cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding viral shedding of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Review of current literature.

OBJECTIVE: Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has significant implications for hospital infection prevention and control, discharge management, and public health We reviewed available literature to reach an evidenced-based consensus on the expected duration of viral shedding DESIGN: We queried four scholarly repositories/search engines for studies reporting SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding dynamics by PCR and/or culture available through September 8, 2020 We calculated the pooled median duration of viral RNA shedding from respiratory and fecal sources RESULTS: Seventy-seven studies on SARS-CoV-2 were included All studies reported PCR-based testing and 12 also included viral culture data The overall pooled median duration of RNA shedding from respiratory sources was 18 4 days (95% CI: 15 5 days - 21 3 days;I2=98 87%, p<0 01) among 28 studies When stratified by disease severity, the pooled median duration of viral RNA shedding from respiratory sources was 19 8 days (95% CI: 16 2 days - 23 5 days;I2=96 42%, p<0 01) among severely ill patients and 17 2 days (95% CI: 14 0 days - 20 5 days;I2=95 64%, p<0 01) in mild/moderate illness Viral RNA was detected up to 92 days after symptom onset Viable virus was isolated by culture from -6 days to 20 days relative to symptom onset CONCLUSIONS: SARS-COV-2 RNA shedding can be prolonged, yet high heterogeneity exists Detection of viral RNA may not correlate with infectivity since available viral culture data suggests shorter durations of shedding of viable virus Additional data is needed to determine the duration of shedding of viable virus and the implications for risk of transmission
Native interstitial defects in ZnGeN 2

A density functional study is presented of the interstitial ${\mathrm{Zn}}_{i}, {\mathrm{Ge}}_{i}$, and ${\mathrm{N}}_{i}$ in ${\mathrm{ZnGeN}}_{2}$. Corrections to the band gap are included by means of the LDA+U method. The Zn and Ge interstitials are both found to strongly prefer the larger octahedral site compared to the two types of tetrahedral sites. The Zn interstitial is found to be a shallow double donor, but it has higher energy than previously studied antisite defects. It has a resonance in the conduction band that is Zn-$s$ like. The Ge interstitial is an even higher energy of formation defect and also behaves as a shallow double donor, but it also has a deep level in the gap corresponding to a Ge-$s$ orbital character while the Ge-$p$ forms a resonance in the conduction band. The nitrogen interstitial forms a split-interstitial configuration, as also occurs in GaN. Its electronic levels can be related to that of a ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ molecule. The defect levels in the gap correspond to the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}_{g}$-like lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the molecule, which here becomes filled with three electrons in the defect's neutral charge state. They are found to prefer a high-spin configuration in the $q=+1$ state. The corresponding transition levels are obtained and show that this is an amphoteric trap level occurring in $+2, +1$, 0, and $\ensuremath{-}1$ charge states. The two possible sites for this split interstitial, on top of Zn or on top of Ge, differ slightly in ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ bond length. While the ${\mathrm{N}}_{i}$ defects have the lowest formation energy among the interstitials, it is still higher than that of the antisites. Hence they are not expected to occur in sufficient concentration to affect the intrinsic Fermi level position. In particular, they do not contribute to the unintentional $n$-type background doping.
Evaluation of later timepoints for split-time artificial insemination when using sex-sorted semen among beef heifers following the 14-d CIDR®-PG protocol

An experiment was designed to evaluate later timepoints for Split-Time AI (STAI), with the hypothesis that delaying AI may improve estrous response and pregnancy per AI when using sex-sorted semen. Timing of estrus was synchronized among 794 heifers using the 14-d CIDR®-PG protocol (1.38 g progesterone intravaginal insert from Day 0-14, followed by 25 mg dinoprost tromethamine on Day 30) with STAI performed based on estrous status. Heifers were blocked based on breed, source, sire, reproductive tract score (RTS), and BW and assigned within block to one of two approaches. In Approach 66, heifers that were estrual by 66 h after PG administration were inseminated at 66 h, and remaining heifers were inseminated 24 h later (90 h). In Approach 72, heifers that were estrual by 72 h were inseminated at 72 h, and remaining heifers were inseminated 24 h later (96 h). With both approaches, heifers that were non-estrual by the final timepoint were administered 100 μg gonadorelin acetate (GnRH). Within approach, heifers were pre-assigned to receive SexedULTRA 4M™ sex-sorted or conventional semen. The proportion of heifers estrual by the first timepoint was greater (P < 0.0001) with Approach 72 (76 %; 302/395) compared to Approach 66 (61 %; 242/399). The proportion of heifers pregnant as a result of AI differed (P = 0.0005) by semen type (59 % [240/404] for conventional compared with 48 % [187/390] for sex-sorted) but was not affected by approach or approach × semen type. In summary, pregnancy per AI of heifers receiving sex-sorted or conventional semen following the 14-d CIDR®-PG protocol did not differ when STAI was delayed 6 h. The proportion of estrual heifers prior to the first timepoint, however, was greater with later STAI.
Combined Spinal-Epidurals

Combined spinal-epidurals are an excellent technique for surgeries of uncertain duration where the anesthesiologist has determined that monitored anesthesia care with neuraxial blockade would be better for the patient than a general anesthetic. This is commonly done in cesarean sections where typically a single shot spinal block would be placed or an in situ labor epidural would be re-dosed to achieve a desired level of sensory and motor blockade. This chapter highlights indications, insertion, and management of combined spinal-epidural blocks.
A knockout screen of genes expressed specifically in Ae. aegypti pupae reveals a critical role for stretchin in mosquito flight.

Abstract Aedes aegypti is a critical vector for transmitting Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses to humans. Genetic strategies to limit mosquito survival based upon sex distortion or disruption of development may be valuable new tools to control Ae. aegypti populations. We identified six genes with expression limited to pupal development ; osi8 and osi11 (Osiris protein family), CPRs and CPF (cuticle protein family), and stretchin (a muscle protein). Heritable CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout of these genes did not reveal any defects in pupal development. However, stretchin-null mutations (strnΔ35/Δ41) resulted in flightless mosquitoes with an abnormal open wing posture. The inability of adult strnΔ35/Δ41 mosquitoes to fly restricted their escape from aquatic rearing media following eclosion , and substantially reduced adult survival rates. Transgenic strains which contain the EGFP marker gene under the control of strn regulatory regions (0.8 kb, 1.4 kb, and 2.2 kb upstream, respectively), revealed the gene expression pattern of strn in muscle-like tissues in the thorax during late morphogenesis from L 4 larvae to young adults. We demonstrated that Ae. aegypti pupae-specific strn is critical for adult mosquito flight capability and a key late-acting lethal target for mosquito-borne disease control.
Effects of Several Therapeutic Agents on Mammalian Vestibular Function: Meclizine, Diazepam, and JNJ7777120

Management of vestibular dysfunction may include treatment with medications that are thought to act to suppress vestibular function and reduce or eliminate abnormal sensitivity to head motions. The extent to which vestibular medications act centrally or peripherally is still debated. In this study, two commonly prescribed medications, meclizine and diazepam, and a candidate for future clinical use, JNJ7777120, were evaluated for their effects on short latency compound action potentials generated by the peripheral vestibular system and corresponding central neural relays (i.e., vestibular sensory-evoked potentials, VsEPs). The effects of the selected drugs developed slowly over the course of two hours in the mouse. Findings indicate that meclizine (600 mg/kg) and diazepam (> 60 mg/kg) can act on peripheral elements of the vestibular maculae whereas diazepam also acts most effectively on central gravity receptor circuits to exert its suppressive effects. The novel pharmacological agent JNJ7777120 (160 mg/kg) acts in the vestibular periphery to enhance macular responses to transient stimuli (VsEPs) while, hypothetically, suppressing macular responses to sustained or slowly changing stimuli.
Fecal Impaction

Fecal impaction (FI) is a common and potentially serious medical condition that occurs in all age groups. Children, incapacitated patients, and the institutionalized elderly are considered the highest at-risk populations. FI usually occurs in the setting of chronic or severe constipation, anatomic anorectal abnormalities, and neurogenic or functional gastrointestinal disorders. Generally, FI is a preventable disorder, and early recognition is important, as it is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and high health care costs. Evaluation with a careful history and physical examination, in conjunction with radiologic imaging, such as an acute abdominal series or computed tomography (CT), is imperative. Prompt identification and treatment minimize the risk of complications attributable to FI, which may include bowel obstruction leading to stercoral ulcer, perforation, peritonitis, or cardiopulmonary collapse with hemodynamic instability. Treatment options include manual fragmentation and extraction of the fecal mass, distal colonic cleansing using enemas and rectal lavage with the aid of a sigmoidoscope, and/or using water-soluble contrast media such as Gastrografin to both identify the extent of the impaction and aid in cleansing and removal. Surgical resection of the involved colon or rectum is reserved for peritonitis resulting from bowel perforation. Since recurrence is common, implementing preventive measures such as increasing daily water and fiber intake, limiting medications that decrease colonic motility, using secretagogues or prokinetic agents, and treating underlying anatomic defects are highly important.
Loss of tumor protein 53 protects against alcohol-induced facial malformations in mice and zebrafish.

Background Alcohol exposure during the gastrulation stage of development causes the craniofacial and brain malformations that define fetal alcohol syndrome. These malformations, such as a deficient philtrum, are exemplified by a loss of midline tissue and correspond, at least in part, to regionally selective cell death in the embryo. The tumor suppressor protein Tp53 is an important mechanism for cell death, but the role of Tp53 in the consequences of alcohol exposure during the gastrulation stage has yet to be examined. The current studies used mice and zebrafish to test whether genetic loss of Tp53 is a conserved mechanism to protect against the effects of early developmental stage alcohol exposure. Methods Female mice, heterozygous for a mutation in the Tp53 gene, were mated with Tp53 heterozygous males, and the resulting embryos were exposed during gastrulation on gestational day 7 (GD 7) to alcohol (two maternal injections of 2.9 g/kg, i.p., 4 h apart) or a vehicle control. Zebrafish mutants or heterozygotes for the tp53zdf1 M214K mutation and their wild-type controls were exposed to alcohol (1.5% or 2%) beginning 6 h postfertilization (hpf), the onset of gastrulation. Results Examination of GD 17 mice revealed that eye defects were the most common phenotype among alcohol-exposed fetuses, occurring in nearly 75% of the alcohol-exposed wild-type fetuses. Tp53 gene deletion reduced the incidence of eye defects in both the heterozygous and mutant fetuses (to about 35% and 20% of fetuses, respectively) and completely protected against alcohol-induced facial malformations. Zebrafish (4 days postfertilization) also demonstrated alcohol-induced reductions of eye size and trabeculae length that were less common and less severe in tp53 mutants, indicating a protective effect of tp53 deletion. Conclusions These results identify an evolutionarily conserved role of Tp53 as a pathogenic mechanism for alcohol-induced teratogenesis.
Connoisseur’s Choice: Dauphiné-habit Quartz, McEarl Mine, Blue Springs, Garland County, Arkansas

Quartz is perhaps the most familiar of all mineral species. It is so diverse in its appearance and its occurrences are so numerous that it is impossible to review in one Connoisseur’s Choice column...
Lexical effects on the perceived clarity of noise-vocoded speech in younger and older listeners

When listening to degraded speech, such as speech delivered by a cochlear implant (CI), listeners can make use of linguistic knowledge to facilitate speech recognition. Yet, the extent to which linguistic knowledge can be effectively used to compensate for degraded input may depend of the level of degradation and the age of the listener. The current study investigated lexical effects in the compensation for degraded speech via noise-vocoder simulations of CI hearing in younger and older normal-hearing listeners. In two online experiments, listeners rated the clarity of noise-vocoded sentences, with varying filter slopes. Lexical information was provided in the form of text priming and/or the lexical content (i.e., lexical frequency and neighborhood density) of key words in the sentences. Results showed that lexical information from both text priming and the lexical content enhanced the perceived clarity of degraded speech, but the strength of the lexical effects depended on the level of degradation. Additionally, lexical information appeared to equally benefit younger and older listeners. Findings demonstrate that lexical knowledge may be used in cognitive compensation during the recognition of noise-vocoded speech in both younger and older listeners. However, these mechanisms may not be as effective when the signal is highly degraded.
Microscopic Theory of Strongly Coupled Boson Quantum Fluids

Quantum fluids such as the helium liquids, hydrogen liquids, nuclear matter and neutron matter are composed of particles which interact via a strong, short-ranged repulsion and a weaker long-ranged attraction. Consequently, a theory which seeks to produce a quantitative account of the properties of these fluids must of necessity deal with strong, short-ranged correlations induced by the interactions. Such a microscopic theory of the ground and low excited states (including multiple excitations) and of the dynamic structure factor S(k,ω) has been developed to the point of quantitative agreement with experiment, particularly for the boson fluids exemplified by liquid 4 He. This situation is reviewed briefly in section 2.
The Difference of Faith: The Influence of Faith in Human Service Programs

Data from 1,110 privately funded human service programs show that programs with a faith component vary significantly as to how faith is conceptualized, presented to program participants, understood as related to how participants change, and included as a program outcome. Many of the study's participating programs are part of voluntary community organizations that are faith‐based, run by staff and volunteers motivated by deeply held religious convictions, and seek to help people in need at the local level, most often with little public support. The study offers an important beginning step toward an empirically based conceptual classification of the type and degree of participant exposure to a faith‐related service component.
Plasma crosslinked fibrin polymers: quantitation based on tissue plasminogen activator conversion to D-dimer and measurement in normal and patients with acute thrombotic disorders.

Plasma crosslinked fibrin polymers (XLFP) are formed as a result of in vivo hemostatic activation and are elevated in thrombotic disease. We have investigated the plasmic degradation of plasma XLFP in vitro to provide information regarding the pattern of crosslinking and the composition of degradation products. Plasma XLFP were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-agarose electrophoresis and Western blotting and quantitated by gel scanning. D-dimer was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the results were verified by SDS- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting of the digests. Complete degradation of XLFP occurred only after supplementation of plasma with plasminogen (5 U/mL) and incubation with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), indicating that the normal plasma plasminogen concentration limits plasmic degradation in vitro. Gel electrophoresis showed that the principal terminal degradation products of XLDP were fragments D, DD, and E, indicating that crosslinking occurred primarily through gamma chain dimers. After adding a low concentration of thrombin to plasma in vitro, XLFP increased progressively before clotting, and the concentration correlated with the increase in the D-dimer concentration after degradation (r = .98). Plasma XLFP and D-dimer concentrations in plasmic digests were significantly elevated in patients with stroke (150 +/- 83 micrograms/mL and 88 +/- 32 micrograms/mL), myocardial infarction (217 +/- 110 micrograms/mL and 84 +/- 30 micrograms/mL), and venous thrombosis (187 +/- 80 micrograms/mL and 86 +/- 19 micrograms/mL) compared with normals (28 +/- 12 micrograms/mL and 25 +/- 7 micrograms/mL). There was a strong correlation between the plasma concentration of XLFP and the D-dimer immunoreactivity of plasma after plasmic degradation (r = .87). The results indicate that XLFP in plasma are crosslinked primarily through gamma chains and degrade to fragment DD with plasminogen activation. Also, the immunoreactivity of in vitro plasmic digests of plasma reflects the concentration of XLFP and may provide a useful indirect measure of in vivo hemostatic activation in patients with thrombotic disease.
Application of a hybrid control of expansion valves to a domestic heat pump and a walk-in cooler refrigeration system

Hybrid refrigerant flow control, as proposed by Kim et al. (2008), employs a primary expansion valve that provides most of the pressure drop between the condensing and evaporation pressures, while small secondary balancing valves in the distributor lines to the circuits of the evaporator adjust the refrigerant flow to provide equal circuit exit superheats. In this article, experimental results for the application of the hybrid control of expansion valves to a 3-ton (10.6-kW) R404A walk-in cooler refrigeration system and a 5-ton (17.6-kW) domestic heat pump are presented. For the walk-in cooler refrigeration, initial data was taken using the inbuilt thermostatic expansion valve. Baseline data with an electronic expansion valve was taken for both systems to determine the best possible performance without using individual circuit flow control. After that, secondary balancing valves were inserted into the distributor lines to complete the hybrid control scheme. The tests were repeated to determine the achieva...
Vida cotidiana, ciudadanía y el género de la política

This essay discusses gender relations in rural Cochabamba, Bolivia, from a perspective that takes into account the material and cultural aspects of production, politics, and the State. It focuses on the tensions that the conflicting demands of livelihood generate within households and villages, in order to describe how women and men deal with them as gendered subjects. It also examines the role of the state in defining social categories and in prescribing gendered spheres of public and private practices, and analyzes how these prescriptions interplay with entrenched unequal gender relations and ideologies in shaping the gender of politics.
Anticipating Public Performance: Do Women Fear Appearing Intellectually Less Able?

Two ecologically valid studies involving anticipated public performance offer insight into women's tendencies to avoid placing their abilities under a spotlight. First, in an experimental study, women felt less comfortable than did men and experienced more personal risk when they anticipated that their test scores would be public. Second, in a naturalistic observational setting, students taking an experiential forensic psychology course were required to perform intellectually challenging activities in public. Women displayed more concern about the course requirements than did men, and subsequently dropped the course in disproportionate numbers. Higgins' (1997) regulatory focus theory provides a theoretical framework for interpreting the data.
Complementation and hybridization evidence for additional families of type I DNA restriction and modification genes in Salmonella serotypes.

Abstract Of eight Salmonella, serB-linked hsd genes for the restriction and modification of DNA transferred to Escherichia coli/Salmonella hybrids, only two--those with SM and ST (S. muenchen and S. thompson, respectively) specificities--may have weakly complemented rSB- and none complemented rK-. An A-specific DNA probe failed to hybridize to HindIII-restricted fragments of each of the hybrids, but an SB (S. typhimurium)-specific probe hybridized to DNA from the hybrid with ST specificity. These results indicate that additional families of the type I hsd genes may exist.
Winding loss calculation with multiple windings, arbitrary waveforms, and two-dimensional field geometry

A method for calculating eddy-current (proximity-effect) losses in transformer and inductor windings is introduced. The new method is capable of analyzing losses due to two- and three-dimensional field effects in multiple windings with arbitrary waveforms in each winding. It uses a simple set of numerical magnetostatic field calculations to derive a matrix describing the transformer or inductor. This is combined with a second matrix calculated from derivatives of winding currents to computer total AC loss. Experiments show the method is accurate for coils that are not in or close to self-resonance.
Biomass estimation in the Tapajos National Forest, Brazil: Examination of sampling and allometric uncertainties

Abstract Changes in the biomass of Amazon region forests represent an important component of the global carbon cycle but the biomass of these forests remains poorly quantified. Minimizing the error in forest biomass estimates is necessary in order to reduce the uncertainty in future Amazon carbon budgets. We examined forest survey data for trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 35 cm from four plots with a total area of 392 ha in the Tapajos National Forest near Santarem, Para, Brazil (3°04′S, 54°95′W). The average frequency of trees greater than 35 cm DBH was approximately 55 ha−1. Based on tree diameters, allometric relations, and published relations for biomass in other compartments besides trees of DBH >35 cm , we estimated a total biomass density of 372 Mg ha−1. We produced a highly conservative error estimate of about 50% of this value. Trees with diameters greater than 35 cm DBH accounted for about half of the total biomass. This estimate includes all live and dead plant material above- and below-ground with the exception of soil organic matter. We propagated errors in sampling and those associated with allometric relations and other ratios used to estimate biomass of roots, lianas and epiphytes, and necromass. The major sources of uncertainty in our estimate were found in the allometric relations for trees with DBH greater than 35 cm, in the estimates of biomass of trees with DBH less than 35 cm, and in root biomass. Simulated sampling based on our full survey, suggests that we could have estimated mean biomass per hectare for trees ( DBH ≥35 cm ) to within 20% (sampling error only) with 95% confidence by sampling 21 randomly selected 0.25 ha plots in our study area.
Dissolvable Microneedle Arrays for Intradermal Delivery of Biologics: Fabrication and Application

Purpose Design and evaluate a new micro-machining based approach for fabricating dissolvable microneedle arrays (MNAs) with diverse geometries and from different materials for dry delivery to skin microenvironments. The aims are to describe the new fabrication method, to evaluate geometric and material capability as well as reproducibility of the method, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of fabricated MNAs in delivering bioactive molecules.
SU‐FF‐J‐59: Dose Calculation and Quantitative PTV Expansion Using Dynamic MRI Images

Purpose: To extend the geometrically defined PTV expansion for lungcancer patients to dosimetrically relevant PTV expansion by incorporating dynamic MRI into dose calculation and to quantitatively compare the dosimetry of uniform PTV dose with the dosimetry of non‐uniform PTV dose for a moving tumor.Method and Materials: A 1.5‐T whole‐body Siemens MRI scanner was used in the experiment. The patient diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma at lower right lobe was scanned by trueFISP (true Fast Imaging with Steady Precision) sequence. The tumor was contoured from the first frame and automatically tracked by normalized correlation and snake for the rest frames. Dynamic MRIimages were rigidly registered to the CTimages and the dose images from tomotherapy. Under the assumption of invariant dose distribution for slightly changed anatomy, accumulative dose and DVH for the target was calculated by convolving moving target volume with the dose image. In order to compare non‐uniform does distribution and uniform dose distribution, a 10% does boost was added to the superior/inferior end of the PTV dose when calculating the cumulative dose. Results: No significant dose fall off was observed when the craniocaudal (CC) PTV expansion reduced from 11 mm to 8 mm. The cold spot of tumor dose became noticeable when the CC expansion reduced to 7 mm and was substantial at 5mm. Compared with uniform PTV and 7 mm CC expansion, a 10% dose increase at the CC ends of the 5 mm CC expansion achieved same quality of dose distribution and reduced average lung dose for 7.1%. Conclusion: By incorporating dynamic MRI into dose calculation, the estimate of appropriate PTV expansion is more dosimetrically relevant and accuracy. With accumulative dose calculation and a specific patient, non‐uniform PTV dose shows superior quality than the conventional uniform dose. Generalization of this conclusion is under further investigation.
Delayed facial palsy after the anterior petrosal approach: case report and review of the literature.

Objective In this case report, delayed facial palsy developed in a patient without any direct manipulation of the main part of the facial nerve during an anterior petrosal approach. We discuss putative etiologies and management techniques that may help avoid this problem. Clinical presentation A 21-year-old woman underwent anterior petrosectomy for gross total resection of a low-grade chondrosarcoma. Six days later, the patient presented with left-sided facial weakness in the emergency department. Results Examination revealed evidence of House-Brackmann grade V/VI left-sided facial palsy, and repeat magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse enhancement of the contents of the internal auditory canal that was not present immediately after surgery. After a 10-day course of acyclovir and a tapering dose of methylprednisolone, the facial palsy slowly diminished and resolved 2 months after the onset. Conclusion This unique development of delayed facial palsy after an isolated anterior petrosal approach is evidence that this complication should be considered when dissecting along the floor of the middle fossa. Exposure of the intracranial or intracanalicular segment of the facial nerve is not necessary for delayed facial palsy to develop. Proposed mechanisms (ie, viral reactivation, vasospasm, neural edema) of this condition remain unproven. Prognosis for recovery has been reported to be excellent, with or without treatment.
N-α-Tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone and N-α-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone inhibit protein kinase C

TLCK (N-alpha-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone) inhibits protein kinase C whether or not the enzyme is under the regulation of Ca2+ and phospholipid. TLCK (IC50 = 1 mM) is a much more potent inhibitor of protein kinase C than TPCK (N-alpha-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone) (IC50 = 8 mM), suggesting that the lysyl moiety of TLCK may be specifically recognized by the active site of protein kinase C. These results extend the evidence that the active site of protein kinase C recognizes basic amino acids, and suggest that the active sites of protein kinase C and the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, which is also inhibited by TLCK and TPCK, are structurally related.
Growth-dependent regulation in production and utilization of acetylated ribosomal protein L7.

Abstract The relative levels of protein L12 and its α- N -acetylated form L7 in ribosomes of Escherichia coli have previously been shown to markedly vary during the growth cycle. The present labeling study shows preferential utilization of L12 in early logarithmic phase and of L7 in late logarithmic phase. Both forms are, however, simultaneously used throughout the growth cycle. After assembly into ribosomes, L7 and L12 are conserved without net interconversion. It is therefore concluded that the variation in L12 to L7 ratio takes place through changes in the relative flow of L7 and L12 species into ribosome assembly rather than by modification in pre-existing ribosomes. During this study, we have also measured the surprisingly large difference in the binding of Coomassie Blue to these proteins.
A religious female who engages in casual sex: Evidence of a boomerang effect

A religious "halo" effect has been identified wherein religiously active individuals are perceived more positively than nonreligious individuals. Religious individuals, when compared to nonreligious individuals, however, may fall further from social grace if they are perceived as behaving in a manner inconsistent with religious ideal, (the religious "boomerang" effect). In the present study, male and female college students evaluated a frequent, occasional, or never church-goer on dimensions of morality, trustworthiness and friendship appeal. Later they rated the female target on these dimensions following knowledge of her involvement in casual sex. Results demonstrated the presence of a religious halo operating in subjects' initial ratings of the religious female target, but following knowledge of her involvement in casual sex, a boomerang effect was revealed on the subjects' morality ratings.
Making sense of mirror neurons

The discovery of mirror neurons has been hailed as one of the most exciting developments in neuroscience in the past few decades. These neurons discharge in response to the observation of others’ actions. But how are we to understand the function of these neurons? In this paper I defend the idea that mirror neurons are best conceived as components of a sensory system that has the function to perceive action. In short, mirror neurons are part of a hitherto unrecognized “sixth sense”. In this spirit, research should move toward developing a psychophysics of mirror neurons.
The Historically Contingent Forms of the State

The Nation-State and Global Order: A Historical Introduction to Contemporary Politics, Walter C. Opello Jr., Stephen J. Rosow (Boulder. Colo.: Lynne Rienner. 1999). 290 pp.. cloth (ISBN: 1-55587-811-3), $55.00; paper (ISBN: 1-55587-832-6). $19.95. Book reviewed: Opello, Walter C., Jr. and Rosow, Stephen J. The Nation-State and Global Order: A Historical Introduction to Contemporary Politics
Sclerostin antibody increases bone volume and enhances implant fixation in a rat model.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that sclerostin blockade is anabolic for bone. This study examined whether systemic administration of sclerostin antibody would increase implant fixation and peri-implant bone volume in a rat model. Methods: Titanium cylinders were placed in the femoral medullary canal of ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats. One-half of the rats (n = 45) received murine sclerostin antibody (Scl-Ab, 25 mg/kg, twice weekly) and the other one-half (n = 45) received saline solution. Equal numbers of rats from both groups were sacrificed at two, four, or eight weeks after the implant surgery and the femora were examined by microcomputed tomography, mechanical pull-out testing, and histology. Results: Fixation strength in the two groups was similar at two weeks but was 1.9-fold greater at four weeks (p = 0.024) and 2.2-fold greater at eight weeks (p < 0.001) in the rats treated with sclerostin antibody. At two weeks, antibody treatment led to increased cortical area, with later increases in cortical thickness and total cross-sectional area. Significant differences in peri-implant trabecular bone were not evident until eight weeks but included increased bone volume per total volume, bone structure that was more plate-like, and increased trabecular thickness and number. Changes in bone architecture in the intact contralateral femur tended to precede the peri-implant changes. The peri-implant bone properties accounted for 61% of the variance in implant fixation strength, 32% of the variance in stiffness, and 63% of the variance in energy to failure. The implant fixation strength at four weeks was approximately equivalent to the strength in the control group at eight weeks. Conclusions: Sclerostin antibody treatment accelerated and enhanced mechanical fixation of medullary implants in a rat model by increasing both cortical and trabecular bone volume. Clinical Relevance: Sclerostin antibody treatment may be useful for improving implant fixation.
Using identity by descent estimation with dense genotype data to detect positive selection

Identification of genomic loci and segments that are identical by descent (IBD) allows inference on problems such as relatedness detection, IBD disease mapping, heritability estimation and detection of recent or ongoing positive selection. Here, employing a novel statistical method, we use IBD to find signals of selection in the Maasai from Kinyawa, Kenya (MKK). In doing so, we demonstrate the advantage of statistical tools that can probabilistically estimate IBD sharing without having to thin genotype data because of linkage disequilibrium (LD), and that allow for both inbreeding and more than one allele to be shared IBD. We use our novel method, GIBDLD, to estimate IBD sharing between all pairs of individuals at all genotyped SNPs in the MKK, and, by looking for genomic regions showing excess IBD sharing in unrelated pairs, find loci that are known to have undergone recent selection (eg, the LCT gene and the HLA region) as well as many novel loci. Intriguingly, those loci that show the highest amount of excess IBD, with the exception of HLA, also show a substantial number of unrelated pairs sharing all four of their alleles IBD. In contrast to other IBD detection methods, GIBDLD provides accurate probabilistic estimates at each locus for all nine possible IBD sharing states between a pair of individuals, thus allowing for consanguinity, while also modeling LD, thus removing the need to thin SNPs. These characteristics will prove valuable for those doing genetic studies, and estimating IBD, in the wide variety of human populations.
Vacancy migration in high‐temperature neutron‐irradiated molybdenum

High purity molybdenum has been irradiated to a fast neutron fluence of 3 × 1021 neutrons/cm2 (> 0.1 MeV) at 450 °C. Irradiation produces an excess of vacancies which in turn causes a decrease in lattice parameter. Recovery during 2 h postirradiation anneals involves release of vacancies from traps in the 500 to 600 °C region and eventual complete recovery at 850 °C. The lack of sufficiently deep traps for isolated vacancies above 600 °C may be responsible for an apparent temperature threshold for void formation in molybdenum. Hochreines Molybdan wurde mit einem schnellen Neutronenflus von 3 × 1021 Neutronen/cm2 (> 0,1 MeV) bei 450°C bestrahlt. Die Bestrahlung ruft einen Leerstellenuberschus hervor, der eine Verringerung des Gitterparameters verursacht. Ausheilung wahrend einer zweistundigen Temperung nach der Bestrahlung schliest eine Befreiung von Leerstellen aus Haftstellen im Bereich von 500 bis 600 °C und eine eventuell vollstandige Ausheilung bei 850 °C ein. Das Fehlen von genugend tiefen Haftstellen fur isolierte Leerstellen oberhalb 600 °C kann fur eine offenbare Temperaturschwelle fur Hohlraumbildung in Molybdan verantwortlich sein.
Infrared probe of metal-insulator transition in Si 1 − x Gd x and Si 1 − x Y x amorphous alloys in magnetic field

Carrier dynamics in amorphous a-Si 1 − x RE x (RE=Gd, Y) films has been studied in the doping regime close to the metal-insulator transition by means of infrared spectroscopy. Optical constants throughout the entire intra-gap region (ω < 1 eV) have been found to be anomalously sensitive to changes of temperature and/or magnetic field. The observed behavior is consistent with the model of hopping transport where the interaction of carriers with both the lattice and large core spin of Gd ions is taken into account.
Experimental study of nonlinear focusing in a magneto-optical trap using a Z-scan technique

We present an experimental study of Z-scan measurements of the nonlinear response of cold Cs atoms in a magneto-optical trap. Numerical simulations of the Z-scan signal accounting for the nonuniform atomic density agree with experimental results at large probe beam detunings. At small probe detunings a spatially varying radiation force modifies the Z-scan signal. We also show that the measured scan is sensitive to the atomic polarization distribution.
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Monitoring During Esophagectomy and Mediastinal Lymph Node Dissection

Background Patients who undergo surgery to the esophagus and lungs are in jeopardy of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) damage during the procedure. This study was designed to investigate the feasibility of intraoperative monitoring of the RLN for single-lung ventilation esophagus and lung surgery.
Re-entry among former foster youth in early adulthood: Findings from illinois

Abstract On January 1, 2010, the Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Act went into effect in the state of Illinois to legally permit former foster youth who are at least 18 years old and not yet 21 years old to voluntarily re-engage with child welfare agencies and juvenile court to receive Supporting Emancipated Youth Services. Not much is known about the number or characteristics of foster youth who have taken advantage of this new opportunity to receive support following a hardship. This study used administrative data from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) to describe foster youth who have legally re-entered out-of-home care after exiting through emancipation. Findings revealed that a low number of former foster youth re-entered out-of-home care. This article discusses possible explanations for why so few youth have re-entered out-of -home care when research suggests they may be at increased risk for making the transition to adulthood.
A photoreceptor cell-specific ATP-binding transporter gene (ABCR) is mutated in recessive Stargardt macular dystrophy

Stargardt disease (STGD, also known as fundus flavimaculatus; FFM) is an autosomal recessive retinal disorder characterized by a juvenile-onset macular dystrophy, alterations of the peripheral retina, and subretinal deposition of lipofuscin-like material. A gene encoding an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter was mapped to the 2-cM (centiMorgan) interval at 1p13-p21 previously shown by linkage analysis to harbour the STGD gene. This gene, ABCR, is expressed exclusively and at high levels in the retina, in rod but not cone photoreceptors, as detected by in situ hybridization. Mutational analysis of ABCR in STGD families revealed a total of 19 different mutations including homozygous mutations in two families with consanguineous parentage. These data indicate that ABCR is the causal gene of STGD/FFM.
Space Station propulsion system technology

Two propulsion systems have been selected for the space station: O/H rockets for high thrust applications and the multipropellant resistojets for low thrust needs. These thruster systems integrate very well with the fluid systems on the station. Both thrusters will utilize waste fluids as their source of propellant. The O/H rocket will be fueled by electrolyzed water and the resistojets will use stored waste gases from the environmental control system and the various laboratories. This paper presents the results of experimental efforts with O/H and resistojet thrusters to determine their performance and life capability.
Effects of prostaglandin H2 on perinatal pulmonary circulation.

ABSTRACT. A pivotal intermediate in prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis is the endoperoxide PGH2. This endoperoxide is capable of eliciting direct responses in biological systems without undergoing conversion to other PGs. Effects of PGH2 include stimulation of platelet aggregation and vascular smooth muscle contraction in vitro; injections of PGH2 in vivo cause increases in pulmonary arterial pressure. The response of the pulmonary vasculature of perinatal lambs to PGH2 was measured using an in situ pumpperfused left lower lung preparation. Intrapulmonary injections of PGH2 (0.24-0.61 μg/kg) into six unventilated fetal lambs (0.93-0.97 gestation) produced decreases in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of 10-21%. The fall in PVR was rapid in onset, reached a peak at 10 s after injection, and returned to baseline within 35 s. Following ventilation (FIO2=0.21) of fetal lambs, injections of PGH2 (0.24-0.61 μg/kg) caused increases in PVR (ave increase=50% over control PVR). The pulmonary pressor re-sponse to PGH2 in ventilated fetal lambs was depressed almost 50% by inhibition of thromboxane synthetase. Injections of a “heat-inactivated” PGH2 did not affect PVR in ventilated fetuses. We did not observe any effects on systemic blood pressure or heart rate of intrapulmonary arterial injections of PGH2. These findings suggest a me-tabolism of PGH2 to dilator PGs before ventilation and constrictor PGs and thromboxanes after ventilation, and or direct effects of PGH2 on vascular smooth muscle that are dependent on existing vascular tone.
Neural network computers

The human brain weighs only three pounds and in some situations exhibits remarkable capability. It is likely that future computers will increasingly utilize concepts from the brain. Neural networks are a first attempt at capturing some of these features [2],[1],[4].
Thyroid hormone receptor variant α2: Role of the ninth heptad in DNA binding, heterodimerization with retinoid X receptors, and dominant negative activity

Abstract Thyroid hormone receptors bind DNA with highest affinity as heterodimers with retinoid X receptors, and such heterodimers generally are thought to be the biological mediators of thyroid hormone action. An alternative splice product of the thyroid hormone receptor α gene, thyroid hormone receptor variant α2, does not bind thyroid hormone and functions as a weak dominant negative inhibitor of thyroid hormone action. Thyroid hormone receptor variant α2 is missing one-half of the ninth heptad, a region of the bona fide receptor thought to be important for heterodimerization with retinoid X receptors. The role of the ninth heptad in heterodimerization has been evaluated further. Thyroid hormone receptor variant α2-retinoid X receptor heterodimers form on a subset of direct repeat response elements but not on palindromic or inverted palindromic elements. Restoration of the missing ninth heptad sequence is critical for restoring heterodimerization on the palindromic DNA, but either the ninth heptad amino acids or a stretch of alanines is equally able to restore heterodimerization on the inverted palindrome. Thus, the role of the ninth heptad in heterodimerization differs on direct repeat, palindromic, and inverted palindromic response elements, suggesting that the protein-protein interactions differ on each of these elements. The dominant negative activity of thyroid hormone receptor variant α2 requires DNA binding, but the relatively weak nature of the dominant negative activity is only partially explained by the weak DNA binding.
Comparative development of the small intestine in the turkey poult and Pekin duckling

Turkey poults and Pekin ducklings hatch from eggs of similar weights and have the same incubation periods and body weights at hatch. The male Pekin duckling, however, can attain a market weight of 3.2 kg in approximately 6 wk, whereas at the same age, male turkeys only weigh approximately 2.1 kg. For this study, fertile turkey eggs (n = 400, mean weight: 87.2 g, range: 85 to 89.9 g) and Pekin duck eggs (n = 565, mean weight: 88.6 g, range: 85 to 92.0 g) were weighed and incubated. Embryos and hatchlings were sampled during the last week of incubation, at hatch, and through 7 d of age. Yolk-free BW of poults were 2.7 g heavier than ducklings at hatch. Yolk-free BW of ducklings, however, were greater than poults at 1 d of age (P > or = 0.06), and by 7 d of age ducklings were 140 g heavier (P < or = 0.01). Yolk sac weight was similar at 21 and 25 d of incubation, yet was significantly lower in ducks at hatch, 1, and 2 d of age (P < or = 0.05). In the duckling, jejunum and ileum weights (3.7x heavier), length (1.6x longer), and density (g/cm; 2.3x more dense) were consistently heavier than in the turkey from hatch through 7 d (P < or = 0.01). Histological sections of the distal jejunum revealed more rapid villus growth in the duck from 0 to 3 d of age. The combination of increased intestinal growth (weight and length) and maturation (villus length) allowed ducks to achieve an additional 143 g of BW gain during the critical hatch through 7 d of growth.
The Impact of Health Communication Research on Organ Donation Outcomes in the United States

It may not be a stretch to say that most health communication researchers enjoy their work because of its potential to make real improvements in health outcomes. Researchers who have spent the last...
Correlated equilibrium payoffs and public signalling in absorbing games

An absorbing game is a repeated game where some action combinations are absorbing, in the sense that whenever they are played, there is a positive probability that the game terminates, and the players receive some terminal payoff at every future stage. We prove that every multi-player absorbing game admits a correlated equilibrium payoff. In other words, for every e>0 there exists a probability distribution p e over the space of pure strategy profiles that satisfies the following. With probability at least 1−e, if a pure strategy profile is chosen according to p e and each player is informed of his pure strategy, no player can profit more than e in any sufficiently long game by deviating from the recommended strategy.
Modeling of kink-shaped carbon-nanotube Schottky diode with gate bias modulation

A model is proposed for the recent gate-voltage (V(sub G)) modulation experiment of a kink-shaped carbon nanotube (NT) Schottky diode. Since larger V(sub G) increases both the forward and the reverse turn-on voltages of the diode in the experiment, we show that: (1) the rectification must occur at the kink where the metallic and the semiconducting NTs meet, and not at the electrode contact, and (2) the semiconducting NT must be n-type. The turn-on voltages are derived analytically as a function of V(sub G) with the electrode contact contribution and a good agreement is obtained with the experimental data.