cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Symptoms of Depression in Survivors of Severe Sepsis: A Prospective Cohort Study of Older Americans

Objectives To examine if incident severe sepsis is associated with increased risk of subsequent depressive symptoms and to assess which patient characteristics are associated with increased risk of depressive symptoms. Design Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Setting Population-based cohort of older U.S. adults interviewed as part of the Health and Retirement Study (1998–2006). Participants A total of 439 patients who survived 471 hospitalizations for severe sepsis and completed at least one follow-up interview. Measurements Depressive symptoms were assessed with a modified version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Severe sepsis was identified using a validated algorithm in Medicare claims. Results The point prevalence of substantial depressive symptoms was 28% at a median of 1.2 years before sepsis, and remained 28% at a median of 0.9 years after sepsis. Neither incident severe sepsis (relative risk [RR]: 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73, 1.34) nor severe sepsis–related clinical characteristics were significantly associated with subsequent depressive symptoms. These results were robust to potential threats from missing data or alternative outcome definitions. After adjustment, presepsis substantial depressive symptoms (RR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.66, 2.90) and worse postsepsis functional impairment (RR: 1.08 per new limitation; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.13) were independently associated with substantial depressive symptoms after sepsis. Conclusions The prevalence of substantial depressive symptoms in severe sepsis survivors is high but is not increased relative to their presepsis levels. Identifying this large subset of severe sepsis survivors at increased risk for major depression, and beginning interventions before hospital discharge, may improve outcomes.
A technique to generate straight through thickness surface cracks and its application to studying dislocation nucleation in Si

Abstract A new technique, indentation-scratch, is developed to generate high quality, cleavage surface precracks in brittle materials. An indentation roller equipped with weight attachment rolls across the specimen surfaces to generate precracks in four-point bending specimens. The residual stresses induced during indentation are effectively eliminated by mechanically grinding away the inelastically deformed surface layer. The intrinsic fracture toughness measured by the present method is in good agreement with the data in the literature. The dislocation nucleation condition, associated with the onset of the increase of subsequent room temperature fracture toughness following high-temperature prestressing at 500°C, is determined.
miR-7-1 POTENTIATED ESTROGEN RECEPTOR AGONISTS FOR FUNCTIONAL NEUROPROTECTION IN VSC4.1 MOTONEURONS

Protection of motoneurons is an important goal in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). We tested whether neuroprotective microRNAs (miRs) like miR-206, miR-17, miR-21, miR-7-1, and miR-106a could enhance efficacy of estrogen receptor (ER) agonists such as 1,3,5-tris (4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-propyl-1H-pyrazole (PPT, ERα agonist), Way200070 (WAY, ERβ agonist), and estrogen (EST, ERα and ERβ agonist) in preventing apoptosis in the calcium ionophore (CI)-insulted ventral spinal cord 4.1 (VSC4.1) motoneurons. We determined that 200 nM CI induced 70% cell death. Treatment with 50 nM PPT, 100 nM WAY, and 150 nM EST induced overexpression of ERα, ERβ, and both receptors, respectively, at mRNA and protein levels. Treatment with ER agonists significantly upregulated miR-206, miR-17, and miR-7-1 in the CI-insulted VSC4.1 motoneurons. Transfection with miR-206, miR-17, or miR-7-1 mimic potentiated WAY or EST to inhibit apoptosis in the CI-insulted VSC4.1 motoneurons. Overexpression of miR-7-1 maximally increased efficacy of WAY and EST for down regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax and upregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. A search using microRNA database (miRDB) indicated that miR-7-1 could inhibit the expression of L-type Ca(2+) channel protein alpha 1C (CPα1C). miR-7-1 overexpression and WAY or EST treatment down regulated CPα1C but upregulated p-Akt to trigger cell survival signaling. The same therapeutic strategy increased expression of the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II beta (CaMKIIβ) and the phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB) so as to promote Bcl-2 transcription. Whole cell membrane potential and mitochondrial membrane potential studies indicated that miR-7-1 highly potentiated EST to preserve functionality in the CI-insulted VSC4.1 motoneurons. In conclusion, our data indicated that miR-7-1 most significantly potentiated efficacy of EST for functional neuroprotection and this therapeutic strategy could be used in the future to attenuate apoptosis of motoneurons in SCI.
Trace Gas Detection Utilizing Optical Spectroscopy of Microresonant Cavities

Trace gas detection is attempted by using spherical and disk-shaped microresonant optical cavities. Several different experimental configurations were examined: waveguide and disk, waveguide and sphere, and etched fiber and sphere. The etched fiber and sphere setup proved to be the simplest to align and couple significant amounts of input radiation into the resonant modes of the cavity. A 300 micron sphere coupled to a tapered bare optical fiber created a microresonant mode with a freespectral range of 1.25nm, a bandwidth of 700 MHz, and an optical Q factor of 3x10. Cavity ringdown measurements were also attempted near 1516.3nm.
Cannabis: Evolution and Ethnobotany

Robert C. Clarke and Mark D. Merlin. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2013. xv and 452 pp., maps, timeline, and index. $95.00 cloth (ISBN 9780520270480).The end of the war on weed is i...
Bags and tags: randomized response technique indicates reductions in illegal recreational fishing of red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) in Northern California

Abstract Illegal fishing has detrimental environmental and social impacts, but these effects are difficult to mitigate without reliable estimates of fisher noncompliance. This research makes a case for the use of the randomized response technique (RRT) as a tool to inform conservation policy with respect to regulatory compliance. RRT was used to generate estimates of non-compliance in the Northern California recreational red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) fishery before and after the introduction of new tagging regulations and marine protected areas (MPAs). Anonymous paper-based compliance and sociodemographic surveys were conducted with recreational fishers in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties in August of 2007 and 2011. The 2011 survey found reductions in illegal take across most violation types, and since the introduction of on-animal tagging regulations the proportional daily take limit violation among local residents was found to have decreased from 72% to 43%. The results indicate higher non-compliance rates among visitors than local fishers regarding licensing laws, minimum size limits, and annual catch limits. Locals were proportionately more likely to violate the daily catch limit and the new regulations, though 85% of the fishers surveyed were aware of them. The rule-specific violation estimates RRT generates provide managers with a level of detail about non-compliant behavior that is unique, and can point to opportunities for improving managerial communication and enforcement.
The liver hemopoietic environment. I. Developing hepatocytes and their role in fetal hemopoiesis.

Mouse fetal liver was studied ultrastructurally to identify and charaterize the developing hepatic parenchyma or prehepatocyte which may be responsible for producing the liver hemopoietic enviroment. It was observed that as the liver develops, there is close association of endodermal and mesenchymal cells in the region of the septum transversum. Numerous intercellular adhesions were observed between endodermal cells and mesenchymal cells. Twenty-fours after endodermal and mesenchymal cells first intermingle, the liver extravascular space consisted of consisted of spherical hemopoietic cells dispersed among a heterogenous population of dark and light cells. The reticulum of prehepatocytes formed a three-demensional cellular network which structurally supported the hemopoietic cells residing in the liver. By 12 days of gestation, prehepatocytes were a homogenous population of dark, stellate cells joined together by numerous intercellular adhesions. Broad areas of intercellular association were noted between processes and prehepatocytes and hemopoietic cells; however, no inercellular junctions between these two disparate cell populations were observed at this or any stage in development. Characteristics reflecting a cell population capable of synthesis and secretion of proteinaceous substances, namely, dilated Golgi apparati, increased numbers of polyribsomes and profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), two types of vacuoles and/or vesicles, and intercellular microvillus-lined spaces, were observed in the prehepatocytes between 12 and 17 days gestation. By day 17 of gestation, glycogen accumulation, biliary channel development, appearance of a subendothelial microvillus surface, nuclear shape and chromatin pattern, and arrangement of cytoplasmic organelles reflected the maturation of prehepatocytes into hepatocytes, the adult liver parenchyma.
Association of Hepatitis C Virus Seropositivity With Inflammatory Markers and Heart Failure in Persons With Coronary Heart Disease: Data From the Heart and Soul Study

Background How hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and outcomes is largely unknown.
Hierarchical models of intra-specific competition: scramble versus contest

Hierarchical structured models for scramble and contest intraspecific competition are derived. The dynamical consequences of the two modes of competition are studied under the assumption that both populations divide up the same amount of a limiting resource at equal population levels. A comparison of equilibrium levels and their resiliences is made in order to determine which mode of competition is more advantageous. It is found that the concavity of the resource uptake rate is an important determining factor. Under certain circumstances contest competition is more advantageous for a population while under other circumstances scramble competition is more advantageous.
Warm ischemia time does not correlate with recipient graft function in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy

Background: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has been shown to be a safe and effective option for renal procurement. Studies comparing open nephrectomy and hand-assisted laparoscopy have emphasized decreased warm ischemia time when compared with “pure” laparoscopic retrieval. However, no data exist that define exactly what constitutes a prolonged warm ischemia time in terms of recipient graft function. The aim of this study was to use a large, single-institution experience with LDN to determine if warm ischemia time correlates with recipient graft function as measured by serum creatinine levels. Methods: A total of 640 LDNs were performed from March 1996 to August 2001. Warm ischemia times were prospectively collected and were defined as the time from renal artery occlusion to immersion in iced saline. Serial recipient creatinine levels were measured at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (when possible) from the transplant. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis at a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Mean warm ischemia time was 151 s with a standard error of 3.4 s and ranged from 35 to 720 s. Recipient creatinine mean at 1 week was 1.94 mg/dl with a standard error of 0.06 mg/dl and ranged from 0.5 to 10.5 mg/dl. Recipient creatinine mean at 1 month was 1.68 mg/dl with a standard error of 0.06 mg/dl and ranged from 0.6 to 8.5 mg/dl. Recipient creatinine mean at 3 months was 1.60 mg/dl with a standard error of 0.04 mg/dl and ranged from 0.6 to 8.8 mg/dl. Recipient creatinine mean at 6 months was 1.63 mg/dl with a standard error of 0.06 mg/dl and ranged from 0.7 to 13.5 mg/dl. Recipient creatinine mean at 12 months was 1.70 mg/dl with a standard error of 0.07 mg/dl and ranged from 0.5 to 14.5 mg/dl. No correlation was found between warm ischemia time and recipient creatinine levels at 1 week (p = 0.4737), 1 month (p = 0.9180), 3 months (p = 0.6227), 6 months (p = 0.8349), or 12 months (p = 0.2835). Conclusions: Warm ischemia time does not correlate with recipient graft function in LDN within the range of times studied. Shorter warm ischemia time associated with open donor nephrectomy and hand-assisted LDN does not necessarily offer a measurable advantage in recipient graft function. During extraction of the kidney, expediency to minimize warm ischemia time should not supersede controlled and safe maneuvers in renal vessel division and extraction of the kidney.
The effects of stress on the submaxillary glands of young adult male rats. Selected histochemical observations.

Abstract Twenty-seven young adult male rats were injected intra-muscularly with 0.5 ml turpentine per day and sacrificed immediately after injection, and 1, 3, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hr after the start of the injections. The adrenal glands were examined histologically for evidence of stress. The submaxillary glands were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, the periodic acid-Schiff technique with 2-hour and 18-hour malt diastase digestion, the methyl green-pyronin method with ribonuclease digestion and the calcium-cobalt technique for alkaline phosphatase. During the alarm reaction the submaxillary glands showed a decrease in RNA, a decrease in the granularity of the acini, a decrease in interacinar connective tissue and an increase in granularity of the duct cells. The ducts stained more PAS-positive than the acini. A highly insoluble, heat-resistant, diastase-fast, PAS-positive material was present in the duct cells. During the stage of resistance, the duct cells showed a decrease in granules with little acinar change. No observable difference in alkaline phosphatase activity was noted.
Fractionation and characterization of the macromolecular meaty flavor enhancer from beef meat extract

: Macromolecular meaty flavor enhancer was fractionated from a commercial beef extract. The macromolecular fraction was obtained by dialysis and separated by anion-exchange chromatography, Cu2+-chelate chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. Two fractions were isolated as active meaty flavor enhancers. To elucidate the partial structures, the active fractions were treated with endoprotease Glu-C followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation of the peptide fragments. Determinations of the amino acid compositions and amino acid sequences of the isolated fragments showed that the 2 active fractions consisted of collagen and tropomyosin. The macromolecular material obtained from heated collagen and tro-pomyosin in the low-molecular-weight fraction of beef soup stock enhanced the meaty flavor. These results suggested that collagen and tropomyosin were precursors of the macromolecular meaty flavor enhancer.
The usefulness of a prenatal genetic questionnaire in genetic risk assessment

Objective To evaluate a prenatal questionnaire as a genetic screen and as an aid in pre-amniocentesis genetic risk assessment. Methods In a retrospective cohort study, charts were reviewed for 158 consecutive women of advanced maternal age referred for genetic counseling. Genetic risks identified by use of a questionnaire completed by 79 consecutive patients were compared with those risks identified by the referring physician, those identified during subsequent three-generation pedigree analysis, and to genetic risks identified by pedigree evaluation of 79 consecutive individuals who underwent genetic counseling without the aid of a questionnaire (controls). Results Sixteen (20%) of the questionnaires revealed a previously unidentified genetic risk. The sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire were determined to be 40.0 and 97.4%, respectively. Pedigree analysis alone (control group) identified significantly more at-risk pedigrees than did the questionnaire alone (34 versus 20%, P P n = 24) underwent additional testing on the basis of genetic risk assessment. There was no difference between the study and control groups in additional evaluations performed ( P = 1.0). Conclusion A three-generation pedigree is superior to a questionnaire in genetic risk assessment. The questionnaire was not sufficiently sensitive to serve independently as an adequate genetic screen or risk assessment tool and did not influence subsequent fetal evaluation. Assessment of the sensitivity and specificity of prenatal genetic questionnaires should be undertaken before their routine clinical use.
Progesterone Withdrawal Reduces Paired-Pulse Inhibition in Rat Hippocampus: Dependence on GABAA Receptor α4 Subunit Upregulation

Withdrawal from the endogenous steroid progesterone (P) after chronic administration increases anxiety and seizure susceptibility via declining levels of its potent GABA-modulatory metabolite 3α-OH...
Parameter estimation in X-ray astronomy using maximum likelihood

Methods of estimation of parameter values and confidence regions by maximum likelihood and Fisher efficient scores starting from Poisson probabilities are developed for the nonlinear spectral functions commonly encountered in X-ray astronomy. It is argued that these methods offer significant advantages over the commonly used alternatives called minimum chi-squared because they rely on less pervasive statistical approximations and so may be expected to remain valid for data of poorer quality. Extensive numerical simulations of the maximum likelihood method are reported which verify that the best-fit parameter value and confidence region calculations are correct over a wide range of input spectra.
Empiric Dilation in Non-obstructive Dysphagia

Aims To study practice patterns in the management of non-obstructive dysphagia among U.S. gastroenterologists. Data source Endoscopic data repository from 100 U.S. gastroenterology practices during 1998–2003 (Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative, CORI). Methods All initial esophago-gastro-duodenoscopies (EGDs) performed in adult patients between 1998 and 2003 (n = 181,261) were evaluated for demographic data, endoscopic findings, and the occurrence of esophageal dilation. A case population of 7256 patients receiving empiric dilation for dysphagia for non-obstructive dysphagia was compared to a control population of 5764 patients with dilation for peptic strictures. Results The group of patients with empiric dilation was younger than the group of patients with peptic strictures and contained more women. Reflux symptoms and erosive esophagitis were less frequent in the empiric dilation group than in the strictures group. Empiric dilations were mostly performed using rubber bougies, whereas strictures were most frequently dilated over a guidewire. For all types of dilators, the diameters were significantly larger in empiric than stricture dilation. Repeat dilations within 1 year after the initial procedure occurred in 4% of the empiric and 13% of the stricture dilations. Conclusions Compared with the dilation of peptic strictures, empiric dilation of non-obstructive dysphagia is a more common clinical practice that is performed in a different patient population and utilizes different techniques.
RNA binding proteins in epilepsy

RNA binding proteins are involved in a diverse array of biological functions including mRNA transport, splicing, localization, stability and translation. Jerky is an RNA binding protein, complexed with mRNAs in neurons, that regulates mRNA utilization and consequently translation. The mouse line defective in the jerky gene shows recurrent seizures; a hallmark of epilepsy. Lack of FMRP (Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein), another RNA binding protein involved in mRNA processing and translation, also results in seizures in mice. This finding is consistent with the high incidence of epilepsy in fragile X syndrome. These two mutant mice are examples of a seizure condition elicited by a deficiency in RNA binding proteins. It is hypothesized that lack of Jerky and FMRP results in the abnormal translation of target-RNAs compromising the development and/or function of neurons. It is known that perturbation of neuronal development/function can result in recurrent seizures. The seizure phenotype of Jerky and FMRP deficient mice raises the possibility that a dysfunction in RNA binding proteins may be a more general disease mechanism in epilepsy.
Materials science: Slippery when wetted

The slick interior of the pitcher plant has inspired a slippery material possessing self-lubricating, self-cleaning and self-healing properties. The secret is to infuse a porous material with a liquid that repels oils and water. See Letter p.443 Inspired by the insect-eating Nepenthes pitcher plant, which snares its prey on a surface lubricated by a remarkably slippery aqueous secretion, Joanna Aizenberg and colleagues have synthesized omniphobic surfaces that can self-repair and function at high pressures. Their 'slippery liquid-infused porous surfaces' (or SLIPS) exhibit almost perfect slipperiness towards polar, organic and complex liquids. SLIPS function under extreme conditions, are easily constructed from inexpensive materials and can be endowed with other useful characteristics, such as enhanced optical transparency, through the selection of appropriate substrates and lubricants. Ultra-slippery surfaces of this type might find application in biomedical fluid handling, fuel transport, antifouling, anti-icing, optical imaging and elsewhere.
Diltiazem inhibits human intestinal cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) activity in vivo without altering the expression of intestinal mRNA or protein

Aims To determine the effect of diltiazem on intestinal CYP3A activity and protein and mRNA expression in vivo in healthy subjects. Methods Intestinal biopsies were obtained from ten healthy controls and from ten healthy subjects after receiving diltiazem 120 mg bid for 7 days. Intestinal CYP3A activity, CYP3A4 protein and mRNA concentrations were quantified in both groups. Intestinal CYP3A activity was determined by incubation of small bowel homogenate with midazolam (25 µM) and NADPH for 5 min and the rate of formation of 1’-hydroxymidazolam was quantified. Results All subjects in the treatment group had detectable diltiazem concentration in the serum. While there was no significant difference in CYP3A4 protein and mRNA expression between the control and treatment groups, the formation of 1’-hydroxymidazolam (446 pmol min−1 mg−1 6 (control) vs. 170 (CI 112, 228) pmol min−1 mg−1 95% confidence interval (CI 269, 623) (diltiazem group)) was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Conclusion Diltiazem decreased small bowel CYP3A activity by 62% as a result of irreversible inhibition with no corresponding change in intestinal CYP3A4 mRNA or protein concentrations.
Use of calcium in electromechanical dissociation

Calcium is recommended by American Heart Association standards for the resuscitation of patients with electromechanical dissociation (EMD). Until recently, only anecdotal case reports were offered to support this recommendation. Recent studies examining the question of whether calcium is useful in resuscitating hearts in EMD are reviewed.
Wqed: A lightcurve analysis suite

Wqed is a suite of programs designed to clean lightcurves created by aperture photometry to allow more sophisticated analysis, like Fourier transforms, to be preformed. The data format for Wqed includes a header that allows users to keep all pertinent information about their data attached to the final light curve. Wqed was tested during the Whole Earth Telescope run on a DAV in 2008 and improved the ease and speed of data reduction. Visit http://physics.udel.edu/darc/wqed to download the current version of Wqed along with a full set of instructions on how to install and use the program.
Origin of Both Great Arteries from the Right Ventricle and Pulmonary Stenosis : Apropos Case Successfully Corrected

A case with origin of both great arteries from the right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis has been discussed. Preoperative diagnosis was obtained by angiocardiographic studies and confirmed at operation. Successful correction was achieved by redirecting the outflow to the aorta in such a way that the left ventricle would empty properly in the aorta by the use of cardiopulmonary bypass technique. Special care to relieve the associated pulmonary stenosis as well as interruption of the pre-existing intracardiac shunt was also undertaken.
Duodenal telangiectasis in an occult gastrointestinal bleeder.

Duodenoscopy disclosed visceral telangiectasia as a probable cause of bleeding in an elderly man with recurring anemia.
In vitro adrenalin oxidation, in bacteriological media, causes bacterial growth inhibition and killing

We present experimental evidence that adrenalin autoxidation causes bacterial growth inhibition and killing. The experimental model utilized detects ‘oxygen toxicity’ in prokaryotes using standard microbiological assays for antibacterial activity, allowing direct observation of the toxicity exerted on bacterial cells and the scavenging of toxic intermediates by the defence enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase.
Identification and partial characterization of a novel plasma membrane-associated lytic factor isolated from highly purified adherent lymphokine-activated killer cells

Abstract We have identified and partially purified a novel cytolytic factor isolated from enriched plasma membranes prepared from highly purified lymphokine-activated killer cells (adherent-LAK, A-LAK cells) and a large granular lymphocytic NK cell leukemia, CRNK-16. The enriched plasma membranes were shown to be physically devoid of lytic granules and contained no detectable pore-forming protein (PFP, perforin) activity. The plasma membrane-associated cytolytic factor (designated M-CTX) was solubilized in biologically active form and was highly lytic to a large panel of target cells in 2- to 4-hr 51 Cr release assays. Characteristics of the M-CTX include: (1) it is plasma membrane- not granule-associated; (2) it is not hemolytic and functions in the absence of Ca 2+ ; (3) nucleated target cells are lysed in 2 to 4 hr at 37 °C but not at 4 °C; (4) it induces apoptotic cell death with nuclear DNA fragmentation and massive membrane blebbing; (5) it is isolated from the plasma membranes of cultured A-LAK cells, a lytically active LGL leukemia (CRNK-16), and fresh spleen cells but not from thymocytes or L929 fibroblasts; and (6) the lytic activity of the partially purified toxin is inactivated by trypsin, serum, and heat, but is not blocked by antibodies that inactivate TNF-α, LT or IFN-γ. Taken collectively, these data suggest that M-CTX may represent a heretofore undescribed membrane-associated toxin possibly involved in contact-mediated cell killing.
Permeation of Monovalent Cations through the Non-capacitative Arachidonate-regulated Ca2+ Channels in HEK293 Cells COMPARISON WITH ENDOGENOUS STORE-OPERATED CHANNELS

In a manner similar to voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels, the recently identified arachidonate-regulated Ca2+ (ARC) channels display a large monovalent conductance upon removal of external divalent cations. Using whole-cell patch-clamp recording, we have characterized the properties of these monovalent currents in HEK293 cells stably transfected with the m3 muscarinic receptor and compared them with the corresponding currents through the endogenous store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) channels in the same cells. Although the monovalent currents seen through these two channels displayed certain similarities, several marked differences were also apparent, including the magnitude of the monovalent current/Ca2+ current ratio, the rate and nature of the spontaneous decline in the currents, and the effects of external monovalent cation substitutions and removal of internal Mg2+. Moreover, monovalent ARC currents could be activated after the complete spontaneous inactivation of the corresponding SOC current in the same cell. We conclude that the non-capacitative ARC channels share, with voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and store-operated Ca2+ channels (e.g. SOC and CRAC the general property of monovalent ion permeation in the nominal absence of extracellular divalent ions. However, the clear differences between the properties of these currents through ARC and SOC channels in the same cell confirm that these represent distinct conductances.
Ethical Leadership and Subordinate Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Organizational Politics and the Moderating Role of Political Skill

This paper posits that ethical leadership increases important organizational and individual outcomes by reducing politics in the workplace. Specifically, we propose that perceptions of organizational politics serve as a mechanism through which ethical leadership affects outcomes. We further argue that the modeled relationships are moderated by political skill. By means of data from 136 matched pairs of supervisors and subordinates employed by a state agency in the southern US, we found support for our predictions. Specifically, we found that perceptions of organizational politics fully mediated the relationship between perceptions of ethical leadership and helping and promotability ratings. In addition, political skill was found to moderate the direct and indirect effects.
Methodological problems in functional fixation research: Criticism and suggestions

Abstract Accounting researchers have long been interested in how users of accounting information process the information in making decisions. One line of research argues that users become “functionally fixated” on the outputs of accounting systems. This line of research argues that form rather than substance becomes more important to (fixated) decision makers. This paper reviews the methodology employed in the accounting studies done to date. It concludes that flaws in the methodology used in these studies prevent us from determining if fixation exists. More importantly, these methodological flaws prevent us from answering the question of why it exists, if it does. The paper offers an alternative methodology to the one currently employed which it is argued will provide insights into the question.
A class of Escherichia coli proteins controlled by the hflA locus

The HflA protein of Escherichia coli is critical for the choice of the lytic or lysogenic pathway by bacteriophage lambda. To investigate whether HflA plays a regulatory role in E. coli, we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to compare the distribution of E. coli proteins in hflA+ and hflA- cells. We found at least 13 proteins that are present in hflA- strains, but absent or very low in hflA+ strains. This observation indicates that HflA might be involved in regulation of a large class of E. coli proteins. Because of prior work implicating the Crp/cAMP system in Hfl-mediated regulation of lambda, we also studied the distribution of E. coli proteins in cya- strains unable to synthesize cAMP. Some of the same proteins found in hflA- are elicited by the addition of cAMP to cya- cells.
Direct effects of metabotropic glutamate receptor compounds on native and recombinant N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors

The actions of glutamate in the central nervous system are mediated through interaction with fast activating ionotropic receptors and G protein-coupled metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Studies of these receptors have relied on the availability of agonists and antagonists selective for each receptor class. Compounds that were thought to be selective for mGluRs have been extensively used to study the role of these receptors in the brain. Their use has implicated mGluRs in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes including the modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and NMDA receptor-dependent processes. We report that some of the most commonly used mGluR compounds act as antagonists on NMDA receptors at concentrations commonly used to activate or block mGluRs. In addition, several of the drugs also act as agonists at higher concentrations due at least in part to high levels of contaminant amino acids. Our results indicate that caution should be used when using these drugs to study the roles of mGluRs in various NMDA-dependent processes. The antagonist effects were dependent on the concentration of the NMDA receptor coagonists, preventing reappraisal of previously published work.
SIGN OF THE ABSORPTIVE ELASTIC AMPLITUDE BELOW THE PHYSICAL THRESHOLD.

We show that for elastic processes which have absorptive channels below the physical threshold, the absorptive partial-wave amplitude ${a}_{l}(s)$ has the sign of ${(\ensuremath{-}1)}^{l}$ for $s$ below the physical threshold, where $l$ is the orbital angular momentum. The result is valid for any stable particles of arbitrary spins. More generally, for elastic partial wave transitions between states of definite parity $P=\ensuremath{\epsilon}{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{1}{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{2}$ (where ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{1}$ and ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{2}$ are the intrinsic parities and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1$), the sign of the absorptive amplitude below threshold is that of $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$.
Winter climate change implications for decomposition in northeastern forests: comparisons of sugar maple litter with herbivore fecal inputs

Forests in northeastern North America are influenced by varying climatic and biotic factors; however, there is concern that rapid changes in these factors may lead to important changes in ecosystem processes such as decomposition. Climate change (especially warming) is predicted to increase rates of decomposition in northern latitudes. Warming in winter may result in complex effects including decreased levels of snow cover and an increased incidence of soil freezing that will effect decomposition. Along with these changes in climate, moose densities have also been increasing in this region, likely affecting nutrient dynamics. We measured decomposition and N release from 15 N-labeled sugar maple leaf litter and moose feces over 20 months in reference and snow removal treatment (to induce soil freezing) plots in two separate experiments at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, USA. Snow removal/soil freezing decreased decomposition of maple litter, but stimulated N transfer to soil and microbial biomass. Feces decomposed more rapidly than maple litter, and feces N moved into the mineral soil more than N derived from litter, likely due to the lower C:N ratio of feces. Feces decomposition was not affected by the snow removal treatment. Total microbial biomass (measured as microbial N and C) was not significantly affected by the treatments in either the litter or feces plots. These results suggest that increases in soil freezing and/or large herbivore populations, increase the transfer rate of N from plant detritus or digested plants into the mineral soil. Such changes suggest that altering the spatial and temporal patterns of soil freezing and moose density have important implications for ecosystem N cycling.
Recent computational developments with the self-consistent electron pairs method and application to the stability of glycine conformers

Significant improvements in calculational efficiency and capability with the self-consistent electron pairs (SCEP) method has resulted from several new computational developments. A new procedure for constructing the important internal Coulomb and exchange operators has substantially reduced the preiteration time. A general scheme for utilizing molecular symmetry has been used to advantage in reducing the number of pair functions and external operators that must be found explicitly at each iteration. A projection operator tool has been implemented and found to be quite effective at minimizing the number of iterations required at some point on a potential energy surface when an SCEP wavefunction exists for some nearby point. These and other improvements in the program construction have yielded sizable reductions in time for some representative test cases, including water and a potential energy curve for formaldehyde. The new SCEP program also performs low-order perturbation theory treatments and coupled electron pair approximation (CEPA) calculations using the same operator approach. The usefulness of the approach is demonstrated by very large scale calculations on the stability of the two interstellar glycine conformers. These calculations involve the variational treatment of 82,205 symmetry-adapted singly and doubly substituted configurations involving 225 internal electron pairs.
Ontogeny and neural substrates of the context preexposure facilitation effect

Contextual fear conditioning emerges around post-natal day (PD) 23 in the rat. This is thought to reflect hippocampus-dependent conjunctive learning, which binds the individual features of the context into a unified representation (Rudy, 1993). However, context conditioning can also be supported by hippocampus-independent, feature-based simple associations (Rudy, 2009) and these may operate at PD 23-24 (Pugh & Rudy, 1996). To address this issue, we studied the ontogeny of a variant of contextual fear conditioning, termed the context-preexposure-facilitation-effect (CPFE), in which exposure to context and (immediate) foot shock occur on successive occasions. This variant requires conjunctive as opposed to feature-based simple associations (Rudy, 2009). We tested PD 17, 24, and 31 rats on the CPFE vs. conventional context conditioning (Exp. 1) and on the CPFE with stronger reinforcement (Exp. 2). The CPFE emerged on PD 24 regardless of reinforcer strength and in parallel with context conditioning. Infusions of the NMDA-receptor antagonist, MK-801, into the dorsal hippocampus just before pre-exposure on PD 24 eliminated the CPFE, whereas infusions occurring after pre-exposure had no effect (Exp. 3). These findings demonstrate a role of hippocampal NMDA receptors in the CPFE as early as PD 24 and implicate conjunctive learning mechanisms in the ontogeny of contextual fear conditioning.
The Ergodic Theorem in Quantum Statistical Mechanics

An ergodic theorem is a statement of the equality of the time averages of the physical properties of a system and the averages of these quantities obtained from the consideration of a Gibbsian ensemble of identical systems. It is shown that, in quantum statistical mechanics, a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of an ergodic theorem can be derived for a system in weak energetic interaction with its surroundings. This necessary and sufficient condition for the equality of time and (microcanonical) ensemble averages is that all operators invariant in time shall reduce to constant multiples of the unit operator when applied to the system itself. It is shown that the conditions for ergodicity are formally analogous to those derived by von Neumann for classical statistical mechanics. No assumption of "molecular chaos" is made.
Adjudication and Legal Reforms in Contemporary China

China has undergone unprecedented legal reforms in the past three decades in an attempt to restore and reconstruct its legal system. This article provides an overview of the historical and recent d...
Language Facility and Use among the Faculty of an American University

In keeping with the foreign language profession's efforts to bolster student enrollments and to seek more appropriate models of language instruction, a survey was taken of language use of the faculty of a representative American university. It was felt that knowledge of how well educated Americans actually use their foreign language skills would be of value in redirecting our existing programs of instruction toward realistic goals. Eight functional categories were established in order to assess the range of multilingual use in both formal and informal settings. Respondents' attitudes toward foreign language study for themselves and their children were also solicited. The results of our survey strongly suggest that educated professionals, at least in an academic setting, find great value in foreign language study and are likely to support it, especially if it is oriented to specific language functions.
Analysis of FBJ-MuSV provirus and c-fos (mouse) gene reveals that viral and cellular fos gene products have different carboxy termini

The complete nucleotide sequence of the FBJ-MuSV proviral DNA and the cellular homolog (c-fos) of its oncogene (v-fos) have been determined. The 4026 nucleotide long FBJ-MuSV proviral DNA contains two long terminal repeats, a substitution of 1639 nucleotides of mouse cellular DNA (v-fos) and the 3' end of the env gene derived from FBJ-MuLV. The sequences of the parental FBJ-MuLV and the cellular c-fos (mouse) gene share five of five nucleotides at the 5' end and ten of 11 nucleotides at the 3' end of the v-fos substitution. When compared with the v-fos sequences, the c-fos gene contains four discontinuous regions, three of which are flanked by sequences characteristic of introns. Direct sequence analysis of c-fos (mouse) RNA by primer extension demonstrates that the fourth discontinuity is due to a 104 bp deletion in the v-fos gene. As a consequence of the deletion, the predicted v-fos and c-fos gene products differ at their C termini.
Which came first, protein sequence or structure ?

The sequence of amino acids in a protein determines how it will eventually fold into its three-dimensional structure. One way to understand how this works is by considering the protein9s “foldability”—that is, the likelihood of folding into a useful structure. Another approach, however, is that taken in the report by Li et al . (p. 666) and discussed in the Perspective by Kardar. Here, the authors consider the “designability” of proteins—the number of sequences that uniquely fold into a particular structure.
ROS 'n' roll: a bunch of JNK?

Comment on Dasmahapatra et al, page [232][1], and Gao et al, page [241][2] Two small molecule combinations that induce leukemic cell apoptosis have disparate molecular mechanisms but converge in induction of reactive oxygen species and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Despite the
An in vitro study of lipogenesis in the sea star, Pisaster ochraceus

Abstract 1. 1. Hepatic caecal tissue incorporates 1-C14-acetate into lipids more rapidly than uniformly labeled C14-glucose. Conversely, the latter substrate labels caecal polysaccharides far more efficiently. 2. 2. In vitro, hepatic caecal tissue of animals sacrified 8 days after feeding incorporates 1-C14-acetate into lipid half as fast as tissue from animals sacrificed 1 day after feeding. 3. 3. Seasonal variations exist in the capacity of Pisaster tissues to effect the conversion: 1-C14-acetate → lipid. Hepatic caecal rates are highest in the fall, coinciding with a period of net lipid deposition in the hepatic caeca. Gonadal rates are maximal during the early phase of gonad maturation and decline as the gonads fill with mature gametes. 4. 4. Polar lipids are predominant in the testis, body wall, cardiac stomach and pyrolic stomach where they comprise about 70 per cent of the total lipid. The storage function of the hepatic caecal lipid is evinced by its high content of neutral lipid (70 per cent of the total lipid). 5. 5. Acetate-1-C14 is incorporated equally into the polar and neutral fractions of ovarian and hepatic caecal lipid. The same substrate labels the neutral fractions of body wall and testis lipids about 3–5 times as heavily as polar fractions. 6. 6. Body fluid total lipid attains a specific activity equal to that of the neutral fraction of the hepatic caecal lipids, suggesting a transport function.
Antimicrobial resistance markers of class 1 and class 2 integron-bearing Escherichia coli from irrigation water and sediments.

Municipal and agricultural pollution affects the Rio Grande, a river that separates the United States from Mexico. Three hundred and twenty-two Escherichia coli isolates were examined for multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes and the prevalence of class 1 and class 2 integron sequences. Thirty-two (10%) of the isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Four (13%) of these isolates contained class 1–specific integron sequences; one isolate contained class 2 integron–specific sequences. Sequencing showed that the class 1 integron–bearing strain contained two distinct gene cassettes, sat-1 and aadA. Although three of the four class 1 integron–bearing strains harbored the aadA sequence, none of the strains was phenotypically resistant to streptomycin. These results suggest that integron-bearing E. coli strains can be present in contaminated irrigation canals and that these isolates may not express these resistance markers.
Poincaré sections of charge-density-wave dynamics: Mode locking.

This Letter reports the first measurements of Poincar\'e sections of charge-density-wave (CDW) dynamics. High-quality crystals of ${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{3}$ were excited by combined dc and ac currents. Mode-locked and -unlocked behavior are identified by Poincar\'e sections consisting of points and closed curves, respectively. We analyze our results in terms of a dynamical phase transition. We argue that multiply degenerate attractors exist in subharmonic mode-locked phases. Dynamics of such phases are dominated by domain walls separating sections of the CDW with different attractors.
Boundaries and the functioning of family and business systems

The purposes of the present study were to: (1) examine connections between performance success and the boundaries between families and the businesses they own and (2) explore whether boundary-performance links were mediated by satisfaction. Tests of the mediation hypothesis revealed that family satisfaction partially mediated connections between boundaries and family functioning. Business satisfaction fully mediated connections between boundary characteristics and business strengths, but did not mediate the relationship between boundary characteristics and cash flow problems. Although previous literature suggests that permeable boundaries (i.e. enmeshment) are especially problematic for family firms, this appears to be only partially true.
Update on feldspar and oxide thermometry in the Adirondack Mountains, New York

Recently obtained feldspar and oxide temperature data for orthogneiss and paragneiss in the Adirondack Mountains, New York, further constrain and generally support the regional thermometry previously established. Peak metamorphic temperatures were 700 to 750 °C throughout most of the Adirondack Highlands and 750 to 800 °C in the High Peaks region during the Granville metamorphic event.
Maspin expression patterns differ in the invasive versus lepidic growth pattern of pulmonary adenocarcinoma

Aims To test whether changes in the subcellular localization of maspin parallel morphological progression in pulmonary adenocarcinoma, we compared its expression between lepidic and invasive growth patterns. Methods Applying immunohistochemistry, we compared maspin expression in lepidic and invasive growth patterns occurring in different tumours (series #1, n = 86) as well as within the same tumour and in the same section (series #2, n = 29). Results In both series, the lepidic growth pattern (n = 45) was significantly associated with nuclear maspin, while the invasive (n = 70) with combined nuclear and cytoplasmic maspin (P < 0.05). In the second series, transition from a lepidic to an invasive pattern in the same tumour was associated predominantly with a shift respectively from a nuclear to a combined nuclear and cytoplasmic maspin (15/29) or preservation of nuclear expression (8/29). A shift from nuclear maspin to negative expression (3/29) or other patterns (3/29) were also observed. Conclusions Nuclear maspin is a typical but not exclusive feature of the lepidic growth pattern of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, whereas combined nuclear and cytoplasmic maspin characterizes invasion. These data show that changes of expression and subcellular localization of maspin may constitute an important biological end point of tumour progression and aid in the classification of lung adenocarcinoma.