconstructing shear wave velocity maps for each imaging plane. A C-plane reconstruction algorithm is proposed which estimates shear wave velocity values on a collection of transverse planes that are perpendicular to the imaging planes. The algorithm utilizes shear wave velocity maps from different imaging planes that share a common axis of intersection. These C-planes can be used to generate a 3D visualization of the ablated region. Experimental validation of this approach was carried out using data from a tissue mimicking phantom. The shear wave velocity estimates were within 20% of those obtained from a clinical scanner, and a contrast of over 4 dB was obtained between the stiff and soft regions of the phantom.
Elastic lattice in an incommensurate background

We study a harmonic triangular lattice, which relaxes in the presence of an incommensurate short-wavelength potential. Monte Carlo simulations reveal that the elastic lattice exhibits only short-ranged translational correlations, despite the absence of defects in either lattice. Extended orientational order, however, persists in the presence of the background. Translational correlation lengths exhibit approximate power-law dependence upon cooling rate and background strength. Our results may be relevant to Wigner crystals, atomic monolayers on crystals surfaces, and flux-line and magnetic bubble lattices.
Evidence for enhanced synaptic excitation in transplanted neostriatal neurons.

Abstract Fetal neostriatal tissue was transplanted into either the neostriatum or substantia nigra of adult rats. One to 6 months after transplantation, coronal brain slices were taken through the rostrocaudal extent of the transplants and neurons were characterized electrophysiologically using an in vitro slice preparation. When compared to control neurons taken from intact adult neostriata, transplanted neostriatal neurons (TSNs) had higher input resistances and longer time constants. All other passive and active membrane properties assessed were comparable between transplanted and control neostriatal neurons. Regardless of the transplantation site, local extracellular stimulation outside the graft elicited high-amplitude, long-duration depolarizing synaptic potentials that typically triggered bursts of action potentials. These synaptic potentials contrast with lower amplitude, shorter duration synaptic potentials consistently elicited in control neostriatal neurons. The depolarizing synaptic potentials evoked in the TSNs appeared to be mediated by a combined activation of N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA excitatory amino acid receptors. Both the broad-spectrum excitatory amino acid antagonist kynurenic acid and the specific non-NMDA receptor antagonist, 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione significantly reduced postsynaptic potentials elicited in TSNs. The specific NMDA antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate had less effect on the amplitude but markedly reduced the duration of the synaptic potentials. The duration and amplitude of the bursts were augmented by the γ,-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide, indicating that inhibition occurred in TSNs. TSNs were also more sensitive than control neurons to direct application of glutamate or NMDA. These findings demonstrate that TSNs express altered electrophysiological properties. The pharmacological analysis indicates that depolarizing postsynaptic potentials were mediated by activation of excitatory amino acid receptors, suggesting either innervation of the graft by host fibers which contain excitatory amino acids or development of novel local excitatory interactions intrinsic to the graft. Furthermore, the occurrence of high-amplitude, long-duration depolarizing synaptic potentials in TSNs, regardless of the site of transplantation, suggests that grafted neostriatal neurons become hyperexcitable to synaptic input.
Emerging role of AMP-activated protein kinase in coupling membrane transport to cellular metabolism.

Purpose of reviewIt has long been recognized that the coupling of membrane transport to underlying cellular metabolic status is critical because transport processes consume a large portion of total cellular energy. Recently, the finely tuned metabolic sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has e
GRB time profiles as cosmic probes: Is time dilation extrinsic or intrinsic?

Recent detections of gamma-ray burst (GRB) counterparts confirm their great distances and consequent potential use as cosmic probes. However, GRB diversity may thwart this idea. The scatter of intrinsic GRB properties could easily mask the extrinsic effect of cosmological time dilation. Current investigations examine the question of temporal self-similarity: Extrinsic time dilation must be manifest with the same factor on all GRB timescales as a function of distance. Here we show that time-reversal-independent analysis of GRB time profiles using a peak alignment methodology reveals average profiles with approximately equal rise and decay timescales, per peak-flux group, except for the dimmest group. This departure from self-similarity is consistent with a selection effect: At sufficiently low peak fluxes, the BATSE causal trigger misses dim, slowly rising bursts. Interestingly, for GRB970508, the redshift-corrected time-dilation factor inferred for its peak flux is consistent with the measured redshift, z...
Isolation, synthesis, and pharmacology of metabolites of 1-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidone

The metabolism of 1-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidone, an antianxiety/antidepressant agent, in dogs is reported. Two metabolites, 3-[1-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1-ureido]propanoic acid and 1-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)uracil, were isolated, characterized, and synthesized. Neither metabolite was acutely toxic, and they did not exhibit antidepressant or antianxiety/anticonvulsant activity.
Fatigue crack growth analysis of stiffened cracked panel repaired with bonded composite patch

Abstract Fatigue crack growth behavior in a stiffened thin 2024-T3 aluminum panel repaired with one-sided adhesively bonded composite patch was investigated through experiments and analyses. The patch had three plies of unidirectional boron/epoxy composite. 2024-T3 aluminum stiffeners were riveted as well as bonded on the panel. Stiffeners were oriented in the loading direction and were spaced at either 102 mm or 152 mm with a crack centered between them. Also, un-repaired cracked panel with and without stiffeners were studied. Experiment involved tension–tension fatigue at constant amplitude with maximum stress of 120 MPa and stress ratio of 0.05. Bonded composite patch repair increased fatigue life about five-fold in the case of stiffened panels while it increased about ten fold in the case of un-stiffened panels. Fatigue life also increased with decrease of the distance between the stiffeners for both repaired and un-repaired panels. A three-dimensional finite element method was used to analyze the experiments. Residual thermal stresses, developed during patch bonding, requires the knowledge of temperature at which adhesive becomes effective in creating a bond between the structure and patch in the analysis. A simple method to estimate the effective curing temperature range is suggested in this study. The computed stress intensity factor versus measured crack growth relationships for all panel configurations were consistent and in agreement with the counterpart from the test material. Thus, the present approach provides a means to analyze the fatigue crack growth behavior of stiffened structures repaired with adhesively bonded composite patch.
Mechanisms of Steroid Impairment of Growth

With child growth being multifactorial and the glucocorticoids (GC) having many target physiological and biochemical mechanisms, growth and the GC collide in several meeting points. Indirectly, GC have a general anti-anabolic and catabolic influences that include bone, cartilage and muscle proteins. The GC interfere with the GH-IGF-1 axis at the hypothalamic, pituitary and target organ levels, affecting hormone release, receptor abundance, signal transduction, gene transcription, pre-mRNA splicing and mRNA translation. GC disturb normal calcium balance at the intestine and kidney. Direct effects at the growth plate include the suppression of multiple gene expression, chondrocyte proliferation and matrix proteoglycan synthesis, sulfation, release and mineralization as well as the augmentation of hypertrophic cell apoptosis. At the tissues adjacent to the growth plate, GC enhance osteoclast and suppress osteoblast recruitment and function, they reduce muscle strength and disrupt the normal control of vascular invasion at the cartilage-bone interface. Growth damage from GC is maximal during the initial months of treatment and prevention is more effective than post-factual therapy. To reduce these growth-retarding effects, the following measures, which are partly experimental, may be effective in a decreasing order: minimize GC dose and use an alternate-day treatment; utilize the oxazoline analog of prednisolone deflazacort, normalize calcium balance; employ hGH or IGF-1.
The Probability of Finding a Job

Recent research has reaffirmed that the prob? ability of an unemployed worker finding a job varies substantially over the business cycle. Robert E. Hall (2005, 101) concludes from his examination of a variety of data sources that "Unemployment is high in a recession because jobs are hard to find, not because more job-seek? ers have been dumped into the labor market by elevated separation rates." Shimer (2007) shows that movements in the job finding probability account for three-quarters of the fluctuations in the unemployment rate in the United States during the postwar period, while movements in the exit rate from employment to unemployment account for the other quarter. Michael W. Elsby, Ryan Michaels, and Gary Solon (2007) argue that movements in the job finding probability accounted for about 65 percent of unemploy? ment fluctuations prior to the last two reces? sions, and more in 1990-1991 and 2001. Shigeru Fujita and Gary Ramey (2007) claim a more substantial role for the exit rate to unemploy? ment but still find that the job finding probabil? ity accounts for at least half of the fluctuations in unemployment. While it is theoretically convenient to discuss a single job finding probability for all workers, economists have long recognized that the job finding probability falls with unemployment duration (Hyman B. Kaitz 1970). This paper reexamines duration dependence and the cycli? cally of duration dependence in the job finding probability, both empirically and theoretically. To start, I develop a simple model with a single parameter that determines both how the job finding probability varies with unemployment duration and how it varies with aggregate eco? nomic conditions. The model's main departure from most existing research is to think of unemployed workers as waiting for labor mar? ket conditions to improve, rather than searching for job opportunities (Boyan Jovanovic 1987; Fernando Alvarez and Shimer 2007). They continuously compare their lifetime utility in the best available job with their lifetime utility if they remain unemployed. Individual / works if this difference, 8?(t), is positive at time t and not if it is negative. If S? is persistent, this leads to duration dependence in the hazard rate of exiting unemployment, since a newly unem? ployed worker is more likely to be near the threshold for taking a job than someone who is long term unemployed. The extent of dura? tion dependence is governed by the stochastic process for S?, which also determines how the average job finding probability varies with eco? nomic conditions.
Refinement of the conformation of UDP-galactose bound to galactosyltransferase using the STD NMR intensity-restrained CORCEMA optimization.

The STD NMR technique has originally been described as a tool for screening large compound libraries to identify the lead compounds that are specific to target proteins of interest. The application of this technique in the qualitative epitope mapping of ligands weakly binding to proteins, virus capsid shells, and nucleic acids has also been described. Here we describe the application of the STD NMR intensity-restrained CORCEMA optimization (SICO) procedure for refining the bound conformation of UDP−galactose in galactosyltransferase complex using STD NMR intensities recorded at 500 MHz as the experimental constraints. A comparison of the SICO structure for the bound UDP−galactose in solution with that in the crystal structure for this complex shows some differences in ligand torsion angles and V253 side-chain orientation in the protein. This work describes the first application of an STD NMR intensity-restrained CORCEMA optimization procedure for refining the torsion angles of a bound ligand structure. Th...
Management of Chronic Postthoracotomy Pain

Postthoracotomy pain management is essential imme diately after surgery and crucial for the patient suffering from this problem for a long duration. Understanding the causative and pathophysiological basis for this condition requires frequent assessment and a multidi mensional approach. Inadequate pain control has detri mental effects on the routine activities of patients as well as on their physical and emotional well-being. During the last 2 decades, the understanding of various pain-related issues has been strengthened resulting in early intervention and pain management. Various phar macological modalities including the role of nonopiates, opiates, and adjuvant drugs are helpful in combating postthoracotomy pain. A selective group of patients will benefit from interventional techniques. The treat ment decision requires a clear understanding of the disease and its impact on the patient. There must also be an understanding of risk and benefits as well as cost and benefits for various drugs and techniques...
Cardiac Surgery in a Small Community: An Eight-Year Experience

Abstract Long-term results of 374 open-heart procedures performed over an eight-year period in a small community hospital are presented. Patients were followed up for an average of 49 months. The heart unit did not conform to the yearly volume of cases suggested by current national guidelines. Nonetheless, we obtained some interesting results. 1. The hospital mortality in nonemergency coronary artery bypass operations was 1.8%; in all types of bypass operation, 3.3%; and 5.1% for all types of cardiac operation. 2. The attrition rate was less than 1% per year for all types of patients with a total long-term survival of 92%. 3. Patients having coronary artery bypass had a yearly attrition rate of 0.66% and a total long-term survival of 94.2%. 4. The average hospital cost per patient having open-heart operation was $9,670 in 1978 and $11,073 in 1979. Case volume requirements for an open-heart-surgery unit in our area allowed an exception from the guidelines with emphasis on quality of results rather than quantity. This permitted comprehensive cardiac care especially for the poor and those with fixed incomes unable to afford the cost of traveling and associated expenses. Further similar reports may be valuable in the formulation of health policies for small communities that guarantee the health rights of all segments of the population.
Transient drain current and propagation delay in SOI CMOS

The transient overshoot in drain current that occurs in thin-film SOI (Si-on-SiO 2 ) MOSFET's because of the floating body in analyzed, and the benefit it can provide to propagation delay (speed) in SOI CMOS digital circuits is assessed. The analysis accounts for the charge coupling between the front and back gates, and hence describes the dependence of the transient drain (saturation) current and propagation delay on the back-gate bias as well as on the switching frequency. Measurements of the transient current in recrystallized SOI MOSFET's and of propagation delay in SOI CMOS inverters and ring oscillators are described and shown to support the theoretical analysis. The current overshoot is especially beneficial in low-voltage circuits, although at high frequencies other floating-body effects can degrade the speed.
Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films without Ga segregation prepared by the single-step selenization of sputter deposited Cu-In-Ga-Se precursor layers

We report a new approach to fabricating Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) light absorbing layers for thin film solar cells without Ga segregation using a sputtering and single-step selenization process. To mitigate Ga segregation at the CIGSe/back-contact region, which has frequently been observed in the selenization of metal/alloy precursor layers, we used Se-containing precursor layers (Cu-In-Ga-Se) to capture Ga in covalently bonded structures and investigated the effects of Se content in the precursor layers on the properties of the selenized CIGSe films and the devices. As the Se content in the precursor layer increased, Ga segregation was significantly mitigated, resulting in a completely homogenized Ga distribution when the Se/metal ratio of the precursor films is over 0.8. Finally, a thin CIGSe film (∼670 nm) with a uniform Ga distribution was processed to fabricate a solar cell, and the device exhibited a conversion efficiency of 11.7% with an open circuit potential of 0.6 V. An increase of the CIGSe film thickness to 1.55 μm resulted in a device efficiency of up to 13.16%.
Role of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating endothelial permeability in venules.

Objective:This study was performed to determine the effect of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibition on histamine- and thrombin-induced venular permeability in the rat mesentery, coincidental with actin cytoskeleton changes. Methods:The mesenteric microvasculature of rats was perfused with a fluorescent tracer plus thrombin, histamine, or buffered saline, and the preparation was suffused with the MLCK inhibitor ML-7. The microvasculature then was stained for actin. Results:The average (±SE) number of leaks per micrometer of venule length of the thrombin plus 5 µM ML-7 treatment (35.3 ± 5.9 × 10−4; n= 224) was significantly lower than that for the thrombin-only treatment (61.7 ± 5.6 × 10−4; n= 385; p< 0.001). The histamine preparations required higher concentrations of ML-7 to significantly reduce the number of leaks. A concentration of 100 µM reduced the average leak number from 20.8 ± 3.9 × 10 4(n= 140) to 2.5 ± 0.8 × 10−4(n= 383; p< 0.001), but 20 µM ML-7 had no effect. Although leaky areas of both...
Perceived Parenting Competencies following Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors may face specific challenges in their parental role because of the negative sequelae of their abuse. This study explored factors that might heighten or buffer the risk for problems in parenting for intrafamilial CSA survivors. A community sample of 54 CSA mothers completed questionnaires assessing the severity of their CSA experiences, current depressive symptoms, partner support, and key parenting dimensions. Six moderated mediational models revealed that CSA severity indirectly impacted the survivor’s bond with her child, limit setting ability, communication, and parental involvement through depressive symptoms at high levels of partner support. Partner support was protective against many difficulties in parenting at low levels of depressive symptoms, but did not promote, and at times hindered, effective parenting at high depressive symptoms. This study’s findings highlight the importance of attending to risk and protective factors in understanding parenting among CSA survivors.
Detection of caval obstruction by magnetic resonance imaging after intraatrial repair of transposition of the great arteries.

Abstract Vena caval obstruction may cause significant morbidity after intraatrial repair of transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Two noninvasive methods of diagnosing vena caval obstruction were compared with cardiac catheterization. Echocardiographically gated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and echocardiographic evaluation (2-dimensional saline contrast echocardiography and pulsed Doppler flow measurement) were performed on 15 patients 0.7 to 13.5 years after intraatrial repair of TGA (8 Mustard, 7 Senning). At catheterization, complete superior vena cava or partial caval obstruction (gradient >5 mm Hg from cava to systemic venous atrium) was present in 7 of 15 patients. Superior vena cava obstruction was directly visualized by MRI in both patients with catheterization-proved complete superior vena cava occlusion. A dilated azygous/hemiazygous venous complex (≥ 5 mm cross-sectional diameter) was seen by MRI in 5 of 7 patients with complex or partial vena caval obstruction and in no patient without vena caval obstruction. MRI showed superior vena caval dilatation (ratio of superior vena caval diameter to aortic diameter >1.45) in 3 of 5 patients with partial vena caval obstruction and in 0 of 8 without vena caval obstruction. Direct visualization of narrowing within the atrium was unreliable for any MRI plane because of the 3-dimensional nature of the intraatrial baffle. Two-dimensional saline contrast echocardiography, successfully performed in 12 of 15 patients, detected complete superior vena caval obstruction only in the 2 patients with catheterization-proved complete superior vena cava occlusion. Contrast echocardiography failed to identify any of the 5 patients with partial vena caval obstruction. Turbulent continuous diastolic flow in the systemic venous atrium above the mitral valve was present by pulsed Doppler echocardiography in 5 of 7 patients with and in 3 of 8 without vena caval obstruction. In summary, the combination of MRI and echocardiography was extremely sensitive, identifying all 7 patients with vena caval obstruction. MRI is a valuable adjunct to echocardiography for diagnosis of vena caval obstruction after intraatrial repair of TGA.
The computational account of belief

Fodor and others who think that scientific, computational psychology will vindicate commonsense belief-desire psychology have maintained that belief can be identified with the explicit storage of a token with appropriate content. I review and develop problems for the explicit storage view and show that a more plausible account identifies belief with the disposition to use a token with appropriate content in explicit reasoning and planning processes and as a basis for action. I argue that this type of inner disposition account will also apply to most other common sense attitudes. The result is a realism about commonsense belief-desire psychology that is more modest than Fodor's: While such inner dispositions probably do exist, these states will probably not be the main focus of scientific psychological theories.
Amando lo artificial: Ortega y Gasset y nuestra relación con la técnica hoy

[...] todo lo que el hombre inventa y crea para facilitarse la vida, todo eso que llamamos civilizacion y cultura, llega un momento en que se revuelve contra el. Precisamente porque es una creacion queda ahi, en el mundo, fuera del sujeto que lo creo, g07.a de existencia propia, se convierte en cosa, en mundo frente al hombre, y lanzado a su particular e inexorable destino, se desentiende de la intencion con que el hombre lo creo para salir de un apuro ocasional [ ...] La economia, la tecnica, facilidades que el hombre inventa, le han puesto hoy cerco y amenazan estrangularle (...]. Las ciencias, al engrosar fabulosamente y multiplicarse y especializarse, rebasan las capacidades de adquisicion que el hombre posee y le acongojan y oprimen como plagas de la naturaleza. El estudio no es ya el otium, la schole, que fue en Grecia --empieza ya a inundar la vida del hombre y rebasar sus limites. La inversion carac-
Do neutrophils contribute to myocardial stunning

Although removal of neutrophils from the arterial blood by mechanical filtration has been reported to prevent or reduce the severity of myocardial stunning caused by a 15 minute coronary artery occlusion in the dog, neutrophil filtration does not protect against myocardial dysfunction following a 10-minute occlusion. Nonfilter methods to reduce neutrophil numbers or effectiveness with anti-neutrophil serum, monoclonal anti-CD11b antibodies, or the lipoxygenase inhibitor nafazatrom fail to modify myocardial dysfunction after brief ischemia, even though they effectively reduce infarct size after more prolonged ischemia. The brief durations of ischemia required to produce myocardial stunning but to avoid necrosis are insufficient to produce local activation of complement, formation of chemotactic factors, or activation or infiltration of neutrophils. Microvascular plugging with neutrophils cannot be demonstrated in stunned myocardium, and abnormalities of microvascular function can be dissociated from impaired postischemic myocardial function. Based on the weight of accumulated evidence, neutrophils appear to have no important role in the production of stunned myocardium.
Fundamental limits on the power consumption of encoding and decoding

We provide fundamental information-theoretic bounds on the required circuit wiring complexity and power consumption for encoding and decoding of error-correcting codes. These bounds hold for all codes and all encoding and decoding algorithms implemented within the paradigm of our VLSI model. This model essentially views computation on a 2-D VLSI circuit as a computation on a network of connected nodes. The bounds are derived based on analyzing information flow in the circuit. They are then used to show that there is a fundamental tradeoff between the transmit and encoding/decoding power, and that the total (transmit + encoding + decoding) power must diverge to infinity at least as fast as cube-root of log 1/p e , where P e is the average block-error probability. On the other hand, for bounded transmit-power schemes, the total power must diverge to infinity at least as fast as square-root of log 1/P e due to the burden of encoding/decoding.
Gemtuzumab ozogamicin: is there room for salvage?

To the editor: On May 17, 2000, gemtuzumab ozogamicin received marketing approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under accelerated approval regulations for the treatment of patients with CD33-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first relapse who are 60 years of age or older and
Study of Penfluridol and Chlorpromazine in the Treatment of Chronic Schizophrenia

: This study presents data on the use of penfluridol, a once-a-week orally administered, antipsychotic agent, in the treatment of chronic schizophrenic patients. Fifty-nine patients participated in the initial dose titration segment during which doses of penfluridol were adjusted weekly until the patients' condition became stabilized. The starting dose did not exceed 60 mg per week, and the maximum weekly dose did not exceed 140 mg. Forty-one of these patients continued on to participate in a double-blind comparison of penfluridol with chlorpromazine. Maximum doses did not exceed 140 mg per dose per week for penfluridol and 7350 mg per week for chlorpromazine in the double-blind segment. Patients were abruptly switched from their previous neuroleptic medication to penfluridol without loss of control. Side effects, mainly extrapyramidal in nature, were readily alleviated with benztropine mesylate. Penfluridol, administered orally once a week, appeared to be well tolerated; it was comparable to daily chlorpromazine in treating and maintaining schizophrenic patients.