cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interactions of tetramethrin, fenvalerate and DDT at the sodium channel in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Type I and type II pyrethroids and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are known to modulate the sodium channel to cause the hyperexcitatory symptoms of poisoning in animals. However, since the degrees to which neuronal sodium channel parameters are altered differ, a question is raised as to whether these insecticides bind to the same site in the sodium channel. Competition patch-clamp experiments were performed using rat dorsal root ganglion neurons which are endowed with tetrodotoxin-sensitive and tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channels. D-trans-Tetramethrin, S,S-fenvalerate and p,p'-DDT caused a slowly rising and slowly falling tail current to be developed in tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels. In tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channels, these insecticides, particularly tetramethrin and fenvalerate, generated a large and prolonged tail current upon repolarization. The effects of tetramethrin were reversible after washing with drug-free solution, whereas the effects of fenvalerate and DDT were irreversible. When fenvalerate application was followed by tetramethrin application, the characteristic changes in current by fenvalerate disappeared and the characteristic changes by tetramethrin appeared. After washout, the characteristic current pattern of fenvalerate reappeared. These results can be explained by assuming that the tetramethrin molecule displaces the fenvalerate molecule from the same binding site in the sodium channel protein, or that tetramethrin and fenvalerate bind to separate sodium channel sites which interact allosterically with each other. DDT interacted with fenvalerate and tetramethrin in the same manner.
Volume changes accompanying thermal denaturation of deoxyribonucleic acid. II. Denaturation at alkaline pH.

The change in apparent molal volume ϕ of DNA on thermal denaturation in carbonate buffer at pH 11.0 has been determined by the dilatometric method. It was found that ϕ increases sigmoidally during the helix–coil transition. Several methods, including a colorimetric technique that closely simulates the conditions used in the dilatometric experiments, were employed to estimate the protons lost by the DNA during the transition. These measurements indicated that the extent of the proton loss depends on the counterion present, increasing in the order Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Cs+. The major part of the volume changes observed during the denaturation is due to the volume changes expected to accompany the transfer of protons from the bases guanine and thym ne to carbonate ions. As has been previously reported for the denaturation of DNA at neutral pH, the volume change directly due to the change in shape of the polymer molecules is so small as to be experimentally undetectable.
Comparison of Bee and BMI Based on Charted Versus Measured Height and Weight of Diabetes Mellitus and Cancer Patients

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To determine the accuracy of BEE and BMI using charted versus measured heights and weights in cancer and diabetes mellitus patients. The purpose of this observational cross-sectional study was to compare the basal energy expenditure (BEE) and body mass index (BMI) based on medical chart height (HT) and weight (WT) to BEE and BMI based on measured HT and WT. Subjects were high nutritional risk cancer and diabetes mellitus patients at a university teaching hospital. A convenience sample consisted of 27 patients between the ages of 25–59 years. After informed consent, each subjects' HT and WT was measured and then HT/WT was obtained from the nutrition care order (NCO). BEE and BMI were calculated based on each source of HT and WT using the Harris-Benedict and BMI equations. The results were then analyzed using a two-tailed paired t-test, alpha=.05, beta=.2. The results indicated that there was a marginal difference in charted WT (P=0.08), a significant difference in charted BEE (P=0.03), and a marginal difference in measured BEE (P=0.07) between cancer and diabetes mellitus patients. There was a significance in terms of charted and measured HT (P=0.0001), WT (P=0.0004), and BEE (P=0.0001) between males and females. Although some patients' measures verse reported HT varied up to 5.5 inches, overall there was no significant difference between the calculated BEE/BMI from measured and NCO data. The collection of accurate HT/WT data is crucial to ensure proper estimation of energy requirements in men and women with diabetes mellitus and cancer, although accurately reported vs measured HT/WT may be adequate in these populations. Additional research should be conducted to evaluate the accuracy of HT and WT measurements as recorded in the patient medical record for other disease entities and age groups.
Rediscovering fire : Small interventions, large effects

Unexpected findings are often the spark for new discoveries and theories. A puzzle emerged from a series of unanticipated findings over 3 decades, indicating that for problem drinkers (a) relatively brief interventions can trigger significant change, (b) increasing the intensity of treatment does not consistently improve outcome, (c) therapist empathy can be a potent predictor of client change, and (d) a single empathic counseling session can substantially enhance the outcome of subsequent treatment. These phenomena are considered in light of other findings in the addictions-treatment-outcome literature. There is, at present, no cogent explanation for the efficacy of brief interventions. An ancient construct is explored as one possible factor in how some brief encounters may exert large effects in human change. It is an inherent and rewarding aspect of scientific method that if a study is well designed and carefully conducted, progress occurs whether or not one's predictions are confirmed. In fact, important breakthroughs sometimes occur precisely when the unexpected is found. The disheartened graduate student who bemoans, "I didn't find anything!" is quite incorrect if the study was done well. Rather, the student should be saying, "I didn't find what I expected!" and the appropriate response of a scientist to this is wonderment and curiosity. Although it is always possible that the expected finding did not occur because something was awry with the study, it is usually worth considering that something may also be amiss with the assumptions that led to the unfulfilled expectations.
The External Relationships in Relationship Marketing: An Exploration

The External Relationship Marketing Component Model (ERMCM) moves thinking away from discrete relationships by providing sellers with the “big picture”, permitting the development and maintenance of productive long-term relationships. The value proposition of the ERMCM lies in facilitating acknowledging the multiple embedded relationships among stakeholders, identifying the salient stakeholders, and examining the nature of relationships between various stakeholders.
Automated real-time data acquisition and analysis of cardiorespiratory function.

Microcomputer generation of an automated record without complexity or operator intervention is desirable in many circumstances. We developed a microcomputer system specifically designed for simplified automated collection of cardiorespiratory data in research and clinical environments. We tested the system during possible extreme clinical conditions by comparison with a patient simulator. Ranges used were heart rate of 35–182 beats per minute, systemic blood pressures of 65–147 mmHg and venous blood pressures of 14–37 mmHg, all with superimposed respiratory variation of 0–24 mmHg. We also tested multiple electrocardiographic dysrhythmias. The results showed that there were no clinically relevant differences in vascular pressures, heart rate, and other variables between computer processed and simulator values. Manually and computer recorded physiological variables were compared to simulator values and the results show that computer values were more accurate. The system was used routinely in 21 animal research experiments over a 4 month period employing a total of 270 collection periods. The file system integrity was tested and found to be satisfactory, even during power failures.
Sustainability of the urban environment: A case for energy efficiency in the building sector

Summary Because of the enormous size of their waste streams, cities have a great impact on the environment. One of the major sources of that waste is energy consumption, and one of the major consumers of energy in cities is the building sector. Reducing the consumption of energy by that sector would reduce the adverse effects cities have on the environment. Per capita energy consumption within the developed world varies from country to country—a result of different policies, not different technologies. The most effective policies in reducing pollution are those such as emission changes and permits that are market driven. However, because it is extremely difficult to assess the full costs of emissions and because market‐driven programs cost more than most people are willing to pay, we are not about to see the wide‐scale adoption of the most effective policies for reducing the pollution whose accumulative and incremental adverse effects continue to grow.
Effect of positive reinforcement, informational feedback, and contingency contracting on a bulimic anorexic female

Effects of reinforcement and feedback on the weight and caloric intake of a bulimic anorexic female were studied in a modified reversal design. Also studied was the effect of instructions on vomiting and effects of desensitization and contracting on weight and intake. The following phases were run: baseline, reinforcement, reinforcement plus feedback, reinforcement, reinforcement plus feedback plus desensitization, and desensitization plus contingency contracting. Results showed that feedback had a powerful influence. Also, instructions were effective in eliminating vomiting. When desensitization to thoughts which the patient had (which led her to feel as though she was a “bad person”) was initiated, there was an increase in intake and weight. Interpretation of weight data was complicated because the patient developed edema which required treatment. This complication emphasized the importance of making reinforcement contingent on both weight gain and intake. A 6-month outpatient follow-up treatment period, during which desensitization and contracting were employed, suggested that treatment results were maintained. The discussion emphasizes this study's uniqueness in that it reports treatment of a bulimic anorxic. The fact that data for a 6-month follow-up period are reported is particularly important in light of recent criticisms of behavioral treatment of anorexia nervosa.
METABOLIC EFFECTS OF AZASERINE IN RAT BRAIN

— The de novo biosynthesis of purine nucleotides in rat brain was markedly and rapidly inhibited by intracerebral injections of azaserine. After 48 hr the animals became paraplegic. The biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, RNA and protein was investigated by radioactive tracer studies over a 4-day period in an attempt to correlate the azaserine-induced, metabolic lesions found in rat brain and the manifested, peripheral, neurological disturbance.
Separation of Magnetic Nanoparticles by Cyclical Electrical Field Flow Fractionation

In this study, the potential of Cyclical Electrical Field Flow Fractionation (CyEFFF) for the separation of magnetic nanoparticles is investigated. We demonstrated for the first time that by the application of appropriate voltage waveforms, one can separate gold nanoparticles with sizes less than 50 nm. By using suitable voltage waveforms, the detrimental effect of the particle diffusion is suppressed and particles in the range of 10 nms can be fractionated. In addition, it is shown that CyEFFF is capable of separating lipid and polystyrene sulfonate coated magnetite nanoparticles with the same hydrodynamic radius of 50 nm.
High pH accelerates GABA deactivation on perch-ρ1B receptors

The ionotropic GABAC receptor, formed by GABA ρ subunits, is known to be modulated by a variety of endogenous compounds, as well as by changes in pH. In this study, we explore the proton sensitivity of the GABA ρ subunits cloned from the perch retina, and report a novel action of high pH on the homomeric receptor formed by one of the GABA ρ subunits, the perch-ρ1B subunit. Raising extracellular pH to 9.5 significantly accelerated GABA deactivation responses elicited from oocytes expressing the perch-ρ1B subunit, and reduced its sensitivity to GABA. The change in the kinetics of the GABA-offset response occurred without altering the maximum response amplitude, and the reduced GABA sensitivity was independent of membrane potential. Although acidification of the extracellular solution also accelerated GABA deactivation for all other GABA ρ receptors examined in this study, the effects of high pH were unique to the homomeric receptor formed by the perch-ρ1B subunit. In addition, we found that, unlike the effects on the response to the naturally occurring full agonist GABA, the responses elicited by partial agonists (imidazole-4-acetic acid (I4AA) and β-alanine) in the presence of the high pH solution showed a significant reduction in the maximum response amplitude. When considered in terms of a model describing the activation of GABAC receptors, in which pH can potentially affect either the binding affinity or the rate of channel closure, the results were consistent with the view that external alkalization reduces the gating efficiency of the receptor. To identify the proton sensitive domain(s) of the perch-ρ1B receptor, chimeras were constructed by domain swapping with other perch-ρ subunits. Analysis of the pH sensitivities of the various chimeric receptors revealed that the alkaline-sensitive residues are located in the N-terminal region of the perch-ρ1B subunit.
Analytic Structure of Energy Levels in a Field-Theory Model

We consider a model of $\ensuremath{\lambda}{\ensuremath{\phi}}^{4}$ field theory in which perturbation theory diverges and analytically continue the energy levels into the complex $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ plane. Using WKB technique, we determine that the energy levels have an infinite sequence of branch points (where level crossing occurs) with a limit point $a\ensuremath{\lambda}=0$. Thus the origin is not an isolated singularity. The resolvent ${(z\ensuremath{-}H)}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ has an infinite sequence of poles with a limit point at $\ensuremath{\lambda}=0$.
Extracting models from RADAR data for 3-D target ID

This paper details a model building technique to construct geometric target models from RADAR data collected in a controlled environment. An algorithm to construct three-dimensional target models from a complex RADAR return expressed as discrete sets of scattering center coordinates with associated amplitudes is explained in detail. The model is a three-dimensional extension of proven RADAR scattering models that treat the RADAR return as a sum of complex exponentials. A Fourier Transform converts this to impulses in the frequency domain where the relative phase difference between scattering centers is a wrapped phase term. If the viewing sphere is sampled densely enough, the phase is unambiguously unwrapped. The minimum sampling interval is explicitly determined as a function of the extent of the target in wavelengths. A least squares solution determines the coordinates of each scattering center. Properties of the collection geometry allow the minimum sampling density of the viewing sphere to be increased, but at the cost of testing competing hypotheses to determine which one best fits the phase data. The complex RADAR return of a random object is created sampling a 1 degree(s) slice of the viewing sphere to validate the model-building algorithm All coordinates of the random object are extracted perfectly. Hopefully this algorithm can build three-dimensional scattering center models valid over the entire viewing sphere with each target represented as a discrete set of scattering centers. A rectangular window function associated with each scattering center would model persistence across the viewing sphere.
The Performative "I":

Although claims to revive the first person in scholarly writing remain compelling, efforts to fulfill them have been less so. Few have survived the problems of authenticity, authority, and advocacy identified by Joan Scott and Linda Kauffman, among others. Following the model of "stunting" offered by the feminist theorist, Mary Russo, this article proposes a view toward a "performative `I'" that invites error, disorder, and difference into the world of citationality or compulsive reiteration. The article builds its proposal on readings of two live performances and three short passages from selected texts. At their intersection, it imagines the displacement of a modernist "I" by a subjectivity defined by an ethics of sensuous coalition and a politics of errant possibility.
Fatty Acid and Amino Acid Profiles of Selected Peanut Cultivars and Breeding Lines

Abstract Experiments were performed on peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) to determine the relationship of fatty acid and amino acid profiles of 6 high oleic acid (HO) and 10 normal oleic acid genotypes (Experiment 1) and to establish the correlation between the concentration of oleic acid and that of the other fatty acids by investigation of 600 peanut genotypes (Experiment 2). In experiment 1, which comprised Florunner, SunOleic 95R, GA 2844, TX 896100, UF 91108, NC12C, and 11 breeding lines, oleic acid ranged from 79 to 82% for the HO genotypes, compared to 55 to 60% oleic acid for the normal oleic acid genotypes. The ratios of oleic to linoleic acids were 23:1 to 32:1 for HO lines and 2:1 to 3:1 for normal lines. Iodine values were 77 for HO lines compared to 82–93 for normal lines. HO lines also had 50 to 67% of the palmitic acid of the normal lines, and a higher ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids. Glutamine/glutamic acid and asparagine/aspartic acid accounted for 36 to 40% of the total amino acids; amino acids present in lowest proportions were the sulfur-containing amino acids (cysteine and methionine) followed by threonine and lysine. The proportion of any given amino acid varied less than 1.5-fold among genotypes, with the exception of histidine (1.65-fold) and methionine (2.1-fold). There was no significant relationship between the proportion of individual or total essential amino acids or and the HO trait. In the second experiment oleic acid content was comprehensively evaluated in relation to other fatty acids. The highest correlations were noted for oleic and linoleic acids (r= −0.99) and for oleic and palmitic acids (r= −0.95). A positive relationship occurred between oleic acid and eicosenoic acid and weak inverse relationships occurred between oleic and behenic, arachidic, stearic, and lignoceric acids. Oleic acid content was inversely related to iodine value (r= −0.95) and positively correlated to the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (r= 0.86).
Danger signals: SOS to the immune system.

Abstract The activation of dendritic cells, necessary for the initiation of primary and secondary immune responses, can be induced by endogenous danger signals — released by tissues undergoing stress, damage or abnormal death — and also by exogenous danger signals elaborated by pathogens. Some endogenous danger signals that recently have been discovered are heat-shock proteins, nucleotides, reactive oxygen intermediates, extracellular-matrix breakdown products, neuromediators and cytokines like the IFNs. We propose that allergy may be initiated by the direct damage of dendritic or other cells by toxic chemicals and allergenic proteases, and suggest that the triggering of danger signal receptors by exogenous pathogen-derived molecules may be more to the advantage of the pathogen than to the host.
Phased array flatness effects on antenna system performance

Large S-Band phased array performance degradation effects are quantified under conditions of parametric array face Z-directed deformations. Phased array diameters of 7.5 and 15 feet are examined. The array face deformations can have a sag, potato chip, sinusoidal or Bessel character. The sag, potato chip, and Bessel deformations can be asymmetric with the peak deformations as far as 0.50 radii from the center of the array in any direction. Sinusoidal deformations for frequencies of 1, 2, and 3 Hz in the x-direction are examined. For all types of deformations, peak-to-peak errors from 0.1 to 0.5 inches are investigated. Beam pointing error increases with both decreasing array size and increasing deformation asymmetry. Main beam gain loss does not change with array size, but increases with increasing deformation asymmetry and decreases with increasing scan angle. Both beam pointing error and gain loss can be compensated with element level phase corrections if the deformation profile is known accurately.
Sense and stability in animal names.

The way in which animals are given scientific names (zoological nomenclature) has recently attracted much media coverage (e.g. ‘Turkey renames ‘divisive’ animals’, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4328285.stm; and ‘Bush has slime-mold beetle named after him’, http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/04/14/bush.beetle.ap/). In addition to these and other stories, the proponents of the PhyloCode (http://www.ohiou.edu/phylocode/), an alternative system for naming organisms, have been pushing their cause relentlessly.
On glottal width features

Abstract The laryngeal feature framework constructed by Halle and Stevens (1971) has been challenged on various phonetic grounds (e.g. Ladefoged 1973; Gandour 1975), but relatively little attention has been paid to the apparently correct phonological restrictions this system imposes. With respect particularly to the glottal width dimension, languages are known to reveal at most three phonological contrasts (e.g. Korean; cf. Kim 1970; Kagaya 1974) even though finer distinctions are observable phonetically; and unlike its more recent, n -ary competitors, the Halle and Stevens characterization logically accommodates no more than three degrees of glottal width (spread, constricted, or neutral [neither spread nor constricted] glottis). The present paper is an apology for this approach to laryngeal features, but it also proposes to correlate certain finer shades of non-distinctive glottal width with other laryngeal gestures. For example, the specification of slack vocal folds for spread glottis (murmur) entails an actually narrower degree of glottal width than does a specification of stiff vocal folds for spread glottis (aspiration). Despite the cross-linguistic existence of more than three phonetic degrees of glottal width, then, it is concluded that the distinctive feature limitation of these to a three-way contrast - with universal redundancies - is defensible phonetically as well as phonologically.
Molecular sieve character of carbons derived from cellulosic precursors

Abstract Cellulosic precursors were examined as suitable materials for the production of carbon molecular sieves to separate straight from branched-chain hydrocarbons. The amorphous and crystalline contents of the precursors, as determined by water adsorption, proved to be important in determining sieve character. For example, cellulose having amorphous and crystalline contents of ~50% yielded a 530°C carbon having negligible capacity for iso-butane and a substantial capacity for n-butane and CO2.
All-optical Integrated Nonlinear Devices

Abstract The field of third-order nonlinear integrated optics is reviewed, with emphasis on intensity-dependent phenomena for all-optical device applications. The most relevant material issues are briefly summarized.
Verbal and Nonverbal Assessment of the Conservation of Illusion-Distorted Length.

nonconservation behavior in young children, an investigator must at least guarantee and provide some evidence that the child and the investigator mean essentially the same thing when each uses such terms as more, less, same, longer, equal, etc., and when each interprets such questions as "Which looks or appears larger, etc.?" and "Which is really larger, etc?" that are used so often to assess whether the child is a conserver. Many investigators of conservation behavior have argued that such semantic guarantees cannot be made, and consequently in their research they have felt compelled to construct so-called nonverbal assessment techniques in which the contested terms and questions are avoided altogether or replaced with simpler expressions, or in which elaborate discriminative training procedures are employed to at least give subjects unambiguous referents for the words used in the particular experimental situation. Griffiths et al. (1967) argued that there is important variability in children's usage and understanding of such simple relational terms as more, less, same, and although Pratoomraj and Johnson (1966) found that the effect on conservation of quantity of questions contrasting these and other terms was negligible, Griffiths et al. thought it was a major methodological error in conservation studies to ignore this semantic variability among young children. In any case, studies using nonverbal assessments have shown that behavioral evidence for conservation of size and shape (Braine and Shanks, 1965a, 1968b), conservation of quantity (Cohen, 1967; Mermelstein and
Response of mud crab (Panopeus herbstii) megalopae to cues from adult habitat

During the summer of 1995, we investigated the response of mud crab megalopae (Panopeus herbstii Milne-Edwards) to cues associated with adult habitat. Natural rock/shell substratum and the rock-associated seaweed, Fucus vesiculosus L., both induced metamorphosis of competent megalopae; natural sand substratum did not induce metamorphosis. Structural mimics of preferred substrata induced metamorphosis only when covered with natural biofilm. Clean mimics did not induce metamorphosis. Water-soluble exudates from preferred substrata showed weak induction of metamorphosis. Exudates from adult P. herbstii elicited a similar weak response. Exudates from another species of crab and from two fish predators did not induce metamorphosis. We conclude that water-soluble cues associated with major components of preferred adult habitat induce the metamorphic molt of P. herbstii megalopae. The three-dimensional structure of the substratum is not important in induction of metamorphosis, but the biofilm associated with preferred substratum plays a critical role. It is not clear whether the biofilm produces the water-soluble cue or simply provides a tactile stimulus that works in conjunction with the soluble cue.
Game theory for cyber security

While there are significant advances in information technology and infrastructure which offer new opportunities, cyberspace is still far from completely secured. In many cases, the employed security solutions are ad hoc and lack a quantitative decision framework. While they are effective in solving the particular problems they are designed for, they generally fail to respond well in a dynamically changing scenario. To this end, we propose a holistic security approach in this paper. We find that game theory provides huge potential to place such an approach on a solid analytical setting. We consider the interaction between the attacks and the defense mechanisms as a game played between the attacker and the defender (system administrator). In particular, we propose a game theory inspired defense architecture in which a game model acts as the brain. We focus on one of our recently proposed game models, namely imperfect information stochastic game. Although this game model seems to be promising, it also faces new challenges which warrant future attention. We discuss our current ideas on extending this model to address such challenges.
New England's First Depression: Beyond an Export-Led Interpretation

Historians of New England's economy traditionally explain the region's recovery from its first depression, which lasted from the early to the mid-1640s, by Massachusetts' export of surplus goods to transatlantic markets (primarily in the West Indies). This conventional interpretation, however, overlooks the timing of the sugar transition in the West Indies as well as the inability of the Bay Colony's local infrastructure at that point to sustain an export trade of the requisite magnitude. The local economy, rather than an export market, was the likely engine of recovery.
Status report on ANL computer-controlled target storage system

Abstract A previous paper has discussed the computer controlled target storage system designed and built at Argonne National Laboratory. This preliminary system is now in operation, it provides protection to targets during power failures, and places the system in a safe shutdown mode. The system recovers upon power restoration, thereby restoring the system to the normal mode. The target storage facility permits user access while protecting targets in the chamber. A status report will be given on the present system operation as well as the results of operational testing. In addition, the results of operational testing problems associated with making the system fully operational under computer control will be discussed. Some of the problems, and potential solutions, under investigation will be discussed.
Hypoploidy and hyperplasia in the developing brain exposed to alcohol in utero.

Prenatal effects of acute maternal alcohol ingestion on chromosome segregation and mitotic frequency in the brain cells of the fetus were evaluated in mice by direct chromosome and mitotic counts and by flow cytometry. Fetuses were exposed to acute transplacental doses of alcohol for 4 days and killed on the fifth day. Those litters in which the fetuses were developed to the equivalent of normal 16th–17th-day gestation age were analyzed. A marked increase in the number of hypoploid metaphases was observed in direct proportion to the dose ingested by the mother. An over 30% increase in hypoploidy over controls was measured in the fetuses exposed to the highest dose. Counts of mitotic cells showed an over tenfold increase in the mitotic index of the fetal brain exposed to alcohol. Flow cytometric measurements of DNA content in isolated fetal brain cell nuclei showed a shift from a single G0/G1 peak in controls to a bimodal G0/G1 – G2+M distribution in alcohol-exposed fetuses of the same developmental age.
Matrix Metalloprotease-1a Promotes Tumorigenesis and Metastasis

Matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP1), a collagenase and activator of the G protein-coupled protease activated receptor-1 (PAR1), is an emerging new target implicated in oncogenesis and metastasis in diverse cancers. However, the functional mouse homologue of MMP1 in cancer models has not yet been clearly defined. We report here that Mmp1a is a functional MMP1 homologue that promotes invasion and metastatic progression of mouse lung cancer and melanoma. LLC1 (Lewis lung carcinoma) and primary mouse melanoma cells harboring active BRAF express high levels of endogenous Mmp1a, which is required for invasion through collagen. Silencing of either Mmp1a or PAR1 suppressed invasive stellate growth of lung cancer cells in three-dimensional matrices. Conversely, ectopic expression of Mmp1a conferred an invasive phenotype in epithelial cells that do not express endogenous Mmp1a. Consistent with Mmp1a acting as a PAR1 agonist in an autocrine loop, inhibition or silencing of PAR1 resulted in a loss of the Mmp1a-driven invasive phenotype. Knockdown of Mmp1a on tumor cells resulted in significantly decreased tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis in xenograft models. Together, these data demonstrate that cancer cell-derived Mmp1a acts as a robust functional homologue of MMP1 by conferring protumorigenic and metastatic behavior to cells.
Liquid gastric emptying as an adjunct to hepatobiliary scintigraphy when oral corn oil is used as a cholecystagogue for determining gallbladder emptying.

During times of sincalide shortage, a fatty meal can be used to stimulate gallbladder contraction during hepatobiliary scintigraphy. However, if a patient has an abnormal gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF), is the cause chronic cholecystitis or is it inadequate cholecystokinin stimulation due to poor gastric emptying? Hence, during the 2014 sincalide shortage, simultaneous liquid gastric emptying using 99mTc-sulfur colloid along with corn oil emulsion was initiated as routine practice in patients evaluated for GBEF. The objective of this study was to retrospectively assess the time course of gastric emptying in these patients, especially with regard to whether delayed gastric emptying may be a factor in some patients with a poor GBEF. Methods: My institution’s clinical imaging procedure during the 2014 sincalide shortage consisted of routine 99mTc-mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy followed by corn oil emulsion and 99mTc-sulfur colloid orally. Dynamic imaging with regions of interest encompassing the gallbladder and the stomach allowed determination of GBEF and gastric emptying. For this study, the imaging records for 53 consecutive patients undergoing this clinical procedure were reviewed. The time for half gastric emptying, along with percentage gastric emptying at the end of imaging, was evaluated in relationship to GBEF. Results: Seventeen patients had a normal GBEF (74% ± 14%) and satisfactory gastric emptying (31 ± 21 min for half emptying, 75% ± 14% emptying at end of imaging); 17 patients had a normal GBEF (77% ± 17%) despite unsatisfactory gastric emptying (only 30% ± 14% emptying at end of imaging); 5 patients had an abnormal GBEF (19% ± 9%) and satisfactory gastric emptying (26 ± 19 min for half emptying, 82% ± 14% emptying at end of imaging), supporting a diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis; 11 patients had an abnormal GBEF (26% ± 9%) but also unsatisfactory gastric emptying (only 26% ± 13% emptying at end of imaging), which did offer additional support for a diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis; and 3 patients had a borderline GBEF (40% ± 2%) with satisfactory gastric emptying (59% ± 6% emptying at end of imaging). Conclusion: Simultaneous liquid gastric emptying can provide additional information in the interpretation of GBEF when a fatty meal is used as an oral cholecystagogue, especially to help differentiate chronic cholecystitis from inadequate cholecystokinin stimulation due to poor gastric emptying.
Temperature Dependent Electrical and Dielectrics Properties of Metal-Insulator-Metal Capacitors with Alumina-Silicone Nanolaminate Films

Alumina-silicone hybrid nanolaminate films were synthesized by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. PECVD allows digital control over nanolaminate construction, and may be performed at low temperature for compatibility with flexible substrates. These materials are being considered as dielectrics for application such as capacitors in thin film transistors and memory devices. Temperature dependent electrical and dielectric properties of the nanolaminate dielectric films in metal-insulator-metal structures are taken in the range of 200- 340 K to better asses their potential applications for different devices. It is observed that the frequency dependent dielectric constant (er) and ac conductivity (σac) increase with the temperature. Both quadratic (α) and linear (β) voltage coefficient of capacitance (VCC) increases as the temperature increases. The temperature co-efficient of capacitance (TCC) decreases from 894 to 374 ppm/K as the Al2O3 composition increases in the alumina/silicone nanolaminates. Activation energy (Ea) for hopping conduction mechanism varies from 0.011 eV to 0.008 eV as the alumina composition increases from 50 to 83.3%.
Efficient use of memory bandwidth to improve network processor throughput

We consider the efficiency of packet buffers used in packet switches built using network processors (NPs). Packet buffers are typically implemented using DRAM, which provides plentiful buffering at a reasonable cost. The problem we address is that a typical NP workload may be unable to utilize the peak DRAM bandwidth. Since the bandwidth of the packet buffer is often the bottleneck in the performance of a shared-memory packet switch, inefficient use of available DRAM bandwidth further reduces the packet throughput. Specialized hardware-based schemes that alleviate the DRAM bandwith problem in high-end routers may be less applicable to NP-based systems, in which cost is an important consideration.In this paper, we propose cost-effective ways to enhance average-case DRAM bandwidth. In modern DRAMs, successive accesses falling within the same DRAM row are significantly faster than those falling across rows. If accesses to DRAM can be generated differently or reordered to take advantage of fast same-row accesses, peak DRAM bandwidth can be approached. The challenge is in exploiting this "row locality" despite the unpredictable nature of memory accesses in NPs. We propose a set of simple techniques to meet this challenge. These include locality-sensitive buffer allocation on packet input, reordering DRAM accesses to increase locality, and prefetching to reduce row miss penalty. We evaluate our techniques on cycle-accurate simulations of Intel's IXP 1200 network processor and find that they boost packet throughput on average by 42.7%, utilizing nearly the peak DRAM bandwidth, for a set of common NP applications processing a real trace.
Country of Origin and Foreign IPO Legitimacy: Understanding the Role of Geographic Scope and Insider Ownership:

Foreign firms from emergent economies are increasingly seeking equity capital in developed economies like the United States. Utilizing institutional, signaling, and agency theories this research examines the legitimacy of foreign IPOs (initial public offerings) in the United States. Employing the population of foreign IPOs listed on U.S. stock exchanges between 1997 and 2004, it is demonstrated that firms from countries with governmental policies and institutional practices that protect the economic freedom of its citizens are significantly less underpriced than IPOs of firms originating from countries experiencing lower levels of economic freedom. The evidence further indicates that firms from emerging economies can overcome negative country perceptions associated with lower levels of legitimacy by increasing their international scope of operations prior to beginning the IPO process as well as by retaining acceptable levels of ownership in their respective firms.
Variations in Gulf Coast Heat Flow Created by Ground-Water Flow: ABSTRACT

Two major regional trends in Gulf Coast heat flow have been noted: a decrease in temperature at given depths basinward and an increase in geothermal gradient with depth. These trends are complicated by local heat flow anomalies. Although basement heat input may have increased during a Mesozoic rifting episode, it has probably remained essentially constant since the Late Jurassic. Therefore, the regional differences in heat flow must be the result of intrinsic sediment properties, sediment deposition, and fluids moving through the sediments. Numerical modeling indicates that the major regional trends can be explained by a moving-boundary effect caused by continuous, long-term sediment deposition, coupled with forced convection caused by the compaction of the sediments. Dep sition of cool sediments depresses the isotherms until the sediments can be heated to normal levels. Marginward heat advection due to lateral and upward movement of fluids through the more permeable sediments also contributes to the regional trend of higher temperatures in the older, inland sediments. Local perturbations (abnormally high temperatures) are caused by fluid movement focused along fault zones or flanks of salt domes. Observed thermal anomalies near salt domes may be caused primarily by fluid movement, not by the greater thermal conductivity of salt. Finally, theoretical and field evidence indicates the possible occurrence of free convection in the Gulf Coast basin, which may be an important factor in the heat flux on both a regional and a local scale. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1418------------
Polysilicon Thin Film Transistors with Cobalt amd Nickel Silicide Source and Drain Contacts

Polysilicon n-type thin film transistors have been fabricated with self-aligned cobalt and nickel silicide contacts to the source and drain regions. The sheet resistance of the source and drain without silicide is above 200 Ω/‪. The cobalt and nickel silicide films have sheet resistance below 30 Ω/‪. The contact resistance of the silicided devices is also much lower. The reduced extrinsic resistance is shown to improve the current in the “on” state, without increasing the leakage current. This study includes examination of cobalt and nickel silicidation on thin polysilicon films at temperatures compatible with polysilicon TFT-LCD processes.
Warm ischemia provokes inflammation and regional hypercoagulability within the heart during off-pump coronary artery bypass: a possible target for serine protease inhibition.

Objective: Accumulating evidence suggests that a hypercoagulable state influences early graft failure after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). We hypothesized that regional myocardial ischemia caused by obligatory periods of coronary occlusion during OPCAB is an important trigger for this prothrombotic state. Methods: Using a series of biomarkers, 60 consecutive patients undergoing OPCAB were monitored for myocardial injury (myoglobin), inflammation (TNF-a, IL-8) and thrombosis (thrombin generation-F1.2, contact activation pathway-FXII-a, platelet derived microparticles-via flow cytometry). The transcardiac gradients of these markers were determined by assaying both arterial and coronary sinus blood just after protamine administration. Intramyocardial pH was monitored continuously during coronary occlusion in a subset (N = 30 grafts, 11 patients). The influence of management strategies affecting hemostasis (e.g. antiplatelet therapy, anti-fibrinolytics, peak activated clotting time (ACT) during heparinization) was analyzed. Results: Ischemic injury, depicted by the transcardiac myoglobin gradient, significantlycorrelatedwithintramyocardialacidosisduringcoronaryocclusion(R = 0.96,p < 0.0001)andpredictedthetranscardiacgradientsof TNF-a (R = 0.83, p < 0.001) and F1.2 (R = 0.72, p < 0.0001). Transcardiac F1.2 strongly correlated with TNF-a (R = 0.73, p = 0.01) and IL-8 (R = 0.51, p = 0.02). Patients receiving aprotinin (N = 20) showed significantly lower transcardiac gradients for myoglobin (4.1 7.5% vs 72.9 108.8% change, p = 0.002), F1.2 (31 37% vs 89 149%, p = 0.03), FXII-a (2.6 4.1% vs 19.2 34%, p = 0.04) and microparticles (7 3.9% vs 12.9 8%, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Strong correlations between myocardial ischemia and the transcardiac gradients of markers for inflammation and thrombosis suggest that even brief episodes of coronary occlusion in the beating heart may have pathophysiologic consequences. Aprotinin, but not other factors that influence the coagulation system, appears to mitigate this process during OPCAB.
Potential Role of Phospholipases in Virulence and Fungal Pathogenesis

Microbial pathogens use a number of genetic strategies to invade the host and cause infection. These common themes are found throughout microbial systems. Secretion of enzymes, such as phospholipase, has been proposed as one of these themes that are used by bacteria, parasites, and pathogenic fungi. The role of extracellular phospholipase as a potential virulence factor in pathogenic fungi, including Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus, has gained credence recently. In this review, data implicating phospholipase as a virulence factor in C. albicans, Candida glabrata, C. neoformans, and A. fumigatus are presented. A detailed description of the molecular and biochemical approaches used to more definitively delineate the role of phospholipase in the virulence of C. albicans is also covered. These approaches resulted in cloning of three genes encoding candidal phospholipases (caPLP1, caPLB2, and PLD). By using targeted gene disruption, C. albicans null mutants that failed to secrete phospholipase B, encoded by caPLB1, were constructed. When these isogenic strain pairs were tested in two clinically relevant murine models of candidiasis, deletion of caPLB1 was shown to lead to attenuation of candidal virulence. Importantly, immunogold electron microscopy studies showed that C. albicans secretes this enzyme during the infectious process. These data indicate that phospholipase B is essential for candidal virulence. Although the mechanism(s) through which phospholipase modulates fungal virulence is still under investigations, early data suggest that direct host cell damage and lysis are the main mechanisms contributing to fungal virulence. Since the importance of phospholipases in fungal virulence is already known, the next challenge will be to utilize these lytic enzymes as therapeutic and diagnostic targets.
Classroom experiences and student attitudes toward electronic design automation

The electrical engineering department of Tennessee Technological University recently introduced a significant amount of electronic design automation into its digital systems curriculum, which is used by a number of classes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The tools include PSpice, Palasm, and Workview, which supply a broad range of important capabilities. How the tools are used in the classroom and how the students have responded are discussed in detail.
Dealing with uncertain measurements in virtual representations for robot guidance

When measurements are collected with real sensors, it is known that they are always subject to some level of uncertainty due to the imperfection of practical systems. Often, it might be acceptable to neglect the uncertainty of measurements in order to simplify the development. But such a simplification can also result in critical situations under some specific circumstances such as the building of virtual maps for robot guidance. Erroneous data can easily lead to collisions between the robot and its environment which might result in important damage both to the robotic system and its surroundings. This paper presents an analysis of how uncertainty originating from multiple sources including uncertain spatial relationships in a robotic workcell can be propagated up to the scene representation. Various ways are studied to propagate the uncertainty over a chain of geometrical transformations in 3-D space and an approach is proposed to merge the propagated uncertainty into an occupancy grid that models a cluttered environment.
Managing Knowledge in Organization Studies Through Instrumentation

This article advocates a program of standard instrumentation in organization studies to improve the way knowledge is managed in the discipline. The construct ‘knowledge management’ is discussed, and the role of this construct in the theory of the firm is briefly reviewed. Then two problems of knowledge management in organization studies are identified—construct de-objectification and the difficulty of cumulating knowledge across empirical studies. The role of instrumentation in natural science is described, and it is argued that standard instrumentation in natural science helps moderate the problems of construct de-objectification and barriers to cross-study accumulation of knowledge. The possibility of implementing a program of standard instrumentation in organization studies is then discussed. It is maintained that standardized instrumentation for measuring organization studies constructs would help alleviate the knowledge management problems just mentioned. Advantages and disadvantages of the standard ...