cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolated Neck Extensor Myopathy: A Case Presentation of Rapid Onset and Spontaneous Recovery

Abstract Patients presenting with a chin-on-chest deformity, or dropped head syndrome, may have a diagnosis of isolated neck extensor myopathy (INEM). INEM is a diagnosis of exclusion occurring primarily in elderly patients. INEM usually has a benign progression, which may involve the shoulder girdle but does not advance to other muscle groups. Patients without an inflammatory etiology typically experience minimal or no recovery of their symptoms. Dropped head syndrome has various implications on a patient's quality of life and activities of daily living. We present a unique case of INEM with rapid onset and complete clinical recovery within a time frame of 4 months. Level of Evidence V
PARP1-produced poly-ADP-ribose causes the PARP12 translocation to stress granules and impairment of Golgi complex functions

Poly-ADP-ribose-polymerases (PARPs) 1 and 2 are nuclear enzymes that catalyze the poly-ADP-ribosylation of nuclear proteins transferring poly-ADP-ribose (PAR) polymers to specific residues. PARPs and PAR intervene in diverse functions, including DNA repair in the nucleus and stress granule assembly in the cytoplasm. Stress granules contribute to the regulation of translation by clustering and stabilizing mRNAs as well as several cytosolic PARPs and signaling proteins to modulate cell metabolism and survival. Our study is focused on one of these PARPs, PARP12, a Golgi-localized mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase that under stress challenge reversibly translocates from the Golgi complex to stress granules. PARP1 activation and release of nuclear PAR drive this translocation by direct PAR binding to the PARP12-WWE domain. Thus, PAR formation functionally links the activity of the nuclear and cytosolic PARPs during stress response, determining the release of PARP12 from the Golgi complex and the disassembly of the Golgi membranes, followed by a block in anterograde-membrane traffic. Notably, these functions can be rescued by reverting the stress condition (by drug wash-out). Altogether these data point at a novel, reversible nuclear signaling that senses stress to then act on cytosolic PARP12, which in turn converts the stress response into a reversible block in intracellular-membrane traffic.
Building Internal Enthusiasm for Gamification in Your Organization

Gamification has become a hot topic in a variety of areas from consumer sites to enterprise software. While the concept of using game mechanics to attract and retain customers in the consumer space is now well accepted, the use of gamification in the enterprise space is still catching on. In this paper, the authors explore ways to build internal enthusiasm for gamification within an organization while maintaining good practices and processes.
Are reduction potentials of antifungal agents relevant to activity

Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained for several categories of fungicidal agents including quinones (akrobomycin, podosporin A), iminium ions and precursors (pyridazines, 15-azahomosterol, griseofulvin-4'-oxime), and metal derivatives of chelators (pyridine-2-aldehyde thiosemicarbazones). The reductions usually occurred in the range of -0.7 to +0.3 V. Reduction potentials provide information on the feasibility of electron transfer in vivo. Catalytic production of oxidative stress from redox cycling is a possible mode of action. Alternatively, there may be interference with normal electron transport chains.
Sichere Prozesstechnik trotz großer Toleranzen

Beim elastischen Kleben grosflachiger Bauteile mussen besondere Anforderungen erfullt werden, die bisher keine Beachtung fanden. Die Folge waren Fehlklebungen, die hohe Nacharbeitskosten verursachten. Um Abhilfe fur diese Probleme zu schaffen, wurde eine Methodik entwickelt, durch deren Anwendung sich die Reproduzierbarkeit und Prozesssicherheit erhohen lassen.
Environmental factors may influence interseeded annual ryegrass and red clover establishment and growth more than soil residual herbicide applications

Integrating multiple weed management (cultural, physical, chemical) strategies is often recommended to combat herbicide resistance. With the increased use of interseeded cover crops, the effects of PRE herbicides on their establishment and growth require study. An investigation was conducted in Lexington, KY, in 2016 through 2018 to assess the extent to which commonly used PRE corn herbicide combinations influenced interseeded red clover and annual ryegrass establishment and growth. Annual ryegrass density was reduced 29% at 3 wk after interseeding by the combination of residual dimethenamid-P and atrazine; however, biomass the following spring was not affected by herbicide combinations. Neither density of interseeded red clover at 2 to 3 wk after interseeding nor biomass prior to termination the following spring were influenced by herbicide combinations. However, red clover density was affected by herbicide treatment 5 wk after interseeding in 2016. These results could have been influenced by low summer survival, particularly in 2016. The environmental factors may have influenced the survival of the interseeded cover crops more than the PRE herbicides. This study suggests that multiple PRE herbicides can be used with minimal risk to interseeded red clover or annual ryegrass. However, the influence of the environment on establishment and survival of interseeded cover crops following the use of PRE herbicides requires further study.
Seeing the Racial Elephant: CRT and the Focus of Educational Scholarship.

ABSTRACTThis essay is a response to Angela Harris’ “Racing Law: Legal Scholarship and the Critical Race Revolution.” It further explores what Harris calls the “grammars of governance” from a histor...
Collisions of the Personal and the Professional: How Frontline Welfare Workers Manage Carceral Citizens:

For criminalized people, particularly those who have been recently incarcerated, applying for and maintaining public assistance—cash aid and/or food assistance—is an immediate and crucial element o...
Deletion of metal transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) produces skeletal muscle wasting, endotoxemia, Mef2c activation and induction of miR-675 and Hspb7

Skeletal muscle represents the largest pool of body zinc, however, little is known about muscle zinc homeostasis or muscle-specific zinc functions. Zip14 (Slc39a14) was the most highly expressed zinc transporter in skeletal muscle of mice in response to LPS-induced inflammation. We compared metabolic parameters of skeletal muscle from global Zip14 knockout (KO) and wild-type mice (WT). At basal steady state Zip14 KO mice exhibited a phenotype that included muscle wasting and metabolic endotoxemia. Microarray and qPCR analysis of gastrocnemius muscle RNA revealed that ablation of Zip14 produced increased muscle p-Mef2c, Hspb7 and miR-675-5p expression and increased p38 activation. ChIP assays showed enhanced binding of NF-[Formula: see text] to the Mef2c promoter. In contrast, LPS-induced systemic inflammation enhanced Zip14-dependent zinc uptake by muscle, increased expression of Atrogin1 and MuRF1 and markedly reduced MyoD. These signatures of muscle atrophy and cachexia were not influenced by Zip14 ablation, however. LPS-induced miR-675-3p and -5p expression was Zip14-dependent. Collectively, these results with an integrative model are consistent with a Zip14 function in skeletal muscle at steady state that supports myogenesis through suppression of metabolic endotoxemia and that Zip14 ablation coincides with sustained activity of phosphorylated components of signaling pathways including p-Mef2c, which causes Hspb7-dependent muscle wasting.
Modern Revision Femoral Stem Designs Have No Difference In Rates of Subsidence

Abstract Background Both modular and monoblock tapered fluted titanium (TFT) stems have gained popularity over fully porous-coated cylindrical (FPCC) femoral stem designs, but limited data exist comparing subsidence rates following revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study is to determine differences in subsidence and clinical outcomes among 3 revision femoral stem designs. Methods We reviewed a consecutive series of 335 patients who underwent femoral component revision to a cementless modular TFT (n = 225), monoblock TFT (n = 63), or FPCC (n = 47) stem between 2012 and 2019. We evaluated radiographic subsidence rates, re-revision rates, and patient-reported outcomes between the 3 stems. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the independent effect of stem type on the risk of subsidence >5 mm. Results At an average follow-up of 39 months (range, 12 to 96 months), there were no differences in mean subsidence rates (3.5 vs 2.4 vs 2.1 mm, P = .14), HOOS Jr scores (78 vs 74 vs 64 points, P = .15), or aseptic re-revision rates (4% vs 3% vs 0%, P = .29) between modular TFT, monoblock TFT, and FPCC stems. Although modular TFT stems were more often used in patients with extensive femoral bone loss (Paprosky III and IV), there were no differences in subsidence rates >5 mm among the 3 stems (P > .05) in multivariate analysis. Conclusion Modular TFT, monoblock TFT, and FPCC femoral stem designs all perform well in revision THA with no difference in clinical outcomes or subsidence rates. Surgeons should select the stem which they feel is the most clinically appropriate.
HOW IS THE IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH OF SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC COMPARED TO THE FIRST WAVE? CASE STUDY OF ITALY

Abstract The main goal of this study is to compare the effects on public health of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to first wave in society. The paper here focuses on a case study of Italy, one of the first European countries to experience a rapid increase in confirmed cases and deaths. Methodology considers daily data from February to November 2020 of the ratio of confirmed cases/total swabs, fatality rate (deaths / confirmed cases) and ratio of individuals in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) / Confirmed cases. Results reveal that the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy had a strong but declining impact on public health with the approaching of summer season and with the effects of containment measures, whereas second wave of the COVID-19 has a growing trend of confirmed cases with admission to ICUs and total deaths having a, to date, lower impact on public health compared to first wave. Although effects of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health, policymakers have had an unrealistic optimist behavior that a new wave of COVID-19 could not hit their countries and, especially, a low organizational capacity to plan effective policy responses to cope with recurring COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This study can support vital information to design effective policy responses of crisis management to constrain current and future waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and similar epidemics in society.
MYC protein expression does not correlate with MYC abnormalities detected by FISH but predicts an unfavorable prognosis in de novo acute myeloid leukemia

While dysregulation of MYC has been implicated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the impact of MYC protein expression in AML is less well understood. We investigated the correlation of MYC protein expression by immunohistochemistry (MYC-IHC) with MYC abnormalities and prognosis in adult de novo AML. MYC-IHC in bone marrow of patients with untreated AML (n = 58) was assessed and scored as MYClow (0-40 % of blasts) or MYChigh (> 40 % of blasts). This was correlated with MYC abnormalities by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and prognosis in the context of cytogenetic risk stratification. Residual myeloid disease at the end of induction was assessed by flow cytometry. MYClow and MYChigh were detected in 24 (41 %) and 34 cases (59 %), respectively. Extra copies of MYC were present in 12 % of cases and were not correlated with level of MYC-IHC. No cases had MYC translocation or amplification. Compared to MYClow patients, MYChigh patients had a shorter overall survival in all cytogenetic risk groups (68 vs. 21 months, p = 0.006) and in the intermediate risk group (61 vs. 21 months, p = 0.046). MYChigh patients had a tendency towards detected residual disease at the end of induction in all cytogenetic risk and intermediate risk groups. Regardless of the underlying mechanisms of MYC dysregulation, high level of MYC protein is expressed in the majority of AML and correlated to worse prognosis. Further studies on MYC dysregulation in leukemogenesis and therapy targeting MYC aberration are warranted.
Heterometallic [Cu–O–M]2+ active sites for methane C–H activation in zeolites: stability, reactivity, formation mechanism and relationship to other active sites

The formation and reactivities of [Cu–O–M]2+ species (M = Ti–Cu, Zr–Mo and Ru–Ag) in metal-exchanged zeolites, as well as stabilities of these species towards autoreduction by O2 elimination are investigated with density functional theory. These species were investigated in zeolite mordenite in search of insights into active site formation mechanisms, the relationship between stability and reactivity as well as discovery of heterometallic species useful for isothermal methane-to-methanol conversion (MMC). Several [Cu–O–M]2+ species (M = Ti–Cr and Zr–Mo) are substantially more stable than [Cu2O]2+. Other [Cu–O–M]2+ species, (M = Mn–Ni and Ru–Ag) have similar formation energies to [Cu2O]2+, to within ±10 kcal mol−1. Interestingly, only [Cu–O–Ag]2+ is more active for methane activation than [Cu2O]2+. [Cu–O–Ag]2+ is however more susceptible to O2 elimination. By considering the formation energies, autoreduction, cost and activity towards the methane C–H bond, we can only conclude that [Cu2O]2+ is best suited for MMC. Formation of [Cu2O]2+ is initiated by proton transfer from aquo ligands to the framework and proceeds mostly via dehydration steps. Its μ-oxo bridge is formed via water-assisted condensation of two hydroxo groups. To evaluate the relationship between [Cu2O]2+ and other active sites, we also examined the formation energies of other species. The formation energies follow the trend: isolated [Cu–OH]+ < paired [Cu–OH]+ < [Cu2O]2+ < [Cu3O3]2+. Inclusion of Gibbs free-energy corrections indicates activation temperatures of 257, 307 and 327 and 331 °C for isolated [Cu–OH]+, paired [Cu–OH]+, [Cu2O]2+ and [Cu3O3]2+, respectively. The provocative nature of the lower-than-expected activation temperature for isolated [Cu–OH]+ species is discussed.
Aligning Natural Resource Conservation and Flood Hazard Mitigation in California

Flooding is the most common and damaging of all natural disasters in the United States, and was a factor in almost all declared disasters in U.S. history. Direct flood losses in the U.S. in 2011 totaled $8.41 billion and flood damage has also been on the rise globally over the past century. The National Flood Insurance Program paid out more than $38 billion in claims since its inception in 1968, more than a third of which has gone to the one percent of policies that experienced multiple losses and are classified as “repetitive loss.” During the same period, the loss of coastal wetlands and other natural habitat has continued, and funds for conservation and restoration of these habitats are very limited. This study demonstrates that flood losses could be mitigated through action that meets both flood risk reduction and conservation objectives. We found that there are at least 11,243km2 of land in coastal California, which is both flood-prone and has natural resource conservation value, and where a property/structure buyout and habitat restoration project could meet multiple objectives. For example, our results show that in Sonoma County, the extent of land that meets these criteria is 564km2. Further, we explore flood mitigation grant programs that can be a significant source of funds to such projects. We demonstrate that government funded buyouts followed by restoration of targeted lands can support social, environmental, and economic objectives: reduction of flood exposure, restoration of natural resources, and efficient use of limited governmental funds.
Caves and Karst of the Northern New York Lowlands

Flat-lying Ordovician limestones form a band around the Adirondack Mountains, separating the Grenville marble caves of those mountains from the caves developed in Cambro-Ordovician marbles to the east and southeast, and from caves in Siluro-Devonian carbonates to the south (deformed) and southwest (undeformed). This cave region is understudied and little scientific work has been done, although a limestone pavement project and a maze cave examination have been published. Caves of small size, in agreement with post-glacial deranged drainage (Schroeders Pants Cave, Houghs Cave), have been identified, as well as caves of possible pre-glacial or englacial origin (Mitchells Cave). The major cave features of this region are the large and extensive maze caves along the Black and Perch rivers, multi-kilometer systems of post-glacial origin, the largest of which, the Glen Park Labyrinth, is now relict and abandoned. These caves, in tune with the post-glacial deranged drainage of major rivers, indicate that high, sustained discharges can create large maze caves within a portion of the post-glacial time window. Houghs Cave has historical importance as a stop on the Underground Railway for escaped slaves in the pre-Civil War era.
The Health Locus of Control Scale: Psychometric Properties.

This study examined selected psychometric properties of the Health Locus of Control Scale (HLOC) (Wallston, Wallston, Kaplan, and Maides, 1976). Specifically, the HLOC factor structure, factor scor...
Domestic exotics and the perception of invasibility

Susceptibility of an area to invasion by exotic species is often judged by the fraction of introduced species in the local biota. However, the degree of invasion, particularly in mainland areas, has often been underestimated because of the exclusion of ‘domestic exotics’ (those introduced to internal units from within the national border) in calculations. Because all introduced species on islands are considered as exotics, this contributes to the perception that islands are more susceptible to invasion than are continental regions. Here, we determine the contribution of domestic exotic species to the degree of invasion (exotic fraction) in mainland areas. We quantify the relationships of exotic fraction to the area, human population density and land use within each of the 48 conterminous US states to identify mechanisms that potentially influence the degree of invasion. For each of the 48 conterminous US states, we compiled the number of species introduced from outside the United States (‘foreign exotics’) and the number of exotics introduced from other conterminous US states (‘domestic exotics’). The status of each species as foreign or domestic was determined for each state by researching its precise origins through vouchered herbarium records, supplemented by literature (Kartesz, 2010). We found that (1) the exotic fraction inevitably decreases with increasing area as the pool of potential exotic species decreases; (2) exotic richness of areas within large mainland regions is underestimated to the extent that species introduced among areas within a region are considered as natives; and (3) human activities contribute disproportionately more exotics to smaller than to larger administrative areas. How we define ‘exotic’ influences how we count non-native species and perceive invasibility. Excluding domestic exotics in mainland regions leads to a biased perception of increased invasibility on islands, where all introduced species are considered exotic. Thus, future documentation and interpretation of invasion patterns and management of exotics should account for these biases in quantifying the exotic fraction.
Can Chinese Migrants Bolster the Struggling Economies of Europe

This article examines new Chinese migration into Europe during a period of economic stagnation - more specifically, the movement of Zhejiangese merchants in Southeast Europe. The Zhejiangese migration pattern is diversifying from a predominantly petty merchant phenomenon to include the sophisticated operations of large-scale investors. It is therefore in the interests of host countries to foster, rather than restrict, this progression toward institutionalization. As such, governments should shape immigration and antidiscrimination policies to harness the potential of these migrants.
Conformational studies on hexahelicenes—III: Synthesis and spectroscopic data of meso- and rac.-2,2′-Bis hexahelicyl

Abstract 2,2′-Bis-hexahelicyl has been synthesized and separated into meso and racemic forms. Analysis of the NMR spectra of both forms in CS2 as well as AsCl3 revealed that the central biphenylic part of the meso compound is rather planar, whereas in the racemic compound both halves of the molecule have been twisted around the central bond.
Activation of L-citramalate hydrolyase from clostridium tetanomorphum.

Abstract Citramalate hydrolyase (mesaconase) is inactivated by oxygen and can be reactivated by incubating the two protein components (Components I and II) with a reducing agent and ferrous ion in the absence of oxygen. Optimal conditions for the activation of the enzyme have been determined by the use of purified preparations of the two components, and the specificity of the reducing agent and ferrous ion requirements has been investigated. Several mercaptans and dithionite are effective in varying degrees as reducing agents. Three mercaptans, 2-mercaptoethanol, 2-mercaptoethylamine, and homocysteine, are fully effective at pH 8 and at a low Fe2+ concentration, whereas other mercaptans are maximally effective only when the pH and the Fe2+ level are increased. Ferrous ion is essential for activation of the enzyme and cannot be replaced by other divalent cations. Manganous ion inhibits activation. Evidence has been obtained that reduction of Component II by a mercaptan is the first rate-limiting step in the activation process. Reduction of Component II is a slow process, requiring about 45 min at 37° to reach completion under specific conditions. The degree of reduction appears to depend on the mercaptan concentration. Reduction is fully reversible by exposure to oxygen. Component II, either oxidized or reduced, is strongly inhibited by exposure to iodoacetate, whereas Component I is insensitive to iodoacetate. Ferrous ion is not involved in reduction of Component II by mercaptans, but is essential for the interaction of the protein components to form a catalytically active complex. The formation of the active complex from Component I and reduced Component II, in the presence of mercaptoethanol and ferrous ion, requires about 15 min at 37° and 45 min at 25° to reach completion under specific conditions. At temperatures below about 15°, full activation is not achieved, but a stable activity level is reached that varies linearly with temperature. At 0°, this level is about 50% of maximal activity when Component II is limiting and about 80% when Component I is limiting. The effect of temperature on the activity level is irreversible in the sense that raising the temperature increases activity whereas lowering the temperature has no effect. The pH of the activation solution also markedly affects the extent of active complex formation; at 37°, the final activity level increases sharply between pH 6.5 and 7.5, and approaches a maximal value at pH 8.0 and above. These and other results are interpreted to indicate the existence of two conformational states or more of Component II and several types of complexes of the two components. The stability of the conformational states and the complexes is postulated to vary with temperature and pH of the activation solution.
Characterization of Fuel Properties and Fire Spread Rates for Little Bluestem Grass

Rapid urban sprawl and population decentralization in recent decades have increased the size of the wildland-urban interface and resulted in higher community risk and vulnerability to wildfire. This paper primarily focuses on understanding grass-fueled fires common to Texas and improving the understanding of the physics and fire dynamics that are inherent in the grassland and prairie flame spread problem. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) grass was chosen as the grassland fuel due to its prevalent coverage in the Texas area and its relevance to grassland fires in Texas. The methodology in this study relies on a framework to characterize fuel properties of little bluestem grass using small- and intermediate-scale experiments to better predict full-scale fire behavior. An intermediate-scale numerical flame spread model was developed for grass fuels that accounts for fuel moisture content to calculate the mass versus time of a burning little bluestem plant. The results of the small- and intermediate-scale experiments were used to develop input parameters for a field-scale numerical simulation of a grass field using a physics-based computational fire model, Wildland-urban interface Fire Dynamics Simulator (WFDS). A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the effect of varying WFDS input parameters on the fire spread rate. The results indicate that the fuel moisture content had the most significant impact on the fire spread rate.
Geochemistry of hydrothermal alteration at the Roosevelt hot springs thermal area, Utah

Abstract Hot spring deposits in the Roosevelt thermal area consist of opaline sinter and sintercemented alluvium. Alluvium, plutonic rocks, and amphibolite-facies gneiss have been altered by acidsulfate water to alunite and opal at the surface, and alunite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, and muscovite to a depth of 70 m. Marcasite, pyrite, chlorite, and calcite occur below the water table at about 30 m. The thermal water is dilute (ionic strength 0.1–0.2) sodium-chloride brine. The spring water now contains 10 times as much Ca, 100 times as much Mg, and up to 2.5 times as much SO 4 as the deep water. Although the present day spring temperature is 25°C, the temperature was 85°C in 1950. A model for development of the observed alteration is supported by observation and irreversible mass transfer calculations. Hydrothermal fluid convectively rises along major fractures. Water cools by conduction and steam separation, and the pH rises due to carbon dioxide escape. At the surface, hydrogen and sulfate ions are produced by oxidation of H 2 S. The low pH water percolates downward and reacts with feldspar in the rocks to produce alunite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, and muscovite as hydrogen ion is consumed.
Anisotropic electrical properties in thermal spray metallic coatings

Abstract Direct current resistivity of freestanding metallic coatings of Ni–Al alloys made by a variety of thermal spray processes was measured in-plane (= ρ ip ) and through-thickness (= ρ tt ), using a four-contact method. The coatings exhibited anisotropic resistivities with anisotropy (= ρ tt / ρ ip ) ranging from 1.1 to 2.2 across the processes. Results are analyzed in the context of coating microstructures and chemical compositions obtained by electron microscopy. In addition, a simple electric circuit analysis approximating the coating as brick-layer structure illustrates the significance of splat interfaces to electrical behavior.
A Measure of Readiness for Substance Abuse Treatment

The Recovery Attitude and Treatment Evaluator-Research (RAATE-R) scale is a structured interview that assesses readiness for substance abuse treatment in five subscales: resistance to treatment, resistance to continuing care, biomedical acuity, psychological acuity, and environmental/social problems. Psychometric properties, based on an inter-rater reliability analysis of 23 raters and administration of the scale to 116 cocaine-dependent outpatients, included high interrater reliability, high internal consistency, independence of subscales, and a factor structure that partially supports the scale's original design. The authors discuss limitations of these conclusions and the lack of concurrent validity with a self-report measure of therapy readiness.
LOSS OF NITRIC OXIDE PRODUCTION IN THE CORONARY CIRCULATION AFTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY: A SPECIFIC DEFECT IN THE NEURAL REGULATION OF CORONARY BLOOD FLOW

1. The aims of our study were to determine the role of nitric oxide (NO) in cholinergic reflex dilation of the coronary circulation in normal healthy conscious dogs and after the development of pacing-induced dilated cardiac myopathy and overt congestive heart failure. 2. Dogs were instrumented using sterile surgical techniques under general anaesthesia and allowed to fully recover. The Bezold-Jarisch reflex was stimulated by the intra-atrial injection of veratrine or the intravenous injection of PGI2, while the carotid chemoreflex was stimulated by the intracarotid injection of nicotine. Experiments were performed before and after the development of overt congestive heart failure (HF) caused by rapid left ventricular pacing for 4 weeks. 3. The release of NO, or NO-mediated vascular relaxation following administration of acetylcholine (ACh) may have little physiological significance since as ACh is released from nerve endings in vivo. Stimulation of the Bezold-Jarisch or carotid chemoreflex resulted in typical vagal cholinergic reflex coronary vasodilation, an increase in coronary blood flow and a decrease in coronary vascular resistance, which was substantially reduced following NO synthesis inhibition with nitro-L-arginine. 4. After the development of severe congestive HF, the production of NO by sieved coronary microvessels from the heart was markedly reduced accompanied by a 60-80% reduction in both the mRNA (northern blot) and protein (western blot) for endothelial NO synthase in the aorta. 5. After the development of severe pacing-induced HF, activation of the Bezold-Jarisch or carotid chemoreflex no longer resulted in coronary vasodilation due to the disappearance of NO production from the coronary circulation. 6. Therefore, cholinergic reflex coronary vasodilation is mediated by NO. Because coronary blood vessels lose the ability to produce NO after the development of HF, reflex cholinergic coronary vasodilation is markedly altered, uncovering a previously undiscovered specific defect in the integrated control of the coronary circulation in the failing heart.
PROOF OF THE RIGIDITY OF HYPERBOLIC SPACES USING QUASILOCAL MASS TYPE THEOREMS

A proof of the rigidity of hyperbolic spaces is given for a class of conformally compact manifolds whose conformal infinity is the standard sphere. The method is based on quasilocal mass type theorems in general relativity.
A tool kit for staggered fermions

We analyze the symmetries of staggered fermions, both discrete and continuous. We present tools that allow a simple decomposition of representations of the continuum symmetries into representations of the discrete lattice symmetries, both at zero and non-zero spatial momenta. We use these tools to find the lattice transcriptions of the operators that appear in the weak interaction hamiltonian. We derive the lattice Ward identities that follow from the single partially conserved axial symmetry. Using these identities we find the lattice equivalents of the continuum PCAC relations. Combining all these tools, we obtain Ward identities for the matrix elements of the weak interaction hamiltonian, from which we derive the behavior of the matrix elements as the pion and kaon masses vanish. We find the same behavior as in the continuum.
Room temperature polymerization and spectroscopic analysis of germanium phthalocyanine polymers

This paper describes a one-step, room temperature synthesis utilizing ultrasonic energy of a coaxially stacked poly(phthalocyanato) germanium oxide ([Ge(Pc)O]n) from Ge(Pc)Cl2. The synthesis is conducted in the presence of a sodium chalcogenide. Based on photoacoustic FTi.r. and u.v.-vis. spectroscopic analysis, the mechanism of the [Ge(Pc)O]n formation is proposed. The use of isotopic H2OD2O exchange is also utilized in an effort to reveal the role of traces of water present during the polymerization reaction.
Multi-organ abnormalities and mTORC1 activation in zebrafish model of multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.

Multiple Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MADD) is a severe mitochondrial disorder featuring multi-organ dysfunction. Mutations in either the ETFA, ETFB, and ETFDH genes can cause MADD but very little is known about disease specific mechanisms due to a paucity of animal models. We report a novel zebrafish mutant dark xavier (dxavu463) that has an inactivating mutation in the etfa gene. dxavu463 recapitulates numerous pathological and biochemical features seen in patients with MADD including brain, liver, and kidney disease. Similar to children with MADD, homozygote mutant dxavu463 zebrafish have a spectrum of phenotypes ranging from moderate to severe. Interestingly, excessive maternal feeding significantly exacerbated the phenotype. Homozygous mutant dxavu463 zebrafish have swollen and hyperplastic neural progenitor cells, hepatocytes and kidney tubule cells as well as elevations in triacylglycerol, cerebroside sulfate and cholesterol levels. Their mitochondria were also greatly enlarged, lacked normal cristae, and were dysfunctional. We also found increased signaling of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) with enlarged cell size and proliferation. Treatment with rapamycin partially reversed these abnormalities. Our results indicate that etfa gene function is remarkably conserved in zebrafish as compared to humans with highly similar pathological, biochemical abnormalities to those reported in children with MADD. Altered mTORC1 signaling and maternal nutritional status may play critical roles in MADD disease progression and suggest novel treatment approaches that may ameliorate disease severity.
VACUUM PHENOMENON OF THE CANINE SPINE: CT FINDINGS IN 3 PATIENTS

The vacuum phenomenon was identified in the spine of 3 dogs by computed tomography. Gas from the vacuum phenomenon was clearly present in the disc space in 2 dogs. In the other the disc space was collapsed, and the gas was in the caudal vertebral endplate. In humans, gas accumulation in the intervertebral disc caused by the vacuum phenomenon seen on computed tomography spinal images is a sign of degenerative disc disease rather than infection. It may also be seen in the apophyseal joints and in the vertebral canal associated with the vacuum phenomenon in the disc or apophyseal joints. The recognition of the vacuum phenomenon in the spine in veterinary patients will likely become more important as computed tomography imaging becomes more common with the increased availability of this imaging procedure.
Reliability and validity of self-report and observers' estimates of relative weight

Abstract Two studies were done to assess the reliability and validity of observers' ratings and self-reports of relative weight in order to establish procedures for naturalistic studies of obesity. In Study I, observers rated relative weight of college students on a five point rating scale. Self-reports of height and weight of each subject were also obtained. Both the observers' ratings and the self-reports were highly correlated with the measured height and weight data, but self-report data allowed for a more accurate classification of subjects into relative weight categories. Reliability and validity of the observer estimates and the self-reports were calculated using both correlational and percent agreement procedures. Percent agreement provided a more stringent measure of reliability than did the correlational procedures. Study II confirmed the results of Study I for an older, heavier population. Self-report was again superior to observational procedures for weight determination, and percent agreement provided more accurate estimates of reliability and validity than did the correlational techniques.
Risk factors and theory building: a study to improve passenger vessel safety

Given the inherent complexity of the maritime transportation system, developing effective policy can be challenging. Using risk factors identified by an elicitation and aggregation of expert judgment, a relative-risk rating scheme was developed in the theory-building tradition of the social sciences. The model was empirically evaluated using 18 months of data from the US small passenger vessel sector. The model identified that the top 10% of relatively highest risk vessels accounted for 50% of all marine casualties during the period of examination. A policy for deploying the model nationally is proposed.
Effect of Summer Weather on Performance of Holstein Cows in Three Stages of Lactation

Abstract Energy intake, milk yield, milk fat and rectal temperature of 36 Holstein cows representing three stages of lactation, were examined in relation to air temperature, relative humidity, indices combining these two variables (THI and THC) and wind velocity occurring June to August. Averages for maximum daily temperature, mean daily, THI, and relative humidity were 31C, 26C, 75 and 63%. Values of THI and maximum temperature showed closest relation to cow response. For all stages of lactation, 9% of the variation in milk yield, 13% in milk fat, 5% in feed intake and 65% in rectal temperature were attributable to weather conditions. Rectal temperature and energy intake had the highest correlation with weather on the same day while conditions 2 to 3 days previous were most closely associated with milk yield and milk composition. Changes in feed intake and milk yield depended largely on the stage of lactation. Midlactation cows (100 to 180 days) were most adversely affected; late (180 to 260 days), intermediate, and early (
Production of Free Charge Carriers during Fracture of Single-Crystal Silicon

Measurements of the time dependence and magnitude of fracture-induced changes in electrical conductivity in single-crystal Si are presented. A transient increase in conduction is observed during crack growth due to the production of free charge carriers. The presence and characteristics of this transient depend on the nature of the fracture.
Effects of kin-structure on disease dynamics in raccoons (Procyon lotor) inhabiting a fragmented landscape

The spatial aggregation of related individuals can affect disease dynamics by altering contact rates between individuals and/or groups of individuals. However, kin-structure likely affects contact rates in a scale-dependent manner: increasing contact rates within, but decreasing contact rates amongst spatial groups. Thus, the effect of kin-structure on disease exposure risk should depend upon the spatial scale relevant for pathogen transmission. This study was undertaken to test the effects of kin-structure on disease dynamics in raccoons (Procyon lotor) inhabiting a highly fragmented agricultural ecosystem. Raccoons (n = 566) were trapped at 31 spatially discrete habitat patches (local populations). Trapped individuals were genotyped at 13 microsatellites and their serum screened for antibodies to canine distemper virus (CDV) and multiple Leptospira spp. serovars. Our analyses revealed that the effects of kin-structure on transmission dynamics are dependent on both spatial scale and the pathogen under consideration. Thus, in the directly transmitted pathogen (CDV), the probability of pathogen co-exposure (the proportion of individual pairs where both individuals were seropositive for a particular pathogen) was positively correlated with genealogical proximity within local populations. Conversely, in the environmentally transmitted leptospires co-exposure was homogeneous within local populations and was positively correlated with gene flow among these populations. Our analyses also revealed that, after controlling for confounding effects of landscape and demographic variables, the effects of kin-structure on disease exposure risk was pathogen-specific. In particular, increasing kin-structure was associated with increased disease exposure risk in the directly transmitted pathogen (CDV), and alternatively with decreased disease exposure risk in environmentally transmitted leptospires. The potential, scale-dependent, effects of kin-structure on disease exposure risk revealed by our analyses could play an important role in elucidating disease dynamics in natural populations and in planning effective disease mitigation strategies.
Achieving Quasi-Isothermal Air Compression With Multistage Compressors for Large-Scale Energy Storage

The round trip efficiency of compressed air for energy storage is greatly limited by the significant increase in the temperature of the compressed air (and the resulting heat loss) in high-ratio adiabatic compression. This paper introduces a multi-stage compression scheme with low-compression-ratio compressors and inter-compressor natural convection cooling resulting in a quasi-isothermal compression process that can be useful for large-scale energy storage. When many low pressure ratio compressors work inline, a high overall compression ratio can be achieved with high efficiency. The quasi-isothermally compressed air can then be expanded adiabatically in turbines to generate power with the addition of thermal energy, from either fuel or a solar thermal source. This paper presents mathematical models of such an energy storage system and discusses its round-trip performance with different operating schemes.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Nature, property and polity in colonial Bombay

This article contends that ecological issues are vital to understanding the long‐term dynamic of the agricultural economy and have to be considered along with class/property structures and the state. It examines the underpinnings, potentialities and limitations of the colonial discourse of agriculture as a field for improvement and suggests that the neglect of this literature by latter‐day economic historians has led to either Promethean or Malthusian discourses of limited explanatory value. This article notes that combining the insights of this earlier discourse with recent attempts at theorising the links between nature, property and polity constitutes the most promising line of development.
Human gene for proliferating cell nuclear antigen has pseudogenes and localizes to chromosome 20

We have isolated from a human genomic library a pseudogene of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)gene. Its sequence shows a 78% similarity with the human PCNA/cDNA. The PCNAgene is located on human chromosome 20, while the pseudogene maps to chromosome region Xpter→Xq13. An additional locus detected by the full-length PCNA cDNA, but not by intron probes, segregates concordantly with chromosome region 6p12→6pter and probably represents a second pseudogene.
Holistic education in times of specialization and globalization.

Over the past decade, public awareness of the variety and stridency of the grand challenges facing our global community has increased tremendously. Environmental sustainability is core to many of these challenges as planetary resources are intimately intertwined with economic development, and their extraction and processing impact and are in turn affected by, our global climate. Access and utilization of the resources are buffeted again and again by our dynamic geopolitical “climate”. It is therefore vital that we, both within academia and as world citizens, work diligently to better understand the complexity of these challenges and how to find the most effective solutions.
A sensor placement and network design paradigm for future smart grids

In this paper, we propose a method for sensor placement and communication network design for the purpose of distributed estimation in future smart grids. We use generic observability from structured systems theory to devise sensor placement strategies that are independent of the actual parameter values and are only a function of the underlying structure, i.e., the zero and non-zero pattern, of the physical network. We then use these results to design communication networks among the sensors that ensure observability of the distributed observers formulated on the sensor measurements.
Is it the Method or the Process—Separating the Causes of Low Recovery

During the development of a tablet formulation, a solvent capable of extracting 100% of the drug from the tablet excipients must be identified as part of the analytical assay method. When a low drug recovery from a tablet is observed with the assay method, it must be determined whether a problem with the manufacturing process exists, or if the extraction of the drug was incomplete. A solvent screen study was conducted with CP-122,721 prototype formulations to select a robust solvent for the assay method. However, low tablet assay values (ca. 95%) were routinely observed during tablet formulation development and process scale up. Drug-excipient interactions in a variety of solvents were subsequently evaluated to confirm the selection of the extraction solvent as capable of 100% extraction. At this point the focus of the investigation was placed on process-related sources of low recovery, such as loss of drug to manufacturing equipment and/or segregation during the tableting process. The results suggest that the low drug recovery observed for the CP-122,721 tablets was due to segregation during the manufacture, while the selected extraction solvent was able to eliminate any interactions between CP-122,721 and the tablet excipients.
On the relationship between the transmitting and receiving properties of an antenna

The response of a linear, passive antenna in free space to an incident plane wave is related to its far-field radiation in the reverse direction by \bar{h}^{r} = \bar{h}^{t} . The vector effective height \bar{h}^{r} characterizes the voltage across the open-circuit antenna terminals induced by an incident plane-wave field, and the corresponding \bar{h}^{t} characterizes the far-field radiation of the antenna when driven by a current injected into the same terminals. This relationship, which is shown to follow from the well-known reciprocity principle, both includes phase and makes mathematically explicit the polarization relation involved in the identity of the transmit and receive patterns of an antenna.
Sales Comparisons in Emerging Market Economies with High Inflation

The forecast of sales growth rates or slaes trend plays an important role in the evaluation of a business and projection of its future performance. Sales forecasting is a factor in the fundamental analysis and valuation of finance and accounting literature. An analysis of sales, inflation, and personal consumption expenditure data obtained from publicly available sources is the source of some useful suggestions for financial analysts evaluating the sales of a firm or an industry, particularly in emerging market economies burdened with high inflation. The author demonstrates the benefits of expressing sales in real terms (inflation-adjusted sales).
Perturbations in Gastric Physiology in Helicobacter pylori Duodenal Ulcer: Are They All Epiphenomena?

Background. The Holy Grail of physiological studies in acid secretion has been to identify a specific abnormality in gastroduodenal physiology responsible for the development of duodenal ulcer disease. Methods. We review the available data relating duodenal ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection to perturbations in gastric physiology, especially acid secretion. Results. It is known now that elevated serum pepsinogen levels, reduced inhibition of acid secretion with antral acidification or distention, exaggerated gastrin response to meals or infusion of bombesin or gastric-releasing peptide, exaggerated acid output in response to gastric-releasing peptide, and abnormalities in duodenal bicarbonate secretion in response to instillation of acid are reversible epiphenomena related to the H. pylori infection and are not in themselves responsible for duodenal ulcer disease. H. pylori is inhibited by bile, yet can thrive in the duodenal bulb of duodenal ulcer patients. Glycine-conjugated bile acids are precipitated by acid; thus, any mechanism that would increase the duodenal acid load may remove the inhibitory bile and allow unrestrained growth of H. pylori. Conclusion. These data and speculations offer one possible explanation for why duodenal ulcer occurs in only some people—those with high acid secretion—and suggest that the combination of high duodenal acid load and H. pylori infection is sufficient to result in duodenal ulcer disease.