cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NASH and HCC Are Driven by Different Signaling Pathways with a Common Regulator

Oxidative stress is uniformly present in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but its role in the development of liver inflammation and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) and the relationship between these two pathologies are poorly understood. In a recent issue of Cell, Grohmann et al. (2018) demonstrate a vital role of obesity-induced oxidative stress in deactivating the phosphatase TCPTP, resulting in activation of STAT-1 and STAT-3, which each independently drive the development of NASH and HCC, respectively.
Dual-Band Millimeter-Wave Quadrature LO Generation With a Common-Centroid Floorplan

This brief presents a dual-band millimeter-wave (mm-Wave) quadrature signal generation network comprising an RC-CR polyphase filter (PPF) and two quarter-wave coupled-line couplers. A common-centroid layout is proposed to improve the phase and amplitude matching of quadrature signals. The effects of interconnects and parasitic capacitances on PPFs are investigated, and design guidelines are provided to achieve low insertion loss and broad bandwidth. A proof-of-concept image-reject mixer is implemented in a 0.13 $ \mu \text{m}$ SiGe BiCMOS technology, which achieves a mean image-rejection ratio of 34 dB over a wide frequency range of 36 – 100 GHz. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this design achieves the widest bandwidth of any mm-Wave mixer having a mean image rejection ratio above 30 dB, and accomplishes this without calibration or tuning.
Structural comparison of p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PobA) from Pseudomonas putida with PobA from other Pseudomonas spp. and other monooxygenases.

The crystal structure is reported of p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase (PobA) from Pseudomonas putida, a possible drug target to combat tetracycline resistance, in complex with flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). The structure was refined at 2.2 A resolution with four polypeptide chains in the asymmetric unit. Based on the results of pairwise structure alignments, PobA from P. putida is structurally very similar to PobA from P. fluorescens and from P. aeruginosa. Key residues in the FAD-binding and substrate-binding sites of PobA are highly conserved spatially across the proteins from all three species. Additionally, the structure was compared with two enzymes from the broader class of oxygenases: 2-hydroxybiphenyl 3-monooxygenase (HbpA) from P. nitroreducens and 2-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine-5-carboxylic acid oxygenase (MHPCO) from Mesorhizobium japonicum. Despite having only 14% similarity in their primary sequences, pairwise structure alignments of PobA from P. putida with HbpA from P. nitroreducens and MHPCO from M. japonicum revealed local similarities between these structures. Key secondary-structure elements important for catalysis, such as the βαβ fold, β-sheet wall and α12 helix, are conserved across this expanded class of oxygenases.
Constrained Nanoparticles Deliver siRNA and sgRNA to T Cells In Vivo without Targeting Ligands

T cells help regulate immunity, which makes them an important target for RNA therapies. While nanoparticles carrying RNA have been directed to T cells in vivo using protein- and aptamer-based targeting ligands, systemic delivery to T cells without targeting ligands remains challenging. Given that T cells endocytose lipoprotein particles and enveloped viruses, two natural systems with structures that can be similar to lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), it is hypothesized that LNPs devoid of targeting ligands can deliver RNA to T cells in vivo. To test this hypothesis, the delivery of siRNA to 9 cell types in vivo by 168 nanoparticles using a novel siGFP-based barcoding system and bioinformatics is quantified. It is found that nanomaterials containing conformationally constrained lipids form stable LNPs, herein named constrained lipid nanoparticles (cLNPs). cLNPs deliver siRNA and sgRNA to T cells at doses as low as 0.5 mg kg-1 and, unlike previously reported LNPs, do not preferentially target hepatocytes. Delivery occurs via a chemical composition-dependent, size-independent mechanism. These data suggest that the degree to which lipids are constrained alters nanoparticle targeting, and also suggest that natural lipid trafficking pathways can promote T cell delivery, offering an alternative to active targeting approaches.
Congenital Midline Cervical Cleft: First Report and Genetic Analysis of Two Related Patients.

Objectives:Congenital midline cervical cleft (CMCC) is a rare congenital anterior neck anatomical anomaly. We present the case of two related patients (grandchild and maternal grandmother) who were...
Management of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a pregnant patient.

Abstract Purpose To describe the management of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in a pregnant patient. Observations A 30-year-old, 26-week pregnant female presented with curtain vision loss in the left eye. Exam findings were significant in the left eye for an inferior fovea-sparing RRD. Care was coordinated and discussed with anesthesia and OB/GYN. The patient underwent surgery with monitored anesthesia care and a 41 scleral buckle, cryotherapy and C3F8 gas. The retina remained attached at 4 months post-operatively. A healthy girl was delivered via spontaneous vaginal delivery at 39 weeks. Conclusion Safe and successful treatment of RRD in pregnant patients can be achieved with careful coordination between ophthalmology, anesthesia, and obstetrics. An understanding of pregnancy specific considerations is important in order to optimize patient outcomes.
Cutaneous Adnexal Carcinosarcoma: Immunohistochemical and Molecular Evidence of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition

Cutaneous carcinosarcomas are rare biphenotypic tumors that simultaneously show epithelial and mesenchymal differentiation. The most common carcinomatous components in skin carcinosarcomas are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma; adnexal carcinomas are rarely encountered. We report a case of an adnexal carcinoma with ductal and squamous differentiation and spindle cell component, interpreted as carcinosarcoma. Loss of immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin and β -catenin detected in the sarcomatous component suggested epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). RNA sequencing analysis identified several gene mutations and alterations such as translocations and upregulations/downregulations, either shared by the two components of the tumor or differentially present in the carcinoma or the sarcoma parts. Thus, mutations in genes, such as TP53, were found in both components of the tumor while mutations in PDGFRA and RB1 (a pathogenic missense mutation) were exclusively present in the sarcomatous areas, further supporting EMT. EMT is a dynamic process by which tumors acquire mesenchymal phenotype while simultaneously losing epithelial properties. Although the pathways involved in EMT have been extensively studied, this phenomenon still needs to be investigated in cutaneous tumors of adnexal origin for a better understanding of their pathogenesis. These molecular changes may represent promising targets for personalized therapies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Heme Oxygenase 1 and 2 Differentially Regulate Glucose Metabolism and Adipose Tissue Mitochondrial Respiration: Implications for Metabolic Dysregulation.

Heme oxygenase (HO) consists of inducible (HO-1) and constitutive (HO-2) isoforms that are encoded by Hmox1 and Hmox2 genes, respectively. As an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecule, HO participates in the development of metabolic diseases. Whether Hmox deficiency causes metabolic abnormalities under basal conditions remains unclear. We hypothesized that HO-1 and HO-2 differentially affect global and adipose tissue metabolism. To test this hypothesis, we determined insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, energy expenditure, and respiratory exchange ratio in global Hmox1-/- and Hmox2-/- mice. Body weight was reduced in female but not male Hmox1-/- and Hmox2-/- mice. Reduced insulin sensitivity and physical activity were observed in Hmox1-/- but not Hmox2-/- mice. Deletion of either Hmox1 or Hmox2 had no effects on glucose tolerance, energy expenditure or respiratory exchange ratio. Mitochondrial respiration was unchanged in gonadal fat pads (white adipose tissue, WAT) of Hmox1-/- mice. Hmox2 deletion increased proton leak and glycolysis in gonadal, but not interscapular fat tissues (brown adipose tissue, BAT). Uncoupling protein and Hmox1 genes were unchanged in gonadal fat pads of Hmox2-/- mice. Conclusively, HO-1 maintains insulin sensitivity, while HO-2 represses glycolysis and proton leak in the WAT under basal condition. This suggests that HO-1 and HO-2 differentially modulate metabolism, which may impact the metabolic syndrome.
Deficits in pattern separation and dentate gyrus proliferation after rodent lateral fluid percussion injury.

It has been demonstrated that adult born granule cells are generated after traumatic brain injury (TBI). There is evidence that these newly generated neurons are aberrant and are poised to contribute to poor cognitive function after TBI. Yet, there is also evidence that these newly generated neurons are important for cognitive recovery. Pattern separation is a cognitive task known to be dependent on the function of adult generated granule cells. Performance on this task and the relation to dentate gyrus dysfunction after TBI has not been previously studied. Here we subjected Sprague Dawley rats to lateral fluid percussion injury or sham and tested them on the dentate gyrus dependent task pattern separation. At 2 weeks after injury, we examined common markers of dentate gyrus function such as GSK3s phosphorylation, Ki-67 immunohistochemistry, and generation of adult born granule cells. We found that injured animals have deficits in pattern separation. We additionally found a decrease in proliferative capacity at 2 weeks indicated by decreased phosphorylation of GSK3s and Ki-67 immunopositivity as compared to sham animals. Lastly we found an increase in numbers of new neurons generated during the pattern separation task. These findings provide evidence that dentate gyrus dysfunction may be an important contributor to TBI pathology.
The moral status of the fetus: Implications of the somatic integration definition of human life

This account of the moral status of the human fetus makes four interlocking claims, which together comprise the Fetal Life Moral Status Thesis: (1) life as a human organism begins at the fetal stage of development; (2) the non-organismal life of the human embryo begins at fertilization; (3) the human fetus has intrinsic moral status as a human being; and (4) the human embryo has extrinsic moral status as a non-organismal human individual. The somatic integration definition of human life functions as a premise in two supporting arguments: the Fetal Life Argument and the Fetal Moral Status Argument. These arguments are articulated, objections are considered, and the resulting account of the moral status of the human fetus is applied to the problem of abortion.
On 1D, N = 4 Supersymmetric SYK-Type Models (I).

Proposals are made to describe 1D, N = 4 supersymmetrical systems that extend SYK models by compactifying from 4D, N = 1 supersymmetric Lagrangians involving chiral, vector, and tensor supermultiplets. Quartic fermionic vertices are generated via integrals over the whole superspace, while 2(q-1)-point fermionic vertices are generated via superpotentials. The coupling constants in the superfield Lagrangians are arbitrary, and can be chosen to be Gaussian random. In that case, these 1D, N = 4 supersymmetric SYK models would exhibit Wishart-Laguerre randomness, which share the same feature among other 1D supersymmetric SYK models in literature. One difference with 1D, N = 1 and N = 2 models though, is our models contain dynamical bosons, but this is consistent with other 1D, N = 4 and 2D, N = 2 models in literature. Added conjectures on duality and possible mirror symmetry realizations on these models is noted.
The genome of the poecilogonous annelid Streblospio benedicti

Abstract Streblospio benedicti is a common marine annelid that has become an important model for developmental evolution. It is the only known example of poecilogony, where two distinct developmental modes occur within a single species, that is due to a heritable difference in egg size. The dimorphic developmental programs and life-histories exhibited in this species depend on differences within the genome, making it an optimal model for understanding the genomic basis of developmental divergence. Studies using S. benedicti have begun to uncover the genetic and genomic principles that underlie developmental uncoupling, but until now they have been limited by the lack of availability of genomic tools. Here we present an annotated chromosomal-level genome assembly of S. benedicti generated from a combination of Illumina reads, Nanopore long reads, Chicago and Hi-C chromatin interaction sequencing, and a genetic map from experimental crosses. At 701.4 Mb, the S. benedicti genome is the largest annelid genome to date that has been assembled to chromosomal scaffolds, yet it does not show evidence of extensive gene family expansion, but rather longer intergenic regions. The complete genome of S. benedicti is valuable for functional genomic analyses of development and evolution, as well as phylogenetic comparison within the Annelida and the Lophotrochozoa. Despite having two developmental modes, there is no evidence of genome duplication or substantial gene number expansions. Instead, lineage specific repeats account for much of the expansion of this genome compared to other annelids.
Much Ado About COVID

Once upon a time severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the 2019 novel coronavirus, a pandemic commonly known as COVID-19 or simply COVID. Considered to be of zoonotic origin, COVID is closely related to bat coronaviruses, pangolin coronaviruses and SARS-CoV, although the full extent of the pandemic’s epidemiology may take years to unfold. Nearing the fifth-month since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, the medical community, the media and the masses continue to debate the efficacy of social distancing, masks and the mortality rate while the general structure of modern civilization as it existed in late February 2020 continues to crumble.
Skull structure with primary cerebellar degeneration.

In the present study the structure of the skull and particularly the structure of the posterior cranial fossa was investigated in cases of primary cerebellar atrophy. The findings from the metric study of the skull X-rays of 13 patients were compared with those of a group of 100 healthy individuals. It was found that the patients' posterior fossa is more shallow than that of the controls (p<0.001). The modification of the posterior fossa seems to be attributed to shortness (p<0.01) of the bones which form it (clivus and occipital bone) The possible pathogenesis and the explanation of the findings in general is discussed.
An Overview of MHD Seawater Thruster Performance and Loss Mechanisms

Loss mechanisms affecting the performance of an MHD seawater thruster system have ben identified and discussed. Among those losses are the jet and nozzle losses, joule heating losses, surface potential and electro-chemical losses, frictional losses, and electrical end losses. Simple, but accurate, models have seen used to assess the relative and absolute magnitude of these losses and to investigate their influence on the overall thruster efficiency. A parametric study has been performed for a generic full size seawater vehicle propelled by an MHD thruster at different operating conditions. The results of this study confirm that higher efficiencies can be achieved at high magnetic field strengths (> 10 Tesla). Furthermore, the results indicate that higher efficiencies can be maintained over a wide range of cruising speeds (2--20 m/s or 4--40 knots) at higher magnetic fields (20 Tesla).
Ludwig’s Apple Tree: On the Philosophical Relations between Wittgenstein and the Vienna Circle

There are many important questions still unresolved concerning the philosophical and personal relations between Ludwig Wittgenstein and the members of the Vienna Circle, and there are also current views on those relationships that do not bear closer scrutiny. For instance, in the last few decades, it has been fashionable to emphasize the differences between the philosophical views of Ludwig Wittgenstein and those of the members of the Vienna Circle. It has even been suggested that the members of the Vienna Circle misunderstood or otherwise misinterpreted Wittgenstein’s Tractatus. For instance, in a recent book we find the statement that the “members of the so-called Vienna Circle ... had founded logical positivism partly on a deep misunderstanding of the Tractatus”.1
History and Epistemology of Anthropology

This essay describes the field of social and cultural anthropology. The central concern of this subfield of anthropology is the study of human variations as a defining feature of the evolution of human societies and cultures. It stands in contrast to the development of other social and behavioral science disciplines that are based on evolutionism and has a stronger affinity to the humanities than these other disciplines. The present status of theory and research in social and cultural anthropology is described and promising courses of development going forward are identified. Keywords: anthropology; cultural; social; human; American; science; variation; boas; linguistic; history; founding; development; evolution; structuralism
Neutron diffraction and the decomposition of membrane scattering profiles into the scattering profiles of their molecular components.

An appropriate analysis of the lamellar x-ray or neutron diffraction data from a membrane multilayer can provide the x-ray scattering (or electron) density or neutron scattering density profile for the membrane to moderate resolution.a The membrane multilayer can occur naturallyb or be formed from either isolatedc or reconstitutedd membranes.
Wpływ przeciążeń na wzrost szczelin zmęczeniowych

Fatigue crack growth behavior was investigated in nine quite different metals under various overload conditions. Single, multiple and intermittent tensile overloads along with single compressive overloads were applied principally to compact tension specimens. Constant amplitude testing following overloads was applied with stress ratios R ranging from 0 to 2. Single edge notch specimens were also tested to verify compression influence in the compact tension specimens and to measure crack closure. A simplified model was developed to predict fatigue crack growth under intermittent tensile overloads based upon constant amplitude fatigue crack growth behavior, retardation, reversed plane stress plastic zone sizes and fracture toughness. The paper is a review of six years of research at the University of Iowa concerning fatigue crack growth interaction effects.
In Related News, That Was Wrong: The Correction of Misinformation Through Related Stories Functionality in Social Media

Research on social media and research on correcting misinformation are both growing areas in communication, but for the most part they have not found common ground. This study seeks to bridge these two areas, considering the role that social media may play in correcting misinformation. To do so, we test a new function of Facebook, which provides related links when people click on a link within Facebook. We show users a post containing misinformation, and then manipulate the related stories to either confirm, correct, or both confirm and correct the misinformation. Findings suggest that when related stories correct a post that includes misinformation, misperceptions are significantly reduced
Pumping iron makes thinner diatoms

In certain parts of the open ocean known as ‘high nitrate, low chlorophyll’ provinces, phytoplankton productivity is limited by the iron supply. Two sets of research results now show that productivity in a region of coastal upwelling is likewise limited, and bring silica (an important constituent of diatom skeletons) into the story. Iron-limited diatoms grow thicker silica shells — which, among other things, has implications for understanding past patterns of productivity as judged by the opaline deposits on the sea floor to which dead diatoms contribute.
Intelligent indexes with inheritable fuzzy relations

The paper outlines an approach to building "intelligent" indexes for digital libraries. The index takes the form of a concept taxonomy, wherein concepts represent classes of objects, and arcs are restricted to being either: (i) parent-child specificity links, where child classes may be either fully or partially contained within their parents; or (ii) is-related-to links, where no particular subclass/superclass interpretation is implied. The taxonomy is provided an underlying layer of logical intelligence that makes it function as an expert system that can be queried by the user as to the deeper logical interrelations between the concepts in the taxonomy, as well as the objects thus classified. The system applies a new solution to the problem of default reasoning with exceptions in multiple inheritance reasoning systems. In effect, is-related-to links are inheritable downwards in the taxonomy, unless this inheritance is blocked by counteracting information.
Photoinitiated Nitric Oxide-Releasing Tertiary S-Nitrosothiol-Modified Xerogels

The synthesis of a tertiary thiol-bearing silane precursor (i.e., N-acetyl penicillamine propyltrimethoxysilane or NAPTMS) to enable enhanced NO storage stability at physiological temperature is described. The novel silane was co-condensed with alkoxy- or alkylalkoxysilanes under varied synthetic parameters (e.g., water to silane ratio, catalyst and solvent concentrations, and reaction time) to evaluate systematically the formation of stable xerogel films. The resulting xerogels were subsequently nitrosated to yield tertiary RSNO-modified coatings. Total NO storage ranged from 0.87 to 1.78 μmol cm–2 depending on the NAPTMS concentration and xerogel coating thickness. Steric hindrance near the nitroso functionality necessitated the use of photolysis to liberate NO. The average NO flux for irradiated xerogels (20% NAPTMS balance TEOS xerogel film cast using 30 μL) in physiological buffer at 37 °C was ∼23 pmol cm–2 s–1. The biomedical utility of the photoinitiated NO-releasing films was illustrated by their ...
Soil Carbon Isotope Evidence for Holocene Habitat Change in the Kenya Rift Valley

In eastern Africa the altitude of the boundary between montane forest and lowland savanna grassland changed substantially in response to climate change during the later Holocene, but this is not clearly reflected in regional pollen records. The carbon-13 to carbon-12 ratios of tropical grasses are higher than those of most other plants, and this difference is preserved in soil organic carbon stable isotope ratios. Soil organic matter 13 C/ 12 C ratios in profiles along an altitude transect in the central Rift Valley of Kenya suggest that the forest-savanna boundary advanced more than 300 meters in altitude. This could have implications for understanding the effects of climate change on the configuration of floral zones, prehistoric hunter-gatherer land-use patterns, and the timing of the advent of Neolithic food production.
Separation of solubilized alpha and beta adrenergic receptors by affinity chromatography

Abstract Hepatic plasma membrane alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors have been solubilized in active form by digitonin. The soluble receptors were identified by the binding of [ 3 H]WB4101 and [ 3 H]dihydroalprenolol respectively, and were characterized by competition studies with adrenergic agents. Affinity chromatography was used to separate the solubilized receptors by selective adsorption of beta-adrenergic receptors to an alprenolol-substituted agarose gel. The findings document that the active alpha and beta-adrenergic binding sites do not simultaneously reside on the same macromolecule.
Systematic regional differences in the cholinergic innervation of the primate cerebral cortex: Distribution of enzyme activities and some behavioral implications

Choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activities were measured in 33 cytoarchitectonic subregions of the cerebral cortex in two rhesus monkeys. As expected, the hippocampus and amygdala were rich in these enzymes. In addition, the paralimbic (mesocortical) regions of the brain (e.g., parahippocampal, insular, caudal orbitofrontal, and temporopolar areas) also contained high levels of both enzymes. In contrast, the concentration of these cholinergic markers was the lowest within all frontal and temporoparietal association areas. As a group, the primary sensory and motor regions contained an intermediate level of choline acetyltransferase activity. Both cholinergic markers also showed a gradual increase from the isocortical toward the more primitive periallocortical subsectors of paralimbic areas. These anatomical patterns have potential implications for the role of cholinergic pathways in the memory process and in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
Systemic membrane defect and the inhibition of lymphocyte capping in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract Eight reversible inhibitors were used to study decreases in lymphocyte capping in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) when compared to controls. The inhibitors included hydrocortisone, chlorpromazine, calcium ionophore, Cytochalasin D, propranolol, dibucaine, fluoride and azide. All of these inhibitors disrupt cap formation. Mononuclear leukocytes from DMD patients and controls were isolated from whole blood, incubated with fluorescein-conjugated polyvalent antisera and inhibitor, induced to form caps, and the caps counted using a fluorescent microscope. Cell viabilities and morphology were assessed. After removal of inhibitor, the cells were recounted. All of the inhibitors significantly lowered capping in controls ( p p p > 0.05, and p > 0.05 respectively) while capping in patients was not inhibited by fluoride and hydrocortisone ( p > 0.5). The lack of hydrocortisone inhibition suggests that the differences in capping between DMD patients and controls may lie within the membrane itself, rather than its associated components (i.e. cytoskeletal network), and that the defect occurs toward the beginning of the capping sequence.
Another way to approach zero entropy for a finite system of atoms

We propose a way to manifestly reduce the entropy of a finite system of atoms to arbitrarily small values. First, the locations of vacancies of laser-cooled atoms in a deep optical lattice are measured. Then, the distribution is efficiently compacted using a combination of site-specific atomic state flips and state-sensitive lattice site translations. In the final state, the central region of the lattice has exactly one atom per site in its vibrational ground state. This is a good initial state for a quantum computer. The process can be understood to be an experimentally viable Maxwell demon with a memory.
Equally Weighted Portfolios vs Value Weighted Portfolios: Reasons for Differing Betas

Abstract We prove that constituent companies’ capital structure and tax shield cause the difference in systematic risk between an equally weighted portfolio and a value weighted portfolio in an efficient market where the CAPM holds. The difference in systematic risk has positive association with component companies’ default risk.
cis-Methyldioxolane specifically recognizes the m2 muscarinic receptor.

: cis-Methyldioxolane (CD) is a muscarinic receptor agonist. [3H] CD has been used to label a subpopulation of muscarinic receptors described as exhibiting high agonist affinity. Pharmacological evidence suggests that the population of receptors labeled by [3H] CD consists of m2 and/or m4 subtypes; however, no studies have directly addressed the subtype selectivity of [3H] CD. The present study characterizes binding of this ligand to individual human receptor subtypes expressed in transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. Results indicate that [3H] CD binds with high affinity only to Hm2 receptors but not to all Hm2 receptors. Twenty-eight percent of Hm2 receptors bound [3H] CD with a KD of 3.5 ± 0.5 nM. Binding was eliminated in the presence of guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), indicating that the Hm2 receptors labeled by [3H] CD are those that are associated with GDP-bound G protein. Binding of [3H] CD by only a subpopulation of Hm2 receptors is in agreement with data generated from studies of [3H] CD binding in mammalian brain. Because muscarinic receptors have been implicated to play a role in the pathogenesis of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, as well as the neurotoxicity of organophosphorus compounds, knowledge of the binding specificity of the muscarinic agonist [3H] CD should aid research in these areas.
Incorporation of Nissen fundoplication in a rat model of duodenoesophageal reflux

Few in vivo models of esophageal reflux and fundoplication suitable for the study of the pathogenesis of Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer exist. We describe a modification of a rat model of duodenoesophageal reflux that incorporates Nissen fundoplication and uses it to study the role of fundoplication in ameliorating esophageal reflux. A previously described rat model of duodenoesophageal reflux was modified to include Nissen fundoplication. Reflux threshold (RT), defined as the gastric pressure required to cause gastroesophageal reflux during transgastric instillation of saline, was measured in 12 Sprague-Dawley rats at baseline, after cardiomyotomy with esophagogastroduodenal anastomosis (EGDA), after subsequent Nissen fundoplication, and, finally, after takedown of Nissen fundoplication (NF). Cardiomyotomy with EGDA induced no significant change in RT compared with baseline (mean RT ± SD: 4.0 ± 1.9 mmHg and 6.0 ± 2.5 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.741). Nissen fundoplication led to a 14-fold increase in RT (56.4 ± 18.2 mmHg) compared with cardiomyotomy. RT pressure reverted to baseline levels after NF takedown (4.7 ± 2.9 mmHg, p < 0.001). Antegrade esophageal flow was demonstrated without an increase in distal esophageal pressure after NF. Nissen fundoplication creates a one-way antireflux mechanism that eliminates gastroesophageal reflux in this rat model. This modification of an in vivo model of duodenoesophageal reflux represents a unique opportunity to investigate the effect of NF on cardiomyotomy-induced reflux and distal esophageal exposure to duodenogastric refluxate, and could be useful in the study of the role of NF in preventing progression to BE and ECA.
Power: a critical systems development factor

Abstract Information system development methodologies for complex management support systems require the information analyst to utilize concepts and techniques which are frequently viewed as being too intangible and abstract. The analyst's knowledge and techniques must accommodate the increased variations and complexities which commonly exist for management support systems at all levels of management. In this article, power is examined as an information systems development concept and as a basis for a technique which will enable the information analyst to identify the information requirements for management support systems more effectively.
Check In/Check Out: Effects on Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders with Attention- or Escape-Maintained Behavior in a Residential Facility

Check In/Check Out (CICO) is a secondary tier intervention for those students who are not responsive to universal tier, school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports. The present study extended the implementation of CICO to six students with emotional and behavioral disorders in a residential facility whose behaviors were maintained by either attention or escape. Results of a nonconcurrent multiple baseline across participants design indicate that the mean percentage of problem behavior improved for two of three students with attention-maintained behavior and two of three students with escape-maintained behavior. Future directions and limitations of the research are addressed.
Mandatory fortification with folic acid in the United States is associated with increased expression of DNA methyltransferase-1 in the cervix

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate whether mandatory fortification of grain products with folic acid in the United States is associated with changes in DNA methyltransferase-1 (Dnmt-1) expression in cells involved in cervical carcinogenesis. Methods Archived specimens of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) diagnosed before (1990–1992) and after (2000–2002) mandatory folic acid fortification were used to examine the expression of Dnmt-1 in specific lesions involved in cervical carcinogenesis by immunohistochemistry. The total number of lesions examined was 101 in the prefortification period and 96 in the postfortification period. Immunohistochemical staining for Dnmt-1, its assessment, and data entry were blinded with regard to the fortification status. Results Age- and race-adjusted mean percentage of cells positive for Dnmt-1 or the Dnmt-1 score was significantly higher in all lesion types (i.e., normal cervical epithelium, reactive cervical epithelium, metaplastic cervical epithelium, CIN, or carcinoma in situ) detected in the postfortification period compared with the prefortification period ( P P Conclusion These results suggest that mandatory fortification with folic acid in the United States seems to have resulted in a change in the degree of expression of Dnmt-1 in cells involved in cervical carcinogenesis. Because the approach we have taken to demonstrate these differences have limitations inherent to a study of this nature and this is the first study to report a folate fortification associated change in Dnmt-1, validating these results in other study populations and/or with other techniques of assessing Dnmt-1 will increase the scientific credibility of these findings.
Etch challenges for 1xnm NAND flash

In recent years, NAND flash technology node has shrunk below to 1x nm patterning with significant progresses of double patterning technology (DPT) and spacer patterning technology (SPT). Plasma etching processes involved in the fabrication of advanced NAND flash device become increasingly challenging. As critical dimensions decrease, controlling of micro-loading and pattern wiggling such as line edge roughness (LER) and line width roughness (LWR) has become key issues. In order to define the fine pattern, plasma etch process regime has been changed to lower pressure and to higher plasma density below sub 40 nm. However, below 20 nm, it seems that control of pressure and plasma density is not enough. In an effort to overcome these huddles, pulsing plasma etch technology has been evaluated for 1x nm node. By using pulsing plasma we have obtained the improvement of etch selectivity and reduction of poly hard mask loss. In this study, we have found that pulse applied etching as well as film stack optimization is remarkably effective to reduce micro-loading and pattern wiggling.
A Local Multidimensional Approach to Evaluate Changes in Segregation

This paper demonstrates a local approach to assess changes in segregation at the neighborhood scale. Many studies on segregation change were conducted at a regional or city scale using a single measure. This approach is not sufficient to document the process of neighborhood change, and using one measure can reflect only a single dimension of multifaceted segregation. In this article, several local measures related to two segregation dimensions are utilized to compare segregation levels between the three census years of 1980, 1990, and 2000. Using Buffalo, New York, as the case study, I show that the local approach is effective in depicting the varying levels of segregation within a city for a given year as well as changes in neighborhood segregation levels over time. Overall, the local multidimensional approach offers an effective way of identifying neighborhood demographic transformation and detecting varied trajectories of neighborhood change across a metropolitan area.
STAT1 binds to the herpes simplex virus type 1 latency-associated transcript promoter

The authors hypothesized that environmental stimuli induce cytokines that act through an intracellular cascade, which includes signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), to change herpes simplex virus (HSV) gene expression, thereby inducing viral reactivation. The HSV type 1 (HSV-1) latency-associated transcript (LAT) gene regulates viral reactivation within neurons via an unknown mechanism. HSV-1 deletion mutants that are missing key portions of the LAT gene, particularly the 3' region of the LAT promoter, do not reactivate normally in vivo. The authors hypothesized that STAT transcription factors may bind in this region to regulate viral reactivation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) experiments were performed by incubating mouse trigeminal ganglion (TG) nuclear extracts with each of three overlapping sequences representing the 3' region of the HSV-1 LAT promoter (referred to as oligos L1, L2, and L3). The ganglionic nuclear extracts bound specifically to oligos L1 and L3, but not L2. Oligos L1 and L3 contain predicted STAT binding sequences whereas L2 does not. Specific binding to oligo L3 (including the TATA box sequence) was supershifted by incubating with anti-STAT1 antibodies, but not by incubating with anti-STAT3 or anti-STAT5a antibodies. Specific L3 binding was reduced by competing with excess unlabeled STAT1 consensus sequences. These results indicate that STAT1, probably as part of a complex, is capable of binding to the LAT promoter on or near the TATA box. Further studies are required to determine if STAT1 is required for LAT expression in vivo. This work supports the hypothesis that interferons act through STAT1 to regulate the expression of HSV-1 LAT.
Potato Leafhopper (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) Oviposition and Development Under Cool Fluctuating Temperatures

Two studies were conducted to provide information on the development of potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), eggs, male nymphs, and female nymphs under fluctuating temperatures, and on the ovipositional threshold of adult gravid females. Mean developmental times were measured for E. fabae eggs, male nymphs, and female nymphs under three fluctuating temperature regimes of 8–19, 10–21, and 13–24°C. These regimes were representative of January, February, and March daily temperatures in southern Louisiana, an overwintering site for E. fabae . Eggs developed in 34.9 ± 5.77 d, 28.8 ± 4.87 d, and 15.9 ± 2.09 d for the three regimes, respectively. Male nymphs developed in 47.8 ± 9.7 d, 39.1 ± 7.96 d, and 22.7 ± 3.3 d for the three regimes. Female nymphs developed in 47.0 ± 9.9 d, 39.4 ± 4.89 d, and 24.9 ± 3.11 d for the three regimes. A five temperature regimes database was created by combining these developmental times with developmental times reported by Hogg (1985) for similar but warmer fluctuating regimes. Logarithmic developmental rate equations, based on hourly temperature data, were developed from these data. The accuracy of these developmental equations was verified with independent data reported in the literature. Only females reared from eggs in the 13–24°C regime oviposited as adults. The constant temperature oviposition threshold for E. fabae was determined. Adult gravid females oviposited at 10°C, but not at 9°C. The estimated oviposition threshold was 9.5°C. Gravid females placed in the fluctuating regimes of 8–19°C and 10–21°C continued to oviposit. A factor inhibiting ovarian development in females reared from eggs under these two regimes was hypothesized.
Is the athlete’s sport important when picking an athlete to endorse a nonsport product?

Businesses will spend millions of dollars associating their products with athletes through product endorsements. Finding the “best” athlete to make the endorsement is a crucial decision. Several theoretical perspectives suggest that the sport from which the athlete comes may be an important factor in producing a favorable consumer response. In a study conducted to investigate the effects of the type of sport on endorsement evaluations, results indicated that the image of the sport, independent of the athlete, can contribute significantly to the consumer’s response to an endorsement. The image of the sport can enhance, or detract from, the effects of the personality and appearance of the athlete making the endorsement. These findings suggest the managers should consider the sport, as well as the athlete carefully, when picking a product spokesperson.
A 3-D vision algorithm for robot applications

A three-dimensional (3-D) vision algorithm using an off-shelf system with two cameras for robot applications is presented. The 3-D vision algorithm can be trained to recognize a 3-D object from a scene and input the center of location, the orientation, and the dimensions of the object to a robot control system. Taking advantage of the hard-wired fst blob analysis algorithm and the hard-wired fast correlation search algorithm from an off-shelf computer vision system, an object can be recognized, located, and measured in seconds. This model-based 3-D vision algorithm also features automatic calibration, adaptive histogram analysis to reduce light interference from other sources, and a menu-driven model database. >
The Whore and the Holy One: Contemporary Sacred Prostitution and Transformative Consciousness

This text explores the intersection of the women's spirituality and sex worker's rights movements in which a growing body of sex workers describe and experience themselves as "sacred whores." In this cultural encounter, the women's spirituality movement's vision of sexual empowerment has merged with the sex workers rights movement's recontextualization of prostitution and other forms of sex work as valid, fulfilling, and skilled labor. These women are establishing themselves as heirs to a mythology of ancient religious practices in which priestesses made love to men within temples as a holy rite and a spiritual service. My exploration of this movement is grounded in an inquiry into the history and mythology of the "temple prostitutes" of the ancient Near East, and unfolds into an ethnography of the currently emerging sacred whore movement.
The role of radial particle pinches in ELM suppression by resonant magnetic perturbations

The force balance in the plasma edge in a matched pair of DIII-D (Luxon 2002 Nucl. Fusion 42 6149) tokamak discharges with and without resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) is evaluated in order to investigate the effects on particle transport of RMP applied for the purpose of suppressing edge-localized modes (ELMs). Experimental data are used to evaluate the radial and toroidal force balances, which may be written as a pinch–diffusion relation for the radial ion flux to facilitate investigation of transport effects. The radial electric field in the H-mode plasma had a sharp negative dip in the steep gradient region of the edge pedestal, associated with which was a large inward pinch velocity. The main effect of RMP was to make the edge electric field less negative or more positive, reducing this strong negative dip in the radial electric field (even reversing it from negative to positive over some regions), thereby reducing the strong inward particle pinch in the edge of an H-mode discharge, thus causing a reduction in edge density below the ELM threshold.
Socioeconomic ramifications of changing cohort size: an analysis of U.S. postwar suicide rates by age and sex.

This paper presents a relative cohort size model of suicide. The model states that as relative cohort size (the ratio of younger to older workers) rises, income and income aspirations diverge for the young. One possible extreme reaction to this disequilibrium is suicide. The model explains the variation in age- and sex-specific suicide rates for the United States over the period 1948 to 1976. It identifies the direct effect of changes in cohort size on suicide rates as well as the indirect effect operating through other demographic variables. The model predicts the suicide rates for males above 45 years of age to rise and those for all other groups to decline. For most groups this is a reversal of recent movements in their suicide rates.
DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION OF METHADONE AND ITS METABOLITE 2-ETHYLIDENE-1,5-DIMETHYL-3,3-DIPHENYLPYRROLIDINE (EDDP) IN URINE PAIN MANAGEMENT COMPLIANCE TESTING BY HIGH-PRESSURE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRY

Presently urine analysis for methadone and its metabolite 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP) is performed for emergency toxicology screening and pain management compliance testing (PMCT). Presented is the validation of a high-pressure liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for methadone and EDDP in urine. Samples were simply diluted 1:1 (v:v) with 0.1 µg/mL of methadone-d3 and EDDP-d3 in methanol before analysis. The chromatographic separation was performed using a Pinnacle C18 100 × 3.2 mm, 3 µm column with a mobile phase containing water/acetonitrile (20:80 v:v) with 1% formic acid delivered at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Detection was accomplished by multiple-reaction monitoring via electrospray ionization source operating in the positive ionization mode. The calibration curve was linear over the investigated concentration range, 25 to 5000 ng/mL, for both methadone and EDDP. The lower limit of quantitation for each analyte was 25 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day...
Imaginative Thinking: Addressing Social Justice Issues through MovieMaker

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the experiences of aspiring school leaders who utilized artmaking (in this case, photography, poetry, music, collage, and short films) through Microsoft MovieMaker as a means for addressing injustices within surrounding school communities. The paper aims to explore how aspiring school leaders understood contemporary curriculum issues within increasingly culturally diverse school communities in the USA.Design/methodology/approach – This two‐year qualitative study embedded in grounded theory examined the experiences of aspiring school leaders who utilized artmaking (in this case short films through Microsoft MovieMaker) to examine contemporary curriculum issues within surrounding school communities. This study is conducted within the naturalistic tradition.Findings – The significance of artmaking encourages participants to visually articulate the lived realities of disenfranchised populations. Participants engage in artmaking experience self‐transformation a...
On the nonpolar hydration free energy of proteins: Surface area and continuum solvent models for the solute-solvent interaction energy

Implicit solvent hydration free energy models are an important component of most modern computational methods aimed at protein structure prediction, binding affinity prediction, and modeling of conformational equilibria. The nonpolar component of the hydration free energy, consisting of a repulsive cavity term and an attractive van der Waals solute-solvent interaction term, is often modeled using estimators based on the solvent exposed solute surface area. In this paper, we analyze the accuracy of linear surface area models for predicting the van der Waals solute-solvent interaction energies of native and non-native protein conformations, peptides and small molecules, and the desolvation penalty of protein-protein and protein-ligand binding complexes. The target values are obtained from explicit solvent simulations and from a continuum solvent van der Waals interaction energy model. The results indicate that the standard surface area model, while useful on a coarse-grained scale, may not be accurate or transferable enough for high resolution modeling studies of protein folding and binding. The continuum model constructed in the course of this study provides one path for the development of a computationally efficient implicit solvent nonpolar hydration free energy estimator suitable for high-resolution structural and thermodynamic modeling of biological macromolecules.