cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overlapping function of Hrd1 and Ste24 in translocon quality control provides robust channel surveillance

Translocation of proteins across biological membranes is essential for life. Proteins that clog the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) translocon prevent the movement of other proteins into the ER. Eukaryotes have multiple translocon quality control (TQC) mechanisms to detect and destroy proteins that persistently engage the translocon. TQC mechanisms have been defined using a limited panel of substrates that aberrantly occupy the channel. The extent of substrate overlap among TQC pathways is unknown. In this study, we found that two TQC enzymes, the ER-associated degradation ubiquitin ligase Hrd1 and zinc metalloprotease Ste24, promote degradation of characterized translocon-associated substrates of the other enzyme in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although both enzymes contribute to substrate turnover, our results suggest a prominent role for Hrd1 in TQC. Yeast lacking both Hrd1 and Ste24 exhibit a profound growth defect, consistent with overlapping function. Remarkably, two mutations that mildly perturb post-translational translocation and reduce the extent of aberrant translocon engagement by a model substrate diminish cellular dependence on TQC enzymes. Our data reveal previously unappreciated mechanistic complexity in TQC substrate detection and suggest that a robust translocon surveillance infrastructure maintains functional and efficient translocation machinery.
Grid Forming Inverter Small Signal Stability: Examining Role of Line and Voltage Dynamics

This paper presents a small signal stability analysis of a grid-forming inverter when dynamics of transmission lines and nodal voltages are considered or neglected. Electromagnetic transients of lines are usually ignored in traditional power systems small signal stability studies due to separation of time-scales. However, the former assumption may have different implications in the case of inverter dominated power systems, and requires further study. In this paper, we perform an eigenvalue analysis of a virtual synchronous machine connected to an infinite bus under several operating conditions. This allows us to study the effect of line and voltage dynamics approximations on small signal stability. Results show that although the eigenvalues are close for different levels of approximation, the small signal stability regions could significantly differ depending on the approximation used.
Mobile Robotic Radiation Surveying With Recursive Bayesian Estimation and Attenuation Modeling

Both routine radiation surveys and incident response--as currently performed by human workers--are time-consuming and involve significant, potentially unanticipated radiation dose (especially for accident response where levels prohibit human presence entirely). Previous efforts addressed routine surveys using robotic systems, but they must also localize and characterize discrete sources when anomalies occur. To be effective, characterization must account for real-world complications, including multiple sources, environmental attenuation, spatial localization, and isotopic identification. Recursive Bayesian estimation (RBE) using grid-based estimators and particle filters has been previously investigated, but we eliminate previous open-space assumptions by including attenuation models and sensor position height in the sequential sampling strategy. The method also incorporates autonomous isotopic identification via gamma spectroscopy, which supports the attenuation modeling and improves the computational efficiency in multisource cases. In addition, survey points are autonomously optimized using the Fisher information. A radioactive decay model is implemented to generalize the method by addressing short-lived nuclides. The developed hardware is evaluated in multiple scenarios where no operator intervention is required, effectively eliminating operator dose uptake from localization/characterization in real-world scenarios. Two different mobile robots are used, demonstrating the portability of the data collection and analysis software. Also, the generalized complexity is documented to support planning in future scenarios.
Coinfection of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Nymphs With Babesia spp. (Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) and Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) in Wisconsin

Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete that causes Lyme disease, is endemic and widespread in Wisconsin. Research in the northeastern United States has revealed a positive association between Babesia microti, the main pathogen that causes babesiosis in humans, and Bo. burgdorferi in humans and in ticks. This study was conducted to examine associations between the disease agents in the Upper midwestern United States. Ixodes scapularis Say nymphs (N = 2,858) collected between 2015 and 2017 from nine locations in Wisconsin were tested for Babesia spp. and Borrelia spp. using real-time PCR. Two species of Babesia were detected; Ba. microti and Babesia odocoilei (a parasite of members of the family Cervidae). Prevalence of infection at the nine locations ranged from 0 to 13% for Ba. microti, 11 to 31% for Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto, and 5.7 to 26% for Ba. odocoilei. Coinfection of nymphs with Bo. burgdorferi and Ba. odocoilei was detected in eight of the nine locations and significant positive associations were observed in two of the eight locations. The prevalence of nymphal coinfection with both and Bo. burgdorferi and Ba. microti ranged from 0.81 to 6.5%. These two pathogens were significantly positively associated in one of the five locations where both pathogens were detected. In the other four locations, the observed prevalence of coinfection was higher than expected in all but one site-year. Clinics and healthcare providers should be aware of the association between Ba. microti and Bo. burgdorferi pathogens when treating patients who report tick bites.
Cascade of Hepatitis C Virus Care Among Patients With Substance Use Disorders.

Introduction Hepatitis C virus testing is recommended for people at high risk for infection, including those with substance use disorders. Little is known about the cascade of hepatitis C virus care (including testing, diagnosis, and treatments) among patients with substance use disorders in real-world clinical practice. This study aims to characterize the hepatitis C virus cascade of care and identify the factors associated with hepatitis C virus testing and diagnosis among Florida Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorders. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis of Florida Medicaid data (2013–2018) was conducted in 2020 for patients aged 18–64 years with newly diagnosed substance use disorders (year 2012 was used to ascertain 1-year previous enrollment). A generalized estimating equation identified the factors associated with hepatitis C virus testing; a multivariable logistic model identified the factors associated with hepatitis C virus diagnosis. Results Of the 156,770 patients with substance use disorders, 18% were tested for hepatitis C virus at least once. Among the tested patients, 8% had hepatitis C virus diagnoses. Among the 2,177 patients having a hepatitis C virus diagnosis, 11% initiated hepatitis C virus treatments, and 96% of them completed the hepatitis C virus treatments. Factors associated with being less likely to receive hepatitis C virus testing included being male (AOR=0.73, 95% CI=0.71, 0.75) and White (AOR=0.85, 95% CI=0.83, 0.87), whereas individuals who were male (AOR=1.49, 95% CI=1.35, 1.66) and White (AOR=2.71, 95% CI=2.38, 3.08) were more likely to be diagnosed with hepatitis C virus. The odds of receiving hepatitis C virus testing significantly increased annually (AOR=1.06, 95% CI=1.05, 1.07). Conclusions Future studies are warranted to investigate the barriers to access hepatitis C virus testing and treatment among Florida Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorders, especially for White male individuals.
The Sanctuary of Prosecutorial Nullification

In the aftermath of the 2016 election, the shortcomings of existing sanctuary protections came sharply into focus. Historically, cities enacted sanctuary protections to extricate their law enforcement agencies from activities related to federal immigration enforcement. In sanctuary cities, local government agencies are typically restricted from sharing information with federal immigration authorities or from cooperating in apprehending individuals targeted for removal. After the White House issued an Executive Order (EO) in late January 2017, many immigrant rights advocates recognized that external facing policies that proscribed direct cooperation would not suffice. The EO announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement would prioritize removing any undocumented person charged or convicted of a crime, no matter how serious. Recognizing the vital role state criminal courts play and would continue to play in fueling deportations, public defenders in New York City identified a new actor with the power to enact stronger protections: the prosecutor. This Article examines the role local prosecutors can play to isolate cities and states from the federal immigration enforcement regime, by describing a campaign launched days after the January 25, 2017 EO’s promulgation. The campaign offers a case study to explore the advantages of asking prosecutors to nullify low-level offenses to create broader sanctuary protections.
APOE Affects the Volume and Shape of the Amygdala and the Hippocampus in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: Age Matters

This paper examines how age intervenes in the effects of APOE ɛ4 allele on the volume and shape morphometrics of the hippocampus and the amygdala in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease. We evaluate the structural morphological differences between ɛ4 carriers and non-carriers in two age-dependent subgroups; younger than 75 years (Young-Old) and older than 80 years (Very-Old). While we show that the four structures of interest atrophy significantly in the ɛ4 carriers, relative to the non-carriers, of the Young-Old group, this effect is not observed in their Very-Old counterparts. The structures in the right hemisphere are found to be more affected by the APOE genotype than those in the left hemisphere and we identify the relevant regions in which significant atrophy occurs to be parts of the basolateral, centromedial, and lateral nucleus subregions of the amygdala and the CA1 and subiculum subregions of the hippocampus. We also observe that the APOE genotype only affects MCI patients that deteriorated to dementia within 3 years while leaving their "non-converting" counterparts unaffected.
Boostrapping, Jackknife and James-Stein estimators

In this article, the most recent results in resampling methods in regression analysis are reviewed. Different classes of estimators are studied and compared the simple "jackknife" the weighted "jackknife" variance estimator for the case of heteroscedastic errors, the variable "jackknife", and the general "bootstrap" estimator. A brief description of Stein-rule estimators in the case of pre-testing estimation then follows. As an application, it is shown how to improve on pre-testing efficiency, following a Stein-rule estimator, by applying bootstrap methods to the estimated variances.
Prosocial values and group assortation

Ninety-five freshmen each recruited three peers to play a "group bidding game," an N-person prisoner’s dilemma in which anyone could win movie tickets depending on their scores in the game. Prior to playing, all participants completed a measure of prosocial value orientation. Replicating and extending earlier findings (Sheldon and McGregor 2000), our results show that prosocial participants were at a disadvantage within groups. Despite this vulnerability, prosocial participants did no worse overall than asocial participants because a counteracting group-level advantage arose for prosocials, who tended to be concentrated in groups. Implications of this assortative process for the egoism/altruism debate, and for hierarchical selection theory, are discussed.
The phase structure of the two-dimensional N=2 Wess-Zumino model

We construct a convergent cluster expansion for the two-dimensionalN=2 Wess-Zumino model, in a region of parameter space where there are multiple phase. As a result of this expansion, we are able to construct the infinite volume field theory and demonstrate exponential decay of correlations. We are also able to investigate the different phases of the model, develop the phase diagram, and show that the free energy of each phase vanishes.
Rev. of Graphic Women: Life Narrative and Contemporary Comics, by Hillary L. Chute

In Graphic Women: Life Narrative and Contemporary Comics, Hillary L. Chute argues that feminist theories of life writing will benefit by considering the narrative strategies used in the first-perso...
Action of Bacterial Growth on the Sarcoplasmic and Urea-Soluble Proteins from Muscle I. Effects of Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella enteritidis, Achromobacter liquefaciens, Streptococcus faecalis, and Kurthia zopfii

Comparisons of the starch-gel patterns of uninoculated aseptic control samples from rabbit and pig muscle with similar samples inoculated and incubated with Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella enteritidis, Achromobacter liquefaciens, and Kurthia zopfii were made. Results indicated that C. perfringens caused extensive alteration in the proteins or enzymes, or both, of the sarcoplasmic fraction of porcine muscle, whereas S. enteritidis and S. faecalis caused complete breakdown of only myoglobin. Neither A. liquefaciens nor K. zopfii showed any measurable amount of proteolysis in the sarcoplasmic fraction from pig muscle. Although some of the bands in the starch-gel pattern of rabbit muscle decreased in size and intensity of staining, complete proteolysis of any protein fraction was absent for all test organisms. The disc-gel patterns of the 8 m urea-soluble proteins showed that C. perfringens caused extensive proteolysis in pig muscle and a lesser extent of proteolysis in rabbit muscle. None of the other organisms utilized in this study had any measurable effect upon the urea-soluble proteins. In addition, a simple procedure for aseptic isolation of muscle samples for studying meat spoilage is outlined. Results indicate that careful sanitation and cleanliness will give suitable samples for meat spoilage investigations.
Thermal fractionation of air in polar firn by seasonal temperature gradients

[1] Air withdrawn from the top 5–15 m of the polar snowpack (firn) shows anomalous enrichment of heavy gases during summer, including inert gases. Following earlier work, we ascribe this to thermal diffusion, the tendency of a gas mixture to separate in a temperature gradient, with heavier molecules migrating toward colder regions. Summer warmth creates a temperature gradient in the top few meters of the firn due to the thermal inertia of the underlying firn and causes gas fractionation by thermal diffusion. Here we explore and quantify this process further in order to (1) correct for bias caused by thermal diffusion in firn air and ice core air isotope records, (2) help calibrate a new technique for measuring temperature change in ice core gas records based on thermal diffusion [Severinghaus et al., 1998], and (3) address whether air in polar snow convects during winter and, if so, whether it creates a rectification of seasonality that could bias the ice core record. We sampled air at 2-m-depth intervals from the top 15 m of the firn at two Antarctic sites, Siple Dome and South Pole, including a winter sampling at the pole. We analyzed 15N/14N, 40Ar/36Ar, 40Ar/38Ar, 18O/16O of O2, O2/N2, 84Kr/36Ar, and 132Xe/36Ar. The results show the expected pattern of fractionation and match a gas diffusion model based on first principles to within 30%. Although absolute values of thermal diffusion sensitivities cannot be determined from the data with precision, relative values of different gas pairs may. At Siple Dome, δ40Ar/4 is 66 ± 2% as sensitive to thermal diffusion as δ15N, in agreement with laboratory calibration; δ18O/2 is 83 ± 3%, and δ84Kr/48 is 33 ± 3% as sensitive as δ15N. The corresponding figures for summer South Pole are 64 ± 2%, 81 ± 3%, and 34 ± 3%. Accounting for atmospheric change, the figure for δO2/N2/4 is 90 ± 3% at Siple Dome. Winter South Pole shows a strong depletion of heavy gases as expected. However, the data do not fit the model well in the deeper part of the profile and yield a systematic drift with depth in relative thermal diffusion sensitivities (except for Kr, constant at 34 ± 4%), suggesting the action of some other process that is not currently understood. No evidence for wintertime convection or a rectifier effect is seen.
Neuropeptidomics Mass Spectrometry Reveals Signaling Networks Generated by Distinct Protease Pathways in Human Systems

Neuropeptides regulate intercellular signaling as neurotransmitters of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and as peptide hormones in the endocrine system. Diverse neuropeptides of distinct primary sequences of various lengths, often with post-translational modifications, coordinate and integrate regulation of physiological functions. Mass spectrometry-based analysis of the diverse neuropeptide structures in neuropeptidomics research is necessary to define the full complement of neuropeptide signaling molecules. Human neuropeptidomics has notable importance in defining normal and dysfunctional neuropeptide signaling in human health and disease. Neuropeptidomics has great potential for expansion in translational research opportunities for defining neuropeptide mechanisms of human diseases, providing novel neuropeptide drug targets for drug discovery, and monitoring neuropeptides as biomarkers of drug responses. In consideration of the high impact of human neuropeptidomics for health, an observed gap in this discipline is the few published articles in human neuropeptidomics compared with, for example, human proteomics and related mass spectrometry disciplines. Focus on human neuropeptidomics will advance new knowledge of the complex neuropeptide signaling networks participating in the fine control of neuroendocrine systems. This commentary review article discusses several human neuropeptidomics accomplishments that illustrate the rapidly expanding diversity of neuropeptides generated by protease processing of pro-neuropeptide precursors occurring within the secretory vesicle proteome. Of particular interest is the finding that human-specific cathepsin V participates in producing enkephalin and likely other neuropeptides, indicating unique proteolytic mechanisms for generating human neuropeptides. The field of human neuropeptidomics has great promise to solve new mechanisms in disease conditions, leading to new drug targets and therapeutic agents for human diseases. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
Array Design and Expression Evaluation in POOMA II

POOMA is a templated C++ class library for use in the development of large-scale scientific simulations on serial and parallel computers. POOMA II is a new design and implementation of POOMA intended to add richer capabilities and greater flexibility to the framework. The new design employs a generic Array class that acts as an interface to, or view on, a wide variety of data representation objects referred to as engines. This design separates the interface and the representation of multidimensional arrays. The separation is achieved using compile-time techniques rather than virtual functions, and thus code efficiency is maintained. POOMA II uses PETE, the Portable Expression Template Engine, to efficiently represent complex mathematical expressions involving arrays and other objects. The representation of expressions is kept separate from expression evaluation, allowing the use of multiple evaluator mechanisms that can support nested where-block constructs, hardware-specific optimizations and different run-time environments.
Impact of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) procedures on surgeon stress and workload: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) may lead to higher patient satisfaction; however, SILC may expose the surgeon to increased workload. The goal of this study was to compare surgeon stress and workload between SILC and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC).
Khalfan and Zanzibar

Khalfan and Zanzibar. 2000. 25 minutes, color. film by Lina Fruzzetti. Alfred Guzzetti. and Akos Ostor. For more information, contact Filmakers Library, 124 East 40th St., New York, NY 10016; (212) 808-4980.
Maritime Security and the Law of the Sea

1. Two Fundamental Concepts 2. Passage and Military Activities 3. Law Enforcement Activities 4. Terrorism and Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction 5. Intelligence Gathering and Information Sharing 6. Armed Conflict and Naval Warfare: Shifting Legal Regimes 7. International Law of Maritime Security - A Synopsis and Proposal for Change
Re-examining Religiosity as a Protective Factor: Comparing Alcohol Use by Self-Identified Religious, Spiritual, and Secular College Students

Religiosity has been found to be associated with lower alcohol use by college students. The majority of studies on this topic, however, fail to differentiate religiosity and spirituality. This is potentially problematic due to the changing face of religion in America today. A study was conducted to explore similarities and differences between self-identified religious and spiritual college students. A modified version of the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey was administered online with a sample of 2,312 students. As hypothesized, self-identified religious and spiritual students differed significantly on key variables related to religious practices, alcohol consumption, and postmodern social values.
Surfactant-assisted processing of carbon nanotube/polymer composites

Interfacial interaction is one of the most critical issues in carbon nanotube/polymer composites. In this paper the role of nonionic surfactant is investigated. With the surfactant as the processing aid, the addition of only 1 wt % carbon nanotubes in the composite increases the glass transition temperature from 63 °C to 88 °C. The elastic modulus is also increased by more than 30%. In contrast, the addition of carbon nanotubes without the surfactant only has moderate effects on the glass transition temperature and on the mechanical properties. This work points to the pathways to improve dispersion and to modify interfacial bonding in carbon nanotube/polymer composites.
Filtered Rayleigh scattering measurements in supersonic/hypersonic facilities

Preliminary measurements are presented of flow field properties in Mach 3 and Mach 5 flows using filtered Rayleigh scattering. Filter properties have been characterized by high resolution spectroscopy in order to optimize the selection of laser frequency and filter operating conditions, as well as for the development of an accurate filter modeling program. An optimized filter is used the background suppression feature of this technique to image the boundary layer structure in a Mach 3 high Reynolds number facility and the shock structure in a Mach 5 overexpanded jet. This had been achieved using a visible laser source. By frequency scanning the laser, time-averaged velocity measurements in the Mach 3 and Mach 5 flows are made. Data acquisition at 10 torr and below indicates that this approach can be extrapolated for use in hypersonic flow facilities and is applicable as an in-flight optical air data device for hypersonic vehicles.
Screening the Cucumber Germplasm Collection for Fruit Yield and Quality

Yield of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in the United States has not been significantly increased during the last two decades. Our objective was to evaluate the USDA cucumber germplasm collection for fruit yield and quality. All cucumber plant introduction accessions from the USDA National Plant Germplasm System collection plus check cultivars and breeding lines (hereafter collectively referred to as cultigens) were evaluated for early, total, and marketable yield (number and weight), fruit quality rating, and days to harvest in small plots harvested once. All plants were treated with ethephon (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid) to make them gynoecious. Highly significant differences were observed among cultigens for all traits evaluated in the study. Pickling type cultigens with the highest yield (fruit weight) were PI 209065, PI 326598, PI 137848, PI 285610, and PI 264666. Slicing type cultigens with the highest yield were PI 234517, PI 118279, PI 304085, and PI 512614. Beit Alpha type cultigens with the highest yield were PI 167050, PI 163213, PI 532519, PI 211978, PI 357864, PI 183231, and PI 211117. Trellis type cultigens with the highest yield were PI 264228, PI 478366, PI 390262, PI 532524, PI 390267, and PI 532520. The USDA collection also exhibited a wide range in diversity for marketable fruit number, fruit weight, percentage of culled fruit at harvest, fruit quality, and days to harvest. High yielding cultigens identified in the study could be used to develop high yielding cultivars.
Soft-x-ray magnetic circular dichroism on a paramagnetic two-iron system.

The sign of the x-ray magnetic circular dichroism signal has in general been used to determine the magnetic coupling between ions with different oxidation states or different elements. We have investigated the coupling between two distorted-tetrahedral-coordinated irons with two different oxidation states in a dinuclear cluster. The two iron atoms are antiferromagnetically coupled and because of a strong chemical shift between the two oxidation states one would expect to see an up-down effect in the magnetic circular dichroism signal at the iron ${\mathit{L}}_{3}$ edge. We observe an only positive effect, which is inconsistent with a strong antiferromagnetic coupling. We can explain the results by taking the individual zero-field splittings of both iron atoms into account. This study uses magnetic circular dichroism in the soft-x-ray range to study the magnetic coupling between transition-metal sites in paramagnetic clusters, and although still limited by low count rates it shows the potential and subtleties of this technique. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Best Practice Recommendations for Designing and Implementing Experimental Vignette Methodology Studies

We describe experimental vignette methodology (EVM) as a way to address the dilemma of conducting experimental research that results in high levels of confidence regarding internal validity but is challenged by threats to external validity versus conducting nonexperimental research that usually maximizes external validity but whose conclusions are ambiguous regarding causal relationships. EVM studies consist of presenting participants with carefully constructed and realistic scenarios to assess dependent variables including intentions, attitudes, and behaviors, thereby enhancing experimental realism and also allowing researchers to manipulate and control independent variables. We describe two major types of EVM aimed at assessing explicit (i.e., paper people studies) and implicit (i.e., policy capturing and conjoint analysis) processes and outcomes. We offer best practice recommendations regarding the design and implementation of EVM studies based on a multidisciplinary literature review, discuss substant...
The influence of self-concept on adherence to recommended health regimens in adults with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle behaviors are the largest contributors to health status. Healthy People 2010 objectives identify that a better understanding of the determinants of adherence to health regimens is needed. Psychological influences on adherence behaviors have not been fully explored in individuals with heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVE: This study sought to gain understanding of the influence of self-concept on adherence to prescribed regimens in individuals with HF. Roy's Self-concept Mode Theory was used to examine the relationships between components of self-concept to recommended health regimens in individuals with HF. The study also examined the extent to which aspects of self-concept cognitive perception of health regimens might predict adherence to health regimens. METHODS: A convenience sample of 97 adults diagnosed with HF was collected from 2 large HF clinics. Three instruments were pilot tested for validity and reliability. Alpha coefficients ranged from .46 on the Adherence Questionnaire to .84 on the Cognitive Perception of Cardiovascular Healthy Lifestyles instrument. RESULTS: Overall subjects were more challenged than threatened by health regimens and reported high adherence to medications and diet. Inverse relationships were found between adherence and threat to body sensation, self-ideal, body sensation, and self-consistency. Overall threat to self-concept accounted for 12% of the variance in adherence. Threat to body image accounted for 14% of the variance in adherence. Positive relationships were found between adherence and challenge to body sensation, body image, self-consistency, self-ideal, and moral-ethical-spiritual self. Overall challenge to self-concept accounted for 13% of the variance in adherence. Challenge to moral-ethical-spiritual self accounted for 10.8% of the variance, and the combination of challenge moral-ethical-spiritual self and body image accounted for 14.5% of the variance in adherence. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of recommended treatment regimens depends on how well clients adhere to them. Nurses need to identify methods that support feelings of challenge to body sensation, body image, self-consistency, self-ideal, and moral-ethical-spiritual self and minimize threat to body sensation, self-ideal, body sensation, and self-consistency to enhance adherence to health regimens in individuals with HF.
Diffusion in a linear lattice with correlated random rates satisfying detailed balance

Exact expressions for the diffusion constant and nonlinear current are obtained in a nearest-neighbor-hopping linear lattice when the random rates are correlated by detailed balance, allowing for arbitrary spatial correlation between random well depths and barrier heights. Also, the coefficient of the ${t}^{1/2}$ term for the long-time expansion of the variance 〈${x}^{2}$〉 is calculated. The results agree well with computer simulations.
Estrogenic activity of herbs commonly used as remedies for menopausal symptoms.

AbstractObjectiveWomen are increasingly turning to herbal therapies in an effort to manage their menopausal symptoms. In this study, we investigate the estrogenic activity of four selected herbs commonly used in menopause, namely dong quai, ginseng, black cohosh, and licorice root.DesignWe investiga
HYPOGLYCEMIC VAGAL STIMULATION AND THE INTESTINAL PHASE OF GASTRIC SECRETION.

Summary Vagal stimulation secondary to insulin-induced hypoglycemia does not appear to release the hormone mediating the intestinal phase of gastric secretion. The absence of the “late,” secondary increase in the output of acid from Heidenhain pouches in these animals, which have neither gastric antrum nor vagally innervated gastric corpus, suggests that the intact stomach plays an etiologic role in this phenomenon when it occurs.
The NO/cGMP pathway and the development of neural networks in postembryonic lobsters

The nitric oxide/cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) signaling pathway has been implicated in certain forms of developmental and adult neuronal plasticity. Here we use whole-mount immunocytochemistry to identify components of this pathway in the nervous system of postembryonic lobsters as they develop through metamorphosis. We find that the synthetic enzyme for NO (nitric oxide synthase, or NOS) and the receptor for this transmitter (NO-sensitive soluble guanylate cyclase) are broadly distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) at hatching. In the brain, NOS immunoreactivity is intensified during glomerular development in the olfactory and accessory lobes. Whereas only a few neurons express NOS in the CNS, many more neurons synthesize cGMP in the presence of NO. NO-sensitive guanylate cyclase activity is a stable feature of some cells, while in others it is regulated during development. In the stomatogastric nervous system, a subset of neurons become responsive to NO at metamorphosis, a time when larval networks are reorganized into adult motor circuits. cGMP accumulation was occasionally detected in the nucleus of many cells in the CNS, which suggests that cGMP may have a role in transcription. Based on these findings, we conclude that the NO/cGMP signaling pathway may participate in the development of the lobster nervous system. Furthermore, NO may serve as a modulatory neurotransmitter for diverse neurons throughout the CNS.
High- and low-alcohol-preferring mice show differences in conditioned taste aversion to alcohol.

Background: Genetic differences in sensitivity to the aversive effects of alcohol may contribute to alcohol drinking behavior. The present study examined the development of conditioned taste aversion (CTA) to various doses of alcohol in two pairs of mouse lines selectively bred for high (HAP) and low (LAP) alcohol preference. Methods: Alcohol-naive, male and female HAP and LAP mice from both replicate 1 (HAP n= 29; LAP n= 28) and replicate 2 (HAP n= 34; LAP n= 35) were adapted to a 2-hr per day water restriction regimen. During five conditioning trials at 48 hr intervals, mice received an intraperitoneal injection of saline or 2 g/kg or 4 g/kg alcohol immediately following 1 hr of access to a 0.20 M NaCl solution. Results: LAP mice of both replicates showed a significantly greater magnitude of CTA to both 2 g/kg and 4 g/kg alcohol compared with HAP mice of both replicates. There were no line differences in consumption of the NaCl solution in the saline control groups. Conclusions: These data suggest that mice selectively bred for low alcohol preference are more sensitive to the development of alcohol CTA than mice selectively bred for high alcohol preference. The present findings indicate that common genes mediate both alcohol preference and the aversive effects of alcohol as measured in the CTA paradigm.
Sirt1 is involved in energy metabolism: the role of chronic ethanol feeding and resveratrol.

Sirt1, a deacetylase involved in regulating energy metabolism in response to calorie restriction, is up regulated after chronic ethanol feeding using the intragastric feeding model of alcohol liver disease. PGC1α is also up regulated in response to ethanol. These changes are consistent with activation of the Sirt1/PGC1α pathway of metabolism and aging, involved in alcohol liver disease including steatosis, necrosis and fibrosis of the liver. To test this hypothesis, male rats fed ethanol intragastrically for 1 month were compared with rats fed ethanol plus resveratrol or naringin. Liver histology showed macrovesicular steatosis caused by ethanol and this change was unchanged by resveratrol or naringin treatment. Necrosis occurred with ethanol alone but was accentuated by resveratrol treatment, as was fibrosis. The expression of Sirt1 and PGC1α was increased by ethanol but not when naringin or resveratrol was fed with ethanol. Sirt3 was also up regulated by ethanol but not when resveratrol was fed with ethanol. These results support the concept that ethanol induces the Sirt1/PGC1α pathway of gene regulation and both naringin and resveratrol prevent the activation of this pathway by ethanol. However, resveratrol did not reduce the liver pathology caused by chronic ethanol feeding.
Immunologic outcomes of antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected Nigerian children and its association with early infant feeding and nutritional status at treatment initiation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate immunologic response to antiretroviral treatment (ART) among HIV-infected Nigerian children ( /= 25% at the 12-month follow-up. Linear random effects models were used to model the longitudinal change in CD4%. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in CD4% for all children from 13.8% at baseline to 28.5% after 12 months (DeltaCD4% = 14.7% 95% confidence interval: 12.1%-17.4%). There was no association of feeding pattern with immunologic outcomes. In adjusted analyses children who were underweight (weight-for-age /= 25% at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Baseline nutritional status and CD4% were independently associated with failure to reach CD4% >/= 25% at 12 months among HIV-infected Nigerian children on ART. These results emphasize the importance of early screening and initiation of ART among children in resource-poor settings before malnutrition and severe immunosuppression sets in.
Resident Assistant and College Students' Perceptions of Alcohol Use

Resident assistants (RAs) are often involved in prevention efforts addressing the problem of college drinking. This project investigated the perceptions that 60 RAs and 662 college students have of each other's drinking and attitudes towards alcohol use. Students' self-reported frequency, quantity, and binge drinking levels were all significantly higher than their friends, students on campus, and RAs. RA perceptions of general student drinking were not significantly different than the self-reported use of students. Perceptions of RA alcohol use were significantly related to the students' self-reported drinking. Findings recommend the incorporation of RAs in social norms interventions for students.
Penning electron spectroscopy at very high kinetic energies: He*(Ne*) + Xe → He(Ne) + Xe+ + e− and He* + Ar → He + Ar+ + e−

Abstract Electron energy spectra from the ionization of Xe by fast (ca. 10-100 eV) He and Ne metastables and Ar by He metastables have been measured and are compared with the corresponding thermal (ca. 0.1 eV) results.
Sparse sampling of non-stationary signal for radar signal processing

Estimating the spectrogram of non-stationary signal relates to many important applications in radar signal processing. In recent years, coprime sampling and array attract attention for their potential of sparse sensing with derivative to estimate autocorrelation coefficients with all lags, which could in turn calculate the power spectrum density. But this theoretical merit is based on the premise that the input signals are wide-sense stationary. In this paper, we take the first step to design coprime sampling algorithm using with non-stationary signal and discuss how to attain the benefits of coprime sampling meanwhile limiting the disadvantages due to lack of observations for estimations.
Mucosal surface area determines the middle ear pressure response following establishment of sniff-induced underpressures.

Introduction: Miura and colleagues presented data that they interpreted as evidencing a pressure-regulating function of the mastoid mucosa. Specifically, they reported different responses after sniff-induced middle ear (ME) underpressure for ears with and without a history of otitis media with effusion (OME). To understand the mechanism underlying that effect, a previously developed mathematical model was adapted to their experiment and used to simulate the expected pressure-time functions under different conditions. Methods: A simple, two-compartment model of passive, gradient-driven, trans-mucosal gas exchange was used to simulate ME pressure behaviour. Initial conditions for the free parameters of the model were taken from published data for humans and monkeys. Functions relating surface area to volume for geometric representations of the ME were constructed and used as model parameters. The effect of sniffing on ME gas partial pressure was modelled as a fractional reduction proportional to gas represe...
An experimental study of serial and average cost pricing mechanisms

Abstract This paper reports the first experimental study of the serial and the average cost pricing mechanisms under five different treatments: a complete information treatment and four treatments designed to simulate distributed systems with extremely limited information, synchronous and asynchronous moves. Although the proportion of Nash equilibrium play under both mechanisms is statistically indistinguishable under complete information, the serial mechanism performs robustly better than the average cost pricing mechanism in distributed systems, both in terms of the proportion of equilibrium play and system efficiency.
Effect of disease states on theophylline serum concentrations : are we still vigilant?

The use of theophylline has decreased over the past decade because of concerns over the risks of serious adverse effects as well as availability of more effective, safer drugs. Because of this decline in use, some clinicians may not be alert to the marked effect of some disease states on theophylline serum concentrations. The purpose of this review is to heighten awareness of the effect of decompensated heart failure, cor pulmonale, hepatic dysfunction, thyroid disease, and febrile illness on theophylline serum concentrations. Because many patients receive some benefit from this drug, safe use by clinicians requires closer monitoring of serum concentrations in patients with factors that alter theophylline clearance, including several disease states.
The learning curve for EUS-guided FNA of pancreatic cancer

Abstract Background EUS-guided FNA is an effective and safe method for tissue diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. However, EUS-guided FNA is technically challenging and requires special training. The number of cases required to become proficient and the technical steps required to achieve proficiency are unknown. Methods The first 57 EUS-guided FNAs of pancreatic masses by a trained endosonographer were analyzed retrospectively. For 50 masses, the histopathologic diagnosis ultimately was cancer. The sensitivity for the EUS-guided FNA diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was compared in quintiles of 10 procedures. Results Sensitivity for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer from first to last quintile were, respectively, 50%, 40%, 70%, 90%, and 80%. There was a significant increase in sensitivity for the first 30 cases after improvement in specific technical skills: shortening of echoendoscope position, scrupulous maintenance of the US view of the needle tip at all times, swift jabbing punctures, sampling multiple areas of the mass in each pass, and performing more than 10 "jiggles" per needle pass. Sensitivity for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer was greater than 80% for the last 20 of the 57 cases, a level that was maintained for cases 51 through 80. Conclusions The current American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline of 25 supervised EUS-FNA procedures for the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is reasonable.
2-Deoxyglucose uptake in the cat spinal cord during sustained and habituated activity in the plantar cushion reflex pathway.

[14C]2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) was administered intravenously to anesthetized cats during electrical stimulation of the plantar cushion (central foot pad). Afferent volleys and the efferent reflex were monitored by recording from the tibial nerve at the ankle. Plantar cushion stimulation at 3 HZ, 5 × threshold for 45 minutes led to a discrete region of increased 2-DG uptake dorsomedially in the dorsal horn, predominantly in Rexed's laminae III and IV, ipsilateral to the stimulation. A less marked increase in labeling was also sometimes observed in the medial portion of lamina V. No labeling specific to stimulation was observed in the ventral horns. A control preparation, to determine the effects of surgical manipulations alone, confirmed that the labeling was indeed specific to the plantar cushion stimulation. A pattern of labeling identical to that seen during 3 Hz, 5 × threshold stimulation occurred when 2-DG was administered during 10 Hz, 5 × threshold stimulation, after the reflex elicited by plantar cushion stimulation had completely habituated. The most straightforward interpretation of our results suggests that the increases in 2-DG labeling produced by stimulation of the plantar cushion probably occurred in regions with heavy concentrations of axon collaterals of the primary afferent Aαβ fibers from the plantar cushion, at or near their sites of termination in the dorsal horn.
Power-penalty comparison of push-pull and traveling-wave electrode Silicon Mach-Zehnder modulators

Power-penalty measurements on two Si Mach-Zehnder modulator designs, each compatible with standard CMOS processing, were performed. The results highlight the power penalty and bandwidth advantages of the traveling-wave electrode design over a push-pull single-electrode design.
Chopart Fractures and Dislocations

Fractures and dislocations of the midfoot and Chopart complex are among the most difficult foot injuries to manage. The treating surgeon is faced with a wide array of treatment challenges. Plain radiographs often grossly underestimate the extent of injury. The anatomy in this region of the foot is quite intricate with numerous articulations. Fractures can occur in isolation or as part of a more complex injury pattern. Misdiagnosis and under treatment can lead to severe alterations of both normal anatomy and function. This article discusses the rationales and techniques for treating these difficult injuries.
Evolution of Static Physical Properties in Plutonium by Self-irradiation Damage

The alpha-decay of plutonium leads to the age-related change in physical properties. This paper presents updated results of age-related effects on enriched and reference alloys measured from immersion density, dilatometry, and mechanical tests. After nearly 100 equivalent years of aging, both the immersion density and dilatometry show that the enriched alloys are decreasing in density by less than 0.02% per year and now exhibit a near linear density decrease, without void swelling. The tensile tests show that the aging process increases the strength of plutonium alloys, followed by possible saturation past 70 equivalent years of age. The ultimate goal of this work is to develop capabilities to predict physical properties changed by aging effects.
Simulation-driven metamodeling of complex systems using neural networks

Simulation of large complex systems for the purpose of evaluating performance and exploring alternatives is a computationally slow process, currently still out of the domain of real-time applications. To overcome this limitation, one approach is to obtain a metamodel of the system, i.e., a surrogate model which is computationally much faster than the simulator and yet is just as accurate. We describe the use of Neural Networks (NN) as metamodeling devices which may be trained to mimic the input-output behavior of a simulation model. In the case of Discrete Event System (DES) models, the process of collecting the simulation data needed to obtain a metamodel can also be significantly enhanced through Concurrent Estimation techniques which enable the extraction of information from a single simulation that would otherwise require multiple repeated simulations. We will present applications of two benchmark problems in the C 3 I domain: A tactical electronic reconnaissance model describing the flight of a reconnaissance aircraft carrying a bearing angle measuring sensor over a radar field in order to detect ground-based radar sites; and an aircraft refueling and maintenance system as a component of a typical Air Tasking Order (ATO). A comparative analysis with alternative metamodeling approaches indicates that a NN captures significant nonlinearities in the behavior of complex systems that may otherwise not be accurately modeled.