cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lack of effect of nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 receptor blockade on consumption during the first two days of operant self-administration of sweetened ethanol in adult Long-Evans rats

Abstract The mechanisms underlying ethanol self-administration are not fully understood; however, it is clear that ethanol self-administration stimulates nucleus accumbens dopamine release in well-trained animals. During operant sweetened ethanol self-administration behavior, an adaptation in the nucleus accumbens dopamine system occurs between the first and second exposure, paralleling a dramatic increase in sweetened ethanol intake, which suggests a single exposure to sweetened ethanol may be sufficient to learn the association between sweetened ethanol cues and its reinforcing properties. In the present experiment, we test the effects of blockade of nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 receptors on operant sweetened ethanol self-administration behavior during the first 2 days of exposure. Adult male Long-Evans rats were first trained to self-administer 10% sucrose (10S) across 6 days in an appetitive and consummatory operant model (appetitive interval: 10-min pre-drinking wait period and a lever response requirement of 4; consummatory interval: 20-min access to the drinking solution). After training on 10S, the drinking solution was switched to 10% sucrose plus 10% ethanol (10S10E); control rats continued drinking 10S throughout the experiment. Bilateral nucleus accumbens microinjections of the dopamine D1 antagonist, SCH-23390 (0, 1.0, or 3.0 μg/side), immediately preceded the first two sessions of drinking 10S10E. Results show that blocking nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 receptors has little or no influence on consumption during the first 2 days of exposure to the sweetened ethanol solution or maintenance of sucrose-only drinking. Furthermore, the high dose of SCH-23390, 3.0 μg/side, reduced open-field locomotor activity. In conclusion, we found no evidence to suggest that nucleus accumbens D1 receptor activation is involved in consumption of a sweetened ethanol solution during the first 2 days of exposure or maintenance of sucrose drinking, but rather D1 receptors seem necessary for general locomotor activity that contributes to initiation of appetitive behavior.
B7-H4–deficient mice display augmented neutrophil-mediated innate immunity

B7-H4 is an immunoglobulin superfamily molecule and shown to be inhibitory for T-cell responses. To explore physiologic roles of B7-H4, we created B7-H4–deficient (KO) mice by genetic targeting. B7-H4KO mice are healthy and their T- and B-cell responses to polyclonal antigens are in normal range. However, B7-H4KO mice are more resistant to infection by Listeria monocytogenes than their littermates. Within 3 days after infection, bacterial colonies in livers and spleens are significantly lower than the controls, suggesting a role of B7-H4 in enhancing innate immunity. Further studies demonstrate that neutrophils increase in peripheral organs of B7-H4KO mice more so than their littermates but their bactericidal functions remain unchanged. Augmented innate resistance is completely dependent on neutrophils, even in the absence of adaptive immunity. In vitro B7-H4 inhibits the growth of bone marrow–derived neutrophil progenitors, suggesting an inhibitory function of B7-H4 in neutrophil expansion. Our results identify B7-H4 as a negative regulator of the neutrophil response to infection and provide a new target for manipulation of innate immunity.
Concordant responding on the physical assault/abuse subscales of the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales 2 and Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory

[Correction Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported in Vol 6(2) of Psychology of Violence (see record 2015-24232-001). In the article, in Table 1, the total for females in the "Yes" category for CADRI self-reported physical DV-P percentage of total (n) should be 34.8 (112), not 32.5 (122) as reported.] Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate concordance of the physical abuse/assault subscales of 2 commonly used measures of dating violence: the Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI) and Revised Conflict Tactics Scales-2 (CTS2). METHOD:Undergraduates (N = 505) at a northeastern university, who were either currently dating or had dated someone in the past 6 months, completed the CADRI and CTS2 as part of a study on dating experiences. RESULTS: While both measures yielded similar estimates of physical dating violence, approximately 1 half of participants endorsed physically aggressive acts on both measures: 46.7% for perpetration and 50% for victimization. Males were more likely to endorse items on the CTS2 than on the CADRI and there were gender differences in the topography of aggression. Across gender, concordance was associated with higher mode and frequency scores for physical dating violence, as well as more psychological aggression, arguments, and injury. CONCLUSION: The physical aggression subscales of the CTS2 and CADRI are not interchangeable. Each identified a heterogeneous group of young adults who reported physical dating violence. The subset they shared in common reflected individuals who experienced more frequent and varied dating violence. ©2016 American Psychological Association Language: en
Identification of Polymeric 5, 7, 3′,4′-Tetrahydroxyflavan-3,4-diol from Tannin Extract of Powdered Cassia Bark, Saigon, Cinnamon USP, Cinnamomum loureirii Nees, Family Lauraceae

A phytochemical investigation of a tannin extract from powdered cinnamon USP showed the presence of flavanoidal-type condensed tannins. The tannin extract consisted of polymeric 5, 7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavan-3,4-diol units. No monomeric leuco-anthocyanidins or polyphenolic derivatives of benzoic or cinnamic acid were present in the tannin extract. Identification was accomplished by paper chromatography and visible and IR spectrophotometry.
Dysregulation through the NF-κB Enhancer and TATA Box of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype E Promoter

The global diversity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genotypes, termed subtypes A to J, is considerable and growing. However, relatively few studies have provided evidence for an associated phenotypic divergence. Recently, we demonstrated subtype-specific functional differences within the long terminal repeat (LTR) region of expanding subtypes (M. A. Montano, V. A. Novitsky, J. T. Blackard, N. L. Cho, D. A. Katzenstein, and M. Essex, J. Virol. 71:8657–8665, 1997). Notably, all HIV-1E isolates were observed to contain a defective upstream NF-κB site and a unique TATA-TAR region. In this study, we demonstrate that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) stimulation of the HIV-1E LTR was also impaired, consistent with a defective upstream NF-κB site. Furthermore, repair of the upstream NF-κB site within HIV-1E partially restored TNF-α responsiveness. We also show, in gel shift assays, that oligonucleotides spanning the HIV-1E TATA box displayed a reduced efficiency in the assembly of the TBP-TFIIB-TATA complex, relative to an HIV-1B TATA oligonucleotide. In transfection assays, the HIV-1E TATA, when changed to the canonical HIV-1B TATA sequence (ATAAAA→ATATAA) unexpectedly reduces both heterologous HIV-1B Tat and cognate HIV-1E Tat activation of an HIV-1E LTR-driven reporter gene. However, Tat activation, irrespective of subtype, could be rescued by introducing a cognate HIV-1B TAR. Collectively, these observations suggest that the expanding HIV-1E genotype has likely evolved an alternative promoter configuration with altered NF-κB and TATA regulatory signals in contradistinction with HIV-1B.
The MIRROR project: a virtual meeting place

A description is given of a project designed to combine different communication channels in an environment that integrates audio, visual, and textual media to provide synergistic, comprehensive, and robust support for effective and efficient group interaction. This environment, a virtual meeting place called the MIRROR Project, will further the effective application of information technology (IT) through electronic meeting systems (EMS). A broad spectrum of technical and behavioral issues are explored. The key issues presented represent the challenges associated with effective and efficiently integrating the three channels in a fashion supportive of robust group communication. The authors also discuss the need for a team-oriented multi-disciplinary, multi-methodological stream of research with a longitudinal focus at group, project, and organizational levels of analysis to study the potential, capabilities and capacities of the proposed environment. >
Performance evaluation of switching in local area networks

In this paper we study the performance of switching in local area networks (LAN). The transfer rates required by today's applications, such as multimedia, are beyond the typical bandwidth of conventional LANs. The use of switches in LANs overcomes the bandwidth limitation by supporting multiple concurrent communications. The overall performance including throughput and network reliability are improved. We study the performance of different switch architectures using simulation and analytical techniques. We show that parallel switches work very well with high traffic load and at light-to-medium load they give close to optimal performance. They provide much better overall performance than traditional switches.
Characterization of a Peroxide-Resistant Mutant of the Anaerobic Bacterium Bacteroides fragilis

A Bacteroides fragilis mutant resistant to hydrogen peroxide and alkyl peroxide was isolated by enrichment in increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The mutant strain was constitutively resistant to 100 mM H2O2 and 5 mM cumene hydroperoxide (15-min exposure). In contrast, the parent strain was protected against <10 mM H2O2 when the peroxide response was induced with a sublethal concentration of H2O2, and no protection was observed in untreated cells. In addition, catalase activity in the mutant strain was not repressed in anaerobic cultures as reported previously for the parent strain. Comparison of the protein profile of crude extracts of the B. fragilis strains revealed that at least three oxidative stress-induced proteins in the parent strain were constitutively expressed in the mutant as detected by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. N-terminal amino acid sequence of these overexpressed proteins confirmed the presence of a deregulated catalase (KatB), an alkyl hydroperoxidase reductase subunit C (AhpC), and a Dps/PexB homologue. Northern blot analysis and katB::cat transcriptional fusion studies revealed that in the mutant, katB was deregulated compared to the parent and that katB was controlled by a trans-acting regulatory mechanism. Moreover, constitutive expression of KatB and of the AhpC and Dps homologues in the H2O2-resistant mutant suggests that these proteins may share a common oxidative stress transcriptional regulator and may be involved in B. fragilis peroxide resistance.
EL IMAGINARIO DE UNA NACIÓN PLURALISTA: LOS INTELECTUALES PÚBLICOS Y LA JURISDICCIÓN ESPECIAL INDÍGENA EN COLOMBIA

L A CONSTITUCION DE 1991 LE DA DERECHO A LAS COMUNIDADES INDIGENAS A TENER un sistema legal basado en sus propios “usos y costumbres”. El articulo explora el papel de los intelectuales indigenas en la reconstruccion del derecho consuetudinario, indagando como han interpretado los activistas indigenas el pluralismo legal al analizar el significado de los neologismos creados al traducir la constitucion al idioma nasa. Luego analiza un caso legal en el que los derechos constitucionales de ciertos individuos como ciudadanos colombianos entran en conflicto con los derechos de las comunidades indigenas –recientemente reconocidos– como actores legales colectivos, tratando de entender los multiples niveles en los que debe negociarse el pluralismo legal
Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Molecular Motors

Molecular motors are first and foremost molecules, governed by the laws of chemistry rather than of mechanics. The dynamical behavior of motors based on chemical principles can be described as a random walk on a network of states. A key insight is that any molecular motor in solution explores all possible motions and configurations at thermodynamic equilibrium. By using input energy and chemical design to prevent motion that is not wanted, what is left behind is the motion that is desired. This review is focused on two-headed motors such as kinesin and Myosin V that move on a polymeric track. By use of microscopic reversibility, it is shown that the ratio between the number of forward steps and the number of backward steps in any sufficiently long time period does not directly depend on the mechanical properties of the linker between the two heads. Instead, this ratio is governed by the relative chemical specificity of the heads in the front-versus-rear position for the fuel, adenosine triphosphate and its products, adenosine diphosphate and inorganic phosphate. These insights have been key factors in the design of biologically inspired synthetic molecular walkers constructed out of DNA or out of small organic molecules.
Analytical Target Cascading for end-of-life recovery management

Recovering end-of-life products is emerging as a key challenge for manufacturers, as awareness of sustainability grows and environmental regulations become more stringent. End-of-life recovery is a large-scale problem involving multiple types of end-of-life products that may share common parts amongst them. Environmental regulations and market demands add more difficulty to the problem. Manufacturers need to meet a specified recovery rate for their products while fulfilling orders for remanufactured products. To assists in more effective management of end-of-life products, this paper introduces an Analytical Target Cascading (ATC) formulation for end-of-life recovery management. The model identifies an optimal recovery strategy for a family of products, whereby the manufacturer can achieve recovery targets more efficiently and cost-effectively. A case study of an alternator family is presented as an illustration. Nomenclature system P = System (product family)-level target cascading optimization problem product product , ij PP = Product-level target cascading optimization problem for products i and j, respectively I = Index set for product i, i.e., products with a surplus of common parts in the remanufacturing J = Index set for product j, i.e., products with a shortage of common parts in the remanufacturing , ij K K = Index set for parts of products i and j, respectively , ij VV = Index set for variant parts of products i and j, respectively ij C = Index set for common parts that are shared by products i and j
Hydrogen bonds between polyphenol (p-HOC6H4O)6W and bipyridines: (4,4′-bipy·HOC6H4O)6W and 3-D networks [{4,4′-(NC5H4)2(CH2CH2)}n{(HOC6H4O)6W}]∞ (n = 2, 3)

Polyphenol (p-HOC6H4O)6W is stable with respect to condensation, and formed (4,4′-bipy·HOC6H4O)6W and the 3-D networks [{4,4′-(NC5H4)2(CH2 CH2)}n{(HOC6H 4- O)6W}]∞ (n = 2, 3), when treated with 4,4′-bipy and 1,2-di-4-pyridylethane, respectively.
Optimization and Scaling of Shared-Memory and Message-Passing Implementations of the Zeus Hydrodynamics Algorithm

We compare the performance of shared-memory and message-passing versions of the ZEUS algorithm for astrophysical fluid dynamics on a 64-processor HP/Convex Exemplar SPP-2000. Single-processor optimization is guided by timing several versions of simple loops whose structure typifies the main performance bottlenecks. Overhead is minimized in the message-passing implementation through the use of non-blocking communication operations. Our benchmark results agree reasonably well with the predictions of a simple performance model. The message-passing version of ZEUS scales better than the shared-memory one primarily because, under shared-memory, (unless data-layout directives are utilized) the domain decomposition is effectively one-dimensional.
Bypassing Equity? Transit Investment and Regional Transportation Planning:

Regional planning may require a better understanding of multijurisdictional planning and equity within intergovernmental context. This research explores how intergovernmental context and metropolit...
Characterization of daunorubicin resistance in K562 leukemia cells lacking daunorubicin reductase activity

Abstract Daunorubicin (D 1 )-resistant cells have been isolated from daunorubicin reductase-deficient K562 cells, hence, metabolism of D 1 to the alcohol metabolite daunorubicinol (D 2 ) will not contribute to the development of resistance. The resistant cell lines were 22–123-fold resistant and were cross-resistant to a variety of drugs. Drug uptake and efflux were altered in the more resistant lines but not in the less resistant cells. Verapamil enhanced D 1 cytotoxicity in all resistant lines; it inhibited D 1 efflux in the higher resistant line thereby resulting in an increase in the cellular level of D 1 . However, this was not true for the less resistant line suggesting that verapamil enhancement of D 1 toxicity in the less resistant line is probably due to other factors. Additionally, we have been unable to identify a marker glycoprotein in resistant cells. The changes observed in the resistant sublines are moderate and probably drug accumulation differences could not account for the degree of D 1 resistance noted, nor could resistance be wholly reversed by calcium antagonist. Other factors may be involved in the development of resistance in these human cells.
Performance of a Polarimetric Sar Calibration Algorithm

Results of an investigation of the performance of a polarimetric SAR (synthetic aperture radar) calibration algorithm are presented. This calibration technique assumes that the co- and cross-polarized components of azimuthally symmetric natural targets are uncorrelated, and that these targets are reciprocal. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to evaluate its performance for a variety of system and surface types, in the presence of various noise levels. Some empirical limits are obtained on leakage between channels, correlation between HH and VV backscatter, ratio of cross-pol to co-pol backscatter, system noise level, size of training sample, and amount of correlation between cross-pol and co-pol, for which good results are obtained.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Dimorphic Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica Strain W29

Here we present the draft genome sequence of the dimorphic ascomycete yeast Yarrowia lipolytica strain W29 (ATCC20460TM). Y. lipolytica is a commonly employed model for industrial production of lipases, small molecules, and more recently for its ability to accumulate lipids. It has also been used to study genome evolution in yeast and filamentous fungi due to its position as an early diverging branch of the subphylum Sacchromycotina.
THE SPATIALITY OF VEILING – MUSLIM WOMEN LIVING PRACTICES IN MINNESOTA HOMES

Although much controversy surrounds the Muslim veiling tradition, little has been studied about how immigrant Muslim veiled women navigate the practice of veiling while living in western-type houses. Through interviews with ten Muslim veiled women in Minnesota, this study explores the relationship between veiling and domestic environments. The findings point to both dress and interior spaces as being forms of enclosure, one being mobile (dress), that help women construct their cultural and religious identity while providing them with privacy, protection, and a sense of control. Residing in typical, suburban American homes however, the women we interviewed experienced difficulties being unveiled in one of the few places where the veil can come off. Designers who are cognizant of cultural differences in housing needs can create homes that support various ways of living, that is, culturally sensitive housing.
A synthetic modular approach for modeling the role of the 3D microenvironment in tumor progression

Here, we demonstrate the flexibility of peptide-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels for modeling tumor progression. The PEG hydrogels were formed using thiol-ene chemistry to incorporate a matrix metalloproteinase-degradable peptide crosslinker (KKCGGPQG↓IWGQGCKK) permissive to proteolytic remodeling and the adhesive CRGDS peptide ligand. Tumor cell function was investigated by culturing WM239A melanoma cells on PEG hydrogel surfaces or encapsulating cells within the hydrogels, and either as monocultures or indirect (non-contact) cocultures with primary human dermal fibroblasts (hDFs). WM239A cluster size and proliferation rate depended on the shear elastic modulus for cells cultured on PEG hydrogels, while growth was inhibited by coculture with hDFs regardless of hydrogel stiffness. Cluster size was also suppressed by hDFs for WM239A cells encapsulated in PEG hydrogels, which is consistent with cells seeded on top of hydrogels. Notably, encapsulated WM239A clusters and single cells adopted invasive phenotypes in the hDF coculture model, which included single cell and collective migration modes that resembled invasion from human melanoma patient-derived xenograft tumors encapsulated in equivalent PEG hydrogels. Our combined results demonstrate that peptide-functionalized PEG hydrogels provide a useful platform for investigating aspects of tumor progression in 2D and 3D microenvironments, including single cell migration, cluster growth and invasion.
An Analysis of Keynes’s Straightforward, Easy to Follow, Alleged 'Infamous' Footnote 2 on pp. 55-56 of the General Theory - Is It Really that Difficult and Abominable?

This note demonstrates that the mathematical analysis in the so called, alleged, "Infamous" footnote in the General Theory is straightforward if the reader possesses basic integration skills, understands the Inverse Function Rule for unique functions, can follow Keynes's completely worked out microeconomic analysis in chapter 20 of the GT of pure competition using the standard marginal productivity analysis of one variable factor of production and one fixed factor of production at the level of the firm-industry, and understands that Keynes makes aggregation assumptions only about one variable input, labor, and one fixed input, capital (equipment). Keynes provides aggregation assumptions for no other variable input in the General Theory. First, the "Infamous" Footnote tells the reader to set ΔZw /ΔN=ΔDw /ΔN and solve. Given that ΔZw /ΔN =1 and Dw =pwO, where O=Ψ(N), then ΔDw /ΔN= pw Ψ'(N). Keynes expected a reader to obtain 1=pw Ψ'(N) or w/p=Ψ'(N) so that "the proceeds of the marginal product is equal to the marginal factor-cost at every point on the aggregate supply curve". Second, the slope of the aggregate supply function, ΔZw /ΔN, where Zw =N Pw, is 1. Unfortunately,Keynes gives the slope of the inverse function, ΔN/ΔZw, where N=Zw –Pw ,which is equal to 1/w, in the last line of the footnote. This is Keynes’s only slip in this footnote and it is very minor.
The Impact of Ammonia Photo-Oxidation Under UV Light from Low Pressure Mercury Lamps on Bromate Decay in Water

This research examines the influence of ammonia photo-oxidation on the reduction of the water contaminant, bromate (BrO 3 - ) as a potential removal strategy. It has long been recognized that aqueous ammonia (NH 3 ) has the potential to accelerate the photodecomposition of bromate. This phenomenon has never been studied in dilute solutions whereby its impact during water treatment with UV low-pressure lamps may be used advantageously. It is hypothesized that the accelerated rate of BrO 3 - photodecomposition in the presence of NH 3 is attributed to the generation of an additional supply of electrons as ammonia photo-oxidation occurs. The findings revealed that the rate of bromate photo-decay is increased in the presence of ammonia even in dilute ammonia and BrO3- solutions and the reaction is further accelerated in basic solutions and solutions containing chloride ions. Nitrate is the final stable reaction product formed with prolonged irradiation, followed by a depression of pH. Hypobromous acid was undetected at these concentrations. It was also found that ammonia oxidation occurred in the presence of bromide ions even in acidic solution. The hypothesis that electrons are made available for electron scavengers when ammonia oxidation occurs was verified using sulphur hexafluoride as an electron scavenger.
Scoliosis and School Seating

(1914). Scoliosis and School Seating. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 19, No. 8, pp. 571-575.
“And” is Better Than “Or”☆

See related article on pages 1-9 Cognitive task analysis (CTA) is an established training paradigm in many fields, while being relatively new in surgical education. It has been validated in simulation, technical, and decision-making training. The use of CTA has also revealed to educators their own limitations, and can provide a useful framework from which to teach. In this issue of Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Brewer et al describe development of a CTA-based smartphone application, teaching sternotomy, cannulation, cardiopulmonary bypass, and decannulation. It is visually appealing, user-friendly, and informative. In a prospective, randomized fashion, medical students using this application were compared with those using only traditional texts. Although both groups demonstrated improvement with education, the group using the application improved significantly more. The simulator has since been made publically available, and used worldwide. Several contemporary efforts have provided our trainees cognitive frameworks to navigate the complex landscape of cardiac surgery. The Thoracic Surgery Residents Association recognized the importance of procedural codification, solicited operative dictations from leading surgeons, and published a book. Our group recently developed a detailed manual of cardiopulmonary bypass and published a free e-book. Most recently, a multi-institutional consortium published a comprehensive Cardiac Surgery Simulation Curriculum using CTA liberally. The product by Brewer et al adds another such resource. CTA is particularly well-suited to cardiac surgery given the seemingly innumerable specifically ordered tasks. From the standpoint of a new learner, the steps of cannulation and bypass, not to mention opening and closing can be overwhelming. Tools providing them a mental roadmap during this phase could accelerate learning. The simulator presented here is quite polished and required significant development resources, but CTA can also be developed with modest investment. The first CTA in the Cardiac Surgery Simulation Curriculum involves memorizing and reciting the steps of cardiopulmonary bypass as detailed in a
Effects of Pyrausta orphisalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Plant Growth and Oil Yield in Scotch Spearmint, Native Spearmint, and Peppermint

Feeding by Pyrausta orphisalis Walker larvae on commercial mints, including Scotch spearmint, Mentha spicata L.; native spearmint, M. cardiaca (S. F. Gray); and peppermint, M. piperita L., in Washington caused no adverse effects on hay or oil yields, even at the highest feeding (five larvae per main stem) or leaf-injury (32.8 fed-upon main stems per m2)levels evaluated. Leaves fed upon in late May to early July (first-generation) were replaced by later regrowth; subsequent feeding occurred more in the bloom, a generally nonbeneficial part of mint harvest. In some cases, P. orphisalis feeding significantly increased lateral branching, leaf production, and oil yields.
Taking Care of the Elderly: Political Economy of the Old Age Assistance Program, 1931-1955

We use the variation in political incentives of state governors provided by term limits to show that the variation in the level of Old Age Assistance (OAA) benefits per recipient between 1931 and 1955 was due to governors' vote seeking behavior. Governors who faced reelection were more likely to increase benefits than "lame duck" office holders. The manipulation of OAA only occurred in states with intermediate sizes of the elderly population. In addition, this manipulation increased with the degree of political competition. This paper provides evidence that the elderly and not other vulnerable groups, were the target of politically motivated transfers in accordance with the electoral incentives of state governors.
ENERGY ABSORPTION IN A LOAD–UNLOAD CYCLE OF KNEE IMPLANT USING FRACTAL MODEL OF ROUGH SURFACES

Roughness measurement of knee implant surfaces is investigated. The study of roughness measurement show that the topography of knee implant surface is multi-scale and surface spectra follows a power law behavior. A magnification of rough surface topography implies that there is no difference between original and magnified profile of implant surface. For implant surface, statistical parameters such as variance of height, curvature, and slope are found to be scale-dependent. Fractal representation of implant surface shows that the size-distribution of the multi-scale contacts spots follows a power law and is characterized by the fractal dimension of implant surface. Fractal surface description of the rough surfaces of knee implant is used to obtain force–displacement relationship of the contact force. Using an approximate function through the fusion of two piecewise functions, energy absorption of a knee implant in a single cycle of load–unload is obtained.
Fixing tournaments for kings, chokers, and more

We study the tournament fixing problem (TFP), which asks whether a tournament organizer can rig a single-elimination (SE) tournament such that their favorite player wins, simply by adjusting the initial seeding. Prior results give two perspectives of TFP: on the one hand, deciding whether an arbitrary player can win any SE tournament is known to be NP-complete; on the other hand, there are a number of known conditions, under which a player is guaranteed to win some SE tournament. We extend and connect both these lines of work. We show that for a number of structured variants of the problem, where our player is seemingly strong, deciding whether the player can win any tournament is still NP-complete. Dual to this hardness result, we characterize a new set of sufficient conditions for a player to win a tournament. Further, we give an improved exact algorithm for deciding whether a player can win a tournament.
Synchrony of Piping Plover breeding populations in the U.S. Northern Great Plains

ABSTRACT Local populations that fluctuate synchronously are at a greater risk of extinction than those that do not. The closer the geographic proximity of populations, the more prone they are to synchronizing. Shorebird species select habitat broadly, and many breed across regions with diverse nesting habitat types. Under these conditions, nearby populations may experience conditions sufficiently different to prevent population synchrony, despite dispersal. In the U.S. Northern Great Plains, the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), federally listed as Threatened, is a migratory shorebird species that nests on the shorelines of rivers, reservoirs, and alkaline lakes. We assessed the degree to which local plover breeding population abundances were correlated (population synchrony), changed over time (population stability), and were influenced by environmental factors such as available habitat, precipitation, and within-season reservoir level rise. We found that the abundances of breeding populations nesting ...
NMR Analysis of Stereoregular Homopolymers

The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of stereoregular polymers are useful in many ways. The spectra of almost perfectly stereoregular polymers can be interpreted in terms of chemical shifts and coupling constants associated with the various nuclei present and these provide information about the conformations of the polymers in solution. Studies on partially deuterated polymers are often necessary to obtain complete interpretations of the spectra and these can provide information about the mode of bond opening in stereoregular polymerizations. When resonances due to structural imperfections can be detected, they provide a means for characterizing the steric purity of the polymers and careful analysis of them often provides information about the stereoregulating process. End group studies on living chains often provide information about the nature of the propagating species in stereoregular polymerizations.
Die Struktur der Kostenrechnungen, Kostenverteilung und Kontierung

Betriebs- und Abteilungskostenrechnungen, in welchen die Aufwendungen nach Kostengruppen fur jeden Betrieb und fur jede Produktivabteilung ubersichtlich zusammengestellt sind, bilden die Grundlage fur die Selbstkostenermittlung und fur den Aufbau der Kalkulation. Diese Kostenrechnungen geben dann ein zuverlassiges Bild, wenn sie einen langeren Zeitabschnitt umfassen, zum mindesten ein Quartal, am besten aber ein ganzes Geschaftsjahr. Monatsrechnungen weisen zu starke Schwankungen auf und konnen darum nicht als zuverlassige Grundlage fur die Ermittlung der Kalkulationssatze gelten.
OR3 The strength of positive linear correlations between donor-specific HLA antibodies and flow-cytometry crossmatch is locus-dependent

Aim To determine correlation between the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of donor specific antibodies (DSA) and the median channel shift (MCS) of the flow crossmatch (FXM). Methods HLA antibodies (Ab) in DTT-treated sera were analyzed using One Lambda (OL) single antigen beads (SAB). T cell FXM (51 pronase & 120 untreated) with single class I DSA and B cell FXM (41 pronase & 101 untreated) with single class II DSA were analyzed. MCS values were plotted against the MFI of the DSA and Pearson’s correlations ( R 2 were assessed. Results Positive correlations between T-FXM and DSA to HLA-A ( R 2 = 0.86) or HLA-B ( R 2 = 0.83) were strong, but low for Cw DSA ( R 2 = 0.28) [Figure]. B-FXM and DSA to DR ( R 2 = 0.54) and DQ ( R 2 = 0.55) had medium degree of +ve correlations while DP ( R 2 = 0.48) correlation was low. Pronase enhanced MCS but did not improve XM-DSA correlations. DSA with MFI Conclusions Continuing correlation studies between DSA and XM are critical for the precise virtual XM prediction. Standalone Cw Ab require additional scrutiny including screening by another reagent and T-FXM. Compared to HLA-A/B/DR/DQ DSAs, 4 or 5 times more Ab are required to yield +ve XM by Cw and DP DSAs respectively, and thus elevating MFI cutoff for Cw and DP unacceptable antigen listing will draw an enhanced donor offer for broadly sensitized patients. Download high-res image (262KB) Download full-size image
Risk of Substance Abuse in Adults with ADHD

The association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and psychoactive substance use disorders in 120 adults with childhood-onset ADHD was evaluated with attention to comorbid mood, anxiety, and antisocial disorders in the Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Psychiatric Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
The Effect of Steady Winds on Sea Level at Atlantic City

From a study of tidal records for Atlantic City, New Jersey, and daily weather maps over a period of six months, the elevation of the sea surface associated with the geostrophic wind field has been evaluated as a function of the geostrophic wind velocity. The relationships are expressed in a nomogram.
Misuse of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: An Analysis of Causes and Methods for Improvement

The quantification of serum drug levels provides physicians with an indication of attainment of the desired pharmacologic goals. However, based on the preceding evidence, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), which is commonly used in conjunction with the prescribing of anticonvulsants, antiarrythmics, cardiac glycosides, antibiotics, antineoplastics, bronchodilators, lithium, antidepressants, neuroleptics, benzodiazepines, and other psychotropic drugs, is not used effectively for therapeutic intervention in the elderly. In addition to determining if a blood level is within the therapeutic range, TDM can also be helpful in identifying the reasons why a patient is not responding to a prescribed drug or is exhibiting toxic signs or symptoms, as well as in elucidating causes of coma, patient noncompliance, poor absorption, and excessively rapid metabolism. Furthermore, drug blood levels can be an asset in the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment programs for alcohol and drug abuse. Despite the existence of computerized programs for drug level determination in clinical laboratories, and the existence of individualized computer programs for optimizing the choice and dosage of drugs for many categories of patients with a multitude of metabolic and pathophysiologic problems, most physicians still rely on tradition, imitation, and information provided by drug advertising and sales representatives to choose therapeutic regimens for patients. To make proper use of TDM, a physician has to have at least a working knowledge of the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics. This advancing medical science also demands a thorough knowledge of the routes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. Results from TDM determinations indicate how effectively the appropriate amount of drug is delivered to the desired location of action from the site of administration. One of the most common reasons for misuse of TDM results is that physicians order specimens for drug monitoring to be drawn at inappropriate times. Accurate TDM requires that (most) specimens be drawn at trough levels, after steady-state levels have been attained. Trough levels occur immediately prior to the administration of the next dose. Such measurements avoid the absorptive peaking levels that occur shortly (usually) after drug administration. Steady-state levels are attained when the amount of drug absorbed and the amount excreted are essentially equal. This usually occurs after the drug has been administered for approximately five half-lives.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Modeling Recidivism within the Study of Offender Reentry: Hierarchical Generalized Linear Models and Lagged Dependent Variable Models

Although there are multiple statistical approaches used in understanding reentry, there is little consensus on the benefits and limitations of some of the more popular techniques as they relate to ...
Active Interaction Mapping Reveals the Hierarchical Organization of Autophagy

We have developed a general progressive procedure, Active Interaction Mapping, to guide assembly of the hierarchy of functions encoding any biological system. Using this process, we assemble an ontology of functions comprising autophagy, a central recycling process implicated in numerous diseases. A first-generation model, built from existing gene networks in Saccharomyces, captures most known autophagy components in broad relation to vesicle transport, cell cycle, and stress response. Systematic analysis identifies synthetic-lethal interactions as most informative for further experiments; consequently, we saturate the model with 156,364 such measurements across autophagy-activating conditions. These targeted interactions provide more information about autophagy than all previous datasets, producing a second-generation ontology of 220 functions. Approximately half are previously unknown; we confirm roles for Gyp1 at the phagophore-assembly site, Atg24 in cargo engulfment, Atg26 in cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting, and Ssd1, Did4, and others in selective and non-selective autophagy. The procedure and autophagy hierarchy are at http://atgo.ucsd.edu/.
Rheological behavior of heated starch dispersions: Role of starch granule

Publisher Summary Starch is a major source of calories and raw materials in food and process industries. In foods, starch is majorly used as as a thickening/gelling agent. The swelling of starch granules is not hindered at low starch (excess moisture) concentrations. Gelatinized starch dispersions (STDs) may also be viewed as microgel systems, whose flow and viscoelastic behavior are strongly influenced by the physical state of granules (size and size distribution). The state of the starch granule influences whether heated starch dispersion exhibits shear-thinning, shear-thickening, or antithixotropic rheological behavior. Increase in volume fraction of starch granules beyond a threshold imparts yield stress to the dispersions. Dynamic rheological data obtained during gelatinization reflect in part the changes in granule volume fraction as a result of corresponding changes in a granule size.
Thrombosis of the Right Internal Jugular Vein is Not a Contraindication to Ambulatory Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation with a Bicaval Dual-Lumen, Single Cannula System.

Background: Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) is an ever-emerging method of managing respiratory failure in patients who are refractory to conventional mechanical ventilatory support. An increasingly common method of cannulation involves placement of a bicaval dual-lumen, single cannula via the right internal jugular (IJ) vein. Thrombus in this vein has been considered a contraindication for cannula placement. Case report: A 45-year-old Hispanic male presented with bleomycin-induced respiratory failure resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Ambulatory VV-ECMO support was initiated, and during surgical cannula placement an occlusive thrombus was noted in the right IJ vein. A tract was dilated and the cannula was placed without any thromboembolic complications. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that cannulation for ambulatory VV-ECMO in the setting of an occlusive IJ thrombus can be safe and feasible.
A Multidimensional Approach to Ascertaining Individual Differentiation and Consistency in Serial Sexual Assault: Is It Time to Redefine and Refine?

Whilst investigative use of behavioural evidence to help link and solve serial offences has long been in use, the empirical and theoretical grounds for whether and how to use this evidence effectively have begun to emerge only in recent decades. The present study empirically tested (a) the potential for effectively differentiating between rape offence crime scenes using quantitative and qualitative distinctions within the behavioural dimensions of control, violence, and sexual activity, and (b) the extent to which redefining behavioural consistency more broadly to include dynamic trajectories of behavioural change may be more effective than limiting this definition to behavioural stability. Results confirmed that sexual offences can be successfully differentiated based on the specific degree and subtype of these behavioural dimensions present in each crime scene. The analysis of consistency and behavioural trajectories showed that whilst none of the offenders exhibited complete consistency across behavioural dimensions, a subsample of offenders remained fully consistent in at least one. Furthermore, of those who were not consistent, the vast majority followed an identifiable trajectory of change. Findings are discussed in the context of psychological theories of behavioural consistency as well as practical aspects of advancing the utility of behavioural linkage.
Effects of somatosensory electrical stimulation on motor function and cortical oscillations.

Few patients recover full hand dexterity after an acquired brain injury such as stroke. Repetitive somatosensory electrical stimulation (SES) is a promising method to promote recovery of hand function. However, studies using SES have largely focused on gross motor function; it remains unclear if it can modulate distal hand functions such as finger individuation. The specific goal of this study was to monitor the effects of SES on individuation as well as on cortical oscillations measured using EEG, with the additional goal of identifying neurophysiological biomarkers. Eight participants with a history of acquired brain injury and distal upper limb motor impairments received a single two-hour session of SES using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Pre- and post-intervention assessments consisted of the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), finger fractionation, pinch force, and the modified Ashworth scale (MAS), along with resting-state EEG monitoring. SES was associated with significant improvements in ARAT, MAS and finger fractionation. Moreover, SES was associated with a decrease in low frequency (0.9-4 Hz delta) ipsilesional parietomotor EEG power. Interestingly, changes in ipsilesional motor theta (4.8–7.9 Hz) and alpha (8.8–11.7 Hz) power were significantly correlated with finger fractionation improvements when using a multivariate model. We show the positive effects of SES on finger individuation and identify cortical oscillations that may be important electrophysiological biomarkers of individual responsiveness to SES. These biomarkers can be potential targets when customizing SES parameters to individuals with hand dexterity deficits. Trial registration: NCT03176550; retrospectively registered.
High-efficiency oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide catalysed by oxidized carbon materials

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a valuable chemical with a wide range of applications, but the current industrial synthesis of H2O2 involves an energy-intensive anthraquinone process. The electrochemical synthesis of H2O2 from oxygen reduction offers an alternative route for on-site applications; the efficiency of this process depends greatly on identifying cost-effective catalysts with high activity and selectivity. Here, we demonstrate a facile and general approach to catalyst development via the surface oxidation of abundant carbon materials to significantly enhance both the activity and selectivity (~90%) for H2O2 production by electrochemical oxygen reduction. We find that both the activity and selectivity are positively correlated with the oxygen content of the catalysts. The density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the carbon atoms adjacent to several oxygen functional groups (–COOH and C–O–C) are the active sites for oxygen reduction reaction via the two-electron pathway, which are further supported by a series of control experiments. The direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide via oxygen reduction is an attractive alternative to the anthraquinone process. Here, a general trend linking oxygenation of carbon surfaces with electrocatalytic performance in peroxide synthesis is demonstrated, and computational studies provide further insight into the nature of the active sites.
Significance of Oncogenes in Breast Cancer: Review

Proto-oncogenes are a restricted set of cellular genes that are frequent targets for mutational alterations in human cancer. Many of these genes were originally identified because they had nucleotide sequence similarity with transforming genes found in acutely transforming retroviruses. The viral oncogene (v-onc) was derived from its cellular homolog (c-one) by genetic recombination and in the process of insertion into the viral genome acquired structural alterations. The detailed comparison of the structure of the viral oncogene as compared with the cellular proto-oncogene has provided critical information on the nature of the mutations obligatory for changing a normal protein into one with transforming ability.
Joint nest use by two paper wasp species

Two nests ofPolistes paper wasps were occupied simultaneously by two species. One of the nests had been founded by a third species. Joint nest use has not been previously observed inPolistes, and it is not accommodated by genetic theories of hymenopteran social evolution.
Alkaloids Derived from Anthranilic Acid

Anthranilic acid (1) is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of tryptophan see Chapter 7) (Fig. 31.1). A number of alkaloids, best known from the family Rutaceae, are biosynthes-ized from this important primary compound
The fractionation of transfer factors in the presence of a proteolytic inhibitor.

Abstract By use of a proteolytic inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, we have been able to fractionate from the ribosomefree cell sap of Escherichia coli a factor that is able to catalyze polyphenylalanine synthesis with purified ribosomes. In the absence of the inhibitor, we were unable to recover this factor, but instead obtained numerous substances none of which were active alone with purified ribosomes and which were similar to the previously described transfer factors "T" and "G". During purification, the inhibitor-stabilized factor develops a requirement for a heat-stable protein which cannot be replaced by either T or G.