cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Skeletal Consequences of Bariatric Surgery

This review outlines the recent findings regarding the impact of bariatric surgery on bone. It explores potential mechanisms for skeletal changes following bariatric surgery and strategies for management. Bone loss following bariatric surgery is multifactorial. Probable mechanisms include skeletal unloading, abnormalities in calciotropic hormones, and changes in gut hormones. Skeletal changes that occur after bariatric surgery are specific to procedure type and persist for several years post-operatively. Studies suggest that while bone loss begins early, fracture risk may be increased later in the post-operative course, particularly after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Further research is needed to assess the extent to which skeletal changes following bariatric surgery result in fragility. Current management should be geared toward prevention of bone loss, correction of nutritional deficiencies, and incorporation of weight bearing exercise. Pharmacologic treatment should be considered for high-risk patients.
Consumer Safety Regulation: Putting a Price on Life and Limb . By Peter Asch. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988. 172p. $24.95.

This book is about consumer safety and the issues that concern both academics and policy-makers in the United States. On one side of the debate are the consumer advocates who say that private markets, if left to their own devices, will impose unacceptable risks on the public. On the other are the conservatives who argue that government safety regulations infringe on personal freedom. There are also economists who say that public intervention has been pursued without adequate analysis of its costs and benefit. This book examines both the debate and the status of current regulatory activity. The approach is practical rather than theoretical.
Economics and the climate catastrophe

The acute awareness of scarcity, land rent, fixed costs and environmental limits that characterized the classical period was largely forgotten during the hey-day of neoclassical growth economics. A...
Hierarchical Gaussian Process Modeling and Estimation of State-action Transition Dynamics in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the US. Available treatments, including mastectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy, vary in curability, cost, and mortality probability of patients. This research aims at tracking the result of post-treatment for evidence-based decision making in breast cancer. Based on available big data, we implemented conditional probability to estimate multi-age transition probability matrices to predict the progression of disease conditions. The patient state is defined based on patients’ age, cancer stage, and treatment history. To tackle the incomplete data in the matrix, we design a novel Hierarchical Gaussian Distribution (HGP) to estimate the missing part of the table. The HGP model leads to the lowest Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), which is 35% lower than the Gaussian Process and 40% lower than Linear Regression. Results of transition probability estimation show that the chance of survival within a year for 40 to 50 years old patient with the distant stage of cancer is 96.5%, which is higher than even younger age groups.
Invited) GaN Optoelectronic Devices Based on Local Strain Engineering

Local strain engineering and its applications to gallium nitride based optoelectronic devices are reviewed. The strain in gallium nitride heterostructures can be locally controlled via nanostructures and enables a new degree of freedom for the device design. The optical properties including emission wavelength, intensity, polarization can be geometrically tuned by varying the dimensions and shapes of the nanostructure cross sections. The physics, fabrication, optical properties, and challenges of gallium nitride nanostructures are discussed. Device applications are described including single photon sources, multi-wavelength light-emitting diodes, photodetectors for compressive sensing, and tactile sensors.
Targeting ER stress and calpain activation to reverse age-dependent mitochondrial damage in the heart

Severity of cardiovascular disease increases markedly in elderly patients. In addition, many therapeutic strategies that decrease cardiac injury in adult patients are invalid in elderly patients. Thus, it is a challenge to protect the aged heart in the context of underlying chronic or acute cardiac diseases including ischemia-reperfusion injury. The cause(s) of this age-related increased damage remain unknown. Aging impairs the function of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), leading to decreased energy production and increased oxidative stress due to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, ROS-induced oxidative stress can increase cardiac injury during ischemia-reperfusion by potentiating mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening. Aging leads to increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction, including reduced function of the ETC. The activation of both cytosolic and mitochondrial calcium-activated proteases termed calpains leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased ETC function. Intriguingly, mitochondrial ROS generation also induces ER stress, highlighting the dynamic interaction between mitochondria and ER. Here, we discuss the role of ER stress in sensitizing and potentiating mitochondrial dysfunction in response to ischemia-reperfusion, and the promising potential therapeutic benefit of inhibition of ER stress and / or calpains to attenuate cardiac injury in elderly patients.
Coronavirus and Cardiometabolic Syndrome: JACC Focus Seminar.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exposes unexpected cardiovascular vulnerabilities and the need to improve cardiometabolic health. Four cardiometabolic drivers-abnormal adiposity, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension-are examined in the context of COVID-19. Specific recommendations are provided for lifestyle change, despite social distancing restrictions, and pharmacotherapy, particularly for those with diabetes. Inpatient recommendations emphasize diligent and exclusive use of insulin to avert hyperglycemia in the face of hypercytokinemia and potential islet cell injury. Continuation of statins is advised, but initiating statin therapy to treat COVID-19 is as yet unsubstantiated by the evidence. The central role of the renin-angiotensin system is discussed. Research, knowledge, and practice gaps are analyzed with the intent to motivate prompt action. An emerging model of COVID-related cardiometabolic syndrome encompassing events before, during the acute phase, and subsequently in the chronic phase is presented to guide preventive measures and improve overall cardiometabolic health so future viral pandemics confer less threat.
Analysis about Potential Distribution of the U r 780kV Metal-oxide Surge Arrester for 1000kV Substation

Decrease the rated voltage of the arrester can optimize insulation coordination, and reduce 1000kV substation over-voltage level or lower insulation level of equipments, which can improve the economy of project. But lower rated voltage on behalf of the higher chargeability on internal resistance of the arrester, which will affect the MOA potential distribution. In order to study the potential distribution characteristics of the lower rated voltage MOA on 1000kV substation, using the software Ansys with finite element method to build 3-D model of Y20W - 780/1526 type arrester. Analysis and calculated the potential distribution of the arrester on five different kinds of grading shunt capacitors configuration scheme, selecting the optimal configuration scheme to test. The curve of potential distribution shows that the simulation results and the test results are basic consistent, the maximum relative deviation is 7.32%. This paper verified the potential distribution non-uniform coefficient of the rated voltage decreased surge arrester which used at 1000kV substation can match the engineering specification requirement, less than 1.15, by rational allocation of the grading shunt capacitors under the equalizing ring, flange and coat condition such as size structure unchanged. The research results can provide reference for the design of rated voltage decrease for UHV surge arresters.
A Rare Case of Lethal Neonatal Rigidity and Multi-Focal Seizure Syndrome.

We present a case of lethal neonatal rigidity and multifocal seizure syndrome (RMFSL) in an early-term female infant born to non-consanguineous parents. RMFSL is a recently discovered autosomal recessive disease caused by the BRAT1 gene mutations. The BRAT1 gene encodes the BRCA1-associated protein required for ATM activation-1, a protein that interacts with BRCA1 and ATM to initiate DNA repair in response to DNA damage. The exon sequence revealed biallelic deletions of exon 1-2 of the BRAT1 gene in our patient. There are only a few cases of RMFSL reported in the literature, and all of them have died before two years, mostly in the first six months of life. Our patient died at the age of 74 days.
Pili Expression in Geobacter sulfurreducens Lacking the Putative Gene for the PilB Pilus Assembly Motor

Abstract Multiple lines of evidence suggest that electrically conductive pili (e-pili) are an important conduit for long-range electron transport in Geobacter sulfurreducens, a common model microbe for the study of extracellular electron transport mechanisms. One strategy to study the function of e-pili has been to delete the gene for PilB, the pilus assembly motor protein, in order to prevent e-pili expression. However, we found that e-pili are still expressed after the gene for PilB is deleted. Conducting probe atomic force microscopy revealed filaments with the same diameter and similar current-voltage response as e-pili harvested from wild-type G. sulfurreducens or when e-pili are heterologously expressed from the G. sulfurreducens pilin gene in E. coli. Immunogold labeling demonstrated that a G. sulfurreducens strain expressing e-pili with a His-tag continued to express His-tag labelled e-pili when the PilB gene was deleted. Strains with the PilB gene deleted produced maximum current densities comparable to wild-type controls. These results demonstrate that deleting the gene for PilB is not an appropriate strategy for constructing strains of G. sulfurreducens without e-pili, necessitating a reinterpretation of the results of previous studies that have employed this approach. Importance Geobacter sulfurreducens is a model microbe for the study of biogeochemically and technologically significant processes such as the reduction of Fe(III) oxides in soils and sediments; bioelectrochemical applications that produce electric current from waste organic matter or drive useful processes with the consumption of renewable electricity; direct interspecies electron transfer in anaerobic digestors and methanogenic soils and sediments; and metal corrosion. The phenotypes associated with gene deletions are an important strategy for determining the mechanisms for extracellular electron transfer in G. sulfurreducens. The results reported here demonstrate that a gene deletion previously thought to prevent the expression of electrically conductive pili in G. sulfurreducens does not have the intended result. Conductive pili continue to be expressed. This finding is important for interpreting the results of several previous studies on conductive pili function.
Zinc deficiency following surgery in zinc-supplemented infants.

Total parenteral nutrition has become a mainstay in the management of infants following complicated abdominal surgery. As we have become sophisticated in our understanding of micronutrient nutrition, the term total parenteral nutrition has proved more a goal to be attained than a reality. In an effort to bypass the gastrointestinal tract and nurture critically ill postoperative patients intravenously, a new setting for the manifestation of deficiency states has emerged. This is illustrated by three infants who developed zinc deficiency during postoperative parenteral alimentation despite intravenous zinc supplementation (Fig 1). The pathogenesis of this syndrome and its complications are described, possible etiologies are considered, and recommendations for prevention and therapy are suggested.
Temperature dependence of critical currents and ac transport losses in (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox and YBa2Cu3Oy tapes

The critical currents and self-field ac losses of YBa2Cu3Oy coated conductors and (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox tapes were measured at several temperatures between 45 K and the respective critical temperature. The temperature dependence of ac losses was measured at 50 Hz using the lock-in method for a transport current. The frequency dependence of ac loss was measured at 55 K for transport current frequencies from 25 to 400 Hz. The results show that variation of ac transport loss as a function of normalized critical current is nearly the same at all temperatures in the measured temperature range for both YBa2Cu3Oy and (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox tapes. The temperature dependence of the loss factor, however, is different for (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox and YBa2Cu3Oy tapes because of the ferromagnetic loss in the NiW-based coated conductor substrate. Similarities and differences in the temperature and frequency dependence of ac transport losses between (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox and YBa2Cu3Oy tapes are discussed.
Near-field radiative heat transfer between integrated nanostructures using silicon carbide

We present the first experimental demonstration near-field radiative heat transfer using silicon carbide. We achieve a 11 Ox near-field enhancement, relative to the far-field limit, of the radiative heat transfer between integrated nanostructures.
Two new unexplained and unresolved HBM tester related failures

Two new unexplained HBM tester related failures are introduced. Sufficient data has been collected to conclude these failures to be tester related, examples where the tester is not producing reproducible results. One failure is due to stressing multiple samples in parallel and the second is cumulative pulse-related.
The relationship of perioperative fluid administration to outcomes in colorectal and pancreatic surgery: A review of the literature

Optimal perioperative fluid administration in major gastrointestinal surgery remains a challenging clinical problem. Traditional dogma of a liberal approach to fluid administration in order to counteract potential hypovolemia and decreased end-organ perfusion can often result in fluid overload, perhaps negatively impacting perioperative outcomes. This hypothesis has been investigated in several types of gastrointestinal surgery. We discuss the current literature on perioperative fluid administration in colorectal and pancreatic surgery and highlight the controversies that still exist.
Lectin-like transcript-1 (LLT1) and exosomal PCNA inhibit NK cell effector function against prostate cancer cells (TUM2P.892)

NK cell functions are regulated by inhibitory and activating receptors binding corresponding ligands on the surface of target cells, providing vital first line defenses against infections and cancer. In order to establish and grow, cancer cells must escape NK cell-mediated killing. By altering the expression of ligands for NK cell receptors (down-regulating activating ligands and up-regulating inhibitory ligands) cancer cells may evade NK mediated killing. Here we have examined the expression of LLT1 (Lectin-like transcript-1 or CLEC2D), a ligand for the NK cell inhibitory receptor NKRP1A (CD161) as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a ligand for NKp44 on surface of prostate cancer cell DU145. Expression of LLT1 on DU145 cell inhibited NK cell cytolytic activity though NKRP1A (CD161). Similarly, expression of exosomal PCNA by DU145 inhibited NK cell cytotoxicity through NKp44. The association of HLA I and PCNA on DU145 forms an inhibitory ligand for NKp44. Blocking the inhibitory signals by anti-LLT1 and anti-NKp44 monoclonal antibodies enhanced the killing of prostate cancer cells by NK cells. Thus tumor cells may use multiple pathways to inhibit NK effector function and combinatorial targeting of these pathways could lead to efficient elimination of cancer cells.
Substratum surface topography alters cell shape and regulates fibronectin mRNA level, mRNA stability, secretion and assembly in human fibroblasts

The regulation of cell shape, fibronectin mRNA level, secretion and assembly by substratum surface topography was investigated in early passage human gingival fibroblasts cultured on titanium-coated smooth or V-shaped grooved substrata produced by micromachining. Cells on grooved surfaces were significantly elongated and orientated along the grooves of the substratum, while cell height, measured using confocal scanning laser microscopy, was approximately 1.5-fold greater than that of cells on smooth surfaces. Northern hybridization analysis revealed that on a per cell basis the grooved surface increased the amounts of fibronectin mRNA/cell approximately 3.5-fold at 16 hours, approximately 1.9-fold at 40 hours and approximately 2.2-fold at 90 hours, while the mRNA levels of the house-keeping gene glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) were constant. The amounts of secreted fibronectin on the grooved surface were increased approximately 2-fold for all time points. The stability of fibronectin mRNA was also altered by substratum surface topography. The half-life of fibronectin mRNA on smooth surfaces was estimated to be approximately 5 hours, but on the grooved surfaces the half-life of fibronectin mRNA showed a two-phase response: a rapid 60% reduction in the first half-life (t1/2 approximately 2 hours) and a 2.4-fold increase in the second half-life (t1/2 approximately 12 hours) relative to that observed on the smooth surface. The GAPD mRNA half-lives were essentially unaffected by the surface topography of the substrata. The grooved surface was also found to alter the amount of fibronectin assembled into the extracellular matrix, producing a approximately 2-fold increase in the cultures at all time points. It thus appears that substratum surface topography alters cell shape and modulates fibronectin at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, as well as the amount of fibronectin assembled into extracellular matrix. Micromachining, which has the ability to precisely control surface topography over a wide range of dimensions and shapes, appears to be a useful technique in investigating the relationship between cell shape and function.
Spiral Techniques for Teaching Interpretation at Higher Education: Quantitative Research

This quantitative, quasi-experimental research is aimed at investigating the impact of spiral teaching techniques on students’ performance in interpretation. Data was collected using a pretest-posttest designed for a sample of level 7 undergraduate students in the College of Languages and Translation, at Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. Data collection instruments also included a Likert scale questionnaire to document the problems of interpretation. A sample of 100 students was selected randomly to respond to the questionnaire’s 30 items. Data analysis included a thorough analytical examination of students’ interpretations using a rubric that comprises seven categories for examining interpretation skills, including content delivery, language fluency, memory, speed, note-taking, time management, and managing lab equipment. The language category includes three subcategories, namely listening comprehension, language structure, and pronunciation and voice expression. The results of data analysis pointed to a significant difference between the overall scores of the students’ pretest and posttest, indicating the positive impact of spiral techniques on students’ performance. Data analysis of students’ recording and note-taking revealed the advantages of spiral teaching techniques for enhancing students’ cognitive abilities, including attention, retention, and motivation. The current research discussions cover a wide range of topics such as narrowing the gap between interpretation theories and practice, interpretation teaching and training, and the procedures for implementing the spiral approach. The recommendations emphasize the importance of adopting constructivist approaches in teaching interpretation. The significance of this research derives from being a contribution in the field of interpretation at higher education as it is one of the first studies to integrate the constructivist spiral theory into interpretation theories so as to enhance students’ lab training and, as a result, can lead to improving their performance. The spiral notetaking technique is another contribution in interpretation teaching and training.
Hidden Perpetrators Sexual Molestation in a Nonclinical Sample of College Women

The current study explored molestation committed by females during childhood and adolescence. Participants were 546 female college students recruited from the psychology research pool at a large southeastern university. Using a questionnaire approach, 22 women (4%) described at least one experience that met the criterion for sexually molesting a younger child. Although no offender viewed the experience as having a positive effect on the victim, only 3 of the 22 (14%) viewed what occurred as child sexual abuse. Few differences were found between perpetrators and nonperpetrators on background variables and psychological adjustment. Perpetrators, however, were more likely to have been sexually abused as children and to report having some sexual interest in children.
H2 histaminergic control of inhibition of eating induced by intragastric NaCl in rats

A role for endogenous histamine and histamine receptor subtypes in mediating the inhibition of eating induced by intragastric (i.g.) hypertonic NaCl was examined in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats surgically equipped with a chronic gastric catheter. The i.g. infusion of 2 mL 900 or 1,800 mOsm/kg of NaCl inhibited: 1) ingestion of pellets in rats eating after 24-h food deprivation; and 2) ingestion of cookies in rats eating without prior deprivation. The H1 receptor antagonists dexbrompheniramine (DXB; 1 mg/kg) and pyrilamine (PYR; 4 mg/kg) did not attenuate the inhibitory effects of i.g. 900 or 1,800 mOsm/kg of NaCl for rats eating pellets and for rats eating cookies. The H2 antagonists cimetidine (CIM; 16 mg/kg) and metiamide (MET; 16 mg/kg) attenuated the inhibitory effects of i.g. 1,800 mOsm/kg of NaCl upon ingestion of cookies, but intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion (through a chronic indwelling cannula) of 100 microg of CIM did not mimic this effect of intraperitoneal (i.p.) CIM. The i.p. CIM failed to attenuate the inhibition of eating cookies produced by i.p. octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8; 3 microg/kg). The H3 antagonist thioperamide (TH; 10 mg/kg i.p.) and the H3 agonist R-alpha-methylhistamine (RAM; 3 mg/kg i.p.) did not alter the inhibitory effect of i.g. 1,800 mOsm/kg of NaCl for rats eating cookies. Combined treatments of systemic DXB plus CIM, and DXB plus CIM plus thioperamide (TH) did not reverse the inhibitory effects of i.g. 1,800 mOsm/kg of NaCl upon ingestion of cookies. Finally, i.p. DXB, but not CIM, attenuated the ability of i.g. 900 mOsm/kg of NaCl to increase water intake; conversely, i.p. CIM, but not DXB, attenuated the ability of i.g. 900 mOsm/kg of NaCl to inhibit eating of cookies. These findings demonstrate a double dissociation of effects upon ingestive behavior: H1, but not H2, antagonism attenuates the effect of i.g. hypertonic NaCl on water intake, whereas H2, but not H1, antagonism attenuates the inhibition of eating produced by i.g. hypertonic NaCl. These results demonstrate that different subtypes of peripheral and/or central histamine receptors contribute to different behavioral consequences of postprandial gastrointestinal osmotic loads in rats.
Realization of Logically Labeled Effective Pure States for Bulk Quantum Computation

We report the first use of ``logical labeling'' to perform a quantum computation with a room-temperature bulk system. This method entails the selection of a subsystem that behaves as if it were at zero temperature---except for a decrease in signal strength---conditioned upon the state of the remaining system. No averaging over differently prepared molecules is required. In order to test this concept, we execute a quantum search algorithm in a subspace of two nuclear spins, labeled by a third spin, using solution nuclear magnetic resonance and employing a novel choice of reference frame to uncouple nuclei.
The Underside of Social Movements: The Effects of Destructive Affective Ties

Recent scholarship analyzes the role of emotions in social movements, focusing on the ways emotions contribute to the building and maintenance of movements and highlighting the function of positive affective bonds among members. This article analyzes the pejorative aspects of group life, the creation of negative affective bonds, and the production of emotions that are destructive to individuals and to group life. Using a case study of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), the leading New Left organization of the 1960s, I analyze the factors that contributed to the deterioration of positive affective bonds among members and their replacement with negative group dynamics, which had a deleterious effect on individual activists as well as on the life course of the movement in terms of alienation, disaffection, and demobilization.
Analysis of the template activity of bacteriophage T7 messenger RNAs during infection of male and female strains of Escherichia coli.

The total template activity and the relative abundance of nine different bacteriophage T7 messenger RNAs has been measured throughout infection of T7-infected male and female cells by measuring quantitatively the amount of gene-specific polypeptide synthesized in S-30 extracts prepared from uninfected Escherichia coli cells. The total template activity of RNA extracted from two T7-infected male strains, E. coli 279/F′ and E. cli RV/F′, is 20% and 50%, respectively, of the template activity in RNA extracted from T7-infected, isogenic female strains. At the individual mRNA level, there is not a uniform reduction in the level of the nine different messenger RNAs assayed. The early messages for T7 RNA polymerase and the gene 0.3 protein are present in equal amounts at early times in infected male and female cells. At late times there is a higher apparent concentration of 0.3 mRNA in male cells. Among the late proteins there is a wide variation in relative mRNA abundance in male cells. The mRNA for T7 lysozyme is present in equal amounts in male and female cells. The late mRNAs encoded by genes 6, DUP, 8, 9, 10 and 15 are present in RNA extracted from male cells at concentrations ranging from 5 to 100% of their level in female cells. The messenger RNAs corresponding to genes 16, 17 and 19 have not been detected in RNA from male cells although they can be detected in RNA from female cells. The mRNA from gene 12 is present in RNA from male cells but at a concentration too low to measure accurately. The relative amount of individual T7 mRNAs is lower in E. coli 279/F′ than it is in RV/F′, but there is a qualitative consistency in the degree of reduction in the two male strains. When S-30 extracts of T7-infected male and female cells are compared for their ability to translate added T7 early or late mRNA, there is an insignificant difference between the two extracts. Both are able to translate late T7 mRNAs with approximately equal efficiency. This efficiency is similar to the efficiency of translation in an S-30 extract prepared from uninfected male or female cells. Thus it appears that there is no specific translational discrimination against late T7 mRNAs in infected or uninfected male E. coli cell extracts. The unknown cause of the abortive T7 infection of male cells appears to reduce the synthesis of certain late T7 messenger RNAs as well as reducing total late protein synthesis.
Evolution of the Star Formation Rate in Galaxies with Increasing Densities

Some bursts of star formation are thought to be associated with situations in which a galaxy's density is increasing. Examples include protogalaxy collapse, mergers, inflow of gas into a galactic nucleus, or accretion of intergalactic gas. We have examined the evolution of the star formation rate (SFR) and other properties of galaxies with increasing density using one-zone cloud fluid equations describing an extension of the Oort cycle, for which the equilibrium state would give an SFR which increases monotonically with density. However, the calculations show that the energy input associated with the density increase generally dominates the evolution, and forces the system far from its normal equilibrium to a state in which cloud collisions are disruptive rather than coalescent. The calculations predict that starbursts associated with collapse, accretion, or inflow events should be preceded by a long incubation period with a very small SFR. For example, the initial star formation burst in a protogalaxy may be delayed for several billion years until nearly all the infalling material has been accreted onto the growing central object.
Direct structure determination of oxygen adsorbed on silver by reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy with isotopic substitution.

Reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) in the spectral region 1700--280 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ used to identify and characterize three forms of oxygen adsorbed on a polycrystalline silver ribbon. The high resolution of RAIRS allows us to interpret the spectra resulting from adsorption of mixed oxygen isotopes to identify directly two molecular forms and one atomic form of adsorbed oxygen, and to determine the adsorption geometry of the two molecular forms. One of the molecular forms, existing at temperatures below 265 K, is standing up on the surface and has an O-O stretching frequency of 983 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. The Ag-O stretching frequency for this species is predicted to be 210 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. Another molecular form, existing at temperatures below 185 K, lies parallel to the surface with an O-O stretching vibration at 622 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. A third form, the atomic oxygen, is produced by absorption between 300 and 560 K, and has an Ag-O stretching vibration at 351 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$.
RELEASE OF COLD-INDUCED BURNING PAIN BY BLOCK OF COLD-SPECIFIC AFFERENT INPUT

While the pure sensation of cold is evoked by activation of a specific set of afferent channels, an additional set is believed to be activated by noxious low-temperature stimuli evoking cold pain. At primary afferent level, the channels concerned with the cold fraction of cold pain are served by myelinated A delta cold-specific fibres, whereas those concerned with the pain fraction are served by unmyelinated C nociceptors. In the present study, interaction between the two types of afferent input underlying cold pain was investigated by selectively blocking conduction in myelinated fibres. When doing so to the point of abolishing cold sensation, ramps of low-temperature stimuli eventually evoked a first sensation of burning pain. In addition to, and contemporaneous with, this change in quality, a significant decrease in pain threshold (reduction in required stimulus energy) was recorded when applying a noxious low-temperature stimulus. Such exaggeration in magnitude of low temperature-induced pain and the unmasking of its burning quality by A fibre block imply release of central sensory transmission due to removal of inhibitory primary afferent input. Myelinated fibres transmitting either tactile, cold sensations or both could exert this inhibition. Previous evidence of suppression of pain by low-temperature stimuli indicates that it is the cold-specific input that normally exerts this central gating on nociceptor input. The present results may also offer an explanation for the occurrence of a syndrome of burning pain on cold exposure in neuropathic patients with impaired ability to perceive cold.
Enabling Large-Scale Biomolecular Conformation Search with Replica Exchange Statistical Temperature Molecular Dynamics (RESTMD) over HPC and Cloud Computing Resources

We present the latest development and experimental simulation studies of Statistical Temperature Molecular Dynamics (STMD) and its parallel tempering version, Replica Exchange Statistical Temperature Molecular Dynamics (RESTMD). Our main contributions are i) introduction of newly implemented STMD in LAMMPS, ii) use of large scale distributed cyber infrastructure including Amazon EC2 and the nationwide distributed computing infrastructure GENI, in addition to High-performance Computing (HPC) cluster systems, and iii) benchmark and simulation results highlighting advantages and potentials of STMD and RESTMD for challenging large-scale bio molecular conformational search. In this work, we attempt to provide convincing evidence that RESTMD, combining two advanced sampling protocols, STMD and the replica exchange algorithm, offers various advantages over not only conventional ineffective approaches but also other enhanced sampling methods. Interestingly, RESTMD has benefits over the most popular Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics (REMD) as an application maximizing its capacity in HPC environments. For example, RESTMD alleviates the need of a large number of replicas which is unavoidable in REMD and is flexible in order to exploit the maximum amount of available computing power of a cluster system. Continuing our recent effort in which RESTMD was implemented with a community molecular dynamics package, CHARMM, and the Hadoop MapReduce, in this work, we report latest development outcomes. First of all, we plugged the implementation of STMD into LAMMPS, one of the most popular public molecular dynamics packages. This is expected to position STMD and RESTMD appealing to investigators from a broad range of life science fields. Secondly, Hadoop MapReduce-based RESTMD is now able to run on Amazon EC2 and the nationwide network virtual organization, the GENI distributed computing environment. Thirdly, in order to find optimized parameters for RESTMD simulations, simulation results using test systems, water and solvated cram bin, were obtained and presented. These results, despite of relatively small sizes and short time scale trajectories, serve to underscore merits and potentials of STMD and RESTMD with respect to the strength in algorithmic advantages as well as efficient utilization of distributed resources.
MONTE CARLO SIMULATION OF THE ADSORPTION OF CO ON PT(111) : THERMODYNAMIC CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE SURFACE CONFIGURATION OF ADSORBED SPECIES

We have developed a “two-site” lattice gas model which provides a theoretical framework for understanding adsorption equilibrium in systems for which the potential energy surface is inherently heterogeneous in terms of both adsorbate-adsorbate and adsorbate-potential energy surface interactions and also entropic factors associated with the existence of two types of sites. Utilizing this general framework, we have examined two model systems with general features of the CO-Pt(ll1) adsorption system. In the first of these models, we represent the CO-CO interaction with a repulsive dipole-dipole - dipole-image potential and in the second, with a Lennard-Jones 6-12 potential. We delineate criteria for determining the ordered ground states of each of the systems in terms of the relative magnitudes of adsorbate-adsorbate and adsorbate-potential energy surface interactions and, utilizing Monte Carlo simulations, we calculate approximate phase diagrams for each. In addition to observing the expected order-disorder phase transitions, we observe a “bridge-to-top” transition associated with the transfer of molecules from bridge to energetically favored top sites as the temperature of the system is decreased. Both models produce phase diagrams which may be inferred from LEED studies of the CO-Pt(ll1) system at low coverages. In addition, the dipole-dipole - dipole-image potential reproduces quantitatively the experimentally observed coverage dependence of both the heat of adsorption and the infrared frequency of linear CO, while the Lennard-Jones model fails to reproduce these trends. We have utilized our model to address several issues related to the equilibrium of the CO-Pt(l11) system and we suggest avenues for future experimental study.
Predictors of depressive symptomatology among rural stimulant users

This study examined sociodemographic and drug-related predictors of depressive symptoms among a rural, multistate sample of not-in-treatment stimulant drug users (n = 710). Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling in Ohio, Arkansas, and Kentucky. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to measure symptoms of depression. Moderate to severe depressive symptomatology was reported by 43.0% of the sample. Cumulative logistic regression analysis showed that daily and nondaily crack use as well as the daily use of cocaine HCl increased the odds of depressive symptoms. Methamphetamine use had no significant association with depression. The daily use of marijuana, the illicit use of tranquilizers, light/moderate cigarette smoking, and injection drug use also increased the risk of depressive symptoms. Living in Kentucky or Ohio (compared to Arkansas), having unstable living arrangements, and being White, female, and older were related to higher odds of depressive symptoms. These results suggest that a host of drug and nondrug factors need to be considered when addressing depressive symptoms in stimulant users.
Personality features and characteristics of violent events committed by juvenile offenders

The present study investigated the relationship between characteristics of a violent event, as self-reported by 82 incarcerated juvenile offenders, and personality features measured by the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI). The study predicted that specific personality features that have previously been associated with psychopathy would be associated with the instrumentality, emotional reactivity, and empathy or guilt reported for the incident. Results confirmed that a self-reported pattern of elevated instrumental motivation and reduced empathy or guilt was associated with higher scores on the MACI Forceful, Unruly, Substance Abuse Proneness, Impulsive Propensity, and Family Discord Scales, as well as a recently developed Psychopathy Content Scale. Self-reported elevated instrumental motivation and reduced empathy or guilt was also associated with lower scores on the Submissive, Conforming, Anxious Feelings, and Sexual Discomfort Scales. There were no significant relationships observed between emotional reactivity and personality scales.
Development of Occupational Therapy in a Homeless Shelter

This paper describes a program which provides occupational therapy services to a population of homeless individuals residing in an emergency shelter in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Principles of commun...
The molecular and cell biology of pediatric low-grade gliomas

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is the most common glial cell tumor arising in children. Sporadic cases are associated with KIAA1549:BRAF fusion rearrangements, while 15–20% of children develop PA in the context of the neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) inherited tumor predisposition syndrome. The unique predilection of these tumors to form within the optic pathway and brainstem (NF1-PA) and cerebellum (sporadic PA) raises the possibility that gliomagenesis requires more than biallelic inactivation of the NF1 tumor suppressor gene or expression of the KIAA1549:BRAF transcript. Several etiologic explanations include differential susceptibilities of preneoplastic neuroglial cell types in different brain regions to these glioma-causing genetic changes, contributions from non-neoplastic cells and signals in the tumor microenvironment, and genomic modifiers that confer glioma risk. As clinically-faithful rodent models of sporadic PA are currently under development, Nf1 genetically-engineered mouse (GEM) models have served as tractable systems to study the role of the cell of origin, deregulated intracellular signaling, non-neoplastic cells in the tumor microenvironment and genomic modifiers in gliomagenesis. In this report, we highlight advances in Nf1-GEM modeling and review new experimental evidence that supports the emerging concept that Nf1- and KIAA1549:BRAF-induced gliomas arise from specific cell types in particular brain locations.
Osmoregulatory function in ducks following ingestion of the organophosphorus insecticide fenthion

Abstract Salt gland function and osmoregulation in aquatic birds drinking hyperosmotic water has been suggested to be impaired by organophosphorus insecticides. To test this hypothesis, adult black ducks (Anas rubripes) were provided various regimens of fresh or salt (1.5% NaCl) water before, during, and after ingestion of mash containing 21 ppm fenthion. Ducks were bled by jugular venipuncture after 1, 7, and 12 days of treatment, and were then killed. Brain and salt gland acetylcholinesterase activities were substantially inhibited (44–61% and 14–36%) by fenthion. However, salt gland weight and Na+-K+-ATPase activity, and plasma Na+, Cl−, and osmolality, were uniformly elevated in all groups receiving salt water including those ingesting fenthion. In a second study, salt gland Na+-K+-ATPase activity in mallards (A. platyrhynchos) was not affected after in vitro incubation with either fenthion oxon at concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 400 μM, but was reduced in the presence of 40 and 400 μM DDE (positive control). These findings suggest than environmentally realistic concentrations of organophosphorus insecticides do not markedly affect osmoregulatory function in adult black ducks.
Use of Personal Digital Assistants To Deliver Education About Adherence to Antiretroviral Medications

National surveys indicate that slightly less than one half of adults in the United States have low or limited literacy skills,1 a hidden characteristic that often hinders effective communication among patients and their health care providers. Literacy is increasingly recognized as an important factor that may influence the course of treatment and several health outcomes.2 Critical to the success of drug therapy is health literacy or the “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.”3 The importance of health literacy for the safety and effectiveness of health care is explained in a recent Institute of Medicine report, which includes all health care providers as part of a comprehensive plan to improve health literacy in America.4 Low literacy skills may be particularly problematic for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) because treatment typically involves frequent health care visits and complex medication regimens. Kalichman and Rompa5 found that low health literacy was associated with higher HIV viral loads, lower CD4+ counts, poorer perceived health, and greater numbers of hospitalizations. Furthermore, Kalichman et al.6 observed that people with low health literacy were at increased risk for missing doses of antiretroviral medications. Hence, the relationship between literacy and poor health outcomes in HIV/AIDS patients may be partially explained by how well individuals understand and adhere to prescribed treatment regimens. Although previous studies suggest that medication adherence can be improved through patient education and training,7–9 few literacy-independent tools are available to assist clinicians with medication counseling. Nonetheless, advances in computer technology offer new opportunities for developing innovative strategies that improve communication between health care providers and their patients. Handheld devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) may be especially useful in busy ambulatory care settings because they are portable, inexpensive, and enable the use of audio and graphical images to reinforce other forms of communication.
The structure of CorA: a Mg2+-selective channel

The crystal structure of a closed form of the CorA Mg2+ transporter from Thermatoga maritima completes a set of representative structures of transport systems for all of the major biological elements, Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+, K+ and Cl−. The CorA monomer has a C-terminal membrane domain containing two transmembrane segments and a large N-terminal cytoplasmic soluble domain. In the membrane, CorA forms a homopentamer shaped like a funnel. Comparison of the structure of CorA with that of other ion channels and transporters suggests numerous common features, but, as might be predicted from the unique chemistry of the Mg2+ cation, the structure of CorA has several unusual features. Among these are initial binding in the periplasm of a fully hydrated Mg2+ ion; a ring of positive charge external to the ion-conduction pathway at the cytosolic membrane interface; and highly negatively charged helices in the cytosolic domain that appear capable of interacting with the ring of positive charge to facilitate Mg2+ entry. Finally, there are bound Mg2+ ions in the cytosolic domain that are well placed to control the interaction of the ring of positive charge and the negatively charged helices, and thus control Mg2+ entry.
Construction of Knut Vik designs

Abstract A complete enumeration and algebraic description is given of all Knut Vik designs of order ⩽13. For n = 5, 7 and 11 there are (up to equivalence) exactly the n -3 cyclic designs. For n = 13 there are 12386 inequivalent Knut Vik designs; of these 10 are cyclic (in all directions) and 1560 are semi-cyclic (cyclic in a single direction.) Systematic methods are given for constructing semi-cyclic Knut Vik designs of any prime order > 11.
Comparison of GD2 Binding Capture ELISA Assays for Anti-GD2-Antibodies Using GD2-Coated Plates and a GD2-Expressing Cell-Based ELISA

Two assay methods for quantification of the disialoganglioside (GD2)-specific binding activities of anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies and antibody immunofusion proteins, such as ch14.18 and hu14.18-IL2, were developed. The methods differed in the use of either microtiter plates coated with purified GD2 or plates seeded with GD2-expressing cell lines to bind the anti-GD2 molecules. The bound antibodies were subsequently detected using the reactivity of the antibodies to an HRP-labeled anti-IgG Fc or antibodies recognizing the conjugate IL-2 part of the Hu 14.18IL-2 fusion protein. The bound HRP was detected using reagents such as orthophenylene diamine, 2, 2'-azinobis [3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] or tetramethylbenzidine. The capture ELISA using GD2-coated plates was developed earlier in assay development and used to demonstrate assay specificity and to compare lot-to-lot consistency and stability of ch14.18, and Hu14.18 IL-2 in clinical development. During this study, we found a number of issues related to plate-to-plate variability, GD2 lot variability, and variations due to GD2 storage stability, etc., that frequently lead to assay failure in plates coated with purified GD2. The cell-based ELISA (CbELISA) using the GD2 expressing melanoma cell line, M21/P6, was developed as an alternative to the GD2-coated plate ELISA. The results on the comparability of the capture ELISA on GD2-coated plates and the cell-based assay show that both assays give comparable results. However, the cell-based assay is more consistent and reproducible. Subsequently, the anti-GD2 capture ELISA using the GD2-coated plate was replaced with the CbELISA for product lot release testing and stability assessment.