cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic Methylphenidate Treatment During Early Life Is Associated with Greater Ethanol Intake in Socially Isolated Rats

Background Methylphenidate (MPH) is a stimulant prescribed to treat attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. Its primary mechanism of action is in the dopamine system, alterations of which are associated with vulnerability to alcohol abuse. There are concerns that juvenile MPH treatment may influence adult drinking behavior. This study examined the interaction of MPH treatment and environmental rearing conditions, which are known to independently influence ethanol (EtOH) drinking behavior, on anxiety-like behavior and vulnerability to alcohol abuse in a juvenile rodent model. Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats were housed in enriched, standard, or isolated conditions for 4 weeks, starting at postnatal day 21. Rats were concurrently treated with 8 mg/kg/d MPH or saline, delivered via osmotic minipump. Anxiety-like behavior was determined at the end of the treatment session, and 5 weeks later. After MPH treatment, rats were exposed to a 2-bottle choice EtOH drinking procedure that lasted 3 weeks. Results Early life chronic MPH treatment was associated with greater EtOH intake and greater EtOH preference, but only in socially isolated animals. Isolated animals had greater levels of anxiety-like behavior than standard-housed or enriched animals after 4 weeks of exposure to the housing conditions, a difference that persisted even after all animals had been individually housed for an additional 5 weeks and exposed to EtOH. Conclusions These results suggest that early life MPH treatment may increase vulnerability to EtOH drinking in adulthood in a subset of the population. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of early rearing condition for establishing long-lasting behavioral phenotypes. Environmental histories should be considered when prescribing MPH treatment to young children.
Information Content of Public Firm Disclosures and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

We find evidence that public firm disclosure, in the form of Management Discussion and Analysis (Sections 7 and 7a of annual reports), is more informative about the firm's future risk following the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Employing a novel text regression, we are able to predict, out of sample, firm return volatility using the Management Discussion and Analysis section from annual 10-K reports (which contains forward-looking views of the management). Using the relative performance of the text model as a proxy for the informativeness of reports, we show that the MD&A sections are significantly more informative after the passage of SOX. We further show that this additional information is associated with a reduction in share illiquidity, suggesting that the information divulged was new to investors. Finally, we find that the increase in informativeness of MD&A reports is most pronounced for firms with higher costs of adverse selection.
A survey of celiac-sprue patients: effect of dietary restrictions on religious practices.

Abstract Celiac-Sprue Disease, also referred to as Non-Tropical Sprue, is a dietary disease. Celiac-Sprue patients were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the effect of dietary restrictions on participation in the Passover meal and reception of Communion. A pilot study suggested that subjects made changes in their religious practices because of dietary restrictions. A second, more detailed survey, was performed in which 58 subjects participated and 14 religions were represented. The results indicated that many subjects made changes in their religious practices (p > .01), made changes on their own initiative (p > .01), or violated diet prescribed for the disease under the religious setting versus other settings (p > .05).
The Implosion of the Federal Budget Process: Triggers, Commissions, Cliffs, Sequesters, Debt Ceilings, and Shutdown

Budgeting in the federal government recently imploded. The competing parties played repeated games of chicken in which they set short-term budget deadlines and established automatic procedures in hopes of outmaneuvering their opponents. They went to the brink of defaulting on the government’s debt, and then shut down the government. This article recounts the history of this implosion and discusses what might have caused it. Budgeting’s decline was certainly driven by partisan conflict. Yet budgeting’s decline was also due to a dumbing down of aspirations for the process. Ironically, budget hawks contributed substantially to this when they endorsed “action-forcing mechanisms” that they hoped would constitute “credible commitments” toadoptsustainablebudgetary policies. Eveniftheiraspirationswere partially realized, their logic was flawed and the collateral damage was substantial.
Absorption: An Individual Difference to Consider in Mind–Body Interventions

Given that mind–body interventions constitute a major portion of complementary and alternative medicine used by the public, it seems important to explore those human characteristics that may contri...
Internal hydration increases during activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin.

Rhodopsin, the membrane protein responsible for dim-light vision, until recently was the only G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with a known crystal structure. As a result, there is enormous interest in studying its structure, dynamics, and function. Here we report the results of three all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, each at least 1.5 μs, which predict that substantial changes in internal hydration play a functional role in rhodopsin activation. We confirm with 1H magic angle spinning NMR that the increased hydration is specific to the metarhodopsin-I intermediate. The internal water molecules interact with several conserved residues, suggesting that changes in internal hydration may be important during the activation of other GPCRs. The results serve to illustrate the synergism of long-time-scale molecular dynamics simulations and NMR in enhancing our understanding of GPCR function.
Increased Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Secretion and Postprandial Hypoglycemia in Children after Nissen Fundoplication

Context: Postprandial hypoglycemia (PPH) is a frequent complication of Nissen fundoplication in children. The mechanism responsible for the PPH is poorly understood, but involves an exaggerated insulin response to a meal and subsequent hypoglycemia. We hypothesize that increased glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion contributes to the exaggerated insulin surge and plays a role in the pathophysiology of this disorder. Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize glucose, insulin, and GLP-1 response to an oral glucose load in children with symptoms of PPH after Nissen fundoplication. Design: Ten patients with suspected PPH and a history of Nissen fundoplication and eight control subjects underwent a standard oral glucose tolerance test at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Blood glucose (BG), insulin, and intact GLP-1 levels were obtained at various time points. Participants: Children ages 4 months to 13 years old were studied. Main Outcome Measures: Change scores for glucose, insulin, and intact GLP-1 were recorded after an oral glucose tolerance test. Results: All cases had hypoglycemia after the glucose load. Mean BG at nadir (± sd) was 46.7 ± 11 mg/dl for cases (vs. 85.9 ± 21.3 mg/dl; P < 0.0005). Mean change in BG from baseline to peak (± sd) was 179.3 ± 87.4 mg/dl for cases (vs. 57.8 ± 39.5 mg/dl; P = 0.003). Mean change in BG (± sd) from peak to nadir was 214.4 ± 85.9 mg/dl for cases (vs. 55.9 ± 41.1 mg/dl, P < 0.0005). Mean change in insulin (± sd) from baseline to peak was 224.3 ± 313.7 μIU/ml for cases (vs. 35.5 ± 22.2 μIU/ml; P = 0.012). Mean change in GLP-1 (± sd) from baseline to peak was 31.2 ± 24 pm (vs. 6.2 ± 9.5 pm; P = 0.014). Conclusions: Children with PPH after Nissen fundoplication have abnormally exaggerated secretion of GLP-1, which may contribute to the exaggerated insulin surge and resultant hypoglycemia.
A patient-specific computational model of hypoxia-modulated radiation resistance in glioblastoma using 18F-FMISO-PET

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly invasive primary brain tumour that has poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment. A hallmark of these tumours is diffuse invasion into the surrounding brain, necessitating a multi-modal treatment approach, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. We have previously demonstrated the ability of our model to predict radiographic response immediately following radiation therapy in individual GBM patients using a simplified geometry of the brain and theoretical radiation dose. Using only two pre-treatment magnetic resonance imaging scans, we calculate net rates of proliferation and invasion as well as radiation sensitivity for a patient's disease. Here, we present the application of our clinically targeted modelling approach to a single glioblastoma patient as a demonstration of our method. We apply our model in the full three-dimensional architecture of the brain to quantify the effects of regional resistance to radiation owing to hypoxia in vivo determined by [18F]-fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography (FMISO-PET) and the patient-specific three-dimensional radiation treatment plan. Incorporation of hypoxia into our model with FMISO-PET increases the model–data agreement by an order of magnitude. This improvement was robust to our definition of hypoxia or the degree of radiation resistance quantified with the FMISO-PET image and our computational model, respectively. This work demonstrates a useful application of patient-specific modelling in personalized medicine and how mathematical modelling has the potential to unify multi-modality imaging and radiation treatment planning.
Thermoelectric Power of Single Bi Microwires at Helium Temperatures

The thermopower S has two contributions. Diffusion thermopower arises from a diffusion of charge carriers opposite to the temperature gradient; phonon drag thermopower results from a quasi-momentum transfer from the phonons to the charge carriers. The latter term is dominant at low temperatures, yields important information about phonon-wall scattering in nanostructures, and has been studied in confined systems such as two-dimensional electron gases and carbon nanotubes. The thermopower of monocrystalline Bi (pure and doped with Te or Sn) microwires with diameters ranging from 0.1 to 3 mum were measured in the temperature range 4-300 K. Samples of Bi nanowires that are monocrystalline were spun as a fiber by the high frequency liquid-phase casting method. The low-temperature diffusion thermopower of Bi is linear with temperature. Instead, the dominant feature of the thermopower at temperatures below 12 K is a peak, which is due to phonon drag. We observe that the phonon-drag thermopower depends on the wire diameter and increases with increasing diameter of the sample, which is qualitatively explained by the suppression of two-step phonon processes in the finer wires due to the shortening of the phonon mean free path for normal (momentum conserving) processes due to diffusive wall scattering [Gitsu, D, et. al., 2005]. We have also studied the dependence of the phonon drag peak with wire length. Thus we have observed considerable decreasing of the phonon drag in the short samples when the length of the samples is smaller than 1 mm. In this case only thick samples d = 2.5 and 1 mum have the appreciable positive peak at around ap5 K. A possible explanation of these experimental results is presented
Dynamic alterations in Hippo signaling pathway and YAP activation during liver regeneration

The Hippo signaling pathway has been implicated in mammalian organ size regulation and tumor suppression. Specifically, the Hippo pathway plays a critical role regulating the activity of transcriptional coactivator Yes-associated protein (YAP), which modulates a proliferative transcriptional program. Recent investigations have demonstrated that while this pathway is activated in quiescent livers, its inhibition leads to liver overgrowth and tumorigenesis. However, the role of the Hippo pathway during the natural process of liver regeneration remains unknown. Here we investigated alterations in the Hippo signaling pathway and YAP activation during liver regeneration using a 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) rat model. Our results indicate an increase in YAP activation by 1 day following PH as demonstrated by increased YAP nuclear localization and increased YAP target gene expression. Investigation of the Hippo pathway revealed a decrease in the activation of core kinases Mst1/2 by 1 day as well as Lats1/2 and its adapter protein Mob1 by 3 days following PH. Evaluation of liver-to-body weight ratios indicated that the liver reaches its near normal size by 7 days following PH, which correlated with a return to baseline YAP nuclear levels and target gene expression. Additionally, when liver size was restored, Mst1/2 kinase activation returned to levels observed in quiescent livers indicating reactivation of the Hippo signaling pathway. These findings illustrate the dynamic changes in the Hippo signaling pathway and YAP activation during liver regeneration, which stabilize when the liver-to-body weight ratio reaches homeostatic levels.
Desert Capitalism: Maquiladoras in North America's Western Industrial Corridor

Desert Capitalism: Maquiladoras in North America's Western Industrial Corridor. Kathryn Kopinak. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1996.233 pp.
Sparkler: supporting large-scale matrix factorization

Low-rank matrix factorization has recently been applied with great success on matrix completion problems for applications like recommendation systems, link predictions for social networks, and click prediction for web search. However, as this approach is applied to increasingly larger datasets, such as those encountered in web-scale recommender systems like Netflix and Pandora, the data management aspects quickly become challenging and form a road-block. In this paper, we introduce a system called Sparkler to solve such large instances of low rank matrix factorizations. Sparkler extends Spark, an existing platform for running parallel iterative algorithms on datasets that fit in the aggregate main memory of a cluster. Sparkler supports distributed stochastic gradient descent as an approach to solving the factorization problem -- an iterative technique that has been shown to perform very well in practice. We identify the shortfalls of Spark in solving large matrix factorization problems, especially when running on the cloud, and solve this by introducing a novel abstraction called "Carousel Maps" (CMs). CMs are well suited to storing large matrices in the aggregate memory of a cluster and can efficiently support the operations performed on them during distributed stochastic gradient descent. We describe the design, implementation, and the use of CMs in Sparkler programs. Through a variety of experiments, we demonstrate that Sparkler is faster than Spark by 4x to 21x, with bigger advantages for larger problems. Equally importantly, we show that this can be done without imposing any changes to the ease of programming. We argue that Sparkler provides a convenient and efficient extension to Spark for solving matrix factorization problems on very large datasets.
Acromioclavicular Arthritis and Osteolysis

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis and osteolysis are common causes of shoulder discomfort. The AC joint is subject to large repetitive loads that can cause symptomatic degenerative pathology. The diagnosis of acromioclavicular joint arthritis or osteolysis is made on a history of localized pain to the AC joint, physical examination positive for tenderness at the AC joint and pain with cross body adduction. The diagnosis is confirmed with x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging if necessary. Conservative treatment with activity modification, physical therapy, and injections should be initially attempted. If nonoperative treatment fails, open or arthroscopic distal clavicle excision is indicated and is successful at relieving symptoms.
Tunable microstrip bandpass filters with two transmission zeros

This paper presents an analytical technique for positioning the locations of two transmission zeros for a microstrip bandpass filter. In addition, this paper discusses how the tapping positions of asymmetric feed lines affect the coupling between resonators. The bandpass filter uses two resonators with two transmission zeros to obtain lower insertion loss than a conventional cross-coupled microstrip filter. Also, by using four resonators, the bandpass filter has better out-of-band rejection than the conventional cross-coupled microstrip filter. The filter designs using four cascaded resonators provide a sharp passband that can be tuned using a piezoelectric transducer to change the effective dielectric constant. The filters demonstrate high selectivity, compact size, and can be used in many wireless communication systems.
IDENTIFICATION OF A TORPEDO HOMOLOG OF SAM68 THAT INTERACTS WITH THE SYNAPSE ORGANIZING PROTEIN RAPSYN

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are initially expressed diffusely on the surface of myotubes and, in response to neuronally derived factors, cluster at the endplate to a final concentration of approximately 10000/microm2. The synaptic peripheral membrane protein rapsyn has been shown to mediate clustering of nAChRs in several systems. Here we describe the use of the yeast two-hybrid system to identify proteins that can interact with rapsyn. One of the clones we have identified is a Torpedo californica homolog of the Src-associated in mitosis protein (Sam68). We further show that Sam68, like rapsyn, is localized at the neuromuscular junction.
Electric vehicle charge optimization including effects of lithium-ion battery degradation

This paper presents a method for minimizing the cost of electric vehicle (EV) charging given variable electricity costs while also accounting for estimated costs of battery degradation using a simplified lithium-ion battery lifetime model. The simple battery lifetime model, also developed and presented here, estimates both energy capacity fade and power fade due to temperature, state of charge profile, and daily depth of discharge. This model has been validated by comparison with a detailed model [6], which in turn has been validated through comparison to experimental data. The simple model runs quickly in a MATLAB script, allowing for iterative numerical minimization of charge cost. EV charge profiles optimized as described here show a compromise among four trends: charging during low-electricity cost intervals, charging slowly, charging towards the end of the available charge time, and suppression of vehicle-to-grid power exportation. Finally, simulations predict that batteries charged using optimized charging last longer than those charged using typical charging methods, potentially allowing smaller, cheaper batteries to meet vehicle lifetime requirements.
Simulation and verification of void transfer patterning (VTP) technique for nm-scale features

This paper investigates simulation of a patterning technique for defining sub-lithographic features. The technique studied involves intentional creation of voids using a conformal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) followed by controlled etch-back to form nanoscale pores. This method provides features that are independent of lithographically defined parent holes and exhibit lower critical dimension (CD) variations. It offers efficient low thermal budget and backend process compatible integration scheme that requires just one additional mask level. The void diameter obtained in this work is 74nm i.e. ~10x reduction from lithographically defined hole of 714nm using i-line lithography. Critical parameters affecting the void formation and the final pore size have been identified and modeled. Simulation of the void transfer process has been investigated using plasma etch module of 'Elite' by Silvaco that employs 2-D Monte Carlo ion transport modeling. The results of this investigation show that the geometrical design parameters can be coupled with the plasma process simulations to develop an efficient module for the void transfer process.
Application of thermal-dissociation laser induced fluorescence (TD-LIF) to measurement of HNO 3 , Σalkyl nitrates, Σperoxy nitrates, and NO 2 fluxes using eddy covariance

Nitrogen exchange between the atmosphere and biosphere directly influences atmospheric composition. While much is known about mechanisms of NO and N 2 O emissions, instrumentation for the study of mechanisms contributing to exchange of other major nitrogen species is quite limited. Here we describe the application of a new technique, thermal dissociation-laser induced fluorescence (TD-LIF), to eddy covariance measurements of the fluxes of NO 2 , total peroxy acyl and peroxy nitrates, total alkyl and multifunctional alkyl nitrates, and nitric acid. The technique offers the potential for investigating mechanisms of exchange of these species at the canopy scale over timescales from days to years. Examples of flux measurements at a ponderosa pine plantation in the mid-elevation Sierra Nevada Mountains in California are reported and used to evaluate instrument performance.
A Tale of Two Systems: Analyzing the Treatment of Noncitizen Families in State Family Law Systems and Under the Immigration Law System

In A Tale of Two Systems: Analyzing the Treatment of Noncitizen Families in State Family Law Systems and Under the Immigration Law System, I analyzed the experiences of noncitizen families under the U.S. immigration law system and the state family law court systems. I contend that federal immigration law currently does not follow through its family unity policy and that seemingly neutral decisionmaking regarding noncitizens in state family law cases often results in unfavorable outcomes based on language ability or immigration status. I conclude that every instance of a violation of a fundamental right of a noncitizen family should be cause for concern and a call to action for citizens and noncitizens alike.
Methods and Markers for Synchronizing Maturation of Fifth-Stage Larvae and Pupae of the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Techniques for monitoring development in European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), fifth-stage larvae and pupae are described. About 90% of larvae left the medium before pupation. Larvae in the process of gut emptying exuded tan fluid, whereas those that had completed gut emptying exuded white fluid. Gut emptying occurred ca. 4 days later in diapause-bound than in non-diapause-bound larvae, even though both groups developed at the same rate until the 5th instar. Ocellar retraction marked pharate pupal formation. During the next 6 to 8 h, the pigment mass that was previously behind the ocelli migrated posteriorly and then ventrally coming to rest just above the base of the head capsule. Ecdysis to the pupa occurred ca. 4 h later. In insects reared under a photoperiod of LD 16:8 and 30°C, the ocellar pigment became diffuse and disappeared during the first 24 h of the pupal stage. Pharate adult formation occurred on day 3. By day 4, the future compound eyes looked like very dark spheres. Dark bands on the wings were observed on the day preceding adult eclosion. Eclosion occurred primarily during the scotophase and was characterized by a sexual dimorphism, in that females tended to eclose 1 day earlier than males.
Critical properties of flexible circuit substrates

A wide variety of substrate materials are available to meet the multifunctional needs of flexible circuitry. Certain material parameters considered critical in the processing of flexible circuitry are reviewed. These parameters are not always considered in the specification of materials but are of significant value in the production process.
Heterochromia in rabbit-heterochromia in a dutch pigmented rabbit

· Heterochromia was observed in a six-month-old Dutch pigmented rabbit and the rabbit was examined for general and eye anomalies.The rabbit showed a blue eye with fundus hypochromia on the right and a brown eye with partial fundus hypochromia on the left.White fur(white forelock)was present,but deafness was not apparent although no objective audiologic examination was performed.Histology studies of both eyes revealed that significantly fewer pigment cells in iris stroma and less pigmentation in retinal pigment epithelium and choroid in the right eye than in the left eye.·
Trauma care systems.

In summary, I have examined the questions of why have a trauma care system and whether trauma care systems improve trauma care. I believe the evidence is overwhelming that trauma care systems are worthwhile and that they improve trauma care. They have other important values, including the training of surgeons, other specialists, and nurses in the care of the injured patient. Trauma care systems should also be integral to the regional disaster plans and to the education of the public and should be a focus for research activities in trauma care. All trauma centers should provide access to rehabilitation services so that the patient who recovers from acute injuries can return to a productive life.
Rethinking the Agricultural Base

In the twentieth century’s twilight, half to three fourths of all third world peoples still lived and worked in rural areas, primarily in jobs related to agriculture. With outmoded tools and infertile soils, they struggled for bare survival. Their per capita incomes hovered between $50 and $75 a year.
Genetic divergence among the group B coxsackieviruses.

Six serotypes comprise the group B coxsackieviruses (CVB 1-6) (Melnick 1996). Similar to other members of the family Picornaviridae, the CVB genome is a single stranded, messenger sense, polyadenylated RNA molecule (Rueckert 1996). Analysis of the genomes from the fully sequenced CVB (CVB1, 3, 4, and 5) (Table 1) further documents their relationship to the Picornaviridae by demonstrating that they are organized into a 5’ nontranslated region, a protein coding region containing a single open reading frame, a 3’ nontranslated region and a terminal polyA tail.
The resilient Civil engineer with the changing global environment

As the world becomes more globally integrated and interdependent, college graduates must be prepared to meet the new challenges of globalization. Students should be made aware of their critical roles in society as the world economy becomes more globally integrated and increasingly exposed to new challenges, threats, opportunities for innovative solutions, and rewards. Engineering students in particular must understand the importance of leadership and creativity on the social, cultural, political and economic systems in the global economy. An approach that has been successfully used to infuse global perspectives into the Civil Engineering curriculum at the United States Coast Guard Academy is presented. The approach is based on four key pillars (technical, cultural, ethical and leadership) that are complimented with four professional skills competencies.
Capitalism in Motion

In this article, we take up Oilman’s (2014) challenge that historical archaeology should explore the motion of capitalism both in space and time. We discuss capitalism as a dynamic totality and use this to develop the implications for historical archaeology in two different but interconnected ways. First, we use the rich context of Lowell, Massachusetts, to provide a detailed analysis of how capitalism developed in a single place. The second case uses several archaeological sites from across the U.S. to highlight capitalism’s motion from the perspective of a single commodity, coal. We link labor and the environment, past and present, to highlight the folly of seeing the exploitation of workers and the environment is as an accepted part of capitalist economic development. Understanding capitalism in motion is more than just a future research direction for historical archaeology because without these critical understandings people may not have a future at all.
Unexpected resilience of a seagrass system exposed to global stressors

Despite a growing interest in identifying tipping points in response to environmental change, our understanding of the ecological mechanisms underlying non-linear ecosystem dynamics is limited. Ecosystems governed by strong species interactions can provide important insight into how non-linear relationships between organisms and their environment propagate through ecosystems, and the potential for environmentally mediated species interactions to drive or protect against sudden ecosystem shifts. Here, we experimentally determine the functional relationships (i.e., the shapes of the relationships between predictor and response variables) of a seagrass assemblage with well-defined species interactions to ocean acidification (enrichment of CO2) in isolation and in combination with nutrient loading. We demonstrate that the effect of ocean acidification on grazer biomass (Phyllaplysia taylori and Idotea resecata) was quadratic, with the peak of grazer biomass at mid-pH levels. Algal grazing was negatively affected by nutrients, potentially due to low grazer affinity for macroalgae (Ulva intestinalis), as recruitment of both macroalgae and diatoms were favored in elevated nutrient conditions. This led to an exponential increase in macroalgal and epiphyte biomass with ocean acidification, regardless of nutrient concentration. When left unchecked algae can cause declines in seagrass productivity and persistence through shading and competition. Despite quadratic and exponential functional relationships to stressors that could cause a non-linear decrease in seagrass biomass, productivity of our model seagrass – the eelgrass (Zostera marina)- remained highly resilient to increasing acidification. These results suggest that important species interactions governing ecosystem dynamics may shift with environmental change, and ecosystem state may be decoupled from ecological responses at lower levels of organization. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Analogical Processes in Human Thinking and Learning

Much of humankind’s remarkable mental aptitude can be attributed to analogical ability - the ability to perceive and use relational similarity. In this chapter, we present an overview of analogy and describe its component processes, including structural alignment and inference projection, evaluation, schema abstraction and re-representation. We discuss how these component processes lead to learning and the generation of new knowledge, and review evidence that suggests that greater use of analogy during learning can improve relational retrieval and transfer.
Psyma of Sinorhizobium Meliloti: Nitrogen Fixation and More

pSymA, the smaller of the two megaplasmids of Sinorhizobium meliloti, contains a large number of the genes known to be needed for the development and productivity of the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with legumes. However, pSymA contains no genes that are essential for cell viability and is, therefore, squarely in the category of accessory elements. Analysis of the genes contained in pSymA suggests many roles that the plasmid may play beyond symbiosis or to supplement the symbiotic interaction. But there are a large number of genes whose functions are either unknown or are difficult to specify precisely enough so that a specific role for the genes can be assigned. In this review, we attempt to set a context for further functional analysis of pSymA by discussing the content of this plasmid and the tools that can be brought to bear on its analysis. Sinorhizobium meliloti is a nitrogen-fixing bacterial symbiont of several important forage crops, which include Medicago species, like alfalfa and the model legume M. truncatula, Melilotus species, like sweet clover, and Trigonella species, like fenugreek. The bacteria infect the roots of these plants and induce formation of an organ called a nodule, within which they are able to fix enough atmospheric N2 to satisfy the host plant's fixed nitrogen requirements. This type of nitrogen-fixing symbiosis is ecologically important by providing a large fraction of the nitrogen available to natural ecosystems. It is also agronomically significant both by supporting optimal growth of many crop plants and by serving as an important nutrient input in many systems of sustainable agriculture. In addition, as an intimate cellular symbiont that acts by manipulating fundamental plant processes,
Muscle Adaptations to High-Load Training and Very Low-Load Training With and Without Blood Flow Restriction

An inability to lift loads great enough to disrupt muscular blood flow may impair the ability to fatigue muscles, compromising the hypertrophic response. It is unknown what level of blood flow restriction (BFR) pressure, if any, is necessary to reach failure at very low-loads [i.e., 15% one-repetition maximum (1RM)]. The purpose of this study was to investigate muscular adaptations following resistance training with a very low-load alone (15/0), with moderate BFR (15/40), or with high BFR (15/80), and compare them to traditional high-load (70/0) resistance training. Using a within/between subject design, healthy young participants (n = 40) performed four sets of unilateral knee extension to failure (up to 90 repetitions/set), twice per week for 8 weeks. Data presented as mean change (95% CI). There was a condition by time interaction for 1RM (p < 0.001), which increased for 70/0 [3.15 (2.04,4.25) kg] only. A condition by time interaction (p = 0.028) revealed greater changes in endurance for 15/80 [6 (4,8) repetitions] compared to 15/0 [4 (2,6) repetitions] and 70/0 [4 (2,5) repetitions]. There was a main effect of time for isometric MVC [change = 10.51 (3.87,17.16) Nm, p = 0.002] and isokinetic MVC at 180°/s [change = 8.61 (5.54,11.68) Nm, p < 0.001], however there was no change in isokinetic MVC at 60°/s [2.45 (-1.84,6.74) Nm, p = 0.261]. Anterior and lateral muscle thickness was assessed at 30, 40, 50, and 60% of the upper leg. There was no condition by time interaction for muscle thickness sites (all p ≥ 0.313). There was a main effect of time for all sites, with increases over time (all p < 0.001). With the exception of the 30% lateral site (p = 0.059) there was also a main effect of condition (all p < 0.001). Generally, 70/0 was greater. Average weekly volume increased for all conditions across the 8 weeks, and was greatest for 70/0 followed by 15/0, 15/40, then 15/80. With the exception of 1RM, changes in strength and muscle size were similar regardless of load or restriction. The workload required to elicit these changes lowered with increased BFR pressure. These findings may be pertinent to rehabilitative settings, future research, and program design.
Correction to: Generalizing Ecological Effects of Shoreline Armoring Across Soft Sediment Environments

The article Generalizing Ecological Effects of Shoreline Armoring Across Soft Sediment Environments.
Improving Model Predictions Through Partitioned Analysis: A Combined Experimental and Numerical Analysis

Numerical modeling of civil infrastructure often involves assumptions about boundary conditions between adjacent structural components. For steel frame structures, such connections tend to be semi-rigid and often exhibit nonlinear mechanical behavior, making it difficult to determine the rotational stiffness when the connection is evaluated in an isolated manner. This article adapts a partitioned analysis approach using the Block Gauss-Seidel coupling technique to account for the semi-rigid, nonlinear nature of connections in steel frame structures. A case study of a steel frame with bolted connections is presented in which a constituent model is developed for the steel frame with rotational springs to represent the connections. Next, high fidelity, three-dimensional constituent models are developed for three different connection types present in the frame. At the cut-off points of the connection models the internal forces and displacements, calculated by the frame model under a predefined external load, are transferred to the constituent connection models as boundary conditions. Subsequently with the connection models, the rotational stiffness is calculated and transferred back to the frame model through the Block Gauss-Seidel iterations. Coupling iterations are repeated until the connection stiffness calculated by two successive iterations converges, at which point load applied to the frame is increased to develop a full moment-rotation curve. Comparison of the coupled model predictions against experiments show that coupled treatment of the constituent frame and connection models significantly increase the predictive capability of the overall model.
Repurposing off-the-shelf antihelix antibodies for enabling structural biology.

Antibodies are among the most impactful reagents in biological research and medicine. Both the immune system and recent advancements in antibody engineering technology are capable of generating potent and selective antibodies to virtually any antigen. In structural biology, antibodies and other types of engineered target-binding proteins, collectively termed “binders” hereafter, have extensively been used as crystallization chaperones, that is, enabling tools for producing high-quality crystals of otherwise extremely challenging molecular systems (1, 2). Binders can reduce conformational heterogeneity of a dynamic molecule and also provide surfaces for productive crystal contacts. Similarly, binders facilitate electron micrography (EM) studies by increasing the size of the molecular system over the detection threshold and by modifying the interaction between the sample and the EM grid (3). Although the potential impact of binders in structural biology investigation is well recognized, their application is still limited. The very nature of the high selectivity of binders necessitates custom development for each target. It takes substantial effort and expertise to generate, screen, and validate binders. In PNAS, Kim et al. (4) describe an innovative protein engineering strategy that enables the use of off-the-shelf antibodies as crystallization chaperones, with particular application for proteins other than the cognate antigen to which the antibody was developed. Off-the-shelf antibodies to a short peptide sequence, commonly called an epitope tag, are widely used in cell biology applications (5). They have dramatically simplified and facilitated the detection and isolation of a tagged antigen. Attaching an epitope tag, such as c-myc, V5, and FLAG, to the protein of interest is a simple task in design and in execution using standard recombinant DNA methods. The epitope-tagged protein can be readily detected and isolated using off-the-shelf antitag antibodies already optimized for specific applications. Unfortunately, such epitopes and antibodies are not particularly useful in crystallography or EM. … [↵][1]1Email: Shohei.Koide{at}nyumc.org. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Evaluation of Image Quality and Quantitation in a Clinical PET Scanner with a Uniformly Sparse Detector Rings Configuration

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) cameras encompass a set of compact crystal detector rings. In this proof of principle study, we introduce a sparse ring configuration involving half the original number of rings uniformly spaced across the same axial Field-of-view (FOV) and assess its effect on image quality and quantitation in PET imaging. The Siemens PET/MR (mMR) system matrix was adopted in our proposed configuration. mMR consists of 64 detector rings made of 4×4×20 mm3 LSO crystals, and extending over 25.6cm axial Field-of-view (FOV). To emulate our sparse rings configuration, counts in sinograms associated with at least one even ring number were zeroed (Sparse-Sinograms). To account for the loss in spatial information, the zeroed sinograms were estimated by linear interpolation in sinogram space (Inter-Sinogram). The PET images for the compact, the sparse and the interpolated sparse sinogram data were reconstructed using the OSEM algorithm (21 subsets, 5 iterations) provided by the Software for Tomographic Image Reconstruction using the original mMR system matrix to maintain the same number of slices in all images. We validated our approach for one brain FDG PET/MR dataset in terms of image quality, target-to-background ratio (TBR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) scores for different number of OSEM iterations. Sparse rings configuration yielded comparable image quality to that of the clinical dataset. TBR and CNR showed increased error with the number of OSEM iterations (8.3% and 23.6% respectively at 5 iterations), decreasing to 1.7% and 5.4% respectively in the Inter-Sinogram images. PET imaging with half the number of original detector rings uniformly spaced over the same axial FOV, yielded comparable image quality, yet reduced TBR and CNR, which may be recovered via linear inter-sinogram interpolation. Uniformly spacing a given set of PET detector rings to double their axial FOV is possible without significant losses in image quality and quantitation.
Neonatal Signs as Predictors of Cerebral Palsy

Signs of neonatal neurologic dysfunction, recorded in approximately 40,000 infants, were evaluated prospectively for their ability to predict later motor handicap. Tenfold to 33-fold increases in risk of cerebral palsy (CP) were observed in surviving children with any one of the following characteristics: birth weight less than 2,000 gm, head circumference more than 3 SD above or below the mean, five minute Apgar score of 3 or less, diminished activity or diminished cry lasting for more than one day, thermal instability, need for gavage feeding, hypotonia or hypertonia, single or multiple apneic episodes, or hematocrit less than 40%. Of worse portent, with relative risks exceeding 50, were neonatal seizures or Apgar scores of 3 or less at ten minutes or later. These characteristics were also markers of considerable risk of early death. For 0.5% of surviving infants, an overall impression of abnormality of brain function during the nursery period was recorded by the attending physician; there was a 99-fold increase in CP among these children.
Immigration and Identity Theory: What Can They Gain from Each Other?

The study of immigration requires a multilevel framework that includes structural features, social interactions, and individual thoughts and actions—an ideal terrain for social psychological analysis. Drawing on the work of Sheldon Stryker and other identity researchers, I focus on the experience of immigrants as it reflects on both identity structure and process. Two areas in particular are enriched by an identity theory perspective: first, the multiplicity of identities, as exemplified in the immigrant experience by combinations of ethnic and national identity; and second, flexibility and change in identities across time, as illustrated by choices immigrants make to maintain, alter, and express various identity options in different contexts.
Kinematic Measures of Bimanual Performance are Associated With Callosum White Matter Change in People With Chronic Stroke.

Abstract Objectives To investigate the relationship between bimanual performance deficits measured using kinematics and callosum (CC) white matter changes that occur in people with chronic stroke. Design Cross-sectional, observational study of participants with chronic stroke and age-matched controls. Setting Recruitment and assessments occurred at a stroke recovery research center. Behavioral assessments were performed in a controlled laboratory setting. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed at the Center for Biomedical Imaging. Participants Individuals were enrolled and completed the study (N=39; 21 participants with chronic stroke; 18 age-matched controls with at least 2 stroke risk factors). Main Outcome Measures Diffusion imaging metrics were obtained for each individual’s CC and corticospinal tract (CST), including mean kurtosis (MK) and fractional anisotropy (FA). A battery of motor assessments, including bimanual kinematics, were collected from individuals while performing bimanual reaching. Results Participants with stroke had lower FA and MK in the CST of the lesioned hemisphere when compared with the non-lesioned hemisphere. The FA and MK values in the CST were correlated with measures of unimanual hand performance. In addition, participants with stroke had significantly lower FA and MK in the CC than matched controls. CC diffusion metrics positively correlated with hand asymmetry and trunk displacement during bimanual performance, even when correcting for age and lesion volume. Conclusions These data confirm previous studies that linked CST integrity to unimanual performance and provide new data demonstrating a link between CC integrity and both bimanual motor deficits and compensatory movements.
Staying Alive, Breaking Away: The Plot Against America, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, and Diversity on the Home Screen

The disruption of ordinary life by a deadly pandemic, an outrageous display of police violence, and a tumbling economy have left Americans isolated, frozen, and terrified. For many, the television ...
Lane and speed allocation mechanism for autonomous vehicle agents on a multi-lane highway

Abstract Following the arc of automation, it is expected that many driverless vehicles will soon be on the road. The need for autonomous traffic to self-organize necessitates the development of advanced algorithms for unsupervised machine-to-machine negotiation. Mechanisms rooted in game theory detect and resolve contradictions among agents with differing objectives and enable automated collaboration with a socially beneficial outcome. A case study of cyber-enabled vehicles following private objectives and using private ranked preferences to bid for lane and speed changes on a multi-lane highway illustrates interactions that rely on mechanism design. The presented approach constitutes a strategyproof mechanism and thus induces the truthfullness of bids. A lane position and speed setting allocation rule detects and resolves conflict and provides an option for monetization. A NetLogo simulation implements the methodology described. The model allows for additional resources or resource dimensions. Minor domain specific alterations to the distance operator can translate to many application areas and scenarios providing multiple or multi-dimensional resource allocation for a fee.
Research Synthesis, HIV Prevention Response, and Public Health: CDC's HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis Project.

ObjectiveResearch synthesis, through qualitative or quantitative systematic reviews, allows for integrating results of primary research to improve public health. We examined more than 2 decades of ...
Increased disease burden in Interleukin-3 deficient mice after Mycobacterium tuberculosis and herpes simplex virus infections

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) is produced during infections caused by parasites, bacteria and viruses, but its contribution to immunity in this context remains largely unknown. In mouse models of parasitic infections, in which the effects of IL-3 have been most extensively studied, IL-3 has been variously reported as protective, detrimental or inconsequential. Similarly, mixed results have been reported in viral and bacterial infection models. Here, we investigated the effects of IL-3 in mouse models of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) infections by assessing the pathogen burden, disease manifestations and survival following infection. After infection with M. tuberculosis, IL-3 deficient mice showed higher bacillary burden, increased lung pathology and reduced survival compared to wild type mice. After infection with HSV-1 through cutaneous route and HSV-2 through vaginal route, IL-3 deficient mice showed higher viral burden, increased disease manifestations and reduced survival compared to wild type mice. Our results show that IL-3 makes a subtle but significant contribution to protective immunity in these mouse models of bacterial and viral infections.
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Absorption Measurement using Integrated Lithium Niobate Nanophotonics

We use photon counting and a sweeping high-Q microring on chip to obtain the atmospheric carbon dioxide absorption spectrum around 1572.022 nm.