cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Protein Intake and Concurrent Exercise to Skeletal Muscle Quality with Aging.

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) derived functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) and intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) to define skeletal muscle quality is of fundamental importance in order to understand aging and inactivity-related loss of muscle mass. This study examined factors associated with lower-extremity skeletal muscle quality in healthy, younger, and middle-aged adults. Cross-sectional study. Ninety-eight participants (53% female) were classified as younger (20–35 years, n=50) or middle-aged (50–65 years, n=48) as well as sedentary (≤1 day per week) or active (≥3 days per week) on self-reported concurrent exercise (aerobic and resistance). All participants wore an accelerometer for seven days, recorded a three-day food diary, and participated in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lower limbs. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) was determined by tracing the knee extensors (KE) and plantar flexors, while muscle quality was established through the determination of FCSA and IMAT via color thresholding. One-way analysis of variance and stepwise regression models were performed to predict FCSA and IMAT. KE-IMAT (cm2) was significantly higher among sedentary (3.74 ± 1.93) vs. active (1.85 ± 0.56) and middle-aged (3.14 ± 2.05) vs. younger (2.74 ± 1.25) (p < 0.05). Protein intake (g•kg•day−1) was significantly higher in active (1.63 ± 0.55) vs. sedentary (1.19 ± 0.40) (p < 0.05). Sex, age, concurrent exercise training status, and protein intake were significant predictors of KE FCSA (R2 = 0.71, p < 0.01), while concurrent exercise training status and light physical activity predicted 33% of the variance in KE IMAT (p < 0.01). Concurrent exercise training, dietary protein intake, and light physical activity are significant determinants of skeletal muscle health and require further investigation to mitigate aging and inactivity-related loss of muscle quality.
Redox Control of Proteolysis During Inactivity-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy.

Significance: Skeletal muscles play essential roles in key body functions including breathing, locomotion, and glucose homeostasis; therefore, maintaining healthy skeletal muscles is important. Prolonged periods of muscle inactivity (e.g., bed rest, mechanical ventilation, or limb immobilization) result in skeletal muscle atrophy and weakness. Recent Advances: Disuse skeletal muscle atrophy occurs due to both accelerated proteolysis and decreased protein synthesis with proteolysis playing a leading role in some types of inactivity-induced atrophy. Although all major proteolytic systems are involved in inactivity-induced proteolysis in skeletal muscles, growing evidence indicates that both calpain and autophagy play an important role. Regulation of proteolysis in skeletal muscle is under complex control, but it is established that activation of both calpain and autophagy is directly linked to oxidative stress. Critical Issues: In this review, we highlight the experimental evidence that supports a cause and effect link between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of both calpain and autophagy in skeletal muscle fibers during prolonged inactivity. We also review the sources of oxidant production in muscle fibers during inactivity-induced atrophy, and provide a detailed discussion on how ROS activates both calpain and autophagy during disuse muscle wasting. Future Directions: Future studies are required to delineate the specific mechanisms by which ROS activates both calpain and autophagy in skeletal muscles during prolonged periods of contractile inactivity. This knowledge is essential to develop the most effective strategies to protect against disuse muscle atrophy. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 33, 559-569.
Digitally Responsive School Counseling Across the ASCA National Model

Technology plays an increasingly important role in the lives of students and other education stakeholders. Professional school counselors (PSCs), however, have only tentatively begun to integrate digital tools into their professional work. Given the extensive information and considerations posited by technology and its role in students’ lives, the work of the school counselor has become more complex. This paper argues for expanding the use of interactive technologies specifically within the Delivery System of the American School Counseling Association’s (2012) National Model. We examine how digital communication tools can enhance and extend the ability of PSCs to meet the needs of students. Implications for school counseling programs, PSCs, students, and educators are considered.
The Emergency Medicine Group Standardized Letter of Evaluation as a Workplace-based Assessment: The Validity Is in the Detail.

Author(s): Love, Jeff N.; Doty, Christopher I.; Smith, Jessica L.; Deiorio, Nicole M.; Jordan, Jaime; Van Meter, Michael W.; Edens, Mary Ann; Hegarty, Cullen B. | Abstract: Introduction: Interest is growing in specialty-specific assessments of student candidates based on clinical clerkship performance to assist in the selection process for postgraduate training. The most established and extensively used is the emergency medicine (EM) Standardized Letter of Evaluation (SLOE), serving as a substitute for the letter of recommendation. Typically developed by a program’s leadership, the group SLOE strives to provide a unified institutional perspective on performance. The group SLOE lacks guidelines to direct its development raising questions regarding the assessments, processes, and standardization programs employ. This study surveys EM programs to gather validity evidence regarding the inputs and processes involved in developing group SLOEs.Methods: A structured telephone interview was administered to assess the input data and processes employed by United States EM programs when generating group SLOEs.Results: With 156/178 (87.6%) of Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education-approved programs responding, 146 (93.6%) reported developing group SLOEs. Issues identified in development include the following: (1) 84.9% (124/146) of programs limit the consensus process by not employing rigorous methodology; (2) several stakeholder groups (nurses, patients) do not participate in candidate assessment placing final decisions at risk for construct under-representation; and (3) clinical shift assessments don’t reflect the task-specific expertise of each stakeholder group nor has the validity of each been assessed.Conclusion: Success of the group SLOE in its role as a summative workplace-based assessment is dependent upon valid input data and appropriate processes. This study of current program practices provides specific recommendations that would strengthen the validity arguments for the group SLOE.
Where Have All the Children Gone? Against Children's Invisibility in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Teuila, a Tongan migrant living in New Zealand, and sisters Abby and Chiko, who live in Zambia, have never met each other in real life. But their stories, narrated to Julie and Jean, respectively, ...
Publishing and Assessing the Research of Economists: Lessons from Public Health

Abstract We highlight a growing concern in the economics profession that young scholars face incentives that are misaligned with conducting research that furthers knowledge and addresses pressing policy problems. The premium given to publication in top journals leads to an emphasis on exhaustive treatment of narrow questions. Detailed, robustly identified studies of novel questions are of undeniable value; however, the opportunity cost of producing such studies is large in terms of research quantity and policy relevance. For economists who aim to achieve what we view as the ultimate goals of academic research (enhancing understanding of the world, solving social problems, and building foundational knowledge to enable future breakthroughs), we offer some insights from publication philosophy in the field of public health. We discuss how public health has developed norms around publishing that are more successful in meeting these ultimate goals. We then offer thoughts on potential lessons for young economists in China and the economics discipline.
Disparities in diagnosis, treatment and survival between Black and White Parkinson patients.

Abstract Introduction Racial disparities in diagnosis, treatment and survival in Black patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to White patients have not been well studied, largely due to limited number of studies and information on Black patients in healthcare systems. Studying racial disparities and identifying underlying factors in large populations are important to understand PD and improve care. Methods We retrospectively identified PD patients on both races from 1/1/2006 to 10/31/2017 and compared demographics, socioeconomic status (educations, incomes and insurances), comorbidities (all categories, including mood, cognition and psychosis), treatment (medications for parkinsonism and major non-motor symptoms, and frequency and locations of healthcare) and survival, and identified factors associated with medication usage and survival. Results We retrospectively studied 2033 PD patients, of whom 725 were Black. Black patients lacked male predominance, were 4 years older at first diagnosis here, more likely to smoke and live in a low education and income community, and possessed limited insurances compared to White patients. Black patients also had more comorbidities and were more likely to receive care through emergency or inpatient service, but less likely to be on medications for parkinsonism and mood disorders. Race, age, smoking status, insurance type, frequency and locations of healthcare and comorbidities were associated with medication usage. Black race, older age, inpatient admission and malignancy were associated with increased risk of death. Conclusion We revealed racial disparities in diagnosis, treatment and survival, and factors associated with medication usage and survival in the largest reported Black PD cohort from a single center.
Kidney Transplant Recipient Attitudes Toward a SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine

A widely accepted severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine could protect vulnerable populations, but the willingness of solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) to accept a potential vaccine remains unknown. Methods We conducted a national survey of 1308 SOTRs and 1617 non-SOTRs between November 11 and December 2, 2020 through the network of the National Kidney Foundation. Results Respondents were largely White (73.2%), female (61.1%), and college graduates (56.2%). Among SOTRs, half (49.5%) were unsure or would be unwilling to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine once available. Major concerns included potential side effects (85.2%), lack of rigor in the testing and development process (69.7%), and fear of incompatibility with organ transplants (75.4%). Even after the announcement of the high efficacy of the mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna Inc.) at the time of survey distribution, likeliness to receive a vaccine only slightly increased (53.5% before announcement versus 57.8% after the announcement). However, 86.8% of SOTRs would accept a vaccine if recommended by a transplant provider. Conclusions SOTRs reported skepticism in receiving a potential SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, even after announcements of high vaccine efficacy. Reassuringly, transplant providers may be the defining influence in vaccine acceptance and will likely have a critical role to play in promoting vaccine adherence.
Grabbing Back: The Form and Meaning of the Pussy Hat

The purpose of this study was to understand motivations for participating in the Women's March. We used symbolic interaction theory, specifically, the essay "Appearance and the Self" as a guideline to analyze the data (Stone, 1962). We also interpreted the meaning of the pussy hats as symbols through the form, viewer, and context aesthetic analysis framework (DeLong, 1998). The study used an inductive approach with observations and audio recorded interviews of the event attendants 18 and older. Authors collected data in Washington, D.C., and in St. Paul. The goals of the ethnographic process were to observe dress as a tool of nonverbal communication and to understand referent meanings of the pussy hat. Pussy hats provided salient visual communication representing women's empowerment and support. The making of the hats became a form of activism, which mobilized supporters of the movement.
A simulative approach to evaluate the feedback effect of water infiltration in pavements

In low- to medium-traffic-volume roads, a majority of flexible pavements consist of a relatively thin asphalt mix layer over a granular base. Water infiltration through cracks in the surface layer ...
Referral of adults with obstructive sleep apnea for surgical consultation: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline.

Introduction: This guideline establishes clinical practice recommendations for referring adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for surgical consultation. Methods: The American Academy of Sleep ...
Cancer Mortality in US-born vs. Foreign-born Asian American Groups (2008-2017)

Background: Asian Americans (AA) are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States with high proportions of immigrants. Nativity is important as cancer risk factors vary by country. We sought to understand differences in cancer mortality among AAs by nativity (foreign-born vs. U.S.-born). Methods: Ninety-eight thousand eight hundred and twenty-six AA (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese) decedents with cancer-related deaths from U.S. death certificates (2008–2017) were analyzed. Thirteen cancers that contribute significantly to Asian-American cancer mortality were selected and categorized by etiology: tobacco-related, screen-detected, diet-/obesity-related, and infection-related. Ten-year age-adjusted mortality rates [AAMR; 95% confidence interval (CI); per 100,00] and standardized mortality ratios (SMR; 95% CI) using foreign-born as the reference group were calculated. Results: Overall, foreign-born AAs had higher mortality rates than U.S.-born. Japanese U.S.-born males had the highest tobacco-related mortality rates [foreign-born AAMR: 43.02 (38.72, 47.31); U.S.-born AAMR: 55.38 (53.05, 57.72)]. Screen-detected death rates were higher for foreign-born than U.S.-born, except for among Japanese males [SMR 1.28 (1.21–1.35)]. Diet-/obesity-related AAMRs were higher among females than males and highest among foreign-born females. Foreign-born males and females had higher infection-related AAMRs than U.S.-born; the highest rates were foreign-born males—Korean [AAMR 41.54 (39.54, 43.53)] and Vietnamese [AAMR 41.39 (39.68, 43.09)]. Conclusions: We observed substantial heterogeneity in mortality rates across AA groups and by nativity. Contrary to the Healthy Immigrant Effect, most foreign-born Asians were dying at higher rates than U.S.-born AAs. Impact: Disaggregated analysis of AA cancers, targeted and culturally tailored cancer screening, and treatments for infections among foreign-born Asians is critical for cancer prevention efforts.
Heat Shock Perturbs TRIM5α Restriction of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

TRIM5alpha restriction factors protect target cells from retroviruses by blocking infection prior to the accumulation of viral reverse transcription (RT) products. Here, we demonstrate that heat shock perturbed owl monkey TRIMCyp and rhesus TRIM5alpha-mediated restriction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) late RT products and 2-long terminal repeat circles. Heat shock partially rescued HIV-1 infection from TRIMCyp restriction, and this rescue became more profound when combined with the presence of the proteasome inhibitor MG132. This indicates that viral RT products rescued from restriction by either heat shock treatment or the presence of MG132 are on a productive pathway, supporting a model in which TRIM5alpha proteins restrict retroviruses in multiple phases that are differentially sensitive to heat shock and proteasome inhibitors.
The Effect of Plant Reliability Improvement in the Cost of Generating Electricity

The objective of this investigation is to study the economic benefits in operating a nuclear power plant, as a result of improving the availability of the secondary (steam) loop of the plant. A new method has been developed to obtain availability, frequency of failure, probability and frequency of operation, cycle time, and uptime for different capacity states of a parallel series system having components with failure and repair rates distributed exponentially in time. The method has been applied to different subsystems, systems, and the secondary loop of a plant as a whole. The effect of having spare parts for several components, as measured by savings in the generation of electricity, is also studied. The Kettelle algorithm was applied to determine optimal allocation of spare parts to achieve maximum availability or minimum cost of electricity, subject to a fixed spare parts budget. The savings per year for optimal spare parts allocation and different spare parts budgets were obtained. The results show that the utility will save its customers a large amount of money if spare parts are purchased, especially at the beginning of the plant operation, and are allocated judiciously.
The Personal Librarian: Enhancing the Student Experience

Review of The Personal Librarian: Enhancing the Student Experience , edited by Richard Moniz and Jean Moats.
11 - Global Analysis of Prenylated Proteins by the Use of a Tagging via Substrate Approach

Publisher Summary This chapter describes methods developed for the global analysis of prenylated proteins. FPPazide or farnesol-azide was used to metabolically tag farnesylated proteins. Conjugation with biotinylated phosphine reagent enabled the isolation and identification of a variety of farnesylated proteins. A similar method was developed to identify and characterize geranylgeranylated proteins. In this method, azidogeranylgeranyl alcohol was used to label geranylgeranylated proteins, which were then linked to fluorescent tetramethylrhodamine-alkyne (TAMRA) by using the click chemistry. Geranylgeranylated proteins were separated by pH fractionation and 2D gel electrophoresis, and spots were cut out to identify geranylgeranylated proteins. Azide is nonpolar and has a small size; thus, the modification does not cause structural changes and does not interfere with the functions of the tagged proteins. It is relatively inert and is not altered by a variety of conditions inside the cells or during the process of isolating tagged proteins. It is also not present in any known molecules including proteins, nucleotides, and carbohydrates. Another method, which utilizes alkyne-modified isoprenoids such as C10-alkyne and C15-alkyne, is also discussed in the chapter. A variety of tagging methods developed over the years provide an overview of prenylated proteins inside the cell. Further studies should enable the grouping of these prenylated proteins based on their functions and/or subcellular localizations.
Thermodynamics of proton dissociation in dilute aqueous solution: xvii. pK, ΔH°, and ΔS° values for proton ionization from several monosubstituted pyridines at 10, 25, and 40°C☆

Abstract A calorimetric study has been made of proton ionization from several monosubstituted protonated pyridines in aqueous solution at 10, 25, and 40°. Values of ΔC°p were calculated from the variation of the ΔH° values with temperature. A linear relationship was found between pK and ΔH° with the exception of the ortho-halogen substituted protonated pyridines. A discussion of the resulting thermodynamic quantities is given.
The Roles of CD28 and CD40 Ligand in T Cell Activation and Tolerance

Costimulation of T cell activation involves both the B7:CD28 as well as the CD40 ligand (CD40L):CD40 pathway. To determine the importance of these pathways to in vitro and in vivo T cell activation, a direct comparison was made of the responses of TCR transgenic T cells lacking either CD28 or CD40L. In vitro, CD28-/- T cells showed a greater reduction in proliferative responses to Ag than did CD40L-/- T cells. The absence of CD28 resulted in defective Th2 responses, whereas CD40L-/- T cells were defective in Th1 development. In vivo, CD28-/- T cells failed to expand upon immunization, whereas CD40L-/- T cells could not sustain a response. These results suggest that CD28 is critical for initiating T cell responses, whereas CD40L is required for sustained Th1 responses. The different functional roles of these costimulatory pathways may explain why blocking B7:CD28 and CD40L:CD40 interactions has an additive effect in inhibiting T cell responses.
Digitally programmable offset compensation of comparators in flash ADCs for hybrid ADC architectures

This paper presents an offset calibration approach that exploits the dynamic characteristics of a comparator to achieve a wide linear tuning range by placing varactors at two different internal nodes: the drains of the input pairs (D i nodes) for high linearity, and the output nodes for wider compensation range. The comparators are placed in a 3-bit 1GS/s flash ADC that will be integrated into an 8-bit hybrid ADC architecture. A digital calibration scheme controls the gate voltages of the varactors and detects the minimum offset condition. The proposed configuration was simulated with a transistor-level flash ADC design in 0.13µm CMOS technology and a Verilog-A behavioral implementation of the calibration circuitry. The ADC consumes 1.48mW of power (excluding the calibration circuitry, flip-flops and encoder) from a 1.2V voltage supply. Monte Carlo simulation results indicate that the method reduces the 3-sigma input offset of the comparator from 36.9mV to 1.6mV. The simulated effective number of bits (ENOB) of the flash ADC is 2.96 bits.
The bioinformatics of nucleotide sequence coding for proteins requiring metal coenzymes and proteins embedded with metals

All metallo-proteins need post-translation metal incorporation. In fact, the isotope ratio of Fe, Cu, and Zn in physiology and oncology have emerged as an important tool. The nickel containing F430 is the prosthetic group of the enzyme methyl coenzyme M reductase which catalyzes the release of methane in the final step of methano-genesis, a prime energy metabolism candidate for life exploration space mission in the solar system. The 3.5 Gyr early life sulfite reductase as a life switch energy metabolism had Fe-Mo clusters. The nitrogenase for nitrogen fixation 3 billion years ago had Mo. The early life arsenite oxidase needed for anoxygenic photosynthesis energy metabolism 2.8 billion years ago had Mo and Fe. The selection pressure in metal incorporation inside a protein would be quantifiable in terms of the related nucleotide sequence complexity with fractal dimension and entropy values. Simulation model showed that the studied metal-required energy metabolism sequences had at least ten times more selection pressure relatively in comparison to the horizontal transferred sequences in Mealybug, guided by the outcome histogram of the correlation R-sq values. The metal energy metabolism sequence group was compared to the circadian clock KaiC sequence group using magnesium atomic level bond shifting mechanism in the protein, and the simulation model would suggest a much higher selection pressure for the energy life switch sequence group. The possibility of using Kepler 444 as an example of ancient life in Galaxy with the associated exoplanets has been proposed and is further discussed in this report. Examples of arsenic metal bonding shift probed by Synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopy data and Zn controlled FOXP2 regulated pathways in human and chimp brain studied tissue samples are studied in relationship to the sequence bioinformatics. The analysis results suggest that relatively large metal bonding shift amount is associated with low probability correlation R-sq outcome in the bioinformatics simulation.
Shake and stew: a non-destructive PCR-ready DNA isolation method from a single preserved fish larva

A rapid non-destructive alternative to isolate DNA from an individual fish larva is presented, based on the suspension of epithelial cells through vortex forces, and the release of DNA in a heated alkaline solution. DNA from >6056 fish larvae isolated using this protocol has yielded a high PCR amplification success rate (>93%), suggesting its applicability to other taxonomic groups or sources when tissue amount is the limiting factor.
Sexual dysfunction in women sexually abused as children

Women who were sexually victimized as children report problems in relating to both men and women. Studies have found that victims are less satisfied with their current sexual relationships and with the quality of their relationships with men in general. Fear of sex, arousal dysfunction and desire dysfunction were the most common sexual disturbances found in incest victims. The purpose of this paper was to examine the differences in sexual functioning in abused women who perceived themselves to be adjusted to the trauma of their sexual abuse and those who did not. A sample of 57 nonclinical adult women who had been sexually abused as children was studied. Data were analyzed by means of cross-tabulation, chi square statistics, analysis of variance, and multiple regression. Orgasm was experienced by 63% of the women. There was a significant interaction among ability to be an orgasmic, sexual esteem and adjustment to abuse. Over 56% of the women experienced physical discomfort during intercourse and 36% indicated that they needed sex therapy. The implications of these and other findings are discussed.
Permanent Income, Liquidity, and Adjustments of Automobile Stocks: Evidence from Panel Data

A recent article by Bernanke [1984] tests the rational expectations-permanent income hypothesis using panel data on automobile expenditures. He finds no evidence refuting the hypothesis. This paper incorporates a threshold adjustment process into Bernanke's model. Estimations based on a subset of the data used by Bernanke reveal evidence that resale market imperfections and credit market constraints have important effects on automobile expenditures.
Dynamic Interactions between Orexin and Dynorphin May Delay Onset of Functional Orexin Effects: A Modeling Study:

Orexin (also known as hypocretin) neurons play a key role in regulating sleep-wake behavior, but the links between orexin neuron electrophysiology and function have not been explored. Orexin neurons are wake-active, and spiking activity in orexin neurons may anticipate transitions to wakefulness by several seconds. However, it is suggested that while the orexin system is necessary to maintain sustained wake bouts, orexin has little effect on brief wake bouts. In vitro experiments investigating the actions of orexin and dynorphin, a colocalized neuropeptide, on orexin neurons indicate that the dynamics of desensitization to dynorphin may represent a mechanism for modulating local network activity and resolving the apparent discrepancy between the onset of firing in orexin neurons and the onset of functional orexin effects. To investigate the role of dynorphin on orexin neuron activity, a Hodgkin-Huxley-type model orexin neuron was developed in which baseline electrophysiology, orexin/dynorphin action, and dynorphin desensitization were closely tied to experimental data. In this model framework, model orexin neuron responses to orexin/dynorphin action were calibrated by simulating the physiologic effects of static orexin and dynorphin bath application on orexin neurons. Then behavior in a small network of model orexin neurons was simulated with pure orexin, pure dynorphin, or combined orexin and dynorphin coupling based on the mechanisms established in the static case. It was found that the dynamics of desensitization to dynorphin can mediate a clear shift from a network in which firing is suppressed by dynorphin-mediated inhibition to a network of neurons with high firing rates sustained by orexin-mediated excitation. The findings suggest that dynamic interactions between orexin and dynorphin at transitions from sleep to wake may delay onset of functional orexin effects.
Elevated aspartate transcarbamylase and dihydroorotase activities in erythrocytes from patients with hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency.

Abstract Activities of aspartate transcarbamylase and dihydroorotase are increased 6 to 8-fold in erythrocytes from individuals with hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency. The increased enzyme activities do not appear to be due to enzyme activation.
Selecting initial therapy. Seminoma and nonseminoma.

Seminoma: About 80% of seminoma presents as low-stage disease. If clinical studies are negative, the usual initial therapy is “prophylactic” radiotherapy to the retroperitoneal zone. If clinical Stage II disease is evident, radiotherapy versus primary chemotherapy is being studied. Primary chemotherapy is treatment of choice for clinical Stage III disease. Postchemotherapy radiographic lesions are safe to follow without surgical extirpation as they are usually necrotic. Surveillance for clinical Stage I disease is another option. For nonseminoma, clinical Stage I disease has been managed with staging RPLND. But 70% of such cases will have negative nodes. Hence, primary surveillance studies are under way, with chemotherapy reserved for those who relapse clinically (estimated 95% survival). Sadly, surveillance has not been effective when applied on an ad hoc basis at the community level. Problems are compliance, delayed detection of relapse, nonreporting of failures. Clinical Stage II disease is managed with RPLND. Adjuvant, limited postoperative chemotherapy is an option versus no postoperative chemotherapy followed by full chemotherapy for those who relapse as Stage III disease later. Another option under study for Stage II disease is primary chemotherapy with RPLND surgery reserved for those who achieve only a partial remission.
Partisan brand name building and deficit politics: examining the role of power sharing on party issue consistency

Scholars of political parties frequently note that a party's candidates are aided by the presence of a consistent and favourable party brand name. We argue that partisan success in maintaining a consistent position on important policy issues hinges on how their role in the government motivates their strategies about public policy formation. Specifically, when parties share control of government institutions, parties need to balance their electoral interest in promoting a consistent brand name with the need to generate public policy that leads to effective governance. When control is held by one party, the costs and benefits of effective governance are born entirely by the majority, absolving both parties of the need to compromise on the substance of policy. By employing item response theory methods to assess patterns of party voting on deficit issues, we find strong support for these hypotheses.
Efficient Interpolation Architecture for Soft-Decision Reed-Solomon Decoding

Reed-Solomon (RS) codes can be found in many digital communication and storage systems. Recently, significant advancements have been made on algebraic soft-decision decoding (ASD) of RS codes. Among the ASD algorithms with practical multiplicity assignment scheme, the bit-level generalized minimum distance (BGMD) decoding algorithm can achieve similar or higher coding gain with lower complexity. Interpolation is one of the major steps in ASD algorithms. The newly proposed Lee-O'Sullivan (LO) interpolation algorithm is computationally simple, and thus can potentially lead to practical high-speed and small-area hardware implementation of the interpolation step. In this paper, a novel interpolation architecture for the BGMD decoder based on the LO algorithm is proposed. By exploiting the characteristics of the LO algorithm and the multiplicity assignment scheme in the BGMD decoder, the proposed interpolation architecture for a (255, 239) RS code can achieve 15% higher efficiency in terms of speed over area ratio than prior efforts.
Parasite-host coevolution

Abstract Parasite—host coevolution can have many different endpoints, not simply the commensalism of ‘conventional wisdom'. Empirical studies and mathematical models are elucidating the conditions under which parasite—host systems can coevolve to intermediate and high levels of parasite virulence — and when they can coevolve to commensalism and mutualism.
R-ALOHA with priority (PR-ALOHA) in non ideal channel with capture effects

The performance of reservation ALOHA (R-ALOHA) with priority is analyzed using computer simulation. Priority is introduced to the R-ALOHA protocol by reserving specific time slots in the frame exclusively for high priority traffic. Traffic is produced and divided into either low or high priority. We considered non ideal channel with communication errors and capture effects. Performance is measured in terms of packet throughput and message transfer delay for each priority level. The analysis gives results for varying numbers of reserved high priority slots and varying levels of high priority traffic ultimately leading to a dynamic high priority slot reservation scheme. Multipriority protocols are important in such applications as intervehicle communication, where high priority may represent safety related messages, and multimedia communication, where high priority is given to streaming audio or video. In both applications low delay and high throughput are absolutely necessary for standard performance. The simulation results indicate that as the number of slots reserved for high priority traffic increases the delay of the high priority messages decreases. However, low priority throughput decreases and its delay increases.
The boundary layer on a slightly yawed cylinder

The velocity in a turbulent boundary layer on a long cylinder at a slight yaw to the free stream was measured using hot wire anemometry for yaw angles of −0.55°?α?0.55°. The mean velocity profile retains a log region regardless of yaw with a slope that is slightly dependent upon the yaw angle. The boundary layer thickness increases nonlinearly with yaw angle, but the dimensionless distance from the wall of the maximum turbulence intensity is independent of yaw angle.
Photoswitchable Sensitization of Porphyrin Excited States

Light-driven molecular switches consisting of a porphyrin covalently linked to a fulgimide photochrome antenna have been prepared. Light absorbed by the cyclic form of the fulgimide is transferred to the porphyrin with ≥ 95% efficiency, generating the porphyrin first excited singlet state. Irradiation with visible light photoisomerizes the fulgimide to the open form, which does not absorb above 450 nm, and antenna function is abolished. UV irradiation converts the fulgimide back into the cyclic form, re-establishing efficient energy transfer. Photoisomerization of the fulgimide thus controls generation of the porphyrin excited state, which may then be used to carry out a variety of useful photochemical processes.
Characterization of the mouse placental epidermal growth factor receptor: Changes in receptor number with day of gestation

Summary The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is present in the mouse placenta in both a low- and a high-affinity form having approximate values for K a of 10 7 M −1 and 10 9 M −1 , respectively. No significant difference ( P ≥0.05) in the number of receptors existed between placental membrane preparations from days 10 and 17, both for the low- and the high-affinity receptor. The number of both high-and low-affinity receptors was significantly lower ( P 125 I-EGF to placental membranes resulted in the specific labelling of two major receptor forms with approximate molecular weights of 170 000 and 154 000, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Thermochemical study of the system Fe-As-S

Abstract The results of Toulmin and Barton (1964) for the Fe-S system have been combined with a series of new measurements on As-bearing assemblages in the 500°–850°C temperature range to derive data on the free energies, enthalpies, and entropies of formation for arsenopyrite, loellingite, orpiment, realgar, FeAs, and Fe 2 As. The enthalpies and free energies of formation of orpiment and realgar are only approximately one-half as large as indicated in recent compilations of thermochemical data ( Wagman et al ., 1965). Data are also presented for the covariation of activity of S 2 (g) with temperature and composition of the sulfur-arsenic liquid.
Electrochemical Transport in Molten Lead Silicates

AbstractIonic transport in the molten system PbO-SiO2 is discussed based upon available data on lead and silicon tracer diffusivities, inter diffusion coefficients, electrical conductivity and on measured values of lead and silicon transference numbers. The interrelationship of these parameters is illustrated through a theoretical treatment of the phenomenological transport equations. The Onsager transport coefficients for the independent set of equations are calculated for melt compositions between 0.3 < x SiO2 < 0.6 at 850°C. The coincidence of large changes in the transport parameters between the orthosilicate and metasilicate compositions and the large changes in the silicate structure is discussed. Resume Les phenomenes de transport ionique dans le systeme PbO-SiO2 a l'etat fondu sont analyses et discutes a partir des valeurs deja publiees concernant la diffusion des isotopes traceurs de Pb et Si, les coefficients d'interdiffusion de PbO et SiO2, les conductivityes ioniques et les mesures des nombres...
Electrochemical discharge of nanocrystalline magnetite: structure analysis using X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Magnetite (Fe3O4) is an abundant, low cost, environmentally benign material with potential application in batteries. Recently, low temperature coprecipitation methods have enabled preparation of a series of nanocrystalline magnetite samples with a range of crystallite sizes. Electrochemical cells based on Li/Fe3O4 show a linear increase in capacity with decreasing crystallite size at voltages ≥1.2 V where a 2× capacity improvement relative to commercial (26.2 nm) magnetite is observed. In this report, a combination of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is used to measure magnetite structural changes occurring upon electrochemical reduction, with parent Fe3O4 crystallite size as a variable. Notably, XAS provides evidence of metallic iron formation at high levels of electrochemical reduction.
Noncooperative Oligopoly and Preemptive Innovation without Winner-Take-All

Earlier models of innovation under oligopolistic rivalry are modified to include a â€œshare parameterâ€ Aƒ, describing the manner in which profits are divided among rivals when one firm is successful in its search for a valuable resource stock. There is a unique value of Aƒ that maximizes expected industry profits, by â€œguidingâ€ noncooperative oligopolists to choose the profit-maximizing exploration rate. Moreover, setting Aƒ at this maximizing valueâ€â€which always allocates some share of industry profits to the â€œlosersâ€ in the exploration raceâ€â€leads to an exploration rate identical to what would be chosen by a jointly managed cartel.
The very slow flow of a Powell-Eyring fluid around a sphere

The very slow flow of a Powell-Eyring type non-Newtonian fluid around a sphere is investigated by a variational technique. The result, a correction factor that is applied to the Stokes' equation, is given as a plot and as an equation which is empirically fit to the plot. Also, a comparison of the very slow flows of a simplified viscoelastic Oldroyd fluid and the Powell-Eyring fluid is made which indicates that in a certain restricted region of the very slow flows, both models give essentially the same results. The Oldroyd and Powell-Eyring model parameters are interrelated by forcing both models to fit the same tube flow viscosity data.
Combined Inactivation of lon and ycgE Decreases Multidrug Susceptibility by Reducing the Amount of OmpF Porin in Escherichia coli

Transposon inactivation of ycgE, a gene encoding a putative transcriptional regulator, led to decreased multidrug susceptibility in an Escherichia coli lon mutant. The multidrug susceptibility phenotype (e.g., to tetracycline and β-lactam antibiotics) required the inactivation of both lon and ycgE. In this mutant, a decreased amount of OmpF porin contributes to the lowered drug susceptibility, with a greater effect at 26°C than at 37°C.
Optically-Controlled Active Media: Superdiffusion in Random Fields

The light-matter interaction in complex media allows for selective excitation into nonequilibrium states. We experimentally observe controllable superdiffusion of particles in strong, dynamic volume speckle fields and demonstrate models for coupled, active media.
Antimitogenic and chemosensitizing effects of the methylation inhibitor zebularine in ovarian cancer

Deoxycytosine methylation within CpG islands of tumor suppressor genes plays a prominent role in the development and progression of drug-resistant ovarian cancer. Consequently, epigenetic therapies directed toward tumor suppressor demethylation/reexpression could potentially reverse malignant phenotypes and chemosensitize recalcitrant tumors. In this report, we examined the demethylating agent zebularine [1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one], in comparison with the well-known methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), for its ability to inhibit ovarian cancer cell proliferation and to demethylate and induce tumor suppressor genes. Zebularine exerted significant (>5-aza-dC) antiproliferative effects against the ovarian cancer cell lines Hey, A2780, and the cisplatin-resistant A2780/CP in a dose-dependent manner (65% versus 35% inhibition at 48 hours, zebularine versus 5-aza-dC). Moreover, 48-hour treatment with 0.2 mmol/L zebularine significantly induced demethylation of the tumor suppressors ras-associated domain family 1A and human MutL homologue-1. RASSF1A gene reexpression was also observed, as was reexpression of two other tumor suppressors, ARHI and BLU, although levels differed from those induced by 5-aza-dC. Global analyses of DNA methylation revealed similar overall demethylation (2.5- to 3-fold) by 5-aza-dC and zebularine as determined by methyl acceptance assay. However, differences in demethylation of individual loci were observed as determined by differential methylation hybridization. Finally, we found that zebularine could resensitize the drug-resistant cell line A2780/CP to cisplatin, with a 16-fold reduction in the IC50 of that conventional agent. In summary, zebularine seems to be a promising clinical candidate, singly or combined with conventional regimens, for the therapy of drug-resistant ovarian cancer.
Minimum-Energy Robotic Exploration: A Formulation and an Approach

This technical correspondence is concerned with the problem of autonomous robot exploration in a 3-D world. It provides a better understanding of exploration problems with regard to their mathematical formulation, and present a means to evaluate the performance of future algorithms designed to solve it. In addition, an approach capable of being implemented on articulated robotic systems is proposed. The presented algorithm possesses completeness properties, and typically chooses navigation paths that increase the robot's knowledge of its environment while expending minimal energy. It is compared to other exploration approaches capable of being implemented on high-degree-of-freedom robots. The comparison, performed in simulation, shows the significance of reducing energy during the exploration process.
Decision analysis: surgery versus embolization for small AVMs

Abstract The purpose of this manuscript was to answer the question: “When confronted with a patient with a small AVM, is the use of embolization needed or justified?” A decision analysis model was formulated using published data comparing the outcomes in six clinical scenarios (natural history, surgery without embolization, stereotaxic radioneurosurgery [SRNS] alone, embolization alone, embolization with SRNS, and embolization with surgery). Using sensitivity analysis the model was tested. The model favored surgery alone without embolization as the preferred strategy. Only when cure rates from embolization approached 72% did the model favor embolization and only as adjunctive therapy for SRNS. Although clinical judgment should never be supplanted by decision analysis, surgery or SRNS without embolization seems to make good sense for patients harboring small AVMs.
Optical phase locking in the microradian domain: potential applications to NASA spaceborne optical measurements.

We have constructed and demonstrated a high-performance optical phase-locked loop between two cw Nd:YAG lasers. The feedback system is relatively simple, employing only the laser’s internal piezoelectric transducer and an external acousto-optic modulator. A residual phase noise of the order of 1 mrad between two optical fields is achieved in the locked condition, as is verified by time- and frequency-domain analyses by the twooscillator approach that is conventionally used in rf measurement. Potential applications to NASA space-based optical measurements are discussed.  1999 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 120.0120, 120.4640, 120.5050, 140.3530, 350.5030.
Protective effect of chronic vitamin C treatment on endothelial function of apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse carotid artery.

Endothelium-dependent relaxations are impaired in carotid artery of apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE–/–) mice. This impairment seems to be due to increased formation of superoxide anions and inactivation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO). In the present study, we tested hypothesis that chronic treatment with vitamin C may prevent endothelial dysfunction by increasing release of NO from endothelial cells. C57BL/6 and apoE–/– mice were treated for 26 weeks with Western-type fat diet with and without 1% vitamin C. Vasomotor function of isolated carotid arteries was studied by video dimension analyzer. Expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) protein were evaluated by Western blotting. Levels of cGMP and cAMP were measured by radioimmunoassay. In apoE–/– mice, vitamin C significantly augmented relaxations to acetylcholine (10–9–10–5 mol/l), but did not affect relaxations to NO donor diethylammonium-( Z )-1-( N , N -diethylamino) diazen-1-1,2-diolate (DEA-NONOate; 10–9–10–5 mol/l). In contrast, vitamin C reduced relaxations to acetylcholine and DEA-NONOate in C57BL/6 mice. Interestingly, vitamin C significantly increased basal cGMP levels in C57BL/6 mice but did not affect cGMP formation in apoE–/–. Vitamin C treatment did not affect expression of eNOS protein, whereas elevated expression of PECAM-1 protein in apoE–/– mice was returned to normal level. Our findings demonstrate that chronic treatment with vitamin C prevents endothelial dysfunction of carotid artery induced by hypercholesterolemia. This effect seems to be mediated by preservation of NO bioavailability in endothelial cells.