cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Messung des Gütewertes von Hohlraumkreisen

Im Abschnitt uber Frequenzmessung wurde gezeigt, das die Genauigkeit der Frequenzmessung mittels Hohlraum-Schwingkreisen wesentlich von deren Gute wert abhangt. Dieser Wert, das Produkt aus 2 π und dem Quotienten der im Hohlraumkreis gespeicherten elektromagnetischen Energie gebrochen durch die je Periode verbrauchte Energie und sein Reziprokwert, Dampfung genannt, wird auch in der niederfrequenten Technik zur Definition der Schwingkreiseigenschaften gebraucht. Man unterscheidet zwei Gutewerte: den unbelasteten Wert Q u , welcher nur die im Kreis verbrauchte Energie berucksichtigt und den belasteten Gutewert Q bel , in welchem sich die verbrauchte Energie aus der Summe der im Kreis vernichteten und der uber die Anschlusleitungen abgeleiteten Energie zusammensetzt. Auser bei der Frequenzmessung kommt der Gutewert im Zusammenhang mit der Frequenzstabilitat von Oszillatoren, welche Hohlraume als frequenzbestimmende Kreise enthalten, und im Zusammenhang mit Filterproblemen vor, so das sich in der Mikrowellentechnik haufig die Notwendigkeit ergibt die Gutewerte von Kreisen zu messen.
Quantitative measure of intestinal permeability using blue food coloring

Abstract Background Loss of intestinal barrier integrity plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal diseases and is implicated in the onset of sepsis and multiple organ failure. An array of methods to assess different aspects of intestinal barrier function suffers from lack of sensitivity, prolonged periods of specimen collection, or high expense. We have developed a technique to measure the concentration of the food dye FD&C Blue #1 from blood and sought to assess its utility in measuring intestinal barrier function in humans. Materials and methods Four healthy volunteers and 10 critically ill subjects in the intensive care unit were recruited in accordance with an institutional review board approved protocol. Subjects were given 0.5 mg/kg Blue #1 enterally as an aqueous solution of diluted food coloring. Five blood specimens were drawn per subject: 0 h (before dose), 1, 2, 4, and 8 h. After plasma isolation, organic extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry detecting the presence of unmodified dye. Results We found no baseline detectable absorption in healthy volunteers. After including the subjects in the intensive care unit, we compared dye absorption in the six subjects who met criteria for septic shock with the eight who did not. Septic patients demonstrated significantly greater absorption of Blue #1 after 2 h. Conclusions We have developed a novel, easy-to-use method to measure intestinal barrier integrity using a food grade dye detectable by mass spectrometry analysis of patient blood following oral administration.
Fibronectin induces the perivascular deposition of cerebrospinal fluid–derived amyloid-β in aging and after stroke

Abstract Cerebral amyloid angiopathy occurs after stroke, but the mechanism underlying the initial amyloid-β deposition is not fully understood. This study investigates whether overexpression of fibronectin and its receptor, integrin-α5, induces the perivascular deposition of cerebrospinal fluid–derived amyloid-β after stroke in young and aged animals. We found that stroke impaired the bulk flow of cerebrospinal fluid into the brain parenchyma and further showed that perivascular amyloid-β deposition was enhanced in aged animals with stroke, which colocalized with integrin-α5 in the basement membrane. Furthermore, we found that stroke dramatically increased the cortical levels of fibronectin and integrin-α5, with further increases in integrin-α5 in aged animals with stroke, fibronectin bound amyloid-β in vitro, and fibronectin administration increased amyloid-β deposition in vivo. Finally, aging and stroke impaired performance on the Barnes maze. These results indicate that fibronectin induces the perivascular deposition of amyloid-β and that increased integrin-α5 further “primes” the aged brain for amyloid-β binding. This provides a novel molecular and physiological mechanism for perivascular amyloid-β deposition after stroke, particularly in aged individuals.
Geometric Hawkes Processes with Graph Convolutional Recurrent Neural Networks

Hawkes processes are popular for modeling correlated temporal sequences that exhibit mutual-excitation properties. Existing approaches such as feature-enriched processes or variations of Multivariate Hawkes processes either fail to describe the exact mutual influence between sequences or become computational inhibitive in most real-world applications involving large dimensions. Incorporating additional geometric structure in the form of graphs into Hawkes processes is an effective and efficient way for improving model prediction accuracy. In this paper, we propose the Geometric Hawkes Process (GHP) model to better correlate individual processes, by integrating Hawkes processes and a graph convolutional recurrent neural network. The deep network structure is computational efficient since it requires constant parameters that are independent of the graph size. The experiment results on real-world data show that our framework outperforms recent state-of-art methods.
Seismic accelerations in architectural precast concrete cladding

Abstract Architectural precast concrete (APC) cladding is a type of building facade broadly used worldwide. It is composed of an array of concrete panels attached to the building structural system with steel connections. During earthquakes, the APC system can be damaged both by excessive drifts and accelerations. While research on drift-compatibility has been performed in recent years, to the author’s knowledge there are limited studies aimed to determining the level of seismic forces in APC cladding panels and connections. However, these forces could be larger than anticipated since this system has low natural frequencies due to its large mass and low stiffness in the out-of-plane direction. This paper presents an experimental and numerical study of the seismic accelerations developed in APC cladding panels installed on a building. The design limits provided by the code for ductile and brittle elements of the cladding system indicate that the code is able to meet the desired performance criteria both in case of service and design level motions. However, the satisfactory results obtained for design level earthquakes are due to the combination of significant errors in the prediction of the component and structure amplification factors.
(139) Acetaminophen Intravenous Actual-Use Outcomes in a Post-Op Cardiovascular Surgery Population

Post-cardiothoracic surgery patients have predictably high levels of pain, often necessitating intravenous pharmacologic analgesia. Multimodal analgesia, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen, have been suggested to reduce opiate exposure. The FDA labeling for ketorolac, currently the only available intravenous NSAID, was recently changed to include a boxed warning contraindicating its use following coronary artery bypass grafting, bringing into question the safety of NSAIDs in this setting. Acetaminophen intravenous (IV) may be an appropriate alternative for acute intravenous analgesic therapy in the immediate post-cardiothoracic operative period. This study describes real-world outcomes in post-cardiothoracic surgery patients who received acetaminophen IV compared to similar patients who did not. Patients who received at least one dose of acetaminophen IV post-operatively were compared to similar patients who did not receive acetaminophen IV. The primary outcome was patient use of opioids measured in morphine equivalents during the first 24 hours post-op. Secondary outcomes included time spent in cardiovascular recovery unit (LOS) and need for vasopressor support. Incidence of hypotension during acetaminophen IV infusion was also documented per a pre-specified criterion. There were 92 and 166 patients in the acetaminophen IV and “not acetaminophen IV” groups respectively. There was no beneficial reduction in morphine equivalents administered in the 24 hours post-op period (14.7 mg in the acetaminophen IV group and 11.8 mg in the non-acetaminophen IV group; p
Colorectal anastomotic perforation secondary to acute ruptured appendicitis presenting as septic arthritis

Anastomotic leaks following abdominoperineal resection with rectal anastomosis become clinically significant in 2.9%-22% of cases. Local recurrence of cancer and local inflammation are the most common causes of these leaks . Colonic perforation presenting with suppurative involvement of the lower extremities has been previously reported. We describe herein the case of a colorectal anastomotic leak secondary to pathology-proved acute appendicitis presenting with suppurative necessitation causing right hip septic arthritis five years following lower anterior resection (LAR) for stage unspecified colorectal cancer. No similar case has been demonstrated in the surveyed literature.
Metformin effects on FOXP3+ and CD8+ T cell infiltrates of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES Alterations of cellular metabolism have been implicated in immune dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Metformin has recently emerged as a candidate of interest for combination with immunotherapy in HNSCC. This study investigated the effect of metformin on immune cell infiltrates of HNSCC. METHODS Retrospective analysis of T cell infiltrates in primary tumor specimens from patients enrolled in a clinical window of opportunity trial of presurgical metformin. Metformin was titrated to a standard diabetic dose (2000 mg/day) for a minimum of 9 days (mean 13.6 days) prior to surgical resection. Pre and posttreatment surgical specimens from 36 patients (16 HPV+ , 20 HPV- ) were comparatively analyzed. FOXP3+ and CD8+ immune cell infiltrates in the tumor and peritumoral stroma of pre and posttreatment HNSCC specimens were quantified by digital image analysis using Visiopharm software. RESULTS Metformin treatment was associated with a 41.4% decrease in FOXP3+ T cells in intratumor regions of interest (P = .004) and a 66.5% increase in stromal CD8+ T cells at the leading edge of the tumor (P = .021) when compared to pretreatment biopsies. This was reflected in increased CD8+ /FOXP3+ cell ratios within the tumor (P < .001) and stromal compartments (P < .001). The effects of metformin occurred independently of HPV status. CONCLUSION Metformin treatment may favorably alter the immune TME in HNSCC independent of HPV status. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1b. This study is most accurately described as a non-randomized controlled trial and therefore may reflect a level of evidence below 1b but above 2a from the provided "levels of evidence" chart. Laryngoscope, 130:E490-E498, 2020.
Copper Supplementation in Watering Solution Reaches the Xylem But Does Not Protect Tobacco Plants Against Xylella fastidiosa Infection.

Xylella fastidiosa is a xylem-limited plant pathogenic bacterium that causes disease in many crops worldwide. Copper (Cu) is an antimicrobial agent widely used on X. fastidiosa hosts to control oth...
Identification of Let-7f-5p as a novel biomarker of recurrence in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Background Among patients diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), 30% to 70% experience recurrences within 6 to 12 years of diagnosis. The need to screen for these events every 3 to 6 months and ultimately annually by cystoscopy makes bladder cancer one of the most expensive malignancies to manage. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify reproducible prognostic microRNAs in resected non-muscle invasive bladder tumor tissue that are predictive of the recurrent tumor phenotype as potential biomarkers and molecular therapeutic targets. Methods Two independent cohorts of NMIBC patients were analyzed using a biomarker discovery and validation approach, respectively. Results miRNA Let-7f-5p showed the strongest association with recurrence across both cohorts. Let-7f-5p levels in urine and plasma were both found to be significantly correlated with levels in tumor tissue. We assessed the therapeutic potential of targeting Lin28, a negative regulator of Let-7f-5p, with small-molecule inhibitor C1632. Lin28 inhibition significantly increased levels of Let-7f-5p expression and led to significant inhibition of viability and migration of HTB-2 cells. Conclusions We have identified Let-7f-5p as a miRNA biomarker of recurrence in NMIBC tumors. We further demonstrate that targeting Lin28, a negative regulator of Let-7f-5p, represents a novel potential therapeutic opportunity in NMIBC.
Glutamate Plasticity in an Animal Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Although it is well established that in Parkinson’s disease there is a significant loss of dopamine within nerve terminals in the striatum, the depletion of dopamine most likely influences other neurotransmitter systems. There is growing interest in the interactions between dopamine and glutamate and it may be the lack of dopamine in Parkinson’s disease that results in dynamic changes in glutamate within at least the striatum [1, 2]. In the rodent, the sensorimotor cortex provides the primary excitatory, glutamatergic input to the dorsolateral striatum [3, 4], although recent data suggest that glutamate input from many nuclei within the thalamus may also be playing an important role [5–7]. The dopamine terminals originating from the substantia nigra pars compacta (SN-PC) make a symmetrical synaptic contact not only on the dendritic shaft of the medium spiny neuron but also on the neck of the dendritic spine [8, 9]. The asymmetrical synaptic contact on the head of that same spine within the dorsolateral striatum originates from not only the motor cortex but also the thalamus [5, 7] and the nerve terminals contain the neurotransmitter, glutamate [8, 10, 11]. Not only are dopamine and glutamate terminals anatomically located next to each other, but these two neurotransmitters can control their own release and also the release from each other’s nerve terminals [12–15]. In addition, a small percentage of the glutamate nerve terminals originating from the cortex contain presynaptic dopamine D-2 receptors [16, 17]. When these dopamine D2 receptors are activated or blocked, we and others have reported that glutamate release decreases or increases, respectively [12, 14, 18]. Therefore, alterations in the level of striatal dopamine can have profound effects on nearby glutamate synapses. In Parkinson’s disease, there is a slow and progressive loss of dopamine input to the striatum, one of the major nuclei of the basal ganglia. Only when there is
Molecular Basis of Complex Heritability in Natural Genotype-to-Phenotype Relationships

Although the statistical complexity of heredity has long been evident, its molecular origins remain elusive. To investigate, we charted a complete genotype-to-phenotype map for 90 complex traits in a large population of wild diploid yeast. Networks defined by these 18,007 loci differed substantially from those determined by gene deletions or protein interactions. Missense, synonymous, and regulatory variants contributed to phenotype. Synonymous variants altered codon adaptation index early in open reading frames. Regulatory variants occurred in open chromatin; their disruption drove hybrid vigor. Pleiotropic variants often altered disordered sequences within signaling hubs. Their effects correlated across environments – even when antagonistic – suggesting that large fitness gains bring concomitant costs. Finally, we estimated distributions of fitness effects for natural variants, revealing that traits appearing ‘omnigenic’ in less powered studies have finite genetic determinants. Integrating these principles into genome reading and writing will be crucial as it becomes routine in research, industry, and medicine.
Apocalypse now? Communicating extreme forecasts

Apocalyptic forecasts are unique. They have, by definition, no prior history and are observed only in their failure. As a result, they fit poorly with our mental models for evaluating and using them. However, they are made with some frequency in the context of climate change. We review a set of forecasts involving catastrophic climate change-related scenarios and make several observations about the characteristics of those forecasts. We find that mentioning uncertainty results in a smaller online presence for apocalyptic forecasts. However, scientists mention uncertainty far more frequently than non-scientists. Thus, the bias in media toward coverage of non-scientific voices may be 'anti-uncertainty', not 'anti-science'. Also, the desire among many climate change scientists to portray unanimity may enhance the perceived seriousness of the potential consequences of climate catastrophes, but paradoxically undermine their credibility in doing so. We explore strategies for communicating extreme forecasts that are mindful of these results.
Safety Planning with Survivors of Domestic Violence: How COVID-19 Shifts the Focus

Safety from an abusive partner is often defined by the act of leaving the relationship. Challenges to this paradigm include evidence that leaving can increase danger, at least in the short term, and the fact that mainstream solutions associated with leaving have historically ill-served victims marginalized by race, gender identity, disability, language, or immigration status. Nonetheless, leaving remains a primary focus of planning for safety from an abusive partner. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in home quarantine, the shutdown of courts that most often hear abuse cases, slowdowns in obtaining orders of protection due to remote access being inconsistent, and domestic violence shelters that cannot accept new residents, while practicing adequate social distancing and protective health measures. COVID-19 has forced domestic violence advocates to grapple with safety options other than leaving. What follows is some of what we are learning under COVID-19 about the daily lives and options for survivors of intimate partner abuse and their families, especially those living with, or in close contact with, an abuser.
Correction to: Colorful Reflections: Skin Tone, Reflected Race, and Perceived Discrimination among Blacks, Latinxs, and Whites

The original version of this article unfortunately contained two errors, which the author has corrected below:
Exploring perception and usage of narrative medicine by physician specialty: a qualitative analysis.

Background Narrative medicine is a well-recognized and respected approach to care. It is now found in medical school curricula and widely implemented in practice. However, there has been no analysis of the perception and usage of narrative medicine across different medical specialties and whether there may be unique recommendations for implementation based upon specialty. The aims of this study were to explore these gaps in research. Methods Fifteen senior physicians who specialize in internal medicine, pediatrics, or surgery (5 physicians from each specialty) were interviewed in a semi-structured format about the utilization, benefits, drawbacks (i.e., negative consequences), and roles pertaining to narrative medicine. Qualitative content analysis of each interview was then performed. Results Three themes emerged from our analysis: roles, practice, and outcomes. Through these themes we examined the importance, utilization, barriers, benefits, and drawbacks of narrative medicine. There was consensus that narrative medicine is an important tool in primary care. Primary care physicians (general internists and general pediatricians) also believed that narrative medicine is not as important for non-primary care providers. However, non-primary care providers (surgeons) generally believed narrative medicine is valuable in their practice as well. Within specialties, providers' choice of language varied when trying to obtain patients' narratives, but choice in when to practice narrative medicine did not differ greatly. Among specialties, there was more variability regarding when to practice narrative medicine and what barriers were present. Primary care physicians primarily described barriers to eliciting a patient's narrative to involve trust and emotional readiness, while surgeons primarily described factors involving logistics and patient data as barriers to obtaining patients' narratives. There was broad agreement among specialties regarding the benefits and drawbacks of narrative medicine. Conclusions This study sheds light on the shared and unique beliefs in different specialties about narrative medicine. It prompts important discussion around topics such as the stereotypes physicians may hold about their peers and concerns about time management. These data provide some possible ideas for crafting narrative medicine education specific to specialties as well as future directions of study.
6.1. Introduction

Publisher Summary One of the major applications of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been the study of atomic and molecular motions in solids. Because of its nuclear specificity, sensitivity to the microscopic environment of a diffusing atom, and the ability to study a variety of atomic and molecular motions over a wide temperature range, NMR has been strikingly successful in studying atomic diffusion and molecular reorientations. The chapter discusses NMR relaxation time techniques for elucidating the dynamic properties of mobile atoms and defects. In contrast to non-NMR techniques, NMR has the important advantage that the resonance signal is characteristic of the particular nucleus being studied. For this reason, NMR can normally distinguish the diffusion of a specific nuclear species from that of other nuclei. The important feature of NMR relaxation methods is that they detect motions that give rise to fluctuating local magnetic fields and can measure both local motions, such as molecular reorientations, and nonlocal motions, like translational diffusion. NMR can study a wide variety of local and nonlocal atomic motions over a wide temperature range without changing techniques. One can then directly observe changes in activation energy arising from the onset of a second motional mechanism without having the data affected differentially by artifacts because of different techniques.
Mobilizing Evidence: Reflections on Policy Sociology

This reflection offers considerations of a career in policy sociology. The author reflects on the role of the policy sociologist and the research produced for policy. Three examples of sociological practice focus on the sociologist as offering actionable evidence for nongovernmental organizations, as evaluator of prison and substance abuse treatment programs, and as watchdog for government accountability. Thoughts are offered on training for a career in policy sociology, as well as caution to remain reflexive and critically aware of bias sources.
κ-Opioid Receptor Activation Modifies Dopamine Uptake in the Nucleus Accumbens and Opposes the Effects of Cocaine

Coadministration of κ-opioid receptor agonists (κ-agonists) with cocaine prevents alterations in dialysate dopamine (DA) concentration in the nucleus accumbens (Acb) that occur during abstinence from repeated cocaine treatment. Quantitative microdialysis was used to determine the mechanism producing these effects. Rats were injected with cocaine (20 mg/kg, i.p.), or saline, and the selective κ-agonist U-69593 (0.32 mg/kg, s.c.), or vehicle, once daily for 5 d. Extracellular DA concentration ( DA ext) and extraction fraction ( E d), an indirect measure of DA uptake, were determined 3 d later. Repeated cocaine treatment increased E d, whereas repeated U-69593 treatment decreased E d, relative to controls. Coadministration of both drugs yielded intermediate E d values not different from controls. In vitro DA uptake assays confirmed that repeated U-69593 treatment produces a dose-related, region-specific decrease in DA uptake and showed that acute U-69593 administration increases DA uptake in a nor-binaltorphimine reversible manner. Repeated U-69593 also led to a decrease in [125I]RTI-55 binding to the DA transporter (DAT), but did not decrease total DAT protein. These results demonstrate that κ-opioid receptor activation modulates DA uptake in the Acb in a manner opposite to that of cocaine: repeated U-69593 administration decreases the basal rate of DA uptake, and acute U-69593 administration transiently increases DA uptake. κ-agonist treatment also alters DAT function. The action of κ-agonists on DA uptake or DAT binding, or both, may be the mechanism(s) mediating the previously reported “cocaine-antagonist” effect of κ-opioid receptor agonists.
Heller & Originalism's Dead Hand - In Theory and in Practice

This essay considers whether and how originalism promotes the Constitution's democratic legitimacy, in theory and in practice. In the late twentieth century, critics of the Warren and Burger courts argued that judicial review lacks democratic authority when judges depart from the original understanding of those who ratified the Constitution. Originalism's critics objected that giving past generations this kind of control over the living would vitiate the Constitution's democratic authority. Initially, originalism's theorists belittled this objection to dead hand control; recently, originalists have developed varied and sophisticated responses to it. But these responses generally tend to qualify originalism's claims to democratic legitimacy or to weaken the originalist character of the interpretive method they set out to defend. The dead hand objection may trouble originalism in theory, but it poses far less of a problem in practice. To show why, the essay examines originalist interpretation in Heller v. District of Columbia. While Heller purports to enforce the decisions of eighteenth-century Americans, this essay identifies several forms of internal evidence that suggest the opinion is enforcing the beliefs of Americans living long after the Constitution's ratification. This evidence, considered alone or with the social movement history of Heller that I have elsewhere examined, shows how originalism can enforce the constitutional convictions of living Americans. In practice, originalism appears to be a species of popular constitutionalism.If originalism does not enforce dead hand control, what role might constitutional history play in constitutional interpretation? To explore this question, I compare the role of historical argument in Heller and Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1-a recent equal protection decision in which conservative and liberal justices fought over Brown and the post-ratification history of the Fourteenth Amendment. This analysis suggests that collective memory of past lawmaking constrains debate as it enables Americans of very different normative views to make authoritative claims about who we are and what we owe one another.
Influence of inhibitors of protein synthesis on interferon formation in mice. II. Comparison of effects of glutarimide antibiotics and tenuazonic acid.

Abstract Additional information has been obtained about the different patterns of interferon synthesis or release in mice injected with virus or bacterial endotoxin. Blockade of protein synthesis at different times after injection of Newcastle disease virus effectively halted further increase of circulating interferon. Data obtained by this method showed that interferon synthesis induced by virus is continuous for at least 10–12 hours. In the case of endotoxin, an enhanced and prolonged release of interferon was seen when blockade of protein synthesis was produced up to 30 min after the injection of endotoxin. By 1 or 2 hours after the injection of endotoxin, no significant enhancement of interferon release was effected by blockade of protein synthesis, indicating that the critical events involved in the release of preformed interferon by endotoxin occur within 30 min after the stimulus is injected. When a synthetic double-stranded polynucleotide, poly rI:rC, was used as the stimulus instead of endotoxin, the temporal relationship between blockade of protein synthesis and enhancement of interferon release in mice was similar. The effects of blockade of protein synthesis in mice described above were obtained using a series of glutarimide antibiotics (cycloheximide, acetoxycycloheximide, streptovitacin A, streptimidone) as well as tenuazonic acid, a chemically unrelated antibiotic.
Electron Cryomicroscopy of Molecular Nanomachines and Cells

Electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) is an emerging biophysical tool that can be used to determine the structures of molecular nanomachines in fully solvated conformations at subnanometer resolutions (<1 nm). Such cryo-EM maps can reveal long α-helices and large β-sheets. In the highest resolution cryo-EM density maps, it is possible to see bulky side chains and trace the Cα backbone of molecular subunits within a multicomponent nanomachine. Electron cryotomography (cryo-ET) is equally powerful because of the unique cellular context in which it can capture and reveal cellular nanomachines. Despite reaching only 4–10 nm resolution, cryo-ET reconstructions are capable of imaging whole cells and distinguishing their molecular components. Both of these methods are complementary to conventional methods of structure determination, including X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. Hybrid methods that combine these structural techniques with cryo-EM and cryo-ET result in a complete view of nanomachines from atomic detail to their spatial and temporal location within a cell. This chapter will describe the experimental and computational pipeline in cryo-EM and cryo-ET and illustrate their effectiveness with examples from an ion channel, spherical virus, cellular motor and the survey of a complete cell. Keywords: electron; cryomicroscopy; cryotomography; nanomachine; cell
An Unaltered Orthosteric Site and a Network of Long-Range Allosteric Interactions for PNU-120596 in α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are vital to neuronal signaling, are implicated in important processes such as learning and memory, and are therapeutic targets for neural diseases. The α7 nAChR has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, and allosteric modulators have become one focus of drug development efforts. We investigate the mode of action of the α7-selective positive allosteric modulator, PNU-120596, and show that the higher potency of acetylcholine in the presence of PNU-120596 is not due to an altered agonist binding site. In addition, we propose several residues in the gating interface and transmembrane region that are functionally important to transduction of allosteric properties, and link PNU-120596, the acetylcholine binding region, and the receptor gate. These results suggest global protein stabilization from a communication network through several key residues that alter the gating equilibrium of the receptor while leaving the agonist binding properties unperturbed.
Clustering High-Dimensional Landmark-Based Two-Dimensional Shape Data

An important goal in image analysis is to cluster and recognize objects of interest according to the shapes of their boundaries. Clustering such objects faces at least four major challenges including a curved shape space, a high-dimensional feature space, a complex spatial correlation structure, and shape variation associated with some covariates (e.g., age or gender). The aim of this article is to develop a penalized model-based clustering framework to cluster landmark-based planar shape data, while explicitly addressing these challenges. Specifically, a mixture of offset-normal shape factor analyzers (MOSFA) is proposed with mixing proportions defined through a regression model (e.g., logistic) and an offset-normal shape distribution in each component for data in the curved shape space. A latent factor analysis model is introduced to explicitly model the complex spatial correlation. A penalized likelihood approach with both adaptive pairwise fused Lasso penalty function and L2 penalty function is used t...
Stereotypes about Children with Traditional and Nontraditional Gender Roles.

Two studies were done to assess different aspects of gender stereotypes about traditional and nontraditional girls and boys. In Study 1, 81 undergraduates (57 females, 24 males; 88% Caucasian, 12% Asian) rated the typicality and desirability of 25 personality traits and behaviors for boys and girls. Analyses showed that this sample believed that typical girls and boys differ on 24 out of the 25 behaviors and traits. There were fewer differences when they rated the desirability of the characteristics for each sex. In Study 2, 154 undergraduates (97 females, 57 males, 82% Caucasian, 18% Asian) estimated the percentage of occurrence of 26 traits and behaviors in traditional and nontraditional girls and boys (i.e., tomboys and sissies). These estimates were used to determine two aspects of stereotypes: the characteristics that are perceived to occur most often in a group and the characteristics that are particularly distinctive for a group. Again, stereotypes of girls and boys were found to be extensive. Percentage estimates, however, illustrated that stereotypes are probabilistic in that many boys and girls are believed to have both masculine and feminine characteristics. Stereotypes of nontraditional children were compared to stereotypes of traditional children. Analyses showed that tomboys were stereotyped similarly to traditional boys but sissies were not stereotyped similarly to traditional girls. Instead, the sissy stereotype was found to be very narrow. The advantage of using a variety of assessments methods is discussed.
The Minimum‐Covering/Shortest‐Path Problem*

Due to the inherent multiobjective nature of many network design and routing problems, there has been a tremendous increase in multiobjective network modeling in recent years. In this article we introduce one such model, the minimum-covering/shortest-path (MinCSP) problem, and formulate several variations of the problem. The MinCSP problem is a two-objective path problem: minimization of the total population negatively impacted by the path and minimization of the total path length. A population is considered to be negatively impacted by the path if the path comes within some predetermined distance of the population. Consequently, the MinCSP problem extends the concept of coverage from facility location modeling to network design. Additionally, several existing solution methods for the problem are briefly discussed and potential applications presented.
High-resolution parallel particle-in-cell simulations of beam dynamics in the spallation neutron source linac

Abstract In this paper, we present results of using high-performance parallel computers to simulate beam dynamics in an early design of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) linac. These are among the most detailed linac simulations ever performed. The simulations have been performed using up to 500 million macroparticles, which is close to the number of particles in the physical system. The simulations are fully three-dimensional, and utilize RF cavity field data from modeling over 400 RF cavities. Furthermore, they use an improved model of the beam dynamics within the cavities. Traditionally, small-scale two-dimensional simulations have been performed on PCs or workstations. While such simulations are sufficient for rapid design and for predicting root mean square properties of the beam, large-scale simulations are essential for modeling the tails of the beam. The large-scale parallel simulation results presented here represent a three order of magnitude improvement in simulation capability, in terms of problem size and speed of execution, compared with typical two-dimensional serial simulations. In this paper we will show how large-scale simulations can be used to predict the extent of the beam halo and facilitate design decisions related to the choice of beam pipe aperture.
The effect of leukopenia versus thrombocytopenia on endotoxin induced intravascular coagulation.

Abstract The effect of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia on endotoxin induced thrombin elaboration and fibrin deposition in rabbits were compared. Leukopenia was induced by pretreatment with nitrogen mustard (HN 2 ) and thrombocytopenia with neuraminidase. Fibrin deposition was determined by a previously described quantitative, radioisotope technique. Thrombin elaboration was evaluated by two semiquantitative measures of soluble fibrin monomer complexes in plasma. Leukopenia but not thrombocytopenia inhibited both fibrin deposition and thrombin elaboration. A non-specific effect of HN 2 was excluded by studying HN 2 -treated animals with normal leukocyte counts. It was concluded that leukocytes are essential and that platelets have little if any role in endotoxin induced intravascular coagulation.
Prophylactic treatment of peptic ulcers produced experimentally by cinchophen

Some benefit was found from a diet of milk alone and from the use of a duodenal extract in the prophylactic treatment of peptic ulcers produced experimentally by the administration of cinchophen. Mucin appeared to be definitely beneficial in some cases but in others a chronic ulcer developed similar to those found in control animals fed cinchophen without prophylactic treatment. A chronic lesion was not produced in the presence of alkali-milk diet therapy. No benefit was observed from intramuscular injections of histidine monohydrochloride.
The Study of Policing

The police are legitimate, bureaucratically articulated organizations that stand ready to use force to sustain political order. Anglo-American policing (AAP) is democratic policing: It eschews tort...
Scattering from a large uniaxial dielectric sphere

The high frequency backscattering by a large uniaxial dielectric sphere is presented in this paper. Using the modified Watson method we transform the slowly convergent Mie series of the uniaxial dielectric sphere into a rapidly converging contour integral. The Mie series coefficients are then replaced by the geometric optics portion of the generalized Debye series for uniaxial dielectric sphere. With the aid of Debye's asymptotic formula, the contour integral is simplified and then computed using the saddle point method. A High frequency backscattering formula is proposed and the monostatic radar cross section (RCS) of a large uniaxial dielectric sphere is calculated. The results are compared with those computed using Lorentz-Mie theory.
Ecological and Evolutionary Determinants of Bark Beetle —Fungus Symbioses

Ectosymbioses among bark beetles (Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and fungi (primarily ophiostomatoid Ascomycetes) are widespread and diverse. Associations range from mutualistic to commensal, and from facultative to obligate. Some fungi are highly specific and associated only with a single beetle species, while others can be associated with many. In addition, most of these symbioses are multipartite, with the host beetle associated with two or more consistent partners. Mycangia, structures of the beetle integument that function in fungal transport, have evolved numerous times in the Scolytinae. The evolution of such complex, specialized structures indicates a high degree of mutual dependence among the beetles and their fungal partners. Unfortunately, the processes that shaped current day beetle-fungus symbioses remain poorly understood. Phylogeny, the degree and type of dependence on partners, mode of transmission of symbionts (vertical vs. horizontal), effects of the abiotic environment, and interactions among symbionts themselves or with other members of the biotic community, all play important roles in determining the composition, fidelity, and longevity of associations between beetles and their fungal associates. In this review, I provide an overview of these associations and discuss how evolution and ecological processes acted in concert to shape these fascinating, complex symbioses.
Effect of zinc stress on factors affecting iron uptake in navy bean

Abstract Both Zn and Fe stresses (deficiencies) enhance the uptake of Fe in some plant cultivars but not in others. Release of H+ from roots and reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ by roots are two factors enhanced by Fe stress. The objective of this study was to determine if these factors are enhanced more in Zn‐inefficient than Zn‐efficient cultivars. Zn‐inefficient Sanilac and Zn‐efficient Saginaw navy beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were used as test plants. Zinc‐deficiency stress enhanced the Fe‐stress‐response mechanism in both cultivars but more Fe was taken up by Sanilac than by Saginaw. Sanilac developed Zn‐deficiency symptoms, but Saginaw did not. In contrast, Zn toxicity caused Sanilac to develop Fe chlorosis, but Saginaw did not. Zinc toxicity induced Fe‐deficiency‐stress‐response in Saginaw but not in Sanilac. The additional Fe available to Saginaw counteracted some of the toxic effects of Zn. Severity and nature of stress symptoms induced by Zn deficiency or Zn toxicity depend on the plant cultivar.
Aging with French: observations from South Louisiana.

South Louisiana is home to long-established French and French-Creole speaking minorities of varied origin. This paper reports on fieldwork observation in a nursing home among whose residents were many French speakers. The research question with which this context was approached was kept deliberately wide, namely, how bilingualism might feature in the lives of participants, or what the linguistic practices and preferences of participants might be. Thus, rather than impose pre-determined analytical categories on the research situation that could be formulated into a hypothesis to be tested by quantificational means, the work reported here is an attempt to describe the participants’ practices, and perspectives on the phenomenon under investigation.
Morphological stability of disc crystals

Abstract Several phenomenological models of the solidification and subsequent morphological instability of a discshaped crystal of ice growing edgewise from pure, slightly undercooled water (≈ 0.9 C° or less) are developed. We assume that growth along the c axis of ice is virtually prohibited by slow interfacial kinetics but growth in the basal plane is controlled principally by the flow of heat. Thermal properties of solid and liquid are taken to be equal for tractability and Laplace's equation is solved to account for the nearly steady-state heat flow which is assumed to accompany growth of a completely submerged disc. This leads to an unperturbed growth rate. d R/ d t = (2πk/Lh) ΔT/ In (16 eR/h) for a disc of radius R large compared to its thickness h ; here t is the time, k is the thermal conductivity of water, L is the latent heat of fusion per unit volume, and Δ T is the undercooling of the water bath below the melting point of ice. There is no strong size effect in agreement with experiment; but, agreement in the magnitude of the growth rate requires values of h several times smaller than observed. A model which accounts for additional losses of heat to ambient air via a boundary layer yields growth rates comparable to those observed provided that sufficiently large heat transfer coefficients can be justified. For a completely submerged disc, a critical radius above which the disc shape becomes unstable is calculated from perturbation theory.
Chronic Infusion of Tritiated Thymidine into Mice with Tumors

A technique for the chronic infusion of mice is presented. Infusion of tritiated thymidine for 3 to 7 days labels most, but not all, of the cells of autochthonous breast tumors. Many of the unlabeled tumor cells are probably nonproliferating, but some may represent cells with exceptionally long intermitotic times.
Mammalian Reovirus Nonstructural Protein μNS Forms Large Inclusions and Colocalizes with Reovirus Microtubule-Associated Protein μ2 in Transfected Cells

Cells infected with mammalian orthoreoviruses contain large cytoplasmic phase-dense inclusions believed to be the sites of viral replication and assembly, but the morphogenesis, structure, and specific functions of these "viral factories" are poorly understood. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we found that reovirus nonstructural protein microNS expressed in transfected cells forms inclusions that resemble the globular viral factories formed in cells infected with reovirus strain type 3 Dearing from our laboratory (T3D(N)). In the transfected cells, the formation of microNS large globular perinuclear inclusions was dependent on the microtubule network, as demonstrated by the appearance of many smaller microNS globular inclusions dispersed throughout the cytoplasm after treatment with the microtubule-depolymerizing drug nocodazole. Coexpression of microNS and reovirus protein micro2 from a different strain, type 1 Lang (T1L), which forms filamentous viral factories, altered the distributions of both proteins. In cotransfected cells, the two proteins colocalized in thick filamentous structures. After nocodazole treatment, many small dispersed globular inclusions containing microNS and micro2 were seen, demonstrating that the microtubule network is required for the formation of the filamentous structures. When coexpressed, the micro2 protein from T3D(N) also colocalized with microNS, but in globular inclusions rather than filamentous structures. The morphology difference between the globular inclusions containing microNS and micro2 protein from T3D(N) and the filamentous structures containing microNS and micro2 protein from T1L in cotransfected cells mimicked the morphology difference between globular and filamentous factories in reovirus-infected cells, which is determined by the micro2-encoding M1 genome segment. We found that the first 40 amino acids of microNS are required for colocalization with micro2 but not for inclusion formation. Similarly, a fusion of microNS amino acids 1 to 41 to green fluorescent protein was sufficient for colocalization with the micro2 protein from T1L but not for inclusion formation. These observations suggest a functional difference between microNS and microNSC, a smaller form of the protein that is present in infected cells and that is missing amino acids from the amino terminus of microNS. The capacity of microNS to form inclusions and to colocalize with micro2 in transfected cells suggests a key role for microNS in forming viral factories in reovirus-infected cells.