cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Profilaggrin, a high-molecular-weight precursor of filaggrin in human epidermis and cultured keratinocytes.

Filaggrin is a histidine-rich matrix protein of keratinized epidermis. Filaggrin is synthesized as a high- M r , phosphorylated precursor, profilaggrin, that is processed to form the lower- M r product present in cornified cells. This study reports the identification of profilaggrin in human epidermis and in unusually well-differentiated cultured human keratinocytes with the use of a polyclonal antihuman filaggrin antiserum. Polyclonal antiserum raised against human filaggrin stained keratohyaline granules and stratum corneum in tissue sections of human skin. Analysis of epidermal extracts showed an immunoreactive low- M r band (37,000), previously identified as filaggrin, and an immunoreactive high- M r band (> 220,000), Both [ 32 P] phosphate and [ 3 H]histidine were incorporated into the high- M r band after pulse labeling for 3 h. After a 15-h chase, [ 3 3H]histidine, but not [ 32 P]phosphate appeared in filaggrin. Human foreskin keratinocytes cultured on a 3T3 feeder layer were unusually well differentiated. Numerous well-formed keratohyaline granules, complete desmosomes, lamellar granules, and cornified cell envelopes were observed. Immunofluorescence with antihuman filaggrin antiserum showed a granular staining pattern in the more stratified cells, Extracts of cultured cells contained a diffuse high- M r immunoreactive band but no immunoreactive equivalent of filaggrin. These studies suggest that human skin filaggrin, like rodent filaggrin, is synthesized as a high- M r , phosphorylated, histidine-rich precursor (profilaggrin) that is processed via posttranslational modification to filaggrin. In human keratinocyte cultures a similar high- M r precursor is present, but evidence of processing to the lower M r product, filaggrin, is lacking.
64 x 64 thresholding photodetector array for optical pattern recognition

A high performance 32 X 32 peak detector array is introduced. This detector consists of a 32 X 32 array of thresholding photo-transistor cells, manufactured with a standard MOSIS digital 2-micron CMOS process. A built-in thresholding function that is able to perform 1024 thresholding operations in parallel strongly distinguishes this chip from available CCD detectors. This high speed detector offers responses from one to 10 milliseconds that is much higher than the commercially available CCD detectors operating at a TV frame rate. The parallel multiple peaks thresholding detection capability makes it particularly suitable for optical correlator and optoelectronically implemented neural networks. The principle of operation, circuit design and the performance characteristics are described. Experimental demonstration of correlation peak detection is also provided. Recently, we have also designed and built an advanced version of a 64 X 64 thresholding photodetector array chip. Experimental investigation of using this chip for pattern recognition is ongoing.
Improved detection of orthopaedic surgical site infections occurring in outpatients.

UNLABELLED To test the hypothesis that a simple method of text searching of standard dictated outpatient clinic notes could be used to detect postoperative infections that otherwise were undetected by the traditional hospital-based infection surveillance methods, a retrospective analysis of all clinical notes from the orthopaedic surgery service of a tertiary care medical center without an electronic medical record system was done. Text-searching algorithms were used to screen all outpatient clinic notes for patients seen between September, 2000 and May, 2001. Clinic notes were screened using specific search terms indicative of surgical site infection, to yield a subset of notes that then were manually reviewed. The identified 18,887 notes were reduced to 558 screen-positive notes, of which 347 notes (197 patients) had confirmed surgical site infections on manual review (positive predictive value, 62.2%). Eighty percent of the total joint infections and 54% of the spine infections were not detected through standard hospital-based surveillance. This simple, inexpensive, method for screening clinic notes is effective in improving detection of postdischarge surgical site infections (and, therefore, quality assessment for surgery). It can be implemented in most current clinical settings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic study, Level II-1 (development of diagnostic criteria on basis of consecutive patients--with universally applied reference gold standard). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Civility, religious pluralism, and education

Civility, Religious Pluralism, and Education engages a conversation meant to advance the modern ideal of religious pluralism and diversity in education. The book is a collection of published writin...
Human Rights and Genetic Discrimination: Protecting Genomics' Promise for Public Health

The potential power of predictive genetic testing as a risk regulator is impressive. By identifying asymptomatic individuals who are at risk of becoming ill, predictive genetic testing may enable those individuals to take prophylactic measures. As new therapies become available, the usefulness of genetic testing undoubtedly will increase. Further, when a person's family medical history indicates a propensity towards a particular genetic disease, a negative test result may open up otherwise denied opportunities by showing that this person has not inherited suspect genes. In the latter type of case, a negative test result may reassure the individual that pursuing a particular course of action (such as planning a family or training for a job) is worthwhile, or may convince prospective employers that the individual will be a serviceable employee.
Leadership for Social Justice: It Is a Matter of Trust

This case highlights the challenges faced by the principal of Forest Middle/Senior High School. In the surrounding school community, White middle-class families are increasingly opting to send their children to private schools. Within the school, critical incidents between White teachers and Black and Latino/a teachers and students mirror the neighborhood unrest. Privately, the principal, a White male, acknowledges that deeply held deficit perspectives about race and class are the underlying causes of the tension, but has failed to do so publicly. This case highlights critical junctures involving trust, race, ethnicity, and class, and examines how this particular leader promotes equity and social justice.
Time Course of the Dynamics of Cerebrospinal Fluid Circulation in Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

The dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation in 20 cases with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage was estimated with radioisotope cisternography (RIC) using In-111-DTPA. CT scan was performed simultaneously to observe the changes in the intracranial pathologies. The findings in RIC were classified into four types; normal circulation, ventricular reflux, ventricular stasis, and subarachnoid block over ipsilateral convexity. Among 20 cases examined with RIC in the acute stage, normal circulation was demonstrated in 11 cases (55.0%), ventricular reflux in 1 case (5.0%) and a subarachnoid block over ipsilateral convexity in 8 cases (40.0%). In the subacute stage, 11 out of 17 cases (64.6%) showed normal circulation, 3 (17.7%) ventricular reflux and 3 (17.7%) a subarachnoid block over ipsilateral convexity. Of 8 cases in the chronic stage, 5 cases (62.5%) showed normal circulation, 1 case ( 12.5%) ventricular reflux, 1 case (12.5%) ventricular stasis, and 1 case (12.5%) a subarachnoid block over ipsilateral convexity. Ventricular reflux and ventricular stasis which were demonstrated mainly in the later stage, seemed to be caused by blood in the CSF, because all cases with such abnormalities in RIC had a hematoma in the ventricle at the onset of hemorrhage, and none of the cases without rupture of the hematoma into the ventricle showed such abnormalities. A subarachnoid block over the ipsilateral convexity which was mainly observed in the acute stage and which frequently disappeared in the chronic stage was caused by the mass effect of the hematoma and the surrounding edema, because it was observed only in cases with larger hematomas. In 6 cases which developed ventricular dilatation in the chronic stage, 3 had a normal finding by RIC and the ventricular dilatation was probably caused by brain atrophy after absorption of a hematoma. The other 3 cases showed ventricular stasis by RIC and the disturbance in the CSF circulation may partly contribute to the ventricular dilatation. Thus, follow-up studies by RIC after a hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage revealed consecutive pathophysiological changes in the CSF circulation in accordance with the intracranial pathological changes.
Dual stable point model of muscle activation and deactivation

Two dynamic models of muscle activation and deactivation based on the concepts of ion transport, reaction rates, and muscle mechanics are proposed. Storage release and uptake of calcium by the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and a two-step chemical reaction of calcium and troponin are included in the first model. This is a concise version of the complex chemical reactions of muscle activation and deactivation in sarcoplasm. The second model is similar to the first, but calcium-troponin reactions are simplified into two nonlinear rates functions. Due to these nonlinear dynamics, the second model can explain the catch-like enhancement of isometric force response. Simulation results which match experimental data are shown. Also, two new phenomena which need further experiment to verify are predicted by the second model.
Effect of centrally administered corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) on multiple feeding paradigms.

Recently, a 41-residue corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been characterized from the hypothalamus. In the present study, it was found that this stress-related peptide suppressed feeding induced by a variety of substances including muscimol, norepinephrine, dynorphin and insulin. These data suggest that the corticotropin-releasing factor may represent an important agent in stress-induced anorexia.
Perceptions of pandemic influenza vaccines.

Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) was first identified in North America in early 2009. The pandemic flu outbreak during the 2009–2010 influenza season demonstrated how rapidly a new strain of flu can emerge and spread. Vaccination is the most effective method to prevent influenza, and vaccination during a pandemic is critical in limiting morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, reports of vaccination rates for pH1N1 vaccines during the 2009–2010 influenza season indicated low rates for various demographic groups, including pregnant women, health care workers, child care workers, college students, and the general public. Furthermore, when asked about perceptions of pH1N1 vaccines, respondents in a variety of studies from the pH1N1 pandemic indicated common and universal misconceptions about influenza vaccines, especially in regard to perceptions of need, efficacy and safety. Therefore, if vaccination rates are to increase, an important outcome especially during pandemics, the psychological characteristics...
When and why not to auction

Standard auctions are known to be a revenue-maximizing way to sell an object under broad conditions when buyers are symmetric and have independent private valuations. We show that when buyers have interdependent valuations, auctions may lose their advantage, even if symmetry and independence of information are maintained. In particular, simple alternative selling mechanisms that sometimes allow a buyer who does not have the highest valuation to win the object will in general increase all buyers’ willingness to pay, possibly enough to offset the loss to the seller of not always selling to the buyer with the greatest willingness to pay.
Productivity in the workplace: the role of self-directed learning and the implications for human resource management

Following a review of studies linking the readiness for self-directed learning to workplace performance, the attainment of leadership positions in organisations and the characteristics sought after in today's business leaders, the authors present the implications for Human Resource Management (HRM). They assert that individual self-directed learners are the lifeblood of the learning organisation and offer five guidelines for creating a culture of learning to firmly integrate self-directed learning into an organisation.
Financial Deregulation, Economic Uncertainty and the Stability of Money Demand in Australia

This article investigates the financial deregulation, economic uncertainty and the stability of money demand (M1 & broad money (BM)) in Australia for the periods between 1976:2 and 2008:4. We use Johansen procedure of cointegration to estimate the long-run stationary relationship between Australian monetary aggregates and the explanatory variables. We use generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (1, 1) model to construct an economic uncertainty index. The results suggest that there is evidence of long-term relation between money (M1), economic activity, interest rate and price for the pre-deregulation subperiod. However, there is no evidence of long-run equilibrium relation between real M1 and its determinants for the baseline specification. However, the model with uncertainty index confirms a stable long-run relationship. Moreover, we found no cointegration relation among BM, real GDP and long-term interest rate for post-regulation and for the entire sample for the traditional money demand equation. However, we have consistent evidence of long-run equilibrium relation between BM, real activity and short-term interest rates for subperiods and for the entire sample period when we account for economic uncertainty.
Comparison of the dielectric behavior of mixtures of methanol with carbon dioxide and ethane in the mixture-critical and liquid regions

Roskar, V., Dombro, R.A., Prentice, G.A., Westgate, C.R. and McHugh, M.A., 1992. Comparison of the dielectric behavior of mixtures of methanol with carbon dioxide and ethane in the mixture-critical and liquid region. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 77: 241-259. Dielectric data are reported for the CO2-methanol system at 35, 50 and 65°C and the ethane-methanol system at 35, 65 and 95°C at a number of composition and over a pressure range from the saturation pressure of the mixture to 300 bar. Experimental pressure-composition isotherms and molar volume data are also reported for the ethane-methanol system. The dielectric constant for both types of methanol mixtures can be increased by decreasing the temperature or by increasing the permanent dipole concentration of the mixture through increasing the mixture density or the methanol mole fraction. The dielectric constants for CO2-methanol mixtures are consistently greater than those for ethanemethanol mixtures over the entire pressure-temperature-composition space investigated in this study. The higher dielectric constants for CO2-methanol mixtures are conjectured to be a consequence of the quadrupole interactions between CO2 and methanol and to the contribution from the CO2 -methanol complex which is present in these mixtures.
Vacancies and impurities in aluminum and magnesium

The vacancy formation energies and (Mg, Al, and Si) impurity heats of solution are calculated for Al and Mg using a first-principles pseudopotential approach and large supercells. While the interaction of the defects considered here are already negligible for reasonably small unit cells, adequate sampling of the Brillouin zone is found to be essential for these metallic systems, even for systems containing more than 100 atoms per unit cell; e.g., the vacancy formation energy of Al for 108 atoms per cell has the incorrect sign if only the \ensuremath{\Gamma} point is sampled. When the volume and structural relaxations are treated consistently, heats of formation and solution and relaxation volumes are obtained that are in good agreement with the available experimental data. Simple trends in the relaxations around the impurities in the various materials can be understood in terms of the size of the impurities compared with the host atoms. Contrary to some commonly used models, the energetics of the impurities are found to be dominated by electronic, rather than elastic, contributions. The defect-induced changes to the local electronic structure are also discussed.
Stress Accumulation and Release on the San Andreas Fault

The San Andreas fault can be divided into locked and free sections. On the locked sections accumulated slip is released in great earthquakes. On the free sections slip is occurring continuously either aseismically or during smaller earthquakes. Stress drops during earthquakes can be estimated from the ratio of short to long period amplitudes and from surface strain. Surface heat flow may provide an upper bound on the absolute stress. The failure or yield stress must reach a maximum at some depth on the fault. This maximum may occur in the near-surface brittle zone or deeper in the plastic zone of the fault. The historic distribution of seismic activity provides information on the stress level. The accumulation of strain and stress on the fault can be predicted using elastic theory. It is necessary, however, to include the viscous coupling of the lithosphere to the asthenosphere in order to fully model the problem.
Desert Subterranean Termites: A Method for Studying Foraging Behavior

Subterranean termites are among the most abundant but cryptic of animals, a factor making behavioral studies very difficult. Consequently little is known of their foraging behavior or general activity patterns. Previous studies have been restricted mainly to mound builders (Bouillon and Lekie 1964) or harvesters which forageopenly on the soil surface (Bouillon 1970, Nel 1968). A few estimates of subterranean termite populations have been based on baiting with attractive materials or soilcore sampling (Sands 1972).
Positive realness preserving model reduction with H/sub /spl infin norm error bounds

Many physical systems that occur in applications are naturally passive, for example, mechanical systems with dual sensors and actuators, and electrical circuits with passive components. Taking advantage of this property, many controller schemes have been proposed with the property that the controller is strictly positive real. Due to design and implementation considerations, the plant or the controller may need to be approximated by a lower-order system. It is highly desirable for the reduced-order system to also possess the positive realness property to guarantee that the resulting closed-loop system remains stable. Motivated by this problem, this paper considers the general model-reduction problem for a positive real system under the constraint that the reduced system is also positive real. We present a solution based on the balanced stochastic truncation. When the higher-order system is strictly positive real, we derive an H/sub /spl infin norm bound on the approximation error. We also consider alternate approaches of approximating the spectral factors with associated H/sub /spl infin norm error bounds. An example is included to show the efficacy of this method and comparison with other approaches. >
Active formation of ‘chaos terrain’ over shallow subsurface water on Europa

The Galileo spacecraft revealed a number of 'chaos' regions on Jupiter's moon Europa, where the surface terrain appears to have been disrupted from below. In many places, the surface contains sharp-edged blocks or rafts of ice that have at some point been flipped or rotated. Some characteristics of these regions have been hard to explain, such as the fact that the archetypal Conamara Chaos stands above its surroundings and contains matrix domes. Schmidt et al. apply lessons learned from analogous processes within Earth's subglacial volcanoes and ice shelves to an analysis of archival data that suggests chaos terrain forms above liquid water 'lenses' that are perched only 3 kilometres deep within the ice shell. The data suggest that ice–water interactions and freeze-out give rise to the varied morphology of chaos terrains, implying that more water is involved than has been previously appreciated — for instance, the sunken topography of Thera Macula, a large chaos area, may indicate that Europa is actively resurfacing over a lens comparable in volume to North America's Great Lakes. Europa, the innermost icy satellite of Jupiter, has a tortured young surface1,2,3,4 and sustains a liquid water ocean1,2,3,4,5,6 below an ice shell of highly debated thickness1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10. Quasi-circular areas of ice disruption called chaos terrains are unique to Europa, and both their formation and the ice-shell thickness depend on Europa's thermal state1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17. No model so far has been able to explain why features such as Conamara Chaos stand above surrounding terrain and contain matrix domes10,18. Melt-through of a thin (few-kilometre) shell3,7,8 is thermodynamically improbable and cannot raise the ice10,18. The buoyancy of material rising as either plumes of warm, pure ice called diapirs1,9,10,11,12,13,14,15 or convective cells16,17 in a thick (>10 kilometres) shell is insufficient to produce the observed chaos heights, and no single plume can create matrix domes10,18. Here we report an analysis of archival data from Europa, guided by processes observed within Earth's subglacial volcanoes and ice shelves. The data suggest that chaos terrains form above liquid water lenses perched within the ice shell as shallow as 3 kilometres. Our results suggest that ice–water interactions and freeze-out give rise to the diverse morphologies and topography of chaos terrains. The sunken topography of Thera Macula indicates that Europa is actively resurfacing over a lens comparable in volume to the Great Lakes in North America.
Prevalence of serum vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in cancer: Review of the epidemiological literature

Vitamin D deficiency has been found to be associated with a variety of cancers, including prostate, multiple myeloma, colorectal and breast cancer. Several studies have shown vitamin D levels to have an inverse relation with cancer mortality, while others have considered it a potential risk factor. Vitamin D is believed to influence cancer prevalence, risk and survival; hence the need to assess vitamin D levels in cancer. Although numerous studies have been conducted to demonstrate vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for cancer, relatively few have studied its prevalence. Moreover, studies estimating prevalence differ from each other, with respect to study population, sample size, study design, definition of vitamin D deficiency used and method of vitamin D assessment (with most studies limited to one particular type of cancer with relatively small sample sizes). Therefore, we qualitatively reviewed the epidemiological evidence in the oncology literature on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency as measured by serum vitamin D concentrations.
Stimulus Polarity and Conditioning in Planaria

Orientation in the monopolar pulse field used as the unconditioned stimulus was found to influence formation of a conditioned response to light in planarians. Planarians trained while oriented with the head toward the cathode reached maximal response rates rapidly, while those trained while oriented toward the anode showed no evidence of conditioned response formation.
ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY OF CAPILLARY BLOOD VESSELS IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM OF THE RABBIT.

Acetylcholinesterase Activity of Capillary Blood Vessels in the Central Nervous System of the Rabbit
The use of screening and preventive therapies for gastroesophageal varices in patients referred for evaluation of orthotopic liver transplantation.

The use of screening and preventive therapies for gastroesophageal varices in patients referred for evaluation of orthotopic liver transplantation
Comparison of electrical discharge techniques for nonthermal plasma processing of NO in N/sub 2/

This paper presents a comparative assessment of three types of electrical discharge reactors: 1) pulsed corona, 2) dielectric-barrier discharge, and 3) dielectric-pellet bed reactor. The emphasis is on the efficiency for electron-impact dissociation of N/sub 2/(e+N/sub 2//spl rarr/e+N+N) and the subsequent chemical reduction of NO by nitrogen atoms (N+NO/spl rarr/N/sub 2/+O). By measuring the concentration of NO as a function of input energy density in dilute mixtures of NO in N/sub 2/, it is possible to determine the specific energy cost for the dissociation of N/sub 2/. Our experimental results show that the specific energy consumption (eV per NO molecule reduced) of different types of electrical discharge reactors are all similar. These results imply that, during radical production in electrical discharge reactors, the electric field experienced by the plasma is space-charge shielded to approximately the same value. The specific energy consumption for the dissociation of N/sub 2/ using electrical discharge processing is measured to be around 240 eV per nitrogen atom produced. In the NO-N/sub 2/ mixture, this corresponds to a specific energy consumption of around 240 eV per NO molecule reduced. >
Religiousness/spirituality and health behaviors in younger adult cancer survivors: does faith promote a healthier lifestyle?

Positive health behaviors are crucial to cancer survivors’ well-being, yet little is known about the personal factors that may facilitate positive health behaviors. The current study focuses on the association of religion/spirituality (R/S) and health behaviors, examining links between health behaviors and religious attendance, daily spiritual experiences, and religious struggle in a sample of 167 younger adult survivors of a variety of cancers. The extent to which positive affect (self-assurance) and negative affect (guilt/shame) mediate these links was also investigated. Results revealed that religious attendance had little impact on health behaviors, but that daily spiritual experiences were related to greater performance of health behaviors, while religious struggle was related to less. Self-assurance partially mediated the effects of daily spiritual experiences, while guilt/shame partially mediated the effects of religious struggle. The findings suggest that aspects of R/S may play important and different roles in the lifestyle choices of cancer survivors.
Excitatory effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on neurons within the nucleus ambiguus of adult guinea pigs

The electrophysiological effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on neurons within the nucleus ambiguus (NA) of adult guinea pigs were studied using an in vitro brain stem slice preparation. In 0.01-1.0 micron TRH, NA neurons depolarized (25/39), expressed enhanced postinhibitory rebound (8/8 tested), or exhibited oscillations of the membrane potential (17/39). Because the amplitude of postinhibitory rebound in tetrodotoxin (TTX) at various membrane potentials was not altered by TRH, it suggests that TRH enhanced postinhibitory rebound indirectly by depolarizing the cell membrane. The membrane potential oscillations in NA neurons were persistent in TTX and their frequency was dependent on the membrane potential, suggesting that these oscillations were due to intrinsic membrane properties and not to synaptic inputs. The excitation of NA neurons in vitro by TRH suggests that endogenous TRH may modulate the activity of neurons involved in the regulation of respiratory and autonomic function.
How far to the nearest road

Ecological impacts from roads may be the rule rather than the exception in most of the conterminous United States. We measured the proportion of land area that was located within nine distances from the nearest road of any type, and mapped the results for 164 ecoregions and 2108 watersheds nationwide. Overall, 20% of the total land area was within 127 m of a road, and the proportion increased rapidly with distance, so that 83% was within 1061 m of a road, and only 3% was more than 5176 m away. For forest land area only, the proportions differed by less than 2% for all distances. Regions with more than 60% of their total land area within 382 m of a road may be at greatest risk of cumulative ecological impacts from roads. These regions include nearly all coastal zones, as well as substantial portions of the southeast US and the basins of the Ohio, Brazos, Colorado, Sacramento, and San Joaquin Rivers.
Pyrazolate-bridging dinucleating ligands containing hydrogen-bond donors: synthesis and structure of their cobalt analogues.

Convergent preparative routes to new urea−pyrazolate dinucleating ligands are described. Metal complexes of these ligands have hydrogen bond donors that are proximal to the metal centers that interact with other coordinated species. This is exemplified by CoII dimers with CoII−μ-Cl−CoII motifs, in which the chloro ligand is involved in four intramolecular hydrogen bonds. These noncovalent interactions appear to influence the CoII−Cl bonds, which are unusually long, having lengths greater than 2.5 A.
Insights into the mechanisms of adenosylcobalamin (coenzyme B12)-dependent enzymes from rapid chemical quench experiments

Glutamate mutase is one of a group of adenosylcobalamin-dependent enzymes that use free radicals to catalyse unusual and chemically difficult rearrangements involving 1,2-migrations of hydrogen atoms. A key mechanistic feature of these enzymes is the transfer of the migrating hydrogen atom between substrate, coenzyme and product. The present review summarizes recent experiments from my laboratory that have used rapid chemical quench techniques to identify intermediates in the reaction and probe the mechanism of hydrogen transfer through a variety of pre-steady-state kinetic isotope effect measurements.
Si0.85Ge0.15 oxynitridation in wet-nitric oxide ambient

Nitric oxide (NO) aided Si"0"."8"5Ge"0"."1"5 wet-oxynitridation has been performed at 400-700 ^oC, while the wet-NO feed gas was preheated to higher temperatures before entering the reaction zone. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectroscopy data suggests that both nitrogen and oxygen incorporation increases within the dielectric bulk with increasing wet-oxynitridation temperature, while there is no apparent germanium segregation towards the dielectric/substrate interface at all temperatures studied. Moreover, angle-resolved XPS analysis suggests that wet-oxynitridation at temperatures higher than 600 ^oC volatilizes some germanium oxide from the surface region, while silicon monoxide is outgassed from the dielectric bulk and accumulates near the surface. Nitrogen incorporation is found to hinder germanium segregation. Z-contrast imaging with scanning transmission electron microscopy shows that oxynitrides grown in wet-NO have sharp interfaces with bulk Si"0"."8"5Ge"0"."1"5, while the roughness of the dielectric/Si"0"."8"5Ge"0"."1"5 substrate interface is less than 2 A. These results are discussed in the context of an overall mechanism of SiGe wet-oxynitridation.
Open-source data analysis and visualization software platform: SAGUARO

Optical engineering projects often require massive data processing with many steps in the course of design, simulation, fabrication, metrology, and evaluation. A MATLAB™-based data processing platform has been developed to provide a standard way to manipulate and visualize various types of data that are created from optical measurement equipment. The operation of this software platform via a graphical user interface is easy and powerful. Data processing is performed by running modules that use a proscribed format for sharing data. Complex operations are performed by stringing modules together using macros. While numerous modules have been developed to allow data processing without the need to write software, the greatest power of the platform is provided by its flexibility. A developer's toolkit is provided to allow development and customization of modules, and the program allows a real-time interface with the standard MATLAB environment. This software, developed by the Large Optics Fabrication and Testing group at the University of Arizona, is now publicly available.** We present the capabilities of the software and provide some demonstrations of its use for data analysis and visualization. Furthermore, we demonstrate the flexibility of the platform for solving new problems.
No gender differences in placebo responses of patients with major depressive disorder.

Abstract Background: This study was designed to compare placebo responses in men and women. Methods: Data for 501 women and 375 men with major depressive disorder treated with placebo from seven investigational randomized double-blind trials comparing fluoxetine with placebo were analyzed. Changes in major depressive disorder symptoms with placebo administration were measured as changes in total Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores and adverse (nocebo) effects were measured by comparing treatment-emergent signs and symptoms. Results: Both women and men with major depressive disorder showed significant symptomatic improvement following placebo administration, similar in magnitude and time course of response. Women on placebo reported slightly more nocebo effects than men. Conclusions: The finding that women and men with major depressive disorder demonstrated a similar therapeutic outcome after placebo administration suggests that gender is not a predictor of placebo response.
When are two multivariate random processes indistinguishable

Prediction error identification methods have been recently the objects of much study, and have wide applicability. The maximum likelihood (ML) identification methods for Gaussian models and the least squares prediction error method (LSPE) are special cases of the general approach. In this paper, we investigate conditions for distinguishability or identifiability of multivariate random processes, for both continuous and discrete observation time T. We consider stationary stochastic processes, for the ML and LSPE methods, and for large observation interval T, we resolve the identifiability question. Our analysis begins by considering stationary autoregressive moving average models, but the conclusions apply for general stationary, stable vector models. The limiting value for T → ∞ of the criterion function is evaluated, and it is viewed as a distance measure in the parameter space of the model. The main new result of this paper is to specify the equivalence classes of stationary models that achieve the global minimization of the above distance measure, and hence to determine precisely the classes of models that are not identifiable from each other. The new conclusions are useful for parameterizing multivariate stationary models in system identification problems. Relationships to previously discovered identifiability conditions are discussed.
Contribution of peripheral NMDA receptors in craniofacial muscle nociception and edema formation.

Contribution of peripheral NMDA receptors in craniofacial muscle nociception and inflammation was examined. Nocifensive paw-shaking behavior following masseteric injection of mustard oil (MO) was quantified in lightly anesthetized rats. MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg) preadministered in the masseter muscle significantly reduced the peak and overall magnitude of the MO-induced noficensive behavior. The reduction was greater than that produced by the same dose of MK-801 given intravenously or in the biceps muscle. Rats were sacrificed 2 h later and masseter muscles dissected and weighed. The injected muscle was 27.29±6.7% heavier than the contralateral muscle. The weight difference was significantly less only in rats pretreated with masseteric MK-801. These data provide evidence that peripheral NMDA receptors play an important role in craniofacial muscle nociception and inflammation.
Examining the silence of academic disappointment: A typology of students' reasons for not discussing disappointing grades with instructors

Although student-teacher interactions about disappointing grades can be beneficial, students do not always engage in them. The objective of this study was to explore the domain of reasons undergraduate students report for not discussing disappointing grades with their instructors. The data analysis yielded six main categories of reasons: utility of grade conversations, judgment of the evaluation, understanding of grade cause(s), instructor/relational considerations, student characteristics, and situational factors. This study advances the first typology of students' reasons for not discussing disappointing grades and offers implications for instructional practice, theory and research. Study limitations and future research directions are also discussed.
Fluorescence probe of polypeptide conformational dynamics in gas phase and in solution

Fluorescence measurements of polypeptides derivatized with the fluorescent dye BODIPY TMR have been used to probe the polypeptide conformational dynamics as a function of temperature and charge state. Measurements of (BODIPY TMR)-[Pro]n-Arg-Trp and (BODIPY TMR)[Gly-Ser]m-Arg-Trp have been performed for charge states 1+ and 2+ of n = 4 and 10 and m = 2 and 5. The 2+ charge states of both of these polypeptides exhibit similar temperature dependences for equal chain lengths (n =4 ,m = 2 and n = 10, m = 5) and suggest conformations dominated by Coulomb repulsion. In the absence of such Coulomb repulsion, the 1+ charge state conformations appear to be characterized by the flexibility of the polypeptide chain for which [Gly-Ser]m > [Pro]n. Comparisons of these gas phase polypeptide measurements with corresponding measurements in solution provide a direct measure of the effects of solvent on the conformational dynamics. The change in fluorescence as a function of temperature in the gas phase is two orders of magnitude greater than that in solution, a dramatic result we attribute to the restrictions on intramolecular dynamic s imposed by diffusion-limited kinetics and the lack of shielding by solvent. Measurements were also made of unsolvated Pron peptides without the tryptophan (Trp) residue to isolate the interaction of the fluorescent dye with charges. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Cardiovascular benefits of acupressure (Jin Shin) following stroke.

Summary Objectives Acupressure, a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment, uses fingertips, rather than needles, to stimulate acupoints on the skin and has been implicated as a successful treatment for a variety of medical disorders. However, acupressure's underlying mechanisms remain unclear. One theory is that acupoint stimulation modulates autonomic nervous system activity. Previous studies have suggested that acupressure may positively affect heart rate and blood pressure. The current study investigated the effects of a type of acupressure, Jin Shin, on cardiovascular function in stroke survivors, a population that could especially benefit from a treatment promoting cardiovascular health. The study tested the hypothesis that active acupressure treatments would reduce heart rate and blood pressure (i.e., induce a greater relaxation response) above and beyond that seen during placebo acupressure treatments. Methods A randomised, placebo-controlled, single-blind crossover design was utilised, in which 16 participants received 8 weeks of either active or placebo acupressure followed by washout and crossover into the opposite treatment condition. Heart rate and blood pressure measurements were taken throughout treatments. Results Active acupressure treatments were associated with a significantly greater ( p =.043, partial η 2 =.30) and faster ( p =.002, partial η 2 =.76) reduction in heart rate compared to that seen during placebo treatments. No treatment effect on blood pressure was found. Conclusions Active acupressure reduced heart rate significantly more than did placebo acupressure during treatments. Although no treatment effect on blood pressure was found, this could be due to 67% of participants taking antihypertensive medications during the study.
Formation of a Copper Specific Binding Site in Non-Native States of β-2-Microglobulin†

A debilitating complication of long-term hemodialysis is the deposition of ‚-2-microglobulin (‚2m) as amyloid plaques in the joint space. We have recently shown that Cu 2+ can be a contributing, if not causal, factor at concentrations encountered during dialysis therapy. The basis for this effect is destabilization and incorporation of ‚2m into amyloid fibers upon binding of Cu 2+ . In this work, we demonstrate that while ‚2m binds Cu 2+ specifically in the native state, it is binding of Cu 2+ by non- native states of ‚2m which is responsible for destabilization. Mutagenesis of potential coordinating groups for Cu 2+ shows that native state binding of Cu 2+ is mediated by residues and structures that are different than those which bind in non-native states. An increased affinity for copper by non-native states compared to that of the native state gives rise to overall destabilization. Using mass spectrometry, NMR, and fluorescence techniques, we show that native state binding is localized to H31 and W60 and is highly specific for Cu 2+ over Zn 2+ and Ni 2+ . Binding of Cu 2+ in non-native states of ‚2m is mediated by residues H13, H51, and H84, but not H31. Although denatured ‚2m has characteristics of a globally unfolded state, it nevertheless demonstrates the following strong specificity of binding: Cu 2+ > Zn 2+ . Ni 2+ . This requires the existence of a well-defined structure in the unfolded state of this protein. As Cu 2+ effects are reported in many other amyloidoses, e.g., PrP, R-synuclein, and A‚, our results may be extended to the emerging field of divalent ion-associated amyloidosis. The conversion of normally soluble proteins into amyloid fiber is a common feature of a number of clinical disorders, including Alzheimer's, type II diabetes, and spongiform encephalopathies (1). Furthermore, many proteins which do not form pathogenic fibers, e.g., myoglobin, have neverthe- less been shown to convert to amyloid under laboratory conditions (2). Amyloid fibers formed from different proteins have many features in common. They are unbranched, resist proteolytic digestion, and display green birefringence upon staining with the histological dye Congo Red. The tertiary and quaternary structure of amyloid fibers has been deter- mined from X-ray diffraction studies to be cross-‚, with the ‚-strands arranged orthogonal to the fiber axis and hydrogen bonding parallel to the fiber axis (3). The kinetics of amyloid formation include a lag phase suggesting nucleation-depend- ent kinetics akin to crystallization ( 4). The similarity of fiber formation kinetics to crystallization includes the ability to bypass the lag phase by providing exogenous seed. Interest- ingly, while amyloids from different proteins share common histological and ultrastructural features, seeded reaction kinetics are dependent on using the seed of the same or
Studies on the feeding of cupric sulfate pentahydrate, cupric citrate, and copper oxychloride to broiler chickens

Male commercial broiler strain chickens were fed either a control diet (based on corn and soybean meal) or the control diet supplemented with cupric sulfate pentahydrate, copper oxychloride, or cupric citrate in two experiments conducted in floor pens. In Experiment 1, feeding copper at 125 mg/kg diet for 42 d significantly increased broiler growth; and the response from cupric citrate was significantly better than either cupric sulfate or copper oxychloride. In Experiment 2, the inclusion of copper from cupric citrate was reduced to 63 mg/kg and the length of the experiment was increased to 56 d. Cupric sulfate pentahydrate and copper oxychloride treatments increased weight gain by 4.9% and cupric citrate increased weight gain by 9.1%. The feed conversion ratios (grams of feed:grams of gain of live birds) in the birds fed copper were not significantly different from those fed the basal diet (P > 0.05) unless corrections were made for the weights of the dead birds; the adjusted feed conversion ratios (grams of feed:grams of gain of live birds + grams of gain of mortalities) for the copper-treated birds in Experiments 1 and 2 were 5.2 and 7.6% lower, respectively, than the ratios of birds fed the basal diets. Plasma copper levels increased in supplemented chicks by 35% in Experiment 1 and 24% in Experiment 2. Liver copper levels in both experiments were increased by 26% with copper supplementation. Mortality was not affected by dietary treatment in either experiment (P > 0.05).
Part II: Testing the Expanded Definition of A Normative Order

The purpose of Part II was to test the empirical applicability of an expanded definition of normative order by demonstrating how a process of social control operates to regulate compliance with the normative order for dress. Researchers examined daily newspapers to identify attempts at social control manifested in overt behavior involving dress in late twentieth century U.S. society. Steps two through six in Schwartz and Ewald's (1968) six-phase model of the process of social control provided the framework for the investigation. An observational procedure was used to identify norms, violations of norms, and sanctions. Reasons for violations of norms were documented and illustrated. Sanctions associated with violations of dress norms were enumerated and classified by their interrelated dimensions. The expanded definition is more robust and more powerful than the original definition because it suggests avenues of inquiry that have not yet been explored and offers a technique to explore them. The technique p...
On the Communication Complexity of Read-Once AC^0 Formulae

We study the 2-party randomized communication complexity of read-once AC0 formulae. For balanced AND-OR trees T with n inputs and depth d, we show that the communication complexity of the function f(x, y) = T(x \circ y) is \Omega(n/4^d) where (x \circ y) is defined so that the resulting tree also has alternating levels of AND and OR gates. For each bit of x \circ y, the operation \circ is either AND or OR depending on the gate in T to which it is an input. Using this, we show that for general AND-OR trees T with n inputs and depth d, the communication complexity of f (x \circ y) is n/2^{\O(d log d)}. These results generalize classical results on the communication complexity of set-disjointness [1], [2] (where T is an OR -gate) and recent results on the communication complexity of the TRIBES functions [3] (where T is a depth-2 read-once formula). Our techniques build on and extend the information complexity methodology [4], [5], [3] for proving lower bounds on randomized communication complexity. Our analysis for trees of depth d proceeds in two steps: (1) reduction to measuring the information complexity of binary depth-d trees, and (2) proving lower bounds on the information complexity of binary trees. In order to execute this program, we carefully construct input distributions under which both these steps can be carried out simultaneously. We believe the tools we develop will prove useful in further studies of information complexity in particular, and communication complexity in general.