cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulatory volume decrease in Trypanosoma cruzi involves amino acid efflux and changes in intracellular calcium.

A regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in response to hyposmotic stress has been characterized in different life-cycle stages of Trypanosoma cruzi. Hyposmotic stress initially caused swelling, but this was rapidly reversed by a compensatory volume reversal that was essentially complete by 5 min. Volume recovery was associated with an amino acid efflux that accounted for approximately 50% of the regulatory volume decrease in all three life-cycle stages. The amino acid efflux was selective for neutral and anionic amino acids, but excluded cationic amino acids. Acidocalcisomes contained an amino acid pool over four times more concentrated than whole-cell levels, but about 90% of this was composed of Arg and Lys, so involvement of this pool in amino acid efflux was ruled out. Hyposmotic stress induced a rise in intracellular calcium that was dependent on influx of calcium across the plasma membrane, since chelation of extracellular calcium abolished the response. Influx of calcium was confirmed by demonstration of manganese-mediated quenching of intracellular fura-2 fluorescence and partial inhibition of the rise in calcium by calcium channel blockers. Manipulation of intra- and extracellular calcium levels had minor effects on the initial rate of amino acid efflux and no effect on the rate of volume recovery.
MNE home country cultural norms and conflict strategy fit in transnational business contract disputes

Abstract The increasing frequency and complexity of transnational business relationships has been commensurate with an increase in contractual disputes. In such situations, home country cultural norms will often influence how MNEs resolve contractual disputes in foreign markets. This begs the question: does fit between an MNE's choice of conflict strategy and its home country cultural norms affect monetary payouts (costs) in transnational business contract disputes? We apply organizational imprinting theory and the fit paradigm to a model employing data from U.S. court cases involving 316 MNEs from 47 countries. We find that choosing a conflict strategy that fits home country cultural norms will result in higher monetary payouts for MNEs. Additionally, cultural distance, but not legal distance, enhances the positive relationship between MNE conflict strategy fit and monetary payouts. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Energy and temperature dependence of relaxation time and Wiedemann-Franz law on PbTe

Recent revival of interest in high-temperature $(T)$ thermoelectrics has made it necessary to understand in detail the $T$ dependence of different transport coefficients, and different processes contributing to this temperature dependence. Since PbTe is a well-studied prototypical high-temperature thermoelectric, we have carried out theoretical studies to analyze how different physical sources contribute to electronic transport coefficients in this system over a wide $T$ and concentration $(n)$ range; $300\text{ }\text{K}lTl900\text{ }\text{K}$ and $1ln/{n}_{o}l10$, where ${n}_{o}={10}^{19}\text{ }{\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$, extending earlier works on this problem. We have used Boltzmann equation within energy-dependent relaxation time approximations. Although the $T$ dependence of the electrical conductivity $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ comes from several sources (band structure parameters, chemical potential $\ensuremath{\mu}$, relaxation time $\ensuremath{\tau}$), we find that the $T$ dependence of $\ensuremath{\tau}$ dominates. We fit the $T$ and the energy $(\ensuremath{\epsilon})$ dependence of the total relaxation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{tot}$ by a simple function $\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\sim}a{T}^{\ensuremath{-}p}/(b+c{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{r})$, where $a$, $b$, $c$, $p$, and $r$ are $T$ and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ independent parameters but depend on $n$. Using this function, we find that for concentration range of interest, changing $r$ which governs the energy dependence of scattering does not appreciably affect the $T$ dependence of $\ensuremath{\sigma}$. Electronic thermal conductivities both at constant current $J$ and constant electric field $E$ were calculated using this $\ensuremath{\tau}$ to reexamine the validity of Wiedemann-Franz (WF) law in PbTe, extending the earlier work of Bhandari and Rowe to higher temperatures. We find that using standard WF law to obtain the electronic contribution of the thermal conductivity $({\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{el})$ usually overestimates this contribution by more than $0.5\text{ }{\text{WK}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\text{ }{\text{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Therefore the value of the lattice thermal conductivity obtained by subtracting this ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{el}$ from the total thermal conductivity is underestimated roughly by the same amount.
Psychological Climate and Work Attitudes: The Importance of Telling the Right Story

In this field study, the authors explore how choosing one context over another influences both research results and implications. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, the authors examine context from both an organizational and a business-unit perspective by studying relationships between five psychological climate variables and outcomes of job satisfaction, affective commitment, and intent to leave. Results show different contextual influences between the organization and two business units, suggesting that different bundles of psychological climate variables yield similar outcomes depending on the context studied. These results bolster the contention that researchers need to identify the right context in field research.
Skin-Resident T Cells: The Ups and Downs of On Site Immunity

The cutaneous surface of a normal adult individual contains approximately 20 billion T cells, nearly twice the number present in the entire circulation. Recent studies have shown a role for these cells in both normal immunity and in inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis. Regulatory T cells protect against autoimmune reactions to self antigens and assist in the resolution of cutaneous inflammation. However, they can also shield tumors from immune detection, allow latent infections to persist and can dysfunction under the conditions present in inflammatory skin diseases. Th17 T cells protect organisms against extracellular pathogens but also have a key role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Evidence suggests that effector memory T cells produced during immune reactions survive and persist long term within the skin, providing local and rapid protection against pathogen reexposure. This review summarizes the current understanding of how skin-resident T cells contribute to normal and aberrant immunity in the skin.
Synaptic interrelationships between the optic tectum and the ipsilateral nucleus isthmi in Rana pipiens.

The nucleus isthmi is reciprocally connected to the ipsilateral optic tectum. Ablation of the nucleus isthmi compromises visually guided behavior that is mediated by the tectum. In this paper, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) histochemistry and electron microscopy were used to explore the synaptic interrelationships between the optic tectum and the ipsilateral nucleus isthmi. After localized injections of HRP into the optic tectum, there are retrogradely labeled isthmotectal neurons and orthogradely labeled fibers and terminals in the ipsilateral nucleus isthmi. These terminals contain round. Clear vesicles of medium diameter (40–52 nm). These terminals make synaptic contact with dendrites of nucleus isthmi cells. Almost half of these postsynaptic dendrites are retrogradely labeled, indicating that there are monosynaptic tectoisthmotectal connections. Localized HRP injection into the nucleus isthmi labels terminals primarily in tectal layers B, E, F, and 8. The terminals contain medium-sized clear vesicles and they form synaptic contacts with tectal dendrites. There are no instances of labeled isthmotectal terminals contacting labeled dendrites. Retrogradely labeled tectoisthmal neurons are contacted by unlabeled terminals containing medium-sized and small clear vesicles. Fifty-four percent of the labeled fibers connecting the nucleus isthmi and ipsilateral tectum are myelinated fibers (average diameter approximately 0.6 μm). The remainder are unmyelinated fibers (average diameter approximately 0.4 μm). © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Science, policy, and trends of metals risk assessment at EPA: How understanding metals bioavailability has changed metals risk assessment at US EPA

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Office of Water have made significant changes in the approaches taken to assessing metals in the aquatic environment. Over the last 20 years, the Office of Water has progressed through a variety of metals assessment tools from total recoverable metal to the biotic ligand model. These changes were initially driven by the recognition that the total metals criteria were out of date and that emerging science would make it possible to address bioavailability more thoroughly. More recent drivers are expectations that the agency ensure the criteria are protective of endangered species and that the agency can bring the best available science to conducting total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for waters not meeting uses because of metal contamination. Changes have included: moving from total recoverable metals concentration to dissolved metals and the development of dissolved metal to total metal translator guidance, the development of water effect ratios (WERs) guidance, and most recently incorporation of the biotic ligand model (BLM) into criteria derivation for aquatic life protection (USEPA, 2007a. Aquatic Life Ambient Freshwater Quality Criteria-Copper 2007 Revision. EPA-822-R-07-001. http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/criteria/copper/index.htm.). On March 8, 2007, the agency published its Framework for Metals Risk Assessment (USEPA, 2007b. Framework for Metals Risk Assessment. EPA 120/R-07/001. http://www.epa.gov/osa/metalsframework.) discussing the state of the science for the persistent bioaccumulative, and toxic nature of metals and the considerations of this science that will impact many programs. This paper provides a brief insight to these agency activities.
Oxygen Isotope Ratios in Fresh-Water Limestones as Sensitive Paleoclimatic Temperature Indicators: ABSTRACT

Oxygen-18/Oxygen-16 ratios of marine limestones and calcareous organisms have been widely applied to the determination of water temperatures of ancient oceans after the technique was developed by Urey et al. The use of the carbonate paleogeothermometer has not been extended much past the Cretaceous because of uncertainties in the oxygen isotopic composition of pre-Cretaceous seawater and because of the possibility of isotopic exchange between marine carbonates and isotopically lighter intrastratal fluids. Freshwater limestones and fossils have not been used for paleotemperature determinations because of the great variation in the O18O16 ratio of the water in which these carbonates were precipitated. Such variations arise from differences in latitutde and altitude at which meteoric precipitation of water took place, the origin and history of the air mass, and the extent of evaporation of stream and lake water. Duplicate isotopic analyses of 157 proven fresh-water limestones of Devonian to Quaternary age which were formed in large bodies of water, excluding saline lakes, and which show no signs of isotopic alteration, suggest that the variation is random and that a large number of samples may provide a mean ^dgrO18 value which is temperature dependent. Me n ^dgrO18 values are: Devonian (-8.57), Pennsylvanian (-5.25), Permian (-4.36), Triassic (-5.12), Jurassic (-8.52), Cretaceous (-10.22), Tertiary (-9.65), Quaternary (-8.15), in permil, relative to the Chicago PDB standard. The results form a regular sinusoidal curve with O18/O16 maxima in the colder periods of Permo-Caboniferous and Quaternary glaciation, and a minimum for the Cretaceous. Large bodies of fresh water, because of a greater response to worldwide temperature fluctuations than the oceans, form limestones whose isotopic composition may yield significant paleoclimatic information in the form of relative climatic temperatures. End_of_Article - Last_Page 551------------
Giant axonal neuropathy: studies with sulfhydryl donor compounds

Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is a disorder characterized pathologically by distal neurofilament-filled bulbous swellings in axons, and widespread collection of intermediate filaments, including masses of vimentin filaments in cultured skin fibroblasts. A morphologically similar neurofibrillary disorder is produced by acrylamide and the toxic hexacarbons, agents which bind to thiol groups. We report, in GAN fibroblasts, inhibition of vimentin filament aggregation by dithiothreitol and penicillamine, sulfhydryl donor compounds which stabilize thiols. In addition, we describe clinical improvement in a GAN patient treated with penicillamine, despite earlier progressive disease. These findings support the hypothesis of disordered thiol metabolism in GAN, and open up avenues for further research.
Opiate binding sites in the cellular immune system: expression and regulation

The direct actions of opiates on the mammalian immune system depend on the existence of ligand binding sites either on the surface of the affected cell or in the interior of the cell. With the cloning of various opiate receptors from neuronal tissue, numerous researchers have screened leukocyte cDNA libraries for the expression of these receptors with some positive results. However, the pattern of expression of neuronal opiate receptors in the cellular immune system does not completely explain the biological action of opiates there. Several possibilities could account for this non-congruence including differential expression of the receptors as determined by such factors as cell population or prior history of the cells; the existence of sequence modified versions of the neuronal receptors such that the amplification methods miss their presence; or the opiates act by a different, non-receptor mechanism in the cellular immune system.
Cocaine antagonizes anxiolytic effects of ethanol

A Geller-Seifter paradigm for discerning anxiolytic and ataxic effects of drugs was used to study the interactions between low doses of ethanol and cocaine. Ethanol produced significant anxiolytic and ataxic effects at a dose of 1 g/kg. Cocaine at a dose as low as 10 mg/kg markedly antagonized the anxiolytic effect of ethanol, but simultaneously augmented ethanol's ataxic effects, as measured by response rates during a random-interval schedule. These results indicate that ethanol may interact to a significant degree with brain aminergic systems and that, contrary to popular dogma, stimulants may reverse some components of ethanol intoxication, but increase ethanol's debilitating motor effects.
Oswald T. Avery: the wizard of York Avenue

For most young molecular biologists, the history of their subject is divided into two epochs; the last two years and everything else before that. The present and the recent past are perceived in sharp detail but the rest is swathed in a legendary mist where Crick, Watson, Mendel, Darwin—perhaps even Aristotle— coexist as uneasy contemporaries. It would not surprise me to find that most graduate students have not heard of Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty or of their discovery that the transforming principle of the pneumococcus was DNA. The general ignorance of our times might easily consign this book, with the wonderful title, The Transforming Principle, to the “Religion and Occult” section of a bookshop, as once I found Levi-Strauss’s The Raw and the Cooked under “Recipes.”
Substrate specificity of hog plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme

Abstract The substrate specificity of hog plasma converting enzyme which was free of a second dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase activity was studied by employing a number of peptide analogues related to the C-terminus of the decapeptide substrate, angiotensin I. Tripeptides, even when related to angiotensin I such as Phe-His-Leu, are not substrates. N-terminal-blocked tripeptides and a tetrapeptide, Pro-Phe-His-Leu, are fair to good substrates at high substrate concentrations. Five substrates, the tripeptide to the heptapeptide, derived from the C-terminus of angiotensin I were studied in detail. The Michaelis-Menten constants and maximum velocities were measured. The second-order rate constants which are proportional to the percentage rate of hydrolysis of the substrate when [S] ⪡ Km were tabulated for the enzyme reaction. There is little specificity in V. However, there is specificity in Km but it develops slowly as the length of the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide increases from the C-terminus and approaches angiotensin I.
On Efficient Exact Maximum Likelihood Estimation of High-Order ARMA Models

The evaluation of the exact likelihood function of an autoregressive moving average (ARMA) process via Kalman filtering requires the specification of the unconditional covariance matrix of the state vector. Gardner et al. (1980) suggest a derivation which is widely used in empirical work. It involves finding the solution to a Lyapunov-type equation and amounts to solving a system of linear equations. Depending on the order of the ARMA model, the number of unknowns in this system can be rather large, since it corresponds to the number of unique elements in the unconditional state covariance matrix. An alternative algorithm for constructing the covariance matrix for univariate models which considers the specific structure of the state vector is given in Jones (1980). Using a state space representation that is different from the one in Gardner et al. and commonly used in the systems literature,1 Melard (1984) and Shea (1987) apply the Chandrasekhar version of the Kalman filter (see Morf et al., 1974) to compute the exact likelihood of ARMA models. This approach is computationally more efficient and requires only the first block column of the state covariance matrix rather than the full matrix. The Chandrasekhar algorithm is, however, not applicable in exact maximum likelihood procedures designed for missing-data situations as suggested by Ansley and Kohn (1983), for example.
Bioinformatics analysis of immune response to group A streptococcal sepsis integrating quantitative trait loci mapping with genome-wide expression studies

Individuals infected with genetically identical group Astreptococcal (GAS) strains develop starkly different dis-ease progression and outcome [1]. We reported that HLAclass II allelic variation contributes to differences in sys-temic disease severity by modulating host responses tostreptococcal superantigens [2]. Inasmuch as the bacteriaproduce additional virulence factors, we sought to iden-tify additional host gene networks modulating GAS sep-sis. Accordingly, we used two parallel approaches todefine these gene networks, quantitative trait loci (QTL)mapping and genome-wide transcriptome analyses. Tomap QTLs modulating response to severe GAS sepsis, weused advanced recombinant inbred (ARI) strains, whichare genetically diverse strains that have common ancestralparents [3]. We chose to use BXD strains of ARI mice, asparental strains C57Bl/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2) show dif-ferential response to GAS sepsis and BXD strains are heav-ily genotyped at 13377 SNPs and microsatellite markers.BXD strains, derived from B6 and D2 parental strains, arehomozygous inbred lines, each of which is genetically dis-tinct. Using 30 different BXD strains (n = 5–26 mice perstrain), we identified significant QTLs on chromosome 2that strongly modulate disease severity [4]. To narrowdown these mapped QTLs, we applied bioinformaticstools including: linkage, interval specific haplotype analy-ses, and gene ontology and we identified multiple candi-date gene networks modulating immune response tosepsis.As a parallel approach, we performed genome-wide tran-scriptome analyses comparing resistant and susceptiblestrains. This comparison revealed 93 genes that were dif-ferentially regulated in mice spleens 36 h post-infection.These genes belonged to gene networks involvingimmune response to sepsis; particularly notable exampleswere prostaglandin (Ptges) and interleukin1 (IL-1) familypathways. Quantitative expression analyses, using realtime PCR, of prostaglandin E synthase (
The ethics of scientific communication under uncertainty

Communication by scientists with policy makers and attentive publics raises ethical issues. Scientists need to decide how to communicate knowledge effectively in a way that nonscientists can unders...
Effective waveform recorder evaluation procedures

The author describes a waveform-recorder evaluation system which is controlled by a Microvax II with instrumentation control through the IEEE-488 bus. Evaluation procedures are described with attention to the 'pathological cases' that can lead to significant misestimates of a digitizer's performance. The aim of these evaluation procedures is consistency with the new Trial Waveform Digitizer Standard generated by the Waveform Measurements and Analysis Committee appointed by the Instrumentation and Measurement Society of the IEEE. Methods are discussed for measuring the effective-bits performance of a waveform digitizer and determining differential nonlinearity. >
Basic Skills Programming at California Success Centers

While students at both four-year institutions and community colleges enroll in remedial coursework, policymakers look to community colleges to be the main, if not sole, providers of basic skills education. Policy makers argue that community colleges are the most cost-efficient and appropriate places to provide this instruction (Bettinger & Long, 2005). As states continue to move towards concentrating basic skills courses in their community college systems, the number of community college students who will require at least some remediation is expected to increase (Moss & Yeaton, 2006). Research on community college students indicates that low-income, Latino, Native American, African American, and undocumented students lag behind their White, Asian, and more affluent peers in entering, persisting, and completing many community college programs (Dougherty & Keinzl, 2006; Horn & Nevill, 2006; Leinbach & Bailey, 2006). As a result, basic skills education in such states as California is especially important for...
Double barrier option under regime-switching exponential mean-reverting process

In this paper, we study a double barrier option when the underlying asset price follows a regime-switching exponential mean-reverting process. Our method is a combination of analysis of a deterministic boundary value problem with a probabilistic approach. In this setting, the double barrier option prices satisfy a system of m linear second-order differential equations with variable coefficients and with Dirichlet boundary conditions, where m is the number of regimes considered for the economy. We prove the existence of a smooth solution of the boundary value system by the method of upper and lower solutions; we proceed to construct monotonic sequences of upper and lower solutions that converge to true solutions, respectively. The uniqueness of the solution is established by applying Dynkin's formula. This proof by construction also provides a numerical procedure to compute approximate option values. An important feature of the proposed numerical method is that the true option values are bracketed by the upper and the lower solutions. Examples are provided to illustrate the method.
Whose Civil Society?: The Politicization of Religion in Transitional Cuba

For decades, the United States has supported the development of civil society in various places around the world. Promoted as integral to democracy, civil society projects have come to include religion and religious freedom as significant components. U.S. experts point to tolerance of all faiths and the presence of voluntary religious association as essential checks to state power and necessary to a free society. Because of its unique relationship with Cuba, the United States support of civil society there has addressed religion in a way unlike that in other countries. This article examines very recent developments there, placing them in larger social and historical context of politics and church/state relations.
PAC-Bayesian learning with asymmetric cost (June 2011)

PAC-Bayes generalization bounds offer a theoretical foundation for learning classifiers with low generalization error and predicting their performance on unseen data. Current formulations implicitly assume that the relative cost of misclassifying a positive or negative example is reflected by the class skew in the training dataset. We present a learning approach based on minimizing an asymmetric generalization bound that enables PAC-Bayesian model selection under a class-specific performance constraint.
Axial imaging necessitates loss of lateral shift invariance: proof with the Wigner analysis

We present a proof of the conjecture reported in Stein and Barbastathis [“Axial imaging necessitates loss of lateral shift invariance,” Appl. Opt.41, 6055-6061 (2002)APOPAI0003-693510.1364/AO.41.006055] that axial imaging necessitates loss of lateral shift invariance. We apply the Wigner distribution function (WDF) to the axial imaging process and compare laterally shift variant and invariant imaging systems. Two conditions for axial imaging are established: (i) objects with spatially variant local spatial frequency content to create sufficient change in the WDF with defocus and (ii) properly designed shift variant imaging kernels to estimate the slope of the sheared WDF. The lateral shift variance is a necessary condition for axial imaging. We use two examples from Stein and Barbastathis to show how axial imaging is interpreted in Wigner space.
Dynamics of Barotropic Storm Tracks

Longitudinal variations in the upper-tropospheric time-mean flow strongly modulate the structure and amplitude of upper-tropospheric eddies. This barotropic modulation is studied using simple models of wave propagation through zonally varying basic states that consist of contours separating regions of uniform barotropic potential vorticity. Such basic states represent in a simple manner the potential vorticity distribution in the upper troposphere. Predictions of the effect of basic-state zonal variations on the amplitude and spatial structure of eddies and their associated particle displacements are made using conservation of wave action or, equivalently, the linearized ‘‘pseudoenergy’’ wave activity. The predictions are confirmed using WKB theory and linear numerical calculations. The interaction of finite-amplitude disturbances with the basic flow is also analyzed numerically using nonlinear contour-dynamical simulations. It is found that breaking nonlinear contour waves undergo irreversible amplitude attenuation, scale lengthening, and frequency lowering upon passing through a region of weak basic-state flow.
T1 - AUV Technology and Application Basics

AUV Application Basics is a short course that provides an overview of current AUV technologies and operations. The objective is to establish a basic understanding of what currently available AUV systems can provide and best practices in use. The class is targeted at scientists interested in using AUVs for oceanographic applications. The attendee will gain basic understanding of AUV types, technologies, terminology, and navigation techniques, including discussion of the comparative strengths of AUVs and alternative methods of data collection. The attendee will also be provided an understanding of tradeoffs in AUV operations, including power estimation, endurance considerations, and mission structure to acquire the desired data sets. Key points are illustrated by applications and results from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's (MBARI) Dorado AUV and other AUV operations. Topics include: Basic AUV technology, AUV at-sea Operation, Payload Considerations, Mission Planning, Upper and Mid-Water AUV missions, Benthic and Mapping AUV missions, Data Collection and Reduction, AUV Integration into Sampling Networks, and a look at coming AUV advances. The interactive format, using the materials provided, allows the attendee discussion time for relevance and demonstration purposes regarding real or potential AUV plans.
A role for spleen monocytes in post-ischemic brain inflammation and injury

Although infiltration of peripheral monocytes/macrophages is implicated in stroke pathology, in vivo data regarding the deployment of monocytes and their mobilization to the infarct area is scarce. Recent literature showed that mouse monocytes exhibit two distinct populations that represent pro-inflammatory (Ly-6Chi/CCR2+) and anti-inflammatory (Ly-6Clow/CCR2-) subsets and that spleen is a major source for monocyte deployment upon injury. By reducing post-ischemic infection with antibacterial moxifloxacin (MFX) treatment, the present study investigates the effect of the treatment on Ly-6C and CCR2 expression in the spleen following ischemia and the extent to which the effect is associated with attenuation of post-ischemic inflammation and injury. Mice subjected to a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) showed a significant reduction in their spleen weights compared to sham animals. Compared to vehicle controls, splenocytes obtained from daily MFX-treated mice 7 days after ischemia exhibited significantly reduced mean Ly-6C expression within pro-inflammatory subsets, whereas the distribution of pro- and anti-inflammatory subsets was not different between the treatment groups. Additionally, MFX treatment significantly reduced CCR2 expression in the spleen tissue and in the post-ischemic brain and attenuated infarct size. The study suggests a potential contributing role of spleen monocytes in post-ischemic inflammation and injury. The influence of peripheral inflammatory status on the primary injury in the CNS further implies that the attenuation of post-stroke infection may be beneficial in mitigating stroke-induced brain injury.
The effect of dietary iron intake on the development of iron overload among homozygotes for haemochromatosis.

ObjectiveTo quantify the role of dietary Fe in total body Fe (TBI) accumulation among homozygotes for the HFE gene associated with haemochromatosis.DesignA Monte Carlo model was built to simulate Fe accumulation based on findings from human feeding experiments and national dietary surveys. A hypothetical cohort of 1000 homozygotes with starting age 25 years was used in 39-year simulations. The impact of reducing dietary Fe intake on Fe accumulation was tested.ResultsIn the baseline model without any dietary intervention, by age 64, the percentage of males with TBI > 10 g, >15 g and >20 g was 93·2 %, 49·6 % and 14·7 %, respectively. When the Fe intake of individuals in the cohort was reduced to ≤200 % of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA), the corresponding percentages were 92·0 %, 40·5 % and 10·2 %, respectively. The corresponding figures were 91·0 %, 40·0 % and 9·3 % for Fe defortification and 70·3 %, 21·3 % and 4·1 % when Fe intake was capped at 100 % RDA. Similar trends were seen with sexes combined, although the impact of interventions was less. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the rate of Fe accumulation and the impact of dietary interventions are highly dependent on assumptions concerning Fe absorption rates.ConclusionsVariation in Fe intake as currently observed in the USA contributes to variation in Fe accumulation among homozygotes, when continued over an extended period. Lifelong dietary habits and national fortification policy can affect the rate of Fe accumulation, although the magnitude of the effect varies by gender, the TBI level of interest and factors affecting the Fe absorption rate.
Zinc-Reversible Antimicrobial Activity of Recombinant Calprotectin (Migration Inhibitory Factor—Related Proteins 8 and 14)

Recombinant calprotectin, consisting of 2 individual peptide chains also called migration inhibitory factor-related protein (MRP)-8 and MRP14, was tested for antimicrobial activity in a Candida albicans growth inhibition assay. Both chains contain HEXXH zinc-binding sites and might be expected to manifest zinc-reversible, antimicrobial activity similar to that of native calprotectin. When tested alone, neither MRP8 nor MRP14 showed activity in the Candida growth assay. A synthetic 20-amino acid peptide containing the HEXXH sequence of MRP14, along with a nearby HHH sequence, was also inactive in this assay. However, equimolar concentrations of MRP8 and MRP14 demonstrated a potent growth inhibitory effect that was reversible by 30 microM zinc. Truncated MRP14 (missing the C-terminal GHHHKPGLGEGTP tail) used in combination with MRP8 demonstrated zinc-reversible activity that was somewhat less than that with complete MRP14. These results suggest that intact calprotectin, consisting of a heterodimer of MRP8 and MRP14, is necessary to form a zinc-binding site capable of inhibiting microbial growth.
Medication nonadherence is associated with a broad range of adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background Little is known about the effect of nonadherence among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) on a broad spectrum of outcomes including cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular hospitalizations, and revascularization procedures. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 15 767 patients with CAD. Medication adherence was calculated as proportion of days covered for filled prescriptions of β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and statin medications. Multivariable Cox regression assessed the association between medication nonadherence as a time-varying covariate and a broad range of outcomes, adjusting for demographics and clinical characteristics. Median follow-up was 4.1 years. Results Rates of medication nonadherence were 28.8% for β-blockers, 21.6% for ACE inhibitors, and 26.0% for statins. In unadjusted analysis, nonadherence to each class of medication was associated with higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. In multivariable analysis, nonadherence remained significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality risk for β-blockers (hazard ratio [HR] 1.50, 95% CI 1.33-1.71), ACE inhibitors (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.52-1.98), and statins (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.63-2.09). In addition, nonadherence remained significantly associated with higher risk of cardiovascular mortality for β-blockers (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.16-2.01), ACE inhibitors (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.26-2.20), and statins (HR 1.62, 95% CI 1.124-2.13). The findings of increased risk associated with nonadherence were consistent for cardiovascular hospitalization and revascularization procedures. Conclusions Nonadherence to cardioprotective medications is common in clinical practice and associated with a broad range of adverse outcomes. These findings suggest that medication nonadherence should be a target for quality improvement interventions to maximize the outcomes of patients with CAD.
Parameterized memory models and concurrent separation logic

In this paper, we formalize relaxed memory models by giving a parameterized operational semantics to a concurrent programming language. Behaviors of a program under a relaxed memory model are defined as behaviors of a set of related programs under the sequentially consistent model. This semantics is parameterized in the sense that different memory models can be obtained by using different relations between programs. We present one particular relation that is weaker than many memory models and accounts for the majority of sequential optimizations. We then show that the derived semantics has the DRF-guarantee, using a notion of race-freedom captured by an operational grainless semantics. Our grainless semantics bridges concurrent separation logic (CSL) and relaxed memory models naturally, which allows us to finally prove the folklore theorem that CSL is sound with relaxed memory models.
Insurance Coverage and Access to HIV Testing and Treatment: Considerations for Individuals at Risk for Infection and for Those with Undiagnosed Infection

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that of the approximately 1.2 million people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the United States, approximately 500,000 are not receiving care for their disease, including approximately 250,000 who do not know they are HIV positive. Although little is known about these 2 subgroups of HIV-infected people, they are likely to be reflective of the larger population of people with HIV infection; that is, they are predominantly racial minorities, more likely to be unemployed and/or poor, and much more likely to be uninsured or dependent on public insurance programs such as Medicaid, compared with the US population overall. In addition, many persons receive a diagnosis of HIV infection late during the course of the disease, and those who are difficult to reach are less likely to receive standard-of-care antiretroviral therapy. New testing initiatives attempting to diagnose infection in persons who do not know their HIV infection status have raised important questions about the funding and program capacity of the current system to handle new patients. Given these challenges and questions, measuring the success of new testing initiatives will be critical but difficult.
Nano-Mechanics of Perfluoropolyether Films: Compression Versus Tension

As the head-disk spacing decreases, the contact mechanics between the head and disk becomes one of the critical issues for the head-disk tribology integration. In this paper, molecular dynamics (MD) is employed to simulate the nano-mechanics (i.e., "compression" and "tension") of confined molecularly thin perfluoropolyether (PFPE) films to examine the contact tribology fundamentals. For the "compression" process, functional PFPE demonstrates slightly higher clearance than nonfunctional PFPE; while during the "tension" process, an apparent fluid bridge was observed for functional PFPE. The normal stress profiles were calculated for both "compression" and "tension" processes, where the hysteresis phenomenon indicates the irreversible nature of functional PFPE nano-mechanics. N-modes Maxwell model was then further introduced to analyze the nano-mechanics relaxation process, suggesting that a second relaxation mode in the two-mode Maxwell model was induced by functional endgroups.
Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is Associated with Markers of Insulin Resistance in Young, Normal Weight, Hispanic Women

Abstract Background: Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and its decline over time are predictors of the development of diabetes in black and Caucasian women, independent of obesity. It is unclear, however, if the adverse effect of low CRF on the risk of diabetes in Hispanic women is mediated by obesity. Our purpose was to determine the associations of CRF with markers of insulin resistance in 68 normal weight Hispanic women. Methods: Obesity indicators included body mass index (BMI), body composition by DXA, and waist circumference. CRF was measured by indirect calorimetry. A glucose tolerance test was used to measure markers of insulin resistance: homeostasis model assessment, fasting insulin, 2-hr insulin, area under the curve insulin, qualitative insulin sensitivity check, and insulin sensitivity index. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to identify associations between CRF and markers of insulin resistance. Multivariate ANOVA was used to compare markers of insulin resistan...
Full Wavefield Inversion of Time-Lapse Data for Improved Imaging and Reservoir Characterization

Summary We apply full wavefield inversion (FWI) to determine from time-lapse data the changes in the subsurface due to production. It is well recognized that a significant velocity change between the baseline and monitor survey introduces a time shift in the seismic data. Current practices are to apply time-shift analysis or to perform time-shift inversion to interpret such changes. These changes can be large enough that the background velocity model needs to be updated between the base and the monitor survey. Ideally if the velocity models can be estimated for both the base and monitor surveys, then these large changes can be interpreted. The FWI framework is ideally suited to accomplish this task. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate this concept and its impact on imaging timelapse data. A synthetic 2D example is used to demonstrate the solution to this problem.
Ballistic InAs nanowire transistors.

Ballistic transport of electrons at room temperature in top-gated InAs nanowire (NW) transistors is experimentally observed and theoretically examined. From length dependent studies, the low-field mean free path is directly extracted as ∼150 nm. The mean free path is found to be independent of temperature due to the dominant role of surface roughness scattering. The mean free path was also theoretically assessed by a method that combines Fermi’s golden rule and a numerical Schrodinger–Poisson simulation to determine the surface scattering potential with the theoretical calculations being consistent with experiments. Near ballistic transport (∼80% of the ballistic limit) is demonstrated experimentally for transistors with a channel length of ∼60 nm, owing to the long mean free path of electrons in InAs NWs.
Estimating the distribution function of symmetric pairs

We discuss three classes of bivariate symmetry models and study the estimation of their distribution functions (DFs). Under radial symmetry, an estimator based on the mean of the empirical and surv...
How to Run a Quiz: A Provably Fair Algorithm

The question of fairness in a quiz contest has often been raised. How should questions in a quiz contest be assigned? Two common ways of conducting a quiz are: one, Infinite bounce; and two, Pounce. Both these methods are biased. In this paper, we demonstrate a simple method to conduct a quiz fairly - Random Assignment. Random Assignment is provably fair. Decision making for the quiz master is simplified by means of Random Assignment. The quiz master needs to only use one app (i.e. "computer application") for the entire quiz in order to conduct it.
Millimeter-scale computing platform for next generation of Internet of Things

The internet of things has enabled the communication of "smart" physical objects and improved the quality of machine service to humans. These achievements are based on the synergy of processing information collected by different sources. This trend will continue with the next class of computing platforms enabled by millimeter-scale sensors, diversifying the signal sources including biomedical, climate and surveillance targets. The key challenge of such systems is to achieve small die size, ultra-low power consumption, sufficient communication distance with the limited antenna size and accurate system duty-cycling.
Global analysis of gene expression by differential display

Differential display (DD) is one of the most commonly used approaches for identifying differentially expressed genes. However, there has been lack of an accurate guidance on how many DD polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer combinations are needed to display most of the genes expressed in a eukaryotic cell. This study critically evaluated the gene coverage by DD as a function of the number of arbitrary primers, the number of 3′ bases of an arbitrary primer required to completely match an mRNA target sequence, the additional 5′ base match(s) of arbitrary primers in first-strand cDNA recognition, and the length of mRNA tails being analyzed. The resulting new DD mathematical model predicts that 80 to 160 arbitrary 13mers, when used in combinations with 3 one-base anchored oligo-dT primers, would allow any given mRNA within a eukaryotic cell to be detected with a 74% to 93% probability, respectively. The prediction was supported by both computer simulation of the DD process and experimental data from a comprehensive fluorescent DD screening for target genes of tumor-suppressor p53. Thus, this work provides a theoretical foundation upon which global analysis of gene expression by DD can be pursued.
Clinical and immunologic response to bacteria isolated from tracheal secretions following tracheostomy.

In 15 patients who were subjected to tracheostomies for reasons other than pulmonary infection, serial semiquantitative bacterial cultures and immunoglobulin determinations were performed on the tracheal secretions. Antibody titers to the bacterial species which eventually became dominant in each patient's tracheal secretions were also measured, in both serum and tracheal aspirates. The bacteriologic and immunologic data from 6 patients who developed pneumonia were compared with data from 6 who developed tracheobronchitis. Bacterial colonization of the trachea occurred rapidly in all patients; Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Proteus mirabilis were the predominant organisms in all patients who developed pneumonia. In contrast, the patients with tracheobronchitis had a much wider range of infecting organisms. The immunoglobulin content and antibody titers of tracheal secretions were similar In the two groups and did not rise. However, serum antibody titers increased significantly in all patients with pneumonia. By contrast, in patients with tracheobronchitis, titers did not rise significantly.
Avian trichomonosis in spotted owls (Strix occidentalis): Indication of opportunistic spillover from prey.

Avian trichomonosis, caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae, has variable pathogenicity among bird species ranging from asymptomatic infections to severe disease periodically manifesting in epidemic mortality. Traditionally, columbids are identified as highly susceptible to infection with occasional spillover into raptors that prey on infected birds. We identified avian trichomonosis in two dead California spotted owls (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) and three dead northern spotted owls (S. o. caurina) in California during 2011-2015; infection was confirmed in four owls by PCR. Pathologic lesions associated with trichomonosis in the owls included caseonecrotic lesions of the upper palate accompanied by oropharyngitis, cellulitis, myositis, and/or sinusitis. Spotted owls are known to mainly feed on small mammals; therefore, the source of infection as well as the significance of the disease in spotted owls is unclear. These owl trichomonosis cases coincided temporally and spatially with three trichomonosis epidemics in band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis). The same parasite, T. gallinae subtype A2, was isolated from the spotted owls and band-tailed pigeons, suggesting the owls became infected when opportunistically feeding on pigeons during mortality events. Avian trichomonosis is an important factor in the decline of the Pacific Coast band-tailed pigeon population with near-annual mortality events during the last 10 years and could have conservation implications for raptor species at risk, particularly those that are facing multiple threats.