cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Signal integration by mTORC1 coordinates nutrient input with biosynthetic output

Flux through metabolic pathways is inherently sensitive to the levels of specific substrates and products, but cellular metabolism is also managed by integrated control mechanisms that sense the nutrient and energy status of a cell or organism. The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a protein kinase complex ubiquitous to eukaryotic cells, has emerged as a critical signalling node that links nutrient sensing to the coordinated regulation of cellular metabolism. Here, we discuss the role of mTORC1 as a conduit between cellular growth conditions and the anabolic processes that promote cell growth. The emerging network of signalling pathways through which mTORC1 integrates systemic signals (secreted growth factors) with local signals (cellular nutrients - amino acids, glucose and oxygen - and energy, ATP) is detailed. Our expanding understanding of the regulatory network upstream of mTORC1 provides molecular insights into the integrated sensing mechanisms by which diverse cellular signals converge to control cell physiology.
Joining the Club of Nations: Political Development and International Conflict, 1816–1976

This study examines the relationships between regime formation, regime change, and international conflict. A distinction is made between evolutionary and revolutionary state formation processes as well as between revolutionary and evolutionary changes within existing states. It is hypothesized that revolutionary state formations and regime changes result in high levels of post-independence or post-regime change involvement in interstate disputes. On the other hand, evolutionary political development and regime change results in low levels of conflict involvement. These patterns of individual state involvement in international conflict provide new insights into the high correlations between the size of the international system and a variety of interstate conflict attributes. The political development model suggests that the number of interstate conflicts in the system will increase when a large number of states are undergoing revolutionary regime changes, even when there is no change in the number of states in the system. These propositions are tested on data covering nearly all interstate system members in the 1816–1976 period. In addition, the extent to which the political development model accounts for patterns of contagious spread of international conflict is examined. The implications of the relations between internal processes of political development and change and interstate disputes for the study of international politics are examined.
Periosteal PTHrP regulates cortical bone modeling during linear growth in mice

The modeling of long bone surfaces during linear growth is a key developmental process, but its regulation is poorly understood. We report here that parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) expressed in the fibrous layer of the periosteum (PO) drives the osteoclastic (OC) resorption that models the metaphyseal–diaphyseal junction (MDJ) in the proximal tibia and fibula during linear growth. PTHrP was conditionally deleted (cKO) in the PO via Scleraxis gene targeting (Scx-Cre). In the lateral tibia, cKO of PTHrP led to a failure of modeling, such that the normal concave MDJ was replaced by a mound-like deformity. This was accompanied by a failure to induce receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) and a 75% reduction in OC number (P ≤ 0.001) on the cortical surface. The MDJ also displayed a curious threefold increase in endocortical osteoblast mineral apposition rate (P ≤ 0.001) and a thickened cortex, suggesting some form of coupling of endocortical bone formation to events on the PO surface. Because it fuses distally, the fibula is modeled only proximally and does so at an extraordinary rate, with an anteromedial cortex in CD-1 mice that was so moth-eaten that a clear PO surface could not be identified. The cKO fibula displayed a remarkable phenotype, with a misshapen club-like metaphysis and an enlargement in the 3D size of the entire bone, manifest as a 40–45% increase in the PO circumference at the MDJ (P ≤ 0.001) as well as the mid-diaphysis (P ≤ 0.001). These tibial and fibular phenotypes were reproduced in a Scx-Cre-driven RANKL cKO mouse. We conclude that PTHrP in the fibrous PO mediates the modeling of the MDJ of long bones during linear growth, and that in a highly susceptible system such as the fibula this surface modeling defines the size and shape of the entire bone.
In vitro correlation of the level of inferior alveolar canal with CBCT imaging

The aim was to correlate the level of the inferior alveolar canal on cadaver specimens and as evaluated with three-dimensional radiographic cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging. Twenty-one skulls with intact mandibles (42 inferior alveolar canals) were imaged with an I-CAT Cone-Beam 3D Imaging System and multi-planar reformatted images obtained were scored to assess the level of the canal (Level I, Level II, and Level III). The mandibles were later dissected and level of the canal was directly visualized, scored, and further correlated with results from CBCT imaging. There was no difference in the level of the inferior alveolar canal between the dissected cadaver specimen and CBCT images. Also, there was no statistically significant difference in the level of the canal among the gender assigned to the specimens and corresponding CBCT images. There were no statistical differences in the level of the canal (cadaver specimen vs. CBCT) between the left and right sides of the specimens, as studied individually. Our study indicates that there is close correlation of the level of the inferior alveolar canal between cadaver specimens and CBCT images. Well-designed studies would be required to further validate the findings in this study.
Detection of metal ions without interference from dissolved oxygen by reverse pulse amperometry in flow-injection systems and liquid chromatography

Abstract Reverse pulse amperometry (r.p.a.) is used to monitor fluid streams for the presence of electroactive metal ions using a mercury electrode without the requirement of deaeration. The technique is based on the application of an unsymmetrical square wave with a large negative initial potential for deposition of the metal ion followed by a positive potential pulse for anodic stripping of the metal. The analytical signal is measured during the stripping process at a potential where dissolved oxygen is not reduced. R.p.a. is applied at a polarographic detector in flow-injection systems and ion-exchange chromatography for detection of several ions of transition and heavy metals in aqueous solutions.
Future trends in database systems

The author discusses the likely evolution of commercial data managers over the next several years. Topics to be covered include the following: why SQL (structured query language) has become a universal standard; who can benefit from SQL standardization; why the current SQL standard has no chance of lasting; why all database systems can be distributed soon; what new technologies are likely to be commercialized; and why vendor independence may be achievable. >
Cerebral responses evoked by stimulation of the vesico-urethral junction in normal subjects

Following bipolar stimulation of the vesico-urethral junction (VUJ), evoked potentials (EPs) with a late and prominent negativity (mean latency 91.4 +/- 11.0 msec) were recorded from scalp in 22 male subjects. Although remarkable intersubject variations occurred, no peak variation could be seen in any given subject. Maximum amplitude of the EPs was recorded from Cz and CzP points. Stimuli with various frequencies did not lead to any differences in shape and latency of EPs. The differences between the EPs by bipolar stimulation of the VUJ and the responses elicited by distal urethral and pudendal nerve stimulation suggest that, during bipolar stimulation of VUJ, the somatic afferents were not excited. Therefore, these responses were most likely due to the excitement of the visceral afferents arising from the VUJ separately. This method may be a useful technique for evaluating the physiological condition of the afferent nerves arising from VUJ.
Effect of a Salmonella Group H1 R Factor on Virulence and Response of Infections to Antimicrobial Therapy

A group H1 R factor encoding resistance to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamide, and tetracycline was transferred into Salmonella typhimurium LT-2. The virulence of LT-2 for mice, as assessed by intraperitoneal 50% lethal dose and the number of organisms in the spleen, was not affected by the R factor. On the other hand, the R factor conferred resistance in mouse infections to therapy with chloramphenicol and trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole.
Demographic, psychological, and school environment correlates of bullying victimization and school hassles in rural youth

Little is known about bullying in rural areas. The participants in this study included 3,610 racially diverse youth (average age = 12.8) from 28 rural schools who completed the School Success Profile-Plus. Binary logistic regression models were created to predict bullying victimization in the past 12 months, and ordered logistic regression was used to predict school hassles in the past 12 months. Overall, 22.71% of the sample experienced bullying victimization and school victimization rates ranged from 11% to 38%. Risk factors for bullying victimization included younger students and students experiencing depression and anxiety. Being female, Hispanic/Latino or African American, was associated with lower bullying victimization. Thirty-nine percent of the sample reported a high level of school hassles. Younger students and students with higher levels of anxiety and depression were at increased risk for school hassles. Students from larger schools reported high levels of school hassles, while students from schools with more teachers with advanced degrees reported fewer school hassles.
Impact of Western Bean Cutworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Infestation and Insecticide Treatments on Damage and Marketable Yield of Michigan Dry Beans

The western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), recently expanded its range from the western United States into the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada, threatening eastern dry bean production. Our objectives were to better understand the relationship between cutworm infestation and damage in dry beans, and to determine the best method and timing of insecticide application to reduce pick. Infesting with at least one egg mass per 1.5 m, or as few as two larvae per 0.3 m, of row resulted in significantly more pod damage and pick than in uninfested plots. By 14 d after hatch, larvae were no longer on plants during the daytime; direct observations revealed that fifth instars climbed plants to feed between 2100 and 0600 hours, illustrating the impractically of using larval counts to make management decisions. There was a strong linear relationship between pod damage and percent pick, making scouting for pod damage a viable alternative to egg or larval scouting. Aldicarb soil insecticide or thiamethoxam-treated seed did not reduce cutworm damage. Instead, plots treated with these insecticides had significantly more pick than control plots, perhaps related to increased canopy growth or fewer natural enemies. The pyrethroid λ-cyhalothrin provided excellent control of cutworm when sprayed up to 18 d after infestation. Pick was similar among plots sprayed once up to 18 d after infestation or sprayed four separate times. In a field study, λ-cyhalothrin residue on field-treated foliage was 100% effective at controlling caterpillars up to 14 d after application.
Evolution of the Arabidopsis telomerase RNA

The telomerase reverse transcriptase promotes genome integrity by continually synthesizing a short telomere repeat sequence on chromosome ends. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex whose integral RNA subunit TER contains a template domain with a sequence complementary to the telomere repeat that is reiteratively copied by the catalytic subunit. Although TER harbors well-conserved secondary structure elements, its nucleotide sequence is highly divergent, even among closely related organisms. Thus, it has been extremely challenging to identify TER orthologs by bioinformatics strategies. Recently, TER was reported in the flowering plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. In contrast to other model organisms, A. thaliana encodes two TER subunits, only one of which is required to maintain telomere tracts in vivo. Here we investigate the evolution of the loci that encode TER in Arabidopsis by comparison to the same locus in its close relatives. We employ a combination of PCR and bioinformatics approaches to identify putative TER loci based on syntenic regions flanking the TER1 and TER2 loci of A. thaliana. Unexpectedly, we discovered that the genomic regions encoding the two A. thaliana TERs occur as a single locus in other Brassicaceae. Moreover, we find striking sequence divergence within the telomere template domain of putative TERs from Brassicaceae, including some orthologous loci that completely lack a template domain. Finally, evolution of the locus is characterized by lineage-specific events rather than changes shared among closely related species. We conclude that the Arabidopsis TER duplication occurred very recently, and further that changes at this locus in other Brassicaceae indicate the process of TER evolution may be different in plants compared with vertebrates and yeast.
Genetic specific data for crop modeling

A major objective in crop production is to fit the crop growth cycle into the constraints of the environment. Environments hostile to plant growth such as low soil water, excessively high or low temperature must be avoided to ensure plant survival and productivity. A major objective of crop yield simulation is to predict the duration of growth, the average growth rates, and the amount of assimilate partitioned to the economic yield components of the plant. With such a simulation system, it is possible to optimize the utilization of resources and quantify risk related to weather variation.
status, property, and the value on virginity

To determine whether a relationship between marriage transactions and the value on virginity exists it is necessary to understand the varying effect that marriage transactions (the movement of goods (most usually) or services at the time of marriage) have on the transmission or retention of property and on the social debts incurred thereby. The types of marriage transactions include: bridewealth goods given by the groom usually with the assistance of his kin to the brides family; brideservice which provides payment in labor rather than goods. The benefit of brideservice goes directly to the brides household and is not circulated like bridewealth goods; and gift exchange where relatively equal amounts are exchanged between the families of the bride and groom a method for ensuring that the intermarrying families are of the same social status. Status is a major consideration in dowry giving societies. Indirect dowry has the grooms family usually giving goods to the brides father who then gives goods to the new couple. Information on attitudes toward premarital sex for females or the value placed on virginity comes from 2 sources: 1) "Attitude Toward Premarital Sex (Female)" in Broude and Greene (1980) covering 186 preindustrial societies and 2) data collected by Herbert Barry and the author on adolescent socialization in Standard Sample societies not coded by Broude and Greene collected on adolescent behavior not cultural attitudes. Overall virginity is valued in those societies in which young men may seek to better their chances in life by allying themselves through marriage to a wealthy or powerful family. In preserving a daughters virginity a family is protecting her from seduction impregnation and paternity claims on her child and protecting the family from socially or economically unsuitable suitors.
Detection of Staphylococci with Reduced Susceptibility to Glycopeptides

As pointed out by Dr. Walsh and colleagues in the July 2001 issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology (4), the detection of staphylococci with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin is an important issue for clinical laboratories. In their study, Dr. Walsh et al. evaluated several methods for detection of these strains using a population-analysis profile-area under the curve ratio method as their “gold standard.” Two NCCLS reference methods, broth microdilution and agar dilution, were included in their analysis. They state that both were performed “precisely” as described in the most recent NCCLS document, M7-A5 (2, 3). However, the incubation time for both tests in their study was only 18 h, whereas current NCCLS recommendations specify that tests for both oxacillin and vancomycin should be incubated for a full 24 h. We suspect that the sensitivity of both reference methods would have improved had the readings been made at 24 h rather than at 18 h as was done in their study. Incubation for a full 24 h appears to be important not just for NCCLS reference microdilution susceptibility tests but also for primary isolation plates (1), as pointed out in a study by other investigators in the same issue of the journal.
Population Structure and Genetic Diversity of Moose in Alaska

Moose (Alces alces) are highly mobile mammals that occur across arboreal regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) range across much of Alaska and are primary herbivore consumers, exerting a prominent influence on ecosystem structure and functioning. Increased knowledge gained from population genetics provides insights into their population dynamics, history, and dispersal of these unique large herbivores and can aid in conservation efforts. We examined the genetic diversity and population structure of moose (n = 141) with 8 polymorphic microsatellites from 6 regions spanning much of Alaska. Expected heterozygosity was moderate (H(E) = 0.483-0.612), and private alleles ranged from 0 to 6. Both F(ST) and R(ST) indicated significant population structure (P < 0.001) with F(ST) < 0.109 and R(ST) < 0.125. Results of analyses from STRUCTURE indicated 2 prominent population groups, a mix of moose from the Yakutat and Tetlin regions versus all other moose, with slight substructure observed among the second population. Estimates of dispersal differed between analytical approaches, indicating a high level of historical or current gene flow. Mantel tests indicated that isolation-by-distance partially explained observed structure among moose populations (R(2) = 0.45, P < 0.01). Finally, there was no evidence of bottlenecks either at the population level or overall. We conclude that weak population structure occurs among moose in Alaska with population expansion from interior Alaska westward toward the coast.
Constraints on the composition and petrogenesis of the Martian crust

Spectral interpretation that silicic rocks are widespread on Mars implies that Earth's differentiated crust is not unique. Evaluation of observations bearing on the composition of the Martian crust (Martian meteorite petrology and a possible crustal assimilant, analysis of Mars Pathfinder rocks, composition of Martian fines, interpretation of spacecraft thermal emission spectra, and inferred crustal densities) indicates that the crust can be either basalt plus andesite or basalt plus weathering products. New calculated chemical compositions for Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) global surface units indicate that surface type 1 has basaltic andesite composition and surface type 2 has the composition of andesite. If these materials represent volcanic rocks, their calc-alkaline compositions on a FeO*/MgO versus silica diagram suggest formation by hydrous melting and fractional crystallization. On Earth, this petrogenesis requires subduction, and it may suggest an early period of plate tectonics on Mars. However, anorogenic production of andesite might have been possible if the primitive Martian mantle was wet. Alternatively, chemical weathering diagrams suggest that surface type 2 materials could have formed by partial weathering of surface type 1 rocks, leading to depletion in soluble cations and mobility of silica. A weathered crust model is consistent with the occurrence of surface type 2 materials as sediments in a depocenter and with the alpha proton X-ray spectrometer (APXS) analysis of excess oxygen suggesting weathering rinds on Pathfinder rocks. If surface type 1 materials are also weathered or mixed with weathered materials, this might eliminate the need for hydrous melting, consistent with a relatively dry Martian mantle without tectonics.
Exercise for the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are the most common psychiatric conditions seen in the general medical setting, affecting millions of individuals in the United States. The treatments for depression and anxiety are multiple and have varying degrees of effectiveness. Physical activity has been shown to be associated with decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Physical activity has been consistently shown to be associated with improved physical health, life satisfaction, cognitive functioning, and psychological well-being. Conversely, physical inactivity appears to be associated with the development of psychological disorders. Specific studies support the use of exercise as a treatment for depression. Exercise compares favorably to antidepressant medications as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression and has also been shown to improve depressive symptoms when used as an adjunct to medications. While not as extensively studied, exercise has been shown to be an effective and cost-efficient treatment alternative for a variety of anxiety disorders. While effective, exercise has not been shown to reduce anxiety to the level achieved by psychopharmaceuticals.
Super efficient absorption filter for quantum memory using atomic ensembles in a vapor

We demonstrate how a natural rubidium vapor cell can efficiently filter out a pump beam that produces an Raman gain in the stimulated Raman process at the D2 line of 85 Rb. We observe a Raman gain of at least 12 dB in 85 Rb when the pump beam is detuned below the first transition in 85 Rb, while being exactly on-resonance with the first transition in 87 Rb. With a single pass through a second cell, we observe an attenuation of at least 30 dB of the incoming pump at 2 mW, while the probe remained unaffected. This filtering process is critical to the realization of a single photon quantum memory based on vapor cells. 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Analog phaselock loop design using Popov criterion

Establishes a phaselock criterion based on the Popov criterion. The phaselock criterion, when combined with some straightforward numerical search, can be used to design the low-pass filter in a phaselock loop with a guaranteed lock range.
Effects of a Summer Treatment Program on Functional Sports Outcomes in Young Children with ADHD

Participation in youth sports can be very beneficial, but children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may participate less often and less successfully. The current study evaluated functional sports outcomes for children with ADHD who attended an intensive behavioral treatment program that included a sports training component, and it compared outcomes to children with ADHD who did not attend the program. Results suggest that treatment resulted in significant improvements in many aspects of children’s sports functioning, including knowledge of game rules, in vivo game performance, and fundamental skill tasks (motor proficiency, ability to trap a soccer ball appropriately, reduced handball penalties in soccer, and improved ability to catch a baseball). Parents also reported improved sports skills and good sportsmanship in the treatment group. No differences between groups were evident on additional skill tasks evaluating accurately kicking a soccer ball, throwing a baseball, or hitting a baseball off a tee. These results suggest intensive behavioral intervention that includes sports training can significantly improve functional sports outcomes for young children with ADHD.
Sinus node re-entry: a mechanism for supraventricular tachycardia.

Data in 20 patients with normal sinus rhythm who, following induced premature atrial beats (PABs), manifested re-entry in the region of the sinus node are presented. PABs at coupling intervals ranging between 230-535 msec were followed by sinus node re-entry (SNR). Several criteria were applied to diagnose SNR: the temporal sequence of atrial excitation, the intra-atrial conduction time, the shape and polarity of the P waves, and manifestation of re-entry independent of atrioventricular (A-V) nodal delays. In 18 patients SNR lasting for one to several beats was observed. In the remaining two patients sustained SNR was manifested as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), with cycle lengths ranging between 320-500 msec, which persisted for several minutes prior to its termination by properly timed atrial stimuli. In one of the latter two patients sustained SNR and SVT were produced only after atropine administration. Sinus node re-entry could be elicited at will in a specific echo zone with a duration ranging ...
School-Level Politics and Professional Development: Traps in Evaluating the Quality of Practicing Teachers.

Teacher supervision and evaluation are fundamental responsibilities of the principal. Yet principals and teachers find their supervisory interactions to be difficult and unsatisfying experiences. This article explores the micropolitical context in which supervision and evaluation take place. Highlighting specific examples in New York City, the article argues that the environment in which teacher-principal interactions occur is shaped by union contracts, state and district personnel policies, and precedents set by local experiences with teacher dismissals. These historical and structural factors and others converge to create three traps of supervision.
A near fatal case of invasive aspergillosis.

BACKGROUND: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) rarely presents with endobronchial nodules or pseudomembranes on bronchoscopy. We describe a case of invasive aspergillosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in which a fungal etiology was suspected after visualization of scattered, white endobronchial nodules. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old-female with history of SLE developed cardiorespiratory shock. Bronchoscopy indicated the presence of endobronchial lesions, and serologic studies were consistent with IA. Given high index of suspicion for fungal disease in an immunocompromised host, empiric antifungals were discontinued and voriconazole initiation resulted in a successful therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion for fungal diseases, especially among critically ill hosts with endobronchial lesions, who develop rapid cardio-respiratory impairment. Failure to recognize endobronchial patterns of fungal infection may lead to treatment delay and adverse clinical outcomes.
Reducing the storage requirements of a test sequence by using a background vector

We describe a storage scheme for functional test sequences where a test sequence T is associated with a primary input vector B called a background vector. T is stored by storing only the differences between its test vectors and B. We describe a procedure for computing a background vector B for a given test sequence T. We also describe a procedure that modifies T so as to reduce its storage requirements with respect to B. We present experimental results demonstrating that the single background vector B, computed based on T, allows T to be modified such that a vast majority of its entries are equal to the corresponding entries of B. Consequently, storage of T reduces to storage of a small number of entries.
Performance and cost considerations for SiC-based HEV traction inverter systems

SiC power semiconductors are believed to offer an attractive solution for motor drive application in electrified vehicles in 5∼10 years. Newer generations of commercial SiC MOSFETs in the 900∼1200V class are significantly improved in energy losses, reliability and price. To analyze the potential impact of SiC technology for HEV inverter systems, performance gain of SiC MOSFETs over existing silicon IGBTs must be quantified, which translates to vehicle-level fuel economy and value for consumers. This study will look into HEV drive-cycle simulation results based on inverters of silicon and SiC switching devices, and evaluate the performance improvement and cost premiums for the newer semiconductor technology. Reliability and qualification criteria of SiC MOSFETs for automotive application will also be discussed.
Vulnerability Bazaar

A pure vulnerability market is one in which each discrete vulnerability is a unit of trade with a price assigned to it by the buyer, seller, and demand. In such a market, exclusivity of knowledge is a key factor in overall value, thus when a vulnerability becomes public knowledge, it loses its value. Other factors also come into play, such as the affected product's popularity, the vulnerability's security impact, and the exploit's ease and efficacy. Vulnerabilities in this market retain their peak value when very few people know about them; value decreases through events such as vendor notification, information leaks, independent rediscovery, or accidental discovery of the vulnerability due to attack activity in the wild. Because it's difficult to certify and appraise information exclusivity, many buyers contractually obligate vulnerability reporters to exclusivity agreements to ensure that their information is exclusive to the best of their knowledge. Very few buyers are interested in nonexclusive information.
Understanding Subgroup Optimization: Experimental Evidence on Individual Choice and Group Processes

For decades researchers from a variety of disciplines have investigated the determinants of organizational success. When "success" is defined in terms of "efficiency," the game-theoretic construct known as the prisoners' dilemma (PD) becomes relevant (Luce and Raiffa 1957). In that parable, the district attorney structures rewards and punishments so that individual pursuit of self-interest (escaping punishment) leads to behavior (giving evidence against the other prisoner) that is collectively inefficient for the prisonei-s (both prisoners get longer jail sentences than if both had denied).
In Vivo Infectivity of Baculovirus Isolates, Variants, and Natural Recombinants in Alternate Hosts

A total of eight isolates, including variants and natural recombinants of Autographa californica M NPV (Ac M NPY) for which genetic markers or physical maps are known were tested for in vivo virulence, and maintenance of genetic characteristics after infection of Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae. Only one of the isolates was more virulent to T. ni than the wild type; however it was less virulent to H. virescens . One recombinant (AR-66) exhibited low production of polyhedra in TN368 cells, which were used for production of the polyhedra. One variant (Ac M NPY-S1) with an insertion of DNA when compared with the Ac M NPVE2 variant was at least 9.2 times less virulent than the wild isolate. After one in vivo passage of Ac M NPY-S1, a new variant (Ac M NPY-S1a) was detected with a new Eco-R1 fragment of 2.17 Mdal and a corresponding loss of a 1.55-Mdal Eco-R1 fragment found in the parental type.
Stereoselective Actions of Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) To Inhibit Dopamine and Norepinephrine Transporters and Facilitate Intracranial Self-Stimulation in Rats

The designer stimulant methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) is a potent reuptake inhibitor at transporters for dopamine (DAT) and norepinephrine (NET) that produces a constellation of abuse-related behavioral effects. MDPV possesses a chiral center, and the abused formulation of the drug is a racemic mixture, but no data are available on the pharmacology of its isomers. Here, the individual optical isomers of MDPV were prepared and examined with respect to their neurochemical actions on neurotransmitter reuptake and behavioral effects in an assay of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) in rats. In assays of DAT uptake inhibition, S(+)MDPV (EC50 = 2.13 nM) was more potent than either (±)MDPV (EC50 = 4.85 nM) or R(-)MDPV (EC50 = 382.80 nM); the three drugs were less potent at NET uptake inhibition, with the same rank order of potency. Neither racemic MDPV nor its optical isomers inhibited the reuptake of serotonin at concentrations up to 10 μM. S(+)MDPV produced an abuse-related and dose-dependent facilitation of ICSS, and the potency of S(+)MDPV (significant facilitation at doses ≥ 0.1 mg/kg) was greater than that of the racemate (significant facilitation at doses ≥ 0.32 mg/kg). R(-)MDPV failed to alter ICSS at doses up to 100 times greater than the lowest effective dose of S(+)MDPV. The results indicate that abuse-related neurochemical and behavioral effects of racemic MDPV reside primarily with its S(+) isomer.
TNF-alpha induces peroxynitrite-mediated depletion of lung endothelial glutathione via protein kinase C

We tested the hypothesis that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) induces a peroxynitrite (ONOO-)-mediated depletion of glutathione via a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent mechanism in pulmonary artery endothelial monolayers (PAEM). PAEM were incubated with TNF (1,000 U/ml) for 6 and 18 h. The PAEM were assayed for ONOO(-)-dependent changes in the concentration of luminol, free glutathione [Gfree; i.e., reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione (GSSG)] and GSSG. TNF treatment decreased luminol and Gfree, and increased GSSG and GSSG/Gfree, compared with treatment with control media. The TNF-induced effects were prevented by co-incubation with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (1 mM), NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (1 mM), or NG-nitro-L-arginine (1 mM). In addition, the TNF-induced effects were prevented by superoxide dismutase (10 U/ml), which removes O2-, and by urate (0.5 mM) and L-cysteine (3 mM), putative scavengers of ONOO-. The treatment of PAEM with the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 1 microM) induced similar alterations in luminol and glutathione as TNF. TNF and PMA induced a protein of similar molecular weight (approximately 90 kDa) in the focal contact-rich fraction of PAEM lysate. TNF- and PMA-induced effects were prevented with the specific PKC inhibitor calphostin C (1 microM). The data indicate that TNF-induced PKC activation mediates ONOO- generation, which results in the oxidation and depletion of glutathione in PAEM.
Random Walks and Convolution on Groups and Semigroups

A classical result of P. Levy on random rotations on the circle is derived in the first section. The distribution of the product of two random factors is given by the convolution of their distributions. Convolution of measures on a compact semigroup is introduced in section 2 and some of its properties are derived. The right and left random walks induced by a measure on a semigroup are introduced. In the next section, it is shown that averages of the sequence of convolutions of a regular measure with itself on a compact semigroup converge to an idempotent measure. This provides a constructive way of deriving the Haar measure on a compact group. This method of obtaining the Haar measure on a compact group appears to be due to Ito and Kawada. The algebraic structure of compact semigroups is dealt with in section 4. The minimal right (left) and two-sided ideals in a compact semigroup are characterized. This is extremely useful in determining the form of idempotent probability measures on a compact semigroup. The ideas and results of this section are illustrated in the case of the semigroup of n × n (n finite) stochastic matrices. The last section of the chapter presents conditions under which the unaveraged sequence of convolutions of a regular probability measure with itself converge. Conditions under which stationary right and left random walks on a compact group or semigroup are ergodic or mixing are determined.
Effects of FVIII immunity on hepatocyte and hematopoietic stem cell–directed gene therapy of murine hemophilia A

Immune responses to coagulation factors VIII (FVIII) and IX (FIX) represent primary obstacles to hemophilia treatment. Previously, we showed that hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) retroviral gene therapy induces immune nonresponsiveness to FVIII in both naive and preimmunized murine hemophilia A settings. Liver-directed adeno-associated viral (AAV)-FIX vector gene transfer achieved similar results in preclinical hemophilia B models. However, as clinical immune responses to FVIII and FIX differ, we investigated the ability of liver-directed AAV-FVIII gene therapy to affect FVIII immunity in hemophilia A mice. Both FVIII naive and preimmunized mice were administered recombinant AAV8 encoding a liver-directed bioengineered FVIII expression cassette. Naive animals receiving high or mid-doses subsequently achieved near normal FVIII activity levels. However, challenge with adjuvant-free recombinant FVIII induced loss of FVIII activity and anti-FVIII antibodies in mid-dose, but not high-dose AAV or HSC lentiviral (LV) vector gene therapy cohorts. Furthermore, unlike what was shown previously for FIX gene transfer, AAV-FVIII administration to hemophilia A inhibitor mice conferred no effect on anti-FVIII antibody or inhibitory titers. These data suggest that functional differences exist in the immune modulation achieved to FVIII or FIX in hemophilia mice by gene therapy approaches incorporating liver-directed AAV vectors or HSC-directed LV.
Computationally tractable approximate and smoothed Polya trees

A discrete approximation to the Polya tree prior suitable for latent data is proposed that enjoys surprisingly simple and efficient conjugate updating. This approximation is illustrated in two applied contexts: the implementation of a nonparametric meta-analysis involving studies on the relationship between alcohol consumption and breast cancer, and random intercept Poisson regression for Ache armadillo hunting treks. The discrete approximation is then smoothed with Gaussian kernels to provide a smooth density for use with continuous data; the smoothed approximation is illustrated on a classic dataset on galaxy velocities and on recent data involving breast cancer survival in Louisiana.
Gastroenterology and hepatology as subspecialties

Gastroenterology grew as a subspecialty in Germany in the 19th century. In the 1880s and 1890s, Austrian and German clinics were attended by American physicians who, on returning to the U.S., founded the American Gastroenterological Association in 1897. The creation of a subspecialty board, however, had to wait until 1941. At The Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. A.A. Berg was appointed Surgeon in 1899. His practice focused on the alimentary tract, which in 1910 became one of the four surgical specialties. In 1914, further subdivision led to the stomach and duodenum becoming additional specialties. In 1917, wards were endowed for Dr. Berg's specialty. The first Mount Sinai physician to have an interest in gastroenterology was Morris Manges, but the first to limit his practice to gastroenterology was Dr. Edward Aronson, for whom a specialist outpatient division was formed in 1913. Aronson died in 1922 and was succeeded by Dr. Burrill Crohn, who was followed in 1934 by Dr. Asher Winkelstein; all three collaborated closely with the surgeons, physiologists and biochemists. In 1958, Dr. Henry Janowitz became chief of the Division of Gastroenterology; he was succeeded in 1983 by Dr. David Sachar, who was followed in 1999 by his associate Dr. Steven Itzkowitz. In 1958 Dr. Fenton Schaffner became chief of the Division of Hepatology (now headed by Dr. Paul Berk), and in 1979 Dr. LeLeiko became chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology.
Optical Imaging of Cell Fusion and Fusion Proteins in C aenorhabditis elegans

Cell fusion is a very dynamic process in which the entire membrane and cellular contents of two or more cells merge into one. Strategies developed to understand the component processes that make up a full fusion event require imaging to be performed over a range of space and time scales. These strategies must cover detection of nanometer-sized pores, monitoring cytoplasmic diffusion and the dynamic localization of proteins that induce fusion competence, and three-dimensional reconstruction of multinucleated cells. Caenorhabditis elegans' small size, predictable development, and transparent body make this organism optimal for microscopic investigations. In this chapter, focus is placed on light microscopy techniques that have been used thus far to study developmental fusion events in C. elegans and the insights that have been gained from them. There is also a general overview of the developmental timing of the cell fusion events. Additionally, several protocols are described for preparing both fixed and live specimens at various developmental stages of C. elegans for examination via optical microscopy.
The Enhanced CO2 Chemoreflex is Associated with Increased Number of CO2-activated Orexin Neurons in the Lateral Hypothalamus in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs)

Activation of central chemoreceptors by CO2 increases arterial blood pressure (ABP), sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), and breathing. Experiments using SHRs, a well-established neurogenic hypertens...
Direct Addition Mechanism during the Catalytic Hydrogenation of Olefins over Platinum Surfaces

The mechanism of the hydrogenation of olefins catalyzed by metal surfaces was probed by using isotope labeling in conjunction with a high-flux effusive molecular beam setup capable of sustaining steady-state conversion under well-controlled ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). The unique conditions afforded by this instrument, namely, a single collision regime and impinging frequencies equivalent to pressures in the mTorr range, led to the clear identification of two competing pathways: a multiple H–D isotope exchange channel explained by the well-known Horiuti–Polanyi mechanism but with an unusually high probability for β-hydride elimination from the alkyl surface intermediate (versus its reductive elimination to the alkane), and a direct addition route that produces dideuterated alkanes selectively. The latter may follow an Eley–Rideal mechanism involving an adsorbate (either the olefin or the hydrogen/deuterium atoms resulting from dissociative adsorption of H2/D2) and a gas-phase molecule (the other reactant), or,...
XGPT: Extending Monte Carlo Generalized Perturbation Theory capabilities to continuous-energy sensitivity functions

The XGPT method extends the Generalized Perturbation Theory capabilities of Monte Carlo codes to continuous-energy sensitivity functions. In this work, this method is proposed as a new approach to nuclear data uncertainty propagation. XGPT overcomes some of the limitations of legacy perturbation-based approaches. In particular, it allows the nuclear data uncertainty propagation to be performed adopting continuous energy covariance matrices, instead of discretized (multi-group) data. The XGPT capabilities are demonstrated in three simple fast criticality benchmarks for 239Pu and 208Pb cross section uncertainties. The new method is also applied in selected cases to estimate higher moments of the keff distribution, starting from TENDL random evaluations. The XGPT estimates, when compared against reference Total Monte Carlo (TMC) results, show a good agreement and a significant reduction in computational requirements with respect to the TMC approach. Finally, the capabilities for uncertainty propagation involving adjoint-weighted response functions are demonstrated.
Intervals which leave the minimum sum of absolute errors regression unchanged

One of the appealing properties of the minimum sum of absolute errors (MSAE) regression is its resistance to outliers and long-tailed error distributions. Just like the sample median, the MSAE estimators are influenced by all the observations but determined by only a subset of the observations. The MSAE estimates are not altered if the value of the response (or predictor) variable for an observation associated with a non-O residual is within a certain interval. In this paper we develop procedures to determine such intervals for the simple linear regression model
Demonstration of loss-tolerant quantum key distribution

We report the first demonstration of floodlight quantum key distribution, which thrives on sending many photons per bit to overcome propagation loss. We achieve 52Mb/s secret-key rate over a channel with 10 dB loss.
Stroke: Treatment for acute stroke--the end of the citicoline saga.

Over the past two decades, trials of citicoline for treatment of acute stroke have produced conflicting results. A recent large clinical trial of citicoline in acute stroke suggests a lack of efficacy of this therapy, seemingly signalling the end to the citicoline saga.
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Meds Matter: Impact of Adherence to Medical Therapy on Comparative Outcomes.

Background:Multiple studies have compared coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) for coronary revascularization. There is considerable evidence that adhe...
Dielectric study of the pressure-dependence of intermodular association

Equilibrium dielectric constants and densities of 3-octanol, 2-octanol, 2-methyl-3-heptanol, and 5-methyl-3-heptanol (hereafter referred to as 7;3, 7;2, 2;3, and 5;3, respectively) were measured as a function of pressure to 4 kb from about 100° to the respective freezing points. This study was undertaken in an effort to understand the nature and pressure dependence of the short-range order in these hydrogen-bonded liquids.
Intermediate outcomes of a transcutaneous bone conduction hearing device in a paediatric population

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA ® ) Attract implantation in a cohort of paediatric patients. Methods Prospective data collection and case review were undertaken in a paediatric tertiary referral centre. We have included patients under the age of 16 years with unilateral or bilateral hearing loss that met the criteria for BAHA ® Attract implantation. The main outcome measures were surgical complications and Patient Reported Outcomes including the ‘Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale’ (SSQ-12) and ‘Qualitative Feedback for BAHA ® 5 Hearing Aids’. Results Twenty-five paediatric patients were implanted with the BAHA ® Attract between June 2014 and July 2016. Nine of them had a conversion from a percutaneous Bone Conduction Hearing Device (BCHD). Four children had minor skin problems that settled with conservative measures. Two children with a previous percutaneous BCHD developed skin dehiscence over the magnet after conversion to the transcutaneous version. The SSQ-12 was completed by 6 children and an improvement of 22% was noted between the unaided and aided condition. The patients and their parents were generally satisfied with the BAHA ® Attract. Conclusions The BAHA ® Attract offers a good solution for hearing rehabilitation in appropriately selected and counseled patients. The complication rate was low for primary surgery but higher in cases of conversion from a percutaneous device. Large, prospective data is needed to evaluate the relative risks and benefits of this BCHD.