cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the angle of taper of maxillary central incisors, maxillary dental arch, and skull

1 n the selection of teeth for complete dentures, dentists are concerned with the labial outline form of the anterior teeth and with their geometric harmony with the face. A popular tooth-selection system still upholds the idea of harmony of tooth and face forms in square, tapering, and ovoid patterns and their combinations. It is impossible to accurately compare irregular forms such as teeth and faces. However, one may use comparisons of separate single descriptions such as height, width, surface area, and angle of taper. Measurements of width and height of anterior teeth have been correlated with those of the face.l+ Yet, one of the more obvious aspects of morphology, the angle of taper, has not been measured directly by dentists. Goose* calculated the angle of taper of incisors from measurements of height and width. A method of comparing the measured angle of taper of the maxillary central incisors, the maxillary dental arch, and the skull was devised.
TMI, the microwave radiometer for the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission

The Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) satellite will carry with it a microwave radiometer called TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI). It is a five frequency, nine channel conical scanning microwave radiometer, operating at the frequencies of 10.65, 19.35, 21.3, 37.0, and 85.5 GHz. Each frequencies has both vertical and horizontal polarizations, except the 21.3 GHz channel, which has vertical polarization only. The TMI and a companion Precipitation Radar (PR) will provide the primary rainfall measurement capability of TRMM. A description of the TMI instrument will be given, its design features, mode of operation, and projected performance will be discussed.
How to be an Anti-Reductionist about Developmental Biology: Response to Laubichler and Wagner

Alexander Rosenberg recently claimed (1997) that developmental biology is currently being reduced to molecular biology. cite several concrete biological examples that are intended to impugn Rosenberg's claim. I first argue that although Laubichler and Wagner's examples would refute a very strong reductionism, a more moderate reductionism would escape their attacks. Next, taking my cue from the antireductionist's perennial stress on the importance of spatial organization, I describe one form an empirical finding that refutes this moderate reductionism would take. Finally, I point out an actual example, anterior-posterior axis determination in the chick, that challenges the reductionist's belief that all developmental regularities can be explained by molecular biology. In short, I argue that Rosenberg's position can be saved from Laubichler and Wagner's criticisms and putative counter-examples, but it would not survive a different kind of counter-example.
Constraint simulation of nonlinear mechanical systems

A construction is developed by which solutions to nonlinear ordinary differential equations can be viewed as simulated by those of higher-order Ostrogradsky systems.
Why don't girls misbehave more than boys in school?

Reviewing research on sex differences in school misbehavior and delinquency, the author speculates on six possible reasons why girls appear to misbehave less than boys despite the fact that girls are characterized by more personal problems during adolescence. Several reasons including the possibility that girls' misbehavior is inaccurately reported are rejected as insufficient to account for the discrepancy between boys' and girls' misbehavior. On the basis of existing evidence, the author concludes that a combination of personal characteristics (i.e., high need for affiliation and low aggressiveness) and external pressures (parental and teacher expectations and attitudes) function to inhibit misbehavior in girls. Some indications that the situation is changing are reported.
Driving and protection of high side NMOS power switches

In order to meet the driving requirements of monolithic NMOS high side switches in applications that have to work over wide supply voltage ranges (5 to 40 V), it was necessary to develop a charge pump that could generate the overdrive voltage for this supply range. A further limitation was that the operating voltage of the internal devices could not be exceeded. The author describes the design of a full wave voltage tripler charge pump, for driving high side NMOS switches, that can operate with supply voltage variations from 5 to 50 V. The power switch must also be protected from external as well as internal voltages. The protection circuits, which are necessary to ensure that the working voltage of the control devices and power switch are not exceeded, particularly when working into inductive loads and against supply line transients, are described. >
Fault-Tolerant Sensor Coverage for Achieving Wanted Coverage Lifetime with Minimum Cost

We study how to select and arrange multiple types of wireless sensors to build a star network that meets the coverage, the lifetime, the fault-tolerance, and the minimum-cost requirements, where the network lifetime, the acceptable failure probability of the network, and the failure rate of each type of sensors are given as parameters. This problem is NP-hard. We model this problem as an integer linear programming minimization problem. We then present an efficient approximation algorithm to find a feasible solution to the problem, which provides a sensor arrangement and a scheduling. We show that, through numerical experiments, our approximation provides solutions with approximation ratios less than 1.4.
Oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions of Notch in cancer: it’s NOTCH what you think

Notch signaling is often considered a model hematopoietic proto-oncogene because of its role as the main trigger of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Although its role in T-ALL is well characterized and further supported by a high frequency of activating NOTCH1 mutations in T-ALL patients, it still remains an open question whether the effects of Notch signaling are causative in other types of cancer, including solid tumors. Growing evidence supported by recent studies unexpectedly shows that Notch signaling can also have a potent tumor suppressor function in both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. We discuss the intriguing possibility that the pleiotropic functions of Notch can be tumor suppressive or oncogenic depending on the cellular context.
Optimal obstacle avoidance based on the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation

This paper presents a method for generating shortest paths in cluttered environments, based on the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation. Formulating the shortest obstacle avoidance problem as a time optimal control problem, the shortest paths are generated by following the negative gradient of the return function, which satisfies the HJB equation. A method to generate near-optimal paths is also presented, based on a psuedo return function. Paths generated by this method are guaranteed to reach the goal, at which the psuedo return function is shown to have a unique minimum. The computation required to generate the near-optimal paths is substantially lower than those of traditional potential field methods, making it applicable to on-line obstacle avoidance. Examples with circular obstacles demonstrate close correlation between the near-optimal and optimal paths, and the advantages of the proposed approach over traditional potential field methods. >
The Background of Modern Historical Study of Christianity

At the midpoint of the nineteenth century, the historical reconstruction of Christianity which had been made by Baur had come to dominate critical scholarship in the form popularized by the Tuibingen school generally. In Germany Zeller, Schwegler, Hausrath, K6stlin, Volkmar and Hilgenfeld were the distinguished heirs of Baur's views. His representative in Holland was Scholten. In French criticism Baur's influence was felt in the work of Colani, Scherer, and Havet. In Great Britain, Samuel Davidson expounded Tuibingen criticism, which was also to be found in the anonymous work later acknowledged by W. R. Cassels.' Indeed the Tiibingen theology was reflected, although in a considerably modified form, in the work of Holsten and Pfleiderer long after the direct influence of the school had waned.
Associations between Prenatal Exposure to Black Carbon and Memory Domains in Urban Children: Modification by Sex and Prenatal Stress.

Background Whether fetal neurodevelopment is disrupted by traffic-related air pollution is uncertain. Animal studies suggest that chemical and non-chemical stressors interact to impact neurodevelopment, and that this association is further modified by sex. Objectives To examine associations between prenatal traffic-related black carbon exposure, prenatal stress, and sex with children’s memory and learning. Methods Analyses included N = 258 mother-child dyads enrolled in a Boston, Massachusetts pregnancy cohort. Black carbon exposure was estimated using a validated spatiotemporal land-use regression model. Prenatal stress was measured using the Crisis in Family Systems-Revised survey of negative life events. The Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML2) was administered at age 6 years; outcomes included the General Memory Index and its component indices [Verbal, Visual, and Attention Concentration]. Relationships between black carbon and WRAML2 index scores were examined using multivariable-adjusted linear regression including effect modification by stress and sex. Results Mothers were primarily minorities (60% Hispanic, 26% Black); 67% had ≤12 years of education. The main effect for black carbon was not significant for any WRAML2 index; however, in stratified analyses, among boys with high exposure to prenatal stress, Attention Concentration Index scores were on average 9.5 points lower for those with high compared to low prenatal black carbon exposure (P3-way interaction = 0.04). Conclusion The associations between prenatal exposure to black carbon and stress with children’s memory scores were stronger in boys than in girls. Studies assessing complex interactions may more fully characterize health risks and, in particular, identify vulnerable subgroups.
Nucleotide sequence analysis and serologic characterization of the Mycobacterium intracellulare homologue of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 19 kDa antigen.

Summary Disseminated Mycobacterium avium/Mycobacterium intracellulare complex (MAC) disease is a frequent complication in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In this report, we present the nucleotide sequence of the M. intracellulare MI22 gene. Computer sequence comparisons reveal that the MI22 gene, which encodes a serologically active protein, has 78% DNA sequence identity and 77% protein sequence identity with the seroreactive 19 kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipoprotein antigen. Southern blot hybridizations indicate that an MI22 gene probe binds similar—-sized restriction fragments in M. tuberculosis and M. intracellulare genomic DNA. In addition, immunoblot analyses demonstrate that MI22 is recognized by sera from tuberculosis patients. These data further support the existence of 19 kDa MAC and M. tuberculosis protein homologues. Phase partitioning experiments and the presence of a consensus lipid modification site in the deduced MI22 protein sequence strongly suggest that MI22 is also a lipoprotein. Comparative analyses of these mycobacterial antigenic homologues may provide the basis for the design of species-specific diagnostic reagents.
Chromosome 14 translocation in african and north american burkitt's lymphoma

Two established North American Burkitt lymphoma cell lines were studied by chromosomal banding techniques. The SU-AmB-1 line previously shown to be negative for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was found to have, among other changes, a translocation from the long arm (q) of chromosome 8 onto 14q. The SU-AmB-2 line, which contains the EBV genome, also displayed the same 8/14 translocation. These results were compared with data from three EBV-positive tumor cell lines derived from patients with African Burkitt's lymphoma. Our findings indicate that a translocation from 8q onto 14q occurs in both African and North American Burkitt lymphomas, and that this abnormality apparently is not related directly to EBV. This chromosome translocation therefore may be an important event in the development of human lymphocytic malignancy, analogous to the occurrence of the Philadelphia chromosome rearrangement in chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Ice Loads on Azimuthing Podded Propulsors

The paper describes the experimental setup and presents some of the results obtained. The experimental system is designed and built to measure the loads on the blade, on the propeller shaft bearings, on the shaft, and on the whole propulsion unit (global loads). Experiments have been conducted at various headings form 0° to 180°, thrust directions (aft or forward), and advance coefficients. In the experiments, ice sheets of 60 mm thickness were used. Target flexural strength of the ice sheets was 60 kPa at the start of the experiments. During the course of the experiments, thickness, flexural, compressive and shear strength values of the ice sheets were sampled at certain time intervals in order to record the variations in the ice properties. Initial results suggest that there was an increase of the loads exerted on the podded system due to ice. The increase varies at different azimuth angles and advance velocities.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Stages of Development in the Life of an Academic Interdisciplinary Team in Geriatrics

Abstract An interdisciplinary faculty group was established to guide and administer the Hunter/Mount Sinai Geriatric Education Center whose purpose was to educate health care professionals in interdisciplinary geriatric care. Background on interdisciplinary teams is presented and the eleven-year history of this academic team is described. Erikson's developmental model, with its progression of crises which must be resolved at successive stages of development, is used as a framework for outlining the team's life span. Team behaviors, relevant incidents, and outcomes of the team's development are discussed. This reminiscence of this team's experiences is offered as a legacy for others who work to develop the interdisciplinary team approach.
IEEE Software--2007 and Beyond

The new editor in chief reviews Software's goals, target audience, future content, and new board appointments. He also thanks the outgoing editor in chief, Warren Harrison, for his four years of invaluable service, and the other board members who are retiring.
Discrete‐Time nonlinear control of processes with actuator saturation

This note presents discrete-time nonlinear model-based control laws for multivariable processes with actuator saturation. This work is a continuation of the nonlinear controller synthesis results for unconstrained processes (Soroush and Kravaris, 1996). The control laws presented in this note are input-output linearizing in the absence of input constraints, can provide significant improvement in control quality in the presence of active input constraints, and are model-predictive in the sense that they are exact solutions to a moving-horizon optimization problem. The connections between the derived control laws and (a) model state feedback control (Coulibaly et al., 1995) and (b) modified internal model control (IMC) (Zheng et al., 1994) are explained briefly. This note begins with a description of the scope of the work. Dynamic control laws are derived first for processes with full state measurements and then for processes with incomplete state measurements. The application and performance of one of the nonlinear control laws are demonstrated by a chemical reactor example.
Thrombospondin-1 silencing down-regulates integrin expression levels in human anaplastic thyroid cancer cells with BRAF V600E : new insights in the host tissue adaptation and homeostasis of tumor microenvironment

Background and Rationale: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is characterized by pleomorphic cells, has a poor prognosis, is highly devastating disease, and is not curable. No reliable biomarkers of metastatic potential, helpful for early diagnosis of ATC and therapeutic response have been found yet. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) plays a fundamental role in cancer progression by regulating cell stromal cross talk in the tumor microenvironment. Goals: Our goal was to understand whether TSP-1 could affect protein levels of its integrin receptors (e.g. ITGα3, α6, and β1) and cell morphology in BRAFV600E-ATC cells in vitro and in vivo. Experimental design: ATC-derived cell cultures and western blotting were used to assess integrin protein expression upon TSP-1 silencing. Immunohistochemistry was performed on orthotopic primary human ATC and metastatic ATC in lung tissue to compare TSP-1 and integrin protein expression levels. Results: TSP-1 knockdown down-regulates ITGα3, α6, and β1 in BRAFV600E-human ATC cells. BRAFV600E-ATC cells with TSP-1 knockdown were rounded compared to control cells, which displayed a spread morphology. TSP-1 knock-down also reduced TSP-1, ITGα3, α6, and β1 protein expression levels in vivo in the ATC microenvironment, which is enriched in stromal and inflammatory cells. Conclusions: TSP-1 silencing causes changes in ITG levels and ATC cell morphology. The assessment of TSP-1 and ITG levels might contribute to earlier metastatic potential of BRAFV600E-positive aggressive thyroid cancers, and allow improved patient selection for clinical trials.
Healthy People A 2020 Vision for the Social Determinants Approach

For the past three decades, the Healthy People initiative has represented an ambitious yet achievable health promotion and disease prevention agenda for the nation. The recently released fourth version—Healthy People 2020—builds on the foundations of prior iterations while newly embracing and elevating a comprehensive “social determinants” perspective. By clearly articulating a new overarching goal to “create social and physical environments that promote good health for all” and a new topic area dedicated to defining the social determinants of health approach, it breaks new ground. Specifically, the 2020 plan emphasizes the need to consider factors such as poverty, education, and numerous aspects of the social structure that not only influence the health of populations but also limit the ability of many to achieve health equity. Improving health is too multifaceted to be left to those working in the health sector alone. Using a social determinants approach can reframe the way the public, policy makers, and the private sector think about achieving and sustaining health. This article describes why such a social determinants approach can enhance our collective efforts to improve population health. This is achieved by defining the context for this new perspective, the process by which the Healthy People 2020 goals and objectives were developed, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Adding this broad, social determinants perspective and vision for shared societal responsibility for change leaves Healthy People 2020 poised to promote a stronger legacy for a healthier nation and reaffirm a unity of purpose for the future.
Algebraic Structures and Algorithms for Matching and Matroid Problems

We present new algebraic approaches for several wellknown combinatorial problems, including non-bipartite matching, matroid intersection, and some of their generalizations. Our work yields new randomized algorithms that are the most efficient known. For non-bipartite matching, we obtain a simple, purely algebraic algorithm with running time O(n^\omega ) where n is the number of vertices and \omega is the matrix multiplication exponent. This resolves the central open problem of Mucha and Sankowski (2004). For matroid intersection, our algorithm has running time O(nr^{\omega -1} ) for matroids with n elements and rank r that satisfy some natural conditions. This algorithm is based on new algebraic results characterizing the size of a maximum intersection in contracted matroids. Furthermore, the running time of this algorithm is essentially optimal.
Upward Influence in Contemporary Chinese Organizations: Explicating the Effects of Influence Goal Type and Multiple Goal Importance on Message Reasoning and Politeness:

This study reports a goal-based analysis of how Chinese employees engage in upward influence with their supervisors. Results indicate that the types of influence goals (personal vs. organizational) must be studied in conjunction with the importance attributed to multiple goals (e.g., clarity, relationship maintenance) to explain message features. Chinese employees who recalled pursuing a personal upward influence goal placed greater importance on relationship goals, expressed more approval for their supervisor, and mixed personal- and work-focused reasons to a greater extent than did those who recalled pursuing an organizational goal. For both types of influence goals, relationship goal importance significantly predicted message politeness while clarity goal importance predicted number of reasons given. Future research exploring general and cultural-specific aspects of upward influence is proposed.
Six degree-of-freedom analysis of hip, knee, ankle and foot provides updated understanding of biomechanical work during human walking

ABSTRACT Measuring biomechanical work performed by humans and other animals is critical for understanding muscle–tendon function, joint-specific contributions and energy-saving mechanisms during locomotion. Inverse dynamics is often employed to estimate joint-level contributions, and deformable body estimates can be used to study work performed by the foot. We recently discovered that these commonly used experimental estimates fail to explain whole-body energy changes observed during human walking. By re-analyzing previously published data, we found that about 25% (8 J) of total positive energy changes of/about the body9s center-of-mass and >30% of the energy changes during the Push-off phase of walking were not explained by conventional joint- and segment-level work estimates, exposing a gap in our fundamental understanding of work production during gait. Here, we present a novel Energy-Accounting analysis that integrates various empirical measures of work and energy to elucidate the source of unexplained biomechanical work. We discovered that by extending conventional 3 degree-of-freedom (DOF) inverse dynamics (estimating rotational work about joints) to 6DOF (rotational and translational) analysis of the hip, knee, ankle and foot, we could fully explain the missing positive work. This revealed that Push-off work performed about the hip may be >50% greater than conventionally estimated (9.3 versus 6.0 J, P =0.0002, at 1.4 m s −1 ). Our findings demonstrate that 6DOF analysis (of hip–knee–ankle–foot) better captures energy changes of the body than more conventional 3DOF estimates. These findings refine our fundamental understanding of how work is distributed within the body, which has implications for assistive technology, biomechanical simulations and potentially clinical treatment.
Instructional Case: J & S Bicycle Shop

This case is designed to develop and assess critical thinking and decision making skills in the presence of conflicting goals. Strategic/critical thinking and decision modeling are identified in the AICPA’s Core Competency Framework. The case setting is a choice among alternative inventory methods for a small business that is seeking a loan to finance expansion. Students are instructed to justify their choice of inventory method based upon information found in a list of documents. These documents contain both relevant and irrelevant information. Although the inventory calculations are simple, neither they nor the method chosen are the focus of the case. Students need to evaluate the evidence in the documents, and no single recommendation is uniquely correct. Students’ written responses are evaluated on how well the recommendations are developed and supported by the evidence.
Nanopore Sequencing: Forcing Improved Resolution.

In 2012, nanopore DNA sequencing became a reality, with the publication of a proof-of-concept by the academic team led by Akeson and Gundlach (1) and the nearly simultaneous announcement (without publication) by Oxford Nanopore Technologies (Oxford Science Park, Oxford, UK) that the company had successfully sequenced DNA strands measuring tens of kilobases in length using nanopore technology (2). Nanopore sequencing has great technological potential because it is a single-molecule technique, there is no upper limit to the length of DNA that can be sequenced, and the electrical sensing mechanism can be massively parallelized on a chip.
Early Socialization of New Critical Care Nurses

• BACKGROUND Critical care nurses provide care to acutely ill patients, yet little is known about the early socialization processes of new nurses to critical care units from the nurses’ perspectives. • OBJECTIVES To explore the early socialization processes of critical care nurses. • METHODS A grounded theory design was used to generate a local theory of how critical care nurses experience socialization. Interviews and journals of participants (N = 10) during the first 4 to 5 months of the socialization experiences were collected. Preceptors were interviewed to triangulate data. Orientation materials and field notes were examined. • RESULTS A process of 5 phases was uncovered: the prodrome, welcome to the unit, disengagement/testing, on my own, and reconciliation. Participants experienced difficulty while being evaluated by preceptors early in the orientation process because of changing expectations. Participants also expressed disappointment in their level of comfort at the end of the orientation. The theory termed “navigating the challenge” explains the nature of the changing expectations that new critical care nurses face during their socialization process. • CONCLUSIONS This exploratory study defines the phases that new critical care nurses experience during the early socialization process. Phase-specific recommendations are made on the basis of the results of the study. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2002;11:19-26)
A parabolic voltage control strategy for burst mode converters with constant burst frequency and eliminated audible noise

Burst mode control is widely employed by power converters to improve the light load efficiency. One drawback of burst mode control is that the burst frequency changes with different load, which would introduce audible noise to the system. In order to solve the frequency variation problem of burst mode controlled converters, a parabolic voltage control method is proposed in this paper. By the use of a pair of parabolic carriers as the control bands, the burst frequency is controlled to be constant and audible noise can be eliminated. The derivation of the proposed parabolic voltage control is conducted and operating principles are discussed. The performance of the proposed control method is experimentally verified by the use of a burst mode boost converter.
Oxidation of Native Protein by Glutathione-Copper Catalysis

SummaryNative egg albumin and gelatin, in the presence of M/1000 CuSO4 and M/200 glutathione, consume significant and approximately equal quantities of oxygen. When the CuSO4 is replaced by M/1000 FeCl3, the oxygen uptake is diminished by about 50%. If the M/1000 CuSO4 is replaced by M/10 CuSO4, the gelatin consumes less oxygen than before, and the egg albumin more.
Study on Recognition of Invariable Images Based on Zernike Moment of Force

The paper proposes a method of image recognition which is based on Zernike moment of force.It can be used for invariable recognition in image rotating,zooming and panning.Zernike moment as a classical orthogonal moment,its theoretical analysis and experimental results has showed that it has an outstanding ability of image recognition and anti-noise.
Wireless Sensor Network Design for Agricultural Environmental Monitoring

Wireless sensor network has been recognized as the key technology for agricultural data acquisition and environmental monitoring.Based on the analysis of common characteristics and requirements,wireless sensor network design for agricultural environmental monitoring is given,including system architecture,network protocol,hardware design of sensor nodes and application layer protocol.
Multiantenna spectrum sensing for improper signals over frequency selective channels

We consider multiple antenna spectrun sensing for improper complex primary user (PU) signals. Past work on this problem is limited to PU Gaussian signals over flat fading channels. We allow non-Gaussian signals over frequency-selective channels. A binary hypothesis testing approach is formulated and a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) is derived using the power spectral density estimator of an augmented sequence. An analytical solution for calculating the test threshold is provided. The results are illustrated via simulations.
Enabling Real-Time Business Intelligence: 6th International Workshop, BIRTE 2012, Held at the 38th International Conference on Very Large Databases, ... Notes in Business Information Processing)

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed conference proceedings of the 6th International Workshop on Business Intelligence for the Real-Time Enterprise, BIRTE 2012, held in Istanbul, Turkey, in August 2012, in conjunction with VLDB 2012, the International Conference on Very Large Data Bases. The BIRTE workshop series provides a forum to discuss and advance the science and engineering enabling real-time business intelligence and the novel applications that build on these foundational techniques. This volume contains 10 research papers, which have been carefully reviewed and selected from xx submissions.
Ingestion of the epoxide hydrolase inhibitor AUDA modulates immune responses of the mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus during blood feeding.

Epoxide hydrolases (EHs) are enzymes that play roles in metabolizing xenobiotic epoxides from the environment, and in regulating lipid signaling molecules, such as juvenile hormones in insects and epoxy fatty acids in mammals. In this study we fed mosquitoes with an epoxide hydrolase inhibitor AUDA during artificial blood feeding, and we found the inhibitor increased the concentration of epoxy fatty acids in the midgut of female mosquitoes. We also observed ingestion of AUDA triggered early expression of defensin A, cecropin A and cecropin B2 at 6 h after blood feeding. The expression of cecropin B1 and gambicin were not changed more than two fold compared to controls. The changes in gene expression were transient possibly because more than 99% of the inhibitor was metabolized or excreted at 42 h after being ingested. The ingestion of AUDA also affected the growth of bacteria colonizing in the midgut, but did not affect mosquito longevity, fecundity and fertility in our laboratory conditions. When spiked into the blood, EpOMEs and DiHOMEs were as effective as the inhibitor AUDA in reducing the bacterial load in the midgut, while EETs rescued the effects of AUDA. Our data suggest that epoxy fatty acids from host blood are immune response regulators metabolized by epoxide hydrolases in the midgut of female mosquitoes, inhibition of which causes transient changes in immune responses, and affects growth of microbes in the midgut.
Incidence of severe renal dysfunction among individuals taking warfarin and implications for non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants.

Background The purpose of this study is to assess incidence and risk factors for severe renal dysfunction in patients requiring oral anticoagulation to help guide initial drug choice and provide a rational basis for interval monitoring of renal function for patients prescribed non–vitamin K oral anticoagulants. Methods Patients on warfarin for atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism were consecutively enrolled from January 2007 to December 2010. Baseline kidney function was assessed, and patients were followed to their first decline of kidney function to creatinine clearance Results Of 787 patients identified, 34 were excluded for baseline CrCl P P =.004). Conclusions Acute and chronic renal dysfunction is common among individuals requiring long-term anticoagulant therapy. Patients with moderate chronic kidney disease and coronary artery disease are at the highest short-term risk of developing severe renal impairment. More frequent monitoring of these patients is warranted.
The Complexity of Artificial Grammars

In experimental psychology, artificial grammars, generated by directed graphs, are used to test the ability of subjects to implicitly learn the structure of complex rules. We introduce the necessary notation and mathematics to view an artificial grammar as the sequence space of a dynamical system. The complexity of the artificial grammar is equated with the topological entropy of the dynamical system and is computed by finding the largest eigenvalue of an associated transition matrix. We develop the necessary mathematics and include relevant examples (one from the implicit learning literature) to show that topological entropy is easy to compute, well defined, and intuitive and, thereby, provides a quantitative measure of complexity that can be used to compare data across different implicit learning experiments.
Comment on “Paleosol-based paleoclimate reconstruction of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, northern Argentina” by Andrews, E., White, T., and del Papa, C. [Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 471, p. 181–195]

Abstract Andrews et al. (2017) present a paleosol-based paleoclimate reconstruction of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum from localities in northern Argentina. We suggest that the age model presented for these localities is incorrect based on recently published magnetostratigraphy from the area, and that the studied Maiz Gordo and Lumbrera Formations instead represent a paleoclimate record of the early to middle Eocene. This record, combined with previously published data from these formations provide a more comprehensive regional reconstruction of paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental conditions during the peak of early Eocene warmth, including the early Eocene climatic optimum and possibly the middle Eocene climatic optimum.
A Laboratory Activity Demonstrating the Antibacterial Effects of Extracts from Two Plant Species, Moringa oleifera and Allium sativum (Garlic)

A variety of plants synthesize natural products that either kill or inhibit the growth of various microorganisms. These plant products may serve as useful natural alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial pharmaceuticals and can be especially important in regions where commercial drugs are often not available. Despite this, the role of plants as producers of natural antimicrobial agents is often understated or even ignored in undergraduate biology curricula. In this laboratory exercise, students extract water-soluble constituents from two plants, Moringa oleifera (moringa) and Allium sativum (garlic), and determine their activity against both a gram-positive (Bacillus cereus strain 971) and a gram-negative (Escherichia coli strain K12) bacterium using a disk diffusion assay on Mueller-Hinton agar. Disks infused with commercially available antibiotics (e.g., penicillin and tetracycline) serve as controls. Following an incubation period of 24 hours, students obtain quantitative data by measuring zones of growth inhibition that develop as a result of strain sensitivity. To determine the effectiveness of the learning objectives, an unannounced quiz was administered both before and after the activity, and the students showed significant gains in their understanding of key concepts. Because this activity combines aspects of two major branches of biology—plant biology and microbiology—it is suitable for use as a laboratory exercise in courses related to either discipline, or it may be used as a laboratory component of a general biology course.
P & T and Me

Very few occasions bring more stress to a faculty member than the promotion and/or tenure (P&T) process. In this commentary, two recent chairs of P&T committees give their advice to future petitioners. Subtopics of the editorial discuss knowing the expectations, finding mentors to guide you, understanding the role of peer reviewers and preparing your dossier.
Chemical modification of protein a chromatography ligands with polyethylene glycol. II: Effects on resin robustness and process selectivity

We have proposed chemical modification of Protein A (ProA) chromatography ligands with polyethylene glycol (PEGylation) as a strategy to increase the resin selectivity and robustness by providing the ligand with a steric repulsion barrier against non-specific binding. Here, we report on robustness and selectivity benefits for Repligen CaptivA PriMAB resin with ligands modified with 5.2 kDa and 21.5 kDa PEG chains, respectively. PEGylation of ProA ligands allowed the resin to retain a higher percentage of static binding capacity relative to the unmodified resin upon digestion with chymotrypsin, a representative serine protease. The level of protection against digestion was independent of the PEG molecular weight or modification extent for the PEGylation chemistry used. Additionally, PEGylation of the ligands was found to decrease the level of non-specific binding of fluorescently labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) aggregates to the surface of the resin particles as visualized via confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The level of aggregate binding decreased as the PEG molecular weight increased, but increasing the extent of modification with 5.2 kDa PEG chains had no effect. Further examination of resin particles via CLSM confirmed that the PEG chains on the modified ligands were capable of blocking the "hitchhiking" association of BSA, a mock contaminant, to an adsorbed mAb that is prone to BSA binding. Ligands modified with 21.5 kDa PEG chains were effective at blocking the association, while ligands modified with 5.2 kDa PEG chains were not. Finally, ligands with 21.5 kDa PEG chains increased the selectivity of the resin against host cell proteins (HCPs) produced by Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells by up to 37% during purification of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) from harvested cell culture fluid (HCCF) using a standard ProA chromatography protocol. The combined work suggests that PEGylating ProA chromatography media is a viable pathway for increasing both resin lifetime and host cell impurity clearance in downstream bioprocessing.
A new condition equivalent to the Ankeny–Artin–Chowla conjecture

Abstract Let p ≡ 1 ( mod 4 ) be prime, and let ϵ = ( t + u p ) / 2 be the fundamental unit of Q ( p ) . In 1952, Ankeny, Artin and Chowla asked if ϵ always has the property that u ≢ 0 ( mod p ) . The conjecture that the answer to this question is affirmative is known as the Ankeny–Artin–Chowla (AAC) conjecture, and is still unresolved. In this article, we present a new condition that is equivalent to the AAC-conjecture. Additionally, we provide a similar condition that is equivalent to the analogous conjecture of Mordell for the case when p ≡ 3 ( mod 4 ) . Both of these conditions involve certain Lucas polynomials. Moreover, using theorems of Capelli, we provide a different approach to establish the sufficiency of these polynomial conditions.
Relationship between diversity and correlation in multi-classifier systems

Diversity plays an important role in the design of Multi-Classifier Systems, but its relationship to classification accuracy is still unclear from a theoretical perspective As a step towards the solution of this probelm, we take a different route and explore the relationship between diversity and correlation In this paper we provide a theoretical analysis and present a nonlinear function that relates diversity to correlation, which hence can be further related to accuracy This paper contributes to connecting existing research in diversity and correlation, and also providing a proxy to the relationship between diversity and accuracy Our experimental results reveal deeper insights into the role of diversity in Multi-Classifier Systems.
Rad51 recruitment and exclusion of non-homologous end joining during homologous recombination at a Tus/Ter mammalian replication fork barrier

Classical non-homologous end joining (C-NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR) compete to repair mammalian chromosomal double strand breaks (DSBs). However, C-NHEJ has no impact on HR induced by DNA nicking enzymes. In this case, the replication fork is thought to convert the DNA nick into a one-ended DSB, which lacks a readily available partner for C-NHEJ. Whether C-NHEJ competes with HR at a non-enzymatic mammalian replication fork barrier (RFB) remains unknown. We previously showed that conservative “short tract” gene conversion (STGC) induced by a chromosomal Tus/Ter RFB is a product of bidirectional replication fork stalling. This finding raises the possibility that Tus/Ter-induced STGC proceeds via a two-ended DSB intermediate. If so, Tus/Ter-induced STGC might be subject to competition by C-NHEJ. However, in contrast to the DSB response, where genetic ablation of C-NHEJ stimulates HR, we report here that Tus/Ter-induced HR is unaffected by deletion of either of two C-NHEJ genes, Xrcc4 or Ku70. These results show that Tus/Ter-induced HR does not entail the formation of a two-ended DSB to which C-NHEJ has competitive access. We found no evidence that the alternative end-joining factor, DNA polymerase θ, competes with Tus/Ter-induced HR. We used chromatin-immunoprecipitation to compare Rad51 recruitment to a Tus/Ter RFB and to a neighboring site-specific DSB. Rad51 accumulation at Tus/Ter was more intense and more sustained than at a DSB. In contrast to the DSB response, Rad51 accumulation at Tus/Ter was restricted to within a few hundred base pairs of the RFB. Taken together, these findings suggest that the major DNA structures that bind Rad51 at a Tus/Ter RFB are not conventional DSBs. We propose that Rad51 acts as an “early responder” at stalled forks, binding single stranded daughter strand gaps on the arrested lagging strand, and that Rad51-mediated fork remodeling generates HR intermediates that are incapable of Ku binding and therefore invisible to the C-NHEJ machinery.
Conditional Conservatism and the Boundaries of the Firm: The Case of Strategic Alliances

I examine whether conditional conservatism, and particularly timely loss recognition, is associated with a firm’s decision to form alliances. I adopt the view of alliances as a commitment technology that helps a company’s CEO overcome problems concerning her inability to motivate division managers. I find a strong and significant association between timely loss recognition and alliance formation. This relation is more pronounced when the firm’s internal capital markets are inefficient (conglomerates), when the industry the firm operates in is more concentrated (i.e., low product market competition), and when a project is less risky. I further examine whether conservative firms are better able to reap the benefits of alliance strategy. I demonstrate that conservative firms are involved in more profitable alliances.
Prediction of concrete coefficient of thermal expansion and other properties using machine learning

Abstract The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) significantly influences the performance of concrete. However, CTE measurements are both time consuming and expensive; therefore, CTE is often predicted from empirical equations based on historical data and concrete composition. In this work we demonstrate the application of linear regression and random forest machine learning methods to predict CTE and other properties from a database of Wisconsin concrete mixes. The random forest model accuracy, as assessed by cross-validation, is found to be significantly better than the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recommended prediction methods for CTE, denoted as level-2 and level-3.
Psychological game theory in public choice

We present the basic framework of psychological game theory (PGT) and linkages to the public choice literature. The distinction between PGT and other game-theoretic frameworks rests on the inclusion of beliefs about strategies directly within the players’ objective functions. Thus, a natural extension of PGT includes the consideration of non-monetary drivers of behavior. We provide examples of applications in public choice.
Focusing on insomnia symptoms to better understand depression: A STAR*D report.

Abstract Background Disturbed sleep is a core symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), with nearly 90% of those with MDD reporting disturbed sleep. However, combining insomnia and hypersomnia into a single diagnostic domain ignores distinct biological differences between those symptom presentations. To better understand depression it may be necessary to explore these symptoms independently, beginning with the more prevalent insomnia. Method The present study evaluated global insomnia symptom severity in a broad sample of MDD outpatients from the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial, excluding patients who reported hypersomnia symptoms. The three insomnia-related symptoms from the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology- clinician rated (QIDS-C) were combined to create a global insomnia score to classify baseline insomnia severity. A modified depression severity score was then used to assess depression severity (mQIDS-C), excluding sleep-related items. Results A repeated measures ANCOVA revealed a significant improvement in insomnia score over the acute phase treatment (F = 33.1, d.f. = 6, 9897, p Limitations Objective confirmation of sleep profiles was not available. Conclusion Greater severity of insomnia reduces likelihood of MDD remission, and insomnia symptoms improved independent of depression remission.
Evaluating social vulnerability indicators: criteria and their application to the Social Vulnerability Index

As a concept, social vulnerability describes combinations of social, cultural, economic, political, and institutional processes that shape socioeconomic differentials in the experience of and recovery from hazards. Quantitative measures of social vulnerability are widely used in research and practice. In this paper, we establish criteria for the evaluation of social vulnerability indicators and apply those criteria to the most widely used measure of social vulnerability, the Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI). SoVI is a single quantitative indicator that purports to measure a place’s social vulnerability. We show that SoVI has some critical shortcomings regarding theoretical and internal consistency. Specifically, multiple SoVI-based measurements of the vulnerability of the same place, using the same data, can yield strikingly different results. We also show that the SoVI is often misaligned with theory; increases in variables that contribute to vulnerability, like the unemployment rate, often decrease vulnerability as measured by the SoVI. We caution against the use of the index in policy making or other risk-reduction efforts, and we suggest ways to more reliably assess social vulnerability in practice.
Can the United States and Russia reach strategic equilibrium without conflict

The contemporary U.S.-Russian relationship is often characterized as a return to the worst tensions of the Cold War, with the accompanying prospect of global nuclear conflict. Yet although the dang...