cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An updated assessment of technical efficiency and returns to scale for U.S. electric power plants

Abstract This paper utilizes cutting-edge panel stochastic frontier electricity production models to measure the impact of state and federal regulations on United States (U.S.) natural gas fired power plants from 1994 to 2016. Using an expansive dataset, I simultaneously account for plant specific heterogeneity as well as time varying and persistent inefficiency. Previous studies of electricity generation in the U.S. have ignored at least one of these components. The ability to control for unobserved heterogeneity is important in assessing long-term managerial effectiveness. Deploying a translog functional form, I extract firm specific information on returns to scale (RTS). For the preferred model, results indicate that mean persistent technical efficiency (TE) for natural gas fired power plants is 71 percent, transient TE is 72 percent, and RTS are 0.94. I find an inverse relationship between RTS and plant output level, but a positive relationship between TE and output level. For a given plant, the regulatory variables under consideration tend to increase plant efficiency, along the lines of the Porter hypothesis. Furthermore, plants with higher transient TE have significantly lower costs per kWh.
Building messages for the opioid crisis using the extended parallel process model

As those who are tasked with combating the opioid crisis turn to communication campaigns, it is important to better understand best strategies for designing effective campaign messages. As posited ...
Emerging Systemic Therapies for Neuroendocrine Tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a group of heterogeneous neoplasms arising from the diffuse neuroendocrine system. The incidence and prevalence of NETs have been steadily rising. The therapeutic landscape in NETs has changed significantly over recent years with the addition of several systemic therapy options. Advances in clinical and basic science research in the field have paved the way for development of a number of novel systemic therapies for management of advanced NETs, while studies to refine the use of approved agents continue. The novel therapy options include targeted therapies, immunotherapy agents, cytotoxic chemotherapies, radionuclide therapies, liver-directed therapies, and combination of these agents. This chapter reviews the currently available and emerging systemic therapies for the management of NETs.
DeMinimis Content Discrimination: The Vexing Matter of Sign-Ordinance Exemptions

Municipal sign ordinances commonly embody exemptions for various categories defined by the content of the signs - or are they? Some courts find impermissible content discrimination in this situation, while others - heavily influenced by the Supreme Court's 2000 decision in Hill v. Colorado- do not. This article explores the case law in this area (including the effect of other Supreme Court decisions, most notably City of Ladue v. Gilleo), and suggest a more flexible and realistic approach to the de minimis content discrimination at issue in these cases.
Clicking a Collaborative Path: Exploring What (re)Conciliation Can Look Like in Inheritance: a pick-the-path experience

Cet article part d’un entretien avec des membres de l’equipe de creation du spectacle Inheritance : a pick-the-path experience, presente par les compagnies Alley Theatre et Touchstone Theatre, en c...
Nearly Extinct in the Wild: The Vulnerable Transparency of the Endangered Species List

This article reconstructs the Endangered Species Act as a government information statute. That Act makes use of an official list of vulnerable creatures that is used for agency action to save them from extinction. This article argues that the official list of species is not sufficiently accurate or transparent to citizens, so the compilation of that list does not satisfy the public interest goals of American environmental law or government transparency policy.
The ER Stress Sensor IRE1α Regulates the UV DNA Repair Response Through Control of Intracellular Calcium Homeostasis.

ABSTRACT The unfolded protein response is activated by UVB irradiation, but the role of a key mediator, inositol requiring enzyme 1a (IRE1α), is not clear. Here, we show that mice with an epidermal IRE1α deletion are sensitized to UV with increased apoptosis, rapid loss of UV-induced cyclopyrimidine dimer (CPD) positive keratinocytes and sloughing of the epidermis. In vitro, IRE1α deficient keratinocytes have increased UVB sensitivity, reduced CPD repair and reduced accumulation of γH2AX and p-ATR, suggesting defective the activation of nucleotide excision repair. Knockdown of XBP1 or pharmacological inhibition of the IRE1α RNase did not phenocopy IRE1α deficiency. The altered UV response was linked to elevated intracellular calcium levels and ROS, and this was due to dysregulation of the ER calcium channel inositol triphosphate receptor (InsP3R). Pharmacologic, genetic, and biochemical studies linked regulation of the Ins3PR, intracellular calcium and normal UV DNA damage response to calcium and integrin binding protein 1 (CIB1) and the IRE1α-TRAF2-ASK1 complex. These results suggest a model where IRE1α activation state drives CIB1 binding either to the InsP3R or ASK1 to regulate ER calcium efflux, ROS and DNA repair responses following UV.
Book Review: The Crisis of Islamic Civilization

Ali A. Allawi's latest work, The Crisis of Islamic Civilization, is a worthy and valuable contribution to the literature on the decline of Islamic civilization and thought. Allawi contends that Islamic civilization has been in a state of crisis that began around the inception of the twentieth century, just as the Muslim caliphate was ending and the colonial period was beginning. According to Allawi, the existential threat to Islamic civilization arose with its replacement by a secularizing and modernizing West. As a result, Islam was relegated to a realm where it could not comfortably lie: solely in the private sphere. It was thereby excluded from setting rules of public order or establishing the bounds and purposes of scientific inquiry. Allawi further regards the very process of secularism as the attempted de-sacralization of religious societies, the destruction of reliance on "all supernatural myths and sacred symbols," and the replacement of God with humanity as the force responsible for dealing with life's challenges. Deeply dissatisfied with the current state of affairs in the Muslim world, Allawi lets his frustrations fly in every conceivable direction — at the West for its condescending disregard of Islamic values and its messianic attempts to remake Islam in Christianity's image, at a secularizing elite for foolishly "aping" the West and the secular edifices created by them in the Muslim world, and at Islamists for failing to connect the spiritual to the temporal. He is neither sanguine about the future of Islamic civilization, nor does he seem particularly inclined to disguise his bitterness at so much of what he finds distasteful in modern Islam, modern Muslim society, and Western reactions thereto. He does not mince words, nor should he need to. While I appreciate, and even laud, much of Allawi's perspective on Islam and its civilization, I cannot help but wonder whether his prescriptions for an Islamic civilization are sensible, or entirely complete. Moreover, and equally importantly, although it is relatively easy to see what might be wrong, in the Islamic context, with the adoption of the rather extreme views of secularism that he describes, it is unsatisfying that the author is unwilling to engage with other, more promising possibilities within the secular paradigm that have been promoted by other committed Muslims.
gamma-Tubulin of budding yeast.

Publisher Summary Microtubules perform a variety of essential functions during the yeast cell cycle and life cycle, and consequently microtubule organization varies during these periods. The yeast microtubule organizing center (MTOC)—the spindle pole body (SPB)—is located in the nuclear membrane, which remains intact throughout the entire cell cycle. The organization of microtubules and their roles during the yeast cell cycle are diagrammatically represented in the chapter. This chapter discusses the role of proteins that coassemble with Tub4p in the yeast γ-tubulin complex. The Tub4p complex binds to the nuclear face of the SPB by its association with Nuf1p/Spc110p. The intermolecular interactions within the γ-tubulin complex and between the complex and the SPB are extremely well characterized in yeast. This system is useful in elucidating the mechanisms that regulate Tub4p function during microtubule nucleation. To study the function of the Tub4p-complex under defined conditions, it is necessary to develop an in vitro nucleation assay for the Tub4p complex. Such assays are used with great success in higher eukaryotes. Given its importance in microtubule assembly and its position at the minus ends of microtubules, γ-tubulin and its associated proteins play an important role in controlling these dynamics. Thus, the study of budding yeast presents a unique opportunity to uncover novel aspects of γ-tubulin function.
Lower Extremity Blood Flow Change From A Low Impact Virtual Reality Training In Diabetes

Background: Inadequate blood flow can increase risk of foot ulceration in diabetics. Exercise training can improve lower extremity blood flow in diabetes, however, the intensity of exercise should be taken into account for this population is they are at high risk for developing foot ulcers. Aim: The aim of the present study is to explore the immediate effect of a tailored low impact virtual reality exercise training on lower extremity blood flow in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We hypothesize that tailored exercise specifically designed for diabetes will induce sufficient muscle activation in order to improve blood flow. Methods: Eight patients (Age: 64.3±10.2 years, BMI 32.6±6.3) with diagnosed DPN (HbA1c: 7.3±1.2) participated in a single 45 minute session for low-impact virtual reality based balance training exercise. Changes in blood flow were quantified by Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) recorded pre- and post-training. Systolic blood pressures were determined at the brachial, posterior tibial, and dorsalis pedis arteries using a 10 MHz handheld Doppler. Results: Non-parametric Wilcoxon Signed Rank test revealed a strong but non-significant reduction in ABI from single session virtual reality training. The values dropped from 1.28 to 1.22 (4.7% reduction, p = 0.173). Conclusion: The initial results show that a tailored low impact exercises for diabetes can improve blood flow, which may reduce the risk for diabetic foot ulceration. Future studies should confirm these findings in a larger pool of patients with 8-12 week exercise training in order to explore the long term effect on exercise on blood flow. Funding Source: QNRF NPRP 4-1025-3-276
A medical revolution in death-hastening decisions.

On one level it was a perfectly ordinary wedding—elaborate floral bouquets adorned the room, the family's favorite lemon cake was covered in sugar-frosted curlicues and topped with traditional tiny statuettes of a happy couple, the bride's gown was splendid, and the wedding feast was complete with shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, and champagne. On another level, as the bride's mother, 58-year-old Amy Plasse slowly walked down the aisle, everyone in the hospital chapel knew that they were participating in an extraordinary event. This was the culmination of Amy's life; she had achieved her final goal—to witness the wedding of her only daughter. The way was prepared to stop the life-support treatment of dialysis and to end the prolongation of her suffering.
Sovereign Equality and Non-Liberal Regimes

A quarter-century ago in the Nicaragua judgment, the International Court of Justice insisted that to disallow a state’s adherence to any particular governmental doctrine ‘would make nonsense of the fundamental principle of State sovereignty, on which the whole of international law rests, and the freedom of choice of the political, social, economic and cultural system of a State’ (para 263). The Court invoked the 1970 Friendly Relations Declaration and related documents that ‘envisage the relations among States having different political, economic and social systems on the basis of coexistence among their various ideologies’ (para 264). Although the continued relevance of this model of sovereign equality has since been called into question – above all, in the name of human rights, international criminal justice, and the ‘responsibility to protect’ – no systematic replacement has emerged. Notwithstanding some modification and erosion, the sovereign equality principle continues to have significant (and worthy) implications for legal relations between liberal and non-liberal states.
Response to the Variation of an External Gravitational Field and Its Implications for Equal-Time Commutators

Conjectures on the response of currents and the stress-energy tensor to variations of external gravitational fields have led to important statements about equal-time commutators (ETC's). We consider the case where only ${g}_{00}$ is varied and prove that those conjectures are required by the general covariance of tensor fields. Although currents are known to be limits of nonlocal expressions, these limits may be taken before we vary ${g}_{00}$, and our theorem is applicable. However, physical properties of the vacuum preclude ${T}^{\mathrm{ij}}$ from behaving this way. To resolve this inconsistency, we conjecture that ${T}^{\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\nu}}$ is the limit of a nonlocal expression. (A reformulation of Lagrangian field theory may be necessary.) We also discuss possible difficulties arising in the derivation of the ETC's using Schwinger's variational method, and show that our theorem ensures that these difficulties are not present for ETC's of ${T}^{00}$ with tensor fields.
Beyond Coronary Stenosis: Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography for the Assessment of Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden

Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is emerging as a key noninvasive method for assessing cardiovascular risk by measurement of coronary stenosis and coronary artery calcium (CAC). New advancements in CCTA technology have led to the ability to directly identify and quantify the so-called “vulnerable” plaques that have features of positive remodeling and low density components. In addition, CCTA presents a new opportunity for noninvasive measurement of total coronary plaque burden that has not previously been available. The use of CCTA needs also to be balanced by its risks; in particular, the associated radiation exposure. We review current uses of CCTA, CCTA’s ability to measure plaque quantity and characteristics, and new developments in risk stratification and CCTA technology. CCTA represents a quickly developing field that will play a growing role in the non-invasive management of cardiovascular disease.
Sulfhydryl reactivity demonstrates different conformational states for arrestin, arrestin activated by a synthetic phosphopeptide, and constitutively active arrestin.

The sulfhydryl groups of the three cysteines in bovine arrestin react with DTNB very slowly (over a period of several hours). In the presence of the synthetic phosphopeptide comprising the fully ph...
Death of Leucocytes due to Ingestion of Heterologous Lysosomes

Human polymorphonuclear leucocytes can ingest lysosomes from rabbit leucocytes and may as a result be changed and may die. The ingestion of inert particles of latex leads to much less marked changes.
Hydrodynamics of Cholesteric Liquid Crystals

The equations governing the linearized hydrodynamics of cholesteric liquid crystals are systematically deduced. They are valid for compressible as well as incompressible cholesterics and for arbitrary direction of mode propagation. The variables which contribute to the hydrodynamics are the conserved variables, mass density, energy density, and momentum density, and one additional broken-symmetry variable whose auto correlation function diverges at zero wave vector $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$. This divergent auto correlation function is determined from the Frank free energy for cholesterics and is found to diverge as ${({{k}_{3}}^{2}+c{{k}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}^{4})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, where $c$ is a constant, ${k}_{3}$ is the component of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ parallel to the pitch axis, ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}}^{0}$, and ${k}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$ is the component perpendicular to ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}}^{0}$. The form of this divergence implies that an infinite cholesteric is unstable with respect to fluctuations. The dephasing distance is, however, astronomical; and any finite sample is stabilized by its boundaries. The mode structure of the hydrodynamical equations is analyzed for an incompressible choleteric and for a compressible cholesteric for $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ along the two symmetry directions. The spectrum for $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ parallel to ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}}^{0}$ includes a diffusive velocity and a diffusive director mode in agreement with the work of Fan, Kramer, and Stephen. The spectrum for $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ perpendicular to ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}}^{0}$ has a similar structure. For $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$ at an angle of 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}}^{0}$, there is a propagating shear wave for sufficiently small $k$. The velocity of longitudinal sound is very slightly anisotropic. Hydrodynamical forms of dynamic response functions are derived, and flow of a cholesteric in a cylindrical capillary is discussed.
Looking Back and Looking Ahead: CDBG and the Future of Federal Urban Policy

The 40th anniversary of the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program has inspired a healthy re-analysis, in this special issue and elsewhere, of how and why the program came into be...
The role of ductility, tensile strength and fracture toughness in fatigue

Fatigue process analysis through crack initiation and propagation and final fracture, considering ductility, tensile strength and fracture toughness roles
Nursing students' use of a psychopharmacology game for client empowerment.

Abstract Theoretical support is evaluated for nursing students' use of an innovative educational intervention, the Psychopharmacology R.A.C.E. (Wissman and Tankel, Kansas City, MO) game, as an empowerment tool with mental health clients. Based on mutual trust and respect, the interpersonal process occurs between an individual or group (e.g., client, student) with a desire for competency growth (e.g., knowledge, proactive health behaviors, negotiation), and development of a sense of control and self-determination and another individual or group (e.g., nurse) who serves as an enabler, supporter, and resource mobilizer. A review of empowerment literature identifies: (1) support of education as an empowerment tool; (2) identification of specific teaching methods and behaviors that promote empowerment; (3) empowerment as an outcome of involvement; and (4) support of the empowerment value of group participation. Preliminary clinical observations reveal strong support for nursing students' use of the Psychopharmacology R.A.C.E. game as a method to empower mental health clients. J Prof Nurs 17:101-106, 2001. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Load Capacity Estimation of Foil Air Journal Bearings for Oil-Free Turbomachinery Applications

This paper introduces a simple “Rule of Thumb” (ROT) method to estimate the load capacity of foil air journal bearings, which are self-acting compliant-surface hydrodynamic bearings being considere...
The role of superimposed stresses on the degradation of solid electrolytes

The role of externally applied stresses on solid electrolyte breakdown under electrolytic conditions is examined. It is shown that both applied compressive as well as tensile stresses when incorporated into the Poiseuille pressure model enhance the propensity to failure, consistent with experimental observations. Implications regarding the use of transformation toughened solid electrolytes in electrochemical systems are discussed. It is further demonstrated that the electrolyte breakdown by the supersaturation of ions recently proposed is incorrect.
Surveying the biodiversity of the Cryptomycota using a targeted PCR approach

Abstract Cryptomycota is a newly discovered phylum of early-diverging fungi that is estimated to comprise a massive amount of unstudied biodiversity. Known primarily from environmental DNA sequences, the group contains few formally described and successfully cultured genera, all known as obligate endoparasites. Numerous studies have detected Cryptomycota as DNA sequences in aquatic, terrestrial, and animal associated habitats, though no study to date has specifically targeted the group by PCR. In this study, we developed Cryptomycota-specific and preferential primers for the 18S rRNA gene in order to facilitate studies on the biodiversity and ecology of the group. The diversity of sequences and habitat association of Cryptomycota was surveyed across three environments: freshwater sediment, marine sediment, and soil. The new primers were able to recover a large proportion of Cryptomycota sequences: of 56 sequences cloned or directly sequenced, 44 were unique OTUs and (39/44) 88.6 % were phylogenetically affiliated with Cryptomycota. This study expands the boundary of current Cryptomycota sequence diversity; unique Cryptomycota OTUs were spread across six of 12 supported Cryptomycota sub clades. Freshwater sediments and soil were consistently amplified with the Cryptomycota-preferential primers. Our results suggest that Cryptomycota are ubiquitous and phylogenetically diverse components of essentially all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, whose ecological functions should be better explored.
Nitrative Stress in Cerebral Endothelium is Mediated by mGluR5 in Hyperhomocysteinemia

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) disrupts nitric oxide (NO) signaling and increases nitrative stress in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (CMVECs). This is mediated, in part, by protein nitrotyrosinylation (3-nitrotyrosine; 3-NT) though the mechanisms by which extracellular homocysteine (Hcy) generates intracellular 3-NT are unknown. Using a murine model of mild HHcy (cbs+/− mouse), we show that 3-NT is significantly elevated in cerebral microvessels with concomitant reductions in serum NO bioavailability as compared with wild-type littermate controls (cbs+/+). Directed pharmacology identified a receptor-dependent mechanism for 3-NT formation in CMVECs. Homocysteine increased expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and formation of 3-NT, both of which were blocked by inhibition of metabotropic glutamate receptor-5 (mGluR5) with the specific antagonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl) pyridine hydrochloride. Activation of mGluR5 is both sufficient and necessary to drive the nitrative stress because direct activation using the mGluR5-specific agonist (RS)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine also increased iNOS expression and 3-NT formation while knockdown of mGluR5 receptor expression by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) blocked their increase in response to Hcy. Nitric oxide derived from iNOS was required for Hcy-mediated formation of 3-NT because the effect was blocked by 1400W. These results provide the first evidence for a receptor-dependent process that explains how plasma Hcy levels control intracellular nitrative stress in cerebral microvascular endothelium.
Using a Table Game to Teach Social Skills to Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients: Do the Skills Generalize?

ABSTRACT Foxx and McMorrow's “Slacking the Deck” game was used to teach verbal interactive skills to three adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Subjects were trained on three targeted skills using the game in a unit activity room and those same skills were unobtrusively assessed at other times and places on the unit by various hospital staff. Game training produced large and consistent gains in all target responses in the activity room; however, no generalization was recorded in covert assessments taken by staff members at other times of the day and in other living areas of the unit. To improve performance in daily interactions, an in-situ training procedure consisting of intermittent verbal prompts and reinforcement was programmed into the subjects' daily encounters with the staff. This procedure significantly increased use of skills in all three subjects, with most of these gains maintaining in the two subjects who were available for the 3-month follow-up.
A Model for Selecting One of Two Medical Treatments

Abstract A simple cost function approach is proposed for designing an optimal clinical trial when a total of N patients with a disease are to be treated with one of two medical treatments. The cost function is constructed with but one cost, the consequences of treating a patient with the superior or inferior of the two treatments. Fixed sample size and sequential trials are considered. Minimax, maximin, and Bayesian approaches are used for determining the optimal size of a fixed sample trial and the optimal position of the boundaries of a sequential trial. Comparisons of the different approaches are made as well as comparisons of the results for the fixed and sequential plans.
Forbidden Food Survey: measure of Bulimic's anticipated emotional reactions to specific foods

The Forbidden Food Survey is an instrument that was designed for use with eating disordered individuals. The first experiment in this study includes a description of the Forbidden Food Survey and the reliability and internal consistency of its scales. The second investigation examined the discriminant validity of the Forbidden Food Survey by comparing the responses of three groups: bulimic binge-purgers, bulimic binge-eaters, and normals. The Forbidden Food Survey was found to differentiate the two bulimic groups on two scales, high caloric foods, medium calorie foods, and milk. As predicted from the anxiety model of bulimia, binge-purgers consistently reported stronger negative emotional responses to these foods than did the other groups. In the third experiment, bulimic binge-purgers were compared on Forbidden Food Survey responses to obese and normal subjects. Again, binge purgers were found to respond with stronger negative responses than obese and normals. These studies support the reliability and discriminant validity of the Forbidden Food Survey with eating disordered individuals.
School Readiness: An Overview for Pediatricians

Pediatricians historically have played a role in determining whether a child is prepared for school entry by performing preschool physical examinations. Recent trends, including a tendency among some middle-class families and school districts to delay entry of typical kindergarten-age children until the next school year, the increased use of school readiness tests in schools, and the emphasis of federal legislation to identify preschool (P.L. 99-457) and school-age (P.L. 94-142) handicapped children, have placed a greater burden on pediatricians to assess the "school readiness" of their patients. Much controversy exists among educators about how to define school readiness, measure it, and manage children who may not be ready for school. Some of these controversies will be presented in this article. In light of these issues, a cautious role for pediatricians in assessing and making recommendations for school readiness, commensurate with the pediatricians9 developmental perspective and awareness of the child9s family and environment, will be described. What is School Readiness? All schools arbitrarily set a date by which children must reach their fifth birthday to enter kindergarten, and this date has moved ahead considerably during the past decades to the current typical September 1 to October 1 cutoff. Although this age approach may be the most equitable method of allowing access to public education, the earlier age of entry results in a younger group of children who are potentially less ready to participate in school.
Strong full bounded solutions of nonlinear parabolic equations with nonlinear boundary conditions

Abstract We study the existence of (generalized) bounded solutions existing for all times for nonlinear parabolic equations with nonlinear boundary conditions on a domain that is bounded in space and unbounded in time (the entire real line). We give a counterexample which shows that a (weak) maximum principle does not hold in general for linear problems defined on the entire real line in time. We consider a boundedness condition at minus infinity to establish (one-sided) L ∞ - a priori estimates for solutions to linear boundary value problems and derive a weak maximum principle which is valid on the entire real line in time. We then take up the case of nonlinear problems with (possibly) nonlinear boundary conditions. By using comparison techniques, some (delicate) a priori estimates obtained herein, and nonlinear approximation methods, we prove the existence and, in some instances, positivity and uniqueness of strong full bounded solutions existing for all times.
BASS: an adaptive sleeping scheme for wireless sensor network with bursty arrival

Whereas energy efficiency in wireless sensor network is of critical importance, idle listening has been recognized as a main source of wasted power. Many studies have proposed various approaches to scheduling the active and sleeping periods of sensor nodes, as to reduce the power consumption of idle listening. While noticing the fact that there is no universally accepted approach, one which can meet the diversity of different application, in this paper, we propose a scheduling scheme for active and sleeping periods that is based on the packet arrival pattern. More particularly, we propose an arrival model which is targeted at application characterized by bursty arrival. The bursty arrival times are assumed to be distributed exponentially with different rates for the packet arrival intra-burst and inter-burst. Based on this packet arrival model, we introduce a Bursty Arrival Dependent Sleeping Scheduling (BASS) scheme, in which each node dynamically and independently adjusts its wakeup rate. Through analysis and simulation, we evaluate the impact of the proposed scheme on the duty cycle and on the delay of the MAC layer. We show that as the bursty arrival rate decreases, the ON/OFF duty cycle decreases linearly and the MAC-layer delay is minimally affected. Our results suggest that the BASS scheme provides a superior solution for sensor network with bursty arrival. Comparing BASS scheme with S-MAC, results demonstrate 45%—70% gains in the BASS case in term of energy efficiency, without degrading performance. BASS scheme also obtains much better performance (e.g. 10 times better in the range of parameters in this paper) with the same amount of power consumption.
Isolation and characterization of a metastatic hybrid cell line generated by ER negative and ER positive breast cancer cells in mouse bone marrow.

Background The origin and the contribution of breast tumor heterogeneity to its progression are not clear. We investigated the effect of a growing orthotopic tumor formed by an aggressive estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer cell line on the metastatic potential of a less aggressive ER-positive breast cancer cell line for the elucidation of how the presence of heterogeneous cancer cells might affect each other's metastatic behavior.
Hypercortisolism Due to an Autonomously Functioning Pituitary Adenoma: Limitations in Diagnostic Test Procedures

We report a patient with pituitary-dependent Cushing’s syndrome in whom standard biochemical testing procedures failed to define the pituitary as the source of autonomous hormone secretion. Anomalous findings included: 1) wide variations of urinary steroid excretion during a 4-day dexamethasone suppression test, 2) a rise of the serum cortisol after the single dose (8 mg) overnight dexamethasone suppression test, 3) a diminished serum 11-deoxycortisol response to the metyrapone test, and 4) an absent plasma ACTH response to CRH. While the results of these studies were most consistent with an ectopic source of ACTH production, magnetic resonance imaging suggested that Cushing’s syndrome was due to a pituitary adenoma. The adenoma was removed by transphenoidal surgery. However, serum and urinary steroid levels remained measurable for 2 weeks because of the perioperative use of im cortisone acetate. Subsequent im administration of 200 mg cortisone acetate again led to prolonged serum and urinary steroid resp...
Cardiovascular and hematological parameters affected by feeding various polychlorinated biphenyls to the single comb white leghorn cockerel.

The effect of dietary PCBs (50–200 ppm) on some cardiovascular and hematological parameters in the SCWL cockerel was investigated. Heart rate was significantly reduced by PCB 1242 and 1254 at ≥100 ppm and was not altered by PCB 1221 or 1260 at 150 ppm. A significant decrease in arterial blood pH was observed with PCB 1254 at 150 ppm. Mean blood pressure was unaffected by any treatment used. Hemoglobin concentration, HCT, and total erythrocyte count were found to be significantly decreased by PCBs 1242 and 1254 at ≥50 ppm. These same parameters were not affected by PCB 1221 or 1260 at any level used. It was concluded that the anemia observed was due solely to a decrease in total erythrocyte concentration. The possibility that these changes may be due to a decrease in erythropoiesis is discussed. Pericardial fluid volume was increased with PCBs 1242 and 1254; however, there was no correlation between the magnitude of the bradycardia and the amount of pericardial fluid.
Effect of dietary α-tocopherol supplementation on color and lipid stability in pork.

Abstract Myoglobin and lipid oxidation are major causes of quality deterioration in fresh pork. A process to enhance color and lipid stability would prove valuable to the pork industry given the current trend of centralized packaging and distribution to retail markets. Our objective was to determine the effects of dietary α-tocopherol (α-Toc) supplementation on color and lipid stability in ground pork, and loin chops stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Yorkshire crossbred pigs (n=20) were randomized into two groups and fed diets containing 48 (CON) or 170 mg α-Toc acetate/kg feed (VIT-E) for 6 weeks before slaughter. Plasma α-Toc concentration was measured weekly. Post-slaughter, Boston butt shoulders were ground, formed into patties with or without 1.5% salt, and stored fresh at 4°C for 0, 2, 4, or 6 days, and frozen at −20°C for 45 or 90 days. Pork loin chops were packaged aerobically and stored at 4°C for 0, 2, 4 or 6 days, or in MAP at 4°C for 7, 10 or 13 days prior to Hunter L*,a*,b* and TBARS analyses. α-Toc concentration of longissimus dorsi, psoas major, biceps femoris, semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles was determined. Plasma α-Toc was greater (P 0.05) color of aerobically packaged or MAP chops, or of fresh or salted pork patties. α-Toc supplementation reduced TBARS formation in fresh and salted pork but had no significant impact on color.
Activation of the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Vps34 by a G Protein α Subunit at the Endosome

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the G protein beta gamma subunits are essential for pheromone signaling. The Galpha subunit Gpa1 can also promote signaling, but the effectors in this pathway are not well characterized. To identify candidate Gpa1 effectors, we expressed the constitutively active Gpa1(Q323L) mutant in each of nearly 5000 gene-deletion strains and measured mating-specific responses. Our analysis reveals a requirement for both the catalytic (Vps34) and regulatory (Vps15) subunits of the sole phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in yeast. We demonstrate that Gpa1 is present at endosomes, where it interacts directly with both Vps34 and Vps15 and stimulates increased production of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate. Notably, Vps15 binds to GDP-bound Gpa1 and is predicted to have a seven-WD repeat structure similar to that of known G protein beta subunits. These findings reveal two new components of the pheromone signaling pathway. More remarkably, these proteins appear to comprise a preformed effector-G beta subunit assembly and function at the endosome rather than at the plasma membrane.
Electrolytic lesions of various hippocampal subfields in the mouse: differential effects on short- and long-term memory.

Small bilateral electrolytic lesions of various hippocampal subfields of mice resulted in short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) deficits in a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task. Lesions not involving the dentate gyrus (i.e., primarily CA1) resulted in STM impairment. Lesions including the dentate gyrus bilaterally resulted in both STM and LTM deficits. These data are discussed in the context of different functional roles for various hippocampal subfields in STM and LTM.
Simplified Model of a Flux-Pinned Spacecraft Formation

Spacecraft formations typically have to rely upon active control methods to maintain stable configurations. This requirement imposes an associated cost on the satellite through fuel expenditure, actuator mass, and computation time for the controller. This paper proposes using the flux-pinning interaction between a high-temperature superconductor and amagnetic field as ameans to reduce these costs by passively stabilizing the dynamics governing the relative motion between spacecraft. A simplified model of a flux-pinned spacecraft formation is developed to provide the framework for future analysis. Linearization of this model about an equilibrium state allows for the development of a state-feedback control law. This framework is then applied to a simplified two-spacecraft formation in a nominally circular orbit about a central body and controlled to two distinct equilibrium separations.
Human pegivirus (GB virus C) NS3 protease activity inhibits induction of the type I interferon response and is not inhibited by HCV NS3 protease inhibitors

We previously found that human pegivirus (HPgV; formerly GBV-C) NS3 protease activity inhibits Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) replication in a CD4+ T cell line. Given the protease׳s similarity to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease, we characterized HPgV protease activity and asked whether it affects the type I interferon response or is inhibited by HCV protease antagonists. We characterized the activity of proteases with mutations in the catalytic triad and demonstrated that the HCV protease inhibitors Telaprevir, Boceprevir, and Danoprevir do not affect HPgV protease activity. HPgV NS3 protease cleaved MAVS but not TRIF, and it inhibited interferon responses sufficiently to enhance growth of an interferon-sensitive virus. Therefore, HPgV׳s inhibition of the interferon response could help promote HPgV persistence, which is associated with clinical benefits in HIV-infected patients. Our results also imply that HCV protease inhibitors should not interfere with the beneficial effects of HPgV in HPgV/HCV/HIV infected patients.
Measurement of microstructural strain in cortical bone

It is well known that mechanical factors affect bone remodeling such that increased mechanical demand results in net bone formation, whereas decreased demand results in net bone resorption. Current theories suggest that bone modeling and remodeling is controlled at the cellular level through signals mediated by osteocytes. The objective of this study was to investigate how macroscopically applied bone strains similar in magnitude to those that occur in vivo are manifest at the microscopic level in the bone matrix. Using a digital image correlation strain measurement technique, experimentally determined bone matrix strains around osteocyte lacuna resulting from macroscopic strains of approximately 2,000 microstrain (0.2%) reach levels of over 30,000 microstrain (3%) over fifteen times greater than the applied macroscopic strain. Strain patterns were highly heterogeneous and in some locations similar to observed microdamage around osteocyte lacuna indicating the resulting strains may represent the precursors to microdamage. This information may lead to a better understanding of how bone cells are affected by whole bone functional loading.
Alternative Splicing of Human Insulin-Degrading Enzyme Yields a Novel Isoform with a Decreased Ability To Degrade Insulin and Amyloid β-Protein†

Deletion of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) in mice causes accumulation of cerebral amyloid beta-protein (Abeta), hyperinsulinemia, and glucose intolerance. Together with genetic linkage and allelic association of IDE to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), these findings suggest that IDE hypofunction could mediate human disease. To date, no coding mutations have been found in the canonical isoform of IDE, suggesting that pathological mutations could exist in undiscovered exons or regulatory regions, including untranslated regions (UTRs). However, neither isoforms arising from alternative splicing nor the UTRs have been described. Here, we systematically characterize human IDE mRNAs, identify a novel splice form, and compare its subcellular distribution, kinetic properties, and ability to degrade Abeta to the known isoform. Six distinct human IDE transcripts were identified, with most of the variance attributable to alternative polyadenylation sites. In the novel spliceoform, an exon we designate "15b" replaces the canonical exon "15a", and the resultant variant is widely expressed. Subcellular fractionation, immunofluorescent confocal microscopy, and immunogold-electron microscopy reveal that the 15b-IDE protein occurs in both cytosol and mitochondria. Organelle targeting of both isoforms is determined by which of two translation start sites is used, and only those isoforms utilizing the second site regulate levels of secreted Abeta. 15b-IDE can exist as a heterodimer with the 15a isoform or as a homodimer. The apparent K(m) values of recombinant 15b-IDE for both insulin and Abeta are significantly higher and the k(cat) and catalytic efficiency markedly lower than those of 15a-IDE. In accord, cells coexpressing beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and 15b-IDE accumulated significantly more Abeta in their media than those expressing APP and 15a-IDE. Our results identify a novel, catalytically inefficient form of IDE expressed in brain and non-neural tissues and recommend novel regions of the IDE gene in which to search for mutations predisposing patients to AD and DM2.
Effects of serotonergic and cholinergic antagonists on suckling behavior of neonatal, infant, and weanling rat pups

In Experiment 1, Sprague-Dawley rat pups at postnatal days 3–4, 7–8, 10–11, 15–16, and 23–24 were tested for suckling behavior on their anesthesized multiparous dams following administration of metergoline or scopolamine. The serotonergic antagonist, metergoline, inhibited suckling in 3- to 4- and 7- to 8-day-old rat pups, but was not found to influence suckling in older pups. Scopolamine, a cholinergic antagonist, reduced suckling primarily in 3- to 4-day-old pups. In Experiment 2, parity of the maternal female was manipulated to assess whether this variable would influence suckling behavior and the effects of metergoline on suckling of weanlings. Baseline levels of suckling were reduced in 23- to 24-day-old pups of primiparous dams when compared with multiparous-derived offspring. Administration of metergoline increased the amount of time that these primaparous-derived pups spent attached to nipples, but did not influence suckling of offspring of multiparous dams, perhaps as a result of a ceiling effect on suckling behavior in these animals.
Diurnal variation of plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in children.

Abstract In normal adults, the diurnal variation in plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) is characterized by a decrease from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Plasma 17-OHCS were determined fluorometrically at similar times of the day in 75 normal children to establish the age by which a comparable pattern of circadian variation appears. The mean per cent relative change from am to pm for each group of children was: premature infants 1–64 days old, +14%; full term infants 1–4 months old, 0%; full term infants 8–12 months old, –20%; children 22–26 months old, –38%; and children 3–13 yr old, –79%. The mean per cent relative change in plasma 17-OHCS of the latter group was significantly different from that of full term infants 8–12 months of age but similar to that from a sample of normal adults. The appearance between ages 1 and 3 yr of an adult pattern of variation in plasma 17-OHCS probably reflects emergence of rhythms of pituitary ACTH secretion comparable to those of adults.
Encoding phenotype in bacteria with an alternative genetic set.

An unnatural base-pair architecture with base pairs 2.4 A larger than the natural DNA-based genetic system (xDNA) is evaluated for its ability to function like DNA, encoding amino acids in the cont...
Application of dynamic shear crack models to the study of the earthquake faulting process

The earthquake faulting process can be modelled as propagating two or three dimensional shear cracks. Since analytical methods cannot be used to study finite cracks, several numerical approaches to this problem have been taken, of which the numerical boundary integral method is here described in detail. The process of crack growth can be determined by the use of a fracture criterion. Since the material properties such as fracture strength and frictional properties vary over the surfaces of real faults, two types of complex faulting models — the “barrier” model and the “asperity” model — are discussed in the context of seismology.
Enthalpy-Entropy Contribution to Carcinogen-induced DNA Conformational Heterogeneity

Aromatic amines are among the most notorious chemicals in the environment. The formation of DNA adducts is thought to be a hallmark for the initiation of chemical carcinogenesis. Aromatic amine-DNA adducts are known to exist in a sequence-dependent equilibrium of the major groove B-type (B) and base-displaced stacked (S) conformations. We have conducted extensive calorimetry/NMR studies on the model lesions FAF and FABP in order to understand how thermodynamics influence the nature of S/B-conformational heterogeneity and subsequent molecular interactions with polymerases and repair proteins. Results indicated large differences in enthalpy-entropy compensations for FABP and FAF. The small and flexible FABP exclusively adopts the less perturbed B-conformer, thus resulting in small enthalpy/entropy change. This is in contrast to FAF, which stacks better and exists as a mixture of B- and S-conformers, thus contributing to large enthalpy/entropy compensation. The results indicate that it is not just the stacking argument, but also the favorable entropy of the S-conformer over B-conformer that determines the S/B-conformational heterogeneity at an ambient temperature.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Extraction efficiency determinations of labeled systemic parathion residues

These results demonstrate the total reliability and efficiency of the Polytron extraction method. Differences in recovery of the Polytron extraction method and the soxhlet method were small, but differences in extraction times were considerable. The only limiting factor in the number of residue samples extracted by the Polytron would be those imposed by limitations in associated glassware.