cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Localization and the density of states for an electron in a quantized elastic continuum

A physical picture is presented for the energy spectrum of a quantum particle localized by a deformable nonlinear medium. For a strongly coupled electron-lattice system interacting by a deformation potential, quantum fluctuations of the lattice lead to an exponential band tail at zero temperature in the zero-phonon sector of the lattice Hilbert space which terminates at the polaron ground state. This has an exponentially small overlap with a coexisting free-polaron band.
Switched reluctance machines for EV and HEV propulsion: State-of-the-art

This paper overviews the state of the art of switched reluctance machines (SRM) and their potential application in propulsion of electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). Three-phase SRM configurations have been advised, in order to reduce the inverter cost, and a relationship between their numbers of stator-poles and rotor-poles have been established. Compared to other machine technologies, SRMs produce more high frequency pure tones (up to 12 kHz) that are prominent and perceived as unpleasant. The poor sound quality of SRMs is holding them from a possible consideration for mass-production in automotive applications.
Patient-prosthetic aortic valve mismatch: role of the echocardiographer.

Patient-prosthetic aortic valve mismatch (PPM) is a clinical diagnosis in which an aortic prosthetic valve is normal structurally, but hemodynamically functions as aortic stenosis, with higher prosthetic valve gradients than would be expected for that particular valve.1,2 The prosthetic valve functions as designed but hemodynamics are less than ideal compared with a native valve. The predominant hemodynamic consequence of PPM is generation of an abnormally high mean pressure gradient (MPG), which may become evident only during or after exercise. The MPG is related to flow (Q) and prosthetic effective orifice area (EOA) by the following relationship:
The Early Days of Polymer Science.

A short review is given of the events which occurred between 1926 and 1947 and led ultimately to a consolidation of Staudinger’s view concerning the existence of macromolecules as he had postu­lated them.
Bayesian probabilistic inference for target recognition

The objectives of the current research in target recognition are to determine techniques for understanding the nature and special features of a target and use those to develop specific identification techniques. Bayesian networks have received much attention as an efficient way of combining evidences from different sources and reasoning under uncertainty. For target recognition, a Bayesian network built from the models involves both discrete and continuous variables. In this paper, an efficient algorithm based on stochastic simulation is proposed which has the following important features: (1) it can handle a generic network with non-linear, non-Gaussian, discrete-continuous, and arbitrary topology; (2) it can pre-compute and store evidence likelihood functions for a set of Bayesnets in the library; and (3) it can efficiently compute the results incrementally with the capability of cache. A method to construct a Bayesian network from a given training database is also introduced. Simulation examples with SAR data for ATR are presented.
The Solution Structure of a DNA Duplex Containing the cis -Pt(NH3)2[d(-GTG-)-N 7(G), N 7(G)] Adduct, as Determined with High-Field NMR and Molecular Mechanics/Dynamics

The solution structure of the cis-Pt-GTG adduct in the double-stranded oligomer d(CTCTAGTGCTCAC).td(GTGAGCACTAGAG) was studied with high-resolution NMR techniques. For model building, the distance information obtained from two-dimensional NOE experiments was used in molecular mechanic computations and molecular dynamic structure refinements. The structural distortion upon platination appears to be restricted to the base pairs Pt-G6.C21 and T7.A20; Pt-G8.C19 forms a normal Watson-Crick base pair. T7 is positioned in the minor groove and stacks with the highly propeller-twisted Pt-G6. There is no hydrogen bonding between T7 and A20. The complementary strand is undistorted; A20 stacks with its flanking cytidines (C19 and C21) as in regular B-DNA. The duplex is locally unwound (from base pair A5.T22 to G8.C19: 19 degrees) and is slightly kinked (20 degrees) at the platination site. The platinum coordination distorts the DNA structure at the 5' side of the platinated-GTG-sequence and changes the minor groove face.
Influence of Hydrophobicity on Oligopeptide Utilization by Oral Streptococci

The growth responses of Streptococcus mutans VA-29R, Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10556, and Streptococcus mitior NIH to hydrophilic and hydrophobic peptides obtained following isopropanol fractionation of Trypticase were compared. Although the two fractions contained peptides of similar molecular size, differences were observed with respect to amino acid compositions. S. mutans VA-29R showed a pronounced difference in growth response to hydrophilic vs. hydrophobic peptides. While growth of this micro-organism on hydrophilic peptides was indistinguishable from that on unfractionated Trypticase, only very slow growth occurred on the hydrophobic peptides. S. sanguis ATCC 10556 and S. mitior NIH also displayed some selectivity, as evidenced by their faster relative growth rates on hydrophilic, as compared with hydrophobic, peptides. The results of this study support the conclusion that the properties of the substrate, as defined by its amino acid composition, may be more important than molecular size as a fact...
Time-dependent interactions of glibenclamide with CFTR: kinetically complex block of macroscopic currents.

Blockade of the CFTR chloride channel by glibenclamide was studied in Xenopus oocytes using two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings, macropatch recordings, and summations of single-channel currents, in order to test a kinetic model recently developed by us from single-channel experiments. Both the forward and reverse macroscopic reactions, at negative and positive membrane potential VM, respectively, were slow in comparison to those reactions for other CFTR pore blockers such as DPC and NPPB, resulting in prominent relaxations on the order of tens of milliseconds. The rate of the reverse reaction was voltage-dependent, and dependent on the Cl− driving force, while that of the forward reaction was not. In inside-out macropatches, block and relief from block occurred in two distinct phases that differed in apparent affinity. The results are consistent with the presence of multiple glibenclamide binding sites in CFTR, with varying affinity and voltage dependence; they support the kinetic model and suggest experimental approaches for identification of those sites by mutagenesis.
The drag on needles moving in a langmuir monolayer

The motion of membrane-bound objects is important in many aspects of biology and surface chemistry. Here we derive some general relations for objects moving in a surface film overlying a fluid of depth H. A solution to the problem of the drag can be obtained from a two-dimensional system of integral equations. Here we focus on the problem of an ideal needle moving edge-on (in the direction of its tip) or broadside-on (perpendicular to the direction of the tip). In comparison to the drag on a circular disk a new scaling regime of the drag on a needle arises when the ratio between surface shear viscosity and subphase viscosity η s /η is smaller than the length of the needle.
How tubular venom-conducting fangs are formed.

Elapids, viperids, and some other groups of colubroid snakes have tubular fangs for the conduction of venom into their prey. The literature describing the development of venom-conducting fangs provides two contradictory accounts of fang development. Some studies claim that the venom canal forms by the infolding of a deep groove along the surface of the tooth to produce an enclosed canal. In other works the tubular fang is said to form by the deposition of material from tip to base, so that the canal develops without any folding. This study was undertaken to examine fang development and to account for the disagreement in the literature by determining whether fang formation varies among groups of venomous snakes and whether it differs between embryos and adults. Adult and embryonic representatives of elapids and viperids were examined. All fangs examined, elapid and viperid, embryos and adults, were found to develop into their tubular shape by the addition of material to the basal end of the tooth rather than by the folding inward of an ungrooved tooth to form a tubular fang. In some cases, the first fang that develops in embryonic snakes differs morphologically from all those formed subsequently. J. Morphol. 252:291–297, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Update in Hematology: Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Bivalirudin

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is important because it is common, and it significantly increases mortality after cardiac surgery. Although thrombocytopenia after cardiac surgery is common, it predicts serious adverse outcome when it is severe. Despite the high prevalence of heparin/platelet factor 4 antibodies in cardiac surgical patients, they typically do not indicate a higher perioperative risk. Recent evidence suggests, however, that when these antibodies are in the immunoglobulin M class, there is an increased risk of nonthrombotic adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery. According to the guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians, patients with HIT require parenteral anticoagulation with a direct thrombin inhibitor such as lepirudin, argatroban, or bivalirudin. The transition to oral anticoagulation must be undertaken cautiously and only after the platelet count has recovered. Patients with a remote history of HIT can have cardiac surgery safely with unfractionated heparin. Patients with clinically active HIT who require cardiac surgery before the resolution of the HIT preferably should be anticoagulated with bivalirudin, dosed according to body weight and the goal-activated coagulation time. Given that bivalirudin is an established alternative to heparin as a thrombin inhibitor for cardiac surgery, it is likely that future trials will investigate which anticoagulant confers better outcomes after cardiac surgery, as is the case in percutaneous coronary intervention.
Bone anabolic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor in ovariectomized rats.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the bone anabolic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Female Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to ovariectomy or sham surgery at 3 months of age and maintained untreated for 2 months post surgery. Groups of OVX rats were then treated iv with bFGF at doses of 100 or 200 μg/kg·day for 7 or 14 days. Another group of OVX rats and a group of sham-operated control rats were treated iv with vehicle alone for 14 days. Certain groups of bFGF-treated OVX rats were killed at 7 or 14 days after withdrawal of treatment. The right tibiae were processed undecalcified for quantitative bone histomorphometry. Vehicle-treated OVX rats were characterized by decreased cancellous bone volume associated with increased bone turnover. Treatment of OVX rats with bFGF strongly stimulated bone formation, as indicated by marked increases of at least a factor of 10 in osteoblast surface, osteoid surface, and osteoid volume. Furthermore, new osteo...
Comparison of Background Stimulation and Handling as Forms of Infantile Stimulation

Between birth and weaning rats (N = 92) were housed in the laboratory maternity room or in a separate quiet room; half were handled, the other half not disturbed; after weaning half were reared in the laboratory colony room while half were put into the quiet room. Weaning weight was significantly reduced by handling and by being reared in the quiet room; adult weight was an interactive function of handling and the preweaning environment. Handled Ss and those reared in the quiet room postweaning were significantly more active in the open field. Open-field defecation was significantly reduced if S spent at least some time in a quiet environment. The data refute the hypothesis that stimulus input from the surrounding environment during infancy has the same functional effects as does handling. However, the ambient environment does play a dynamic role in the shaping of future biological and behavioral processes.
New reformulation linearization/convexification relaxations for univariate and multivariate polynomial programming problems

This paper is concerned with the global optimization of polynomial programming problems of the type that arise in various location allocation, chemical process, and engineering design contexts. For such problems, we have previously presented a generic reformulation-linearization technique (RLT) to obtain global optimal solutions. We now introduce several new classes of constraints for both univariate and multivariate versions of this problem, including certain simple convex variable bounding types of restrictions that can be used to augment the basic (linear) RLT relaxation in order to yield tighter lower bounds. A constraint selection strategy is also developed to predict and generate only a useful subset of these constraints, so that the size of the resulting relaxation remains manageable. These relaxations are embedded within a globally convergent branch-and-bound algorithm that additionally incorporates certain range-reduction strategies and a new branching variable selection procedure. Computational results using various chemical process, pooling, and engineering design problems from the literature are also presented to demonstrate the viability of the proposed approach.
The Basic Science of Gene Therapy

The development over the past decade of methods for delivering genes to mammalian cells has stimulated great interest in the possibility of treating human disease by gene-based therapies. However, despite substantial progress, a number of key technical issues need to be resolved before gene therapy can be safely and effectively applied in the clinic. Future technological developments, particularly in the areas of gene delivery and cell transplantation, will be critical for the successful practice of gene therapy.
Performance implications of Porter’s generic strategies in Slovak hospitals

The aim of the study was to examine the use of Porter’s generic strategies and their effect on performance in the context of the Slovak hospital industry. Using mail survey the study first identified the natural taxonomy of four strategic types of Slovak hospitals, based on their use of Porter’s generic strategies in pure form and in combination. Next the study examined whether different strategic types were associated with different levels of organisational performance, while controlling for such variables as size and location, which have been argued to influence the hospital performance. The findings indicate that hospitals which follow a “stuck‐in‐the‐middle” strategy, in general, have superior performance on all used performance measures, while hospitals that place only low emphasis on cost leadership, differentiation and focus, labelled “wait and see” in this study, perform the poorest. The study concludes that the research provided body of knowledge relevant for the Slovak hospital industry, that may be used by hospital managers in the strategy formulation process as well as by the researches in exploring the influence of different contingencies on hospitals’ strategic orientation.
Aging reduces the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning in the rat heart.

Abstract Multiple brief periods of ischemia in the mammalian heart elicits protection against morphologic and functional damage caused by longer-duration ischemia. Preconditioning-induced protection against post-ischemic contractile dysfunction has been reported to be depressed with aging of the adult heart. This study was undertaken to determine whether aging of the adult myocardium reduces the preconditioning-induced attenuation of necrosis observed with ischemia. Isolated, perfused hearts obtained from Fischer 344 rats of either 3 (young) or 22 (aged) months of age were paced and instrumented for determination of developed left ventricular pressure. Necrosis was determined with triphenyltetrazolium. In the absence of preconditioning, young and aged adult hearts made globally ischemic for 45 min developed necrosis involving 53±6% and 49±6% of the myocardium, respectively. Contractile function (+dP/dtmax) at 90 min of reperfusion was depressed by 80% in young and 52% in aged hearts, compared to values obtained prior to preconditioning. Preconditioning with two 5 min ischemia/5 min reperfusion cycles significantly reduced necrosis development and enhanced reperfusion contractile function in young hearts. However, in aged adult hearts, the preconditioning did not significantly reduce the development of necrosis or enhance reperfusion contractile function. These data suggest that aging reduces the effectiveness of preconditioning in providing cardioprotection against ischemic-induced myocardial necrosis.
Material Resource Planning (MRP): Will You Need MRP without the Customer?

The objective of this paper is to introduce a new philosophy that when integrated with existing methodologies, will improve customer service within the manufacturing sector. This paper intends to provide the reader with an understanding that the entire operation has to be involved and collectively focused in order to continuously exceed customer expectations. Short falls of existing systems will be examined with a key focus on the importance of not tying all expectations on MRP, a historical algorithmic electronic scheduling system.
Spheronization of Theophylline-Avicel Combinations Using a Fluidized-Bed Rotogranulation Technique

AbstractA tangential-spray rotary fluidized-bed granulator was used to test the spheronization potential of microcrystalline cellulose in a process using anhydrous theophylline as a model drug. Three grades of theophylline and three grades of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were used together to form spherical pellets in drug potencies up to 90%. Water was used as the granulating agent. The purpose of the investigation was to identify differences between raw materials in the formation of spheres and the effects of increasing levels of drug loading on pellet quality. The materials were judged by their ability to spheronize, while the pellets themselves were characterized by size, density, friability, flowability, drug content, and shape. There were marked differences in the ability of some combinations to form spheres. A qualitative scale of spheronization potential describes the ability of the process to go to completion without rescue. The potential for spheronization of binary systems using anhydrous t...
Active tuberculosis limited to foreign-born patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Active tuberculosis limited to foreign-born patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Molecular analysis of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and its role in the syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess

Abstract The syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME) is an inherited form of hypertension in which 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-HSD) is defective. This enzyme converts cortisol to its inactive metabolite, cortisone. The deficiency allows mineralocorticoid receptors to be occupied by cortisol, because these receptors themselves have similar affinities for cortisol and aldosterone. There are two isozymes of 11-HSD, a liver (L) or type 1 isozyme with a relatively low affinity for steroids, and a kidney (K) or type 2 isozyme with high steroid affinity. Mutations in the gene for the kidney isozyme of 11-HSD have been detected in all kindreds with AME. We expressed enzymes carrying all known missense mutations in cultured cells and determined their activity. For each patient with AME, we compared the enzymatic activity predicted by the genotype with the ratio of cortisol to cortisone metabolites in the urine, (THF + aTHF) THE . These were strongly correlated, suggesting that the biochemical phenotype of AME is largely determined by genotype. The K isozyme of 11-HSD is also expressed in high levels in the placenta, where its function is unclear. AME patients often have low birth weight. By analogy with AME, low placental 11-HSD K activity in humans might be a risk factor for low birth weight and subsequent hypertension. However, we found that there was no significant correlation between 11-HSD activity, mRNA levels, and either fetal or placental weight.
Anorexia Nervosa Outcome: Six-Year Controlled Longitudinal Study of 51 Cases Including a Population Cohort

ABSTRACT Objective Controlled study of intermediate term outcome of representative cases with adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa. Method A group of 51 cases with anorexia nervosa with a mean age of reported onset of 14.3 years (including total population of cases from one birth cohort) were compared with a sex-, age-, and school-matched group of 51 comparison subjects on various measures of outcome at a mean age of 21.0 years (6.7 years after reported onset and 4.9 years after the original diagnostic study). There was no attrition. This paper reports on results obtained using the Morgan-Russell scales. Results Forty-seven percent of the anorexia nervosa cases reported that they were recovered. the unrecovered group all aspects of outcome were worse in the anorexia nervosa than in the comparison group. Differences between the two groups were particularly pronounced with regard to aspects of social relationships. Conclusions Outcome was fairly similar to that reported in recent clinic-based samples. Poor outcome was associated with the presence of empathy deficits (problems understanding about other people's perspectives and difficulties interacting reciprocally). There is a need to find ways of subgrouping anorexia nervosa cases at onset. The subgroup with empathy deficits warrants more intensive study in future research and clinical practice.
Notung: dating gene duplications using gene family trees

Large scale gene duplication is a major force driving the evolution of genetic functional innovation. Whole genome duplications are widely believed to have played an important role in the evolution of the maize, yeast and vertebrate genomes. The use of evolutionary trees to analyze the history of gene duplication and estimate duplication times provides a powerful tool for studying this process. Many studies in the molecular evolution literature have used this approach on small data sets, using analyses performed by hand. The rapid growth of genetic sequence data will soon allow similar studies on a genomic scale but such studies will be limited unless the analysis can be automated. Even existing data sets admit alternative hypotheses that would be too tedious to consider without automation.In this paper, we describe a toolbox called NOTUNG that facilitates large scale analysis, using both rooted and unrooted trees. When tested on trees analyzed in the literature, NOTUNG consistently yielded result that agree with the assessments in the original publications. Thus, NOTUNG provides a basic building block for inferring duplication dates from gene trees automatically and can also be used as an exploratory analysis tool for evaluating alternative hypotheses.
Seasonal rank changes for adolescent and subadult natal males in a free-ranging group of rhesus monkeys

Changes in dominance rank for adolescent and subadult natal males in a semi-free-ranging rhesus macaque group were seasonal. Three 4-year-old natal males of the highest-ranking matriline occupied high ranks in the adult male dominance hierarchy during the premating period. In the mating season they dropped in rank, and this decrement was related to a concomitant drop in their alliances. After the mating season, these males rose in rank along with their two 3-year-old kin to occupy ranks 2–5 and 7–8 in the adult male dominance hierarchy. Three-year-old natal males of matrilines lower ranking than first did not become integrated into the hierarchy at this time.
The JPL/NASA Mars Pathfinder Mission as an engineering outreach program

Summary form only given. Educational outreach programs have become an important objective for many public organizations. These programs have been developed to educate the public, particularly High School students, about their organizations. NASA has been one of the strongest direct supporters on these programs through their Space Grant Consortium Grants and many fellowship programs. In addition to the large centrally coordinated outreach programs, NASA is also encouraging all individual research centers, such as the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), to operate outreach programs for each project. This paper looks at the outreach program in the School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology for the Mars Pathfinder Mission that has been in operation since May of 1994 and how it effects Aerospace Engineering. The main objective of the project is to instruct K-12 students in the Atlanta area about Aerospace Engineering and the JPL/NASA Pathfinder Project. A multimedia program has been developed, called SpaceGuide. The original goal of SpaceGuide was to liven up the seminars on the Mars Mission with sound, animations, and computer simulations. A second goal of the multimedia program was to leave something in the schools as a permanent source of information about the Mars Mission.
Predation on emergent lake trout fry in Lake Champlain

ABSTRACT The rehabilitation of extirpated lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain has been hindered by various biological and physiological impediments. Efforts to restore a lake trout fishery to Lake Champlain include hatchery stocking and sea lamprey control. Despite these management actions, there is little evidence of recruitment of naturally-produced fish in annual fall assessments. Spawning occurs at multiple sites lake-wide in Lake Champlain, with extremely high egg and fry densities, yet sampling for juvenile lake trout has only yielded fin-clipped fish. To investigate this recruitment bottleneck, we assessed predation pressure by epi-benthic fish on emergent fry on two spawning reefs and the subsequent survival and dispersal of fry in potential nursery areas. Epi-benthic predators were sampled with 2-h gillnet sets at two small, shallow sites in Lake Champlain throughout the 24-h cycle, with an emphasis on dusk and dawn hours. In total, we documented seven differen...
Decision making and technology transfer

Summary form only as given. Economic issues involving technological progress and the international transfer of technology are increasingly important. However, research in this area is hampered by a scarcity of theoretical and empirical analysis, especially on decision making processes. This paper examines reported experiences, proposes a research classification, and provides recommendations and criteria for development of a future model.
Time-Temperature Superposition in Two-Phase Polyblends

The temperature dependence of the mechanical properties of a 50/50 blend of PVAC and lightly crosslinked PMMA has been examined using the data of Kawai et al. The shift distances, log aT, were generated by bringing the experimental data into coincidence on master curves calculated from a Takayanagi model whose parameters were varied in different regions of temperature. This method allows one to construct a master curve for a thermorheologically complex two-phase material if the model and the mechanical properties of the constituent phases and their temperature dependence is known. The shift distances then provide insight into the intricate relations between the time and temperature dependence of the mechanical properties of the composite.
Understanding the Power of Perinatal Events and Metabolic Status in Childhood

See related article, p 1326–1332 Over the past 25 years, the concept that perinatal events influence an individual’s later health and susceptibility to disease has gained traction. After original observations by Barker et al,1 epidemiological studies have identified a link between markers such as lower birth weight and placental weight with later cardiovascular, metabolic, and other diseases. The theory of fetal programming in response to the intrauterine environment has been supported by a body of elegant experimental investigations in animals. However, findings from clinical investigations in humans have not always been consistent, and other factors such as weight gain trajectories and various environmental exposures, such as diet, stress, and lifestyle behaviors, also influence later health. Moreover, prospective studies in humans that begin in the neonatal or even perinatal period are limited. Ethical limitations in the conduct of clinical research in newborn infants and young children are obvious, and creative approaches are needed to prospectively investigate the birth weight hypothesis. In this issue of Hypertension , Lurbe et al2 report on a study that provides new insights on childhood origins of chronic disease. The authors enrolled a sample of healthy newborn infants. All enrolled infants were born at term after uncomplicated pregnancies. The investigators stratified infants according to birth weight (small [SGA], appropriate [AGA], or large for gestational age [LGA]). Blood pressure (BP) was measured at 2 days of age. The infants were then re-examined at 6 months, 2 years, and 5 years. At each study visit, BP and growth parameters were obtained. At age 5 years, a blood sample was obtained for measurement of metabolic parameters. Despite the relatively small sample size (n=139) of the study, the results are very interesting. At birth, …
Overexpression of Copper-Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Attenuates Acute Activation of Activator Protein-1 After Transient Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Mice

Background and Purpose —Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in reperfusion injury after focal cerebral ischemia (FCI). ROS are known to regulate the activity of transcription factors such as activator protein-1 (AP-1), which is a dimer consisting of members of the Jun and Fos families. We investigated the role of ROS in AP-1 activity after FCI using transgenic mice that overexpressed copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and that had reduced infarction volume after FCI. Methods —The SOD1 transgenic mice and their wild-type littermates were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion by intraluminal suture blockade. After 60 minutes of middle cerebral artery occlusion, mice were allowed to recover for 1, 2, and 4 hours before euthanasia. Protein expression of c-Jun and c-Fos was examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. AP-1 DNA-protein binding activity was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Results —In wild-type mice, immunohistochemistry demonstrated acute c-Jun and c-Fos activation in ischemic cortex and its outer boundary. Expression of both was reduced in SOD1 transgenic mice. Western blotting confirmed that SOD1 overexpression was associated with reduced c-Jun and c-Fos protein levels in ischemic brain. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that the ischemia-enhanced DNA binding activity observed in wild-type mice was reduced in SOD1 transgenic mice. Supershift assays indicated that c-Jun participated in the bound AP-1 complex. Conclusions —SOD1 overexpression prevents early activation of AP-1 after transient FCI in mice. This may block the expression of downstream target genes that are injurious, thereby reducing the infarction volume after transient FCI in mice.
Evaluation of compact range using a diagonal flat plate

The authors present a method which uses a diagonal flat plate to develop a stray signal criterion based on a tolerable RCS (radar cross section) measurement error. The scattered cross section of a 1.25 ft by 1.25 ft diagonal flat plate has been measured in a compact range with a blended rolled-edge reflector and with a knife-edge reflector. The measured RCS pattern of the plate at 6 GHz is shown, with the ideal plate RCS pattern plotted for comparison. The stray signal from one of the junctions between the rolled edge and the parabolic section is about 6.2 degrees from the axis of the plate. As a result, there should be an error in the plate RCS pattern at approximately=3.1 degrees . It is found that this error is about 0.88 dB for the blended rolled-edge reflector. The knife edge of the modified reflector is located about 12 degrees from the plate axis and, as a result, there is a significant error (5.17 dB) in the plate RCS pattern at theta =6 degrees . >
R&D and Productivity: Estimating Endogenous Productivity

We develop a model of endogenous productivity change to examine the impact of the investment in knowledge on the productivity of firms. Our dynamic investment model extends the tradition of the knowledge capital model of Griliches (1979) that has remained a cornerstone of the productivity literature. Rather than constructing a stock of knowledge capital from a firm’s observed R&D expenditures, we consider productivity to be unobservable to the econometrician. Our approach accounts for uncertainty, nonlinearity, and heterogeneity across firms in the link between R&D and productivity. We also derive a novel estimator for production functions in this setting. Using an unbalanced panel of more than 1800 Spanish manufacturing firms in nine industries during the 1990s, we provide evidence of nonlinearities as well as economically significant uncertainties in the R&D process. R&D expenditures play a key role in determining the differences in productivity across firms and the evolution of firm-level productivity over time.
Design of an opposing pair magnet system for ASTROMAG

A magnet system comprising a pair of self-supporting disk-shaped coils has been designed for the ASTROMAG facility on the space station Freedom. The coils are connected in a quadrupole configuration in order to eliminate their dipole moment. One of the primary requirements of this design is that the magnet coils must have near-perfect structural integrity. To this end, each coil would be manufactured as a monolithic composite in which the superconducting wire is incorporated as one of the components. By utilizing a precision X-Y numerically controlled wiring machine, the coil can be built up in pancake layers by alternating prepreg sheets of fiber/epoxy (e.g. carbon or Kevlar fiber) with a layer of NbTi wire that spirals from OD to ID in one layer, from ID to OD in the next. and so on. Each disk magnet will have an ID of 0.4 m and an OD of 1.7 m. The peak field at the winding will be 7.2 T. The system is to operate at 1.8 K. and I/sub op//I/sub c/=0.5. Results of magnetic field and force calculations are presented, and the structural characteristics of the system are described.
Stages of the Recruitment Process and the Referrer's Performance Effect

Although the existing theory predicts that a referral's chances of being hired increase with the job performance of the referrer, no empirical evidence is available to support this claim. To address this discrepancy, we decompose the recruitment process into objective selection, subjective selection, and self-selection and theorize that the likelihood of passing a particular recruitment stage increases with the performance of the referrer under objective selection and self-selection, but remains undetermined at a stage of subjective selection. Our analysis of unique comprehensive data on online recruitment of sales agents in a virtual call center supports these arguments. The effectiveness of personnel as a recruitment channel varies with the type of the recruitment stage and performance of the referrer. When the firm evaluates candidates by an objective criterion, the advantage of a referral increases with the performance of his or her referrer; those referred by relatively high-performing workers are significantly better than the applicants who learned about the job from Internet ads. When job candidates self-select into the next stage of the online application process, the referral of any agent is more likely to continue than a nonreferral, and this likelihood increases with the performance of the referrer. On a subjective stage, the outcome is contingent on the intricacies of the recruitment process. In our case, an applicant's chances of being hired increase with the performance of his or her referrer because the firm rejects the referrals of low-performing workers at a higher rate than it does nonreferrals, while it treats equally the referrals of high-performing workers and nonreferrals. The study's contributions to the literature on social networks in labor markets are discussed.
Network characteristics: modelling, measurements, and admission control

Round trip delays constitute the basic network measure that can be obtained by end systems without any network support. Our aim is to design measurement-based admission control strategies for streaming applications based on such minimal feedback on network state. To this end we discuss simple statistical models of packet round trip delays accross either local or wide area networks. We observe that the delay component due to queueing scales like the reciprocal of the spare capacity, at least in a 'heavy traffic' regime where spare capacity is scarce. Our models also allow to capture the correlations between consecutive measurements. Based on these results we propose a two-stage strategy for inferring spare capacity along a network path. We show consistency of this estimate, and analyse its asymptotic variance when the number of samples becomes large. We have experimented these strategies in a local network environment. We observe a good match between theory and practice for switched Ethernets. Surprisingly, the match deteriorates only slightly when the network path comprises hubs, although the theoretical models seem to be less applicable to such technology.
Shear-induced hemolysis with commercial and glow discharge silicones.

The hemolytic characteristics of 14 different polydimethyl-siloxane materials were studied, using a rotating disk device to shear whole human blood for 6000 sec. Disk surfaces included commercial Silastic products with and without silica filler, coatings formed from hexa-methyl and tetra-methyl disiloxane monomer vapors by glow discharge, and heparinized silicones. Results are presented in the form of kinetic hemolysis curves (KHC)–plots of plasma hemoglobin vs. time–and analyzed in terms of the slopes of these curves in the 1500–6000 sec region where the KHC is nearly linear.It was found that most silicone products are low-hemolysis materials, comparable to polyethylene (PE) but often about 20% less hemolytic; one product was superior by about 40%. The only consistent exceptions to this were the glow discharge surfaces from HEXA-methyl disiloxane (15–80% poorer than PE) and heparinized surfaces (70–280% more hemolytic than PE).
Research note: Estimating maternal deaths averted: A field-based methodology

Tracking progress in the reduction of maternal deaths in developing countries is of great interest at both the national and international levels (e.g. as one of the Millennium Development Goals). To date there have been two approaches to tracking progress: by measuring or estimating maternal mortality ratios (MMRs an “impact” indicator); and by measuring activities designed to avert maternal deaths (“process” indicators) such as proportion of births attended by a skilled person and the availability and use of emergency obstetric care (EmOC). Both of these approaches have their shortcomings. Maternal mortality ratios generally cannot be used to measure change over short periods of time (e.g. 5 years) and wide confidence intervals may make it impossible to say whether a change has actually occurred. Moreover it is difficult to use MMR data to target activities or to link changes in MMR to program activities. As for process indicators while they are helpful in targeting interventions and can show change in a short period of time they do not satisfy the desire to demonstrate progress in terms of reductions in deaths. (excerpt)
Systematic and site-specific analysis of N-sialoglycosylated proteins on the cell surface by integrating click chemistry and MS-based proteomics

Glycoproteins on the cell surface are ubiquitous and essential for cells to interact with the extracellular matrix, communicate with other cells, and respond to environmental cues. Although surface sialoglycoproteins can dramatically impact cell properties and represent different cellular statuses, global and site-specific analysis of sialoglycoproteins only on the cell surface is extraordinarily challenging. An effective method integrating metabolic labeling, copper-free click chemistry and mass spectrometry-based proteomics was developed to globally and site-specifically analyze surface N-sialoglycoproteins. Surface sialoglycoproteins metabolically labeled with a functional group were specifically tagged through copper-free click chemistry, which is ideal because it is quick, specific and occurs under physiological conditions. Sequentially tagged sialoglycoproteins were enriched for site-specific identification by mass spectrometry. Systematic and quantitative analysis of the surface N-sialoglycoproteome in cancer cells with distinctive invasiveness demonstrated many N-sialoglycoproteins up-regulated in invasive cells, the majority of which contained cell adhesion-related domains. This method is very effective to globally and site-specifically analyze N-sialoglycoproteins on the cell surface, and will have extensive applications in the biological and biomedical research communities. Site-specific information regarding surface sialoglycoproteins can serve as biomarkers for disease detection, targets for vaccine development and drug treatment.
Cigarette Advertising and Consumption in the United States: 1961–1990

This article examines the relationship of aggregate advertising expenditure on cigarette consumption in the United States from 1961 to 1990. The study uses quarterly data in a stepwise regression analysis to determine the relationship of advertising to consumption. The findings and conclusions provide implications for public policy issues related to tobacco advertising.
Writing to Promote Health and Safety Behaviors in Occupational Settings

Occupational health and safety materials prepared by government and private industry are intended to produce desirable behavioral practices in the workplace, but their authors often lack training i...
Asymptotic interference alignment for exact repair in distributed storage systems

In this paper, we consider a distributed storage system where a file of size M is stored in n distributed storage nodes using an (n, k) systematic maximum distance separable (MDS) code. The (n, k) MDS code can protect the storage system from data loss in in case of failure (erasure) of storage nodes, as long as the number of failures is smaller than or equal to (n-k), because of the MDS property of the code. The problem of interest of this paper is to repair failed nodes in the storage system, by replacing them by their replicas (exact repair), as efficiently as possible, i.e., by downloading the minimum possible amount of data from the surviving nodes. Recently, the problem, termed as the exact repair bandwidth problem, has been solved for the special case of r = 1 failure using the asymptotic interference alignment scheme developed by Cadambe and Jafar in the context of the wireless interference channel. In this paper, we extend this result to find the minimum repair bandwidth for the more general case of r > 1 failures, as long as the number of failures r is smaller than (n - k) - the maximum number of failures that can be tolerated by the system.
Handling stress increases expression of male sexual behaviour in an amphibian with an explosive mating strategy

Exposure to stressors typically suppresses reproductive processes, including the expression of sexual behaviour. However, many animal species breed in extreme conditions where opportunities to mate in a given season are limited. In such species, stress-induced suppression of reproduction would be maladaptive, especially if they also have short lifespans. Species with longer lifespans, but still limited mating opportunities in a given season, may be able to withstand a few missed breeding opportunities. We tested whether capture and handling would suppress male sexual behaviour in spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum), a species with an explosive mating strategy but a relatively long lifespan. Males were captured as they migrated to breeding sites and were handled in a manner known to induce an increase in plasma corticosterone, a component of the stress response. Thirty min later, each male was paired with a freshly captured female for 60 min. Handled males deposited significantly more spermatophores than did control males. The mechanism for the increased sexual behaviour is unknown but may involve handling-induced changes in stress hormones or reproductive hormones. Regardless of the mechanism whereby handling increased male sexual behaviour, our results support the hypothesis that stressors do not suppress male mating behaviour in a long-lived species with limited opportunities to mate.
Taxonomic revision of the tarantula genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae) within the United States

This systematic study documents the taxonomy, diversity, and distribution of the tarantula spider genus Aphonopelma Pocock, 1901 within the United States. By employing phylogenomic, morphological, and geospatial data, we evaluated all 55 nominal species in the United States to examine the evolutionary history of Aphonopelma and the group's taxonomy by implementing an integrative approach to species delimitation. Based on our analyses, we now recognize only 29 distinct species in the United States. We propose 33 new synonymies (Aphonopelma apacheum, Aphonopelma minchi, Aphonopelma rothi, Aphonopelma schmidti, Aphonopelma stahnkei = Aphonopelma chalcodes; Aphonopelma arnoldi = Aphonopelma armada; Aphonopelma behlei, Aphonopelma vogelae = Aphonopelma marxi; Aphonopelma breenei = Aphonopelma anax; Aphonopelma chambersi, Aphonopelma clarum, Aphonopelma cryptethum, Aphonopelma sandersoni, Aphonopelma sullivani = Aphonopelma eutylenum; Aphonopelma clarki, Aphonopelma coloradanum, Aphonopelma echinum, Aphonopelma gurleyi, Aphonopelma harlingenum, Aphonopelma odelli, Aphonopelma waconum, Aphonopelma wichitanum = Aphonopelma hentzi; Aphonopelma heterops = Aphonopelma moderatum; Aphonopelma jungi, Aphonopelma punzoi = Aphonopelma vorhiesi; Aphonopelma brunnius, Aphonopelma chamberlini, Aphonopelma iviei, Aphonopelma lithodomum, Aphonopelma smithi, Aphonopelma zionis = Aphonopelma iodius; Aphonopelma phanum, Aphonopelma reversum = Aphonopelma steindachneri), 14 new species (Aphonopelma atomicum sp. n., Aphonopelma catalina sp. n., Aphonopelma chiricahua sp. n., Aphonopelma icenoglei sp. n., Aphonopelma johnnycashi sp. n., Aphonopelma madera sp. n., Aphonopelma mareki sp. n., Aphonopelma moellendorfi sp. n., Aphonopelma parvum sp. n., Aphonopelma peloncillo sp. n., Aphonopelma prenticei sp. n., Aphonopelma saguaro sp. n., Aphonopelma superstitionense sp. n., and Aphonopelma xwalxwal sp. n.), and seven nomina dubia (Aphonopelma baergi, Aphonopelma cratium, Aphonopelma hollyi, Aphonopelma mordax, Aphonopelma radinum, Aphonopelma rusticum, Aphonopelma texense). Our proposed species tree based on Anchored Enrichment data delimits five major lineages: a monotypic group confined to California, a western group, an eastern group, a group primarily distributed in high-elevation areas, and a group that comprises several miniaturized species. Multiple species are distributed throughout two biodiversity hotspots in the United States (i.e., California Floristic Province and Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands). Keys are provided for identification of both males and females. By conducting the most comprehensive sampling of a single theraphosid genus to date, this research significantly broadens the scope of prior molecular and morphological investigations, finally bringing a modern understanding of species delimitation in this dynamic and charismatic group of spiders.