cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the membrane-associated thiol oxidase activity of rat small-intestinal epithelium.

Abstract The membrane-associated thiol oxidase of rat small-intestinal epithelium was studied to determine its subcellular localization and properties. The brush-border and basallateral regions of the plasma membrane were isolated by density-gradient centrifugation in Percoll. The intestinal oxidase was localized by use of marker enzymes to the basallateral region of the plasma membrane. The reaction stoichiometry and activity with a variety of low-molecular-weight thiols were determined. The oxidase activity was inhibited by EDTA, bathocuproine disulfonate, N -ethylmaleimide, and H 2 O 2 ; this suggests that copper and a sulfhydryl group are involved in catalysis. Oxidase activity in EDTA-treated basal-lateral membranes was reconstituted with CuSO 4 , which suggests the requirement for copper. These results show that the intestinal oxidase is very similar to the renal oxidase, and because of the subcellular localization and accessibility to extracellular thiols, suggests that the intestinal oxidase may be important in the maintenance of the plasma thiol:disulfide ratio.
Suicide among women with cosmetic breast implants: a review of the epidemiologic evidence.

Recent epidemiologic studies of women with cosmetic breast implants indicate a statistically significant 2- to 3-fold increase in suicide risk when compared with the general population. Over the last decade, of the large number of epidemiologic studies on various long-term adverse health outcomes among implant recipients, this excess of suicide is the only serious adverse effect supported by credible research. But an association of suicide with cosmetic breast implants based on comparisons with the general population does not by itself support a cause-and-effect relationship regarding the role of implants. Etiologic epidemiologic research is urgently needed to evaluate whether the association between breast implants and suicide is spurious (e.g., reflecting increased prevalence of underlying psychopathology and other risk factors for suicide in women seeking implants) or reflects an actual role for implants in suicide. As a first step, sound epidemiologic nested case-control studies are required to characterize the preimplant psychiatric history of women with implants who commit suicide compared with women with implants from the same cohort who do not commit suicide. Second, large-scale retrospective cohort studies are needed to compare suicide rates among women with implants versus those among women without implants matched on preimplant diagnoses of psychiatric disorders, year of diagnosis, year of birth, family history of psychiatric admissions, and other relevant factors that influence suicide risk. This type of large-scale complex epidemiologic research may be difficult to complete in countries with restrictive privacy laws and widespread litigation, but only after such appropriate etiologic research is completed can any credible cause-effect inference be made regarding the role, if any, of cosmetic breast implants in suicide.
Prioritization of Schedule Dependencies in Hurricane Recovery of Transportation Agency

A transportation agency must consider the efficiency of its hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery operations. This paper develops and demonstrates a methodology to identify and characterize the schedule dependencies and subsequent delays that arise among federal, state, and local agencies and organizations involved in the pre and posthurricane processes in order to reduce the time for a region to recover from a natural disaster. The large scale of an agency’s overall recovery from a natural disaster presents a challenge to conventional scheduling models, including program evaluation and review technique and critical-path methods. A metanalysis to support agency resource allocation is thus developed as follows. Instances of schedule dependencies from past recoveries are collected and categorized according to the functional and organizational units of the agency. A categorical study is performed to highlight the functional units that are associated with the greater numbers of dependencies. The agen...
Edge emission involving manganese impurities in GaAs at 4.2°K

Abstract Recombination radiation in manganese doped GaAs at 4.2°K shows a set of lines, separated by the longitudinal optical phonon energy (0.036 eV). This is interpreted to be of the same recombination mechanism involved in the edge emission of such polar crystals as ZnS and CdS. Relative line intensities approximately follow a Poisson distribution in accordance with Hopfield's theory.
Performance Limitations of Relay Neurons

Relay cells are prevalent throughout sensory systems and receive two types of inputs: driving and modulating. The driving input contains receptive field properties that must be transmitted while the modulating input alters the specifics of transmission. For example, the visual thalamus contains relay neurons that receive driving inputs from the retina that encode a visual image, and modulating inputs from reticular activating system and layer 6 of visual cortex that control what aspects of the image will be relayed back to visual cortex for perception. What gets relayed depends on several factors such as attentional demands and a subject's goals. In this paper, we analyze a biophysical based model of a relay cell and use systems theoretic tools to construct analytic bounds on how well the cell transmits a driving input as a function of the neuron's electrophysiological properties, the modulating input, and the driving signal parameters. We assume that the modulating input belongs to a class of sinusoidal signals and that the driving input is an irregular train of pulses with inter-pulse intervals obeying an exponential distribution. Our analysis applies to any order model as long as the neuron does not spike without a driving input pulse and exhibits a refractory period. Our bounds on relay reliability contain performance obtained through simulation of a second and third order model, and suggest, for instance, that if the frequency of the modulating input increases or the DC offset decreases, then relay increases. Our analysis also shows, for the first time, how the biophysical properties of the neuron (e.g. ion channel dynamics) define the oscillatory patterns needed in the modulating input for appropriately timed relay of sensory information. In our discussion, we describe how our bounds predict experimentally observed neural activity in the basal ganglia in (i) health, (ii) in Parkinson's disease (PD), and (iii) in PD during therapeutic deep brain stimulation. Our bounds also predict different rhythms that emerge in the lateral geniculate nucleus in the thalamus during different attentional states.
Reflection and transmission of waves from an interface with a phase-transforming solid

This paper is concerned with waves in a composite elastic bar, the left half of which is composed of a linearly elastic material, while the nonlinearly elastic material of the right half can undergo a phase transition. We assume that a wave in the left portion of the bar is incident upon the interface between the two materials, and we investigate the question of whether the phase transition can be exploited to augment or diminish the strength of the reflected or transmitted wave.
Design of a multifunctional communications software package

Data communications and computer networks have undergone phenomenal growth, resulting in the proliferation of hardware, software, and communications protocols. However, as needs change and new technologies are developed existing software frequently becomes incapable of handling the new configurations and therefore obsolete. The design and implementation of a new data communications software package, Commpac, designed to address these problems, is described. The package is modular and multifunctional, and supports the hierarchy of point-to-point communications protocols. In addition, it has been designed to adapt to system changes and to provide the software resources necessary for the development of new modules to cope with these changes.
Inducible high expression of the Escherichia coli infC gene subcloned behind a bacteriophage T7 promoter.

Abstract The gene for Escherichia coli translational initiation factor 3 ( infC ) has been inserted into an overexpression plasmid under the control of the bacteriophage T7 promoter. The infC plasmid was then used to transform a host with a chromosomal T7 RNA polymerase gene controlled by the lac UVS promoter. Induction of T7 RNA polymerase expression in the host cells resulted in a 200-fold overexpression of infC mRNA and a 100-fold overproduction of initiation factor 3. Rapid batch purification of biologically active IF3 yielded predominantly the long form of IF3, implying that the short form is an artifact of purification by traditional methods.
Development of a Simultaneous Cryo-Anchoring and Radiofrequency Ablation Catheter for Percutaneous Treatment of Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is one subtype of mitral valve (MV) disease and is often characterized by enlarged leaflets that are thickened and have disrupted collagen architecture. The increased surface area of myxomatous leaflets with MVP leads to mitral regurgitation, and there is need for percutaneous treatment options that avoid open-chest surgery. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is one potential therapy in which resistive heating can be used to reduce leaflet size via collagen contracture. One challenge of using RF ablation to percutaneously treat MVP is maintaining contact between the RF ablation catheter tip and a functioning MV leaflet. To meet this challenge, we have developed a RF ablation catheter with a cryogenic anchor for attachment to leaflets in order to apply RF ablation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the dual-energy catheter in vitro by examining changes in leaflet biaxial compliance, thermal distribution with infrared (IR) imaging, and cryogenic anchor strength. We report that 1250 J of RF energy with cryo-anchoring reduced the determinant of the deformation gradient tensor at systolic loading by 23%. IR imaging revealed distinct regions of cryo-anchoring and tissue ablation, demonstrating that the two modalities do not counteract one another. Finally, cryogenic anchor strength to the leaflet was reduced but still robust during the application of RF energy. These results indicate that a catheter having combined RF ablation and cryo-anchoring provides a novel percutaneous treatment strategy for MVP and may also be useful for other percutaneous procedures where anchored ablation would provide more precise spatial control.
Texture and anisotropy in Al-Li alloy 2195 plate and near-net-shape extrusions

Abstract Low density aluminum-lithium (Al-Li) alloys, such as 2195, are candidate materials for reducing the structural weight of cryogenic tanks on launch vehicles. The objective of this investigation was to establish the relationship between mechanical anisotropy, microstructure and texture in a near-net-shape ‘T-stiffened’ extrusion and in two gauges of plate. In both product forms, in-plane properties were measured as a function of orientation to the extrusion/rolling direction; tensile properties in increments of 15° and fracture toughness properties at 0, 45 and 90° to the principal axis. Mechanical behavior was evaluated at two locations in the skin of the extrusion, namely midway between and directly beneath the stiffeners. The microstructures of the plate and extruded product were characterized using cross-polarized light imaging of anodically etched metallographic sections. The textural characteristics were quantified as a function of location within the respective cross-sections using orientation distribution function (ODF) analysis. Tensile and fracture properties were correlated with microstructural and textural characteristics in the 2195 near-net-shape extrusion and compared with plate product.
Formation of New Corpora Lutea in Mature Hypophysectomized Rats

New corpora lutea of oviolation were produced in mature hypophysectomized rats by a 4-day regimen of standard FSH and LH preparations. A wide range of gonadotrophin dosages caused luteinization of unruptured fol- licles, which resulted in the formation of corpora lutea atretica. However, oviolation and the forma- tion of 4 or more corpora lutea per rat could be induced consistently only with certain optimum dosages. The subsequent development and func- tion of the induced corpora lutea were also stud- ied. In the absence of further treatment, the in- duced luteal tissue in both types of luteal bodies developed into morphologically persistent but nonfunctional structures similar to those observed in untreated hypophysectomized rats. Prolactin administration, begun on the day after the in- duced ovulation, resulted in functional corpora lutea capable of supporting trauma-induced uterine deciduomata. (Endocrinology 78: 1259, 1966) T HE RELATIVE ease with which ovulation and corpus luteum formation may be in- duced by pituitary gonadotrophins in intact rats contrasts markedly with the results in hypophysectomized animals. This difference, noted in the first experiments with hypophysec- tomized rats (1), was confirmed and extended in later studies using crude preparations of pituitary gonadotrophins (2, 3). These later experiments demonstrated that both dosage and source of extract were critical factors in the induction of ovulation. On the other hand, luteinization of unruptured follicles, sometimes resulting in almost solid luteal bodies (corpora lutea atretica) containing trapped ova, was a consistent observation. Other experiments (4) with purified pituitary preparations revealed that normal ovulation and corpus luteum formation in hypophysecto- mized rats required 4 days of FSH treatment followed by at least 4 or 5 days of combined FSH and LH treatment. The investigators did not note any of the corpora lutea atretica ob- served previously with crude extracts. Carter et al. (5) also obtained normal ovulation and corpus luteum formation with purified prepara- tions. These authors used a treatment regimen approaching the physiological: 4 days of fol- licular development with an ovulatory stimulus on the fourth day. Furthermore, it was ob-
A fisheye follow-up: further reflections on focus + context

Information worlds continue to grow, posing daunting challenges for interfaces. This paper tries to increase our understanding of approaches to the problem, building on the Generalized Fisheye View framework. Three issues are discussed. First a number of existing techniques are unified by the commonality of what they show, certain fisheye-related subsets, with the techniques differing only in how they show those subsets. Then the elevated importance of these subsets, and their generality, is used to discuss the possibility of non-visual fisheye-views, to attack problems not so amenable to visualization. Finally, several models are given for why these subsets might be important in user interactions, with the goal of better informing design rationales.
Growth and Metabolism of Chick Embryo Muscle Cultures

Malathion and malaoxon inhibited growth (cell number, protein, DNA) of chick embryo pectoral muscle cultures. Low-protein phosphate-buffered medium with pesticide was more toxic than high-protein, carbon dioxide-buffered medium. Growth was also inhibited by parathion and paraoxon. Malathion, but not malaoxon, inhibited the respiration of cells, tissue homogenates, and mitochondrial fractions. Oxygen consumption of intact cells was inhibited by malathion under conditions in which it was toxic to growth. The results suggested oxidation of α-ketoglutarate as one site of malathson action. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was studied by spectrophotometry, cytochemistry, and gel electrophoresis. Muscle cultures and embryo muscle tissue had similar AChE isozymes. Cells grown with malaoxon had less AChE activity than those grown with malathion. Levels of AChE activity did not correlate with toxicity of the organophosphorus agents.
A LIMITED SAMPLING METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF FLUNARIZINE AREA UNDER THE CURVE (AUC) AND MAXIMUM PLASMA CONCENTRATION (CMAX)

A limited sampling model has been developed for flunarizine following a 30 mg oral dose in epileptic patients who were receiving phenytoin or carbamazepine or both, to estimate the area under the curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax). The model was developed using training data sets from 30, 20, 15, or 10 patients at one or two time points. The equations describing the models for AUC using two time points (3 and 24h) and Cmax for the training data set of 30 subjects were AUCpredicted = 11.1 C3h + 121.4 C24h - 157 (r = 0.80) Cmax(predicted) = 0.036 AUC + 42.9 (r = 0.74) The model was validated on 64 patients who received flunarizine orally. The model provided reasonably good estimates for both AUC and Cmax. The mean predicted AUC of flunarizine was 1230 +/- 717 ng h mL-1, whereas the observed AUC was 1203 +/- 900 ng h mL-1. The bias of the prediction was 2% and precision was 28%. The mean predicted Cmax of flunarizine was 86 +/- 32 ng mL-1 as compared to an observed mean Cmax of 90 +/- 42 ng mL-1. The bias and precision of the prediction were 4% and 24%, respectively. The method described here may be used to estimate AUC and Cmax for flunarizine without detailed pharmacokinetic studies.
Wage indexation, turnover, and nominal-wage changes in Brazilian manufacturing, 1966–1976☆

Abstract This paper estimates the short-run impact of wage indexation on monthly nominal-wage changes in two Brazilian manufacturing industries between 1966 and 1976. A policy and market-force wage determination model is estimated. The model includes variables that capture the effects of the annual collective wage adjustment, the regional minimum wage, demand, and inflation. Monthly data allow identification of the month of impact of the indexation coefficients. Results suggest that indexation does not fully set wages and support the hypothesis that wages rise between formal adjustments in response to economic forces. Intra-period wage drift is possible because of turnover and recontracting in the labor market.
PITMAN: A FORTRAN program for exact randomization tests

PITMAN performs exact randomization tests. It also performs Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U tests in the presence of an arbitrary number of ties in the data. PITMAN requires an IBM PC with 256K of memory. The source code is available for those who wish to compile smaller or larger versions or wish to move PITMAN to another computer.
Evidence that Jupiter is not the source of the 2-3 kHz heliospheric radiation

It has been suggested that continuum radiation from Jupiter could provide the source for the 2- to 3-kHz radio emissions detected by Voyagers 1 and 2 in the outer heliosphere. By a fortuitous set of circumstances the Ulysses flyby of Jupiter in early 1992 provided an opportunity to compare the intensity of a strong, new heliospheric radio emission event with the intensity of continuum radiation from Jupiter. These comparisons show no evidence that Jupiter is the source of the heliospheric radio emissions.
Dynamic interplay of Berry's phase and spectral flow in the current-voltage characteristics of a restricted class of large SNS annular Josephson junctions

It has been argued that a competition arises between the Berry phase and spectral flow effects in a restricted class of large SNS annular Josephson junctions. A crossover is expected to occur in the junction response at the temperature ${T}_{*}$ where the superconducting dynamics enters the hydrodynamic limit. For $Tg{T}_{*},$ spectral flow occurs in the weak link and masks the Berry phase effects; while for $T\ensuremath{\ll}{T}_{*},$ spectral flow does not occur allowing Berry phase effects to freely influence junction dynamics. In this paper we focus on temperatures $T\ensuremath{\lesssim}{T}_{*}$ where spectral flow masking of Berry phase effects begins to switch off. In the case where a single vortex is present in the weak link, we numerically calculate the I--V curves for a restricted class of annular Josephson junctions in which nonvanishing Berry phase effects are expected to occur. We find that as Berry phase effects strengthen, distinctive shifts appear in the I--V curves which are the signature of the crossover, and provide clear targets for an experimental test of the underlying theory. We estimate ${T}_{*}$ for a clean junction, summarize the restrictions defining the class of annular junctions in which nonvanishing Berry phase effects are expected to occur, and show how the I--V curve shifts can be understood as a consequence of: (1) a Berry phase contribution to the tunneling current density; (2) the magnetic structure of the vortex core; and (3) Bernoulli's theorem.
A Simulation-Based Approach to Understanding the Dynamics of Innovation Implementation

The history of management practice is filled with innovations that failed to live up to the promise suggested by their early success. A paradox currently facing organizational theory is that the failure of these innovations often cannot be attributed to an intrinsic lack of efficacy. To resolve this paradox, in this paper I study the process ofinnovation implementation. Working from existing theoretical frameworks, I synthesize a model that describes the process through which participants in an organization develop commitment to using a newly adopted innovation. I then translate that framework into a formal model and analyze it using computer simulation. The analysis suggests three new constructs--reversion, regeneration, and the motivation threshold--characterizing the dynamics of implementation. Taken together, the constructs provide an internally consistent theory of how seemingly rational decision rules can create the apparent paradox of innovations that generate early results but fail to produce sustained benefit.
Cell attachment activity of fibronectin can be duplicated by small synthetic fragments of the molecule

The ability of fibronectin to bind cells can be accounted for by the tetrapeptide L-arginyl-glycyl-L-aspartyl-L-serine, a sequence which is part of the cell attachment domain of fibronectin and present in at least five other proteins. This tetrapeptide may constitute a cellular recognition determinant common to several proteins.
Evaluation of a Cognitive Tool for Enhanced Decision Making and Personal Change among College Students

Many college students have difficulty with decision making and personal change. In this study, we examine the impact of a fill-in-the-node spatial display that college students complete while considering alternatives and action plans related to dilemmas and behavior change. College students who utilized the cognitive tool reported greater positive expectations for future decision making and personal change than did those in a problem-based writing group and a no treatment group. Implications for academic advisors are discussed.
Parallel algorithms for the adaptive refinement and partitioning of unstructured meshes

The efficient solution of many large-scale scientific calculations depends on adaptive mesh strategies. We present new parallel algorithms to solve two significant problems that arise in this context: the generation of the adaptive mesh and the mesh partitioning. The crux of our refinement algorithm is the identification of independent sets of elements that can be refined in parallel. The objective of our partitioning heuristic is to construct partitions with good aspect ratios. We present run-time bounds and computational results obtained on the Intel DELTA for these algorithms. These results demonstrate that the algorithms exhibit scalable performance and have run-times small in comparison with other aspects of the computation. >
In Conclusion. . . . John 12 as a Rhetorical Peroratio

Most commentators on John 12:37—50 label it a “conclusion” or “epilogue.” By this they mean that this part of John 12 contains two differing sets of information: a “summary” of (1) the ministry of Jesus and its non-reception or (2) review of major motifs and themes. This study argues that John 12 is a precise rhetorical conclusio/peroratio. Rhetoricians identify two purposes in a conclusion: (1) recapitulation of topics discussed, albeit selectively, and (2) arousal of emotions toward topics or persons. Emotions in rhetoric are binary: love vs. hate, confidence vs. fear, emulation vs. envy, etc. John 12 is recognized as repeating judgment materials from John 3, the critical behavior urged in John 12. Many other topics are also recapitulated. Moreover most of the Johannine characters reappear before the audience a judgment of whom is to be rendered in virtue of the emotion evoked, either love or hate.
Estimated Kidney Function Based on Serum Cystatin C and Risk of Subsequent Coronary Artery Calcium in Young and Middle-aged Adults With Preserved Kidney Function: Results From the CARDIA Study

Whether kidney dysfunction is associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC) in young and middle-aged adults who have a cystatin C–derived estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys) greater than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 is unknown. In the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort (recruited in 1985 and 1986 in Birmingham, Alabama; Chicago, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Oakland, California), we examined 1) the association of eGFRcys at years 10 and 15 and detectable CAC over the subsequent 5 years and 2) the association of change in eGFRcys and subsequent CAC, comparing those with stable eGFRcys to those whose eGFRcys increased (>3% annually over 5 years), declined moderately (3%–5%), or declined rapidly (>5%). Generalized estimating equation Poisson models were used, with adjustment for age, sex, race, educational level, income, family history of coronary artery disease, diabetes, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and tobacco use. Among 3,070 participants (mean age 35.6 (standard deviation, 4.1) years and mean eGFRcys 106.7 (standard deviation, 18.5) mL/min/1.73 m2), 529 had detectable CAC. Baseline eGFRcys was not associated with CAC. Moderate eGFRcys decline was associated with a 33% greater relative risk of subsequent CAC (95% confidence interval: 5, 68; P = 0.02), whereas rapid decline was associated with a 51% higher relative risk (95% confidence interval: 10, 208; P = 0.01) in adjusted models. In conclusion, among young and middle-aged adults with eGFRcys greater than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, annual decline in eGFRcys is an independent risk factor for subsequent CAC.
What monkeys can tell us about metacognition and mindreading

Thinkers in related fields such as philosophy, psychology, and education define metacognition in a variety of different ways. Based on an emerging standard definition in psychology, we present evidence for metacognition in animals, and argue that mindreading and metacognition are largely orthogonal.
Dose, timing, schedule, and the choice of targeted epitope alter the efficacy of anti-CD22 immunotherapy in mice bearing human lymphoma xenografts

CD22 is a cell-surface adhesion molecule on most B-cell NHL, so it is a promising target for immunotherapy. HB22.7 is an anti-CD22 mAb that binds the two NH2-terminal immunoglobulin domains and specifically blocks the interaction of CD22 with its ligand. CD22-blocking mAbs induce apoptosis in neoplastic B-cells and are functionally distinguishable from other anti-CD22 mAbs. This study assessed the optimal dose, route, schedule, and the targeted CD22 epitope. Raji NHL-bearing nude mice were studied. A non-blocking anti-CD22 mAb (HB22.27) was used as a control. HB22.27 had minimal effect, whereas HB22.7 improved survival and shrank tumors substantially. HB22.7 doses greater than 1.4 mg/week did not further increase efficacy (or toxicity). Tumors less than 200 mm3 had a higher response rate than did larger tumors. Various schedules of HB22.7 administration were tested; one dose every other week was more effective than more or less frequent dosing. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that the half-life of HB22.7 was 28 days; this correlated with the time needed to re-populate cell-surface CD22 after treatment with HB22.7. Immuno-PET showed that NHL was rapidly and specifically targeted by copper-64-labeled-HB22.7. This study provided data as to an optimal dose, route, schedule and interval between doses of HB22.7.
Complete Genome Sequence of Francisella philomiragia ATCC 25017

Francisella philomiragia is a saprophytic gammaproteobacterium found only occasionally in immunocompromised individuals and is the nearest neighbor to the causative agent of tularemia and category A select agent Francisella tularensis. To shed insight into the key genetic differences and the evolution of these two distinct lineages, we sequenced the first complete genome of F. philomiragia strain ATCC 25017, which was isolated as a free-living microorganism from water in Bear River Refuge, Utah.
Do you hear voices? Problems in assessment of mental status in deaf persons with severe language deprivation

When mental health clinicians perform mental status examinations, they examine the language patterns of patients because abnormal language patterns, sometimes referred to as language dysfluency, may indicate a thought disorder. Performing such examinations with deaf patients is a far more complex task, especially with traditionally underserved deaf people who have severe language deficits in their best language or communication modality. Many deaf patients suffer language deprivation due to late and inadequate exposure to ASL. They are also language dysfluent, but the language dysfluency is usually not due to mental illness. Others are language dysfluent due to brain disorders such as aphasia. This paper examines difficulties in performing a mental status examination with deaf patients. Issues involved in evaluating for hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking are reviewed. Guidelines are drawn for differential diagnosis of language dysfluency related to thought disorder vs. language dysfluency related to language deprivation.
Organizational Involvement and Political Participation in China

This article explores the impact of organizational involvement on political participation in mainland China. The formal organizations in China today differ in the nature of organization and membership, which in turn lead to different effect on political participation. In contrast with the Communist Party and the “mass organizations,” the reemerging civic associations have more voluntary and active members. Although providing similar benefits of vertical connections to official access and information as other formal organizations, they uniquely transcend the boundaries of the administrative or work units to bring together people with dissimilar background. Analysis of a nationwide survey data shows that involvement in the Party or mass organizations provides some advantages in participation through official channels, while the constraining effect on unconventional activities did not materialize. Involvement in civic associations significantly facilitates all types of political participation.
Increased high-affinity phosphodiesterase PDE2 gene expression in germ tubes counteracts CAP1-dependent synthesis of cyclic AMP, limits hypha production and promotes virulence of Candida albicans

Summary Frequent interconversion between yeasts, pseudohyphae and true hyphae is a hallmark of Candida albicans growth in mammalian tissues. The requirement for transient CAP1-dependent pulses of cAMP for generating true hyphae, Hwp1 and virulence raises questions about the role of yeast and pseudohyphal forms in the pathogenesis of candidiasis. In this study, hyperfilamentous mutants, limited in their capacity to produce buds, were generated by disrupting the high-affinity phosphodiesterase gene PDE2. Degradation of cAMP by the PDE2 gene product was confirmed by higher basal cAMP levels in the pde2/pde2 mutant and by accumulation of cAMP to levels permitting germ tube formation upon disrupting PDE2 in the cap1/cap1 mutant. Similar phenotypes of the C. albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae pde2/pde2 mutants were found, including sensitivity to nutritional starvation and exogenous cAMP and defective entry into stationary phase. Importantly, the hyperfilamentous mutants were as avirulent as hypofilamentous mutants in a systemic model of candidiasis. Growth in a multiplicity of forms appears to be a virulence attribute that is controlled by tight coupling of cAMP synthesis and degradation. Delayed increases in PDE2 mRNA in cAMP-deficient cap1/cap1 mutants during germ tube-inducing conditions suggested a mechanism of control involving cAMP-dependent induction of PDE2 mRNA.
Temporal gene expression profiles of target-ablated olfactory epithelium in mice with disrupted expression of scavenger receptor A: impact on macrophages

Target ablation [removal of the olfactory bulb (OBX)] induces apoptotic death of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and an immune response in which activation and recruitment of macrophages (mφs) int...
School lunch and snacking patterns among high school students: associations with school food environment and policies.

This study examined associations between high school students' lunch patterns and vending machine purchases and the school food environment and policies. A randomly selected sample of 1088 high school students from 20 schools completed surveys about their lunch practices and vending machine purchases. School food policies were assessed by principal and food director surveys. The number of vending machines and their hours of operation were assessed by trained research staff. Students at schools with open campus policies during lunchtime were significantly more likely to eat lunch at a fast food restaurant than students at schools with closed campus policies (0.7 days/week vs. 0.2 days/week, p < .001). Student snack food purchases at school were significantly associated with the number of snack machines at schools (p < .001) and policies about the types of food that can be sold. In schools with policies, students reported making snack food purchases an average of 0.5 ± 1.1 days/week as compared to an average of 0.9 ± 1.3 days/week in schools without policies (p < .001). In schools in which soft drink machines were turned off during lunch time, students purchased soft drinks from vending machines 1.4 ± 1.6 days/week as compared to 1.9 ± 1.8 days/week in schools in which soft drink machines were turned on during lunch (p = .040). School food policies that decrease access to foods high in fats and sugars are associated with less frequent purchase of these items in school among high school students. Schools should examine their food-related policies and decrease access to foods that are low in nutrients and high in fats and sugars.
Parallel computing of sparse linear systems using matrix condensation algorithm

Solving sparse systems of linear equations permeates power system analysis. Newton-Raphson, decoupled, and fast decoupled algorithms all require the repeated solution of sparse systems of linear equations in order to capture the steady state operational conditions of the studied power system. Solving these systems of equations is usually done with LU factorization which has an order of complexity O(N3), where n represents the number of equations in the system. The Chio?s matrix condensation algorithm is an alternative approach, which in general has a complexity of O(N4). However, it has a straightforward formulation that can be easily implemented in a parallel computing architecture to reach a potential speedup by N2. Previous research has not investigated the application of the matrix condensation algorithm under sparse matrix, which is typical for power system analysis. This paper proposes a parallel solution of sparse linear systems using matrix condensation algorithm and realistic test data from power flow analysis. Different sparse matrix techniques are discussed, and a reordering scheme is applied to further improve the efficiency for solving the sparse linear system.
Final spins from the merger of precessing binary black holes

The inspiral of binary black holes is governed by gravitational radiation reaction at binary separations r ≲ 1000M, yet it is too computationally expensive to begin numerical-relativity simulations with initial separations r ≳ 10M. Fortunately, binary evolution between these separations is well described by post-Newtonian equations of motion. We examine how this post-Newtonian evolution affects the distribution of spin orientations at separations r ≃ 10M where numerical-relativity simulations typically begin. Although isotropic spin distributions at r ≃ 1000M remain isotropic at r ≃ 10M, distributions that are initially partially aligned with the orbital angular momentum can be significantly distorted during the post-Newtonian inspiral. Spin precession tends to align (antialign) the binary black hole spins with each other if the spin of the more massive black hole is initially partially aligned (antialigned) with the orbital angular momentum, thus increasing (decreasing) the average final spin. Spin precession is stronger for comparable-mass binaries and could produce significant spin alignment before merger for both supermassive and stellar-mass black hole binaries. We also point out that precession induces an intrinsic accuracy limitation (≲0.03 in the dimensionless spin magnitude, ≲20° in the direction) in predicting the final spin resulting from the merger of widely separated binaries.
Modeling of microscale biothermal processes: From freezing to fever

A didactic overview of modeling of biothermal processes on microscopic scales will be presented. Examples will be drawn from the author's research in the areas of cryopreservation, hyperthermia, and fever. Considering length scales ranging from molecular to cellular (10/sup -9/ to 10/sup -4/m), governing biothermal processes must be modeled using nonequilibrium thermodynamics.
Stabilization of discrete mRNA breakdown products in ams pnp rnb multiple mutants of Escherichia coli K-12.

Abstract The degradation of mRNA in Escherichia coli is thought to occur through a series of endonucleolytic and exonucleolytic steps. By constructing a series of multiple mutants containing the pnp-7 (polynucleotide phosphorylase), rnb-500 (RNase II), and ams-1 (altered message stability) alleles, it was possible to study general mRNA turnover as well as the degradation of specific mRNAs. Of most interest was the ams-1 pnp-7 rnb-500 triple mutant in which the half-life of total pulse-labeled RNA increased three- to fourfold at the nonpermissive temperature. RNA-DNA hybridization analysis of several specific mRNAs such as trxA (thioredoxin), ssb (single-stranded-DNA-binding protein), uvrD (DNA helicase II), cat (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase), nusA (N utilization substance), and pnp (polynucleotide phosphorylase) demonstrated two- to fourfold increases in their chemical half-lives. A new method for high-resolution Northern (RNA) analysis showed that the trxA and cat mRNAs are degraded into discrete fragments which are significantly stabilized only in the triple mutant. A model for mRNA turnover is discussed.
QDSL: a queuing model for systems with differential service levels

A feature exhibited by many modern computing systems is their ability to improve the quality of output they generate for a given input by spending more computing resources on processing it. Often this improvement comes at the price of degraded performance in the form of reduced throughput or increased response time. We formulate QDSL, a class of constrained optimization problems defined in the context of a queueing server equipped with multiple levels of service. Solutions to QDSL provide rules for dynamically varying the service level to achieve desired trade-offs between output quality and performance. Our approach involves reducing restricted versions of such systems to Markov Decision Processes. We find two variants of such systems worth studying: (i) VarSL, in which a single request may be serviced using a combination of multiple levels during its lifetime and (ii) FixSL in which the service level may not change during the lifetime of a request. Our modeling indicates that optimal service level selection policies in these systems correspond to very simple rules that can be implemented very efficiently in realistic, online systems. We find our policies to be useful in two response-time-sensitive real-world systems: (i) qSecStore, an iSCSI-based secure storage system that has access to multiple encryption functions, and (ii) qPowServer, a server with DVFS-capable processor. As a representative result, in an instance of qSecStore serving disk requests derived from the well-regarded TPC-H traces, we are able to improve the fraction of requests using more reliable encryption functions by 40-60%, while meeting performance targets. In a simulation of qPowServer employing realistic DVFS parameters, we are able to improve response times significantly while only violating specified server-wide power budgets by less than 5W.
Screening for Unhealthy Alcohol Use

Primary medical care should include routine alcohol screening to identify patients with unhealthy alcohol use, whether an alcohol use disorder or risky drinking. Screening should include all adult primary care patients as well as adolescents. Although it is important that screening be done with a validated instrument, there are a number of similarly accurate alcohol screening questionnaires for identifying the entire spectrum of unhealthy drinking, and some of them are very brief. We believe that primary care clinicians should commit two validated questions to memory: one to assess any alcohol use and one single-item alcohol screening question (SASQ). However, in settings with EMRs and systems for universal screening, we favor use of the AUDIT-C because of the information it provides on reported typical drinking and on the severity of unhealthy drinking, as well as the utility of a scaled marker for measuring the severity of unhealthy alcohol use and changes over time. Finally, primary care clinicians and others conducting screening must all be carefully trained about recommended drinking limits and risks associated with drinking above them, the purpose of alcohol screening and the efficacy of brief alcohol interventions, including practicing asking validated screening questions in a comfortable manner.
Proteomic analysis of fatty-acylated proteins in mammalian cells with chemical reporters reveals S-acylation of histone H3 variants

Bioorthogonal chemical reporters are useful tools for visualizing and identifying post-translational modifications on proteins. Here we report the proteomic analysis of mammalian proteins targeted by a series of fatty acid chemical reporters ranging from myristic to stearic acid. The large-scale analysis of total cell lysates from fully solubilized Jurkat T cells identified known fatty-acylated proteins and many new candidates, including nuclear proteins and in particular histone H3 variants. We demonstrate that histones H3.1, H3.2, and H3.3 are modified with fatty acid chemical reporters and identify the conserved cysteine 110 as a new site of S-acylation on histone H3.2. This newly discovered modification of histone H3 could have implications for nuclear organization and chromatin regulation. The unbiased proteomic analysis of fatty-acylated proteins using chemical reporters has revealed a greater diversity of lipid-modified proteins in mammalian cells and identified a novel post-translational modification of histones.
Invasion of the Q2 mitochondrial variant of Mediterranean Bemisia tabaci in southern Italy: possible role of bacterial endosymbionts.

BACKGROUND The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a complex of cryptic species, some of which, namely the Mediterranean (MED) and the Middle East–Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), are highly invasive and injurious crop pests worldwide and able to displace local genotypes. Invasiveness of B. tabaci may depend on the phenotype of inherited bacterial endosymbionts. Here, the B. tabaci genetic diversity variation that has occurred in recent years in southern Italy was examined. Whitefly was genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of polymerase-chain-reaction-amplified fragments (PCR-RFLP) of the COI gene and molecular identification of endosymbionts. Possible factors leading to the observed genetic diversity were examined. RESULTS Q1 and Q2 mitochondrial types of MED, the only species found, coexisted in the field, while MEAM1 disappeared. A large spreading of Q2 (70% of individuals) was observed for the first time in Italy. Q2 showed a significant female-biased sex ratio and largely outnumbered Q1 on solanaceous hosts, in greenhouses and on insecticide-treated plants. Q1, with an even sex ratio, slightly prevailed on non-solanaceous hosts, especially on wild and untreated plants. Endosymbiont composition was associated with the mitochondrial type. Hamiltonella and Rickettsia were found at near fixation in Q1 and Q2 respectively; Arsenophonus, Cardinium and Wolbachia were found in both types, although at different frequencies. CONCLUSIONS Q2 invasion seems to have been favoured by the agroecological conditions of southern Italy and by the female-biased sex ratio. Endosymbionts may have a role in Q2 invasiveness, acting as sex-ratio manipulators (e.g. Rickettsia) and possibly by benefiting the host fitness. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of AC electronic monitoring and field data for estimating tolerance to Empoasca kraemeri (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) in common bean genotypes

Two methods for estimating the tolerance of common bean genotypes to Empoasca kraemeri Ross & Moore were compared, using a yield trial carried out at Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Cali, Colombia, versus stylet penetration tactics measured by AC electronic feeding monitors. A stylet penetration index was devised based on principal component scores of three penetration tactics identified (pulsing laceration, cell rupturing, and lancing sap ingestion), combined with knowledge of the hopperburn symptoms caused by each tactic. Tolerant genotypes, as classified by the CIAT yield index, showed significantly more unprotected yield and lower hopperburn scores than the susceptible control. They also induced performance of less pulsing laceration (the tactic considered most damaging to the plant), and more of the other two, mitigating tactics, especially cell rupturing. When index values were calculated for each genotype, stylet penetration index values matched those of the yield index for three out of five genotypes: two EMP-coded tolerant lines ('EMP 385' and 'EMP 392') and the susceptible control 'BAT 41'. Thus, for these three genotypes, all subsequent hoppereburn symptoms are predictable by the type of feeding behavior performed on them. 'Porrillo Sintetico' and 'EMP 84', considered borderline genotypes by the yield index, were overestimated and underestimated respectively, by the stylet penetration index. We postulate that, for these two genotypes, plant physiological responses to feeding (either compensatory or heightened sensitivity, respectively) synergize with type of feeding performed to generate the overall hopperburn condition. This multivariate analysis of electronic monitoring data was successfully used to devise an index of resistance. The implications of using the stylet penetration index and the advantages of using electronic monitoring in a bean-breeding program are discussed.