cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ractopamine-Induced Changes in the Mitochondrial Proteome of Postmortem Beef Longissimus Lumborum

ObjectivesRactopamine is a β-adrenergic agonist approved as growth promotant in beef cattle, and it increases muscle deposition while limiting fat deposition. Dietary ractopamine causes a muscle fiber shift in cattle, and the biochemistry of mitochondria in postmortem beef skeletal muscles is influenced by fiber type. Therefore, dietary ractopamine may potentially affect mitochondrial functionality. Nonetheless, the influence of ractopamine on beef skeletal muscle mitochondrial proteome has not been evaluated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of ractopamine on mitochondrial proteome of postmortem longissimus lumborum (LL) from beef cattle.Materials and MethodsPen-housed crossbred steers were fed either a corn-based basal diet (CON) or a diet top-dressed with Optaflexx 45 (Elanco Animal Health) to provide 400 mg of ractopamine hydrochloride/steer per day (RAC). Ractopamine was fed the last 28 d prior to the harvest. The animals were harvested, and carcasses were chilled for 24 h. The LL muscle samples were obtained from nine (n = 9) RAC and nine (n = 9) CON carcasses. Mitochondrial proteome was analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis, and the digital gel images were analyzed. The protein spots exhibiting more than 1.5-fold intensity differences (P < 0.10) between RAC and CON were subjected to in-gel tryptic digestion and were identified by tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsSeven differentially abundant proteins were identified in the mitochondrial proteome. Three proteins were over-abundant (P < 0.10) in RAC, whereas four spots were over-abundant in CON. The proteins over-abundant in RAC mitochondrial proteome was complement component 1 Q subcomponent-binding protein, very long-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and aconitate hydratase. On the other hand, ATP synthase subunit β, prohibitin, Cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit, and thioredoxin-dependent peroxide reductase were over-abundant in CON samples. The differentially abundant proteins belong to four functional groups; i.e., energy metabolism (ATP synthase subunit β, Cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 1, and aconitate hydratase), chaperone activity (complement component 1 Q subcomponent-binding protein and prohibitin), antioxidant activity (thioredoxin-dependent peroxide reductase), and lipid metabolism (very long-chain specific acyl-CoA dehydrogenase).ConclusionDietary ractopamine impacts mitochondrial proteome in postmortem beef LL muscle and influences the abundance of proteins involved in cellular metabolism and protective mechanisms. The increased protein synthesis and leanness previously reported in ractopamine-fed cattle may be attributed to the decreased expression of enzymes involved in respiratory electron transport pathways and the increased expression of enzymes involved in lipolysis.
Management of Chronic Abdominal Distension and Bloating

Abdominal bloating and distension are 2 of the most commonly reported gastrointestinal symptoms. Abdominal bloating is characterized by symptoms of trapped gas, abdominal pressure, and fullness. Abdominal distension is defined as a measurable increase in abdominal girth. These symptoms frequently co-exist, although they can occur separately. Defined by Rome IV criteria, functional abdominal bloating and distension commonly coincide with other functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional constipation. Abdominal bloating and distension can develop for multiple reasons, including food intolerances, a previous infection that perturbed the intestinal microbiota, disordered visceral sensation, delayed intestinal transit, or an abnormal viscero-somatic reflux. Treatment can be challenging to patients and providers—no regimen has been consistently successful. Successful treatment involves identifying the etiology, assessing severity, educating and reassuring patients, and setting expectations. Therapeutic options include dietary changes, probiotics, antibiotics, prokinetic agents, antispasmodics, neuromodulators, and biofeedback. We review the epidemiology and effects of chronic bloating and distension and pathophysiology, discuss appropriate diagnostic strategies, and assess available treatment options.
Total Synthesis of (−)-Maximiscin

A short, enantioselective synthesis of (-)-maximiscin, a structurally intriguing metabolite of mixed biosynthetic origin, is reported. A retrosynthetic analysis predicated on maximizing ideality and efficiency led to several unusual disconnections and tactics. Formation of the central highly oxidized pyridone ring through a convergent coupling at the end of the synthesis simplified the route considerably. The requisite building blocks could be prepared from feedstock materials (derived from shikimate and mesitylene). Strategies rooted in hidden symmetry recognition, C-H functionalization, and radical retrosynthesis played key roles in developing this concise route.
CHAPTER 4 – Coal

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on coal. Coal is one of the most important raw materials of modern industry. It is of organic origin, formed by the decaying vegetation at the bottom of swamps. As the trees, plants, and algae die in the semitropical swamps, they accumulate on the bottom and form a layer of peat. When this peat is covered by the accumulating clay and sand, the weight of that squeezes out the water and compacts the organic deposit. Overlying pressure because of successive soil layers, deposited by water on the top of the bed of peat, squeezes out even more of the water and this process forms a layered pulpy mass intermingled with fragments of wood; this is called lignite. Moreover, increase of density results in layered black, shiny bituminous coal. Additional pressure, usually caused by horizontal pushing that is present in the mountain-forming process, causes the bituminous coal to transform into anthracite—a high-ranking coal characterized by its jet-black color, high-fixed carbon content, and its dull-to-brilliant or submetallic luster. Energy in coal is present in the form of carbon and hydrogen. Depending on the type of coal, different amounts of carbon are present. Hydrane process has a number of advantages over other coal gasification methods under development. The small amount of methanation needed allows conventional equipment to be used, rather than the still-unproven equipment needed for extensive methanation.
Comparing four methods of augmentative release of Eretmocerus nr. emiratus against Bemisia argentifolii

Four methods were tested for release of Eretmocerus nr. emiratus (Hymenoptera:Aphelinidae) against the silverleaf whitefly,Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), in cotton and melons. Ten thousand parasitoids were released in 0.1ha plots as follows: (1) as adults in each ofthe four quadrants of the plot, (2) as pupae ingel-caps affixed to the undersides of leaves inthe center of each of four quadrants, (3) at thecenter of the plot in shaded paper cups, and (4)to simulate release from a drop-box. Survivalafter 3 d, dispersal, mating success,sex-ratio, cost, and delivery speed werecompared among the four methods. Significantlymore parasitoids were recovered after 3 d whenparasitoids were released using the paper cupmethod, however, few parasitoids were capturedoutside the area directly adjacent to therelease point. More parasitoids wererecaptured near the release points with thegel-cap and adult release methods, but becausethere were four release points per plot, thedistribution was more uniform. Few parasitoidswere recovered when parasitoids were releasedusing a simulated drop-box method. Althoughthe sex-ratio of released parasitoids was±70% males, more than 30% of the recoveredparasitoids were female. In melons, where thedensity of whiteflies was more than 20 times asgreat as in cotton, the sex-ratio of recapturedparasitoids was greater than 70% females forall treatments. The most expensive releasemethod was the drop-box at $38.79 per ha,followed by $13.02 for adults, $7.62 forgel-caps, and $3.31 for the paper cups. Thegel-cap method was superior in providing a muchmore even distribution of individualsthroughout the field, especially in melons, butconsiderable time was necessary to prepare thegel-caps for release. Of the four releasemethods tested, releasing parasitoids in papercups resulted in higher numbers recaptured, alow cost, and rapid delivery speed. BecauseE. nr. emiratus does not dispersefar from the release point, however, a greaternumber of release points with fewer parasitoidsper point should provide a more evendistribution of parasitoids throughout therelease field.
Initial results of a multicenter, investigator initiated study of MRD driven time limited therapy with zanubrutinib, obinutuzumab, and venetoclax.

8006Background: Venetoclax (Ven)-Obinutuzumab (O) is approved for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) achieving frequent undetectable minimum residual disease (uMRD; Fischer NEJM 2019). Ven-Ibrutini...
Identification of compounds producing non-visual photosensation via TRPA1 in zebrafish

TrpA1 receptors sense chemical irritants. But, they do not normally respond to light. Previous studies have identified compounds that confer photosensitivity onto vertebrate TrpA1. However, the pharmacology of TrpA1-mediated non-visual photosensation remains poorly understood. To identify novel compounds that affect this process, we screened a large chemical library for compounds that increased light-elicited motor activity in larval zebrafish. We found structurally diverse hit compounds that were photoreactive and produced specific behavioral phenotypes. A subset of these compounds required functional TrpA1 to produce behavioral phenotypes in vivo. These findings provide novel prototype compounds for controlling TrpA1 with light and improve our understanding of non-visual TrpA1-mediated photosensation.
Development and usability testing of Understanding Stroke, a tailored life-sustaining treatment decision support tool for stroke surrogate decision makers.

Surrogate decision makers of stroke patients are often unprepared to make critical decisions on life-sustaining treatments. We describe the development process and key features for the Understanding Stroke web-based decision support tool. We used multiple strategies to develop a patient-centered, tailored decision aid. We began by forming a Patient and Family Advisory Council to provide continuous input to our multidisciplinary team on the development of the tool. Additionally, focus groups consisting of nurses, therapists, social workers, physicians, stroke survivors, and family members reviewed key elements of the tool, including prognostic information, graphical displays, and values clarification exercise. To design the values clarification exercise, we asked focus groups to provide feedback on a list of important activities of daily living. An ordinal prognostic model was developed for ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage using data taken from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive Plus, and incorporated into the tool. Focus group participants recommended making numeric prognostic information optional due to possible emotional distress. Pie charts were generally favored by participants for graphical presentation of prognostic information, though a horizontal stacked bar chart was also added due to its prevalence in stroke literature. Plain language descriptions of the modified Rankin Scale were created to accompany the prognostic information. A values clarification exercise was developed consisting of a list of 13 situations that may make an individual consider comfort measures only. The final version of the web based tool (which can be viewed on tablets) included the following sections: general introduction to stroke, outcomes (prognostic information and recovery), in-hospital and life-sustaining treatments, decision making and values clarification, post-hospital care, tips for talking to the health care team, and a summary report. Preliminary usability testing received generally favorable feedback. We developed Understanding Stroke, a tailored decision support tool for surrogate decision makers of stroke patients. The tool was well received and will be formally pilot tested in a group of stroke surrogate decision makers. ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT03427645 ).
NHERI Centrifuge Facility: Large-Scale Centrifuge Modeling in Geotechnical Research

Author(s): Boulanger, RW; Wilson, DW; Kutter, BL; DeJong, JT; Bronner, CE | Abstract: The 9-m and 1-m radius geotechnical centrifuges at the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) facility at the University of California at Davis provide the national research community with open access to unique and versatile modeling capabilities for advancing methods to predict and improve the performance of soil and soil-structure systems affected by earthquake, wave, wind, and storm surge loadings. Large-scale centrifuge models are particularly effective for the building of basic science knowledge, the validation of advanced computational models from the component to the holistic system level, and the validation of innovative soil remediation strategies. The capabilities and unique role of large-scale centrifuge modeling are illustrated using three example research projects from the shared-use NHERI facility. Education impacts stemming from operations activities and coordination of activities by the center’s user base are discussed. Future directions and opportunities for research using the NHERI facilities are discussed.
Securing Security When Terrorists Attack the 'Weakest Link'

Global security from nuclear terrorism hinges on the security of nuclear materials at the least secure sites. Countries differ in their abilities and their willingness to secure these materials. We model this situation as one of private provision of a global public good where the overall level of the public good is determined by the least contribution of the participants (the "weakest link" social composition function of Hirshleifer, 1983) and assume participants are privately informed of their costs of providing the public good. Even with ex ante symmetric players, all equilibria are inefficient. Adding a stage of communication before participants choose their contributions can effect an ex post Pareto improvement. So, too, can technology transfer, though this may be ineffective without communication. These results support policy experts' calls for information sharing and greater coordination of international efforts to combat nuclear terrorism.
Value of Follow-Up Chest Computed Tomography in the Surveillance of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose To evaluate the value of follow-up chest CT in the surveillance of HCC patients. Background Imaging guidelines for the surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients recommend multiple follow-up computed tomography (CT) examinations of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Imaging studies are a major driver of rising healthcare costs. The appropriate use of imaging studies must be evaluated to provide valued health care. Methods We reviewed the radiology reports of baseline and follow-up chest, abdominal, and pelvic CT examinations of HCC patients. We categorized the incidence of malignancy in the chest and abdomen for the baseline and follow-up examinations. We also categorized the follow-up examinations as showing improved disease, stable disease, or disease progression. We correlated any progression of disease in the chest with progression of disease in the abdomen. We determined the extent to which disease progression in the chest occurred alongside that in the abdomen. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out using R (version 3.5.2, R Development Core Team). Results Of the 226 patients included in our study, only 7 (3%) had disease progression in the chest without corresponding disease progression in the abdomen and pelvis on follow-up CT. Only 1.8% of patients with disease progression in the chest had a negative CT chest at baseline. Conclusion Follow-up chest CT has limited benefit in the surveillance of HCC patients, especially those with negative baseline chest CT findings.
Realizations of Exceptional U-Duality Groups as Conformal and Quasi-Conformal Groups and Their Minimal Unitary Representations

We review the novel quasiconformal realizations of exceptional U-duality groups whose “quantization” leads directly to their minimal unitary irreducible representations. The group &(S) can be realized as a quasiconformal group in the 57 dimensional charge-entropy space of BPS black hole solutions of maximal N = 8 supergravity in four dimensions and leaves invariant “lightlike separations” in this space. Similarly E7(7, act as a conformal group in the 27 dimensional charge space of BPS black hole solutions in five dimensional maximal supergravity which leaves invariant the lightlike separations. For the exceptional N = 2 Maxwell-Einstein supergravity theory the corresponding quasiconformal and conformal groups are &(-24) and E7(-25), respectively. These conformal and quasiconformal groups act as spectrum generating symmetry groups in five and four dimensions and are isomorphic to the U-duality groups in four and three dimensions, respectively. Hence the spectra of these theories are expected to form unitary representations of these groups, of which the minimal one plays a special role.
Comparative Genome Analyses of 18 Verticillium dahliae Tomato Isolates Reveals Phylogenetic and Race Specific Signatures.

Host resistance is one of the few strategies available to combat the soil borne pathogenic fungus Verticillium dahliae. Understanding pathogen diversity in populations is key to successfully deploying host resistance. In this study the genomes of 18 V. dahliae isolates of races 1 (n = 2), 2 (n = 4), and 3 (n = 12) from Japan, California, and North Carolina were sequenced and mapped to the reference genome of JR2 (from tomato). The genomes were analyzed for phylogenetic and pathogen specific signatures to classify specific strains or genes for future research. Four highly clonal lineages/groups were discovered, including a lineage unique to North Carolina isolates, which had the rare MAT1-1 mating type. No evidence for recombination between isolates of different mating types was observed, even in isolates of different mating types discovered in the same field. By mapping these 18 isolates genomes to the JR2 reference genome, 193 unique candidate effectors were found using SignalP and EffectorP. Within these effectors, 144 highly conserved effectors, 42 mutable effectors (truncated or present in some isolates but absent in others), and 7 effectors present in highly variable regions of the chromosomes were discovered. Of the 144 core effectors, 21 were highly conserved in V. alfalfae and V. longisporum, 7 of which have no known function. Within the non-core effectors 30 contained large numbers of non-synonymous mutations, while 15 of them contained indels, frameshift mutations, or were present on highly variable regions of the chromosome. Two of these highly variable region effectors (HVREs) were only present in race 2 isolates, but not in race 3 isolates. The race 1 effector Ave1 was also present in a highly variable region. These data may suggest that these highly variable regions are enriched in race determinant genes, consistent with the two-speed genome hypothesis.
A Thermodynamically Inspired Method for Quantifying Phase Transitions in Polymeric Liquids with Application to Flow-Induced Crystallization of a Polyethylene Melt

Thermodynamic-like local atomistic entropy and enthalpy variables are introduced as a means to delineate and quantify phase transitions in atomistic simulations of extensional flow of an entangled ...
Opportunities and Challenges of Lithium Ion Batteries in Automotive Applications

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have transformed the consumer electronics (CE) sector and are beginning to power the electrification of the automotive sector. The unique requirements of the vehicle ap...
Incentives for Immunity - Strategies for Increasing Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake.

Incentives for Immunity Some state governments and businesses in the United States are starting to pay people to get vaccinated against Covid-19. But even if incentives can produce a short-term bum...
HashSeq: A Simple, Scalable, and Conservative De Novo Variant Caller for 16S rRNA Gene Datasets

16S rRNA gene sequencing is a common and cost-effective technique for characterization of microbial communities. Recent bioinformatics methods enable high-resolution detection of sequence variants of only one nucleotide difference. In this manuscript, we utilize a very fast HashMap-based approach to detect sequence variants in six publicly available 16S rRNA gene datasets. We then use the normal distribution combined with LOESS regression to estimate background error rates as a function of sequencing depth for individual clusters of sequences. This method is computationally efficient and produces inference that yields sets of variants that are conservative and well supported by reference databases. We argue that this approach to inference is fast, simple, scalable to large datasets, and provides a high-resolution set of sequence variants which are less likely to be the result of sequencing error.
Women’s Lives and Clothes in WW2: Ready for Action: Lucy Adlington Yorkshire, UK: Pen and Sword History, 2019

On Armistice Day, November 11, 1939, Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI, made the following statement about women’s roles in wartime:War has at all times called for the fortitude of women. Eve...
Recommendations for Psychosocial Evaluation of VAD candidates: Adoption, completion, and barriers to implementation.

Abstract Background Recommendations exist to guide clinicians on a comprehensive psychosocial (PS) evaluation prior to Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) implantation. Objectives Assess adoption, beliefs, methodologies, and barriers to completion of the 2018 ISHLT/APM/AST/ICCAC/STSW Recommendations for Psychosocial evaluation of adult cardiothoracic transplant and long term mechanical circulatory support. Methods Cross-sectional survey distributed to all 183 implanting LVAD centers in North America via mail and email. Results Total of 58 Programs (35.6% response rate) representing 29 states and all regions of the United States responded. Respondents reported implanting 1,183 adults (range 0 – 85; mean = 21.5, SD = 18) in 2018. A majority (n = 55, 94.8%) reported that the 2018 Recommendations were consistent with their clinical practice and most (n = 51, 87.9%) had adopted the recommendations. The Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplant (SIPAT) (n = 25, 47.1%) was the most commonly cited assessment tool in the use, although 15 centers reported utilizing more than one tool during the assessment process. Most common barriers influencing completion of the PS evaluation include patient too ill (total responses = 104), lack of time (total responses = 89), patient poor candidate (total responses = 44), and lack of Insurance coverage/reimbursement (total responses = 41). Conclusion The 2018 ISHLT Recommendations for PS evaluation of LVAD Candidates are widely adopted by respondents in clinical practice, although barriers are still reported to their implementation. Additional research is needed to understand strategies to reduce barriers to implementation and maintenance of the recommendations in clinical practice.
Is Androcentric Bias in the Educational Workplace on the Wane? Perplexing Findings:

Androcentrism is a value system that views the male perspective as superior to the female perspective. Some theorists maintain that androcentric bias explains why, compared to their numbers in educ...
Management of isoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia

Two infants, who presented at birth with isoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura, are the basis for this report. The problems confronting the physician in treating an affected infant, as well as in the management of subsequent pregnancies after an infant with isoimmunization has been delivered, are discussed. In view of the small but serious risk of intracranial hemorrhage during the birth process in these infants, delivery by cesarean section is advocated for all pregnancies known to be at risk i.e., after a previous infant has been shown to be affected.
Mitochondrial quality control during inheritance is associated with lifespan and mother-daughter age asymmetry in budding yeast

Fluorescence loss in photobleaching experiments and analysis of mitochondrial function using superoxide and redox potential biosensors revealed that mitochondria within individual yeast cells are physically and functionally distinct. Mitochondria that are retained in mother cells during yeast cell division have a significantly more oxidizing redox potential and higher superoxide levels compared to mitochondria in buds. Retention of mitochondria with more oxidizing redox potential in mother cells occurs to the same extent in young and older cells and can account for the age-associated decline in total cellular mitochondrial redox potential in yeast as they age from 0 to 5 generations. Deletion of Mmr1p, a member of the DSL1 family of tethering proteins that localizes to mitochondria at the bud tip and is required for normal mitochondrial inheritance, produces defects in mitochondrial quality control and heterogeneity in replicative lifespan (RLS). Long-lived mmr1Δ cells exhibit prolonged RLS, reduced mean generation times, more reducing mitochondrial redox potential and lower mitochondrial superoxide levels compared to wild-type cells. Short-lived mmr1Δ cells exhibit the opposite phenotypes. Moreover, short-lived cells give rise exclusively to short-lived cells, while the majority of daughters of long-lived cells are long lived. These findings support the model that the mitochondrial inheritance machinery promotes retention of lower-functioning mitochondria in mother cells and that this process contributes to both mother-daughter age asymmetry and age-associated declines in cellular fitness.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cell human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proviral DNA quantification by polymerase chain reaction : relationship to immunodeficiency and drug effect

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proviral DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was quantitated in 61 HIV-1-seropositive individuals by a nonisotopic polymerase chain reaction assay. Primers from the gag region (SK38, SK39) were used to determine the log10 HIV-1 proviral copy number per 10(6) CD4+ T lymphocytes (peripheral blood proviral load). A standard curve was generated for each assay by using ACH-2 cell DNA. The peripheral blood proviral load was followed in 15 individuals in a longitudinal study and was measured in 45 individuals in a cross-sectional analysis. Three of four untreated patients who were followed for 14 months had stable PBMC proviral loads and CD4+ T lymphocyte counts; one untreated patient had a sustained increase in PBMC proviral load followed 5 months later by a significant decline in the CD4+ T lymphocyte count. Eleven previously untreated individuals were monitored for 1 year following initiation of zidovudine and/or 2',3'-dideoxyinosine therapy. The mean log10 number of proviral HIV-1 copies per 10(6) CD4+ T cells decreased from 4.3 +/- 0.4 at the baseline to 3.5 +/- 0.6 after 2 to 4 months of therapy (P < 0.01). This initial 0.8 log10 fall in the PBMC proviral load after the initiation of therapy was followed by a rise in the PBMC proviral load by the sixth month of therapy. The PBMC proviral load in 45 subjects, both treated (n = 25) and untreated (n = 20), correlated inversely with the CD4+ T lymphocyte count (P < 0.01, R = 0.49). PBMC proviral DNA quantification by a nonisotopic polymerase chain reaction assay correlates with HIV-1 disease progression and could be used to monitor the effect of antiretroviral therapy.
Grain growth in polar ice. II: Application

Grain growth observed in polar ice that is not deforming rapidly can be accounted for if concentrations and distributions of extrinsic materials (microparticles, bubbles, and dissolved impurities) are characterized fully. Dissolved impurities segregate to grain boundaries and slow grain growth in all cold glacial ice. The high concentration of soluble impurities in Wisconsinan ice from the Dome C (Antarctica) ice core (and perhaps other ice cores) probably causes the small grain-sizes observed in that ice. Microparticles have little effect on grain growth in ordinary ice. In ice layers that appear dirty owing to concentrations of volcanic tephra (such as in the Byrd Station (Antarctica) ice core) or of morainal material, micro particles reduce grain-growth rates significantly. The relatively high vapor pressure of ice allows rapid growth and high mobility of intergranular necks, so grain growth in firn is limited by boundary migration rather than by neck growth. Bubbles formed by pore close-off at the firn-ice transition are less mobile than grain boundaries, causing bubble-boundary separation whenever geometric constraints are satisfied; however, such separation reduces grain-growth rates by only about 10%. The observed linear increase of grain area with time is thus predicted by theory, but the growth rate depends on soluble-impurity concentrations as well as on temperature.
Particle filter tracking for banana and contact lens problems

In this paper we present an approach for tracking with high-bandwidth radar in long-range scenarios. We consider both two- and three-dimensional measurements in polar and r-u-v, respectively. We show that in these scenarios the extended Kalman filter is not desirable, because it suffers from major consistency problems, and most types of particle filters suffer from a loss of diversity among particles after resampling. This leads to sample impoverishment and divergence of the filter. In the scenarios studied, this loss of diversity can be attributed to the very low process noise. However, a regularized particle filter is shown to avoid this diversity problem while producing consistent results. The regularization is accomplished using a generalized version of the Epanechnikov kernel.
Results from simulated remote-handled transuranic waste experiments at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

Multi-year, simulated remote-handled transuranic waste (RH TRU, nonradioactive) experiments are being conducted underground in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) facility. These experiments involve the near-reference (thermal and geometrical) testing of eight full-size RH TRU test containers emplaced into horizontal, unlined rock salt boreholes. Half of the test emplacements are partially filled with bentonite/silica-sand backfill material. All test containers were electrically heated at about 115 W/each for three years, then raised to about 300 W/each for the remaining time. Each test borehole was instrumented with a selection of remote-reading thermocouples, pressure gages, borehole vertical-closure gages, and vertical and horizontal borehole-diameter closure gages. Each test emplacements was also periodically opened for visual inspections of brine intrusions and any interactions with waste package materials, materials sampling, manual closure measurements, and observations of borehole changes. Effects of heat on borehole closure rates and near-field materials (metals, backfill, rock salt, and intruding brine) interactions were closely monitored as a function of time. This paper summarizes results for the first five years of in situ test operation with supporting instrumentation and laboratory data and interpretations. Some details of RH TRU waste package materials, designs, and assorted underground test observations are also discussed. Based on the results, the tested RH TRU waste packages, materials, and emplacement geometry in unlined salt boreholes appear to be quite adequate for initial WIPP repository-phase operations.
Energy Technological Change and Capacity Under Uncertainty in Learning

This paper explores the role of learning in managing the capacities of existing and emerging energy technologies. Specifically, we address how uncertainties in learning rates impact RD 2) near-term or early investments are required to achieve a mix of sustainable energy technological portfolios as a hedge against RD and 3) the management of electricity generation capacities under learning uncertainty allows decision makers to chart a more prudent intermediate path for energy technological growth through the creation of a more diversified technological portfolio.
Kernel‐Kernel communication in a shared‐memory multiprocessor

SUMMARY In the standard kernel organization on a bus-based multiprocessor, all processors share the code and data of the operating system; explicit synchronization is used to control access to kernel data structures. Distributed-memory multicomputers use an alternative approach, in which each instance of the kernel performs local operations directly and uses remote invocation to perform remote operations. Either approach to interkernel communication can be used in a large-scale shared-memory multiprocessor. In the paper we discuss the issues and architectural features that must be considered when choosing between remote memory access and remote invocation. We focus in particular on experience with the Psyche multiprocessor operating system on the BBN Butterfly Plus. We find that the Butterfly architecture is biased towards the use of remote Invocation for kernel operations that perform a significant number of memory references, and that current architectural trends are likely to increase this bias in future machines. This conclusion suggests that straightforward parallelization of existing kernels (e.g. by using semaphores to protect shared data) is unlikely in the future to yield acceptable performance. We note, however, that remote memory access is useful for small, frequently-executed operations, and is likely to remain so.
Is primary care ready for pharmacogenetics

Pharmacogenetics has the potential to reduce adverse drug events and to improve the efficacy of pharmaceutical agents by providing individualized, gene-tailored therapy. The potential impact of pharmacogenetics-based therapy has largely been theoretical, with little quantitative assessment of its magnitude. Furthermore, to realize its maximal effect, any pharmacogeneticsbased therapy must be widely accepted by patients and their physicians; few empiric data exist regarding the willingness of patients or physicians to pursue pharmacogenetics testing. Two articles in this issue of Pharmacogenomics attempt to fill in these knowledge gaps using crosssectional surveys of patients and physicians in the primary care setting. Rogasusch and colleagues explored patients' and physicians' perspectives on pharmacogenetic testing by performing a cross-sectional survey of 106 general practitioners practicing in Western Germany and 196 patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were a part of a larger pharmacogenetics study. An overwhelming majority (more than 95%) of patients in this cohort felt that pharmacogenetic testing could prevent the use of ineffective medications, target optimal medication, and avoid side effects. Despite this optimistic outlook, patients had considerable fears regarding pharmacogenetic testing: 72% were worried that testing would result in an unavailable drug and 66% were worried that the privacy of their test results would not be adequately protected, particularly at work or for an application for employment. In this patient cohort, females tended to have a more fearful outlook on pharmacogenetics testing and younger patients tended to be more optimistic. In contrast to the patients, physicians were not asked about their hopes and expectations of pharmacogenetics testing. Instead, when asked about their fears 72% were concerned that
Ultralow-threshold toroidal microcavity Raman laser

We investigate Raman lasing in fiber-coupled ultra-high-Q chip-based toroidal microcavities. Low threshold, single mode emission with high conversion efficiency is obtained. Additionally, the effect on threshold of varying the toroid geometry is discussed.
XBRL, semantic web and web services

Computer and information technology innovations have revolutionised how business is conducted and how information is exchanged across systems. Technologies, such as eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), semantic web and web services, have emerged to transform the landscape of business information provision, exchange and consumption. The focus of this paper is to investigate the connections among these technologies, and to further discuss their joint impact upon the business information interchange. Specifically, this paper presents bridging XBRL to semantic web and semantic web services as future technological trends, which will affect business information automation, currency, availability, transparency, accuracy, relevancy, system flexibility and adaptability, and the corporate communication model.
Parity patterns of birth interval distribution.

A simplified model is presented for the measurement of inter-live birth interval distributions. Comparative analyses of "effective fecundability," the mean length and variation of postpartum infecundity, and the parity progression ratio based on this measurement model are presented using data from U.S. marriage cohorts and from an Indian sample. Parity differentials in these reproduction parameters are investigated, and the ramifications for fertility estimate and projection discussed.
Thermal requirements for Hypoderma lineatum (Diptera:Oestridae) egg development.

This study was designed to define lower thermal limits for common cattle grub, Hypoderma lineatum (Villers), egg development. The data collected in this study suggest that embryonic development was prolonged as temperature was lowered. No hatch was observed when eggs were incubated at a constant temperature of 20°C. Measurements of cattle skin temperature and ovipositional behavior of the gravid female fly suggest that eggs are oviposited in a suitable thermal environment for successful embryonic development. Eggs oviposited on cattle held in an unheated barn hatched within 1 wk confirming that cattle can be successfully laboratory infested in unheated barns during winter in central Texas.
Evaluation of a rapid, quantitative assay for serum resistance in Escherichia coli

Defects have been found in a colorimetric assay developed by its inventors for determining rapidly and quantitatively whether strains of Escherichia coli are resistant to the lethality of mammalian serum. Results gained with the colorimetric assay on the serum resistance of E. coli strains bearing colicin V plasmids differed from results gained with an assay in which the rate of growth of the bacterial strains in a medium containing rabbit serum was estimated turbidimetrically. The colorimetric assay was intended by its developers to facilitate studies of the genetics of serum resistance in pathogenic bacteria. When used as originally described, the assay is likely to mislead in such studies.
Uptake and concentrations of calcium in rat choroid plexus during chronic hypo- and hypercalcemia.

Abstract The choroid plexus has been implicated in the regulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) [Ca], but little information is available concerning Ca transport by this epithelium. We determined the transfer coefficients for 45 Ca uptake into choroid plexus from blood, as well as tissue [Ca], in weanling Fischer-344 rats fed low, normal, or high Ca diets for 8 weeks. Plasma [Ca] decreased by 45% with low Ca diet and increased by 25% with high ca diet. Choroid plexus 45 Ca uptake varied inversely with plasma [Ca]. This relation was due largely to changes in extracellular Ca binding rather than to entry from blood, as the transfer coefficient was independent of plasma [Ca]. The extracellular Ca distribution in choroid plexus, the intercept of a plot of tissue 45 Ca distribution against time, was reciprocally related to plasma [Ca]. Changes in total cell [Ca] during hypercalcemia were equivalent to those in plasma, and in hypocalcemia were 70% of those in plasma. These findings indicate that regulation of CSF [Ca] does not involve saturable transport of Ca into the choroid epithelium from blood, and that the apical membrane of the choroid epithelium is involved in homeostasis of CSF [Ca].
A solid phase extraction reversed‐phase HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of methoprene, permethrin and selected metabolites in rat plasma and urine

A method was validated and applied for the analysis of the insect growth regulator methoprene [Isopropyl (2E,4E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4-dienoate], its metabolite methoprene acid, the insecticide permethrin [3-(2,2-dichloro-ethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid(3-phenoxyphenyl)methylester], and two of its metabolites, m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol and m-phenoxybenzoic acid, in rat plasma and urine using solid-phase extraction and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The analytes were separated using gradient of 55-100% acetonitrile in water (pH 4.0) at a flow rate ranging between 0.6 and 1.0 mL/min over a period of 20 min, and UV detection at 210 and 254 nm. The retention times ranged from 7.3 to 18.4 min. The limits of detection ranged between 50 and 100 ng/ml, while limits of quantitation were 100-150 ng/mL. Average percentage recovery of five spiked plasma samples was 83.6 +/- 3.9, 80.1 +/- 5.4, 82.1 +/- 4.4, 83.7 +/- 3.9 and 83.1 +/- 4.7, and from urine 79.3 +/- 4.3, 82.0 +/- 5.4, 80.7 +/- 4.2, 78.9 +/- 5.7 and 83.9 +/- 4.5 for methoprene, methoprene acid, permethrin, m-phenoxybenzyl alcohol and m-phenoxybenzoic acid, respectively. The method was linear and reproducible over the range of 100-1000 ng/mL. This method was applied to analyze the above chemicals and metabolites following their combined administration in rats.
Bond-orientational order in Langmuir-Blodgett surfactant monolayers

Des monocouches de stearate de cadmium ont ete preparees selon la methode de Langmuir-Blodgett. Un ordre orientationnel des liaisons des molecules de tensioactif a ete mis en evidence. Les correlations orientationnelles des liaisons s'etendent sur des distances macroscopiques (∼1 mm), alors que les correlations translationnelles decroissent sur une longueur de dizaines d'angstroms. L'axe des molecules est incline par rapport a la normale a la surface mais la direction de l'inclinaison est aleatoire. Nos mesures de diffraction electronique suggerent une agregation des chaines aliphatiques au sein de la monocouche
Peripheral Intravenous (PIV) Catheter Extravasation Wound Care Guidelines

In the hospitalized neonatal patient with a PIV catheter extravasation, what is the best practice for managing extravasation wounds to minimize tissue damage and optimize wound healing?
Convergence analysis of a parallel newton scheme for dynamic power grid simulations

We analyze the convergence properties of a parallel Newton scheme for differential systems. The scheme concurrently solves the time-coupled nonlinear systems arising from the application of implicit discretization schemes. We have found that the scheme acts as a tracking algorithm that converges to a moving manifold given by the solution of the nonlinear system at the current time step parameterized in the iterating solution of the previous step. This property explains why the method can significantly reduce the number of iterations compared with the sequential Newton method that marches forward in time. The method exhibits a theoretical lower bound on the number of iterations equal to the number of discretization points. A numerical study using a detailed dynamic power grid model is provided to demonstrate the scalability of the method.
Pitch of iterated rippled noise

Iterated rippled noise (IRN) stimuli are generated by a cascade of delay (d), gain (g), and add networks. The matched pitch of IRN stimuli was determined as a function of the type of network used to generate IRN stimuli, the delay (d=2, 4, and 8 ms), the number of iterations (n=1,2,3,4,6,8) of the delay and add networks, and whether the delayed noise was added (g=1) to or subtracted (g=−1) from the undelayed noise. The matched pitch of IRN stimuli did not depend on the type of network. When g=1 (addition), the matched pitch did not depend on the number of stages of iterations (n) and was always equal to the reciprocal of the delay (1/d). When g=−1 (subtraction), the match pitch depended on n. When n=1, the matched pitch of IRN stimuli was ambiguous having two pitches in the region of 1/d±10%. When n=8, the match pitch was equal to 1/2d. This change in the pitch occurred between n=2 and 6. The results are discussed in terms of spectral and temporal models of complex pitch processing. A temporal model based on autocorrelation was able to provide quantitative predictions for the pitch of these IRN stimuli. However, a spectral type of model can also account for the pitch of these IRN stimuli.
Priming and extending: a UbcH5/Cdc34 E2 handoff mechanism for polyubiquitination on a SCF substrate.

Summary We describe a mechanistic model of polyubiquitination by the SCF βTrCP2 E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase using human IκBα as a substrate. Biochemical reconstitution experiments revealed that the polyubiquitination of IκBα began with the action of the UbcH5 E2 Ub-conjugating enzyme, transferring a single Ub to IκBα K21/K22 rapidly and efficiently. Subsequently, the Cdc34 E2 functioned in the formation of polyubiquitin chains. It was determined that a Ub fused at IκBα K21 acts as a receptor, directing Cdc34 for rapid and efficient K48-linked Ub chain synthesis that depends on SCF βTrCP2 and the substrate's N terminus. The IκBα-linked fusion Ub appears to mediate direct contacts with Cdc34 and the SCF's RING subcomplex. Taken together, these results suggest a role for the multifaceted interactions between the IκBα K21/K22-linked receptor Ub, the SCF's RING complex, and Cdc34∼S∼Ub in establishing the optimal orientation of the receptor Ub to drive conjugation.
Trends in Colorectal Cancer Screening Disparities in People Aged 50–64 Years, 2000–2005

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are low, and racial, ethnic, and economic disparities have been reported. Whether disparities in CRC screening have decreased over time is unknown. This study aimed to determine whether progress was made between 2000 and 2005 in reducing CRC screening disparities by race, ethnicity, income, and insurance status. Methods Age-adjusted percentages of participants aged 50–64 who reported CRC screening (home fecal occult blood test in the past year or endoscopy in the past 10 years) were estimated from the 2000 (n=6020 participants) and 2005 (n=6706) cancer control supplements of the National Health Interview Survey, with analysis in 2007. Results Screening rates did not increase between 2000 and 2005 for Hispanic women or uninsured women. Only for high-income participants did screening exceed 50%. For both men and women, the uninsured had the lowest levels of screening (19.1% and 19.3%, respectively, in 2005), and the greatest disparities were observed among groups defined by health insurance status. For women, disparities by ethnicity, income, and insurance status increased over time, whereas among men, disparities in 2005 were similar to those in 2000. For Hispanic women, growing disparities were present at all income and insurance levels and persisted after additional adjustment. Conclusions No progress was made in reducing most CRC screening disparities between 2000 and 2005. Methods are needed to increase CRC screening among everyone, but in particular Hispanic women and uninsured men and women.
Quality Control Methods for IBM Computer Manuals

This paper summarizes the quality-control methods that the author has used or seen used at five IBM locations that publish various documents. The methods are editing, lead-writer review, peer review, self-review, technical-owner review, reviews by people with special skills, testing, walkthroughs, design review, checklists, mechanical reviews, and user feedback. The author gives his opinions about the advantages and limitations of each method.