cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CENTRAL CONTROL OF AUDITORY INPUT IN THE GOLDFISH II. EVIDENCE OF ACTION IN THE FREE-SWIMMING ANIMAL

1. In the free-swimming electrode-implanted goldfish, the neural response in the medulla to a constant auditory stimulus may exhibit reversible fluctuations in amplitude which are abolished by anaesthesia. 2. The results are consistent with the action of an auditory control system which can reduce or enhance the input following a click. 3. Noise-masking effects and reflex muscular control were excluded by demonstrating the relative constancy of the rectified microphonic during simultaneous changes in the click-evoked action potential at the medulla. 4. There are three kinds of response modification: habituation, rapid inhibitory feedback, and facilitation. 5. Both feedback and habituation act predominantly on high-threshold auditory fibres. Low-threshold fibres do not become habituated, and dishabituation does not occur. 6. As in the mammal, anaesthetic reduces the tendency of the system to become habituated by an amount which depends on the dosage. Auditory fibres with highest threshold have the greatest tendency to become habituated and are the least affected in this respect by anaesthetic. 7. Simple conditioning experiments indicate that control influences exerted over the input can be biased by positive or negative reinforcement which follows the auditory stimulus. 8. The control system may work in attention, in frequency analysis, or in suppressing input to self-made sounds. 9. A new hypothesis is made on the biological significance of hearing in fish. A fish may be able to tell if other swimming fish are approaching, receding, or moving tangentially by analysing the proportions in time of the compressions and rarefactions present in the swimming sounds, which are proposed to be asymmetrical.
Repair of intermediate-size nasal defects: a working algorithm.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Method of reconstruction was correlated with site and size of defects. Postoperative complications were reviewed. RESULTS A total of 315 patients with nasal defects measuring 1.5 to 2.5 cm were identified. Of these, 199 patients (63.2%) had a defect in a single subunit, and 116 (37.8%) had involvement of a combination of subunits. Ninety-seven patients (30.8%) had local flaps, 94 patients (29.8%) had forehead flaps, 51 patients (16.2%) had full-thickness skin grafts (FTSG), 40 (12.7%) had composite grafts, and 33 (10.5%) had melolabial flaps. The defects were categorized according to subunit locations. There was a pattern of reconstruction for each defect according to their site, size, and depth. Alar defects were mainly repaired with melolabial flaps (25 of 85 patients [29.4%]), or by composite grafts (24 of 85 patients [28.2%]). Nasal tip defects were mainly repaired using local flaps (28 of 69 patients [40.5%]), FTSG (19 of 69 patients [27.5%]), and forehead flaps (19 of 69 patients [27.5%]). The reconstruction of choice in dorsal and sidewall defects were local flaps and forehead flaps. There were 28 wound-related complications, such as pincushioning, dehiscence, and infection (incidence rate, 8.9%), and 4 cases of postoperative nasal obstruction (1.3%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE There is a paucity of literature on the subject of reconstruction of intermediate-size nasal defects. This algorithm is derived from our practice and offers the surgeon specific reconstructive options for consideration when facing nasal defects of 1.5 to 2.5 cm. The algorithm is based on subunits.
A recursive implementation of the dimensionless FFT

A divide and conquer algorithm is presented for computing arbitrary multi-dimensional discrete Fourier transforms. In contrast to standard approaches such as the row-column algorithm, this algorithm allows an arbitrary decomposition, based solely on the size of the transform independent of the dimension of the transform. Only minor modifications are required to compute transforms with different dimension. These modifications were incorporated into the FFTW package so that the algorithm for computing one-dimensional transforms can be used to compute arbitrary dimensional transforms. This reduced the runtime of many multi-dimensional transforms.
A 145MHz low phase-noise capacitive silicon micromechanical oscillator

This paper reports on the implementation and characterization of a low phase-noise oscillator based on a very high quality factor (Q) 145MHz capacitive silicon micromechanical resonator. The utilized resonator is a silicon bulk acoustic resonator (SiBAR) operating in its first width-extensional mode with a maximum Qunloaded~74,000 that is specifically optimized for low motional impedance. The sustaining circuitry is a 3.6mW CMOS transimpedance amplifier (TIA) that uses common source topology with local shunt-shunt feedback. The measured phase-noise of the oscillator at 1kHz offset from the carrier is -111dBc/Hz with phase-noise floor reaching below -133dBc/Hz.
Effect of different types of peroxides on properties of vulcanized EPDM + PP blends

Mechanical and tribological behavior of several dynamic vulcanizate blends of polypropylene (PP) with ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) was examined and compared with those of uncrosslinked blends. Vulcanization was performed using two types of organic peroxides combined with (meth)acrylate coagent. The effect of different types and concentrations of peroxides as crosslinking agents on the properties of the resulting materials were investigated. Dicumyl peroxide (DCP) provides higher reactivity and exhibits nearly the same crosslinking efficiency for both 60/40 and 50/50 blends; almost fully crosslinked samples are obtained if the compound contains 1.0 or 2.0 wt% DCP. These results correlate to the gel content and mechanical properties of our materials. Variation of PP + elastomer ratio does not have a significant influence on friction. From 60/40 group of composites, lower friction values were obtained for samples cured with 0.5 wt% benzoyl peroxide (BP) and 1.0 wt% DCP. The tribological properties of the samples with higher amount of DCP show rubbery rather than a toughened thermoplastic behavior. Wear of the composites decreases with the increasing concentration of the curing agent. Compared to BP, the samples cured with DCP display lower wear. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1678–1691, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Understanding heterogeneity in meta-analysis: the role of meta-regression.

Summary Background: Meta-regression has grown in popularity in recent years, paralleling the increasing numbers of systematic reviews and meta-analysis published in the biomedical literature. However, many clinicians and decision-makers may be unfamiliar with the underlying principles and assumptions made within meta-regression leading to incorrect interpretation of their results. Aims: This paper reviews the appropriate use and interpretation of meta-regression in the medical literature, including cautions and caveats to its use. Materials & Methods: A literature search of MEDLINE (OVID) from 1966-February 2009 was conducted to identify literature relevant to the topic of heterogeneity and/or meta-regression in systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Results: Meta-analysis, a statistical method of pooling data from studies included in a systematic review, is often compromised by heterogeneity of its results. This could include clinical, methodological or statistical heterogeneity. Meta-regression, said to be a merging of meta-analytic and linear regression principles, is a more sophisticated tool for exploring heterogeneity. It aims to discern whether a linear relationship exists between an outcome measure and on or more covariates. The associations found in a meta-regression should be considered hypothesis generating and not regarded as proof of causality. Conclusions: The current review will enable clinicians and healthcare decision-makers to appropriately interpret the results of meta-regression when used within the constructs of a systematic review, and be able to extend it to their clinical practice.
Acute Complications of Endotracheal Intubation: Relationship to Reintubation, Route, Urgency, and Duration

Sixty-one consecutive medical intensive care unit patients who were intubated for more than three days were prospectively studied for complications. Patients who were reintubated had a higher incidence of all complications (χ 2 = 5.4; p 2 =16.1; p
Thinning algorithm for reducing peak sidelobe levels of discrete rectangular planar arrays

The proposed thinning algorithm provides a low-cost approach to control peak sidelobe levels of a uniformly fed antenna array in the transmit mode. The algorithm quantizes a desired taper to be used on a uniformly spaced planar array and evaluates the feasibility of thinning the array by terminating elements. It determines which elements are to remain active given requirements of peak sidelobe level, interelement spacing, and the number of rows and columns in the array. Experimental data show that predictable results are possible. Thinning the array allows the peak sidelobe requirement to be satisfied without any redesign of the antenna array, feed networks, or power devices. It is recommended that this technique be used in the reduction of peak sidelobes in large array antennas where it is not feasible to control the amplitudes on each element. Consequences of thinning an array on transmit include an increased beamwidth of the mainbeam which causes a reduction in the gain and radiation power of the array. >
Sensitivity to interpersonal treatment in the workplace: Scale development and initial validation

The authors designed the sensitivity to interpersonal treatment (SIT) scale to assess how strongly individuals react to the interpersonal interactions in their workplaces. Questionnaire responses from 563 working undergraduates and 446 working adults provided data for this study. Details on the development of the new scale are provided along with initial evidence for its validity. Results indicated that the SIT is an internally consistent scale composed of two factors: self-treatment and other-treatment. Suggestions for future research that will develop a further understanding of SIT in the workplace are discussed.
Tissue changes in allergy.

Abstract 1.1. As suggested by Doerr, the term "Allergy" is used to denote all disorders due to antigen-antibody reaction including those of atopy, idiosyncrasy and anaphylaxis. 2.2. Characteristic of allergic reactions are rapid onset, violent course and slow regression. 3.3. The tissue changes in allergy vary from no detectable morphologic alteration of cells to inflammatory, proliferative, severe degenerative, and necrotic lesions. 4.4. In general, the tissue changes in allergy reflect the severity of the signs and symptoms of the reactions. This is not invariably the case, however, as is evidenced by the finding of no appreciable morphologic change of sensitized smooth muscle in animals dead from anaphylactic shock. 5.5. It is probable that antigens possess a variable capacity to sensitize and shock different tissues of the body. 6.6. Since nonsensitized and sensitized tissues may respond to different foreign substances in the same manner and, on the other hand, react in a different manner to the same antigen or hapten on second or subsequent exposure, a complete understanding of the tissue changes, therefore, requires a knowledge of the state of the tissues when injured no less than a knowledge of the inherent toxicity of the foreign excitant.
Designing fast absorbing Markov chains

Markov Chains are a fundamental tool for the analysis of real world phenomena and randomized algorithms. Given a graph with some specified sink nodes and an initial probability distribution, we consider the problem of designing an absorbing Markov Chain that minimizes the time required to reach a sink node, by selecting transition probabilities subject to some natural regularity constraints. By exploiting the Markovian structure, we obtain closed form expressions for the objective function as well as its gradient, which can be thus evaluated efficiently without any simulation of the underlying process and fed to a gradient-based optimization package. For the special case of designing reversible Markov Chains, we show that global optimum can be efficiently computed by exploiting convexity. We demonstrate how our method can be used for the evaluation and design of local search methods tailored for certain domains.
Mouse patched1 controls body size determination and limb patterning

Hedgehog (Hh) proteins control many developmental events by inducing specific cell fates or regulating cell proliferation. The Patched1 (Ptc1) protein, a binding protein for Hh molecules, appears to oppose Hh signals by repressing transcription of genes that can be activated by Hh. Sonic hedgehog (Shh), one of the vertebrate homologs of Hh, controls patterning and growth of the limb but the early embryonic lethality of ptc1 -/- mice obscures the roles of ptc1 in later stages of development. We partially rescued ptc1 homozygous mutant embryos using a metallothionein promoter driving ptc1. In a wild-type background, the transgene causes a marked decrease in animal size starting during embryogenesis, and loss of anterior digits. In ptc1 homozygotes, a potent transgenic insert allowed survival to E14 and largely normal morphology except for midbrain overgrowth. A less potent transgene gave rise to partially rescued embryos with massive exencephaly, and polydactyly and branched digits in the limbs. The polydactyly was preceded by unexpected anterior limb bud transcription of Shh, so one function of ptc1 is to repress Shh expression in the anterior limb bud. SUMMARY
Polarization effects in the positron theory

Some of the consequences of the positron theory for the special case of impressed electrostatic fields are investigated. By imposing a restriction only on the maximum value of the field intensity, which must always be assumed much smaller than a certain critical value, but with no restrictions on the variation of this intensity, a formula for the charge induced by a charge distribution is obtained. The existence of an induced charge corresponds to a polarization of the vacuum, and as a consequence, to deviations from Coulomb's law for the mutual potential energy of point charges. Consequences of these deviations which are investigated are the departures from the Coulombian scattering law for heavy particles and the displacement in the energy levels for atomic electrons moving in the field of the nucleus.
Contrast-enhanced dedicated breast CT detection of invasive breast cancer preceding mammographic diagnosis

Abstract Dedicated breast computed tomography (bCT) generates high-resolution, three-dimensional images of the pendent uncompressed breast. Intravenous iodinated contrast during bCT provides additional physiologic information. In this case, a 10.0-mm invasive ductal carcinoma was visualized using contrast-enhanced breast CT one year before mammographic detection. Mammography four months before bCT was negative. The bCT contrast enhancement pattern closely matched the dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI obtained after diagnosis. Lesion enhancement at contrast-enhanced breast CT matched previously published enhancement values of breast cancer. Contrast-enhanced dedicated bCT provided high-resolution tomographic images and physiologic contrast enhancement data that facilitated the detection of an early breast cancer.
Stimulation of platelet production by serum of platelet-depleted rats.

SummaryFour subcutaneous injections, given during a 2-day period, of serum from platelet-depleted rats into untreated or splenectomized rats caused an increase in the number of circulating platelets to as much as 167% of the initial count. The rise in peripheral platelet count began 2 days after the first injection, reached a peak at 5 days, then declined to control values at 8 days. Equal amounts of serum from untreated donors did not produce this response. The results indicate that the active serum contains an agent (thrombopoietin) that stimulates production of blood platelets.
Abstract 4617: Novel antiestrogens, SS1020 and SS5020, for breast cancer therapy and prevention

Tamoxifen (TAM) is widely used as a first-line endocrine therapy for breast cancer patients and as a prophylactic agent for women at high risk of developing this disease. Long-term administration of TAM has serious side effects, including endometrial cancer. These side-effects are due to the DNA damaging and/or estrogenic action of the drug. Raloxifene (RAL) approved as a chemopreventive agent for postmenopausal women at high risk for invasive breast cancer retains an estrogenic action. The poor bioavailability of RAL requires high doses to obtain an efficacy equivalent to that achieved with TAM. Several other antiestrogens developed were dropped out from the clinical trials due to their undesirable effects on the uterus. Therefore, development of new antiestrogen alternatives, but free of genotoxic and estrogenic potential, having significant antitumor potential beyond TAM and RAL is urgently required. SS1020 and SS5020 were developed as a new triphenylethylene antiestrogen and benzopyran antiestrogen, respectively, in our laboratory. Although TAM is a hepatic carcinogen and produces a high level of DNA damage in rats, both SS1020 and SS5020 did not produce such DNA damage. Unlike TAM and RAL, SS1020 and SS5020 had no detectable uterotrophic activity in OVX-rats treated even with a high dose (10 mg/kg). These indicate that SS1020 and SS5020 are free of genotoxic and estrogenic activities. The antitumor potential of SS1020 or SS5020 against 7,12-dimethyl-benz(a)anthracene-induced mammary carcinoma in rats and human MCF-7 breast cancer xenograft in athymic nude mice was superior to that of TAM and RAL. SS1020 has a much higher bioavailability than RAL, endowing it with higher antitumor potential than RAL. In addition, the development of estrogen-induced mammary tumor in rats was completed inhibited by dietary intake of SS1020, indicating that this compound has preventive potential. Taken together, SS1020 and SS5020 lacking genotoxic and estrogenic actions have anti-breast cancer activity superior to that of TAM and RAL. Both SS1020 and SS5020 are safer and more effective antiestrogen candidates for breast cancer therapy and prevention. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4617.
Choroidal Vascular Repair after Krypton Laser Photocoagulation in the Rat

Choroidal subretinal neovascularization occurs in a large number of fundus disorders (1) and experimental models (2,3). However, neither its pathogenesis nor its regression is clearly understood. Of particular interest is the response of choroidal subretinal neovascularization to laser photocoagulation, resulting in the growth of new vessels as well as their obliteration (4,5). In order to better understand this dual response, we studied the restoration of the choroidal vasculature following krypton laser photocoagulation in the retina of the rat.
Production of FAME biodiesel in E. coli by direct methylation with an insect enzyme

Most biodiesel currently in use consists of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) produced by transesterification of plant oils with methanol. To reduce competition with food supplies, it would be desirable to directly produce biodiesel in microorganisms. To date, the most effective pathway for the production of biodiesel in bacteria yields fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) at up to ~1.5 g/L. A much simpler route to biodiesel produces FAMEs by direct S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) dependent methylation of free fatty acids, but FAME production by this route has been limited to only ~16 mg/L. Here we employ an alternative, broad spectrum methyltransferase, Drosophila melanogaster Juvenile Hormone Acid O-Methyltransferase (DmJHAMT). By introducing DmJHAMT in E. coli engineered to produce medium chain fatty acids and overproduce SAM, we obtain medium chain FAMEs at titers of 0.56 g/L, a 35-fold increase over titers previously achieved. Although considerable improvements will be needed for viable bacterial production of FAMEs and FAEEs for biofuels, it may be easier to optimize and transport the FAME production pathway to other microorganisms because it involves fewer enzymes.
External cavity laser biosensor

We demonstrated a single-mode and biomolecule-induced tunable external cavity laser biosensor. This system achieves large dynamic range, high-Q resonance, and self-referencing through dual-mode lasing for high sensitivity label-free detection.
Developing triggers for the surgical intensive care unit for palliative care integration.

Abstract Purpose Despite the growing acceptance of palliative care as a component of high-quality care for patients with serious illness, it remains underutilized in the surgical critical care setting. This article provides insight into a model for palliative care integration into the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), using triggers. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study after the implementation of a new set of palliative care triggers in the SICU of an 1170-bed tertiary medical center over the course of 9 months. We aimed to determine the ability of these triggers to identify patients who would benefit from palliative care consultation. Results There were 517 SICU admissions during the period of interest. Of this cohort, patients who had not yet been discharged at the time of analysis were excluded (n = 25), and the remaining underwent analysis (n = 492). Factors significantly associated with hospital death or hospice discharge were repeat SICU admission, metastatic/advanced cancer, SICU physician referral, and the matching of 2 or more secondary criteria. Conclusions A series of triggers can help identify patients who may benefit from palliative care consultation. This approach can be used in intensive care settings to facilitate palliative care integration.
On implementation of online testable state machines

This paper presents a technique for designing self-checking finite state machines that uses a 2-hot code for state encoding. The registers and output logic in resulting state machines are testable online. A new method for designing the output logic is also proposed in this paper.
On Narco-coyotaje: Illicit Regimes and Their Impacts on the US–Mexico Border

Many have debated whether or not human smugglers, known as coyotes, are involved with drug trafficking organizations. Scholars have largely rejected so-called “narcocoyotaje”, however; we hope to problematize this narrative by adding a new theoretical layer to the discussion. Namely, we explore the ways in which different criminal activities produce hierarchies and control illicit activities within the clandestine geography of the US–Mexico border. These “illicit regimes” operate against the State, creating a hierarchy that dominates other illicit activities in order to maximize profit, avoid detection and consolidate power. While other studies have explored the relationships between the State and illicit practices this article takes the relationship between two illicit industries as its object of study. Doing so will help us move past the simply binary question about whether or not coyotes are involved with drug cartels, and allows us to understand what is being produced by this relationship, and its consequences for everyone involved.
Hydrothermal frictional strengths of rock and mineral samples relevant to the creeping section of the San Andreas Fault

Abstract We compare frictional strengths in the temperature range 25–250 °C of fault gouge from SAFOD (CDZ and SDZ) with quartzofeldspathic wall rocks typical of the central creeping section of the San Andreas Fault (Great Valley sequence and Franciscan Complex). The Great Valley and Franciscan samples have coefficients of friction, μ > 0.35 at all experimental conditions. Strength is unchanged between 25° and 150 °C, but μ increases at higher temperatures, exceeding 0.50 at 250 °C. Both samples are velocity strengthening at room temperature but show velocity-weakening behavior beginning at 150 °C and stick-slip motion at 250 °C. These rocks, therefore, have the potential for unstable seismic slip at depth. The CDZ gouge, with a high saponite content, is weak (μ = 0.09–0.17) and velocity strengthening in all experiments, and μ decreases at temperatures above 150 °C. Behavior of the SDZ is intermediate between the CDZ and wall rocks: μ
Calculation of the decay rate of K20→π++π−+γ

In K20→π++π−+γ, the decay can go either through a direct process or through an inner bremsstrahlung process. By applying the method of current algebras we estimate the branching ratio of the directCP-conserving process with the decay K2→2γ. The result isR1(K20→π+π−γ)/R(K20→2γ)≃14%. The inner bremsstrahlung term accompanying theCP-violation process K20→π+π− is also calculated. We obtain for the latter the results $$R_{\text{2}} \left( {K_{\text{2}}^0 \to \pi ^ + \pi ^ - \gamma } \right)/R\left( {K_{\text{2}}^0 \to \pi ^ + + \pi ^ - } \right) = \left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {{\text{ }}1.1\% ,{\text{ }}forE_\gamma \geqslant 10MeV,} \\ {0.{\text{26\% , }}forE_\gamma \geqslant 50MeV,} \\ \end{array} } \right.$$ whereEγ is the energy of the photon emitted in the process K20→π+π−+γ. Using the recent experimental data on the decay rates of K20→2γ and K20→π+π−, we obtain the total rateR(K20→π+π−γ)≃(2.1±0.4)·103s−1, forEγ≥10 MeV.
Water Dynamics in 1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate Ionic Liquids

The effects of water concentration and varying alkyl chain length on the dynamics of water in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) were characterized using two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) vibrational echo spectroscopy and polarization-selective IR pump–probe experiments to study the water hydroxyl (OD) stretching mode of dilute HOD in H2O. Three imidazolium cation alkyl chain lengths, ethyl (Emim+), butyl (Bmim+), and decyl (Dmim+), were investigated. Both Bmim+ and Dmim+ cations have sufficiently long chains that the liquids exhibit polar–apolar segregation, whereas the Emim+ IL has no significant apolar aggregation. Although the OD absorption spectra are independent of the chain length, the measured reorientation and spectral diffusion dynamics are chain length dependent and tend to slow when the alkyl chain is long enough for polar–apolar segregation. As the water concentration is increased, a water-associated water population forms, absorbing in a new s...
Species-Specific Differences in Intracellular Transport Reveal a Golgi-Localization Requirement for D816V Mutant Kit Receptor To Induce Leukemia.

Mutations in the c-Kit gene (KIT) that result in constitutive tyrosine kinase activity are associated with mastocytosis/mast cell leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Expression of a murine Kit allele with a mutation in the phosphotransferase domain (Kit D814V) renders murine Ba/F3 cells factor-independent and causes lymphocytic leukemia in mice. An animal model using the homologous human allele (KIT D816V) has not been described. We generated retroviral expression constructs using wild-type and mutant human KIT and murine Kit that achieved equivalent protein levels in human-derived 293T cells. When expressed in murine cells however, despite equivalent transcript levels, the KITD816V protein specifically was present in lower abundance, and unlike the murine mutant, the human D816V was unable to transform Ba/F3 cells without prior selection. In contrast, human KITD816V rapidly transformed human TF-1 cells to factor independence. Fusion of the extracellular and transmembrane domains of murine Kit to the intracellular domain of human KIT (Hybrid KIT WT and Hybrid KITD816V) facilitated higher protein expression in murine cells, and rapid transformation of both Ba/F3 and TF-1 cells. Endoglycosidase digestion revealed that both human and murine mutant Kit receptors were incompletely glycosylated, and by immunohistochemistry we found that the murine and hybrid mutant KIT receptors were predominantly localized to the golgi. However, the human KIT D816V protein, in murine cells, failed to traffic past the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), while in human cells, KITD816V was able to traffic through the ER to the golgi. In murine cells expressing human KITD816V, downstream signaling pathways, including Stat3, Stat5 and Akt were activated to a lesser extent compared to cells expressing the murine KitD814V or hybrid KITD816V. Treatment of cells with small molecule inhibitors of protein trafficking demonstrated that activation of downstream signaling pathways activated by Hybrid KITD816V required golgi but not cell membrane localization. Lastly, mice transplanted with bone marrow transduced with the human KITD816V remained free of disease while mice transplanted with the golgi-localized Hybrid KITD816V succumbed to fatal myeloproliferative disease (MPD) with 100% penetrance. Taken together, our data demonstrate that murine and human cells traffic the KITD816V protein differently and that leukemogenic signals require localization of the mutant receptor to the golgi apparatus. This is the first report of an animal model of myeloid leukemia/MPD using the KIT oncogene and will be useful for elucidating the mechanisms by which KITD816V contributes to leukemogenesis and for testing novel therapeutic strategies.
Update on dietary intake of perchlorate and iodine from U.S. food and drug administration's total diet study: 2008-2012.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Total Diet Study (TDS) monitors the US food supply for pesticide residues, industrial chemicals, radionuclides, nutrients, and toxic elements. Perchlorate and iodine intakes based on concentrations in TDS samples collected between 2008 and 2012 were estimated in order to update an earlier TDS dietary assessment. Perchlorate is used as an oxidizing agent in rocket and missile fuel, is formed naturally in the atmosphere, and occurs naturally in some soils. Because of perchlorate’s presence in soil, and in irrigation, processing, and source water, it is widely found in food. Iodine was included in the study because perchlorate at high doses interferes with iodide uptake in the thyroid. Iodine (the elemental form of iodide) is essential for growth and development, and metabolism. This study uses a novel statistical method based on a clustered zero-inflated lognormal distribution model to estimate mean and 95th percentile confidence interval concentrations for perchlorate and iodine in US foods. These estimates were used to estimate mean perchlorate and iodine exposures for the total US population and for 14 age/sex groups in the US population. Estimated mean perchlorate intake for the total US population was 0.13 μg/kg bw/day, with mean intakes for the 14 age/sex groups between 0.09 and 0.43 μg/kg bw/day. The estimated mean intakes of perchlorate for all age/sex groups were below EPA’s reference dose (RfD) of 0.7 μg/kg bw/day. The estimated mean iodine intake for the total US population was 216.4 μg/person/day, with mean intakes ranging from 140.9 to 296.3 μg/person/day for the 14 age/sex groups, with all age/sex groups exceeding their respective estimated average requirements (EARs).
The impact of meal timing on cardiometabolic syndrome indicators in shift workers

The aims of this study were to 1) compare the inflammatory potential of night- and day-shift nurses' diets with regard to time of day and work status and 2) explore how the timing of food intake during work and off-work is associated with cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) risk factors between these two groups. Female nurses (N = 17; 8 day-shift and 9 night-shift) reported food intake over 9 days. On a middle day off of work, metabolic parameters were measured after an overnight fast. Energy/macronutrient intake and inflammatory potential of dietary intake (as assessed via the Dietary Inflammatory IndexTM) were calculated for nurses' workdays, work nights, off-work days, and off-work nights. Work-night total food intake (grams) accounted for a significant amount of variance in CMS risk factors for night-shift nurses only. Increased total gram consumption during night-shift nurses' work nights was associated with increased lipid levels - independent of the macronutrient composition of the food consumed. Alternatively, for night-shift nurses, work-day intake of several food parameters accounted for a significant proportion of variance in HDL cholesterol levels, with higher intake associated with higher HDL levels. For both day- and night-shift nurses, food intake during the day was more pro-inflammatory regardless of shift type or work status. Our novel approach of combining time-of-day-specific and work-day-specific analyses of dietary inflammatory factors and macronutrient composition with measurement of CMS risk factors suggests a link between meal timing and cardiometabolic health for shift-working nurses.
Perceived discrimination, cultural identity development, and intimate partner violence among a sample of Hispanic young adults.

Objective Despite the prevalence of interpersonal violence (IPV), scientific understanding of the risk and protective factors for unidirectional and bidirectional IPV, and especially the role of sociocultural variables in these behaviors, is limited. This study investigates the association between ethnic-identity search, ethnic-identity affirmation, perceived discrimination, and unidirectional (victimization only, perpetration only) and bidirectional (reciprocal violence) IPV behaviors among foreign-born and U.S.-born Hispanic young adults. Method Data are from Project RED (Reteniendo y Entendiendo Diversidad para Salud), a study investigating the effect of psychosocial and sociocultural factors on health behavior among a community sample of Hispanic young adults in Southern California (n = 1,267). Results Approximately 40% of the sample reported unidirectional or bidirectional IPV, with significant gender differences across the three categories. Compared with men, women had approximately 70% lower odds of victimization (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.15-0.71), over twice the odds of perpetration (OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.98-3.62), and 35% higher odds (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.04-1.81) of bidirectional IPV. Higher ethnic-identity affirmation was protective for victimization (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.81-0.99) and bidirectional IPV (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.62-0.89), whereas higher perceived discrimination scores increased the odds for bidirectional IPV (OR = 1.37 95% CI = 1.26-1.56) and was particularly detrimental for foreign-born participants. Conclusion Intervention strategies should consider gender-specific risk profiles, cultural contexts, and the influence of sociocultural stressors. Addressing the harmful effects of perceived discrimination and leveraging the protective effects of ethnic-identity affirmation may be promising IPV-prevention strategies for Hispanic young adults. Future research directions and implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
Methylmercury uptake and degradation by methanotrophs.

Methylmercury (CH3Hg+) is a potent neurotoxin produced by certain anaerobic microorganisms in natural environments. Although numerous studies have characterized the basis of mercury (Hg) methylation, no studies have examined CH3Hg+ degradation by methanotrophs, despite their ubiquitous presence in the environment. We report that some methanotrophs, such as Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, can take up and degrade CH3Hg+ rapidly, whereas others, such as Methylococcus capsulatus Bath, can take up but not degrade CH3Hg+. Demethylation by M. trichosporium OB3b increases with increasing CH3Hg+ concentrations but was abolished in mutants deficient in the synthesis of methanobactin, a metal-binding compound used by some methanotrophs, such as M. trichosporium OB3b. Furthermore, addition of methanol (>5 mM) as a competing one-carbon (C1) substrate inhibits demethylation, suggesting that CH3Hg+ degradation by methanotrophs may involve an initial bonding of CH3Hg+ by methanobactin followed by cleavage of the C–Hg bond in CH3Hg+ by the methanol dehydrogenase. This new demethylation pathway by methanotrophs indicates possible broader involvement of C1-metabolizing aerobes in the degradation and cycling of toxic CH3Hg+ in the environment.
Risk of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in COPD Patients Treated With Long-Acting β2-Agonist Combined With a Long-Acting Muscarinic or Inhaled Corticosteroid.

Background: The recent approval of several fixed-dose combination long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) products has increased the use of dual bronchodilators in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Understanding the comparative safety of this combination is important for informing treatment decisions. Objective: To compare the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular (CCV) events associated with LABA/LAMA compared with a combination of LABA and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Methods: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study using health insurance claims data to identify COPD patients initiating LABA/LAMA or LABA/ICS. CCV outcomes included hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis for acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, cardiac dysrhythmia, stroke, or transient ischemic attack. Patients were followed until they experienced an event, discontinued treatment, initiated medication from the opposite cohort, or lost enrollment. Pati...
A tale of four cities: the boundaries of blackness for Ethiopian immigrants in Washington, DC, Tel Aviv, Rome, and Melbourne

Scholars increasingly view urban areas as fragmented spaces where migrants are policed in ways that promote differential access to mobility, but the glocal meanings of race are often undertheorized...
A New Proof of Erdos's Theorem on Monotone Multiplicative Functions

Si f est une fonction croissante, completement multiplicative, alors il existe une constante α telle que f(n)=n + pour tout n≥1. Toute fonction croissante multiplicative est completement multiplicative. On donne une nouvelle demonstration de cette forme equivalente du theoreme d'Erdos
Surrogate modeling and risk-based analysis for solute transport simulations

This study is driven by the question of how quickly a solute will be flushed from an aquatic system after input of the solute into the system ceases. Simulating the fate and transport of a solute in an aquatic system can be performed at high spatial and temporal resolution using a computationally demanding state-of-the-art hydrodynamics simulator. However, uncertainties in the system often require stochastic treatment and risk-based analysis requires a large number of simulations rendering the use of a physical model impractical. A surrogate model that represents a second-level physical abstraction of the system is developed and coupled with a Monte Carlo based method to generate volumetric inflow scenarios. The surrogate model provides an approximate 8 orders of magnitude speed-up over the full physical model enabling uncertainty quantification through Monte Carlo simulation. The approach developed here consists of an stochastic inflow generator, a solute concentration prediction mechanism based on the surrogate model, and a system response risk assessment method. The probabilistic outcome provided relates the uncertain quantities to the relevant response in terms of the system’s ability to remove the solute. We develop a general approach that can be applied in a generality of system configurations and types of solute. As a test case, we present a study specific to salinization of a lake.
Influence of the Lower Body on Seated Arm Cranking Performance.

During upper-body tasks, use of the lower body is important for minimizing physiological strain and maximizing performance. The lower body has an integral role during standing upper-body tasks, however, it is less clear if it is also important during seated upper-body tasks. We determined the extent to which the lower body influenced seated arm cranking performance. Eleven males performed incremental (40+20 W·3 min-1) and short-duration maximal effort (5 s, 120 rpm) arm cranking trials with and without lower-body restriction. The lower body was restricted by securing the legs to the seat and suspending them off the floor. Upper-body peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and maximal power were determined. At the end of the incremental protocol, lower-body restriction reduced VO2peak by 14±12% (P<0.01) compared to normal arm cranking. At greater submaximal stages (60-100% isotime) heart rate, ventilation, RER, and arm-specific exertion increased to a greater extent (all P<0.05) with lower-body restriction. During short duration maximal arm cranking, lower-body restriction decreased maximal power by 23±9% (P<0.01). Results indicated that lower-body restriction limited aerobic capacity, increased physiological strain during high-intensity submaximal exercise, and compromised maximal power generating capacity. These results imply that use of the lower body is critical when performing seated arm cranking. Our findings have implications for exercise testing, training and rehabilitation.
The Postulates—a General Discussion

Having acquired the necessary mathematical training and physical motivation, you are now ready to get acquainted with the postulates of quantum mechanics. In this chapter the postulates will be stated and discussed in broad tem1s to bring out the essential features of quantum theory.
Propensity for Proton Relay and Electrostatic Impact of Protein Reorganization in Slr1694 BLUF Photoreceptor.

Photoreceptor proteins play a vital role in a wide range of light-regulated processes. The formation of the light-adapted state of blue light using flavin (BLUF) photoreceptors is thought to involve rearrangements of hydrogen-bonding networks upon photoexcitation. Free energy simulations with partial charges corresponding to relevant ground and excited states of the Slr1694 BLUF domain characterize conformations prior to and following photoexcitation. The simulations indicate that Trp91 is thermodynamically favored to be in the active site, although it is also able to sample conformations outside the active site. For experimentally observed conformations of Trp91, Gln50 is thermodynamically favored to be oriented for a proton relay bridging Tyr8 and the flavin. When Trp91 is rotated such that it can donate a hydrogen bond to Gln50, as observed in other BLUF domains, the proton relay is not thermodynamically favored in the ground state, providing a possible explanation for the relatively fast photocycle of...
Mobile Colloidal Organic Carbon: An Underestimated Carbon Pool in Global Carbon Cycles?

Mobile colloids, 1-1000 nm particles, are ubiquitous in every ecosystem. They have small size, large specific surface area and high mobility in the subsurface, and thus can regulate the fate and transport of sorbing constituents such as nutrients, contaminants and organic carbon (OC). The movement of colloids and colloidal OC (COC) through soils is an important process in mass and energy transport (including carbon) both within and between ecosystems, e.g. from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems, and likely contribute to the ecosystem- or global-scale carbon balance given their ubiquitous distribution and unique environmental functions. However, despite their importance for terrestrial and aquatic carbon transport and balance, colloids and COC have not been adequately accounted for because of the current operational definition uses 0.45 µm as the cutoff size for colloids. In this study, we quantified and characterized loadings of colloids and COC in aqueous samples collected from agricultural, forestry, freshwater wetland and estuary ecosystems. Results reveal that, in all samples regardless of the different sampling sources, the total colloidal loads were underestimated by ≥ 50% and considered as “dissolved” solutes when the operational definition (e.g., using a cutoff size of 0.45 m) was used. Together with a large number of data from the literature, our results further demonstrate that colloids are quantitatively substantial, carbon-dense and that as much as 8-19% of operationally defined DOC is in fact COC. Conservatively, this suggests that the COC pool potentially accounts for 13.6 TgC year-1 as a riverine flux and 530 ± 25 TgC of global DOC pool in the ocean in global carbon cycles. In addition, freshwater wetland was found to be a hotspot, which released more colloids and COC compared to the other sampled ecosystems. These findings clearly demonstrate the limitations of using the current operational definition for colloids and DOM and highlight the need for improving quantification and characterization of size-dependent colloidal and OC loads. Such effort will allow direct fundamental research into questions towards microbial access to ‘protected’ carbon by minerals and more accurate assessment of global carbon cycles.
Sociocultural Understanding of Miscarriages, Stillbirths, and Infant Loss: A Study of Nigerian Women

Miscarriages, stillbirths, and infant loss are a constant threat to Nigerian women. Little research has sought to understand the cultural silence and taboo that typifies these issues needs and its ...
Dependent Market Economies and Wage Competition in Central and Eastern Europe

Wages in Eastern Europe are much lower than wages in Western Europe. The large differences remain also if we adjust for differences in price levels. This chapter assesses the extent to which wage differences between East European countries and Germany can be explained by differences in productivity and other economic fundamentals in individual countries. We compare the residual country effects on wages, including also effects of wage-setting institutions that remain once we control for labour force compositions and differences in economic structures. The negative country-wage effects in Eastern European countries, in fact, increase once we control for labour force compositions and differences in economic structures. We also decompose the returns effect for occupational groups and sectors, distinguishing the interaction between occupation and sectors and countries.
A Metastable P Term in the Manganese Arc Spectrum

THREE years ago Wentzel (Phys. Zeit., 24, 104, 1923) pointed out that a metastable state of the manganese atom was to be expected and as evidence of this directed attention to a fivefold D′ term. So far as the author is aware, P′ terms in this spectrum have never been identified although they also should be expected.