cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Considerations of Quantum Key Distribution for Space Applications

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a theoretically secure method of generating and distributing cryptographic keys. Its proven security is based on quantum nature of light. While QKD is theoretically secure there may be security deficiencies in real, practical implementations using non-ideal hardware. In this report we discuss security aspects of QKD and possible tests that may provide insight into the security of real QKD implementation of relevance to National Security Space missions.
Study on hydrogen peroxide residue and degradation in air

Objective:To study the level of the hydrogen peroxide residue and degradation in air.Methods:The hydrogen peroxide residue was absorbed with titanium tetrachloride and colorimetric detected with ultraviolet spectrophotometers technique.Results:The hydrogen peroxide residue sprayed in air was degraded quickly,it was spent more time for the high concentration hydrogen peroxide residue was degraded to permissible exposure concentration-short term exposure limit(PEC-STEL),such as 100 mg/m3 hydrogen peroxide degradation in air must needs 135 min,50 mg/m3 hydrogen peroxide degradation in air must needs 55 min,for 25 mg/m3 low content hydrogen peroxide degradation in air,after 35 min,was difficultly detected with instrument.Conclusion:In order to reduce and eliminate the hydrogen peroxide in air harming human health,under satisfy the work requirement condition,it must adopt effective measure to reduce the hydrogen peroxide concentration in air as far as possible.
Mitral valve replacement in the first year of life.

From 1973 through 1987 25 patients underwent mitral valve replacement in the first year of life for mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation. The patients with mitral stenosis included two with mitral arcade, two with supravalvular mitral stenosis with hypoplastic mitral valve, and one with parachute mitral valve. Included in the group of patients with mitral regurgitation were 12 with atrioventricular canal defect, six with chordal and leaflet defects, one with Marfan’s syndrome, and one with bacterial endocarditis. Prostheses included 12 Bjork-Shiley (17 mm), seven St. Jude Medical (19 mm in four, 21 mm in three), five stent-mounted dura mater valves (12 mm to 16 mm), and one porcine xenograft (19 mm). In four patients the valves were placed in the left atrium in a supraannular location. There were nine operative (atrioventricular canal defect seven, mitral regurgitation two) and five late (atrioventricular canal defect four, mitral stenosis one) deaths, giving actuarial 1- and 5-year survival rates of 52% and 43%, respectively. All 6 patients with tissue valves died; the four with supraannular mitral valve replacement survived. Since 1983 operative mortality has been reduced to 0% (70% confidence limits 0% to 24%). Nine patients required a second mitral valve replacement for prosthetic stenosis 5 to 69 (mean 30) months after the original mitral valve replacement (one operative death). Because of improvements in repair of atrioventricular canal defect in infancy, the need for mitral valve replacement at atrioventricular canal defect repair has decreased. Although valvuloplasty has been advocated for repair of congenital mitral valve disease and is applicable in some infants with mitral regurgitation, mitral valve replacement is frequently unavoidable for congenital mitral disease and can now be accomplished at a low operative risk, even when the prosthesis has to be positioned supraannularly.
Stochastic dynamic simulation modeling including multitrait genetics to estimate genetic, technical, and financial consequences of dairy farm reproduction and selection strategies

Abstract The objective of this study was to develop a daily stochastic dynamic dairy simulation model that included multitrait genetics and to evaluate the effects of reduced genetic models and various reproduction and selection strategies on the genetic, technical, and financial performance of a dairy herd. The 12 correlated genetic traits included in the 2014 lifetime net merit (NM$) index were modeled for each animal. For each animal, a true breeding value (TBV) for each trait was calculated as the average of the sire's and dam's TBV, plus a fraction of the inbreeding and Mendelian sampling variability. Similarly, an environmental component for each trait was calculated and was partitioned into a permanent and a daily (temporary) effect. The combined TBV and environmental effects were converted into the phenotypic performance of each animal. Hence, genetics and phenotypic performances were associated. Estimated breeding values (EBV) were also simulated. Genetic trends for each trait for the service sire were based on expected trends in US Holsteins. Surplus heifers were culled based on various ranking criteria to maintain a herd size of 1,000 milking cows. In the first 8 scenarios, culling of surplus heifers was either random or based on the EBV of NM$. Four different genetic models, depending on the presence or absence of genetic trends or genetic and environmental correlations, or both, were evaluated to measure the effect of excluding multitrait genetics on animal performance. In the last 5 scenarios, the full genetic model was used and culling of surplus heifers was either random or based on the EBV of NM$ or the EBV of milk. Sexed semen use and reliability of the EBV were also varied. Each scenario was simulated for 15yr into the future. Results showed that genetic models without all 12 genetic trends and genetic and environmental correlations provided biased estimates of the genetic, technical, and financial performance of the dairy herd. Average TBV of NM$ of all cows in the herd was $263 greater in yr 15 in a scenario that combined sexed semen use in heifers and culling of surplus heifers with the lowest EBV of NM$, compared with a scenario that used only conventional semen and surplus heifers were culled randomly. The average TBV of daughter pregnancy rate of all cows in the herd was 1.25 percentage points greater in yr 15 in a scenario that combined using sexed semen in heifers as well as culling of surplus heifers ranked by EBV of NM$, compared with a scenario using conventional semen only as well as culling surplus heifers ranked by EBV of milk. In conclusion, the multitrait genetics model resulted in improved estimates of genetic, technical, and financial effects and appears useful to evaluate consequences of various reproduction and selection strategies within a dairy farm.
Newport Soup Inc.: An interactive inherent risk assessment case

Abstract In this role-play case, you will assume the role of an auditor who must gather relevant information about your client and assess inherent risk for six financial statement accounts. To initiate the process of understanding your client's business, you must email professional inquiries to the “client” (a role played by your instructor) and “ask the right questions” to acquire the information necessary to assess inherent risk. Ultimately, you are asked to prepare a professional memo documenting your assessment of inherent risk for six account balances as part of the audit planning process. An important component of the case is the performance of analytical procedures, which you must interpret using your understanding of the company and the industry in which it operates.
Glueballs in the Bag

The structure of glueballs predicted in the MIT bag model is reviewed, and a discussion is given of the present experimental situation and future possibilities.
Disparities in kidney transplantation across the United States: Does residential segregation play a role?

Abstract Background Although residential segregation has been implicated in various negative health outcomes, its association with kidney transplantation has not been examined. Methods Age- and sex-standardized kidney transplantation rates were calculated from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, 2000–2013. Population characteristics including segregation indices were derived from the 2010 U.S. Census data and the U.S. Renal Data System. Separate multivariable Poisson regression models were constructed to identify factors independently associated with kidney transplantation among Blacks and Whites. Results Median age- and sex-standardized kidney transplantation rates were 114 per 100,000 for Blacks and 38 per 100,000 for Whites. 16.1% of the U.S. population lived in counties with high segregation. There was no difference in the kidney transplantation rates across the levels of segregation among Blacks and Whites. Conclusion Factors other than residential segregation may play roles in kidney transplantation disparities. Continued efforts to identify these factors may be beneficial in reducing transplantation disparities across the U.S. Summary Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and U.S. census data, we aimed to determine whether residential segregation was associated with kidney transplantation rates. We found that there was no association between residential segregation and kidney transplantation rates.
A surface wave elastography technique for measuring tissue viscoelastic properties

Abstract A surface wave elastography method is proposed to study the viscoelastic properties of skin by measuring the surface wave speed and attenuation on the skin. Experiments were carried out on porcine skin tissues. The surface wave speed is measured by the change of phase with distance. The wave attenuation is measured by the decay of wave amplitude with distance. The change of viscoelastic properties with temperature was studied at room and body temperatures. The wave speed was 1.83 m/s at 22 °C but reduced to 1.52 m/s at 33 °C. The viscoelastic ratio was almost constant from 22 °C to 33 °C. Fresh and decayed tissues were studied. The wave speed of the decayed tissue increased from 1.83 m/s of fresh state to 2.73 m/s. The viscoelastic ratio was 0.412/mm at the decayed state compared to 0.215/mm at the fresh state. More tissue samples are needed to study these viscoelastic parameters according to specific applications.
Optimization of Neural Network Architecture for Classification of Radar Jamming FM Signals

The purpose of this study is to investigate several artificial Neural Network (NN) architectures in order to design a cognitive radar system capable of optimally distinguishing linear Frequency-Modulated (FM) signals from bandlimited Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN). The goal is to create a theoretical framework to determine an optimal NN architecture to achieve a Probability of Detection (PD) of 95% or higher and a Probability of False Alarm (PFA) of 1.5% or lower at 5 dB Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). Literature research reveals that the frequency-domain power spectral densities characterize a signal more efficiently than its time-domain counterparts. Therefore, the input data is preprocessed by calculating the magnitude square of the Discrete Fourier Transform of the digitally sampled bandlimited AWGN and linear FM signals to populate a matrix containing N number of samples and M number of spectra. This matrix is used as input for the NN, and the spectra are divided as follows: 70% for training, 15% for validation, and 15% for testing. The study begins by experimentally deducing the optimal number of hidden neurons (1-40 neurons), then the optimal number of hidden layers (1-5 layers), and lastly, the most efficient learning algorithm. The training algorithms examined are: Resilient Backpropagation, Scaled Conjugate Gradient, Conjugate Gradient with Powell/Beale Restarts, Polak-Ribiere Conjugate Gradient, and Variable Learning Rate Backpropagation. We determine that an architecture with ten hidden neurons (or higher), one hidden layer, and a Scaled Conjugate Gradient for training algorithm encapsulates an optimal architecture for our application.
Pregnancy rates for single embryo transfer (SET) of day 5 and day 6 blastocysts after cryopreservation by vitrification and slow freeze.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates in cycles with single embryo transfer (SET) of blastocysts cryopreserved on day 5 or day 6. Our aim was to determine whether day 6 blastocysts perform adequately to recommend SET.
Your Prayer Moves God

The Charismatic/Pentecostal (C/P) movement has emerged mainly due to its capacity to mobilize new believers towards strong participation in their emergent groups amidst a fragmented post-war city. In this chapter, I examine how volunteering of C/P believers is rooted in the benefits and religious culture of emergent C/P communities. After analysing the particular religious and sociopolitical culture of volunteering, I attempt to draw a conclusion as to whether C/P volunteering in Beirut contributes to social solidarity. The common sociopolitical analysis contends that religious volunteering in Lebanon is divisive. Religious volunteering is mainly carried out through religious welfare organizations (RWO). While I agree with the common overall political analysis, I also attempt to show that the effect of religious volunteering on social solidarity is not static, but hinges mainly on the religious culture within which the volunteering is embedded, the larger sociopolitical context, and the concrete setting and encounter of volunteers. By considering both the larger sociopolitical structure and the C/P culture as influencing the volunteering practices, I attempt to overcome the insider–outsider, agency–structure dichotomy, which often undergirds social analysis. The article contributes to a fuller understanding of how religiously motivated volunteering works in post-war societies with weak state institutions.
Optimization of a spherical active coded mask gamma-ray imager

Gamma-ray imaging allows for efficient detection, characterization, and localization of compact radioactive sources in cluttered environments. Fieldable detector systems employing active planar coded masks demonstrate broad energy sensitivity via both coded aperture and Compton imaging modalities. Because planar configurations suffer from a limited field-of-view, we introduce a novel design by rearranging the detectors into an active coded spherical configuration, thereby facilitating an isotropic 4π field-of-view with both coded aperture and Compton imaging. This report focuses on the low-energy coded aperture modality and the optimization techniques used to determine the optimal number and configuration of 1 cm3 CdZnTe coplanar grid detectors on the inner surface of a ∼14 cm outer diameter sphere with 192 available detector locations. We also explore the improvements in image reconstruction with the addition of depth-of-interaction information in each detector.
Area IV Knockout Reveals How Pdx1 Is Regulated in Postnatal β-Cell Development.

Pdx1 has long been suspected to be a master transcriptional regulator with essential roles in pancreatic development and β-cells (1–5), but the upstream mechanisms that determine Pdx1 gene expression in mature β-cells are poorly understood. In embryonic pancreatic development, Pdx1 is required to initiate branching morphogenesis and early islet formation (6,7). Pdx1 also has pivotal postnatal roles in mature β-cell function and expansion (8,9). Several conserved 5′ cis -regulatory regions (areas I–III) influence Pdx1 gene expression in embryonic development (Fig. 1) (10,11). In contrast, another conserved region (area IV) has been implicated in postnatal β-cell maturation (12). However, the master themes that govern Pdx1 gene expression remain a mystery, as cell lines and global knockouts cannot deconvolute how Pdx1 is dynamically regulated in embryonic and postnatal life. Figure 1 Enhancer region areas I–IV of the Pdx1 promoter and the regulation of Pdx1 in pancreas development and postnatal β-cells. A : A depiction of the conserved 5′ cis -regulatory regions (areas I–IV) upstream of the Pdx1 transcription start site. Transcription factors with known binding sites within each area are described for those with roles in pancreas development and exocrine specification (red) and others in islet development and β-cell specification (blue). B : Each enhancer element (areas I–IV) is mapped to its embryonic or postnatal function. Briefly, pancreas specification occurs around embryonic day (e) 9, which leads to budding of the dorsal and ventral pancreas, initiating the “primary transition” (5). Area III control of Pdx1 is required for subsequent branching morphogenesis on e10.5, with some possibly overlapping roles for area I and II in epithelial growth of the pancreas …
Significant range expansion for the rove beetle genus Deleaster, based on a new species from Papua New Guinea (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae)

Deleaster wilhelmensis sp. nov (Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae: Deleastrini) is described and illustrated from Mount Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea. It is the first species of Deleaster Erichson, 1839 recorded from Oceania and represents a significant expansion of the known range of the genus.
The Use of Rice Husk for Graywater Treatment in Irrigation and for Improving the Properties of Leaching Saline Soil

This study aimsat finding out the possibility of using rice husks in the treatment of gray water resulting from the hands washing sinks of Rusafa side school of Baghdad, then useing it to irrigate plants in schools and improve the properties of soil to increase the growth of plants and get rid of them without any environmental or economic damage. Al-Sa'adah Primary School has been chosen to execute the research during 2015. Two experiments have been carried out: the first is in the laboratory to know the possibility of using the husks of rice in the treatment of gray water with the column system, and the second is a biological one to know the possibility of using the husks of rice to improve some properties of degraded soils by using the experiment of planting plastic pots. The randomized complete block design RCBD has been used with three replications. The results of the laboratory experiment show that gray water quality in all selected schools are good and non-saline and do not require secondary treatment, but only primary treatment by using husks of rice for filtering and clarifying from suspended solids and large species then can be used for irrigation. While the results of the biological experiment show that the addition of husks of rice to the soil haslead to the increase of organic matter, water conductivity and total porosity as (7 gm.kg-1) ,( 2.46 cm.hr-1), and 44.14% respectively. Decreasing the bulk and particle density to (1.20gm.cm-3), (2.55gm.cm-3) respectively, and thereby improves physical and chemical properties of the soil which in turn is reflected in the increased growth of plants in the school and thus preserves the environment from pollution
The Breakup of Outflows and the Formation of ‘Meddies’

It is suggested that the formation of “Meddies” (i.e., mid-Atlantic eddies containing Mediterranean water) is related to intermittencies in the transport of the Mediterranean outflow.
Anti-galactan precipitins in the hemolymph of Tridacna maxima and Limulus polyphemus.

In the course of our investigations on the anti-neuraminyl-specificity of the hemagglutinin from the hemolymph of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus (Cohen et al., 1972; Cohen, 1968), we included the hemolymph of this living fossil also in our experiments, dealing with the occurrence and distribution of blood group A like active structures in nature as detected by the heterophile anti-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine agglutinin/precipitin from the albumin gland of the snail Helix pomatia (see Prokop et al., 1974).
Adrenal Insufficiency Following Unilateral Adrenalectomy: A Case Report

We report a case of resection of a unilateral adrenal pseudocyst that precipitated life-threatening adrenal insufficiency. The patient had extremis unresponsive to pressor agents in the immediate postoperative period. Hydrocortisone administration produced temporary resolution and a cosyntropin-stimulation test confirmed adrenal insufficiency. Because of the presence of an adrenal mass, the preoperative evaluation included a formal endocrinological evaluation. Thus, we were able to document the occurrence of acute postoperative primary adrenal insufficiency.
Geochemical Models of Rock-Water Interactions in the Presence of Organic Acids

Theoretical analysis of the role of organic acids (OA) and acid anions (OAA) in sedimentary environments is an effective way of evaluating the importance of inorganic-organic interactions in rock-water systems. Geo-chemical modeling provides insight into the role of these organic constituents in aqueous sedimentary environments by defining the boundary conditions under which such interactions may be significant. In many cases, carefully designed geochemical models allow conflicts to be resolved among differing experimental results and among various working hypotheses. The approach can be limited by lack of understanding of the processes being modeled, lack of testable working hypotheses, or lack of either experimental or field observations against which to calibrate model results. Interpretation of results from chemical models always needs to accommodate uncertainties in the supporting thermodynamic data.
Learning and Memory from the Perspective of Phenomenological Psychology

The primary purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate an alternative approach to the psychology of learning and memory. Although I shall stress the differences from mainstream psychology, there are occasions to show certain common touch points as well because the approach being articulated does claim to be within the purview of science.
Anti-Fibrotic Therapies from Other Organs: What the Gut Can Learn from the Liver, Skin, Lung and Heart

Fibrosis and dysregulated healing can affect nearly every organ system in the body. Often fibrosis represents a final common pathway to end organ failure, and there is evidence for substantial conservation of the mechanisms of fibrosis across many or all of these organs. Given the significant and pervasive impact of fibrosis there is a clear need for effective anti-fibrotic therapies. The study of these mechanisms and therapies is a robust area of research and allows for exciting collaboration. The conservation of mechanisms effectively posits any therapy that demonstrates efficacy in one organ or model of fibrosis as being a potentially viable option in other organs as well. In this chapter we review the current state of anti-fibrotic therapies in organs other the intestine. There are exciting pipeline agents under investigation in multiple organs including the liver, lungs, kidney, skin, and heart. This chapter focuses on agents that are currently in clinical trials and have demonstrated promise as potentially reaching mainstream use.
An integrative review of the vigilance-avoidance model in pediatric anxiety disorders: Are we looking in the wrong place?

Abstract Enduring cognitive models of anxiety posit that negative biases in information processing are implicated in the etiology, maintenance, and recurrence of anxiety disorders in youth and adults. Specifically, the vigilance-avoidance model of attention is an influential hypothesis proposed to explain anxious individuals’ attentional patterns. The vigilance-avoidance model posits that anxious individuals, relative to nonanxious individuals, initially orient more quickly to threatening stimuli and then later avoid threatening stimuli. However, a large body of empirical research examining attentional mechanisms in anxious individuals uses paradigms that do not allow the measurement of the time course of attention. Furthermore, existing reviews that examine the time course of attention only include studies with adults. We systematically review in depth the literature that compares anxious and non-anxious children that takes advantage of research designs that allow the examination of the time course of attention. Across studies, there is not robust support for the vigilance-avoidance model in samples of anxious youth. Future research examining attention biases across time should employ tasks that more directly measure multiple stages of attention, in order to assess if vigilance-avoidance patterns emerge based on sample characteristics or task variables, and to inform intervention efforts.
Psychological Contract Breach and Customer Satisfaction: A Study of Online Shopping

Relying on customer attribution theory and psychological contract model, we find that customers perceive a psychological contract breach more severe and experience more intense emotions when they a...
Random Walk Based Sampling for Load Balancing in Multi-Server Systems

In multi-server systems, a classical job assignment algorithm works as follows: at the arrival of each job, pick d servers independently and uniformly at random and send the job to the least loaded server among the d servers. This model is known as the power-of-d choices algorithm. In this paper, we analyze a variant of this algorithm, where d servers are sampled through d independent non-backtracking random walks on a k -regular graph. The random walkers are periodically reset to independent uniform random positions. Under some assumptions on the underlying graph, we show that the system dynamics under this new algorithm converges to the solution of a deterministic ordinary differential equation (ODE), which is the same ODE as the classical power-of-d choices. We also show that the new algorithm stablizes the system, and the stationary distribution of the system converges to the stationary solution of the ODE. The new scheme can be considered as a derandomized version of power-of- d choices as it reduces the use of randomness while maintaining the performance of power-of- d choices.
Caffeine added to coffee does not alter the acute testosterone response to exercise in resistance trained males.

Background This study investigated the effects of coffee ingestion with supplemental caffeine (CAF) on serum testosterone (T) responses to exercise in recreationally strength-trained males. Methods Subjects ingested 6 mg/kg body weight of caffeine via 12 ounces of coffee (CAF) supplemented with anhydrous caffeine or decaffeinated (DEC) coffee prior to exercise in a randomized, within-subject, crossover design. The exercise session consisted of 21 minutes of high-intensity interval cycling (alternating intensities at power outputs associated with 2.0 mmol/L lactate for two minutes and 4.0 mmol/L lactate for one minute) followed by resistance exercise (seven exercises, three sets of ten repetitions, 65% 1RM, one-minute rest periods). Subjects also completed repetitions to fatigue tests and soreness scales to determine muscle recovery 24 hours following the exercise. Results T was elevated immediately and 30-minutes post-exercise by 20.5% and 14.3% respectively (P 0.05). No relationships were observed between T and any proxy of recovery. Conclusions While past literature suggests caffeine may enhance T post-exercise, data from the current study suggest that augmented T response is not evident following anhydrous caffeine added to coffee. The duration of T elevation indicates that this protocol is beneficial to creating long-lasting increases in serum testosterone.
Modeling the life cycle of echinoderm larvae clones

Larval cloning occurs in echinoderm species and has been viewed as possibly adaptive. A species of Oreaster currently being described has linked a rare benthic stage with common planktonic larvae that clone, and this calls attention to questions in life stage linkages. Life cycle analysis shows that there are unresolved problems in our understanding of the dynamics of species with cloning larvae, in particular their survival and duration in the plankton. Possible solutions are (1) benthic adults that are rare are also very long-lived or (2) survival in the plankton is much higher than has been reported.
Evaluating and detection of JAK2V617F point mutation in bcr-abl-negative myeloproliferative disorders

Objective To study the Janus Kinase 2 V617F (JAK2V617F) point mutation in bcr-abl-negative myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) and explore its clinical significances. Methods Genomic DNA was isolated from bone marrow or peripheral-blood granulocytes. Allelespecific-polymerase chain reactions (AS-PCR), restriction enzyme digestion in combination with PCR product sequencing were performed to detect the mutation in genomic DNA. 110 patients were detected, including 41 with bcr-ablnegative MPD, 25 with bcr-abl-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and 44 with acute leukemia.Results JAK2V617F was presented in 11 cases(91.7 %) of 12 polycythemia vera (PV), 8 cases(53.3 %) of 15 essential thrombocythemia(ET), 4 cases (57.1%) of 7 idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF), while in other patients including 7 hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), 25 bcr-abl-positive CML, 24 acute myelocytic leukemia (AML), 18 acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL), and 2 acute mixed lineage leukemia, JAK2V617F can not be detected. All positive samples and 10 negative samples identified by AS-PCR and restriction enzyme digestion were confirmed further by DNA sequencing. Conclusion The frequency of JAK2V617F mutation was more than 90 % among patients with PV, more than 50 % among patients with ET and IMF. The detection of JAK2V617F mutation will be of great significanees in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of MPD. This mutation can be a molecular marker of MPD and might be a treatment target in the future. Key words: Myeloproliferative disorders; Fusion proteins, bcr-abl; Genes; Point mutation; Polymerase chain reaction, allele-specific
Relevance of Mu-Opioid Receptor Splice Variants and Plasticity of Their Signaling Sequelae to Opioid Analgesic Tolerance

Opioid dose escalation to effectively control pain is often linked to the current prescription opioid abuse epidemic. This creates social as well as medical imperatives to better understand the mechanistic underpinnings of opioid tolerance to develop interventions that minimize it, thereby maximizing the analgesic effectiveness of opioids. Profound opioid analgesic tolerance can be observed in the absence of mu-opioid receptor (MOR) downregulation, aggregate MOR G protein uncoupling, and MOR desensitization, in the absence of impaired G protein coupled receptor kinase phosphorylation, arrestin binding, or endocytosis. Thus, we have explored alternative biochemical sequelae that might better account for opioid analgesic tolerance. Our findings indicate that substantial plasticity among upstream and downstream components of opioid receptor signaling and the emergence of alternative signaling pathways are major contributors to opioid analgesic tolerance. An exemplar of this plasticity is our findings that chronic morphine upregulates the MOR variants MOR-1B2 and MOR-1C1 and phosphorylation of their C-terminal sites not present in MOR-1, events causally associated with the chronic morphine-induced shift in MOR G protein coupling from predominantly Gi/Go inhibitory to Gs-stimulatory adenylyl cyclase signaling. The unique feature(s) of these variants that underlies their susceptibility to adapting to chronic morphine by altering the nature of their G protein coupling reveals the richness and pliability of MOR signaling that is enabled by generating a wide diversity of MOR variants. Furthermore, given differential anatomical expression patterns of MOR variants, MOR splice variant-dependent adaptations to chronic morphine could enable mechanistic underpinnings of tolerance and dependence that are CNS region- and cell-specific.
Modeling Time to Failure in Potential-Induced Degradation of Silicon Solar Modules based on Quantitative Sodium Kinetics

We present a physics-based simulation environment for the prediction of potential-induced-degradation (PID) failure time in silicon solar modules. Our model is based on experimental sodium migration kinetics obtained from our recently developed trap-corrected bias-stress-temperature method and from secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements. We model sodium migration to stacking faults and subsequent formation of conductive pathways through the p-n junction, which causes a decrease of the shunt resistance and loss of efficiency.
Complications of endoscopic sinus surgery in a residency training program

Endoscopic sinus surgery has emerged in the last decade as the treatment of choice for chronic sinusitis. Reports of complications of the procedure from different centers vary depending on the technique used and the experience of the surgeon. Between August 1990 and Auguat 1993, 337 patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery at West Virginia University. Moat of the cases were performed by senior residents under faculty supervision. Minor complications were encountered in 15.1%of the cases and major complications in 1.5% of the patients. The most common major complication was cerebrospinal fluid leak. All patients with cerebrospinal fluid leaks were diagnosed and treated successfully at the time of surgery. Middle turbinate adhesions and orbital penetration were the most common minor complications. Routine partial middle turbinectomy did not decrease the adhesion rate. Endoscopic sinus surgery is a relatively safe procedure, even when performed by residents under adequate supervision
Household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States: living density, viral load, and disproportionate impact on communities of color.

BACKGROUND: Households are hotspots for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. In the US, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color. METHODS: Between April-October 2020, the CO-HOST prospective cohort study enrolled 100 COVID-19 cases and 208 of their household members in North Carolina, including 44% who identified as Hispanic or non-white. Households were enrolled a median of 6 days from symptom onset in the index case. Incident secondary cases within the household were detected by quantitative PCR of weekly nasal swabs (days 7, 14, 21) or by seroconversion at day 28. RESULTS: Excluding 73 household contacts who were PCR-positive at baseline, the secondary attack rate among household contacts was 32% (33/103, 95% CI 22%-44%). The majority of cases occurred by day 7, with later cases confirmed as household-acquired by viral sequencing. Infected persons in the same household had similar nasopharyngeal viral loads (ICC=0.45, 95% CI 0.23-0.62). Households with secondary transmission had index cases with a median viral load that was 1.4 log10 higher than households without transmission (p=0.03) as well as higher living density (>3 persons occupying <6 rooms) (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.02-10.9). Minority households were more likely to experience high living density and had a higher risk of incident infection than did white households (SAR 51% vs. 19%, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Household crowding in the context of high-inoculum infections may amplify the spread of COVID-19, potentially contributing to disproportionate impact on communities of color.
Fracture diagnostic technologies with process workflow for implementation

Abstract Hydraulic Fracturing (HF) is a frequently used well stimulation technology to improve a well's productivity by increasing the contact area with the formation matrix. Hydraulic fractures are created by following a customized design based on imperfect knowledge of the subsurface formation and idealizations. Therefore, the resulting fracture system is often different from the original design, which calls for post-fracturing evaluations. Fracture diagnostics are utilized to understand fracture behavior during or after hydraulic fracturing. Understanding the geomechanics of how fractures form during fracturing has been studied in detail; however, predicting fracture genesis and propagation behavior has been a challenging endeavor because of reservoir heterogeneity. This paper will reveal the current fracture diagnostic technologies and assess their ability to detect HF extension and quantify the properties of hydraulic fractures in terms of conductivity and stimulated reservoir volumes. This paper is not an abridged version of the technical manual regarding how each method is conducted or used but focuses on insight into what they measure and their difference from others. With the critical reviews on current HF diagnostic technologies, we intend to (1) define key terminologies that are often used in HF evaluation to set up a common linguistic lexicon for comparison, (2) provide a brief discussion on their mechanisms; (3) stipulate a framework on how to choose proper HF diagnostic tools and analysis methods for different HF applications.
Identification of specific corrinoids reveals corrinoid modification in dechlorinating microbial communities

Cobalamin and other corrinoids are essential cofactors for many organisms. The majority of microbes with corrinoid-dependent enzymes do not produce corrinoids de novo, and instead must acquire corrinoids produced by other organisms in their environment. However, the profile of corrinoids produced in corrinoid-dependent microbial communities, as well as the exchange and modification of corrinoids among community members have not been well studied. In this study, we applied a newly developed liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry-based corrinoid detection method to examine relationships among corrinoids, their lower ligand bases and specific microbial groups in microbial communities containing Dehalococcoides mccartyi that has an obligate requirement for benzimidazole-containing corrinoids for trichloroethene respiration. We found that p-cresolylcobamide ([p-Cre]Cba) and cobalamin were the most abundant corrinoids in the communities. It suggests that members of the family Veillonellaceae are associated with the production of [p-Cre]Cba. The decrease of supernatant-associated [p-Cre]Cba and the increase of biomass-associated cobalamin were correlated with the growth of D. mccartyi by dechlorination. This supports the hypothesis that D. mccartyi is capable of fulfilling its corrinoid requirements in a community through corrinoid remodelling, in this case, by importing extracellular [p-Cre]Cba and 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMB) (the lower ligand of cobalamin), to produce cobalamin as a cofactor for dechlorination. This study also highlights the role of DMB, the lower ligand produced in all of the studied communities, in corrinoid remodelling. These findings provide novel insights on roles played by different phylogenetic groups in corrinoid production and corrinoid exchange within microbial communities. This study may also have implications for optimizing chlorinated solvent bioremediation.
Strandedness and Complementarity of DNA from Long-Term RNA-Dependent DNA Polymerase Reactions of Soehner-Dmochowski Murine Sarcoma Virus

The DNA product of the endogenously instructed RNA-dependent DNA polymerase reaction of murine sarcoma virus continued to be synthesized for as long as 64 h in the presence of 0.008% Triton X-100. Higher detergent concentrations and actinomycin D inhibited DNA product synthesis. The DNA product from long-term polymerase reactions consisted of small DNA fragments as shown by sedimentation in alkaline sucrose gradients. The enzymatic DNA product was separated into a slow sedimenting fraction and a fast sedimenting fraction by rate-zonal centrifugation. Fast sedimenting DNA was the predominant fraction made in viral polymerase reactions containing 262 mM NaCl. By using a combination of S-1 nuclease and pancreatic RNase A, the amount of single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA, and DNA-RNA hybrid present in the slow-sedimenting and fast-sedimenting fractions was determined. Under standard polymerase conditions of 70 mM NaCl, single-stranded DNA was the major form of DNA found in both fractions. In contrast, the prevalent form of DNA made in the presence of 262 mM NaCl was DNA-RNA hybrid. Hybridization studies in which either S-1 nuclease or pancreatic RNase A was used to measure hybrid formation demonstrated not only that the DNA product was complementary in base sequence to the RNA genome, but also that at least 79 to 84% of the RNA genome was transcribed into complementary DNA.
The relationship between active transportation and health

Abstract Active transportation has received attention for its environmental and health benefits. In this paper we use individual-level survey data from NHANES III to investigate the extent to which the number of minutes of bicycling and walking for transportation are associated with 10 health outcomes. We use instrumental variables to address the endogeneity caused by the complex relationship between exercise and health. We find mixed results indicating that active transportation is associated with improvements in some health outcomes such as weight and cholesterol, but not others such as systolic blood pressure and glycohemoglobin.
Adverse effects of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of human transforming growth factor beta 1 into rabbit knees

To examine the effect of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 on the regulation of cartilage synthesis and other articular pathologies, we used adenovirus-mediated intra-articular gene transfer of TGF-β1 to both naive and arthritic rabbit knee joints. Increasing doses of adenoviral vector expressing TGF-β1 were injected into normal and antigen-induced arthritis rabbit knee joints through the patellar tendon, with the same doses of an adenoviral vector expressing luciferase injected into the contralateral knees as the control. Intra-articular injection of adenoviral vector expressing TGF-β1 into the rabbit knee resulted in dose-dependent TGF-β1 expression in the synovial fluid. Intra-articular TGF-β1 expression in both naive and arthritic rabbit knee joints resulted in significant pathological changes in the rabbit knee as well as in adjacent muscle tissue. The observed changes induced by elevated TGF-β1 included inhibition of white blood cell infiltration, stimulation of glycosaminoglycan release and nitric oxide production, and induction of fibrogenesis and muscle edema. In addition, induction of chondrogenesis within the synovial lining was observed. These results suggest that even though TGF-β1 may have anti-inflammatory properties, it is unable to stimulate repair of damaged cartilage, even stimulating cartilage degradation. Gene transfer of TGF-β1 to the synovium is thus not suitable for treating intra-articular pathologies.
Autonomously replicating episomes contain mdr1 genes in a multidrug-resistant human cell line.

Gene amplification in human tumor cells is frequently mediated by extrachromosomal elements (e.g., double minute chromosomes [DMs]). Recent experiments have shown that DMs can be formed from smaller, submicroscopic circular precursors referred to as episomes (S. M. Carroll, M. L. DeRose, P. Gaudray, C. M. Moore, D. R. Needham-Vandevanter, D. D. Von Hoff and G. M. Wahl, Mol. Biol. 8:1525-1533, 1988). To investigate whether episomes are generally involved as intermediates in gene amplification, we determined whether they mediate the amplification of the mdr1 gene, which when overexpressed engenders cross resistance to multiple lipophilic drugs. A variety of methods including electrophoresis of undigested DNAs in high-voltage gradients, NotI digestion, and production of double-strand breaks by gamma irradiation were used to distinguish between mdr1 sequences amplified on submicroscopic circular molecules and those amplified within DMs or chromosomal DNA. The gamma-irradiation procedure provides a new method for detecting and determining the size of circular molecules from 50 kilobases (kb) to greater than 1,000 kb. These methods revealed that some of the amplified mdr1 genes in vinblastine-resistant KB-V1 cells are contained in supercoiled circular molecules of approximately 600 and approximately 750 kb. Analysis of the replication of these molecules by a Meselson-Stahl density shift experiment demonstrated that they replicate approximately once in a cell cycle. The data lend further support to a model for gene amplification in which DMs are generally formed from smaller, autonomously replicating precursors.
Optimizing transistor performance in synchronous rectifier buck converters

MOSFET performance and gate drive operation play a vital role in efficient power processing. This work studies transistor and gate drive performance in a synchronous rectifier, buck regulator for PC motherboard power management (VRM). The object is to analyze the interaction of the transistors with the drive stage under various operating conditions. Analysis of loss contributions is performed. Emphasis is placed on performance optimization, low cost, and reproducibility.
Operating systems support for programmable cluster-based Internet routers

As network routers evolve towards supporting ever higher-level networking functions beyond traditional network-layer and transport-layer protocols, programmability becomes a major design issue in network device operating systems (NDOS), which until very recently has been based on the type of operating system used in embedded systems. On the other hand, it is now possible to build high-performance Internet routers from off-the-shelf PC-class hardware, particularly with the use of clustering technology. The goal of the Suez project is to build a cluster-based Internet router using general-purpose processors as input/output link controllers and packet schedulers, and a Gbit/s system area network as the switching fabric. This paper presents the design and initial implementation of the Suez operating system, which features scalable real-time packet scheduling, cache-conscious routing table lookup, intra-cluster distributed buffer memory management and a highly efficient kernel extension mechanism for active networking using segmentation hardware.
Empiric potassium supplementation and increased survival in users of loop diuretics.

Background The effectiveness of the clinical strategy of empiric potassium supplementation in reducing the frequency of adverse clinical outcomes in patients receiving loop diuretics is unknown. We sought to examine the association between empiric potassium supplementation and 1) all-cause death and 2) outpatient-originating sudden cardiac death (SD) and ventricular arrhythmia (VA) among new starters of loop diuretics, stratified on initial loop diuretic dose. Methods We conducted a one-to-one propensity score-matched cohort study using 1999–2007 US Medicaid claims from five states. Empiric potassium supplementation was defined as a potassium prescription on the day of or the day after the initial loop diuretic prescription. Death, the primary outcome, was ascertained from the Social Security Administration Death Master File; SD/VA, the secondary outcome, from incident, first-listed emergency department or principal inpatient SD/VA discharge diagnoses (positive predictive value = 85%). Results We identified 654,060 persons who met eligibility criteria and initiated therapy with a loop diuretic, 27% of whom received empiric potassium supplementation (N = 179,436) and 73% of whom did not (N = 474,624). The matched hazard ratio for empiric potassium supplementation was 0.93 (95% confidence interval, 0.89–0.98, p = 0.003) for all-cause death. Stratifying on initial furosemide dose, hazard ratios for empiric potassium supplementation with furosemide <40 and ≥40 milligrams/day were 0.93 (0.86–1.00, p = 0.050) and 0.84 (0.79–0.89, p<0.0001). The matched hazard ratio for empiric potassium supplementation was 1.02 (0.83–1.24, p = 0.879) for SD/VA. Conclusions Empiric potassium supplementation upon initiation of a loop diuretic appears to be associated with improved survival, with a greater apparent benefit seen with higher diuretic dose. If confirmed, these findings support the use of empiric potassium supplementation upon initiation of a loop diuretic.