cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antagonism of Sigma-1 receptor blocks heavy alcohol drinking and associated hyperalgesia in male mice.

BACKGROUND Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex psychiatric disease characterized by high alcohol intake as well as hyperkatifeia and hyperalgesia during withdrawal. A role for Sigma-1 receptors (Sig-1Rs) in the rewarding and reinforcing effects of alcohol has started to emerge in recent years, as rat studies have indicated that Sig-1R hyperactivity may result in excessive alcohol drinking. Sig-1R studies in mice are very scarce, and its potential role in alcohol-induced hyperalgesia is also unknown. METHODS In this study, we investigated the role of Sig-1R in alcohol drinking and associated hyperalgesia in male mice, using an intermittent access 2-bottle choice model of heavy drinking. RESULTS The Sig-1R antagonist BD-1063 was found dose dependently to reduce both alcohol intake and preference, without affecting either water or sucrose intake, suggesting that the effects are specific for alcohol. Notably, the ability of BD-1063 to suppress ethanol intake correlated with the individual baseline levels of alcohol drinking, suggesting that the treatment was more efficacious in heavy drinking animals. In addition, BD-1063 reversed alcohol-induced hyperalgesia during withdrawal, assessed using an automatic Hargreaves test, without affecting thermal sensitivity in alcohol-naive animals or locomotor activity in either group. CONCLUSIONS These data show that Sig-1R antagonism dose-dependently reduced ethanol consumption in heavy drinking mice as well as its efficacy in reducing alcohol-induced hyperalgesia. These findings provide a foundation for the development of novel treatments for AUD and associated pain states.
Trends in emergent and inpatient encounters before and after clinic shutdowns related to COVID-19

Purpose : Delay in outpatient chronic care management can lead to a rise in acute complications. COVID-19 related clinic and ambulatory shutdowns came into effect in South Texas by the end of 3/2020. Recent studies have shown delays in care and more severe disease presentations during the COVID-19 shutdown. We evaluate trends in ophthalmic pathologies in relation to patient follow-up behaviors after ED and inpatient encounters in South Texas. Methods : A retrospective study used electronic medical records to collect consultation logistics, patient clinical data, and clinical follow up for ophthalmic inpatient and emergent encounters from 7/2019 - 7/2020. Proliferative disease-associated vitreous hemorrhage (VH) and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) were used as markers for acute on chronic complications. Patient follow-up rate and time were compared to recommended follow-up during the two eras to analyze trends in patient behavior. Results : 501 records were evaluated. Pre- and post-shutdown weekday (14 hour) volume of encounters were 5.7±3.2 and 3.7±2, respectively. Weekend (24 hour) encounters changed from 12.7±4.6 to 9.9±5.5. Pre-shutdown average weekday time of encounter was 21:36±4.6 hrs compared to 20:59±4.0 hrs post-shutdown, and for weekend time of encounter was 19:49±6.2 hrs compared to 19:23±5.6 hrs. Pre-shutdown recommended follow-up was 6.9±8.7 days compared to 9.9±10.5 days post-shutdown, with patients delaying the originally recommended appointment by 11.3±50.9 days pre-shutdown and 7.1±25.3 days post-shutdown. Missed appointment rate was 35% pre-shutdown and 47% post-shutdown. Of the 216 pre-shutdown encounters, 9% needed urgent surgery and 5% needed a bedside procedure. Post-shutdown, 8% needed surgery and 6% needed a bedside procedure. Pre- and post-shutdown incidence respectively was 4% and 4% for NVG, and 5% and 7% for VH. Conclusions : During the COVID-19 shutdown, the volume of ophthalmic ED evaluations decreased, but not significantly. Patient encounter time and procedural intervention rate were also not significantly altered, suggesting that the urgency profile of pathologies did not change significantly. More patients missed clinic follow-up but appointment delays were comparable to the pre-shutdown era. There was a slightly higher incidence of acute on chronic proliferative pathologies.
Residual finiteness for central extensions of lattices in $\mathrm{PU}(n,1)$ and negatively curved projective varieties.

We study residual finiteness for cyclic central extensions of cocompact arithmetic lattices $\Gamma < \mathrm{PU}(n,1)$ simple type. We prove that the preimage of $\Gamma$ in any connected cover of $\mathrm{PU}(n,1)$, in particular the universal cover, is residually finite. This follows from a more general theorem on residual finiteness of extensions whose characteristic class is contained in the span in $H^2(\Gamma, \mathbb{Z})$ of the Poincare duals to totally geodesic divisors on the ball quotient $\Gamma \backslash \mathbb{B}^n$. For $n \ge 4$, if $\Gamma$ is a congruence lattice, we prove residual finiteness of the central extension associated with any element of $H^2(\Gamma, \mathbb{Z})$. Our main application is to existence of cyclic covers of ball quotients branched over totally geodesic divisors. This gives examples of smooth projective varieties admitting a metric of negative sectional curvature that are not homotopy equivalent to a locally symmetric manifold. The existence of such examples is new for all dimensions $n \ge 4$.
Religious/Spiritual Meaning Systems: Multiple Pathways to Well-Being

Meaning systems are the cognitive frameworks of beliefs and goals through which people view the world. Meaning systems are one important way by which broader cultures are transmitted to individuals within those cultures. Religiousness and spirituality are often thoroughly integrated into individuals’ meaning systems, and through this integration, specific cultural beliefs and motivations regarding the broadest elements of existence are conveyed. This chapter focuses on religious and spiritual meaning systems and their links with well-being. Different aspects of religious and spiritual meaning systems are related to many aspects of well-being, but the specific pathways linking religious and spiritual beliefs and goals have not been thoroughly explicated. We propose and evaluate the evidence for five pathways through which these meaning systems may affect well-being: Self-determination, existential needs, self-regulation, meaning as an aspect of coping, and positive psychological states. We conclude with suggestions for future research.
Congressional Information Management and the Successful Maintenance of Policymaking Power

Congressional policymaking occurs in a complex and information rich environment. Committees and subcommittees take action within this environment to manage information flow in response to numerous representational and institutional demands. Unlike previous studies of legislative organization that focus on the motivations behind the committee system and characteristics of committee membership, this paper seeks to explain how committees manage the policy environment to achieve committee success. Defining committee success as increasing or maintaining concentrated legislative jurisdiction over policy issues, I argue that subcommittees provide the management resources necessary to facilitate organizational, or committee, success. Preliminary statistical analyses of both House and Senate data from the 104th-108th Congresses reveal the challenge of systematically explaining the effects of committee and subcommittee actions which are inherently utilized for multiple purposes.
Mobile military security with concentration on unmanned aerial vehicles

This research investigates the increasingly complex issues confronted when implementing security in the mobile computing and operations efforts with military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The new arenas, which have emerged within the last several years, include Homeland Security efforts, multiple simultaneous UAV operation, combat surveillance, arsenal delivery, and applications of Micro-UAV vehicles. These newer avenues for application of UAV technology share similar complexities and security risks with the mobile military security arena. The future applications of UAVs equipped with wireless Internet access, advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) mission control techniques, advanced vision systems, search and rescue systems, and bulletproof information security architectures will need the combined research efforts of multiple disciplines. The primary benefits include preservation of lives in combat, homeland, emergency, and disaster areas.
The Impact of the “Business” of Pain Medicine on Patient Care

Objective. The objective of this article was to examine the impact on patient care of the growing economic forces in pain medicine. Discussion. Chronic pain is a growing problem in the United States, as more people seek treatment than ever before. The practice of pain medicine is influenced by many market forces, including industry relationships with pain providers, lawmakers and insurance companies, direct-to-consumer advertising, insurance reimbursement patterns, and competition among health care systems and pain management providers. These economic factors can encourage innovation and efficiency and may increase access to pain treatment. However, they have also resulted in unrealistic expectations for pain relief, increased reliance on medications, widespread use of inadequately tested or unnecessary pain management diagnostic and treatment techniques, decreased use of some effective treatments, and lack of adequate pain education. Patients are undergoing more treatments, but there is little evidence of overall improved function. Conclusions. Following guidelines set out by the industry and pain medicine organizations, safeguarding against false or incomplete advertising, establishing easier methods for questioning advertising content, increasing the practice of evidence-based medicine, increasing government-sponsored research of definitive studies, and improving communication of efficacious treatment will facilitate the practice of ethical pain medicine and improve patient care.
The Echinoderm Immune System

As is now widely appreciated, the deuterostomes, of which echinoderms, hemichordates, tunicates, and all higher chordates are the major extant groups, constitute a separate branch of the animal kingdom (see, e.g., Refs. 1-4). On structural, embryological, biochemical, and molecular bases, deuterostomes are regarded as a monophyletic group of common ancestry. They are the sister group of the coelomate protostomes, the major taxa of which are the annelids, molluscs, and arthropods. Thus, in considering the origins of the higher vertebrate immune system, it is essential to keep in mind that it is among the extant lower deuterostomes that the most relevant homologous immune system elements are to be sought.
"Excuse me, sir? May I help you and your boyfriend?": salespersons' differential treatment of homosexual and straight customers.

An experimental field study was conducted to investigate differential treatment of same-sex versus opposite-sex couples. Over a period of four months, three couples (1 female-female, 1 male-female, 1 male-male) entered each of twenty retail stores. All couples were trained confederates. Multiple measures unequivocally showed differential treatment for heterosexual and homosexual couples. Heterosexual couples were assisted by staff in significantly less time than were homosexual couples, who often were not assisted and who were more likely to be repudiated. Results are discussed in terms of the sociopolitical climate for homosexuals.
Evidence for linkage of Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy to the Duffy locus on chromosome 1.

A linkage study was performed on three families with classic Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) hereditary neuropathy with clinical manifestations of autosomal dominant inheritance, distal muscle weakness and atrophy, hyporeflexia, and slow motor nerve conduction velocities. Two families comprising 3 and 4 generations and a total of 23 affected persons were informative for the Duffy locus known to be on the long arm of chromosome 1. The maximum total lod score was 2.297 at recombination fraction theta = .1. The third family was informative for PGM1 (on the short arm of chromosome 1). There was no evidence for linkage of CMT to PGM1 in this third family, but only values of theta less than .03 could be excluded. There was no evidence for linkage of CMT to seven other informative markers in these families. We conclude that the gene controlling the occurrence of dominant CMT may be approximately 10 centimorgans from the Duffy locus on the long arm of chromosome 1. Additional studies are required to confirm these findings.
Can a mentoring program save you money

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to suggest that a benefit-cost analysis should be performed for mentoring activities so as to justify the effort and expense and as a tool for measuring effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach: Pulling from field literature, this article provides some examples of mentoring programs and resources as well as an example for conducting an analysis. Findings: The author feels that applying a cost model to mentoring programs can strengthen their appeal overall. Originality/value: The article and its conclusions are the product of this author and his experiences with such programs.
PRE-STEADY-STATE KINETICS OF NUCLEOTIDE INSERTION FOLLOWING 8-OXO-7,8-DIHYDROGUANINE BASE PAIR MISMATCHES BY BACTERIOPHAGE T7 DNA POLYMERASE EXO-

8-Oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoGua) can base pair with either cytosine (C) or adenine (A) when replicated by DNA polymerases. The 8-oxoGua.A mismatch is extended in preference to the 8-oxoGua.C pair. Using a model 25-mer/36-mer DNA duplex containing either guanine (Gua).C, 8-oxoGua.C, or 8-oxoGua.A base pairs at the primer terminus and A at the standing start position, we found that the pre-steady-state addition of dTTP opposite A following all three base pairs by bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase exo- showed burst kinetics, suggesting that extension of all three base pairs is controlled by the rate of a step at or before phosphodiester bond formation. Substitution of dTTP alpha S for dTTP yielded modest thio effects of 1-6, suggesting that extension of all three pairs is limited by the rate of the conformational change prior to phosphodiester bond formation. Pre-steady-state values for kpol (maximum polymerization rate) were 120, 12, and 28 s-1, and Kd values were 2, 75, and 22 microM for insertion of dTTP following Gua.C, 8-oxoGua.C, and 8-oxoGua.A base pairs, respectively. Additional analysis of extension was provided by substitution of A in the standing start position by 2-aminopurine (2-AP), a fluorescent base analogue. Comparison of rapid-quench gel-based assays with stopped-flow fluorescence quenching assays suggested that during addition of dTTP opposite 2-AP phosphodiester bond formation was rate-limiting when 8-oxoGua.C or 8-oxoGua.A were the preceding base pairs, while conformational change was rate-limiting when Gua.C was the preceding base pair. Furthermore, the difference in apparent conformational change rates for addition of dTTP opposite 2-AP following the 8-oxoGua base pairs was greater than the differences in their phosphodiester bond formation rates, suggesting that discrimination in extension may be influenced more by conformational change rates than the rates of phosphodiester bond formation in this mispaired system.
Validation of a virtual reality-based robotic surgical skills curriculum

The clinical application of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is rapidly increasing. The da Vinci Surgical System™ is currently the only commercially available RAS system. The skills necessary to perform robotic surgery are unique from those required for open and laparoscopic surgery. A validated laparoscopic surgical skills curriculum (fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery or FLS™) has transformed the way surgeons acquire laparoscopic skills. There is a need for a similar skills training and assessment tool specific for robotic surgery. Based on previously published data and expert opinion, we developed a robotic skills curriculum. We sought to evaluate this curriculum for evidence of construct validity (ability to discriminate between users of different skill levels). Four experienced surgeons (>20 RAS) and 20 novice surgeons (first-year medical students with no surgical or RAS experience) were evaluated. The curriculum comprised five tasks utilizing the da Vinci™ Skills Simulator (Pick and Place, Camera Targeting 2, Peg Board 2, Matchboard 2, and Suture Sponge 3). After an orientation to the robot and a period of acclimation in the simulator, all subjects completed three consecutive repetitions of each task. Computer-derived performance metrics included time, economy of motion, master work space, instrument collisions, excessive force, distance of instruments out of view, drops, missed targets, and overall scores (a composite of all metrics). Experienced surgeons significantly outperformed novice surgeons in most metrics. Statistically significant differences were detected for each task in regards to mean overall scores and mean time (seconds) to completion. The curriculum we propose is a valid method of assessing and distinguishing robotic surgical skill levels on the da Vinci Si™ Surgical System. Further study is needed to establish proficiency levels and to demonstrate that training on the simulator with the proposed curriculum leads to improved robotic surgical performance in the operating room.
Unidimensional compensatory tracking with a vibrotactile display.

Accuracy of unidimensional compensatory tracking was compared for a visual and a vibrotactile display. Error was 2½ times greater with the vibrotactile display which was estimated to have a gain 1/5 that of the visual display. Equalizing the gains would be expected to make the dynamic range of the vibrotactile display considerably smaller than that of the visual display.
Quantitative studies of cutaneous hypersensitivity: The prevalence of epicutaneous flare reactions to allergenic pollen extracts

Abstract The flare reactions produced by epicutaneous tests with 68 undiluted allergenic pollen extracts were measured in 550 allergic patients. Skin test reactions ≥2, ≥5, ≥10, ≥20, and ≥30 mm in diameter, respectively, were detected in approximately 67%, 22%, 10%, 3%, and 1% of the 34,700 skin tests. With the Kolmogorov-Smirnov difference test, the cumulative frequency of reaction diameters and log c -transformed diameters of all reactions and reactions to individual allergenic extracts differed significantly (p ≤ 0.01) from a normal distribution. The ability to identify specific differences between reactions to closely related pollen extracts was evaluated. Specific reactions could be reliably identified with ≥10 mm diameter flares. This arbitrary conservative threshold was used to estimate the relative prevalence of positive reactions to each allergenic extract. Seven allergenic extracts elicited the first quartile of all positive reactions. Thirteen, 18, and 30 allergenic extracts, respectively, were needed to elicit the second, third, and fourth quartiles of all positive reactions. Reactions to amphiphilous, as well as anemophilous, pollens were detected. Skin test reactions to grasses were more prevalent than reactions to weeds and trees. The most informative allergenic extracts for the detection of patients who exhibited a positive reaction to any extract were from red fescue-grass pollens, mesquite, short ragweed, red clover, and timothy-grass pollens.
A parallel genetic algorithm for heat conduction problems

ABSTRACT Genetic algorithms are a global optimization method that is ideally suited for implementation on parallel computers. In this article, a genetic algorithm developed to solve problems in heat conduction is parallelized and run on a parallel computer (IBM SP2). The algorithm presented here contains a novel local search operator that greatly improves its accuracy. The algorithm itself and the parallelization strategy are discussed in the first part of the article, followed by a detailed discussion of the algorithm's results and its performance vis-a-vis its serial version.
Recirculating flow behind and unsteady forces on finite-span circular cylinders in a cross-flow

The flow along the symmetry plane in the recirculating region behind rigid finite-span circular cylinders placed in a cross-flow was measured using a laser Doppler velocimeter. Simultaneously, the local unsteady forces induced on the cylinders were measured along the span of the cylinders using a dynamic force cell. These measurements were used to elucidate the flow mechanisms that are responsible for the induced unsteady forces. The experiment was carried out at a fixed cylinder Reynolds number of 46,000 using three finite-span cylinders with span-to-diameter ratios of 2, 1·5 and 1, respectively. Uniform flow with a streamwise turbulence intensity of ≈2% was established upstream of the cylinders. The measurements were analysed to give the mean velocity, the root-meansquare fluctuating velocity and unsteady forces, the force-velocity correlation functions and the force and velocity spectra. Two different flow mechanisms are found to be responsible for inducing the unsteady forces. Alternating vortex shedding from the cylinder surface is still responsible for inducing the unsteady lift. However, depending on the cylinder aspect ratio and spanwise location, the C is relatively weak compared to the CDI. On the other hand, the unsteady drag is induced by the unsteady oscillation of the recirculating flow and becomes the more dominant unsteady force for finite-span cylinders. As a result, the unsteady drag is in good correlation with the recirculating flow velocity, while the unsteady lift is not. The Strouhal number determined from the lift signal is less than that obtained from the drag signal which is the same as that resolved from the velocity signal. These characteristics are found to be true for all cylinder aspect ratios investigated.
Twenty-Year Depressive Trajectories Among Older Women

Context: Despite the frequent occurrence of depressive symptoms among older adults, especially women, little is known about the long-term course of late-life depressive symptoms. Objective: To characterize the natural course of depressive symptoms among older women (from the young old to the oldest old) followed up for almost 20 years. Design: Using latent-class growth-curve analysis, we analyzed women enrolled in an ongoing prospective cohort study (1988 through 2009). Setting: Clinic sites in Baltimore, Maryland; Minneapolis, Minnesota; the Monongahela Valley near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Portland, Oregon. Participants: We studied 7240 community-dwelling women 65 years or older. Main Outcome Measure: The Geriatric Depression Scale short form (score range, 0-15) was used to routinely assess depressive symptoms during the follow-up period. Results: Among older women, we identified 4 latent classes during 20 years, with the predicted probabilities of group membership totaling 27.8% with minimal depressive symptoms, 54.0% with persistently low depressive symptoms, 14.8% with increasing depressive symptoms, and 3.4% with persistently high depressive symptoms. In an adjusted model for latent class membership, odds ratios (ORs) for belonging in the increasing depressive symptoms and persistently high depressive symptoms classes, respectively, compared with a group having minimal depressive symptoms were substantially and significantly (P < .05) elevated for the following variables: baseline smoking (ORs, 4.69 and 7.97), physical inactivity (ORs, 2.11 and 2.78), small social network (ORs, 3.24 and 6.75), physical impairment (ORs, 8.11 and 16.43), myocardial infarction (ORs, 2.09 and 2.41), diabetes mellitus (ORs, 2.98 and 3.03), and obesity (ORs, 1.86 and 2.90). Conclusions: During 20 years, almost 20% of older women experienced persistently high depressive symptoms or increasing depressive symptoms. In addition, these women had more comorbidities, physical impairment, and negative lifestyle factors at baseline. These associations support the need for intervention and prevention strategies to reduce depressive symptoms into the oldest-old years. ©2012 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Optimizing Incremental Scope-Bounded Checking with Data-Flow Analysis

We present a novel approach to optimize incremental scope-bounded checking of programs using a relational constraint solver. Given a program and its correctness specification, scope-bounded checking encodes control-flow and data-flow of bounded code segments into declarative formulas and uses constraint solvers to search for correctness violations. For non-trivial programs, the formulas are often complex and represent a heavy workload that can choke the solvers. To scale scope-bounded checking, our previous work introduced an incremental approach that uses the program’s control-flow as a basis of partitioning the program and generating several sub-formulas, which represent simpler problem instances for the underlying solvers. This paper introduces a new approach that uses the program’s dataflow, specifically variable-definitions, as a basis for incremental checking. Experimental results show that the use of data-flow provides a significant reduction in the number of variables in the encoded formulas over the previous control-flow-based approach, thereby further improving scalability of scopebounded checking.
The finite element boundary integral method accelerated using a graphics processing unit

An implementation of the finite element boundary integral method with GPU accelerated code was developed to provide a significant improvement in computation time over the standard method.
Morphology Control of Carbon, Silica, and Carbon/Silica Nanocomposites : From 3D Ordered Macro-/Mesoporous Monoliths to Shaped Mesoporous Particles

We demonstrate that confinement of a concentrated triconstituent precursor solution (a soluble phenol-formaldehyde prepolymer, tetraethylorthosilicate, and the nonionic triblock copolymer F127) in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) colloidal crystal template permits control over the external morphology of mesostructured products. It is possible to produce either monoliths with hierarchical porosity (ordered macropores from PMMA spheres and large mesopores from F127) or cubic and spherical mesoporous nanoparticles. The specific morphology depends on the concentration of F127 and on the presence of 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene (TMB) as an additive. At lower F127 content and without TMB, macroporous monoliths of the carbon/silica composite are obtained, which can be converted to carbon monoliths with dual porosity after the extraction of silica with hydrofluoric acid or to silica monoliths after calcination in air. Large worm-like mesopores are present in macropore walls. An increase in the F127 concentration lea...
Newton control laws for nonlinear controller design

Strong similarities between control theory and the theory on the solution of operator equations have been observed and basic results in control theory have been derived from operator theory arguments. The purpose of this work is to use the underlying duality in order to develop analysis and synthesis techniques for nonlinear systems. As an example, controllers induced by the Newton method are introduced and the corresponding stability characteristics are studied. The concepts are demonstrated by applications to linear and nonlinear systems.
Hyperglycemia after SAH: Predictors, associated complications, and impact on outcome

Background and Purpose— Hyperglycemia is common after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The extent to which prolonged hyperglycemia contributes to in-hospital complications and poor outcome after SAH is unknown. Methods— We studied an inception cohort of 281 SAH patients with an initial serum glucose level obtained within 3 days of SAH onset and who had at least 7 daily glucose measurements between SAH days 0 and 10. We defined mean glucose burden (GB) as the average peak daily glucose level >5.8 mmol/L (105 mg/dL). Hospital complications were recorded prospectively, and 3-month outcome was assessed with the modified Rankin scale. Results— The median GB was 1.8 mmol/L (33 mg/dL). Predictors of high-GB included age ≥54 years, Hunt and Hess grade III–V, poor Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE)-2 physiological subscores, and a history of diabetes mellitus (all P≤0.001). In a multivariate analysis, GB was associated with increased intensive care unit length of stay (P=0.003) and the following...
Anatomical Demonstration of Columns in the Monkey Striate Cortex

Anatomical investigation of the monkey striate cortex supports the physiological concept that the cortex is subdivided vertically into columnar aggregates of cells. Here the shape and size of two independent and overlapping column systems are described.
Effects of Gender Role Expectations on the Social Support Process

Based on a model of interactive coping activation, we review the impact of gender in the giving and receiving of emotion- and problem-focused social support. The research suggests that the female role (emphasizing nurturance and emotional expressiveness) makes it easier for women to activate social support from close relations as well as to provide social support; whereas the male role (emphasizing achievement, autonomy, emotional control) makes it difficult for men to seek and obtain social support. Type of support required (social-emotional vs. instrumental) may moderate when men and women are more effective in providing social support. The gender-linked model of social support activation may be useful in diagnosing interpersonal problems in providing and obtaining social support.
Feed Efficiency: A Composite Trait of Dairy Cattle

A pleiotropic pathway of correlated response of feed efficiency from selection for milk yield has been inferred from a large genetic correlation coefficient. However, in studies to estimate the genetic correlation, cows were fed according to yield (i.e., not ad libitum), and there was no accounting for body tissue balance (i.e., catabolism or repletion status). Research evidence indicates that the apparent feed efficiency of dairy cattle is a composite trait of physiological processes that does not include genetic covariance between yield and rate (efficiency) of converting dietary nutrients directly into milk. Absence of pleiotropy in direct nutrient utilization makes feed efficiency an artifact of the selection response in milk, which depends on the genotypes and within-animal environments for milk yield, tissue balance, and appetite. Several reports point to a major connection between genetic ability in milk and tissue balance.
Chiral symmetry breaking in supersymmetric O(N) gauge theories

Abstract We present a method for computing the superpotential generated by instantons, which can be applied to theories which are otherwise difficult to analyze. The method is used to find the ground states of certain supersymmetric O( N ) theories. The results demonstrate that, in pure O( N ) theories, the discrete chiral symmetry is spontaneously broken, while supersymmetry is unbroken. We also comment on a recent calculation of Raby and Kalara.
A novel SOX9 mutation, 972delC, causes 46,XY sex-reversed campomelic dysplasia with nephrocalcinosis, urolithiasis, and dysgerminoma

An 8-year-old phenotypic female with campomelic dysplasia (CD) and 46,XY sex-reversal presented with renal colic. Medullary nephrocalcinosis, urolithiasis, and renal malrotation were diagnosed by computed tomographic scanning. Pelvic sonogram identified an enlarged left gonad. Genetic testing revealed a novel SOX9 heterozygous deletion of a cytosine at nucleotide 972 (972delC), causing a frameshift at codon 200, introducing a stop codon 18 codons further downstream (P200fsX218). At laparoscopic gonadectomy, a left dysgerminoma was removed. This first reported case of dysgerminoma in a sex-reversed patient with CD who also had urolithiasis stresses the importance of prophylactic gonadectomy and urologic evaluations in this susceptible population.
Genetic engineering for plant oils: potential and limitations

Abstract There is considerable interest in the specialty oils markets in modifying oilseed composition to obtain high levels of specific fatty acids. Several oilseed crops are amenable to modern techniques of gene transfer; this suggests that fatty acids now available in small quantities from undomesticated species could be produced by traditional oilseed crops. However, to do this, genes for enzymes of a poorly understood biosynthetic pathway will need to be harnessed. In this review, we discuss progress and problems in the manipulation of plant lipid composition.
The California Current system off Monterey, California: physical and biological coupling

Repeated hydrobiological surveys over the period 1988–2002 perpendicular to the central California coast indicate strong coupling between physical circulation and biological production. An equatorward-flowing jet about 100–200 km from shore marked the inshore edge of the California Current (CC). This ‘‘CC Jet’’ had its highest velocities during late winter and spring. The jet divided inshore, biologicallyproductive waters from offshore, low-production waters. Mean flow in the inshore waters is poleward. However, this flow is interrupted in late spring and summer bya surfaceenhanced, equatorward-flowing, coastal upwelling jet. The upwelling jet coincides with maxima of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and primaryproduction. Annual variabilityin the inshore zone is related to (1) vertical py cnocline movements associated with geostrophic adjustments to accelerations of the California Current system, and (2) coastal upwelling. In offshore waters, the annual cycle accounted for a small fraction of the variability, indicating the dominance of eddies and meanders in this zone (J. Geophys. Res. 92 (1987) 12 947). The offshore regime was mesotrophic to oligotrophic, with a subsurface chlorophyll-a maximum above the nutricline. Considerable subduction mayoccur under the California Current jet and be an important process in the export of biogenic material to the deep sea. Published byElsevier Ltd.
Opening the black box: dopamine, predictions, and learning

Dopamine neurons are thought to promote learning by signaling prediction errors, that is, the difference between actual and expected outcomes. Whether these signals are sufficient for associative learning, however, remains untested. A recent study used optogenetics in a classic behavioral paradigm to confirm the role of dopamine prediction errors in learning.
Inhibition of corticosterone formation and 3 -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in cell-free preparations of rat adrenals.

CAMP, AMP, ADP, ATP and nicotinamide inhibited the formation of corticosterone in rat adrenal homogenates; CAMP was the most potent inhibitor. The site of inhibition was localized to the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone. The degree of inhibition was influenced by the basal rate of corticosteroidogenesis in the absence of cyclic nucleotide and the presence of an active phosphodiesterase capable of degrading CAMP. CAMP, AMP, ATP, adenosine and nicotinamide were shown to inhibit the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in the rat adrenal microsomal fraction competitively with respect to the cofactor for the reaction, NAD+. CAMP was the most effective inhibitor; however, the affinity of the enzyme for the cofactor NAD+ was greater than for the cyclic nucleotide. Other kinetic parameters for the 3β-HSD activity were determined. The possibility of a significant physiologic role for 3β-HSD inhibition in the regulation of steroidogenesis is considered. (Endocrinology 89: 722, 1971)
H2 Production in the 440-nm Photodissociation of Glyoxal

H2 has been detected following the photolysis of glyoxal at 440 nm using the techniques of vacuum ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence and (2 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization. It is thus confirmed that a fraction of the glyoxal excited at this wavelength dissociates into three photofragments: HCOCOH → H2 + 2 CO. The most populated vibrational level of those observed was H2 (v = 1), and in this level rotational states from J = 0−9 were detected. Doppler profiles of these lines provide estimates of the translational energy and show a v||J correlation. Of the available energy to the H2 + 2CO products, 3.1% appears as rotational energy in H2 (v = 1), 17.8% appears as the H2 (v = 1) vibration, and 46.8% appears as H2 (v = 1) translation. Excitation of the 702 band produces somewhat more of the H2 + 2CO channel than does excitation of the 000, 501, or 801 bands. These observations are consistent with a model in which trans→cis isomerization precedes dissociation. Rotational excitation with v||J...
Finite element simulation of flows of fluids with integral constitutive equations

Finite element procedures to compute solutions to steady flow problems with ‘memory fluids’ have been developed. While many aspects of these methods are still under development, they have reached the stage at which they can be implemented in general-purpose nonlinear fluid mechanics codes which use the penalty form of the ‘v-p’ formulation. The key to the success of such methods is the use of a very special element which allows virtually exact determination of the streamlines, and large-strain elastic deformation tensors of the motion implied by the velocity field, which are required by the constitutive theories in question. This paper describes the constitutive equations and the numerical treatment of them which can be used to compute steady, two-dimensional flow solutions. Some new results concerning hole pressures in plane flows over transverse slots are presented.
Mechanisms for current-induced conductivity changes in a conducting polymer

A layer of polyethylene dioxythiophene:polystyrene sulfonic acid (PEDT:PSS) spun onto the surface of an inorganic semiconductor forms a highly asymmetric rectifying junction when a small current is applied and can be permanently open circuited with application of a high current density. This allows the polymer/semiconductor junction to function as a write-once-read-many-times memory element. We use x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature induced conductivity measurements to study the morphological and chemical changes responsible for the large current-induced conductivity changes. It is found that by applying a large current to the organic-inorganic semiconductor rectifying heterojunction structure Au∕PEDT:PSS∕Si, the ratio of PEDT+ to PSS− near the interface changes due to phase segregation in the presence of both high electric field (>105V∕cm) and temperature. This leads to a decrease in film conductivity by up to six orders of magnitude from its value in the conductive state.
Soil fumigant evaluations for soilborne pest and Cyperus rotundus control in fresh market tomato

Abstract Field trials were conducted in tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) to determine the efficacy of combinations of fungicides, nematicides, and herbicides on soilborne pest and Cyperus rotundus L., in comparison with methyl bromide+chloropicrin (MBr+Pic). Fumigants were: (a) MBr+Pic (98:2, respectively) at a rate of 450 kg/ha, (b) Pic at 225 kg/ha, (c) metam sodium (MNa) at 945 l/ha, (d) dazomet at 400 kg/ha, (e) dazomet at 510 kg/ha, (f) 1,3-D+Pic (C-17, at 83:17, respectively)+pebulate at rates of 200 l/ha and 4.5 kg/ha, respectively, (g) C-17+pebulate at 330 l/ha and 4.5 kg/ha, respectively, and (h) fosthiazate+MNa+pebulate at rates of 4.2 kg/ha, 945 l/ha, and 4.5 kg/ha, respectively. The results indicate that season-long control of purple nutsedge could be consistently achieved with C-17+pebulate at either dose, or fosthiazate+MNa+pebulate, in addition to MBr+Pic. Nematode root galling was steadily reduced by dazomet at a rate of 510 kg/ha, C-17+pebulate at either rate, or fosthiazate+MNa+pebulate. All these treatments provided the same nematode control than MBr+Pic. Only C-17+pebulate at either 330 l+4.5 kg/ha or 200 l+4.5 kg/ha was consistently equal to MBr+Pic on tomato fruit weight.
Instabilities in interacting quantum field theories in non-Minkowskian spacetimes

Instabilities produced by one-loop quantum effects in quantum field theories in curved spacetime or in flat spacetime with boundaries are discussed. A criterion for the existence of instability is proposed and applied to various models.
Double-stranded RNA-dependent ATPase DRH-3 INSIGHT INTO ITS ROLE IN RNA SILENCING IN CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS

RNA helicases are proteins essential to almost every facet of RNA metabolism, including the gene-silencing pathways that employ small RNAs. A phylogenetically related group of helicases is required for the RNA-silencing mechanism in Caenorhabditis elegans. Dicer-related helicase 3 (DRH-3) is a Dicer-RIG-I family protein that is essential for RNA silencing and germline development in nematodes. Here we performed a biochemical characterization of the ligand binding and catalytic activities of DRH-3 in vitro. We identify signature motifs specific to this family of RNA helicases. We find that DRH-3 binds both single-stranded and double-stranded RNAs with high affinity. However, the ATPase activity of DRH-3 is stimulated only by double-stranded RNA. DRH-3 is a robust RNA-stimulated ATPase with a kcat value of 500/min when stimulated with short RNA duplexes. The DRH-3 ATPase may have allosteric regulation in cis that is controlled by the stoichiometry of double-stranded RNA to enzyme. We observe that the DRH-3 ATPase is stimulated only by duplexes containing RNA, suggesting a role for DRH-3 during or after transcription. Our findings provide clues to the role of DRH-3 during the RNA interference response in vivo.
Incorporating time postinoculation into a dose-response model of Yersinia pestis in mice.

Aims: To develop a time-dependent dose–response model for describing the survival of animals exposed to Yersinia pestis. Methods and Results: Candidate time-dependent dose–response models were fitted to a survival data set for mice intraperitoneally exposed to graded doses of Y. pestis using the maximum likelihood estimation method. An exponential dose–response model with the model parameter modified by an inverse-power dependency of time postinoculation provided a statistically adequate fit to the experimental survival data. This modified model was verified by comparison with prior studies. Conclusions: The incorporated time dependency quantifies the expected temporal effect of in vivo bacteria growth in the dose–response relationship. The modified model describes the development of animal infectious response over time and represents observed responses accurately. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study to incorporate time in a dose–response model for Y. pestis infection. The outcome may be used for the improved understanding of in vivo bacterial dynamics, improved postexposure decision making or as a component to better assist epidemiological investigations.
Potassium measurements in the extracellular spaces of normal and failing cat myocardium

After periods of quiescence, papillary muscles and trabeculae from normal and hypertrophied-failing cat hearts were subjected to ionic stress induced by stimulation (drive) at different frequencies. Patterns of change in extracellular potassium concentration were measured using ion-selective microelectrodes and were shown to be significantly different in certain key parameters. In both types of tissue, extracellular potassium activity initially increased from the level in the bathing medium, reached a peak, and then returned toward the original levels. However, the time for this to occur was significantly longer in the hypertrophied-failing muscles than in the normal controls. Also, after more than 5 min of drive, the potassium activity in the extracellular spaces was significantly higher in the hypertrophied-failing tissue than in the normal tissue. The results of these experiments indicate that there may be quantitative differences between normal and hypertrophied-failing cardiac muscles with regard to the regulation of ionic balance.
Propagation effects on LEOSAT communications links

Communications links between Low Earth Orbit SATellites (LEOSATs) and mobile or portable terrestrial stations can be affected by several fading mechanisms. These mechanisms contribute to degradation of link performance in excess of those usually associated with radio wave communication links. A thorough understanding of these fading mechanisms and their effects on communications links is essential to the design of an effective communications system. In this paper we discuss a propagation model that includes the effects of multipath scattering and signal blockage. The signal behavior due to these effects is discussed along with its implications on communication system design and performance. The results presented are based on both theoretical modeling and measured propagation data.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Minor Trauma Causing Stroke in a Young Athlete

A 17-year-old Caucasian male presented with sudden dizziness, ataxia, vertigo, and clumsiness lasting for a couple of hours. He had a subtle trauma during a wrestling match 2 days prior to the presentation. A CT Angiogram (CTA) and MRI showed left vertebral artery dissection (VAD). The patient was treated with anticoagulation with heparin drip in the ICU. The patient was discharged home on the third day on Lovenox-warfarin bridging. This case underscores the importance of considering VAD as a differential diagnosis in patients with sports-related symptoms especially in activities entailing hyperextension or hyperrotation of neck. Due to a varied latent period, often minor underlying trauma, and subtle presentation, a low index of suspicion is warranted in timely diagnosis and treatment of VAD. Considering recent evidence in treatment modality, either antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulation may be used for treatment of VAD.
Stimulation increases incorporation of [3H]lysine into rat brain and liver proteins.

Abstract Exposure of rats to electric footshocks or merely to the footshock apparatus increased the incorporation of [ 3 H]lysine into brain and liver protein. The effect was present in both fore- and hindbrain. The footshock treatment was the more effective stimulus, producing larger and more significant changes. These results resemble those previously observed in C57B1/6J mice, and thus suggest that altered protein or amino acid metabolism is a general response to stress in rodents.
Cocaine induced synchronous oscillations in central noradrenergic neurons In vitro

Through inhibition of reuptake, cocaine increases monoaminergic tone in the central nervous system. The activities of the neurons within the locus coeruleus play a pivotal role in central noradrenergic transmission and regulate overall levels of arousal and attention. We have found that cocaine in low concentrations (0.3-1.0 microM) induced slow oscillations (0.8 Hz) in membrane potential (2-6 mV). These oscillations were synchronized in neurons throughout the nucleus and were blocked by alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonists. The synchrony of these events was thought to arise from within the nucleus, through a combination of spontaneous activity (intrinsic properties) and noradrenergic mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials augmented by cocaine. The synchronous firing of noradrenergic neurons may facilitate transmitter release in the widespread projection areas and thus be important for the action of cocaine to increase levels of arousal.