cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of an additional supraspinal component to the analgesic mechanism of action of buprenorphine.

Background and purpose Buprenorphine displays attributes of opioids, but also some features distinct from them. We examined spinal and supraspinal signal transduction of buprenorphine-induced anti-nociception in mice compared with morphine and fentanyl. Experimental approach The opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, Pertussis toxin (PTX), G(z) protein antisense and nociceptin/orphanin-FQ receptor agonist nociceptin, and antagonist, JTC-801, were injected supraspinally (intracerebroventricular) and spinally (intrathecal). Also the cell-permeable Ser/Thr protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid was given supraspinally. Key results Spinal naloxone (20 microg) or PTX (1 microg) attenuated morphine, fentanyl and buprenorphine (s.c.) anti-nociception. Supraspinal naloxone or PTX attenuated morphine and fentanyl, but not buprenorphine anti-nociception. Spinal G(z) protein antisense did not alter buprenorphine, morphine or fentanyl anti-nociception and supraspinal G(z)-antisense did not alter morphine or fentanyl anti-nociception. However, supraspinal G(z)-antisense (not random sense) reduced buprenorphine anti-nociception. Peripheral JTC-801 (1 mgxkg(-1), i.p.) enhanced the ascending (3 mgxkg(-1)) and descending (30 mgxkg(-1)) portions of buprenorphine's dose-response curve, but only spinal, not supraspinal, nociceptin (10 nmolxL(-1)) enhanced buprenorphine anti-nociception. Intracereboventricular okadaic acid (0.001-10 pg) produced a biphasic low-dose attenuation, high-dose enhancement of buprenorphine(3 or 30 mgxkg(-1), s.c.) anti-nociception, but did not affect morphine or fentanyl anti-nociception. Conclusions and implications Buprenorphine has an opioid component to its supraspinal mechanism of analgesic action. Our present results reveal an additional supraspinal component insensitive to naloxone, PTX and nociceptin/orphanin-FQ, but involving G(z) protein and Ser/Thr protein phosphatase. These data might help explain the unique preclinical and clinical profiles of buprenorphine.
Patterns of Self-Disclosure across Social Support Networks: Elderly, Middle-Aged, and Young Adults:

Self-disclosure has generally been examined as a unidimensional construct which relates to intimacy in developing relationships. Self-disclosure also serves many functions in established relationships, such as with close friends and family. Moreover, the functions served by self-disclosure may vary depending upon the adults' gender and stage in the life-span. In this study, such issues are examined with regard to elderly, middle-aged, and young adults' use of four functions of self-disclosure: self-expression, self-clarification, social control, and social validation. Findings support the claim that greater intergenerational distance is related to less self-disclosure among members of a social network. Further, elderly adults self-disclose more often to family than to friends, while young adults self-disclose to friends more often than to family. Implications for self-disclosure within the areas of gender, social support, and social comparison are discussed, and the appropriateness of adults' disclosure patterns within a framework of life stages is considered.
Optimal coupling ratio selection for flexible appendage actuators

Introduction A RTICULATED, flexible spacecraft appendages often depend on rotary, gear-coupled actuators for their orientation. Appendages requiring precise pointing are most frequently driven by dc servomotors or stepper motors connected to backlashless gear trains with high coupling ratios. The process of selecting the coupling ratio has historically been dominated by efforts to minimize lost motion (backlash) and weight. These constraints have been met in low-static-friction, high-efficiency commercial gear designs, providing an opportunity to select a coupling ratio to improve the system dynamics. Methods for selecting gear ratios to minimize the power dissipated in moving a rigid, fixed based load have been developed and are extended here to simultaneously minimize both the required actuator power and the vibrational coupling between a rigid-body spacecraft and a flexible load with one generally damped torsional degree of freedom.
Monitoring direct thrombin inhibitors with a plasma diluted thrombin time

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) monitoring of direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) is vulnerable to interference from many sources. If the baseline aPTT is prolonged, as occurs with lupus inhibitors, alternative methods are required to monitor DTI levels. We compared the plasma diluted thrombin time (1:4 dilution of patient plasma with normal plasma) and the aPTT in patient samples spiked with argatroban, bivalirudin, or lepirudin at three concentration levels. Each drug was spiked into five samples with lupus inhibitors, five samples with deficient vitamin K-dependent factors, three samples with elevated D-dimers, and eight samples with normal baseline aPTT values. The aPTT overestimated the spiked DTI concentration in all samples with lupus inhibitors, low levels of vitamin K-dependent factors, and elevated D-dimers. In samples with normal baseline aPTTs, the aPTT failed to correctly estimate the spiked drug concentration in four of 24 samples spiked with argatroban, seven of 24 spiked with lepirudin, and three of 24 spiked with bivalirudin. The plasma diluted thrombin time was not affected by lupus inhibitors, low vitamin K-dependent factor levels or elevated D-dimer levels and correctly estimated the spiked drug level in 63 of 63 samples spiked with argatroban, 63 of 63 samples spiked with bivalirudin, and 62 of 63 samples spiked with lepirudin. In conclusion, the plasma diluted thrombin time appears to be a viable alternative to the aPTT for monitoring DTI levels, especially in patients with lupus inhibitors or low levels of vitamin K-dependent factors.
Advanced magnetic resonance imaging of cerebral cavernous malformations: part I. High-field imaging of excised human lesions.

Objectives We hypothesized that structural details would be revealed in cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) through the use of high field magnetic resonance (MR) and confocal microscopy, which have not been described previously. The structural details of CCMs excised from human patients were sought by examination with high field MR imaging, and correlated with confocal microscopy of the same specimens. Novel features of CCM structure are outlined, including methodological limitations, venues for future research and possible clinical implications.
Coniferin—an astringent glycoside in citrus

Abstract From the peel of C. sinensis cv. Valencia, C. paradisi cv. Duncan and C. paradisi x C. reticulata cv. Murcott, coniferin, an astringent glycoside, was identified. This compound was found to be present inconcentrated Valencia juice, Murcott concentrate and orange pulp wash concentrates.
The conformation, cytology and synaptology of the opossum inferior olivary nucleus

This investigation was undertaken to determine the detailed structure and ultrastructure of the inferior olivary nucleus of the opossum (Didelphis marsupialis virginiana). Serial sections of the medulla oblongata were cut in either the frontal, parasagittal or horizontal plane and stained by routine Nissl procedures to determine the cytoarchitecture of the inferior olivary nuclear mass. Because of the apparent lack of distinct principal and accessory olivary subnuclei, a polyethylene plastic scaled reconstruction was made to determine the morphological features of the opossum olivary complex. A descriptive nomenclature was adopted rather than a terminology that would imply analogy with other species. Both light microscopic (Nissl and Golgi) and electron microscopic analyses disclosed a single type of neuron throughout the inferior olivary nucleus. These small to medium (10–30 μ), pleomorphic nerve cells contain a round, eccentric nucleus and a modest amount of cytoplasm. Additional features of olivary somata include diffuse Nissl substance, abundant subsurface cisternae and spines. The moderately branched and entangled dendritic arbor of the olivary neuron bears simple thorns on its proximal, intermediate and distal portions. Multiple spine clusters and unique excrescences termed spine crowned appendages are located on intermediate and distal dendrites. Complex synaptic islands (glomeruli) are found throughout the nucleus and contain a central core of profiles identifiable as spine crowned appendages and small dendrites and/or spines. These core elements are surrounded by numerous boutons which synaptically contact them, and by a small intermediate dendrite. A mantle of astroglial lamellae appears to isolate the glomerulus from the surrounding neuropil. The majority of the synaptic profiles that contact the soma and proximal, intermediate and distal dendrites contain either round vesicles (type 1) or pleomorphic vesicles (type 2). An estimation of the distribution of these terminals indicates that a predominance of type 2 terminals end upon the somata and proximal dendrites, whereas more distal dendritic ramifications receive an approximately equal proportion of the two types of endings. In addition to these endings ( types 1 and 2 ), large efflorescent terminals contact distal dendrites located throughout the nucleus. Furthermore, in different areas of the nuclear realm, small boutons containing only flattened vesicles and fibrous profiles containing pleomorphic vesicles contact intermediate and distal dendrites, respectively. A few large marginal reticular neurons are present around the permiter of the inferior olivary nucleus. These cells send one or more dendrites into the nuclear domain. Such intraolivary dendrites may be synaptically contacted by the same types of terminals that end upon olivary neurons.
Using X-Rays for Multiphase Flow Visualization

Gas-liquid, gas-solid, liquid-solid, and gas-liquid-solid multiphase flows are difficult to visualize, characterize, and quantify because the systems are typically opaque. Invasive or noninvasive measurement methods are typically used for determining internal flow and transport characteristics of these complex flows. The difficulty with invasive methods is that they can alter the internal flow of a multiphase system causing interference with realistic process measurements. X-ray imaging provides one family of noninvasive measurement techniques used extensively for product testing and evaluation of static objects with complex structures. These techniques have been extended to visualize dynamic systems, such as those which characterize multiphase flows. This paper will describe a new X-ray flow visualization facility for large-scale multiphase flows. X-ray radiography and X-ray computed tomography of static and dynamic systems will be used to demonstrate system capabilities. Radiographic images will show bread dough rising, objects falling in a liquid, large bubbles rising in a 32 cm ID column of water, and operation of a 32 cm ID bubble column. X-ray computed tomography of a large static object will demonstrate visualization capabilities. X-ray computed tomography of a multiphase flow in a 32 cm bubble column will show local time-averaged gas holdup values for various operating conditions. Finally, challenges associated with X-ray stereographic imaging to capture time-resolved dynamic events will be outlined.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Role of the Prenyl Group on the G Protein γ Subunit in Coupling Trimeric G Proteins to A1 Adenosine Receptors

The coupling of receptors to heterotrimeric G proteins is determined by interactions between the receptor and the G protein α subunits and by the composition of the βγ dimers. To determine the role of the γ subunit prenyl modification in this interaction, the CaaX motifs in the γ1 and γ2 subunits were altered to direct modification with different prenyl groups, recombinant βγ dimers expressed in the baculovirus/Sf9 insect cell system, and the dimers purified. The activity of the βγ dimers was compared in two assays: formation of the high affinity agonist binding conformation of the A1 adenosine receptor and receptor-catalyzed exchange of GDP for GTP on the α subunit. The β1γ1 dimer (modified with farnesyl) was significantly less effective than β1γ2 (modified with geranylgeranyl) in either assay. The β1γ1-S74L dimer (modified with geranylgeranyl) was nearly as effective as β1γ2 in either assay. The β1γ2-L71S dimer (modified with farnesyl) was significantly less active than β1γ2. Using 125I-labeled βγ subunits, it was determined that native and altered βγ dimers reconstituted equally well into Sf9 membranes containing A1 adenosine receptors. These data suggest that the prenyl group on the γ subunit is an important determinant of the interaction between receptors and G protein γ subunits.
A case study in principled assessment design: Designing assessments to measure and support the development of argumentative reading and writing skills

This paper presents a principled approach to assessment design in which major design decisions are structured to support teaching and learning. This approach, developed as part of a long-term research initiative at ETS, Cognitively Based Assessments of, for and as Learning (CBAL), draws upon the learning and cognitive science literatures to create richly-structured assessments that simultaneously measure critical component skills and model effective strategies for applying those skills to complex performance tasks. To illustrate our approach, we focus on an important literacy practice: argumentation. Our model seeks to measure qualitative shifts in the development of critical argumentation skills by postulating argumentation learning progressions informed by the developmental literature. These learning progressions play a critical role in guiding assessment design decisions (selecting targeted skills, developing items to measure those skills, and determining task sequences) and may have the potential to support teachers’ instructional
Nanoparticle stability: Processing pathways for solvent removal

Processing of hydrophobic organic compounds into nanoparticle form by rapid precipitation requires the use of organic solvents in which the compounds are initially dissolved. Mixing with an antisolvent induces supersaturation, nucleation and particle growth. In most cases the nanoparticle is to be dispersed in an aqueous phase and so the antisolvent is water and the organic solvent is a water-miscible organic. Ultimately the organic solvent must be removed because its presence either has toxicological consequences or it reduces particle stability against Ostwald ripening. Dialysis is commonly used to remove organics; however, the process is slow and costly. We present an efficient and scalable process of solvent removal based on flash evaporation. The non-ideality of the water:tetrahydrofuran (THF) activity coefficient makes the process especially effective. The results are compared against phase equilibria calculations and two flash stages are shown to reduce THF concentrations by over 95%, and bring the residual solvent concentration within acceptable limits for drug applications.
New directions in the epidemiology of uterine fibroids

Although uterine leiomyomata (fibroids) have been the leading indication for hysterectomy in the United States for decades, the epidemiological data on fibroid prevalence and risk factors are limited. Given the hormonal dependence of fibroids, most earlier studies focused on reproductive or hormonal factors. Recent analyses have extended that focus to other areas. We present previously unpublished data on the association between reproductive tract infections and fibroids that highlight the need for more detailed studies. Our review suggests that metabolic, dietary, stress, and environmental factors may also play a role in fibroid development.
In Vivo Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 (mGluR5) Antagonism Prevents Cocaine-Induced Disruption of Postsynaptically Maintained mGluR5-Dependent Long-Term Depression

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) plays a critical role in psychostimulant-induced behavior, yet it is unclear whether mGluR5 is activated by psychostimulant administration, or whether its role is constitutive. We previously reported that activation of mGluR5 with the group I mGluR agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) can induce a long-term depression (DHPG-LTD) of glutamatergic transmission in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and that ex vivo induction of this LTD is disrupted by repeated in vivo administration of cocaine. Here we demonstrate that DHPG-LTD is not maintained by alterations in glutamate release, and that postsynaptic endocytosis is necessary. Furthermore, we find that a single administration of cocaine produces a transient disruption of DHPG-LTD, and the duration of this disruption was increased by repeated days of cocaine administration. The disruption produced by cocaine was not permanent, because DHPG-LTD could be induced 10 d after cocaine administration. To test the role of mGluR5 in vivo in the cocaine-induced disruption of DHPG-LTD, we injected mice with the mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine before cocaine. mGluR5 antagonism during in vivo cocaine administration rescued subsequent ex vivo induction of DHPG-LTD. The effects of in vivo cocaine could be mimicked by application of cocaine to BNST-containing slices, suggesting that the actions of cocaine are local. Thus, using a novel strategy of in vivo antagonist-induced rescue of ex vivo agonist effects for the same receptor, we provide evidence suggesting that mGluR5 activation is actively recruited by in vivo cocaine.
Merocyanine 540 as a fluorescent probe of membranes: Staining of electrically excitable cells

With the exception of certain blood cells considered in the accompanying paper (Valinsky, Easton and Reich, 1978), merocyanine 540 (MC 540), a fluorescent membrane probe, selectively strains the membranes of a wide variety of electrically excitable cells, but not those of nonexcitable cells. This reaction is Ca2+-dependent when staining is performed in buffered iso-osmotic sucrose, Ca2+-independent when staining proceeds at high ionic strength, inhibited by La3+ and sodium Suramin, enhanced by controlled, low level photosensitization of cell-associated dye and essentially irreversible. These characteristics of the staining reaction depend upon the maintenance of both cell viability and a normal unperturbed membrane structure. Although the mechanisms involved in the staining specificity remain unknown, observation of MC 540 partitioning between benzene and water in model reactions indicates that dye transport into hydrophobic solvents is accompanied by the formation of stoichiometric complexes with cations and phospholipids. These results may suggest the existence of specific, possibly phospholipid-rich membrane domains that mediate complex formation with MC 540 in excitable cells; comparable domains either would not exist, or would be inaccessible at the external surfaces of nonexcitable cells.
Industrial structure as a worker resource

Abstract This article investigates the role of industrial structure in determining employees' earnings. Industrial structure arises from management strategies designed to promote profit and growth. However, this same structure may also provide employees with possible resources to use in their struggle for higher wages. These resources may be in the form of shelters from competitive market forces or in the form of technologically and organizationally based power to demand a greater share of revenues. Empirical findings indicate that organizational and technical factors providing resources of worker power are more important determinants of earnings than are market-based factors such as profit rate and concentration. These findings and interpretations are juxtaposed with those of the dual economy approach. It is argued that the dual economy approach, and economic approaches in general, are too oriented toward the structure of commodity markets to provide an adequate theoretical basis for understanding the consequences of industrial organization for employees. The current results suggest the need to develop a new theory of the role of industrial structure at the workplace that focuses on sociological and organizational dimensions rather than on market characteristics.
Hurricane Sandy caused extreme erosion of New York beaches

Beaches on Fire Island, New York, lost more than half of their sand as a result of Hurricane Sandy, according to a new report by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Fire Island is one of the barrier islands along the south shore of Long Island, N. Y. The finding, released 27 August, involved field surveys conducted before and after the storm. In addition, the researchers used lidar and aerial photography to evaluate changes to the beaches and shoreline and determined the volume and distribution of overwash deposits that were carried to the island's interior following the storm.
Topology of equilateral polygon linkages

Abstract We study the topology of moduli spaces of polygons with fixed side lengths in the Euclidean plane and space. We study their smoothness, then determine their Euler numbers.
Neural n-port voltage comparator network

Use is made of a neural architecture to realise a low-offset VLSI implementation of an n-port voltage comparator that performs the winner-take-all function. The circuit has a wide resolution (~50 dB), high gain, and a Hopfield-like positive feedback interconnect matrix, making possible the detection of very small perturbations (< 10 mV). The circuit is suitable for applications in Hamming and neural networks, vector quantisers, and other analogue parallel signal processing systems. The performance of the network was measured on a 32 input 2.0 µm CMOS circuit.
Cholera toxin-B subunit blocks excitatory effects of opioids on sensory neuron action potentials indicating that GM1 ganglioside may regulate Gs-linked opioid receptor functions.

Abstract In a previous study, we demonstrated that cholera toxin-A subunit, as well as the whole toxin, selectively blocks opioid-induced prolongation of the Ca2+ component of the action potential duration (APD) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, indicating mediation of this excitatory effect by Gs-linked opioid receptors. The present study shows that pretreatment of DRG neurons with the B subunit of cholera toxin (1–10 ng/ml;15min) can also block μ/gd and κ opioid-induced APD prolongation, but not shortening. Since the B subunit binds selectively to GM1 ganglioside located on the cell surface, these results suggest that this ganglioside may regulate Gs-linked excitatory opioid receptor functions in DRG neurons. Possible contamination of purified B subunit preparations of cholera toxin with traces of the more potent A subunit was eliminated by heating the stock solution to 56 °C for 20 min. Exposure of DRG neurons to an affinity-purified anti-GM1 antiserum also blocked opioid-induced APD prolongation, providing further evidence that GM1 ganglioside may play an essential role in excitatory opioid modulation of the action potential of these cells. The blockade by cholera toxin-B subunit and anti-GM1 antibodies of opioid-induced APD prolongation is best accounted for by the following hypothesis: CTX-B interferes with an endogenous GM1 ganglioside component of the excitatory, but not inhibitory, opioid receptor complex on DRG neurons that may allosterically regulate coupling of the receptors via Gs to adenylate cyclase/cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent ionic conductances.
Low absorption float glass for back surface solar reflectors

Abstract The solar properties of soda-lime-silica glass are greatly influenced by trace amounts of coloring agents which have absorption bands within the solar spectrum. Iron oxide in the most common contaminant in high transmittance solar glass. We will discuss the effect of the forms of iron oxide on the overall solar transmittance and show hoe ratio of these oxides, if controlled, can improve the solar performance. The float glass melting and forming process will be described with special emphasis on the parameters of melting which control the state of iron oxidation. Low-iron glass for the solar energy reflectors to be used in the Solar Ten Megawatt Power Project at Barstow, California, was made by the float process at Ford Motor Company's Tulsa glass plant. The specific solar properties of this glass as well as the flatness properties will be diiscussed. Special precautions used to assure good agreement between Ford and the contractor in the measurement of the glass will be described.
STUDIES ON THE METABOLISM OF AUTOTROPHIC BACTERIA : II. THE NATURE OF THE CHEMOSYNTHETIC REACTION.

In a study of chemosynthesis (the fixation of CO(2) by autotrophic bacteria in the dark) in Thiobacillus thiooxidans, the data obtained support the following conclusions: 1. CO(2) can be fixed by "resting cells" of Thiobacillus thiooxidans; the fixation is not "growth bound." 2. The physiological condition of the cell is of considerable importance in determining CO(2) fixation. 3. CO(2) fixation can occur in the absence of oxidizable sulfur in "young" cells. The extent of this fixation appears to be dependent upon the pCO(2). 4. CO(2) fixation can also occur under anaerobic conditions and the presence of sulfur does not influence such fixation. 5. However, in the CO(2) fixation by cells in the absence of sulfur, only a limited amount of CO(2) can be fixed. This amount is approximately 40 microl. CO(2) per 100 micrograms bacterial nitrogen. After a culture has utilized this amount of CO(2) it no longer has the ability to fix CO(2) but releases it during its respiration. 6. Relatively short periods of sulfur oxidation can restore the ability of cells to fix CO(2) under conditions where sulfur oxidation is prevented. 7. It is possible to oxidize sulfur in the absence of CO(2) and to store the energy thus formed within the cell. It is then possible to use this energy at a later time for the fixation of CO(2) in the entire absence of sulfur oxidation. 8. Cultures of Thiobacillus thiooxidans respiring on sulfur utilize CO(2) in a reaction which proceeds to a zero concentration of CO(2) in the atmosphere. 9. CO(2) may act as an oxidizing agent for sulfur. 10. Hydrogen is not utilized by the organism. 11. It is possible to selectively inhibit sulfur oxidation and CO(2) fixation.
Equal Pay on the Hardwood: The Earnings Gap Between Male and Female NCAA Division I Basketball Coaches

This article examines the earnings gap between male and female National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) head basketball coaches. Within women’s basketball, female head coaches earn base salaries 9% higher than males. Estimates from a human capital earnings model suggest that differences in job performance and institution-specific gender segregation explain this earnings gap. The base salaries of women’s head basketball coaches of both sexes are also compared to those of men’s head basketball coaches. Women’s head coaches of either gender earn about 50% of the base salary of the average men’s head coach. The earnings differential between women’s and men’s basketball coaches is attributable to occupation and not the coach’s gender, thus prestige from men’s sports, customer discrimination, and the preferences of athletic directors may explain this gap.
Direct manipulation video navigation on touch screens

Direct Manipulation Video Navigation (DMVN) systems allow a user to directly drag an object of interest along its motion trajectory and have been shown effective for space-centric video browsing tasks. This paper designs touch-based interface techniques to support DMVN on touchscreen devices. While touch screens can suit DMVN systems naturally and enhance the directness during video navigation, the fat finger problems, such as precise selection and occlusion handling, must be properly addressed. In this paper, we discuss the effect of the fat finger problems on DMVN and develop three touch-based object dragging techniques for DMVN on touch screens, namely Offset Drag, Window Drag, and Drag Anywhere. We conduct user studies to evaluate our techniques as well as two baseline solutions on a smartphone and a desktop touch screen. Our studies show that two of our techniques can support DMVN on touch screen devices well and perform better than the baseline solutions.
On utility accrual real-time channel establishment in multi-hop networks

We consider real-time CORBA 2.0 (dynamic scheduling) distributable threads operating in multihop networks. When distributable threads are subject to time/utility function-time constraints and utility accrual optimality criteria, utility accrual real-time channels must be established. Such channels transport inter-node messages of distributable threads in a way that maximizes system-wide, message-level accrued utility. We present a utility accrual channel establishment algorithm called local decision for utility accrual channel establishment (or Loc-DUCE) that heuristically computes channels. Our experimental measurements using a prototype implementation reveal that LocDUCE accrues significantly higher utility than the open shortest path first routing algorithm
ASC panic-fear and length of hospitalization in asthma.

A prior study’ has demonstrated the relationship between MMPI PanicFear scores and length of hospitalization in several respiratory illness groups, including asthma, Myco bacterium tuberculosis, Myco bacterium intracellulare-auium, and Mycobacterium kansasii. In general, MMPI Panic-Fear scores related linearly to length of hospitalization, with High MMPI Panic-Fear patients being hospitalized the longest and Low MMPI Panic-Fear patients being hospitalized the shortest length’ of time. These findings were found to be independent of pulmonary function measurements in asthma and of bacteriological type and drug resistance in tuberculosis. As the MMPI Panic-Fear scale was empirically derived from the Asthma Symptom Checklist (ASC) PanicFear cluster’, it would appear reasonable to assume that ASC Panic-Fear scores would also relate to length of hospitalization in asthma. However, recent studies have found important differences between these two scales. Conceptually, MMPI Panic-Fear measures a personality trait associated with the reported frequency of such subjective symptoms accompanying asthmatic attacks as feeling scared, panicky, worried, and frightened, while ASC Panic-Fear directly measures these subjective symptoms3. A later formulation4 notes that ASC Panic-Fear defines a specific, situational Panic-Fear response to breathing difficulties experienced during an asthma attack, while MMPI Panic-Fear defines a personality trait which taps a general, diffuse anxiety. More re~ently,~ ASC Panic-Fear has been referred to as vigilance or signal anxiety about asthmatic attacks, while MMPI Panic-Fear assesses the patient’s ego controls for dealing with that signal anxiety. Empirical findings suggest that ASC and MMPI Panic-Fear do not always relate in the same manner to either intensity of prescribed oral cortico~teroids~ or to rehospitalization rates‘. Indeed, the best predictors of treatment outcome appear to be found in the interactions between ASC and MMPI Panic-Fear scores. Given the above, it was decided to investigate the relationship between ASC Panic-Fear scores and length of hospitalization for asthmatic patients in intensive long-term treatment.
A note on commuting squares arising from automorphisms on subfactors

Using an idea due to Popa, we can associate a commuting square of factors to any given finite set of automorphisms acting on an inclusion of factors of finite index. We use this setting to obtain a simple proof of Popa's classification theorem of strongly outer actions of finitely generated discrete strongly amenable groups on a strongly amenable inclusion of type II1 factors. We also obtain a new complete outer conjugacy invariant for arbitrary automorphisms, which contains the higher obstruction of Kawahigashi and the standard invariant as a special case.
ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase confers cisplatin resistance in ovarian tumor cells

Platinum drugs, including cisplatin, are a frontline therapeutic in ovarian cancer treatment and acquired resistance to these agents is a major contributor to ovarian cancer morbidity and mortality. In this study a novel glycosylation-dependent mechanism for cisplatin resistance is described. Specifically, cisplatin-induced cell death is blocked by the activity of the ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase. ST6Gal-I modifies specific receptors by adding a negatively charged sialic acid sugar which influences diverse receptor functions. Overexpression of ST6Gal-I is a hallmark of ovarian and other cancers and its expression has been correlated to metastasis and poor prognosis. Tumor cell viability and apoptotic induction were determined in cell lines with ST6Gal-I overexpression and knockdown. In addition, cell populations with acquired resistance to cisplatin were assayed for endogenous ST6Gal-I expression. We show that forced expression of ST6Gal-I in OV4 ovarian cancer cells that lack endogenous ST6Gal-I causes reduced activation of caspase 3 and increased cell viability following cisplatin treatment. Conversely, forced ST6Gal-I knockdown in Pa-1 cells with high endogenous ST6Gal-I increases cisplatin-induced caspase activation and cell death. A2780 ovarian cancer cells selected for stable cisplatin resistance display upregulated endogenous ST6Gal-I when compared with parental, cisplatin-sensitive, A2780 cells. Similarly, extended low dose cisplatin treatment of a Pa-1 polyclonal ST6Gal-I shRNA knockdown population led to selection for subclones with elevated ST6Gal-I expression. Receptor sialylation by ST6Gal-I confers a survival advantage for tumor cells in the presence of cisplatin. These collective findings support a role for ST6Gal-I in chemoresistance and highlight ST6Gal-I as a potential therapeutic target for platinum resistant tumors.
Impact of Amazonian evapotranspiration on moisture transport and convection along the eastern flanks of the tropical Andes

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was used to investigate the impact of Amazonian evapotranspiration (ET) on moisture transport and convection along the eastern flanks of the Andes (EADS). To isolate the role of surface ET, quasi-idealized simulations down to 1.2 km grid spacing were conducted, where over the Amazon lowlands (AMZL) and at every time step the surface sensible-heat effects are identical to the realistic reference runs while surface latent heat fluxes are prevented from entering the atmosphere. The results show that, without surface ET, daily precipitation within the AMZL decreases by as much as ∼75%, but nearly doubles over the surrounding mountainous regions. This dramatic influence is attributed to a dipole structure of convergence–divergence anomalies over the AMZL, primarily due to the considerable cooling of the troposphere associated with suppressed convection. Further examination of moist static energy evolution indicates that the net decrease in convective available potential energy over the AMZL is due to the removal of surface ET that is only partially compensated by related regional circulation changes. Because of the concave shape of the Andean mountain range, enhanced low-level divergence promotes air mass accumulation to the east of the central EADS. This perturbation becomes sufficiently strong around nightfall and produces significant eastward low-level pressure gradient force, rendering stronger winds away from the Andes. Moisture convergence and convection over the EADS vary accordingly, strengthened in the day but attenuated at night. Nocturnal convective motion is, however, more widespread. Analytical solutions of simplified diagnostic equations of convective fraction suggest that reduction of lower troposphere evaporation is the driving mechanism. Additional exploratory experiments with varied surface ET magnitude demonstrate that the connection between the AMZL ET and EADS precipitation is robust.
Accelerated corrective consensus: Converge to the exact average at a faster rate

Averaging consensus algorithms provide an elegant, fully distributed, iterative way to compute the average of a set of measurements in a wireless sensor network. Unfortunately, they typically require a large number of iterations to reach convergence. Therefore, a great deal of effort has been devoted into accelerating consensus with improved accelerated consensus algorithms. Nevertheless, these techniques assume the communication graph is undirected with fixed or switching topologies, whereas actual low-power wireless networks present random and asymmetric packet losses. As a consequence, these methods might fail to converge to the correct average value when deployed in wireless sensor networks. In this paper we integrate accelerated consensus with corrective consensus, a technique that can compute the correct average of the measurements under random packet losses. Our simulation results show that the proposed accelerated corrective consensus converges to the correct average, presents a faster convergence rate than corrective consensus, and, for a similar number of iterations, it achieves convergence errors about 5,000 times smaller than accelerated consensus.
POST-WILDFIRE RECOVERY OF RIPARIAN VEGETATION DURING A PERIOD OF WATER SCARCITY IN THE SOUTHWESTERN USA

Wildland fires occur with increasing frequency in southwestern riparian forests, yet little is known about the effects of fire on populations of native and exotic vegetation. From 2003 to 2006, we monitored recovering woody vegetation in wildfire sites in the bosque (riparian forest) along the Middle Rio Grande of central New Mexico, USA. To examine recovery potential, we estimated densities of native Rio Grande cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. wislizenii) and exotic saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) in burned plots and estimated mortality rates of resprouts. Exotic vegetation density was higher in most burned sampling plots than in paired unburned plots. Native shrub density was lower in most burned sampling plots than in unburned plots, although the effect sizes were small. Native tree density did not differ between burned and unburned plots, despite relatively high mortality of cottonwood resprouts. All observed cottonwood mortality occurred between 2003 and 2004, following the hottest and driest summer of the study. Cottonwood resprouts had the lowest apparent mortality rate at the site with the lowest depth to ground-water. Saltcedar resprout mortality was low at all wildfire sites, consistent with previous studies showing that this species is less sensitive to drought and better adapted to wildfire than cottonwood and other native species. Our observations suggest that, in the absence of ideal hydrologic and climatic conditions, fire can reduce cottonwood density in the bosque and promote the spread of saltcedar. Increasingly xeric conditions predicted under most climate change scenarios could result in greater recovery of exotic saltcedar over native vegetation.
Communication reduction in multiple multicasts based on hybrid static-dynamic scheduling

This paper presents a novel approach to reducing the communication costs incurred when performing multiple multicasts on wormhole routed two-dimensional mesh multiprocessor systems. Both unicast and path-based implementations of multicasting incur communication costs due to the inherent message passing and contention for network resources. The start-up time dominates the transmission time when the data volume is small. However, in the presence of multiple multicasts when the data volume is very large, the communication delays due to message blocking and resource contention become very significant. Because of this, we present a hybrid static-dynamic technique to reduce the communication costs incurred when performing multiple multicasts on wormhole routed direct networks. This technique requires a focus on ordering and routing information for the individual message transmissions. At compile time, each message is assigned a priority using the recently developed collision graph model. Then at runtime these priorities are used to arbitrate the message transmissions. As a base, dimension-ordered routing is used. However, to further reduce the communication costs, some messages will be rerouted. This technique is useful either as a stand-alone algorithm or as an embedded procedure into existing algorithms. Furthermore, the techniques can be applied to higher dimension direct networks. For a single multicast, our work performs as well as conventional methods. For multiple multicasts, results show that our approach provides significant improvement over baseline techniques.
A VLSI crossbar switch with wrapped wave front arbitration

Crossbar switch is a key component of communication switches used in networks. Allocation of resources has a direct impact on packet transmission. A poor allocation results in long transmission delays. Hence, switches must include an arbiter that efficiently allocates the crossbar's resources. In this brief, a novel VLSI CMOS implementation of a high performance wrapped wave front arbitration (WWFA) for crossbar switches is described. Arbitration time is one of the critical factors that affect network performance. WWFA requires a two-dimensional arbitration that incorporates a rotating priority to provide fair arbitration. In this brief, we describe the design and implementation of this arbiter. The arbiter is capable of performing an arbitration in 1.15 ns using 0.5-/spl mu/m technology, for a 4 /spl times/ 4 crossbar. We also include the description of interface and crosspoint (CP) control circuitry, i.e., request-acknowledge circuit and CP controller circuit respectively.
Implications of unusual pitch-angle distributions observed by ISEE-1 and 2

Abstract. Unusual energetic particle pitch angle distributions (PADs) were observed by the ISEE-1 and 2 satellites at 3 h MLT and a radial distance of about 10–15 R E during the time period of 07:00-14:00 UT on 3 March 1979. The ISEE-1 satellite obtained complete 3-D distributions of energetic proton and electron fluxes as a function of energy, while ISEE-2 was configured to provide higher time resolution but less angular resolution than ISEE-1. The ISEE-1 observed a butterfly PAD (a minimum in the 90° PA particle flux) for a period of about 2 h (10:00–12:00 UT) for the electrons, and 3 h (09:00–12:00 UT) for the protons over an energy range of 22.5–189 keV (E1–E4) for the electrons and 24–142 keV (P1–P4) for the protons. The small pitch angle (15°, 30°) charged particles (electrons and protons) are seen to behave collectively in all four energy ranges. The relative differences in electron fluxes between 15° PA and 90° PA are more significant for higher energy channels during the butterfly PAD period. Three different types of electron PADs (butterfly, isotropic, and peaked-at-90°) were observed at the same location and time as a function of energy for a short period of time before 10:00 UT. Electron butterfly distributions were also observed by the ISEE-2 for about 1.5 h over 28–62 keV (E2–E4), although less well resolved than ISEE-1. Unlike the ISEE-1, no butterfly distributions were resolved in the ISEE-2 proton PADs due to less angular resolution. The measured drift effects by ISEE-1 suggest that the detected protons were much closer to the particle source than the electrons along their trajectories, and thus ruled out a nightside source within 18:00 MLT to 03:00 MLT. Compared to 07:30 UT, the charged particle fluxes measured by ISEE-1 were enhanced by up to three orders of magnitude during the period 08:30–12:00 UT. From 09:10:00 UT to 11:50 UT, the geomagnetic conditions were quiet (AE
Farming up the city: the rise of urban vertical farms.

The invention of agriculture dates back some 10 000 years and arose spontaneously at multiple sites throughout the world (Mexico, China, The Middle East, and Borneo). It rapidly spread to almost every culture, offering a better life to those who embraced it. The human population was estimated then to be around 1 million. Farming in all its forms increased over the next millennia by leaps and bounds, eventually changing forever the face of the Earth. Yet, for thousands of years, right up to modern times, agriculture was essentially practiced in the same way as the original farmers derived it: dig a hole, plant a seed, fertilize it, irrigate it, pick out the weeds, harvest the crop, ship/store/sell it.
The earthquake of March 27, 1945, on the Moselle (Missouri) Fault

The study of the earthquake centering near Moselle, Missouri, opens up for research a heretofore unnoticed region of seismic activity. The macroseismic data of this earthquake, summarized in the form of an isoseismal map, agree with the interpretation of the selsmograms. A geologic survey made in the epicentral region delineates the fault along which both the instrumental and macroseismic results placed the epicenter. A study of the hypocentral depth shows that this fault system might extend to a depth where some have denied faulting. Thus the earthquake gives a hint of structure.
Podcasting as a Learning Tool: German Language and Culture Every Day

Podcasts provide a straightforward opportunity to stay connected with language, culture, and recent events of German-speaking countries. Podcasts offer clearly articulated, authentic material that can be automatically and regularly delivered to your computer and classrooms; continuously exposing students and teachers to German. This article provides step-by-step instructions detailing podcasts using iTunes, their possible uses for German classes, how to create podcasts, and a list of German podcasts.
Potential Role of PUMA in Delayed Death of Hippocampal CA1 Neurons After Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia

Background and Purpose— p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), a BH3-only member of the Bcl-2 protein family, is required for p53-dependent and -independent forms of apoptosis. PUMA localizes to mitochondria and interacts with antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL or proapoptotic Bax in response to death stimuli. Although studies have shown that PUMA is associated with pathomechanisms of cerebral ischemia, clearly defined roles for PUMA in ischemic neuronal death remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine potential roles for PUMA in cerebral ischemia. Methods— Five minutes of transient global cerebral ischemia (tGCI) were induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion combined with hypotension. Results— PUMA was upregulated in vulnerable hippocampal CA1 neurons after tGCI as shown by immunohistochemistry. In Western blot and coimmunoprecipitation analyses, PUMA localized to mitochondria and was bound to Bcl-XL and Bax in the hippocampal CA1 subregion after tGCI. PUMA upregulation wa...
Benzene⋯acetylene: a structural investigation of the prototypical CH⋯π interaction

The structure of a prototype CH⋯π system, benzene⋯acetylene, has been determined in the gas phase using Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy. The spectrum is consistent with an effective C6v structure with an H⋯π distance of 2.4921(1) A. The HCCH subunit likely tilts by ∼5° from the benzene symmetry axis. The dipole moment was determined to be 0.438(11) D from Stark effect measurements. The observed intermolecular distance is longer than in similar benzene⋯HX complexes and than the distances observed in the benzene⋯HCCH cocrystal and predicted by many high level ab initio calculations; however, the experimentally estimated binding energy of 7.1(7) kJ mol−1 is similar to previously studied benzene⋯HX complexes. Several additional sets of transitions were observed in the rotational spectrum, likely corresponding to excited states arising from low energy intermolecular vibrational modes of the dimer.
The African American Student Network: An Exploration of Black Students’ Ego Networks at a Predominantly White Institution

African American Student Network participants have shown higher rates of retention and graduation than their counterparts even after taking into account academic factors. To understand other ways t...