cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hepa filter age evaluation and estimate of nominal lifetime in nuclear facilities

Abstract In 2020, PNNL completed a literature search for high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter age information. HEPA filters are used in many operations to remove particulate matter from effluent exhaust streams. They are thought to degrade over time both during proper storage and during normal operational service; however, the rate at which the filters degrade remains unknown. This brings into question if age is an adequate indicator of HEPA filter performance. Data from six previous reports were obtained from the literature search and combined to create a data set of 1600 operating filters. Filter usage was identified from multiple facilities. The various types of filters (e.g., axial flow, self-contained, and standard 61 × 61 × 28 cm; and both separator and separatorless) reported were constructed to the requirements Section FC (HEPA Filters) or Section FK (Special HEPA Filters) of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers AG-1 code. Filters were presumed to have continuously met the operational criteria and in particular passed both annual efficiency tests and annual differential pressure measurements. The environmental conditions within the exhaust system were also assumed adequate for long-term filter operation. The data, by the nature of the reports, excludes rejected filters from quality assurance evaluations, intake, or installation testing. The collective data set shows over half of were operating past the recommended 10-year Department of Energy (DOE) lifetime. Data was evaluated for age lifetime using a linear trendline, survival function, probability functions, and failure rate; financial impacts were also addressed. This report supports the notion that HEPA filters can operate safely and efficiently under proper maintenance well past the 10-year lifetime established by DOE. Using the results of the four age evaluation approaches, they collectively point to the reasonableness of an operating HEPA filter lifetime of 20 years. The results are not necessarily definitive, but nevertheless, they are promising. The analysis provides reasonable assurance that when implemented using a graded approach with well-defined performance and operational requirements, extending the service life for HEPA filters beyond 10 years is low risk.
The Emerging Role of Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) in the Development and Progression of Leukemia

Cytokines are pleiotropic signaling molecules that execute an essential role in cell-to-cell communication through binding to cell surface receptors. Receptor binding activates intracellular signaling cascades in the target cell that bring about a wide range of cellular responses, including induction of cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis. The Janus kinase and transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathways are activated upon cytokines and growth factors binding with their corresponding receptors. The SOCS family of proteins has emerged as a key regulator of cytokine signaling, and SOCS insufficiency leads to constitutive activation of JAK/STAT signaling and oncogenic transformation. Dysregulation of SOCS expression is linked to various solid tumors with invasive properties. However, the roles of SOCS in hematological malignancies, such as leukemia, are less clear. In this review, we discuss the recent advances pertaining to SOCS dysregulation in leukemia development and progression. We also highlight the roles of specific SOCS in immune cells within the tumor microenvironment and their possible involvement in anti-tumor immunity. Finally, we discuss the epigenetic, genetic, and post-transcriptional modifications of SOCS genes during tumorigenesis, with an emphasis on leukemia.
Starting a Career During a Global Pandemic: Telling Stories of Hospitality Management Graduates' Decision Making

Using Social Cognitive Career Theory as a basic framework, this study explored hospitality students and recent graduates' attitude toward working in the industry, career seeking experiences, and factors influencing their career decisions during the current COVID-19 global pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants from eleven universities located in ten states around the U.S. Over half of the participants continue to have positive attitudes to working in the industry, as long as the businesses follow proper health guidelines. Professors and social media become the major platforms to collect career information and connect with potential employers. For career decisions, job security, stable working hours and a source of income become the important factors they consider. The insights revealed by the current analysis will assist hospitality management programs' decision makers and career advisers to better prepare their graduates to succeed in their career during turbulent times.
Network-level modeling of stimulation-induced functional connectivity change: An optogenetic study in non-human primate cortex

As aberrant network-level functional connectivity underlies a variety of neural disorders, the ability to induce targeted functional reorganization would be a profound development towards therapies for neural disorders. Brain stimulation has been shown to alter large-scale network-wide functional connectivity, but the mapping from stimulation to the modification is unclear. Here, we leverage advances in neural interfaces, interpretable machine learning, and graph theory to arrive at a model which accurately predicts stimulation-induced network-wide functional reorganization. The model jointly considers the stimulation protocol and the cortical network structure, departing from the standard approach which only considers the stimulation protocol. We validate our approach in the primary sensorimotor cortex of non-human primates using paired optogenetic stimulation through a large-scale optogenetic interface. We observe that the stimulation protocol only predicts a small portion of the induced functional connectivity changes while the network structure predicts much more, indicating that the underlying network is the primary mediator of the response to stimulation. We extract the relationships linking the stimulation and network characteristics to the functional connectivity changes and observe that the mappings diverge over frequency bands and successive stimulations. Finally, we uncover shared processes governing real-time and longer-term effects of stimulation. Our framework represents a paradigm shift for targeted neural stimulation and can be used to interrogate, improve, and develop stimulation-based interventions for neural disorders.
Elbow Imaging: Variants and Asymptomatic Findings

One of the key principles in the interpretation of radiology images is the ability to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings. This article provides a comprehensive overview of normal structures and anatomical variants occurring around the elbow including potential diagnostic pitfalls. We discuss frequently observed anatomical variants found in routine clinical practice associated with osseous, ligamentous, musculotendinous, and neurovascular structures at the elbow that may simulate pathology or predispose to symptoms under specific circumstances.
Possibilities for Use of Endotoxin in Compromised Subjects

The basic idea suggesting that pyrogenic agents may be beneficial to medicine is not new. Around 500 B.C., Parmenides, a Greek physician, stated, “If only I had the means of creating fever artificially, I should be able to cure all illnesses” (Westphal et al., 1977). Over 2000 years later, the pyrogenic principle was found to be endotoxin. Fever therapy using whole gram-negative microorganisms had been in use for about 50 years when Boivin et al. (1933) described a method to purify the endotoxic material.
Spatial Correlations in Copolymers from Dielectric Measurements

Debye and Bueche (1) have shown that a comparison of the dipole moment of a polymeric molecule with that of one of its structural units can yield information concerning the average chain configuration. Greater detail may be obtained by comparing measured values of dipole moment with those calculated by means of the rotational isomeric state model (2) (RISM), providing there is adequate knowledge of the statistical weights and geometric parameters needed for this model.
GEOGRAPHY AND MARKETING STRATEGY IN CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS

A significant portion of academic research on marketing strategy focuses on how national brands of repeat-purchase goods are managed or should be managed. Surprisingly little consideration is given in this tradition to the extended role of geography, i.e. distance and space. For instance, manufacturers of brands in non-durable product categories are well aware of the fact that their national brands perform very different across domestic U.S. markets. This holds even for product categories with limited product differentiation. In this chapter, we outline various processes through which the influence of geography on performance of national brands materializes. We discuss a number of alternative explanations for the emergence and sustenance of spatial concentration of market shares. Several of these explanations are modeled empirically using data from the United States packaged goods industry. This chapter closes with avenues for further academic research on spatial aspects of the growth of new products.
Frugal chemoprevention: targeting Nrf2 with foods rich in sulforaphane

With the properties of efficacy, safety, tolerability, practicability and low cost, foods containing bioactive phytochemicals are gaining significant attention as elements of chemoprevention strategies against cancer. Sulforaphane [1-isothiocyanato-4-(methylsulfinyl)butane], a naturally occurring isothiocyanate produced by cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, is found to be a highly promising chemoprevention agent against not only a variety of cancers such as breast, prostate, colon, skin, lung, stomach or bladder, but also cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. For reasons of experimental exigency, preclinical studies have focused principally on sulforaphane itself, while clinical studies have relied on broccoli sprout preparations rich in either sulforaphane or its biogenic precursor, glucoraphanin. Substantive subsequent evaluation of sulforaphane pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics has been undertaken using either pure compound or food matrices. Sulforaphane affects multiple targets in cells. One key molecular mechanism of action for sulforaphane entails activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway although other actions contribute to the broad spectrum of efficacy in different animal models. This review summarizes the current status of pre-clinical chemoprevention studies with sulforaphane and highlights the progress and challenges for the application of foods rich in sulforaphane and/or glucoraphanin in the arena of clinical chemoprevention.
Do workfare participants recover quickly from retrenchment

What happens to participants in a workfare program--a program that imposes work requirements on welfare recipients--when that program is cut? The authors compare the incomes of workfare participants in Argentina to those of nonparticipants and past participants after a severe contraction in aggregate outlays on the program. The authors find evidence of partial income replacement, such that those who left the program were able to make up one quarter of the gross workfare wage within six months. This rises to half in 12 months. The estimates are unbiased in the presence of time-invariant errors from mismatching in the selection of the comparison group. Fully removing selection bias would probably yield even lower income replacement. Test results based on a second follow-up survey that valid inferences can be drawn about program impacts from the authors' measures of income replacement.
Suitability of techniques of P. aeruginosa DNA fingerprinting to determine risk of acquisition in cystic fibrosis. † 1829

Suitability of techniques of P. aeruginosa DNA fingerprinting to determine risk of acquisition in cystic fibrosis. † 1829
Short-Chain Alcohols Promote Accelerated Membrane Distention in a Dynamic Liposome Model of Exocytosis

We have used amperometric measurements in a model system consisting of two liposomes connected with a membrane nanotube to monitor catechol release during artificial exocytosis and thereby to elucidate the effect of small-chain alcohols on this dynamic membrane process. To determine the rate of membrane shape change, catechol release during membrane distention was monitored amperometrically, and the presence of alcohols in the buffer was shown to accelerate the membrane distention process in a concentration-dependent manner. Compression isotherms for the same lipid composition in the absence and presence of ethanol and 1-propanol were measured to determine how these short-chain alcohols affect the lipid packing in monolayers. The isotherms show a marked decrease in lipid packing density that is dependent on the particular alcohol and its concentration. Comparison of the electrochemical and isotherm results suggests a correlation between decreasing lipid packing density and increasing rates of membrane shape change.
Characteristics of freeze-dried cells

Abstract Microorganisms have been found to be more sensitive to selective media after freeze-drying. This increased sensitivity can be measured and thus the degree of sublethal injury can be determined as a function of various processing variables. In light of this, the use of selective media for the enrichment and detection of pathogens in freeze-dried products has to be reevaluated; indeed, the literature is now becoming abundant with such evaluations. In addition, the response of freeze-dried microorganisms has been found to be dependent on the medium in which they were grown; the phenomena of “metabolic injury” and “minimal medium recovery” are observed when microorganisms are grown in a complete and minimal medium, respectively. The expression of these two phenomena also can be used to assay for injury. Observations on the effects of freeze-drying on cell viability lead to the conclusion that freeze-drying is a complex stress. Damage to the cellular membrane structure and function, RNA integrity, and, possibly, DNA have been cited. The extrapolation of these macromolecular changes to specific viability responses for the purpose of elucidating the principal site of damage is still difficult. It is our opinion that the pre- and post-freeze-drying conditions to which the microorganisms are exposed can lead to a situation in which a particular macromolecular damage can become dominant over others, depending on the physiology of the cell. This knowledge can not only be applied for the purpose of improving detection of undesirable microbes but also for the preservation of desirable cultures, such as starter cultures in the dairy industry. Finally, the finding that microorganisms leak or release nucleic acids after freeze-drying, as they do after freezing and heating, can be applied to the problem of elimination of undesirable cytoplasmic components of organisms to be used as protein sources (4, 8).
The basal forebrain projection to the region of the nuclei gemini in the rat; A combined light and electron microscopic study employing horseradish peroxidase, fluorescent tracers and Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin

We have examined the location of basal forebrain cells projecting to the region of the nuclei gemini in the caudolateral hypothalamus of the rat using retrograde transport of wheatgerm agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase. Since many tracer-positive neurons were identified in ventral pallidal areas known to project to the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus, we also prepared several animals with wheatgerm agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase injections in mediodorsal thalamus. Many of the sections from both groups of animals were subsequently prepared for the demonstration of ventral pallidal regions, using either substance P or glutamate decarboxylase as a pallidal marker. Some animals received injections of different retrogradely transported fluorescent tracers in the mediodorsal thalamus and the nuclei gemini for the purpose of studying potential axon collateralization. The large gemini-projecting cells are diffusely scattered within the medial forebrain bundle area, from the caudal margin of the nucleus of the horizontal limb of the diagonal band to the rostral tip of the olfactory tubercle, and with a concentration of cells in the lateral part of the medial forebrain bundle region. Gemini-projecting cells were not found in the olfactory tubercle proper, including the islands of Calleja complexes, or in the ventral pallidal areas located dorsal to the medial forebrain bundle area underneath the lateral extension of the anterior commissure. Gemini-projecting cells within ventral pallidal areas were observed only in regions where the longitudinal fascicles of the medial forebrain bundle interdigitate with the rostroventral extension of the ventral pallidum. Anterogradely-labeled fiber plexuses in the region of the nuclei gemini were observed following injection of Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin or Fluoro-Ruby into the forebrain regions containing retrogradely-labeled neurons following nuclei gemini injections of wheatgerm agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase. We found no evidence of cells with axonal projections to both mediodorsal thalamus and nuclei gemini. The gemini-projecting cells are generally large, triangular and plump, and the electron microscopic picture of gemini-projecting neurons is the same regardless of whether the cells are located in pallidal or non-pallidal areas.
A composite surgical splint for dual arch orthognathic surgery

Abstract A two-piece composite splint for use in cases of dual arch orthognathic surgery has been described. The splint does not greatly increase laboratory preparation time and provides significant benefits during and after the surgical procedure.
Inborn Versus Outborn Neonates in Intensive Care: Is This An Important Variable In Determining Length Of Stay? 1351

We set out to understand some of the factors that alter length of stay(LOS) in the intensive care nursery (ICN). We suspected that the requirement of transport of the neonate during their initial hospitalization may be such a factor, independent of either birthweight or associated diagnosis.
Breast necrosis following coronary arterial bypass grafting in the setting of chest radiation

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures today, and the internal mammary artery is the conduit of choice. Though grafting of this vessel leads to a substantial decrease of the blood supplied to the breast, ischemic necrosis of the breast remains a rare phenomenon. In the setting of chest radiation, however, subsequent damage to endothelial cells and fibroblasts can threaten the supplemental vasculature. In this report, we share a recent case of CABG-related breast necrosis in the setting of chest radiation, including presentation, diagnosis, and surgical management. We also discuss a comprehensive review of the CABG-related breast necrosis case literature. With increases in CABG procedures and more refined chemoradiation treatment modalities, it is critical that surgeons interacting with these patients be aware of and prepared to address the potentially great impact that chest radiation can have as a probable independent risk factor in the pathophysiologic pathway of ischemic breast necrosis. Level of Evidence: Level V, therapeutic study.
Substructure synthesis methods for dynamic analysis of multi-body systems

Abstract The formulation for the dynamic analysis of flexible multi-body systems that undergo large rigid body motion, leads to geometrically non-linear inertia properties due to large rotations. These inertia non-linearities that represent the coupling between gross rigid body motion and small elastic deformation, are dependent on the assumed displacement field. As alternatives to the finite element methods, deformable body shape functions and shape vectors are commonly employed to describe elastic deformation of linear structures. In this paper, substructure shape functions and shape vectors are used to describe elastic deformation of non-linear inertia-variant multi-body systems. This leads to two different representations of inertia nonlinearities; one is based on a consistent mass formulation, while the other is a lumped mass technique. The multi-body systems considered are collections of interconnected rigid and flexible bodies. Open and closed loop systems are permitted.
Transition electrolyte concentrations for bubble coalescence

We examine the amount of salt required to immobilize the gas-liquid interface of the film between coalescing bubbles.
Drug-induced renal failure: a focus on tubulointerstitial disease

Therapeutic agents induce acute renal failure (ARF) by promoting various types of injury to the kidney. Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) develops from medications that incite an allergic reaction, leading to interstitial inflammation and tubular damage. Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is a dose-dependent process that develops from direct toxicity on tubular epithelia, typically in the absence of inflammation. Additional, less common patterns of drug-induced renal injury include osmotic nephropathy, crystal nephropathy, and acute nephrocalcinosis. This review focuses on the multitude of patterns of drug-induced renal failure due to tubulointerstitial disease.
Variational Transition-State Theory with Optimized Orientation of the Dividing Surface and Semiclassical Tunneling Calculations for Deuterium and Muonium Kinetic Isotope Effects in the Free Radical Association Reaction H + C2H4 → C2H5

We have used canonical variational transition-state theory with multidimensional tunneling contributions (CVT/MT) to calculate 21 kinetic isotope effects (KIE) for the addition of hydrogen atom to ethylene. The potential energies are obtained by variable scaling of external correlation (VSEC). The reorientation of the dividing surface (RODS) algorithm is employed so that the same reaction path can be used for every isotopic substitution. The results show the importance of the tunneling effect for explaining the trends in the KIEs in this almost barrierless reaction. We have predicted the regioselectivity for three different isotopically substituted substrates and have shown how the addition to the most substituted carbon is kinetically favored, especially at low temperature. However, our calculations show no cis/trans selectivity for the isotopically substituted ethylene substrate.
Discussion on resolution and dynamic range of Se-TFT direct digital radiographic detector

The imaging performance of a new direct digital radiographic detector based on amorphous selenium and amorphous silicon TFT array which is under development is discussed. Progress has been made on the development of a multilayer digital x-ray detector panel with a structure consisting of a thin-film transistor pixel array, selenium x-ray photoconductor, dielectric layer and top electrode. An electronic system allows the rapid readout of image data which produces high resolution and wide dynamic range images. Using a straight edge, small wires and low contrast small holes targets, we have studied the spatial resolution, contrast detectability, and dynamic range of this new detector. Digital signals obtained from each pixel of this detector are almost linear with the total x-ray energy absorbed within the pixel area over a wide range of x-ray exposures. The resultant wide dynamic range allows extended latitude of exposure conditions and the enhancement or emphasis of different gray level regions from a single set of image data. For example, from one single exposure of the head, the soft tissue of the nose, detail structure of the teeth, as well as the bone structure of the neck can be examined by displaying and emphasizing selective gray levels of the image data. Image information obtained from this detector appears to be more evenly distributed over a wide dynamic range which is different from digital data obtained from other digital modalities such as the electrometer sensing of discharged potentials on photoconductors or from film digitization. Examples of images are shown. The discrete pixel structure of this detector and the higher intrinsic spatial resolution of selenium combine to produce image sharpness greater than those produced from digital detectors of similar pixel pitch using indirect conversion method or from digitizing film-screen images. The applicability of mathematical tools, such as the MTF which was developed primarily for analog images on a continuous imaging medium, is discussed with respect to our new discrete element detector.
Regional modification of [3H]ethynylbicycloorthobenzoate binding in mouse brain GABAA receptor by endosulfan, fipronil, and avermectin B1a

[3H]Ethynylbicycloorthobenzoate ([3H]EBOB), a high affinity radioligand for the noncompetitive blocker site of the GABAA receptor, is used here for quantitative autoradiography to determine regional binding in mouse brain and the effects on this binding of administering toxic doses of endosulfan, fipronil, and avermectin B1a (AVM). Animals were euthanized 4–8 min after 1 LD50 or 2 LD50 doses of the two channel blockers and 32 min after 1 LD50 or 4 LD50 doses of the channel activator AVM. Specific binding of [3H]EBOB was determined for 20-μm brain sections as the difference in labeling on incubation with 2 nM [3H]EBOB either alone (total binding) or with 5 μM α-endosulfan (nonspecific binding). The highest specific labeling was observed for layers I and IV of the cerebral cortex, the globus pallidus, and the medial septal nucleus/nucleus of the vertical limb of the diagonal band. Dose-dependent inhibition by endosulfan was highest in the nucleus accumbens and least in the cerebellum and periaqueductal gray matter. Fipronil had much less effect on binding even at severely toxic doses. AVM increased [3H]EBOB binding in most regions and was the only one of the three agents inhibiting in vitro [3H]strychnine binding to the glycine receptor. In summary, the noncompetitive blocker site was strongly inhibited with dose dependence and regional selectively by α-endosulfan but was generally poorly inhibited or activated by fipronil and was activated by avermectin.
All‐Optical WDM Cross‐Connect Meshed‐Ring Communications Networks

We introduce a meshed ring communications network which employs cross-connect switches. The cross-connect switches can be implemented as wavelength routers resulting in WDM networks, or as ATM Virtual Path (VP) switches leading to ATM compatible network systems. We show in the paper that this network architecture results in a signifieant increase in throughput performance in comparison with (SDH/SONET) ring networks. For a certain class of meshed rings, under a uniform traffic matrix, we derive the optimal topology which achieves maximum throughput efficiency. Using such a topology, we obtain upper and lower hounds on the number of wavelengths required to achieve that efficiency level. The network is divided into (overlapping) communities of nodes. Each community is assigned a wavelength and a subnetwork (identified as a wavelength graph). Each pair of nodes in a community can communicate across the associated wavelength graph. Wavelength graphs (suhnets) are constructed to demonstrate the implementation of the routing scheme using the number of wavelengths that is equal to the derived upper bound. For practical implementation reasons, we investigate the performance of networks which employ a reduced number of wavelengths. We show that by modifying the topological layout of the meshed ring network, we can reduce substantially the number of required wavelengths, while incurring just a modest reduction in throughput efficiency.
Antinutritional factors in legumes of the Sonoran Desert

Ten samples of legumes indigenous to the Sonoran Desert were analyzed for antinutritional factors: flatulent oligosaccharides, trypsin inhibitors, lectins, phytic acid and cyanogenic glycosides. These samples represented the following species: Phaseolus acutifolius var. latifolius. Phaseolus vulgaris, Lysiloma watsonii and Parkinsonia aculeata. The raffinose and stachyose contents of the beans ranged from 0.00–3.57 percent and 0.00–5.45 percent respectively. The trypsin inhibitor (TI) activities ranged from 2.3–60.4 TIU/mg; heat treatment decreased TI activity from 0–97 percent. Phytic acid ranged from 0.48–1.02 percent. Cyanogenic glycosides were not detected in any of the samples. Lectin extracts from all of the legume samples agglutinated rabbit, hamster and bovine red blood cells. Reduction of hemagglutinating activity upon heat treatment ranged from 0–100 percent.
Studies of injection and transport in polymeric media: the connection to key issues in electrophotographic technology

Abstract Trap free, flexible but robust glassy polymeric coatings which can efficiently transport injected charge were developed to support the commercialization of large area organic photoreceptors (OPC) required for a variety of electrophotograpic printers and publishing engines. The drive toward specific optimization of these materials systems for xerography stimulated scientific research and then directly benefited from it. Molecularly doped polymers (MPD) whose chemical content and morphology are engineered have in particular provided an extraordinarily “transparent” laboratory for the study of hopping transport, trapping, and injection phenomena. Starting with these molecularly doped polymers a convoluted pattern of common features has been identified in the drift mobility behavior of a wide variety of disordered molecular media including conjugated polymers. As a result, theoretical work has been impelled to focus on their shared characteristics, disorder and the possibility of site relaxation as the mechanisms likely to dominate charge motion. The fact that in response to the requirements of xerography these transport media could be made trap free by employing molecular design principles provided in turn, a unique venue for the exploration of contact behavior on disordered organic solids.
Stability of interconnected switched systems using QSR dissipativity with multiple supply rates

This paper considers a notion of QSR dissipativity for discrete-time switched systems that uses multiple supply rates. The focus on switched systems is motivated by cyber physical systems (CPS) where physical dynamics interact with discrete-event or logical dynamics. The notion of QSR dissipa-tivity used in this paper is based on previous work on QSR dissipativity for non-switched systems and decomposable dissi-pativity for switched systems. The notion of QSR dissipativity is well established for non-switched systems and generalizes many system results including both the passivity theorem and the small gain theorem. In decomposable dissipativity, separate supply rates are developed for each subsystem depending on whether it is currently active or inactive. This paper presents this definition of QSR dissipativity for switched systems and then uses it to prove stability for single systems and interconnected systems. Beyond stability, the dissipative property for interconnected systems is shown. This allows for large scale systems to be studied using successive dissipative assessments. When considering passive systems, these results are studied in more detail.
Trim5α Accelerates Degradation of Cytosolic Capsid Associated with Productive HIV-1 Entry

Abstract The TRIM5α (tripartite motif 5α protein) has been linked to the cross-species restriction in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection of non-human cells, but the mechanism by which this occurs remains to be fully elucidated. Here we demonstrate that the capsid (CA) protein of HIV-1 is more rapidly degraded in cells expressing monkey TRIM5α than in cells expressing human TRIM5α. Other proteins encoded by Gag and Pol are not subject to TRIM5α-mediated accelerated degradation. The accelerated CA degradation by TRIM5α apparently occurs via a nonproteosomal pathway. TRIM5α selectively accelerates degradation of the CA population, which reached the cytosol of restrictive cells, but not the CA population, which ended into the vesicular compartment. Given that cytosolic CA represents “productively” entered cores, whereas vesicular CA represents “nonproductively” entered cores, our findings suggest that TRIM5α interrupts the infectious pathway of HIV-1 by acting on the incoming cytosolic CA. The mode of viral entry does not influence the accelerated degradation of cytosolic CA by TRIM5α. Thus, this study reveals a correlation between TRIM5α-mediated HIV-1 restriction and a selective degradation of cytosolic CA normally associated with productive viral entry.
Serological survey of vector-borne zoonotic pathogens in pet cats and cats from animal shelters and feral colonies:

Although cats and their arthropod parasites can sometimes be important sources of zoonotic diseases in humans, the extent of exposure among various cat populations to many potential zoonotic agents remains incompletely described. In this study, 170 domestic cats living in private homes, feral cat colonies, and animal shelters from California and Wisconsin were evaluated by serology to determine the levels of exposure to a group of zoonotic vector-borne pathogens. Serological positive test results were observed in 17.2% of cats for Rickettsia rickettsii, 14.9% for R akari, 4.9% for R typhi, 11.1% for R felis, and 14.7% for Bartonella henselae. Although vector-borne disease exposure has been documented previously in cats, the evaluation of multiple pathogens and diverse cat populations simultaneously performed here contributes to our understanding of feline exposure to these zoonotic pathogens.
Eye-Centered Representation of Optic Flow Tuning in the Ventral Intraparietal Area

Reference frames are important for understanding sensory processing in the cortex. Previous work showed that vestibular heading signals in the ventral intraparietal area (VIP) are represented in body-centered coordinates. In contrast, vestibular heading tuning in the medial superior temporal area (MSTd) is approximately head centered. We considered the hypothesis that visual heading signals (from optic flow) in VIP might also be transformed into a body-centered representation, unlike visual heading tuning in MSTd, which is approximately eye centered. We distinguished among eye-centered, head-centered, and body-centered spatial reference frames by systematically varying both eye and head positions while rhesus monkeys viewed optic flow stimuli depicting various headings. We found that heading tuning of VIP neurons based on optic flow generally shifted with eye position, indicating an eye-centered spatial reference frame. This is similar to the representation of visual heading signals in MSTd, but contrasts sharply with the body-centered representation of vestibular heading signals in VIP. These findings demonstrate a clear dissociation between the spatial reference frames of visual and vestibular signals in VIP, and emphasize that frames of reference for neurons in parietal cortex can depend on the type of sensory stimulation.
Plasma lipids are affected similarly by dietary lauric or palmitic acid in gerbils and monkeys.

To compare the relative impact of dietary lauric acid (12∶0) and palmitic acid (16∶0) on plasma lipids, two fat-sensitive species, Mongolian gerbils and cebus monkeys, were fed cholesterol-free, purified diets enriched with either 12∶0-rich or 16∶0-rich fats, while all other fatty acids were held constant by selective blending of up to five natural fats or oils. The two gerbil diets (40 en% from fat) allowed for an 8 en% exchange between 12∶0 and 16∶0, and the monkey diets (31 en% from fat) allowed for 6 en% exchange beteen these two fatty acids. Eight gerbils received the diets for eight weeks, and 12 cebus monkeys were fed each diet in a cross-over design for up to 22 wk. Both diets resulted in similar plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations within each species. Additionally, separation of cebus lipoproteins by discontinuous density-gradient ultracentrifugation failed to show any dietary differences in concentration or composition of the three major lipoprotein classes (d<1.019, 1.019–1.055, and 1.055–1.168 g/mL). Thus, in two species sensitive to manipulations in dietary fat while consuming cholesterol-free diets, 16∶0 was not hypercholesterolemic relative to 12∶0.
Grain refinement and recrystallization of heavily worked tantalum

Abstract Ingots of vacuum arc remelted (VAR) tantalum containing as-cast and highly textured microstructures were deformed by multipass equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) to strains of 9.2 via different extrusion routes at room temperature through 90° die-angle tooling. The ability of ECAE to break up the as-cast microstructure and produce a homogeneous, fine-grained microstructure in the as-worked state and after a recrystallization heat treatment is reported. It is shown that two extrusions correspond to a level of strain ( ɛ = 2.3) where the average as-worked and recrystallized grain sizes become independent of the initial grain size or grain morphology. Also at this strain level, microstructural regions are observed which indicate the near minimum grain size attainable with further thermo-mechanical processing. Microstructural uniformity in the recrystallized material can be achieved after four extrusions with a route which incorporates 90° rotations about the billet axis.
Heterodyne instrumentation upgrade at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory

Balanced receivers are under development at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) for the 230/460 GHz and 345/660 GHz atmospheric windows. The mixers are tunerless, implemented in a balanced configuration, have a 4-8 GHz IF, and can be used in dual frequency observation mode. As shall be seen, the balanced arrangement provides a high level of amplitude noise immunity and allows all of the available LO power to be used. In turn, this permits complete automation of the receivers by means of synthesized LO source(s). A disadvantage of balanced mixers is, perhaps, that the sidebands at the IF remain convolved (DSB), unlike sideband separating (2SB) receivers. The latter, however are unbalanced and do not have the noise and LO injection advantages of balanced mixers. For the CSO, balanced mixers covering the range 180-720 GHz were judged most promising to facilitate many of the astrophysical science goals in the years to come. In parallel, a dual polarization 280-420~GHz continuous comparison (correlation) receiver is in an advanced state of development. The instrument has two beams on the sky; a reference and a signal beam. Using only cooled reflecting optics, two polarizing grids, and a quadrature hybrid coupler, the sky beams are coupled to four tunerless SIS mixers (both polarizations). The 4-12 GHz mixer IF outputs are, after amplification, correlated against each other. In principle, this technique results in flat baselines with very low RMS noise, and is especially well suited for high redshift Galaxy work. Not only do these changes greatly enhance the spectroscopic capabilities of the CSO, they will also enable the observatory to be integrated into the Harvard-Smithsonian Submillimeter Array (SMA), as an additional telescope.
Steric hindrance effects on bimolecular coupling rate constants of carbon-centered radicals

Carbon-centered radicals have historically been classified as either persistent or reactive in solution. Little attention has been given to finding a relationship between this reactivity and the steric hindrance of radicals. The bimolecular coupling rate constants of some aryl-substituted fluorenyl and xanthenyl radicals were determined utilizing fast-scan cyclic voltammetry and digital simulations. This rate constant was found to be attenuated from the diffusion-limited value as the twist of the aryl substituent increased; the twist was described by an appropriate dihedral angle (Θ). However, Θ was found to be insufficient to represent the steric shielding provided by the aryl groups. Instead, thickness parameters (Z) obtained from MOPAC RHF-PM3 calculations correlated well (R2 = 0.954) with the coupling rate constants of the radicals considered. This parameter was taken as the greatest extent of the van der Waals surface in the area of the p-orbital holding the unpaired electron. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enlarging the scope of SQA

The concept of software quality assurance (SQA) is rapidly evolving, and reflects a growing awareness of the critical importance of this field. However, our view of what SQA is all about needs to focus more on the interrelated aspects of integration and scope. In terms of integration, SQA must become an integral part of every task in the development process, rather than being a parallel function embodied in a separate organizational department. With respect to scope, SQA must encompass areas that are often seen as marginal to software quality. In particular, the areas of business policy, metrics, peopleware, technology transfer, and technical leadership must be addressed.
Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors

Since their first description as anomalous high affinity diazepam binding sites in rat peripheral tissues, the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) has been increasingly studied to better understand nonneural effects of the benzodiazepines. The mammalian PBR is ubiquitously distributed with high concentrations in the outer mitochondrial membrane of secretory tissues. In regions of the brain, the density of PBR can equal or exceed the density of central-type benzodiazepine receptors. High affinity PK 11195 binding is diagnostic for the receptor while the affinity for benzodiazepines is species dependent. Recent cDNA cloning of a PBR component, the isoquinoline binding protein (IBP), shows no apparent sequence homology with any GABAA receptor subunits known to comprise central benzodiazepine receptor subtypes. The PBR seems at best only distantly related to CBRs. Recent advances in the pharmacology, biochemistry and molecular biology of the PBR are reviewed.
Combining electrochemical desorption and metal deposition on patterned self-assembled monolayers

Abstract We have combined electrochemical reductive desorption with microdisplacement printing to create patterned self-assembled monolayers inaccessible by other methods. The resulting structures were characterized with field emission scanning electron microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Additionally, we have demonstrated that the chemical patterns produced by microdisplacement printing on Au{1 1 1} can function as resists for patterned metallic films where 1-adamantanethiolate regions can be selectively desorbed, followed by metal deposition into regions of exposed gold substrates or metal films can be deposited directly through the 1-adamantanethiolate regions, because the 1-adamantanethiolate monolayers allow electron transfer from the supporting electrolyte to the electrode surface (like an unfunctionalized electrode). This is in contrast to typical alkanethiolate monolayers on Au{1 1 1}, which block the same electrochemical process. These selective electrochemical desorption and deposition processes can be coupled to hybrid soft-lithography strategies to enable fabrication of novel hybrid metallic and organic structures.
Sports medicine and the Americans with Disabilities Act

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 on the practice of clinical sports medicine. DATA SYNTHESIS: The Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) have given physically impaired athletes the legal means by which to challenge medical sports participation decisions. The Federal Rehabilitation Act prohibits the exclusion of otherwise qualified individuals from participation in federally funded programs, and the ADA extends the rights of disabled persons to include the private sector. These legal statutes contest the team physician's traditionally unchallenged authority in determining sports participation eligibility for medically impaired individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The team physician is advised to use his or her best judgment and the opinions of consultants and to consider special circumstances to formulate a recommendation about sports participation. Consequently, the prospective athlete, after becoming fully informed about the risks of participation, assumes greater responsibility in the decision-making process. Sports medicine professionals must be cognizant of this potential conflict between medical safety recommendations and the expanded legal rights of disabled individuals. Language: en
Primary carcinoma of the female urethra

Abstract Primary carcinoma of the female urethra is an uncommon neoplasm whose rarity has prevented unanimity of opinion as to therapy. For this reason, we reviewed the records of 17 women with primary urethral carcinoma who were treated at our institution between 1954 and 1977. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common cell type (47%), and urethral bleeding and dysuria were the usual presenting symptoms. Because urethral carcinoma tends to recur locally and frequently is a lethal tumor, early aggressive therapy is advised.
Sulfide species and total sulfide toxicity in the shrimp Crangon crangon

Abstract The toxicity of total sulfide and individual sulfide species at different pH values were studied in Crangon crangon. The toxicity is evaluated both from external concentrations and internal sulfide concentrations and pH. Internal sulfide concentrations are calculated according to a diffusion model. C. crangon is very sensitive to sulfide having a LT50 of around 1 hour at 20 μM total sulfide (pH 8). During sulfide exposures it is exclusively H2S which diffuses into C. crangon, and sulfide toxicity is dependent on the concentration of H2S (i.e., pH dependent). No HS− toxicity was found. The correct quantification of sulfide concentration in exposure experiments are concluded to be H2S concentration. Exposed to increasing sulfide concentrations, C. crangon shows a distinct pattern of behavior which is correlated to hemolymph H2S concentration; at 0.1 μM hemolymph H2S C. crangon starts to swim, at 0.2 μM hemolymph H2S C. crangon starts to panic (i.e., abdominal constrictions) and at 0.4 μM hemolymph H2S C. crangon becomes paralysed.
Diabetic ketoacidosis in Denmark: epidemiology, incidence rates, precipitating factors and mortality rates.

The epidemiology of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus was studied in an 11.2% sample of the Danish population (574,696 inhabitants) during a 24-month period. Some 175 admissions in ketoacidosis (heavy ketonuria and plasma bicarbonate below 21 mmol/l) were recorded. Based on prevalence rates from a socio-economically and ethnically comparable Danish county, the annual incidence rate was calculated to be 0.045 per diabetic. The incidence rate of moderate and severe episodes (bicarbonate less than 16 mmol/l) was 0.032 and of severe episodes only (bicarbonate less than 10 mmol/l) 0.017 per diabetic. The major risk group was female teenagers. The total annual frequency of recurrence was 8.7%: 48% of the male episodes were ketoacidosis (DKA) associated with onset of diabetes, against 30% of the female episodes (P = 0.02). All Danish diabetics were at the time of the survey (1978-79) treated with conventional insulin treatment. Annual incidence rate in these established diabetics was 0.028, i.e. three to five times less than reported during treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. Mortality of DKA was low, 3.4%, and dependent upon age and precipitating factor but not upon the degree of acidosis. The overall annual mortality rate was 1.5 per 100 diabetics.