cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical efficacy of becaplermin (rhPDGF-BB) gel

Abstract The results of four multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group studies of the efficacy of becaplermin gel are reviewed here. The four studies included a total of 922 patients, all of whom received a standardized regimen of good ulcer care. Patients were randomized to receive placebo gel, 30 or 100 μg/g becaplermin gel, or good ulcer care alone. In Studies 1 and 2, the incidence of complete healing was significantly higher in patients receiving becaplermin gel (30 μg/g, Study 1; 100 μg/g, Study 2) compared with that in patients receiving placebo gel. In Study 3, which was not powered for statistical analysis, the incidence of complete healing in patients treated with 100 μg/g becaplermin gel was approximately twice that of patients treated with good ulcer care alone. In Study 4, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complete healing in patients treated with becaplermin gel versus good ulcer care alone.
DNA damage checkpoint triggers autophagy to regulate the initiation of anaphase.

Budding yeast cells suffering a single unrepaired double-strand break (DSB) trigger the Mec1 (ATR)-dependent DNA damage response that causes them to arrest before anaphase for 12–15 h. Here we find that hyperactivation of the cytoplasm-to-vacuole (CVT) autophagy pathway causes the permanent G2/M arrest of cells with a single DSB that is reflected in the nuclear exclusion of both Esp1 and Pds1. Transient relocalization of Pds1 is also seen in wild-type cells lacking vacuolar protease activity after induction of a DSB. Arrest persists even as the DNA damage-dependent phosphorylation of Rad53 diminishes. Permanent arrest can be overcome by blocking autophagy, by deleting the vacuolar protease Prb1, or by driving Esp1 into the nucleus with a SV40 nuclear localization signal. Autophagy in response to DNA damage can be induced in three different ways: by deleting the Golgi-associated retrograde protein complex (GARP), by adding rapamycin, or by overexpression of a dominant ATG13-8SA mutation.
Speech understanding in noise with earplugs and muffs in combination

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the effect on speech understanding of an earplug and muff, worn in combination. Two groups of 12 normal-hearing subjects were tested individually in a semi-reverberant chamber. The measurements included free-field assessment of hearing thresholds from 0.25 to 8 kHz and consonant discrimination, with the ears unoccluded or fitted with E-A-R foam plugs, the Peltor Aviation communication headset, or the two devices in combination. The headset had active noise reduction (ANR) capability, and was tested without and with ANR operational. The speech was presented at a level of 85 dB SPL either in speech spectrum noise (Group 1) or cable swager noise (Group 2), presented with speech-to-noise ratios ranging from +5 to −10 dB. The two noise backgrounds differed in terms of both energy spectrum and temporal characteristics. The results showed that below 2 kHz, the devices worn in combination provided as much as 30 dB more sound attenuation than either device alone. The effect of the combination on consonant discrimination was a decrease of only 4%. The type of noise background and speech-to-noise ratio proved to be more important determinants of outcome.
Baculovirus DNA Replication-Specific Expression Factors Trigger Apoptosis and Shutoff of Host Protein Synthesis during Infection

Apoptosis is an important antivirus defense. To define the poorly understood pathways by which invertebrates respond to viruses by inducing apoptosis, we have identified replication events that trigger apoptosis in baculovirus-infected cells. We used RNA silencing to ablate factors required for multiplication of Autographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). Transfection with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) complementary to the AcMNPV late expression factors (lefs) that are designated as replicative lefs (lef-1, lef-2, lef-3, lef-11, p143, dnapol, and ie-1/ie-0) blocked virus DNA synthesis and late gene expression in permissive Spodoptera frugiperda cells. dsRNAs specific to designated nonreplicative lefs (lef-8, lef-9, p47, and pp31) blocked late gene expression without affecting virus DNA replication. Thus, both classes of lefs functioned during infection as defined. Silencing the replicative lefs prevented AcMNPV-induced apoptosis of Spodoptera cells, whereas silencing the nonreplicative lefs did not. Thus, the activity of replicative lefs or virus DNA replication is sufficient to trigger apoptosis. Confirming this conclusion, AcMNPV-induced apoptosis was suppressed by silencing the replicative lefs in cells from a divergent species, Drosophila melanogaster. Silencing replicative but not nonreplicative lefs also abrogated AcMNPV-induced shutdown of host protein synthesis, suggesting that virus DNA replication triggers inhibition of host biosynthetic processes and that apoptosis and translational arrest are linked. Our findings suggest that baculovirus DNA replication triggers a host cell response similar to the DNA damage response in vertebrates, which causes translational arrest and apoptosis. Pathways for detecting virus invasion and triggering apoptosis may therefore be conserved between insects and mammals.
Hypothalamic effector neurons and extended circuitries activated in “neurogenic” stress: A comparison of footshock effects exerted acutely, chronically, and in animals with controlled glucocorticoid levels

Immunolocalization of Fos protein was used to identify and characterize hypothalamic visceromotor populations responsive to acute and chronic intermittent footshock stress, and candidate afferent mediators of hypothalamic effects. Exposure to a single 30 minute footshock session induced maximal Fos expression in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) 2 hours after the challenge; activated cells corresponded principally to hypophysiotropic neurons expressing corticotropin-releasing factor, with secondary involvement of magnocellular oxytocinergic and autonomic-related projection neurons. Extrahypothalamic cell groups activated in response to acute footshock included ones associated with the processing or modulation of somatosensory/nociceptive inputs, the limbic region of the telencephalon, and visceral sensory mechanisms. Rats with constant corticosterone levels displayed enhanced footshock-induced Fos expression in the parvicellular compartment of the PVH, as well as in certain limbic and somatosensory cell groups, the locus coeruleus, but not in medullary catecholaminergic cell groups. Animals subjected to chronic intermittent stress (2 sessions/day for 7 days) showed only modest evidence of habituation of cellular activation responses in the PVH and most extrahypothalamic regions. Rats bearing retrograde tracer deposits in the PVH and killed 2 hours after acute footshock displayed Fos-positive retrogradely labeled neurons principally in medullary catecholaminergic cell groups, with secondary foci in the hypothalamus, limbic region, and pontine tegmentum. This characterization of footshock-responsive systems identifies cell groups that are in a position to (1) mediate acute stress effects on hypothalamic visceromotor neurons, (2) comprise targets for corticosteroid negative feedback effects, and/or (3) underlie habituation of the neuroendocrine limb of the stress response. J. Comp. Neurol. 393:244–266, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pitfalls in antibody imaging in colorectal cancer

Monoclonal antibodies against tumor-associated antigens can be conjugated to radionuclides and used to localize tumors in vivo. This technique may be useful in identifying recurrent disease that cannot be demonstrated using conventional studies such as computerized tomography. The literature suggests that the use of antibody fragments and SPECT imaging will increase the diagnostic yield. The choice of radionuclide may vary depending on the region of interest. Factors that influence the success of imaging include the experience of individuals interpreting the scan and the level of tissue antigen expression
The Use of Service Dogs as an Adaptive Strategy: A Qualitative Study

Objective The purpose of this study was to describe, qualitatively the use of service dogs by persons with physical disabilities and the meaning of this experience. Method Five service dog owners were observed and interviewed on multiple occasions through an ethnographic approach. Results Identified themes were increased community participation, "closer than family" increased social contact, personal skill development, having fun, responsibility, adjustment, challenges, independence, "someone to watch over me," and "feel like an able-bodied person." Conclusion Service dogs are used to enhance independence in occupational performance areas and contribute to improvements in psychosocial functioning. Given these benefits, service dogs could be viewed as a form of assistive technology that occupational therapists may want to consider as an alternative to traditional devices for some clients.
Efficacy of Penicillin versus Cefdinir in Eradication of Group A Streptococci and Tonsillar Flora

Core tonsillar cultures were obtained from 40 children with recurrent tonsillitis treated with either penicillin or cefdinir. Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 11 penicillin- and 3 cefdinir-treated (P < 0.001) patients. beta-Lactamase producers were recovered from 17 penicillin- and 3 cefdinir-treated (P < 0.01) patients. Inhibiting alpha-hemolytic streptococci were isolated less often from penicillin-treated patients than from cefdinir-treated patients.
Optical readout for imaging neutron scintillation detectors

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) under construction at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will be the most important new neutron scattering facility in the United States. Neutron scattering instruments for the SNS will require large area detectors with fast response ( 6 LiF/ZnS(Ag) scintillator screen coupled to a wavelength-shifting fiber optic readout array. A 25 x 25 cm prototype detector is currently under development. Initial tests at the Intense Pulsed Neutron Source at the Argonne National Laboratory have demonstrated good imaging properties coupled with very low gamma ray sensitivity. The response time of this detector is approximately 1 microsecond. Details of the design and test results of the detector will be presented.
Pentobarbital dose-dependently increases respiratory genioglossus muscle activity while impairing diaphragmatic function in anesthetized rats.

Background—Anesthetics depress both ventilatory and upper airway dilator muscle activity and thus put the upper airway at risk for collapse. However, these effects are agent-dependent and may involve upper airway and diaphragm muscles to varying degrees. We assessed the effects of pentobarbital on upper airway dilator and respiratory pump muscle function in rats, and compared these results with the effects of normal sleep. Methods—Tracheostomized rats were given increasing doses of pentobarbital to produce deep sedation, then light and deep anesthesia, and negative pressure airway stimuli were applied (n=11). To compare the effects of pentobarbital with those of natural sleep, we chronically instrumented rats (n=10) with genioglossus and neck electromyogram and electroencephalogram electrodes and compared genioglossus activity during wakefulness, sleep (rapid-eye-movement and non- rapid-eyemovement), and pentobarbital anesthesia. Results—Pentobarbital caused a dose-dependent decrease in ventilation and in phasic diaphragmatic electromyogram by 11±0.1%, but increased phasic genioglossus electromyogram by 23±0.2%. Natural non-rapid-eye-movement sleep and pentobarbital anesthesia (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) decreased respiratory genioglossus electromyogram by 61±29%, and 45±35% respectively, and natural rapid-eye-movement sleep caused the greatest decrease in phasic genioglossus electromyogram (95±0.3%).
Some Applications of Magma in Designs and Codes

We describe three applications of Magma to problems in the area of designs and the associated codes: ? Steiner systems, Hadamard designs and symmetric designs arising from an oval in an even-order plane, leading in the classical case to bent functions and difference-set designs; ? the Hermitian unital as a 2-(q3+ 1, q+ 1, 1) design, and the code overFp where p divides q+ 1; ? a basis of minimum-weight vectors for the code over Fpof the design of points and hyperplanes of the affine geometry AGd(Fp), where p is a prime.
Discrete expression and distribution pattern of TIMP-3 in the human retina and choroid

PURPOSE. Extracellular matrix homeostasis is dependent in part upon a family of matrix metalloproteinases and their specific inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Recentl...
Second Species Periodic Orbits of the Elliptic 3 Body Problem

We consider the plane restricted elliptic 3 body problem with small mass ratio and small eccentricity and prove the existence of many periodic orbits shadowing chains of collision orbits of the Kepler problem. Such periodic orbits were first studied by Poincare for the non-restricted 3 body problem. Poincare called them second species solutions.
Thickness-dependent orientation evolution in nickel thin films grown on yttria-stabilized zirconia single crystals

Microstructure evolution along with crystallographic orientation change as a function of film thickness was investigated in Ni thin films grown on (100) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) single crystal substrates. Texture development with two different orientation relationships, OR1: Ni {111}//YSZ {100} and OR2: Ni {100}//YSZ {100}, cube on cube orientation were identified by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy depending on the film thickness. The observed orientation transition reveals the existence of a critical thickness (∼320 nm) favoring two different orientations in sputtered Ni films on YSZ (100) substrate.
PCIe Gen3 link design and tuning in server systems with end devices from multiple IP suppliers

This paper discusses link routing budget considerations for PCIe Gen3 designs in server systems. Special attention will be given to channel discontinuities and their effect on eye opening. Link training complications will be discussed with respect to equalization and tuning behavior when accommodating multiple transmitters and receivers from different vendor sources. Insertion loss plots and eye simulation data will be analyzed and interpreted. Hardware data will show that optimally simulated equalization cases may not necessarily occur.
Models for Lane Utilization Prediction for Lane Drop Intersections

Lane drops downstream of signalized intersections can be found on many urban and suburban streets and highways. Because drivers tend to avoid using the short lane because of the potential for stressful merges downstream of the signal, the short lane is typically underused. Previous research indicates that the default lane utilization factors in the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) appear to overestimate traffic in the short lane. The purpose of this research is to develop models to predict lane utilization factors for six intersection types and to assess how low lane utilization affects the observed intersection capacity and level of service. Traffic and signal data were collected at 47 sites in North Carolina. On the basis of 15 candidate factors, multiple regression models were developed for predicting the lane utilization factor. Field-measured delays were compared with delays estimated by the HCM with the use of regression models for lane utilization. It was found that even with the new models for lane utilization, the HCM consistently overestimated delay for all types of lane drop intersections with low lane utilization: a reassessment of the effect of lane utilization on capacity may be in order. This study also found that the downstream lane length and traffic intensity positively correlate with the lane utilization factor and that some geometric variables at the approach may also influence lane utilization.
The effects of nutrient enrichment on algae and macroinvertebrates in the everglades: A review

Over 400 metric tons of phosphorus and 12,000 metric tons of nitrogen flow annually into the northern part of the Everglades. Data describing the effects of nutrient enrichment, especially phosphorus, on algae and macroinvertebrates in the Everglades are reviewed and compared to our preliminary results. The Everglades is a harsh aquatic environment characterized by high summer temperatures (>35 C) and fluctuating, low oxygen conditions. In unenriched habitats, oxygen concentrations at the algae-water interface can vary from 200% supersaturation (approximately 30 mg/l) during the day to less than 3.0 mg/l at night. Although surface water carbon dioxide concentrations from nighttime respiration are depleted by noon of the following day, pH remains circumneutral because of high bicarbonate concentrations. Growths of cyanobacteria, often exceeding 6 cm in thickness, characterize unenriched open water habitats. Despite longstanding suggestions to the contrary, there is no evidence that the cyanobacterial mat is consumed by higher trophic levels. Annual net daily metabolism in unenriched habitats ranges from −0.065 to 2.01 g C m−2 d−1 with an average of 0.92 g C m−2 d−1. Previous reports concerning the effects of P enrichment on oxygen and macroinvertebrates are confounded by comparisons between habitats that differ with respect to hydroperiod, water depth, and macrophyte species composition in addition to nutrient loading. Nutrient enrichment causes disintegration of the abundant cyanobacterial mat and a shift in algal species composition and relative abundance. Annual primary production and algal biomass were 2.9 and 3.0× greater, respectively, in phosphorus enriched conditions compared to unenriched areas. Algal diversity, however, was not significantly different in enriched compared to unenriched habitats. Our preliminary analyses indicate that macroinvertebrate diversity and density are higher within enriched compared to unenriched areas if similar habitat types (submerged macrophyte beds) are sampled. Also, there is no evidence that “fish kills” caused by anaerobiosis occur with greater frequency in enriched compared to unenriched areas.
Enterobacter cloacae Postsurgical Endophthalmitis: Report of a Positive Outcome

We report a positive outcome of postcataract endophthalmitis caused by Enterobacter cloacae, which has previously resulted in poor outcomes in endophthalmitis. A 67-year-old man underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery. On the morning of postoperative day (POD) #1, he had significant anterior chamber inflammation without pain, hypopyon, or vitritis but then rapidly developed hypopyon and worsening visual acuity. He underwent a tap and inject with vancomycin and ceftazidime and was prescribed topical steroids and antibiotics as well as oral levofloxacin. On POD #3, cultures of the vitreous and aqueous returned positive for E. cloacae. By POD #6, his hypopyon had resolved with improved vitritis, decreased inflammation, and visual acuity of 20/200. Two weeks after surgery, his best-corrected visual acuity was 20/60. Contrary to prior reports, we demonstrate that it is possible to achieve a good outcome in cases of E. cloacae endophthalmitis treated early with appropriate antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents.
Discretion in detectives' decision making and 'high profile' cases

This study closely examines the complexity of detectives' decision-making powers and more specifically focuses on decision making in the social construction of 'high profile' cases in one particular police department. Through the use of in-depth interviews, it examines the unequal treatment of cases in the manner they are investigated and explores the variables that play a role in the different treatments. This study attempts to gain insight into the police occupational culture by examining the investigations that become prioritized by the police; that is, what variables play a role in rendering a case 'high profile' (criminal cases that are prioritized internally and subsequently given special attention by detective offices), and what does this mean to officers' overall treatment of the case/investigation.
Fabrication Of Graded Index SiO2 Planar Optical Waveguides On Silicon Exhibiting Low Scattering

Planar graded index Si02 optical waveguides characterized by very low scattering have been fabricated on silicon substrates. The waveguides were thermally grown on silicon in two different ways. In one case, a Si02 thickness of 15 microns resulted in waveguiding with a total waveguide attenuation of 0.6 dB/cm. In another case, intentional doping of the Si02 layer allowed waveguiding to take place at a thickness of 6.6 microns with a total waveguide attenuation of 2.3 dB/cm. In each case, the relatively small magnitude of the refractive index change suggests that coupling to the silicon substrate is an important loss mechanism. Measurements imply that scattering loss from the waveguide itself is exceedingly low, and that continuing efforts to increase the field confinement may result in waveguides characterized by a substantially smaller value for the total waveguide attenuation.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Evaluation of two fatigability severity measures in elderly adults.

Objectives: To document the stability, concurrent validity, and clinical correlates of two fatigability severity measures as recommended by the American Geriatrics Society. Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional. Setting: Two independent living and one community senior centers. Participants: Forty-three participants, with an average age 85 ± 6. Measurements: Perceived fatigability severity was quantified by directly asking participants to report change in energy after a standardized 10-minute walk at a self-selected pace. Performance fatigability severity was defined as a ratio of change in walking speed to total distance walked. The walk test was repeated within 2 weeks to assess stability. Total daily physical activity (PA) was measured over 7 consecutive days using a waist-worn accelerometer. Frailty was measured using the Vulnerable Elders Survey interview scale, and gait speed was measured using a standardized 25-feet walk test. Results: The perceived and performance fatigability severity measures were significantly correlated (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.94, P < .001) and stable over two assessments (r = 0.82 and 0.85, P < .001). Both fatigability severity measures were significantly correlated with PA level (r = -0.42 and r = -0.44, respectively, P = .02), frailty (r = 0.47 and 0.53, respectively, P = .001) and gait speed (r = -0.45, P = .003 and r = -0.54, P = .001, respectively). Conclusion: The methodology described in this study permits the calculation of two highly correlated fatigability severity scores, which summarize the relationship between a person's change in self-reported tiredness or change in physical performance and concurrently measured PA. The fatigability severity scores are reproducible and correlated with clinical measures predictive of decline. The methods used to quantify fatigability severity can be implemented during a brief assessment (<15 minutes) and should be useful in the design and evaluation of interventions to increase PA in older adults at risk of functional decline.
Size and charge heterogeneity of immunoreactive gastrin in extracts of porcine antra

Abstract Two components immunoreactive to porcine gastrin antisera have been found in porcine antral extracts by starch gel electrophoresis and gel filtration. One corresponds to the heptadecapeptide hormone gastrin. The other displays the same size and charge characteristics reported by Yalow and Berson for BG in human plasma and human tissue extracts. Dialysis was of considerable value in separating the two.
Biarene Formation during Pyrolysis of a Mixture of Anthracene and Naphthalene

ABSTRACT The relative abundances of the six isomeric naphthyl-anthracenes, six isomeric bianthracenes and three isomeric binaphthalenes, as well as of the total secondary products have been measured for the pyrolysis of a 1 : 1 mole ratio mixture of anthracene and naphthalene. A residence time of 2 seconds and a temperature range of 1180−1500 K is used, and similar pyrolysis experiments are also performed using pure anthracene and pure naphthalene as fuels. Several polyarene products consisting of naphthyl and anthryl components have also been observed in chains up to at least 6 units long. The suggestion is made that thermodynamic equilibrium is not the governing factor in polyarene formation (a notion previously presented by Mulholland et al., 1993) as evidenced by the following observations. First, the relative abundances of the primary biarene products are found to conform roughly to those that can be calculated using simple kineticlstatistical and steric hindrance considerations. Second, the total ab...
Effects of body weight loss during transit from sale barns to commercial feedlots on health and performance in feeder cattle cohorts arriving to feedlots from 2000 to 2008

Body weight loss during transport or shrink (SHK) is a common occurrence in feeder cattle that results from a physiological, complex process. Previous studies have assessed the effects of environmental and dietary stressors on transport-associated BW loss; however, data on associations between shrink and subsequent health and performance parameters in feeder cattle are limited. Operational data from 13 U.S. commercial feedlots (n = 16,590 cattle cohorts) were used to quantify how SHK was associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) morbidity and overall mortality risks, HCW and ADG in feeder cattle cohorts arriving to feedlots during 2000 to 2008. Multivariable mixed-effects negative binomial and linear regression models were employed to determine these associations while accounting for other cohort-level demographic variables. The median SHK among the study cohorts was 3.0% with a mean (± SEM) of 2.4 ± 0.02%. The mean (± SEM) cumulative BRD morbidity was 10.0% ± 0.09% (median = 5.8%; range 0 to 100%) and the mean (± SEM) overall cumulative mortality was 1.3% ± 0.01% (median = 0.9%; range: 0 to 25.6%). The mean and median number of days on feed of cohorts experiencing initial BRD cases was 143 and 150 d (range = 23 to 288 d). The effects of SHK were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with BRD morbidity, overall mortality, HCW and ADG, and these effects were significantly (P < 0.05) modified by gender, season and mean arrival BW of the cohort. Combining data on BW loss during transport with cohort demographics could allow a more precise prediction of health and performance of feedlot cattle.
DIFFUSION OF Ti44 AND V48 IN TITANIUM

The diffusion of Ti44 and V48 in the b.c.c. phase of iodide titanium has been studied over the temperature range 900–1550°C. The resulting Arrhenius-type plots show curvature with the apparent activation energies and frequency factors increasing with temperature. The various possible interpretations of this behavior are considered.
The Development of a Physician Vitality Program: A Brief Report.

We describe the development of an innovative program to support physician vitality. We provide the context and process of program delivery which includes a number of experimental support programs. We discuss a model for intervention and methods used to enhance physician resilience, support work-life balance, and change the culture to one that explicitly addresses the physician's biopsychosocial-spiritual needs. Recommendations are given for marriage and family therapists (MFTs) who wish to develop similar support programs for healthcare providers. Video Abstract
The impact of Hot Carrier Injection (HCI) on Voltage Control Oscillator lifetime prediction

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the impact of Hot Carrier Injection (HCI) on differential LC Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) reliability tests. Although Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) has been recognized as major cause for reliability degradation of advanced circuits, HCI-induced degradation may become significant due to the accelerated aging of reliability tests leading to incorrect circuit lifetime prediction. To distinguish HCI effects, different stress voltages and frequencies are applied in Constant Voltage Stress (CVS) and Ramp Voltage Stress (RVS) tests. It is verified that the stress voltage and frequency dependence of time and voltage exponents in the reliability tests are due to the effect of HCI. Based on the observed results, a methodology is proposed to define proper stress conditions for accelerated circuit reliability tests for better lifetime prediction.
Thresholds in the long-term responses of breeding birds to forest cover and fragmentation

Abstract Mitigating the effects of habitat loss requires estimating the minimum amount of habitat necessary for the persistence of wildlife populations in a changing landscape. Assessing minimum habitat amounts, however, relies on identifying ecological thresholds in species’ responses to landscape change. Using two repeated state-wide atlases, our objective was to investigate the responses of 25 forest birds to a range of forest cover and fragmentation. Repeat atlases allow for the analysis of four population dynamics including: (1) colonization, (2) persistence, (3) extinction, and (4) absence. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that forest birds demonstrated thresholds in these four basic dynamics to varying amounts of forest cover and fragmentation. We found thresholds to be a common, though not pervasive, characteristic of how forest birds respond to forest cover and pattern. We found that the probability of persistence was positively correlated with forest cover and 22 species demonstrated threshold responses. In addition, 15 of 25 birds demonstrated discrete thresholds in extinction dynamics. The existence of a colonization threshold has received significantly less attention in ecology. We also found that 17 out of 25 species demonstrated thresholds in their colonization response to a greater amount of forest cover. The effects of forest fragmentation, independent of forest amount, were less clear. We found support for incorporating the effects of fragmentation, but this fragmentation effect was found both below and above threshold points. We conclude that incorporating ecological thresholds in environmental planning should be species-specific and focus on populations on the verge of rapid ecological change.
A primer on cryptography in communications

The secure transport of messages was the concern of many early civilizations. Since then, different methods have been developed to assure that only the sender and the addressee would be able to read a message, while it would be illegible or without significant meaning to a third party. Today, this practice continues with more fervor. Wireless, wired, and optical communication networks are able to transport unimaginable amounts of data and thus privacy of information and security of the network are of the utmost concern because a good part of the transported information may be very sensitive and/or confidential. Confidentiality of information has been particularly popularized with the explosive growth of the Internet, which has touched most people's lives. However, from the outset, the Internet was based on open network architecture with computer-based nodes and without network security, and thus was vulnerable to attackers and hackers. Wireless networks transmit in unguarded space and thus are also subject to malicious actors. Dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) optical networks transport a massive aggregate traffic that has exceeded terabits per second per single fiber; therefore, the issues of information privacy and network security are equally important. As a result, the development of unbreakable cipher keys, cipher-key distribution, identification of malicious actors, source authentication, physical-link signature identification, countermeasures, and so forth has been the major thrust of research efforts with regard to cyber-security. This article focuses on cryptography, and is the first of a series of three articles on cryptography and security in communications. Subsequent articles will cover wireless and IP network security, as well as optical network security, quantum cryptography, and quantum-key distribution processes specific to optical networks.
FROM THE INSIDE OUT: CALLING ON STATES TO PROVIDE MEDICALLY NECESSARY CARE TO TRANSGENDER YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE

It is well known that transgender youth in foster care often face egregious discrimination and victimization based on their gender identities. Unfortunately, transgender youth in foster care have also been deprived of transgender-specific medical care that is vital to their health and well-being. This Note advocates that child welfare agencies adopt legislation that will demonstrate their commitment to fulfilling their constitutional duty to provide medically necessary care to transgender youth in their custody. This Note examines recent case law on the topic and addresses counterarguments to the proposal, including risks associated with treatment, high cost, and the stigma of gender identity disorder. Ultimately, this Note concludes that adopting the proposed legislation is a necessary step toward securing health care rights for transgender foster care youth.
Functional properties of acetylcholine receptor monomeric and dimeric forms in reconstituted membranes.

The dimeric and monomeric forms of the acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica electroplax have been purified in the presence of lipids and reconstituted. A spectroscopic method was applied to study the rapid kinetics of cation transport mediated by each of the reconstituted AcChR oligomers. Both the AcChR dimer and monomer responded to carbamylcholine by mediating cation transport on the time scale of a few milliseconds. The responses to carbamylcholine were blocked by histrionicotoxin and by desensitization, demonstrating that both forms manifest pharmacological properties observed in vivo. Analysis of the fast ion transport produced by various agonist concentrations yielded estimated rates of transport through a single receptor channel. These were comparable for the monomer and dimer and in agreement with those obtained for a preparation containing a mixture of both oligomers.
Mechanisms and functions of DNA mismatch repair

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is a highly conserved biological pathway that plays a key role in maintaining genomic stability. The specificity of MMR is primarily for base-base mismatches and insertion/deletion mispairs generated during DNA replication and recombination. MMR also suppresses homeologous recombination and was recently shown to play a role in DNA damage signaling in eukaryotic cells. Escherichia coli MutS and MutL and their eukaryotic homologs, MutSalpha and MutLalpha, respectively, are key players in MMR-associated genome maintenance. Many other protein components that participate in various DNA metabolic pathways, such as PCNA and RPA, are also essential for MMR. Defects in MMR are associated with genome-wide instability, predisposition to certain types of cancer including hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, resistance to certain chemotherapeutic agents, and abnormalities in meiosis and sterility in mammalian systems.
Graded Dorsal and Differential Gene Regulation in the Drosophila Embryo

A gradient of Dorsal activity patterns the dorsoventral (DV) axis of the early Drosophila melanogaster embryo by controlling the expression of genes that delineate presumptive mesoderm, neuroectoderm, and dorsal ectoderm. The availability of the Drosophila melanogaster genome sequence has accelerated the study of embryonic DV patterning, enabling the use of systems-level approaches. As a result, our understanding of Dorsal-dependent gene regulation has expanded to encompass a collection of more than 50 genes and 30 cis-regulatory sequences. This information, which has been integrated into a spatiotemporal atlas of gene regulatory interactions, comprises one of the best-understood networks controlling any developmental process to date. In this article, we focus on how Dorsal controls differential gene expression and how recent studies have expanded our understanding of Drosophila embryonic development from the cis-regulatory level to that controlling morphogenesis of the embryo.
Flip chip electrical interconnection by selective electroplating and bonding

This work presents a parallel electrical inter- connection process by means of flip-chip, selective elec- troplating and bonding. The electrical interconnection lines are built on a glass substrate made of 500/2000 Aof Cr/Au with 3150 lm in length and 10 lm in width. Two silicon chips are processed as the device chips to be electrically interconnected. It has been demonstrated that 98 out of 102 interconnects are established in parallel with a successful rate of 96% and the average resistance of the electroplating bond is 12 W. This process has potential applications in replacing the conventional, serial wire bonding or tape automated bonding (TAB) process for massive interconnection requirements in IC or MEMS devices. Reliability test is also performed by putting the interconnects into boiling liquid nitrogen ()195 � C) re- peatedly. It is found that 100% of the interconnects survive after 2 cycles of the quenching process. 1
Parsing out the embryonic origin of subplate cell-type diversity

The proper wiring of neuronal circuits during development is a prerequisite for normal brain function. Moreover, complex brain function is possible in part because of the extraordinary diversity in neuronal cell types that provides the substrate for networks required for a variety of computational events in the brain. In this context, the characterization of neuronal subtypes present in the early brain has offered unique insights into the mechanisms underlying circuit assembly. At the heart of those cohorts of early-born neurons that have been implicated in brain maturation is the subplate group of neurons (SNs). SNs are generated between embryonic days (E) 10 and 12 (1). The subplate itself arises together with the cortical plate and marginal zone after splitting from the preplate around E13. This group is extremely diverse and contains both glutamatergic (2) and GABAergic neurons (3), as well as glial cells (4). Their prominence in primates and humans suggests a potentially fundamental role for SNs in the assembly of a multilayered cortical structure and in the development of intercortical connectivity patterns (5). Indeed, SNs have been implicated in several developmental processes. Most notably, these neurons are responsible for the maturation of thalamocortical connectivity. Thalamic axons undergo a wait period in the subplate before contacting their final targets in layer IV (6). Monosynaptic connections between thalamic axons and glutamatergic SNs … [↵][1]1E-mail: nad2018{at}med.cornell.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Growth in Thyroparathyroidectomized Rats Fed Laboratory Chow

Thyroparathyroidectomized rats fail to grow within a few weeks when given presumably adequate purified diets but grow at nearly normal rates when given laboratory chow. (Endocrinology 81: 673, 1967)
Modified atmosphere packaging of seafood.

Abstract The shelf life of seafood under current icing and refrigerated storage conditions ranges from 2 to 14 d, depending on species, harvest location, and season. Elevated carbon dioxide levels in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has been shown to inhibit the normal spoilage flora of seafood and double or triple shelf life. The threat of botulism, due to the presence of non‐proteolytic psychyrotrophic Clostridium botulinum types B, E, and F, has been reason for caution in expanding this technology. This article examines the safety of MAP seafood through analysis and comparison of raw materials, research methodologies, quality indices, treatment, and packaging options.
Robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy and extracorporeal continent urinary diversion: highlight of surgical techniques and outcomes

Background We report our technique for robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy (RARCP) and extracorporeal urinary diversion and present their clinical outcomes. Methods Between October 2003 and December 2008 we performed 58 RARCPs with extracorporeal continent urinary diversion. Preoperative, operative and postoperative data was evaluated. Results Mean patient age was 68 (range 46–89) years, with an average American Society of Anesthesiologists classification of 2.9. Mean operative time was 8 (range 5–11) h. Median blood loss was 450 ml. Thirteen patients received intra-operative blood transfusions and 22 patients received peri-operative blood transfusions. Continent urinary diversions were performed by means of the Studer technique (n = 42) or Indiana pouch (n = 16). Mean number of lymph nodes examined on lymphadenectomy was 27 (range 0–52). Conclusions Our RARCP and continent diversion technique is a safe and feasible option for primary urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Oncological and surgical outcomes are comparable to open cystectomy series. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design parameters for the damped detuned accelerating structure

The advanced accelerating cavities for the NLCTA (and anticipated for NLC) will incorporate damping as well as detuning. The damping is provided by a set of four waveguides (which also serve as pumping manifolds) that run parallel to the structure, with strong iris coupling to each cavity cell and terminated at each end by absorbers. The previously reported equivalent circuit analysis has been refined and the dependence upon design parameters explored. We find that adequate damping can be provided by a single waveguide mode, leading to designs which are more compact than those initially considered. The design parameters and their rationale will be presented.
Interactive multi-user multimedia environments on the Internet: an overview of DAMSEL and its implementation

The paper presents an overview of DAMSEL and it's implementation. DAMSEL comprises an embeddable dynamic multimedia specification language, and a software architecture suitable for multi user interactive multimedia environments. The goal of DAMSEL is to explore language constructs and execution environments for next generation interactive multimedia applications. The constructs of DAMSEL include primitives for event driven temporal specification-supporting causation and inhibition. Specifications allow behavioral parameters to be chosen, enabling very powerful temporal relations to be defined. Other constructs support the modification, and analysis of multimedia data, and high level abstractions for connections to user interfaces. Further, DAMSEL constructs support conditional and constraint logics, enabling more complex specifications than currently possible. DAMSEL is being implemented using a java implementation of the CORBA standard.
Evolution of DNA specificity in a transcription factor family produced a new gene regulatory module.

SUMMARY Complexgeneregulatorynetworksrequiretranscription factors (TFs) to bind distinct DNA sequences. To understand how novel TF specificity evolves, we combined phylogenetic, biochemical, and biophysical approaches to interrogate how DNA recognition diversified in the steroid hormone receptor (SR) family. After duplication of the ancestral SR, three mutations in one copy radically weakened binding to the ancestral estrogen response element (ERE) and improved binding to a new set of DNA sequences (steroid response elements, SREs). They did so by establishing unfavorable interactions with ERE and abolishing unfavorable interactions with SRE; also required were numerous permissive substitutions, which nonspecifically improved cooperativity and affinity of DNA binding. Our findings indicate that negative determinants of binding play key roles in TFs’ DNA selectivity and—with our prior work on the evolution of SR ligand specificity during the same interval—show how a specific new gene regulatory module evolved without interfering with the integrity of the ancestral module.
Examination of Campylobacter jejuni Putative Adhesins Leads to the Identification of a New Protein, Designated FlpA, Required for Chicken Colonization

Campylobacter jejuni colonization of chickens is presumably dependent upon multiple surface-exposed proteins termed adhesins. Putative C. jejuni adhesins include CadF, CapA, JlpA, major outer membrane protein, PEB1, Cj1279c, and Cj1349c. We examined the genetic relatedness of 97 C. jejuni isolates recovered from human, poultry, bovine, porcine, ovine, and canine sources by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and examined their profile of putative adhesin-encoding genes by dot blot hybridization. To assess the individual contribution of each protein in bacterium-host cell adherence, the C. jejuni genes encoding the putative adhesins were disrupted by insertional mutagenesis. The phenotype of each mutant was judged by performing in vitro cell adherence assays with chicken LMH hepatocellular carcinoma epithelial cells and in vivo colonization assays with broiler chicks. MLST analysis indicated that the C. jejuni isolates utilized in this study were genetically diverse. Dot blot hybridization revealed that the C. jejuni genes encoding the putative adhesins, with the exception of capA, were conserved among the isolates. The C. jejuni CadF, CapA, Cj1279c, and Cj1349c proteins were found to play a significant role in the bacterium's in vitro adherence to chicken epithelial cells, while CadF, PEB1, and Cj1279c were determined to play a significant role in the bacterium's in vivo colonization of broiler chicks. Collectively, the data indicate that Cj1279c is a novel adhesin. Because Cj1279c harbors fibronectin type III domains, we designated the protein FlpA, for fibronectin-like protein A.
Does mentoring new peer reviewers improve review quality? A randomized trial

Prior efforts to train medical journal peer reviewers have not improved subsequent review quality, although such interventions were general and brief. We hypothesized that a manuscript-specific and more extended intervention pairing new reviewers with high-quality senior reviewers as mentors would improve subsequent review quality. Over a four-year period we randomly assigned all new reviewers for Annals of Emergency Medicine to receive our standard written informational materials alone, or these materials plus a new mentoring intervention. For this program we paired new reviewers with a high-quality senior reviewer for each of their first three manuscript reviews, and asked mentees to discuss their review with their mentor by email or phone. We then compared the quality of subsequent reviews between the control and intervention groups, using linear mixed effects models of the slopes of review quality scores over time. We studied 490 manuscript reviews, with similar baseline characteristics between the 24 mentees who completed the trial and the 22 control reviewers. Mean quality scores for the first 3 reviews on our 1 to 5 point scale were similar between control and mentee groups (3.4 versus 3.5), as were slopes of change of review scores (-0.229 versus -0.549) and all other secondary measures of reviewer performance. A structured training intervention of pairing newly recruited medical journal peer reviewers with senior reviewer mentors did not improve the quality of their subsequent reviews.