cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New and Emerging Therapies for Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that affects up to 2% of the general population. Currently available treatment options for AA are of limited efficacy and can be associated with adverse effects. The advancement in understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms of AA has led to the development of novel treatment options, with the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor class of drugs at the forefront of ongoing clinical trials. Platelet-rich plasma, fecal transplants, and cytokine-targeted therapy with ustekinumab and dupilumab have also been shown to regrow hair in patients with AA in individual case reports or small studies. Several other novel therapies have preliminary data or are being tested in clinical trials.
Co-expression of the neuropeptide proctolin and glutamate in the central nervous system, along mechanosensory neurons and leg muscle in Cupiennius salei

Similar to hair cells in the mammalian cochlear system, mechanosensory neurons in the Central American wandering spider Cupiennius salei are strongly innervated by efferent fibers that originate from neurons whose somata are located in the central nervous system (CNS). In both the mammalian and arachnid systems, efferent fibers have been shown to co-express two or more transmitters; however, our understanding regarding co-transmission and how it affects sensory signal transduction and processing in these systems is only fragmentary. The spider model system is exceptionally suitable for this type of investigation due to the large size and easy accessibility of the sensory and efferent neurons in this system. Thus far, GABA and glutamate have been identified as the main fast-acting transmitters in efferent axons that form synaptic contacts onto sensory neurons in slit sense organs. Ultrastructural investigations suggest an abundance of neuropeptides within these peripheral synapses. In an effort to identify these peptides and conduct functional studies, we have employed immunohistochemistry to investigate whether the neuropeptide proctolin is present in neurons of the leg ganglia and in peripheral leg structures. Here, we demonstrate that ~ 73% of all neurons in the CNS of C. salei show proctolin-like immunoreactivity (proc-LIR) including the leg ganglia. We demonstrate that both strongly and weakly labeled neurons can be distinguished. The majority of proc-LIR neurons show weak labeling intensity and ~ 86.2% co-localize with glutamate. In future experiments, we plan to undertake functional studies to investigate the significance of this co-expression, which has yet to be investigated.
Interactions among Genetic Background, Anesthetic Agent, and Oxygen Concentration Shape Blunt Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes in Drosophila melanogaster

Following traumatic brain injury (TBI), the time window during which secondary injuries develop provides a window for therapeutic interventions. During this time, many TBI victims undergo exposure to hyperoxia and anesthetics. We investigated the effects of genetic background on the interaction of oxygen and volatile general anesthetics with brain pathophysiology after closed-head TBI in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. To test whether sevoflurane shares genetic risk factors for mortality with isoflurane and whether locomotion is affected similarly to mortality, we used a device that generates acceleration–deceleration forces to induce TBI in ten inbred fly lines. After TBI, we exposed flies to hyperoxia alone or in combination with isoflurane or sevoflurane and quantified mortality and locomotion 24 and 48 h after TBI. Modulation of TBI–induced mortality and locomotor impairment by hyperoxia with or without anesthetics varied among fly strains and among combinations of agents. Resistance to increased mortality from hyperoxic isoflurane predicted resistance to increased mortality from hyperoxic sevoflurane but did not predict the degree of locomotion impairment under any condition. These findings are important because they demonstrate that, in the context of TBI, genetic background determines the latent toxic potentials of oxygen and anesthetics.
Linking Delay Announcements, Abandonment, and Service Time

Using call center field data, we examine the reference-dependent impact of delay announcements on both customer abandonment behavior and time spent in service. Delay announcements induce a reference point telling customers how long they must wait for service. Customers behave differently before and after this reference point. Our novel contributions include demonstrating the effects of delay announcements on service time, as well as simultaneously considering both reference-dependent abandonment behavior and reference- dependent service times. One additional minute spent waiting after the reference point increases the hazard rate of abandonment by up to 52%, a much larger effect than the hazard rate decrease from having one additional minute to go before the reference point. For those customers who do not abandon, we also observe reference-dependent behavior during service. Conditional on the same total wait in queue, one additional minute spent waiting after the reference point triggers up to 21 extra seconds in service. While longer total waiting time in queue also leads to longer service time, its effect is much smaller than this reference-dependent effect. Reference-dependent behaviors in abandonment and service impact system-level congestion in opposite directions. Therefore, managers should consider both effects when considering operational decisions, including staffing and customer prioritization.
Effects of narcissism in essential workers during COVID-19

Abstract We studied essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hypothesized that trait narcissists would communicate more about their work during the pandemic because their work elevated their status to “hero” and provided an opportunity to shine. We found evidence of this for grandiose, but not vulnerable narcissism. Second, we hypothesized that sharing about work would be associated with increases in state narcissism. Results supported this for state grandiose narcissism with mixed evidence for state vulnerable narcissism. Perceiving validation from others was associated with higher state grandiose narcissism and self-esteem, as well as lower vulnerable narcissism in one sample.
MRAM DTCO and Compact Models

Design-Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) has become an important design methodology for making early decisions on technology, circuit, and system design parameters. This invited paper introduces various aspects of DTCO for MRAM development, ranging from SPICE compatible Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) device models, array level spin transfer torque magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-MRAM) power-performance-area (PPA) evaluation, scalability and variability studies of large-scale arrays, and novel read and write circuit techniques.
Clinical, Electrophysiological and Genetic Profile of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. (1602)

Objective: To study the clinical, genetic, and electrophysiological findings in patients with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP). Background: HSP encompasses a clinically and genetically heterogenous set of neurodegenerative diseases with 80 identified subtypes. HSP is classified as pure HSP (pHSP) and complex HSP (cHSP) with pHSP characterized by lower extremity weakness and spasticity, gait difficulty, upper motor neuron signs, and bladder dysfunction and cHSP in addition to pHSP findings has dementia, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and peripheral neuropathy. Design/Methods: Retrospective electronic medical record review of genetic confirmed HSP cases followed in the pediatric and adult Neuromuscular Clinics from 2013–2020. Clinical presentation, family history, examination, electrodiagnostic data, neuroimaging, co-morbidities and treatment was recorded. Results: Twenty-two patients (13 males, 9 females) mean age 34 years (range 8–73) were included. Genetically confirmed etiologies (n=20) included SPAST 40% (n=8), SPG7 15% (n=3), KIF1A 15% (n=3), KIF5A 5% (n=1), REEP1 5% (n=1), MTP-ATP6 5% (n=1), MARS 5% (n=1), ZFYVE26 5% (n=1), SACS 5% (n=1). Symptom onset to genetic confirmation on average was 12 years (1–51 years). Eighty percent (n=18) presented with gait difficulty, 59% (n=13) were ambulatory, sensory motor axonal polyneuropathy 36% (n=8), scoliosis/musculoskeletal deformities 27% (n=6), cognitive impairment 23% (n=5), dysarthria 18% (n=4), seizures 18% (n=4), cerebellar atrophy on MRI 13.6% (n=3), attention difficulty 9% (n=2), visual impairment 9% (n=2), and hearing impairment 9% (n=2). Fifty-five percent (n=12) received a baclofen pump. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that SPAST was the most common disease-causing gene mutation followed by SPG7 and KIF1A. Gait difficulty, scoliosis, sensory motor axonal polyneuropathy and neurocognitive comorbidities were common in our cohort particularly amongst patients with KIF1A mutations and other cHSP subtypes. Study limitation includes single center experience with small study population. Disclosure: Tanya Panwala has nothing to disclose. Dr. Garcia Santibanez has nothing to disclose. Aixa Gonzalez Garcia has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dhir has nothing to disclose. Dr. Verma has nothing to disclose.
Anwendungen einer Fehlerschranken-Arithmetik

Das Grundproblem der Approximationstheorie ist die Approximation eines beliebigen Elementes f aus einem linearen normierten Raum R durch ein Element g aus einer (einfach aufgebauten und bequem benutzbaren) Klasse K ⊂ R derart, das $$ f \approx g$$ ist.
Thin-skinned intrinsically defect-free asymmetric mono-esterified hollow fiber precursors for crosslinkable polyimide gas separation membranes

Abstract Engineering of spinning solution compositions, conditions and polymer molecular weight is described to create intrinsically defect-free thin-skinned precursors for high performance ester-crosslinked asymmetric hollow fiber membranes. The ultimate goal is to crosslink the precursors to provide robust performance for an aggressive natural gas feed. To provide insights free from CO 2 -induced changes in properties in the uncrosslinked samples, studies with less interacting O 2 , N 2 and He feeds were also used to assess properties. The combined analyses indicate an absence of substructure resistance within the hollow fibers and an effective selective layer between 0.1 and 0.14 µm. This thickness represents a valuable reduction over previously achievable values for this so-called propane-diol monoesterified crosslinkable polyimide (PDMC) polymer in defect-free asymmetric form, which were previously in the range of 0.5 µm. Indeed, the significantly reduced skin layer thickness offers the potential to improve the gas separation productivity by 3.6X if this advantage can be carried forward into the ultimate crosslinked fibers. Additional comparisons to the free acid form of the precursor (without esterification) show advantages to the current less hydrophilic precursor in terms of ability to create a thinner precursor selective layer prior to crosslinking than for the free acid form. To date, the free acid analog to PDMC has only been able to be created with a 0.7 µm selective layer vs. the current 0.1–0.14 µm skin reported here. Optimization of the crosslinking process for both precursors is beyond the scope of this work, since it is itself, complex and still underway.
The genes for ribosomal RNA and their transcription during amphibian development.

Publisher Summary This chapter mentions several criteria that are necessary to characterize a useful assay system with which to study the regulation of transcription. The chapter aims to apply these criteria to the ribosomal RNA's and the genes that define their structure in higher organisms. Particular emphasis is placed on information gained from oocytes and embryos of the toad Xenopus laevis. The way in which rRNA is synthesized in oocytes and embryos provides proof for two different theories for the control of gene action. The most popular theory today, that is, “differential gene activity,’’ is supported by the marked variation of rRNA synthesis that occurs at different stages of embryogenesis and in different adult tissues under conditions where the rRNA genes are invariable. However, a second mechanism that controls the rate of rRNA synthesis appears to take place in oocytes. In these single cells, there has been an amplification of the rDNA. This example of genetic amplification coupled with the well-known instances of rhromosome diminution comprises a mechanism of transcription control that can be called “gene alteration.”
Controlled ion bombardment induced modification of PZT thin films

The properties of PZT (lead zirconate titanate) thin films can be modified by low-energy oxygen ion bombardment. The degree of
A Miniaturized Microfluidically Reconfigurable Coplanar Waveguide Bandpass Filter With Maximum Power Handling of 10 Watts

In this paper, a microfluidically reconfigurable coplanar waveguide (CPW) filter is presented with a tuning range of $\sim$ 1.6:1 and four different states. The passband frequency of the filter is changed based on employing the capacitive loading effect of a liquid metal placed on top of each CPW resonator using three parallel micro-channels. In addition, because of the loading effect of the metal bridges, miniaturization by a factor of 40% is achieved. The filter is digitally tuned from 3.4 to 5.5 GHz with an insertion loss of less than 5.0 dB and a relative bandwidth of 5 $\pm$ 0.35%. The RF power-handling capability of the filter is characterized using a customized measurement setup. It is observed that the filter can be used for input RF powers of up to $\sim$ 20 W for short-duration excitation conditions and 10 W for high-average-power excitation conditions. The filter is realized using common printed circuit board technology and a polydimethylsiloxane structure. Design methodology, simulation, and measurement results of the filter prototype are presented.
Child Care and Child Development

Most children in modern industrialized societies will spend a significant portion of their early lives in child care, and many will require such care during the early school years as well. Initial fears that child care per se would be harmful have not been supported, but there is some evidence that extensive care, beginning in early infancy, can make it more difficult for mothers to relate sensitively to their infants. Whether child care has positive or negative effects on children's development depends primarily on its quality. Quality is defined by sensitive, responsive, and stimulating caregivers and age-appropriate activities and curriculum. High-quality care promotes cognitive, academic, and social development, and its effects last beyond the preschool years. Children attending child care centers as opposed to home-based child care perform better on language and academic skills and have skills with peers, but are also more aggressive and noncompliant.
Men in the house: race, welfare, and the regulation of men's sexuality in the United States, 1961-1972.

in t h e l a t e 1960 s , M r s . K a t i e B . s h a w , the director of Aid to Dependent Children in Greene County, Alabama, reported that her clients “want our help in getting rid of the men who live off their welfare checks. . . . They really do. Many times i tell them, ‘You shouldn’t go with Mr. Jones or Mr. Washington because he’s no good,’ and they appreciate it.” Mrs. Shaw saw her clients as misguided but ultimately good and herself as their helper and benefactor. The real villains, in her eyes, were boyfriends like Mr. Jones and Mr. Washington, men who took advantage of women on welfare and of the welfare system itself. She was hardly alone in this opinion. in the same report, another Alabama county director, Nan C. Murphy, also accused men of living off their girlfriends’ welfare benefits. She explained that “these men who see our recipients just won’t work. The feds tell us the unemployment rate in my county is seventy-five percent. Now, you know, if a man wants to work, there’s a job for him.” Both social workers eventually admitted that the vast majority if not all of the intimate relationships social workers interfered with were those of black men and women. When pressed about her exclusive attention to the boyfriends of black women, Nan Murphy sounded a familiar refrain: “You’re from the North and can’t really understand our problem.”
Protection of mammalian telomeres

Telomeres allow cells to distinguish natural chromosome ends from damaged DNA. When telomere function is disrupted, a potentially lethal DNA damage response can ensue, DNA repair activities threaten the integrity of chromosome ends, and extensive genome instability can arise. It is not clear exactly how the structure of telomere ends differs from sites of DNA damage and how telomeres protect chromosome ends from DNA repair activities. What are the defining structural features of telomeres and through which mechanisms do they ensure chromosome end protection? What is the molecular basis of the telomeric cap and how does it act to sequester the chromosome end? Here I discuss data gathered in the last few years, suggesting that the protection of human chromosome ends primarily depends on the telomeric protein TRF2 and that telomere capping involves the formation of a higher order structure, the telomeric loop or t-loop.
A new look at fuzzy-logic inference

The modus ponens, the inference primitive, and many more complex inferences, are not, as logic operations, reducible to expressions involving logic functions exclusively. Some of the consequences of this observation are considered for inference in fuzzy logic. The author constructs a fuzzy modus ponens and other rules of inference which include modus tollens and reductio ad absurdum. These in turn are based on a choice for the operation of implication which preserves the symmetry implicit in its definition. Extensions including conditional quantification, cut rules, and fuzzy mathematical induction are sketched. As an example, a fuzzy-logic treatment of the Yale shooting problem is discussed. The results suggest that the implicit processes of inference can be affected in fuzzy logic if, as in classical logic, one ventures outside the scope of (fuzzy) logic operations. >
Cometary ray closing rates - Comet Kobayashi-Berger-Milon

Cometary ray closing rates are measured for a sequence of a dozen plates of Comet Kobayashi-Berger-Milon (1975 IX) on July 31, 1975. The angular velocity is a factor of three to six higher than previously published in the literature for other comets. A deceleration of one to two deg/hr-squared, with no secular trend, is measured. Comparisons are made between these observations and some existing models.
Effect of starvation and diet composition on two pathways of L-serine metabolism in isolated rat hepatocytes

This study examined the effects of starvation and of feeding to rats diets that contain varying protein, carbohydrate and fat levels on serine metabolism in isolated hepatocytes. The conversion of [14C]serine and [14C]lactate to 14CO2 and [14C]glucose was measured in the presence and absence of 5 mM quinolinic acid (QA) or 1 mM 3-mercaptopicolinic acid (MPA), inhibitors of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Inclusion of MPA eliminated the contribution of the serine dehydratase-mediated pathway of serine metabolism to glucose production, allowing estimation of serine aminotransferase-mediated metabolism. Addition of MPA reduced [14C]glucose formation from [14C]serine to between 3 and 47% of control values in all dietary treatments. Addition of 10 mM threonine or 10 mM pyruvate depressed [14C]glucose production in hepatocytes from the groups fed 80% protein. Differences in serine metabolism were observed within each protein group, depending on the carbohydrate and fat ratio of the diet. These results suggest the following: 1) MPA is a more potent gluconeogenic inhibitor than QA, permitting estimation of relative flux through two pathways of serine metabolism; 2) serine metabolism occurs primarily via serine dehydratase, although the contribution of serine aminotransferase varies depending upon the nutritional state of the rat, and 3) changing a single dietary component at the expense of another may mask the intricacies of metabolic homeostasis.
Optimization of biogas production in a model for anaerobic digestion with inhibition

We present a model for anaerobic digestion, a complex naturally occurring process during which organic matter is broken down to biogas and various byproducts in an oxygen-free environment. In waste treatment facilities the biogas is captured before it escapes into the atmosphere and can then be used as renewable energy. The model consists of differential equations describing the interactions of microbial populations involved in three of the four main stages of anaerobic digestion: acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis. Due to various inhibitory effects, the system possesses regions of bistability in parameter space. We argue that the highest biogas production is achieved in regions where control parameters are likely to give a bistable state. Surprisingly, the optimal biogas production does not always occur at a steady state where all the different classes of microorganisms coexist. In some regions of bistability biogas production occurs at only one of the steady states, while in others both steady-states result in biogas production with one state being more productive than the other. We show which control parameters and changes in initial conditions can move the system to or from the optimal state.
Loop Checking and the Wll-Founded Semantics

Using a calculus of goals, we define the success and failure of a goal for propositional programs in the presence of loop checking. The calculus is sound with respect to the well-founded semantics; for finite programs, it is also complete. A Prolog-style proof search strategy for a modification of this calculus provides a query evaluation algorithm for finite propositional programs under the well-founded semantics. This algorithm is implemented as a meta-interpreter.
In situ tuning monolithic continuous time leapfrog filters

High precision tuning of monolithic continuous time leapfrog filter structures is achieved using in situ tuning methods. Leapfrog structures are selected because they simulated LC ladder filters, which are known to have low coefficient sensitivity. This is desirable for tuning since more coefficient error can be tolerated. The techniques consist of isolating subsections of the filter and tuning them separately, which avoids capacitor and gain matching limitations of classical master-slave techniques. Two different methods of performing this tuning procedure are presented. >
The Relative Influence of Tropical Sea Surface Temperatures and Radiative Forcing on the Amundsen Sea Low

AbstractRecent studies suggest that warming trends across West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula and sea ice loss in the adjacent Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas are linked to changes in the regional atmospheric circulation, represented by the Amundsen Sea low (ASL). Importantly, changes in the ASL have similarly been tied to forcing from the tropics. Here, several model simulations from the Community Atmosphere Model, version 4, are investigated in order to understand the relative roles of tropical sea surface temperature variability and radiative forcing on the variations in trends in the ASL. In comparing across the simulations, it is observed that the addition of time-varying extratropical SSTs and sea ice conditions in general have a much smaller impact on the ASL than tropical SSTs or radiative forcing. Tropical forcing alone explains much of the climatological variability and extreme intensities of the ASL (both strong and weak relative central pressures). The role of radiative forcing is bes...
Factors Affecting College Students' Perceptions of Satisfaction in and Frequency of Dating

This study identified eight factors in dating behavior (i.e., conditioned anxiety, skills, apprehension, expectations, importance, activity, physical attractiveness, and proximity) that contribute ...
Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: The Optimal Strategy Depends on the Strategy Set

Abstract Evaluating the incremental cost-effectiveness of a technology is critical to understanding the impact of its adoption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, using a particular example, how the specific alternatives selected for a cost-effectiveness analysis may influence the results of the analysis. In this example, we analyzed the incremental cost-effectiveness of estriol screening for Down syndrome. Model assumptions of expected costs and effectiveness were based on previously published work involving four clinical strategies, including a “do nothing” (no screening) strategy. When the analysis started with all four strategies, two of the strategies could not be considered cost- effective because of extended dominance. However, when we eliminated the “do nothing” from the strategy set because of its clinical irrelevance, all three remaining strategies might be considered cost-effective from a policy perspective. We concluded that the incremental cost-effectiveness of clinical strategies could be strongly affected by the starting point for the analysis.
Morphologic aspects of pediatric arrhythmias

Abstract This chapter gives the normal and pathologic morphology of the conduction system and relates it to important clinical arrhythmias. Abnormalities of the myocardium and the arterial supply of the conduction system, particularly those related to repair of congenital cardiac defects, are also discussed. The ways in which these morphologies are important to catheter ablation are well described.
A Systematic Nonlinear Controller Design Approach based on Quasilinear System Models

Recent research in the area of describing function approaches (both random-input and sinusoidal-input) has laid the foundation for a systematic approach to designing controllers for nonlinear plants. This paper provides an overview of one school of thought in this area, typified by the following key ideas: 1. Quasilinear models of the nonlinear system that account for the operating range of system variables must be more realistic than conventional linear models. 2. A staged design approach that applies more power to "difficult" nonlinear plants than to "easy" ones is more sensible than a single design method. 3. The designer should be led to a nonlinear controller design if and only if it is really required. These points will be developed, illustrated and justified in this presentation.
Solvent shifts in electronic spectra—I. Stokes shift in a series of homologous aromatic amines

Abstract The B ilot and K awski [1] equation, relating Stokes shift to solvent parameters, was applied to the electronic spectra of aromatic amines in various solvents. The equation was found to be in good agreement with the experimental data. In addition, the effect of hydrogen-bonding between solvent and solute was studied. The deviations of these systems from the theoretical equation provided an estimate of the energy of the specific interactions, which were found to be consistent with hydrogen-bond energy values. The theoretical significance of these results is discussed.
Gas exchange measurement during pediatric mechanical ventilation--agreement between gas sampling at the airway and the ventilator exhaust

Summary Background & aims A variety of indirect calorimetry (IC) devices are used for gas exchange measurement and calculation of resting energy expenditure (REE) in the pediatric intensive care unit. The aim of this investigation was to compare oxygen consumption (VO 2 ), carbon dioxide elimination (VCO 2 ), REE and respiratory quotient (RQ) in mechanically ventilated children, obtained by 2 devices using distinct gas sampling methods. Methods Mechanically ventilated children were targeted for IC and gas exchange measurements were recorded for a 30 min period, simultaneously using the E-COVX ® (gas sampling at the airway) and the Vmax ® (gas sampling at the humidifier and ventilator exhaust). Steady state gas exchange measurements by the 2 devices were tested for agreement using Spearman correlation and Bland–Altman analysis. Results Steady state data from both devices were available in 19 tests and were included in the analysis. The correlations coefficients for measurements by the 2 devices were r = 0.903( P P P P 2 , VCO 2 , REE and RQ, respectively. The mean percentage bias (limits of agreement) for VO 2 , VCO 2 , REE and RQ values between the two methods (Vmax–E-COVX) was 0.2 (−41.8–42.3), −0.8 (−21.8–20.1), −2.2 (−33.9–29.6) and 1.9 (−21–24.9) respectively. Conclusions Despite strong correlations and small mean biases for VO 2 , VCO 2 and REE obtained by the Vmax ® and E-COVX ® , the limits of agreement were beyond the clinically acceptable range. These devices should not be used interchangeably for gas exchange measurements in mechanically ventilated children.
Lack of insulin impairs Mg2+ homeostasis and transport in cardiac cells of streptozotocin‐injected diabetic rats

Serum and tissue Mg(2+) content are markedly decreased in diabetic patients and animals. At the tissue level, Mg(2+) loss progresses over time and affects predominantly heart, liver and skeletal muscles. In the present study, alterations in Mg(2+) homeostasis and transport in diabetic cardiac ventricular myocytes were evaluated. Cardiac tissue and isolated cardiac ventricular myocytes from diabetic animals displayed a decrease in total Mg(2+) content that affected all cellular compartments. This decrease was associated with a marked reduction in cellular protein and ATP content. Diabetic ventricular myocytes were unable to mobilize Mg(2+) following beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation or addition of cell permeant cyclic-AMP. Sarcolemma vesicles purified from diabetic animals, however, transported Mg(2+) normally as compared to vesicles from non-diabetic animals. Treatment of diabetic animals with exogenous insulin for 2 weeks restored ATP and protein levels as well as Mg(2+) homeostasis and transport to levels comparable to those observed in non-diabetic animals. These results suggest that in diabetic cardiac cells Mg(2+) homeostasis and extrusion via beta-adrenergic/cAMP signaling are markedly affected by the concomitant decrease in protein and ATP content. As Mg(2+) regulates numerous cellular enzymes and functions, including protein synthesis, these results provide a new rationale to interpret some aspects of the cardiac dysfunctions observed under diabetic conditions.
Application of the optimal brain surgeon pruning strategy to a real-aperture radar detection algorithm

We have applied the Optimal Brain Surgeon (OBS) pruning strategy to a polynomial discriminator in order to reduce the number of coefficients it employs. The polynomial discriminator multiplies various combinations of test features by the respective coefficients and then sums the products to obtain a discriminant that is compared to a threshold. The test features are derived from the radar data associated with the cell under test, while the coefficients are determined a priori by minimizing the mean-squared error (MSE) between the actual and the desired value of the discriminant over the training set. The OBS pruning strategy examines the Hessian matrix of a network's error surface-- derived from the training data--to determine which coefficients can be eliminated without adversely affecting the MSE. Besides simplifying the network, such a reduction may also allow for improved network performance when an unseen test data is input. We present the application of the OBS pruning strategy to reduce the dimensionality of a polynomial discriminator and show that the reduction in dimensionality does not adversely affect performance.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Construction of solutions of integro-differential equations with restrictions and control by projection-iterative method

We substantiate the application of the projection-iterative method to the solution of a boundary-value problem for integro-differential equations with restrictions and control.
A study of the J = 2 collective modes of superfluid 3 He-B using a dynamic pressure sweeping technique

We report measurements of the positions of theJ=2 collective modes in zero field using a new technique involving alternate pressure and temperature sweeps. Extensive measurements over a wide range of pressure, temperature, and frequency have been performed and are compared with previous data.
Efficient Extraction of Fluorescence Emission Utilizing Multiple Surface Plasmon Modes from Gold Wire Gratings

We demonstrate directional enhanced fluorescence emission from fluorophores located above gold wire gratings. In contrast to previous studies on corrugated films, efficient coupling was recorded for multiple plasmon modes associated with both the active and substrate side of the wires. This difference is likely due to the subtle differences in how light interacts with corrugated films versus metal films with periodic subwavelength slots. For corrugated films, coupling between modes on opposite sides of the grating are out of phase, and therefore plasmon modes on the opposite side of the grating are only weakly excited. For wire gratings, transmission and reflection features have been modeled well with a dynamical diffraction model that includes surface plasmons, which allows for efficient coupling to surface plasmon modes on both sides of the grating. We also compared the two mechanisms for fluorescent enhancement, namely the intense electromagnetic field associated with surface plasmons and excited fluorophores radiating via surface plasmon modes. We found the latter mechanism clearly dominant.
Single and multiple jet impingement heat transfer on rotating disks

In some gas turbine engine designs cooling air jets are directed at the rotating disk in an atempt to enhance the convection coefficients and reduce the amount of gas flow required for cooling. The jet-impingement scheme is particularly attractive for achieving intense cooling at a specific radial location, such as the blade attachment region. In earlier single-jet studies, the interaction between an impinging jet and rotating disk has been found to involve a flow regime transition. The present study extends the previously acquired data base with new results from both heat-transfer and flow-visualization testing, including effects of hub size, jet travel distance, and the number of jets. Results include a superposition scheme for predicting heat transfer for multiple jets and a criterion for the minimum amount of flow required through each jet nozzle to assure enhancement of the disk convection. 8 references.
Parathyroid hormone inhibition of induction of alkaline phosphatase activity by hydrocortisone and 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine in HeLa cells.

Abstract Parathyroid hormone blocked the induction by hydrocortisone or IUdR of alkaline phosphatase activity in HeLa S3 cells. Alkaline phosphatase activity was not affected by parathyroid hormone treatment alone. Parathyroid hormone added to cells preinduced with hydrocortisone prevented further induction of alkaline phosphatase activity and caused an eventual return of activity to the non-induced level.
Improvements in Cross- Cultural Research Methods

Raoul Naroll was concerned with methodological problems of cross-cultural research—preeminently data quality control and Galton's Problem. After briefly reviewing Naroll's approach to data quality control, this article discusses recommendations for dealing with random and systematic error as taught recently at the Summer Institutes in Comparative Anthropological Research. In connection with those institutes, a computer program, which tests for spatial autocorrelation in the context of multiple regression, has been developed to deal with Galton's Problem. Also discussed are the improvements brought about by the more widespread availability of multivariate statistical techniques.
Cement-based materials

Abstract Key advances toward a detailed understanding and modelling of the structure and properties of cement-based materials have been made in the past year. Significant topics that have been covered are the following: self-desiccation during curing; transport properties and modelling of transport processes; sulfate attack, including delayed ettringite formation; and the structure of calcium silicate hydrate.
Predictors of the complication of postintubation hypotension during emergency airway management

Abstract Objective Arterial hypotension is a recognized complication of emergency intubation that is independently associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to identify factors associated with postintubation hypotension after emergency intubation. Methods Retrospective cohort study of tracheal intubations performed in a large, urban emergency department over a 1-year period. Patients were included if they were older than 17 years and had no systolic blood pressure measurements below 90 mm Hg for 30 consecutive minutes before intubation. Patients were analyzed in 2 groups, those with postintubation hypotension (PIH), defined as any recorded systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg within 60 minutes of intubation, and those with no PIH. Multiple logistic regression modeling was used to define predictors of PIH. Results A total 465 patients underwent emergency intubation during the study period, and 300 met inclusion criteria for this study. Postintubation hypotension occurred in 66 (22%) of 300 patients, and these patients experienced significantly higher in-hospital mortality (35% vs 20%; odds ratio [OR] 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-3.9). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that preintubation shock index (SI), chronic renal disease, intubation for acute respiratory failure, and age were independently associated with PIH. Of these, SI was the most strongly associated factor (OR, 55; 95% CI, 13-232). Receiver operating characteristic plot showed optimized SI 0.8 or higher predicting PIH with 67% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Rapid sequence intubation paralysis was associated with a lower incidence of PIH (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.003-0.4). Conclusions Preintubation and peri-intubation factors predict the complication of PIH. Elevated SI strongly and independently forewarned of cardiovascular deterioration after emergency intubation with pre-RSI SI 0.8 or higher as the optimal threshold to identify patients at risk.
Role of N-linked oligosaccharides in the biosynthetic processing of the cystic fibrosis membrane conductance regulator

The epithelial chloride channel CFTR is a glycoprotein that is modified by two N-linked oligosaccharides. The most common mutant CFTR protein in patients with cystic fibrosis, DeltaF508, is misfolded and retained by ER quality control. As oligosaccharide moieties of glycoproteins are known to mediate interactions with ER lectin chaperones, we investigated the role of N-linked glycosylation in the processing of wild-type and DeltaF508 CFTR. We found that N-glycosylation and ER lectin interactions are not major determinants of trafficking of wild-type and DeltaF508 from the ER to the plasma membrane. Unglycosylated CFTR, generated by removal of glycosylation sites or treatment of cells with the N-glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin, did not bind calnexin, but did traffic to the cell surface and exhibited chloride channel activity. Most importantly, unglycosylated DeltaF508 CFTR still could not escape quality control in the early secretory pathway and remained associated with the ER. However, the absence of N-linked oligosaccharides did reduce the stability of wild-type CFTR, causing significantly more-rapid turnover in post-ER compartments. Surprisingly, the individual N-linked carbohydrates do not play equivalent roles and modulate the fate of the wild-type protein in different ways in its early biosynthetic pathway.
Identification of nonlinear system parameters in joints using the force-state mapping technique

A procedure is presented for identifying the potentially strong nonlinear properties of structural members, such as joints, by expressing the force transmitted by the member as a function of its mechanical state. By explicitly including position and rate dependent effects, the surface of transmitted force versus state, the force-state map, has distinct, unique, superposable features for common structural nonlinearities, even those which appear to indicate hysteresis on a force-stroke presentation. An analysis is performed on the influence of true memory effects, transient response, and uncertainty in the measurements and system mass on the precision of the procedure. The successful identification of simulated data verifies the accuracy of the identification algorithm. Tests are then conducted on three actual joint models, with incomplete state measurements typical of an actual testing environment. The ability of the procedure to estimate the complete state vector and to analyze and reconstruct the measured nonlinear characteristics is demonstrated.
Etiology and pathogenesis of obesity

Obesity results from a greater consumption of energy than is used by the body. As this energy is stored, fat cells enlarge, producing the characteristic pathology of obesity. The pathologic enlargement of fat cells, in turn, produces altered levels of many peptide and nutrient signals that are responsible for the disease we call "obesity." The genetic makeup of human beings, which reflects a long history of relative scarcity of foodstuffs, has run into an age of surfeit, and many people cannot readily adapt. Thus, the increased intake of food does not signal satiety, and there is a gradual increase in energy stores as intake of energy outpaces need as we grow older. Against this background of struggle between nature and nurture, it is possible to identify an increasing number of defects or etiologies that produce obesity. For most patients, however, it is not possible to connect obesity to a specific cause. Leptin deficiency and defects in the leptin receptor both produce human obesity. Defects in the pro-opiomelanocortin receptor system, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, the agouti-related peptide, and a few other rare genetic syndromes are also associated with human obesity. Of the genetic causes, Prader-Willi syndrome is the most common. Hypothalamic injury following craniopharyngioma is the most common neuroendocrine cause. Endocrine disorders such as Cushing's disease, polycystic ovary disease, and growth-hormone deficiency can lead to increased body fat. In the modern world, exposure to a high-fat diet predisposes many people to obesity, and this problem is compounded by the low levels of activity now required for daily living. Treatment strategies must be developed against this background.
Systematic Reduction of Cohesin Differentially Affects Chromosome Segregation, Condensation, and DNA Repair

Cohesin's complex distribution on chromosomes and its implication in numerous cellular processes makes it an excellent paradigm for studying the relationship between the in vivo concentration of a protein and its in vivo function. Here, we report a method to generate systematic quantized reductions (QR) in the in vivo concentration of any yeast protein. With QR, we generate strains with 13% and 30% of wild-type levels of the limiting subunit of cohesin, Mcd1p/Scc1p/Rad21p. Reducing cohesin levels reveals a preferential binding of cohesin to pericentric regions over cohesin-associated regions (CAR) on chromosome arms. Chromosome condensation, repetitive DNA stability, and DNA repair are compromised by decreasing cohesin levels to 30% of wild-type levels. In contrast, sister-chromatid cohesion and chromosome segregation are unaffected even when cohesin levels are reduced to 13% of wild-type levels. The requirement for different in vivo cohesin concentrations to achieve distinct cohesin functions provides an explanation for how cohesin mutations can specifically lead to adult disorders such as Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and Roberts Syndrome without compromising the cell divisions needed for development and maturation. Our successful application of QR to cohesin suggests that QR is a powerful tool to study other proteins/pathways with multiple functions.
Analysis and design of multiple input flexible link mechanisms

Abstract A method for analyzing the force-displacement characteristics of multiple input flexible link mechanisms for both the static and dynamic cases is presented. The Finite Element Method for an elastic body used in the analysis is brieflly described by making the analogy with a single-degree of freedom discrete system. The link mechanism considered is a mechanical adder, providing incremental output motion for various combinations of displacement inputs, whose pivot points have been replaced by flexible joints. Good correlation with experimental results has been obtained for the static case. Also analyzed is the dynamic response of the system. An optimum design has been obtained by varying different parameters within the limits dictated by practical design considerations.
Supporting the Development of Conceptions of Statistics by Engaging Students in Measuring and Modeling Variability

New capabilities in TinkerPlots 2.0 supported the conceptual development of fifth- and sixth-grade students as they pursued several weeks of instruction that emphasized data modeling. The instruction highlighted links between data analysis, chance, and modeling in the context of describing and explaining the distributions of measures that result from repeatedly measuring multiple objects (i.e., the height of the school’s flagpole, a teacher’s head circumference, the arm-span of a peer). We describe the variety of data representations, statistics, and models that students invented and how these inscriptions were grounded both in their personal experience as measurers and in the affordances of TinkerPlots, which assisted them in quantifying what they could readily display with the computer tool. By inventing statistics, students explored the relation between qualities of distribution and methods for expressing these qualities as a quantity. Attention to different aspects of distribution resulted in the invention of different statistics. Variable invention invited attention to the qualities of “good” measures (statistics), thus meshing conceptual and procedural knowledge. Students used chance simulations, built into TinkerPlots, to generate models that explained variability in a sample of measurements as a composition of true value and chance error. Error was, in turn, decomposed into a variety of sources and associated magnitudes—a form of analysis of variance for children. The dynamic notations of TinkerPlots altered the conceptual landscape of modeling, placing simulation and world on more equal footing, as first suggested by Kaput (Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 17(2), 265–281, 1998).
Globalization of Gerontology Education: Current Practices and Perceptions for Graduate Gerontology Education in the United States

The purpose of this study is to document current practices and understandings about globalization of gerontology education in the United States. Better understanding of aging requires international perspectives in global communities. However, little is known about how globalization of gerontology education is practiced in U.S. graduate-level degree programs. The authors conducted qualitative interviews with representatives of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, the major national organization supporting higher education in gerontology, graduate program directors, and students. Although all respondents expressed their interest in globalizing gerontology education, actual practices are diverse. The authors discuss suggested conceptualization and strategies for globalizing gerontology education.