cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aggregated and monomeric α-synuclein bind to the S6′ proteasomal protein and inhibit proteasomal function

The accumulation of aggregated alpha-synuclein is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease, but the mechanism of toxicity is poorly understood. Recent studies suggest that aggregated proteins cause toxicity by inhibiting the ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal system. In the present study, we explore how alpha-synuclein interacts with the proteasome. The proteasome exists as a 26 S and a 20 S species. The 26 S proteasome is composed of the 19 S cap and the 20 S core. Aggregated alpha-synuclein strongly inhibited the function of the 26 S proteasome. The IC(50) of aggregated alpha-synuclein for ubiquitin-independent 26 S proteasomal activity was 1 nm. Aggregated alpha-synuclein also inhibited 26 S ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal activity at a dose of 500 nm. In contrast, the IC(50) of aggregated alpha-synuclein for 20 S proteasomal activity was > 1 microm. This suggests that aggregated alpha-synuclein selectively interacts with the 19 S cap. Monomeric alpha-synuclein also inhibited proteasomal activity but with lower affinity and less potency. Recombinant monomeric alpha-synuclein inhibited the activity of the 20 S proteasomal core with an IC(50) > 10 microm, exhibited no inhibition of 26 S ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal activity at doses up to 5 microm, and exhibited only partial inhibition (50%) of the 26 S ubiquitin-independent proteasomal activity at doses up to 10 mm. Binding studies demonstrate that both aggregated and monomeric alpha-synuclein selectively bind to the proteasomal protein S6', a subunit of the 19 S cap. These studies suggest that proteasomal inhibition by aggregated alpha-synuclein could be mediated by interaction with S6'.
Uncertainty in Task Duration and Cost Estimates: Fusion of Probabilistic Forecasts and Deterministic Scheduling

Abstract A model for project budgeting and scheduling with uncertainty is developed. The traditional critical-path method (CPM) misleads because there are few, if any, real-life deterministic situations for which CPM is a great match; program evaluation and review technique (PERT) has been seen to have its problems, too (e.g., merge bias, unavailability of data, difficulty of implementation by practitioners). A dual focus on the distributions of the possible errors in the time and cost estimates and on the reliability of the estimates used as planned values suggests an approach for developing reliable schedules and budgets with buffers for time and cost. This method for budgeting and scheduling is executed through either simulation or a simple analytical approximation. The dynamic buffers provide much-needed flexibility, accounting for the errors in cost and duration estimates associated with planning any real project, thus providing a realistic, practical, and dynamic approach to planning and scheduling.
INTELLIGENT AGENT FOR AIRCRAFT COLLISION AVOIDANCE

way to obtain optimal traffic avoidance trajectory. The trend of air traffic system is heading towards a free flight environment. Free flight offers greater flexibility in planning for flights than the current air traffic control and management system. In free flight, operators are allowed to fly under Instrument Flight Rules and choose their own flight path and speed at real time. Some of the requirements to make free flight environment feasible include aircraft collision avoidance agent, also known as the traffic agent. One widely accepted concept of aircraft to aircraft communication for free flight environment is Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast. In this paper, the focus is on constructing a traffic agent, utilizing aircraft to aircraft information, for an autonomous flight management system. The agent includes a traffic conflict detection module and collision avoidance module. The method used by the modules is a combination of knowledge base expert system and optimal control. The expert system is the primary decision maker and determines the appropriate actions required for conflict detection and avoidance. Optimal control is used to generate the optimum avoidance trajectory that adheres to the criteria assigned by the expert system. Results of a test case presented in the paper demonstrate that the combination of the two methods provides an efficient and effective
Pup survival and prolactin levels in nicotine-treated lactating rats.

SummaryAdministration of 0.5 and 1 mg nicotine tartrate twice daily to female rats through pregnancy and lactation affected neither duration of pregnancy nor litter size at birth. However, pups born to females given the higher dose of nicotine were lighter in weight at birth than pups in the two other groups, and most of them died of starvation before weaning because the mother's mammary glands contained so little milk. Blood was collected via a chronic intra-atrial cannula, and radioimmunoassay of prolactin was performed. Plasma prolactin levels of the group receiving the high dose of nicotine were much lower than in the low dose nicotine and saline groups. It is suggested that failure of prolactin release following chronic nicotine administration was responsible for low milk production and starvation of the pups. The mechanism by which nicotine affects prolactin levels may involve effects on brain catecholamines.We thank Mrs. Sylvia Barr for the drawing of the figure and Mrs. Frances Smith for secretari...
Coverage-directed test generation through automatic constraint extraction

Generating tests to achieve high coverage in simulation-based functional verification can be very challenging. Constrained-random and coverage-directed test generation methods have been proposed and shown with various degrees of success. In this paper, we propose a new tool built on top of an existing constrained random test generation framework. The goal of this tool is to extract constraints from simulation data for improving controllability of internal signals. We present two automatic constraint extraction algorithms. Extracted constraints can be put back into constrained test-bench to generate tests for simultaneously controlling multiple signals. We demonstrate the effectiveness and scalability of the constraint extraction tool based on experiments on OpenSparc T1 microprocessor.
Determination of the alloying content in the matrix of Zr alloys using synchrotron radiation microprobe X-ray fluorescence

The alloying element content in the a-Zr matrix of Zr alloys was studied using synchrotron radiation microprobe X-ray fluorescence, coupled with Monte Carlo simulation of the fluorescence process for quantification of the concentrations. The agreement between the measured values and the bulk concentrations of the alloy standards, as measured by the overall fit of the full fluorescence spectrum, was excellent. We measured the concentration of insoluble alloying elements in the matrix of Zircaloy-4 previously annealed to 705 � C for 125 h (corresponding to a cumulative annealing parameter (CAP) of 2.1 � 10 � 16 h, CAP ¼ P i ti expð� Q=RTiÞ where ti is the time (hours) spent at temperature Ti (K) and Q=R ¼ 40 000 K) and in the matrix of a ZrSnNbFe alloy with a composition similar to ZIRLO TM , but annealed at 710 � C for 92 h. The matrix concentrations of alloying elements were found to be, Fe ¼ 290 wt. ppm, Cr ¼ 270 wt. ppm in Zircaloy-4 and Fe ¼ 250 wt. ppm in the ZrSnNbFe alloy. These results are discussed in light of other experimental determinations of alloying element concentrations in the literature. � 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Semiconductors, Silicon Based

Their unique properties have allowed silicon-based semiconductor devices, especially metal/oxide/semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), to dominate the electronics industry. Exponentially increasing numbers of transistors on single chips of silicon have led to exponential improvements in chip performance. The properties of silicon as an electronic material, the dependence of carrier statistics on doping, and carrier transport are reviewed because they determine device behavior. The characteristics of transistors, both bipolar and MOSFET, depend on the properties of p-n junctions. An abrupt p-n junction places acceptor-doped, p-type silicon next to donor-doped n-type silicon. The performance of n-p-n bipolar transistors depends on minority electrons injected into the p-type base by the forward-biased base-emitter p-n junction reaching the reverse-biased base-collector p-n junction. n-Channel MOSFETs depend on electrons traveling between n+ source and drain junctions through an n-type surface channel. This surface channel is induced by a voltage applied across the MOS capacitor formed by a polysilicon metal gate over an oxidized silicon surface. The unique low concentration of surface states, which can be achieved at a thermally oxidized Si–SiO2 boundary, is the basis of MOSFET technology. The ability to shrink the dimensions of these devices without radically altering their behavior (scaling) has allowed the microelectronics industry to place exponentially increasing numbers of MOSFETs on a single chip. Generally speaking, the growth of the microelectronics industry has been the result of device scaling rather than fundamental changes in device physics. Variations of silicon technology are leading to devices with deep submicrometer dimensions or new applications such as thin-film transistors for flat-panel displays, flash memories, or power devices. Variations in silicon technology, eg, silicon on insulator, silicon–germanium alloys, or silicon carbide are briefly reviewed. Keywords: semiconductors; silicon based; materials theory; statistics; noise; transport; metal/oxide/semiconductor; silicon–silicon dioxide interface; p-n junctions; bipolar transistors; field-effect transistors; displays; nonvolatile memory; flash memory; micromechanics; cryoelectronics
HYBRID BRIDGES TO GENE FLOW: A CASE STUDY IN MILKWEEDS (ASCLEPIAS)

Abstract Natural hybridization occurs throughout areas of sympatry for the North American milkweeds Asclepias exaltata and A. syriaca (Asclepiadaceae), even though the formation of F1 hybrid seed is a rare event. For introgressive hybridization to proceed, F1 and advanced hybrids must be released from reproductive barriers and successfully mate with one or both parental species. I investigated the mating system of natural hybrids between A. exaltata and A. syriaca in three populations in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Allozyme data and a maximum-likelihood procedure were used to estimate the frequency of six genotypic classes (parentals, F1, F2, and backcrosses) of the hybridizing populations, the pollinia received by hybrid plants, and the paternal parents of seeds produced by hybrids. F1 hybrids, backcross A. syriaca, and parental A. syriaca individuals were common in three hybrid populations. Even though self-pollinations and interhybrid pollinations were common, F2 seed production and the occurre...
Effects of estradiol and progesterone on body composition, protein synthesis, and lipoprotein lipase in rats.

Prior studies suggest that estradiol and progesterone regulate body composition in growing female rats. Because these studies did not consider the confounding effect of changes in food intake, it r...
A Matrix Representation of CSMA/CD Networks

A continuous time Markov chain model of asynchronous, nonpersistent CSMA/CD networks is developed which allows their complete characterization by a matrix whose dimensions are independent of the number of users in the network. The model provides an efficient reeursive algorithm for computing the performance of finite population networks. It also allows many analytical results to be obtained when an infinite population and a constant load retransmission policy are considered. These analytic results include necessary and sufficient conditions for stability, the distribution of the number of busy users, an exact closed form expression for the expected delay, and the exact upper bound on the throughput-all obtained via the properties of the matrix mentioned above. The results on stability show that, for this CSMA/CD model, the definitions of stability in terms of expected drift, nonnull recurrence, and maximum possible throughput exceeding actual loading are all equivalent. The model can approximate as closely as desired any distribution for the packet length, transmission detection time, and collision truncation time. Taking advantage of this freedom, the performance of CSMA/CD networks is shown to be very sensitive to the distribution of the transmission detection time.
Constructing street networks from GPS trajectories

We consider the problem of constructing street networks from geo-referenced trajectory data: Given a set of trajectories in the plane, compute a street network that represents all trajectories in the set. We present a simple and practical incremental algorithm that is based on partial matching of the trajectories to the graph. We use minimumlink paths to reduce the complexity of the reconstructed graph. We provide quality guarantees and experimental results based on both real and synthetic data. For the partial matching we introduce a new variant of partial Frechet distance.
Effect of Intensive Statin Therapy on Clinical Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Coronary Syndrome: PCI-PROVE IT: A PROVE IT–TIMI 22 (Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 22) Substudy

Objectives The goal of this analysis was to determine whether intensive statin therapy, compared with moderate-dose statin therapy, leads to a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Background When compared with moderate-dose statins, intensive statin therapy reduces MACE among patients with ACS. The role of intensive statin therapy specifically among patients who undergo PCI for ACS is unknown. Methods Outcomes were compared in 2,868 patients who underwent PCI for ACS just prior to enrollment in the PROVE IT–TIMI 22 (Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 22) trial, which randomized patients to either atorvastatin 80 mg or pravastatin 40 mg daily. The incidence of the primary composite end point of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, unstable angina leading to hospitalization, and revascularization after 30 days and stroke was evaluated, as was the incidence of target vessel revascularization (TVR) and non-TVR during follow-up. Results Treatment with 80 mg atorvastatin reduced the incidence of the composite end point (21.5% vs. 26.5%, hazard ratio: 0.78, 95% confidence interval: 0.67 to 0.91, p = 0.002) and lowered the incidence of both TVR (11.4% vs. 15.4%, p = 0.001) and non-TVR (8.0% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.017) compared with 40 mg pravastatin. After adjusting for on-treatment serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein concentrations, the odds of TVR with high-dose statin therapy remained significant (odds ratio: 0.74, p = 0.015) while the odds of non-TVR did not (odds ratio: 0.92, p = 0.55). Conclusions Among patients with ACS who undergo PCI, intensive statin therapy reduces MACE compared with moderate-dose statin therapy. The reduction in the incidence of TVR was independent of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein lowering and may therefore be due, at least in part, to a pleiotropic effect of high-dose statin therapy. (PROVE IT–TIMI 22; NCT00382460)
School Ethnic–Racial Socialization: Learning About Race and Ethnicity Among African American Students

Research has sought to understand how parents socialize their children around race and ethnicity, but few studies have considered how contexts outside the home are also important sources of socialization. In this paper we review and integrate literature on practices in school settings that have implications for ethnic–racial socialization using a framework based on Hughes et al. (Dev Psychol 42(5):747–770, 2006) review of parental socialization. The practices reviewed include cultural socialization, preparation for bias, promotion of mistrust, egalitarianism, colorblindness, and silence. Our review shows a wide range of practices in education that may influence the development of ethnic–racial identity and ethnic–racial consciousness, but more research is needed to understand the role that schools play in developing African American youth’s understanding of race and identity.
Effect of Gravity on Ice-Layer Growth in a Freezable Heat Exchanger

The effect of gravity on the onset of nucleation and growth rate of the ice layer within a water/ice-phase-change heat exchanger has been experimentally investigated. A compressible bladder within the tube-in-tube heat exchanger provided the room needed for volumetric expansion during the freeze of water to ice without causing structural damage. The pressure drop, water inlet and outlet temperatures, and tube outer wall temperatures were measured, from which the heat transfer rate and onset of ice formation could be determined. By altering the orientation of the water/ice heat exchanger in 1g, it is shown that the onset of freeze is delayed when the water flow is directed downward relative to horizontal and upward flow conditions, thus giving initial insight into the role of gravity in the ice formation process. Characterizing this behavior is important to the development of freeze-tolerant heat exchangers for use in spacecraft thermal control systems.
‘The Secrets of All Hearts’: Locke on Personal Identity

Many think John Locke's account of personal identity is inconsistent and circular. It's neither of these things. The root causes of the misreading are [i] the mistake of thinking that Locke uses ‘consciousness’ to mean memory, [ii] failure to appreciate the importance of the ‘concernment’ that always accompanies ‘consciousness’, on Locke's view, [iii] a tendency to take the term person, in Locke's text, as if it were (only) some kind of fundamental sortal term like ‘human being’ or ‘thinking thing’, and to fail to take proper account of Locke's use of it as a ‘forensic’ term (§26). It's well known that Locke uses person as a forensic term, but the consequences of this have still not been fully worked out.
Presentation of the Distinguished Public Service Award of the Mineralogical Society of America for 2001 to Jeffery Post

Mr. President, Honorees, Members of MSA: Have you ever asked yourselves how many people actually read the papers that we write? I think we tend not to, because the honest answer is so depressing when we consider the labor and love that infuse every manuscript we submit for publication. At the same time we must grudgingly admit that the narrowness of our audience provides a level of comfort that is not wholly unwelcome. Our efforts to reshape the status quo generally excite only a small circle of specialists. It takes an exceptional discovery for news of our research to penetrate into the “real world.” Most of the science in which we are engaged is a pretty cozy affair. Now imagine that you are asked to produce a work that will be scrutinized by 30 000 people—every single day—for at least the next 30 years. Your audience will include the United States Senators and Representatives who control the financing for your institution as a line-item in the Congressional budget; it will include authorities in every field of the geosciences, who will expect their areas of expertise to be represented accurately and comprehensively; it will include all manner of celebrities, who will insist on—and receive—personalized tours; and mostly it will include regular people, who hope not merely to be entertained, but, because they are at the Smithsonian, to be awed. This was the charge that was handed to Jeff Post, the Curator of Gems and Minerals at the National Museum of Natural History and this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Public Service …
Commentary: Facts and Values in Competency Assessment

Dr. Mossman's article cogently describes an approach to measuring the accuracy of competency-to-stand-trial assessments in the presence of a gold standard. I argue that a gold standard may not exist. A conclusion as to whether a defendant is fit to proceed requires a trade-off between a range of desired ends. This trade-off is inevitably influenced by the values of the examiner.
NJ-GeoWeb, GIS for Watershed Management

Freshwater resources in New Jersey are deteriorating and require quality assessment, which can be costly in time, material and human resources. Strategies of the New Jersey Division of Watershed Management are moving in the direction of citizen action, promoted by service learning programs for water assessment. These programs are funded through non-governmental organizations in collaboration with federal and state agencies. GIS tools are being put into practice for volunteers to report at volunteer monitoring sites throughout the twenty watershed management areas within the state. Data from these sites are displayed at the NJ-GeoWeb portal. The "next generation" NJ-GeoWeb application is the most current browser-based GIS tool implemented for public use in New Jersey to date. This server-side database is supported through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection with system support from the New Jersey Office of Information Technology in a user-friendly interface. This study illustrates lessons of GIS applications in a collaborative approach to watershed management being realized through federal, state, nonprofit and university service learning programs. The topics will specifically address using the NJ-GeoWeb within the Hackensack River watershed area number 5 on the Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan campus.
Survey on date-driven character animation's synthesis

A comprehensive survey on state of art of date-driven human animation’s motion synthesis is presented.First the history of motion capture technology is reviewed.Then makes a detailed survey on motion editing and motion synthesis technologies,and analyzes them.Finally,some open problems and future directions were discussed.
Undergraduate procedural skills training in Victoria: is it adequate?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the experience in basic and advanced clinical procedures of recently graduated medical students and to identify deficiencies in procedural skills training. DESIGN: An anonymous, voluntary, questionnaire-based survey. SETTING: The 13 hospitals in the State of Victoria that employ their own interns. SUBJECTS: New interns, immediately before starting their intern year in 1996. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-four interns participated. They reported that they had had few opportunities to practise some procedures during their medical courses. By their own report, 3% had never sutured a patient, 10% had never drawn blood gases, 16% had never applied a limb plaster, 18% had never inserted a catheter and 37% had never intubated a patient. Twenty-nine per cent perceived their proficiency in basic procedural skills to be inadequate and 43% perceived their training in basic skills to have been inadequate. Except for intravenous cannulation, there was a significant association (P < 0.01) between the number of procedures performed and perceived proficiency in that procedure. The new interns reported that they had been taught mainly by residents and registrars in the emergency department. "Doctors performing most procedures" and "limited access to patients" were considered the main obstacles to procedural training. Fewer than 50% of interns had spent extra time improving their procedural skills. CONCLUSION: Undergraduate training in procedural skills in Victoria is inadequate. Comprehensive training programs appear to be lacking and clinical schools have few techniques for quality assurance. RECOMMENDATION: Victorian clinical schools need to review their procedural skills training programs.
Multiple-Multivariate-Sequential T 2 -Comparisons

In practice there are cases where multivariate T 2-comparisons are needed when the data set is augmented sequentially. Sometimes the entries are not indepentend, and the main assumption is violated. In the paper the multiple-multivariate-sequential T 2-comparisons are introduced through the likelihood function and Fisher’s information matrix.
The Variation of Corrie Elevation and Equilibrium Line Altitude with Aspect in Eastern Baffin Island, N. W. T., Canada

It has been common practice to estimate ice-age climates by calculating the difference in temperature, at an assumed lapse rate, between the elevation of the present snowline and that represented by the lowest corries (cirques) in a region. Such a procedure not only ignores many other factors which may affect corrie glacierization, but is actually incorrect, because the change in snowline for a given temperature change does not depend only on lapse rate. This study suggests that the variation of equilibrium line altitude (ELA) with aspect provides a climatic "signature" supplementary to that of lowest ELA. A method of computing heat and water balances on glaciers from climatic data is described and tested against observations on Baffin Island glaciers. This model is used to estimate ELA as a function of aspect in the Okoa Bay area of Baffin Island, using 1963 to 1972 climatic data, and then for two contrasting climates which have been suggested for early and late stages in the last glaciation. The results are compared with distributions of corrie glaciers and ice-free corries in the area.
Ultrasound-Aided Diagnosis of Pulmonary Artery Pseudoaneurysm in a Pediatric Patient

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) is an uncommon entity associated with high mortality if left untreated. PAPs are most often acquired secondary to trauma, inflammation, infection, or malignanc...
Electron Spin-Lattice Relaxation of the Stable Tyrosine Radical D+ in Photosystem II

Photosystem II (PSII) contains a remarkably stable tyrosine radical D+, located at tyr-160 in the D2 polypeptide, which exhibits a well-known electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum, EPR Signal IIS (1). The function of D+ in the mechanism of photosynthetic H2O-oxidation remains unclear despite evidence that it can oxidize the Mn complex, the H2O-oxidation catalyst in PSII, from the S0 state to the normally dark-stable S1 state (2). Several studies indicate that the oxidation state of the Mn complex influences the electron spin-lattice relaxation rate of D+ (3–5), perhaps via a weak dipolar coupling, as suggested by Evelo et al. (5). Hence, the relaxation properties of D+ may provide a probe for the topology of redox-active sites in the O2-evolving center (OEC) and of the magnetic properties of the Mn complex.
Literary Communism: Pater and the Politics of Community

In his densely self-referential 1886 essay on Sir Thomas Browne, Pater narrates a brief anecdote about writing and reception that illuminates a seemingly counterintuitive claim I want to make in this essay: that Pater is a fundamentally political writer. Pater notes throughout his essay that Browne writes with little attention to any broader audience. He speaks as if to no one beyond his immediate circle, and is blissfully ignorant of the effects his words might have in the world. Browne ‘likes talking to himself’ (Ap, p. 124), has ‘no sense of a “public” to deal with, at all — only a full confidence in the “friendly reader” ‘ (Ap, p. 127). This apparent detachment does not, however, prevent Browne’s prose from becoming entangled in seventeenth-century politics. As Pater slyly notes, Browne was ‘born in the year of the Gunpowder Plot’, an event that affects his work in unpredictable ways many years later (Ap, p. 130). For although he claims that his life of contemplation is not affected by politics, he was a ‘decided royalist … in spite of seeming indifference’, and blames the unauthorized publication of his book Religio Medici on ‘the unscrupulous use of the press for political purposes’ (Ap, p. 135). When a copy of this ‘surreptitious edition’ falls into the hands of the son of aman executed for his participation in the plot, Kenelm Digby, Browne finds himself unwillingly ‘committed to a dispute’ (Ap, p. 136). Forced to acknowledge the public status of his writings, Browne issues a corrected edition of the book, answering Digby’s ‘animadversions’ on his religious doctrines. The debate with Digby concerns theology, but Pater makes it clear in his account that the event is inextricably twined with the fate of the monarchy and the broader political effects of the Reformation. Although Browne is indifferent to politics, the political realm is not indifferent to him.
Deterred drug abuse using superabsorbent polymers

ABSTRACTObjective: This study aimed to determine whether selected superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) could be used as a suitable alternative to thwart extraction, filtration, and syringeability attempts for abuse. Many abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) rely on high molecular weight polymers such as poly(ethylene oxide) to provide crush and extraction resistance. However, these polymers suffer from slow dissolution kinetics, and are susceptible to a variety of abuse conditions.Methods: Several commercially available SAPs were evaluated for swelling behavior in extraction solvents, and tableting properties. Post-compaction abuse properties were evaluated by recoverable volume and syringeability after solvent extraction. Drug release and percent drug extraction were conducted using tramadol HCl as a model drug.Results: Certain SAPs had the ability to rapidly imbibe solvent and effectively stop extraction processes in a variety of solvents, including water and water/alcohol mixtures. Tablets containing SAP and ...
Long-Term Effects of AF64A on Learning and Memory Processes in the Rat

Acetylcholine (ACh) and the cholinergic system have long been implicated in cognitive processes. Studies of the molecular events which contribute to learning and memory consolidation suggest an important, if not essential, role for this transmitter system in associative mechanisms. For example, cholinergic activity indexed by ACh concentrations and high affinity choline transport (HAChT) is enhanced in a region-dependent manner subsequent to a learning experience (18, 25). Furthermore, drugs that inhibit cholinergic tone, and lesions of either the nucleus basalis of Meynert or the medial septum, structures providing the cholinergic input to the neocortex and the limbic system, also impair cognitive processes (1, 2, 6, 9, 10, 15, 21, 29). In contrast, cholinomimetics, like physostigmine and arecoline, typically improve these processes (1, 3).
Interplay effects in highly modulated stereotactic body radiation therapy lung cases treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy.

Interplay effects in highly modulated stereotactic body radiation therapy lung cases treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy. Purpose To evaluate the influence of tumor motion on dose delivery in highly modulated stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) of lung cancer using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Methods 4D-CT imaging data of the quasar respiratory phantom were acquired, using a GE Lightspeed 16-slice CT scanner, while the phantom reproduced patient specific respiratory traces. Flattening filter-free (FFF) dual-arc VMAT treatment plans were created on the acquired images in Pinnacle3 treatment planning system. Each plan was generated with varying levels of complexity characterized by the modulation complexity score. Static and dynamic measurements were delivered to GafChromic EBT3 film inside the respiratory phantom using an Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator. The treatment prescription was 10 Gy per fraction for 5 fractions. Comparisons of the planned and delivered dose distribution were performed using Radiological Imaging Technology (RIT) software. Results For the motion amplitudes and periods studied, the interplay effect is insignificant to the GTV coverage. The mean dose deviations between the planned and delivered dose distribution never went below -2.00% and a minimum dose difference of -5.05% was observed for a single fraction. However for amplitude of 2 cm, the dose error could be as large as 20.00% near the edges of the PTV at increased levels of complexity. Additionally, the modulation complexity score showed an ability to provide information related to dose delivery. A correlation value (R) of 0.65 was observed between the complexity score and the gamma passing rate for GTV coverage. Conclusions As expected, respiratory motion effects are most evident for large amplitude respirations, complex fields, and small field margins. However, under all tested conditions target coverage was maintained.
Spatiotemporally Heterogeneous Population Dynamics of Gut Bacteria Inferred from Fecal Time Series Data.

ABSTRACT A priority in gut microbiome research is to develop methods to investigate ecological processes shaping microbial populations in the host from readily accessible data, such as fecal samples. Here, we demonstrate that these processes can be inferred from the proportion of ingested microorganisms that is egested and their egestion time distribution, by using general mathematical models that link within-host processes to statistics from fecal time series. We apply this framework to Drosophila melanogaster and its gut bacterium Acetobacter tropicalis. Specifically, we investigate changes in their interactions following ingestion of a food bolus containing bacteria in a set of treatments varying the following key parameters: the density of exogenous bacteria ingested by the flies (low/high) and the association status of the host (axenic or monoassociated with A. tropicalis). At 5 h post-ingestion, ~35% of the intact bacterial cells have transited through the gut with the food bolus and ~10% are retained in a viable and culturable state, leaving ~55% that have likely been lysed in the gut. Our models imply that lysis and retention occur over a short spatial range within the gut when the bacteria are ingested from a low density, but more broadly in the host gut when ingested from a high density, by both gnotobiotic and axenic hosts. Our study illustrates how time series data complement the analysis of static abundance patterns to infer ecological processes as bacteria traverse the host. Our approach can be extended to investigate how different bacterial species interact within the host to understand the processes shaping microbial community assembly. IMPORTANCE A major challenge to our understanding of the gut microbiome in animals is that it is profoundly difficult to investigate the fate of ingested microbial cells as they travel through the gut. Here, we created mathematical tools to analyze microbial dynamics in the gut from the temporal pattern of their abundance in fecal samples, i.e., without direct observation of the dynamics, and validated them with Drosophila fruit flies. Our analyses revealed that over 5 h after ingestion, most bacteria have likely died in the host or have been egested as intact cells, while some living cells have been retained in the host. Bacterial lysis or retention occurred across a larger area of the gut when flies ingest bacteria from high densities than when flies ingest bacteria from low densities. Our mathematical tools can be applied to other systems, including the dynamics of gut microbial populations and communities in humans.
Quantitative Analysis of Tissue Damage Evolution in Porcine Liver With Interrupted Mechanical Testing Under Tension, Compression, and Shear

In this study, the damage evolution of liver tissue was quantified at the microstructural level under tensile, compression, and shear loading conditions using an interrupted mechanical testing method. To capture the internal microstructural changes in response to global deformation, the tissue samples were loaded to different strain levels and chemically fixed to permanently preserve the deformed tissue geometry. Tissue microstructural alterations were analyzed to quantify the accumulated damages, with damage-related parameters such as number density, area fraction, mean area, and mean nearest neighbor distance (NND). All three loading states showed a unique pattern of damage evolution, in which the damages were found to increase in number and size, but decrease in NND as strain level increased. To validate the observed damage features as true tissue microstructural damages, more samples were loaded to the above-mentioned strain levels and then unloaded back to their reference state, followed by fixation. The most major damage-relevant features at higher strain levels remained after the release of the external loading, indicating the occurrence of permanent inelastic deformation. This study provides a foundation for future structure-based constitutive material modeling that can capture and predict the stress-state dependent damage evolution in liver tissue.
Photon-Pair State Engineering in Raman-Mediated Four-Wave Mixing

Towards delayed-choice generation of single photons in pure quantum states, we measure and model the purity of Stokes photons scattered from sapphire, measuring a maximum purity of 0.99±0.03 and high quantum correlation with anti-Stokes photons.
Collaterals dramatically alter stroke risk in intracranial atherosclerosis.

Objective Stroke risk due to intracranial atherosclerosis increases with degree of arterial stenosis. We evaluated the previously unexplored role of collaterals in modifying stroke risk in intracranial atherosclerosis and impact on subsequent stroke characteristics.
The Influence of Families on Child Health: Family Behaviors and Child Outcomes

The family is the most central and enduring influence on children. Families, regardless of their composition, are themselves subject to a variety of social forces that influence how well they are able to meet children's needs. Pediatricians who understand the functions families serve and the factors that constrain them will be better able to assist parents in promoting their children's health and well-being.
Immunity to Malaria and Related Intracellular Protozoa

Human malaria is a disease characterized by its long duration and chronicity. A typical infection with Plasmodium vivax lasts 2 to 3 years with periodic remissions and relapses. There is now good evidence to indicate that the relapses, whose frequency varies with the strain of parasite, originate from dormant forms, called hypnozoites. These are derived from inoculated sporozoites and lie in hepatic cells until somehow stimulated to develop into preerythrocytic schizonts, which then produce merozoites that invade red blood cells and initiate the relapse. Nothing is known as to whether the parasites of successive relapses differ antigenically. Immunity develops only slowly. The relapses, after a time, tend to be less severe clinically, even though more parasites may be present. Such a partially immune person may be walking around with a parasitemia of 50,000 per μl blood, whereas a nonimmune individual will be extremely ill with so few parasites (10 or even less per |μl) that diagnosis by slide examination may be difficult. P. ovale infections resemble those with P. vivax and may have even longer latent periods. With the quartan parasite P. malariae, latent inapparent infection has been known to persist for 50 years. This has been shown by the accidental infection with this species of recipients of blood transfusions from donors who had left a malarious region 50 years earlier and had never been back. In such people the parasite and host are in a state of equilibrium. This may resemble the situation with experimental infection with P. inui in the rhesus monkey, where the spleen seems to play a positive role in maintaining the parasite (see Chapter 15).
A Volume-Rendering Technique for Integrated Three-Dimensional display of MR and PET Data

Methods have recently been developed for using MR data to create 3-D computer models of the gyral anatomy of the brain. This paper describes image processing and computer graphic techniques for using PET images to produce 3-D models of brain surface metabolism. Then, an existing algorithm for retrospective image registration is used to fuse the two constructs into a unified 3-D model of brain structure and function. Neurosurgical planning can benefit from this display technique which localizes PET-detected metablolic abnormalities with respect to MR-defined gyral anatomy.
Gauged Linear Sigma Models

In the previous chapter we gave a number of disparate constructions of (0,2) theories. The linear sigma models that we will discuss in this final chapter provide a surprisingly unified framework for most of these. We will now define these theories and describe a number of linear sigma model successes, as well as some of the key (0,2) puzzles that still remain but are greatly informed by the linear point of view. Along the way we will present a review of some toric geometry that is essential in linear sigma model exploration.
Esophageal position, measured luminal temperatures, and risk of atrioesophageal fistula with atrial fibrillation ablation.

BACKGROUND Despite improvement in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), ability to recognize and prevent esophageal injury remains challenging. We hypothesized that esophageal course may impact esophageal heating, as measured through ablation, and thereby, risk of injury. METHODS We evaluated all patients undergoing first-time AF ablation with preprocedural computed tomography (CT) imaging from 2014 to 2016 at our institution, focusing on esophageal position at the left atrial (LA)/pulmonary vein junction. Esophageal luminal temperatures (ELTs) were analyzed by esophageal course. In exploratory work by investigation of published reports of atrioesophageal fistula (AEF), we evaluated for a relationship between esophageal course and risk of AEF. RESULTS Of 68 patients, 48.5% had midline, 36.8% leftward, and 14.7% rightward esophageal positions. Of 20 patients (29% of cohort) with esophageal confinement-defined as a midline or leftward position relative to the LA, vertebrae, and aorta, with luminal distortion-14 had leftward position. No significant differences in patient or procedure characteristics were noted between confinement and nonconfinement cohorts. The average peak ELT was significantly higher in those with confinement (36.9°C vs 36.2°C, P < 0.05) and confinement with a left-sided esophagus (37.1°C vs 36.2°C, P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between esophageal confinement and risk of AEF (odds ratio [OR]: 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-6.2, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Approximately one-third of patients undergoing AF ablation display leftward esophageal course along the ablation zone on preprocedure CT imaging, with a significant portion exhibiting esophageal confinement. In those with confinement, higher peak ELTs are noted with ablation. Esophageal confinement may be a risk factor for development of AEF.
The social-mediated crisis communication research: Revisiting dialogue between organizations and publics in crises of China.

Abstract The rapid diffusion of social media is ushering in a new era of crisis communication. To enhance our understanding of the social-mediated dialogue between organizations and their publics in crises of China, this study conducts a content analysis of 61 relevant journal articles published in 2006–2018. Results of this research present an overview of ongoing research trends such as theoretical frameworks and methodological preferences. This research also explores how the unique Chinese social media characteristics affect the dialogue between types of organizations and their publics. Contextual factors such as face and favor, relationship (Guanxi) and sentiment (Renqing), and the centralized political system that may facilitate/inhibit dialogue in crises of China are identified as well. Finally, this study suggests promising new directions such as a scholarly assessment tool for the social-mediated crisis communication research in China.
A mechanistic investigation of the EDWARDS INTUITY Elite valve's hemodynamic performance.

Rapid deployment surgical aortic valve replacement has emerged as an alternative to the contemporary sutured valve technique. A difference in transvalvular pressure has been observed clinically between RD-SAVR and contemporary SAVR. A mechanistic inquiry into the impact of the rapid deployment valve inflow frame design on the left ventricular outflow tract and valve hemodynamics is needed. A 23 mm EDWARDS INTUITY Elite rapid deployment valve and a control contemporary, sutured valve, a 23 mm Magna Ease valve, were implanted in an explanted human heart by an experienced cardiac surgeon. Per convention, the rapid deployment valve was implanted with three non-pledgeted, simple guiding sutures, while fifteen pledgeted, mattress sutures were used to implant the contemporary surgical valve. In vitro flow models were created from micro-computed tomography scans of the implanted valves and surrounding cardiac anatomy. Particle image velocimetry and hydrodynamic characterization experiments were conducted in the vicinity of the valves in a validated pulsatile flow loop system. The rapid deployment and control valves were found to have mean transvalvular pressure gradients of 7.92 ± 0.37 and 10.13 ± 0.48 mmHg, respectively. The inflow frame of the rapid deployment valve formed a larger, more circular, left ventricular outflow tract compared to the control valve. Furthermore, it was found that the presence of the control valve’s sub-annular pledgets compromised its velocity distribution and consequently its pressure gradient. The rapid deployment valve’s intra-annular inflow frame provides for a larger, left ventricular outflow tract, thus reducing the transvalvular pressure gradient and improving overall hemodynamic performance.
Effects of Monensin, Pyromellitic Diimide and 2-Bromoethanesulfonic Acid on Rumen Fermentation In Vitro

The effects of monensin, 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid (2-BES) and pyromellitic diimide (diimide) on gas and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production by the rumen microbiota were compared in mixed culture. Oat hay, a hay-concentrate mixture (48% hay, 43% concentrate) and a soluble carbohydrate mixture were used as substrates for microbial growth. The highest concentrations of diimide (10 ppm) and 2-BES (30 microM) decreased methanogenesis by 97 and 76%, respectively, while H2 accumulation was increased 30- and 20-fold, respectively. The effect of monensin on methanogenesis was less dramatic as 10 ppm decreased CH4 accumulation 16% and H2 did not accumulate. Diimide and 2-BES decreased the acetate:propionate ratio with the hay (P less than .05) and soluble carbohydrate mixture (P less than .025). The numbers of saccharolytic, cellulolytic and methanogenic bacteria from sheep fed a diet with diimide (60 ppm) did not differ significantly from sheep fed a control diet. Semicontinuous culture incubations indicated that the mixed rumen microbial population could adapt and degrade diimide after 24 h of incubation.
An international microbial forensics research strategy and its collaborative pursuit is needed

Abstract Microbial forensics has existed as a discipline for over 20 years to support the investigation and attribution of suspected or actual biocrimes, illicit bioproliferation, bioterrorism, and biowarfare. Following the United States' lead, several nations have established microbial forensics programs of their own and continue to advance the scientific capabilities of those programs. Considerable collaboration between some of these nations buttresses those efforts. With the anticipated establishment of an international microbial forensics laboratory consortium to support the United Nations Secretary-General's Mechanism, the science should continue to develop and advance. An international strategy is needed to guide such efforts, measure progress, and promote continued advancement to meet evolving challenges.
Influence of intensity measure selection on simulation-based regional seismic risk assessment

This study investigates the influence of intensity measure (IM) selection on simulation-based regional seismic risk assessment (RSRA) of spatially distributed structural portfolios. First, a co-sim...