cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Natural history of transposition in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: Use of the AMT4 locus as an experimental system

The AMT4 locus of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which we mapped to the long arm of chromosome 8, provides a good experimental system for the study of transposition. Most mutations that confer resistance to the toxic ammonium analog methylammonium are in AMT4 and a high proportion of spontaneous mutations are caused by transposon-related events. Among the 15 such events that we have characterized at the molecular level, 9 were associated with insertions of the retrotransposon TOC1, 2 with a small Gulliver-related transposon, and 1 with the Tcr1 transposon. We found that Tcr1 is apparently a foldback transposon with terminal inverted repeats that are much longer and more complex than previously realized. A duplication of Tcr1 yielded a configuration thought to be important for chromosomal evolution. Other mutations in AMT4 were caused by two mobile elements that have not been described before. The sequence of one, which we propose to call the Bill element, indicates that it probably transposes by way of a DNA intermediate and requires functions that it does not encode. The sequence of the other and bioinformatic analysis indicates that it derives from a miniature retrotransposon or TRIM, which we propose to call MRC1 (miniature retrotransposon of Chlamydomonas).
Future of Medicare Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Recipients in the United States

Summary Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for patients with ESRD. It improves the quality of life in recipients, increases patient survival, and is also substantially less costly than maintenance dialysis. Long-term transplant success requires immunosuppressant drug therapy for the life of the allograft. Under current law, Medicare coverage for most recipients (except for those recipients over 65 years of age or with nonkidney-related disabilities) lasts only 3 years, leaving many recipients unable to afford these medications. Lack of drug therapy often leads to allograft rejection, resulting in premature graft failure, return to dialysis, or death. This article reviews the current policy for Medicare immunosuppressive drug coverage and analyzes the potential impact of pending legislative proposals H.R. 2969 and S. 1454 and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Rheology Models for Pseudoplastic Soy Systems Based on Water Binding

The objectives were to (1) determine the effects of sucrose, glucose, sodium chloride and soy soluble carbohydrate on flow characteristics of suspensions of polymers, and (2) investigate the relationship between these effects and the quantity of water associated with polymer and solute in the suspension. Polymers were defatted soy flour, soybean sodium proteinate and soybean cell wall material. A strong linear relationship was developed between the ratio of polymer and polymer bound water to solute and solute bound water (P/S) and flow characteristics. The models developed from these relationships held for soy flours containing both polymer and solute. Suspensions with high P/S showed a high degree of pseudoplastic behavior.
Application Of Media Richness Theory To Data Collection

Researchers and practitioners are becoming more dependent on electronic means of data collection. This study utilizes media richness theory (MRT) as a means to better understand respondent performance in data collection among adults and adolescents. Examining the differences between paper and pencil, interview and electronic form methods of data collection, the results of this study indicate that matching task type to data collection method according to MRT principles produces improved levels of response distortion as expected; however, item omissions are not influenced in the manner anticipated from MRT concepts.
New paradigms for high assurance software

We present a new para.digm for the development of trustworthy systems. It differs from our current paradigm by separating distinct desiderata. that, are bundled in the Trusted Comp&er System Evaluation Criteria, requiring tha.t our formalisms be t.ied t.o real world concerns, requiring a uniform method for a.ssuring that formalisms a.re met, replacing a. code-t,henvalidate methodology by a. refiilement-l,a.sed met.llodology, and using con~posa1~ilit.y logic to develop systems from COTS software.
Heat capacities of some liquid aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic esters at 298.15 K

Abstract The heat capacities of 26 liquid aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic esters at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure have been measured with a typical uncertainty of 0.5 per cent. The values confirm the additive nature of C p (l), and some improved additive parameters are proposed.
Theory of transverse mode coherence in quantum cascade lasers

We model the phase coherence of multi-transverse modes of buried-heterostructure quantum cascade lasers. The experimentally observed transverse mode locking and beam steering are explained by four-wave mixing of longitudinal modes belonging to different transverse modes.
Progression of postoperative residual medullary thyroid carcinoma as monitored by plasma calcitonin levels.

Background Patients operated on for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) frequently have persistent elevated plasma calcitonin concentrations after operation, indicating remaining tumor. The plasma calcitonin concentration in a patient with MTC roughly reflects the endogenous tumor burden. The only effective treatment for MTC is surgical. The decision about whether a patient with persistent MTC should have a repeat operation would be influenced by knowledge of the natural course of the disease. Methods Forty patients with persistently elevated peak plasma calcitonin concentrations after thyroidectomy for MTC were monitored for a mean of 6 years. Serial determinations of plasma calcitonin levels were obtained before and after intravenous injection of calcium and pentagastrin. Results At the first postoperative test 63% of the patients had undetectable basal calcitonin values, although their stimulated plasma calcitonin concentrations were elevated. The mean annual increase in stimulated plasma calcitonin concentrations was 117%, but plasma calcitonin concentrations were stable in three patients and decreased in one patient. Five patients are known to have experienced distant metastases. Conclusions MTC is a progressive disease in most patients with persistent hypercalcitoninemia after thyroidectomy. Stimulated peak plasma calcitonin levels are more meaningful than basal levels in the serial postoperative evaluation of patients with persistent hypercalcitoninemia after thyroidectomy for MTC.
Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis

Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) occurs in approximately 90 % of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and has a major impact on quality of life. This visual guide provides images of SSc-associated GIT involvement to aid the clinician in the recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of these complications.
Are cannabis use disorders associated with an earlier age at onset of psychosis? A study in first episode schizophrenia

Introduction The purpose of this study is to determine if an earlier age at onset of positive symptoms in schizophrenia is associated with cannabis use disorders (CUD).
Laser Densification Modeling

A three-dimensional transient model for heat conduction in silica glass is developed. The model simulates a three-dimensional temperature distribution in a silica glass irradiated by a moving CO2 laser. Both the reflectivity of the glass surface and the strong attenuation of the laser energy in the glass medium are accounted for by a detailed radiation analysis. The energy absorbed by the glass is determined to be confined in a 10 μm thickness; the laser irradiation is thus treated as a boundary condition. The heat diffusion equation is solved by an alternating direction-implicit method.
Characterization of the Exosporium Basal Layer Protein BxpB of Bacillus anthracis

Bacillus anthracis spores, the cause of anthrax, are enclosed by a prominent loose-fitting structure called the exosporium. The exosporium is composed of a basal layer and an external hair-like nap. The filaments of the hair-like nap are apparently formed by a single collagen-like glycoprotein called BclA, whereas several different proteins form or are tightly associated with the basal layer. In this study, we used immunogold electron microscopy to demonstrate that BxpB (also called ExsF) is a component of the exosporium basal layer. Binding to the basal layer by an anti-BxpB monoclonal antibody was greatly increased by the loss of BclA. We found that BxpB and BclA are part of a stable complex that appears to include the putative basal layer protein ExsY and possibly other proteins. Previous results suggested that BxpB was glycosylated; however, our results indicate that it is not a glycoprotein. We showed that ΔbxpB spores, which lack BxpB, contain an exosporium devoid of hair-like nap even though the ΔbxpB strain produces normal levels of BclA. These results indicated that BxpB is required for the attachment of BclA to the exosporium. Finally, we found that the efficiency of production of ΔbxpB spores and their resistance properties were similar to those of wild-type spores. However, ΔbxpB spores germinate faster than wild-type spores, indicating that BxpB suppresses germination. This effect did not appear to be related to the absence from ΔbxpB spores of a hair-like nap or of enzymes that degrade germinants.
Phenacomys ungava (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Phenacomys ungava Merriam, 1889, is an arvicoline rodent commonly known as the eastern heather vole. A small vole with a short tail and reddish to yellowish nose and eye rings, it is 1 of 2 currently recognized species in the genus Phenacomys. The species occurs in diverse habitats of the boreal forest ecosystem of Canada from Labrador to southern Yukon and from southern Quebec to southern Alberta, with isolated records from northeastern Minnesota. P. ungava is listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
The Impact of Target Base Rate on Training and Transfer of Learning in Airline Luggage Screening: An Examination of Three Base Rate Scenarios

Summary: We examined the extent to which transfer of training is impacted by target probability and physical similarity of training and transfer stimuli. Participants performed a luggage screening task where they trained on three base rates of weapon presence as follows: 100%, 50% and 20%; at transfer, participants detected the same weapons (Study 1) or novel weapons (Studies 2 and 3) at a base rate of 20%. In Study 3, we modified training such that all participants observed the same absolute number of weapons (n=100) across base rate conditions. In Study 1, different base rates did not significantly impact transfer. In Study 2, 100% base rates helped hit rates at transfer but increased false alarms via liberal shifts in decision criteria and slowed detection times. Study 3 revealed no effect of base rates on transfer hit rates; however, training on 100% base rates still led to liberal responding and inflated false alarms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of FeLV-945 by c-Myb binding and CBP recruitment to the LTR.

Background: Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) induces degenerative, proliferative and malignant hematologic disorders in its natural host, the domestic cat. FeLV-945 is a viral variant identified as predominant in a cohort of naturally infected animals. FeLV-945 contains a unique sequence motif in the long terminal repeat (LTR) comprised of a single copy of transcriptional enhancer followed by a 21-bp sequence triplicated in tandem. The LTR is precisely conserved among independent cases of multicentric lymphoma, myeloproliferative disease and anemia in animals from the cohort. The 21-bp triplication was previously shown to act as a transcriptional enhancer preferentially in hematopoietic cells and to confer a replicative advantage. The objective of the present study was to examine the molecular mechanism by which the 21-bp triplication exerts its influence and the selective advantage responsible for its precise conservation. Results: Potential binding sites for the transcription factor, c-Myb, were identified across the repeat junctions of the 21-bp triplication. Such sites would not occur in the absence of the repeat; thus, a requirement for c-Myb binding to the repeat junctions of the triplication would exert a selective pressure to conserve its sequence precisely. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated specific binding of c-Myb to the 21-bp triplication. Reporter gene assays showed that the triplication-containing LTR is responsive to c-Myb, and that responsiveness requires the presence of both c-Myb binding sites. Results further indicated that c-Myb in complex with the 21bp triplication recruits the transcriptional co-activator, CBP, a regulator of normal hematopoiesis. FeLV-945 replication was shown to be positively regulated by CBP in a manner dependent on the presence of the 21-bp triplication. Conclusion: Binding sites for c-Myb across the repeat junctions of the 21-bp triplication may account for its precise conservation in the FeLV-945 LTR. c-Myb binding and CBP recruitment to the LTR positively regulated virus production, and thus may be responsible for the replicative advantage conferred by the 21-bp triplication. Considering that CBP is present in hematopoietic cells in limiting amounts, we hypothesize that FeLV-945 replication in bone marrow may influence CBP availability and thereby alter the regulation of CBP-responsive genes, thus contributing to altered hematopoiesis and consequent hematologic disease.
Chaos Out of Order: A Simple, Scalable File Distribution Facility For `Intentionally Heterogeneous' Networks

In large networks, heterogeneity in hardware, operating systems, user needs, and administrative responsibility often forms boundaries that inhibit sharing of information, expertise, and responsibility. These boundaries can divide networks into `feudal fiefdoms' of administrators, each with a disjoint domain of responsibility. DISTR is an easy-to-use file distribution tool for homogeneous networks that also provides controlled file transfer between disparate architectures and administrative domains. Using DISTR, administrators of unrelated networks can collaborate to reduce duplication of effort while retaining control of their own networks. DISTR's controls allow collaboration, cooperation, and camaraderie to evolve, not from grand and imposed designs, but from informal and serendipitous commonalities of mission and purpose.
Decision-directed fine synchronization for coded OFDM systems

A new decision-directed (DD) synchronization scheme is proposed for joint estimation of carrier frequency offset (CFO) and sampling clock frequency offset (SFO) in coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. By exploiting the decisions provided by a Viterbi decoder and the information available on all the modulated subcarriers, we report accurate estimators of residual CFO and small SFO without relying on pilots. The performance analysis and simulation results indicate that the proposed novel DD scheme achieves much better performance than the conventional pilot-based schemes in both AWGN and frequency-selective channels.
Scoring models as a tool for teacher self-assessment

There are a number of ways to evaluate a teacher's aptitude as an instructor, but these methods require a trained expert for the analysis. This paper investigates a method of teacher evaluation that draws on a teacher's own self assessment of what constitutes “good teaching”. This method is compared to a trained expert's own assessment of “good teaching” and an existing scoring system known as the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). The method shows consistency with similar methods for this particular type of scenario, but it does not appear to encompass all the aspects of this unique problem.
How organisational cost reporting practices affect project management: the issues of project review and evaluation

While a project's scope and schedule expectations have their own set of standards and principles, project cost reporting seems to be an underdeveloped discipline today. In this manuscript, we elaborate on how an absence of organisational cost management oversight has placed project managers in a bind, as project managers are responsible for managing project costs while (in many cases) not knowing what those costs are in relation to the project's scope and schedule. We also discuss the issues of project cost reporting and the implications of how organisations affect the appropriate costing of projects when managerial accounting processes are available to facilitate project costing.
Did Demerec Discover Intragenic Recombination in 1928

STURTEVANT'S multiple allelism hypothesis (Sturtevant 1913) led to the assumption by geneticists during much of the first half of the twentieth century that genes were units indivisible by recombination (reviewed in Lipshitz 2004, pp. 13–18). Disproof of this hypothesis required the discovery of the cis-trans position effect in Drosophila and the recovery of both wild-type and double-mutant recombinants from flies heterozygous for the Star and asteroid rough-eye mutations (Lewis 1942, 1945). A decade later, fine-structure mapping of the rII locus in phage provided definitive proof of intragenic recombination (Benzer 1955). In fact, Oliver (1940) had reported the occurrence of wild-type flies from females heterozygous for the mutations of the lozenge rough-eye series. He interpreted these as revertants, as the title of his article indicates, but he does discuss the possibility that they were the result of recombination. Green and Green (1949) later obtained double and even triple lozenge mutant combinations, thus establishing recombination as the source of the wild-type flies that Oliver had discovered.
A Gaussian derivative-based transform

The article describes a new image transform that decomposes an image using a set of Gaussian derivatives. The basis functions themselves have been shown to effectively model the measured receptive fields of simple cells in the mammalian visual cortex. Based on these functions, it can be expected that this transform can provide a mechanism for exploiting the properties of the human visual system in image processing algorithms.
Solution of the Heat Conduction Equation

During laser irradiation of biological tissue several steps have to be considered: (a) propagation of light in tissue including reflection and scattering, (b) transformation of laser light into photochemical, acoustic, or thermal energy, depending primarily on the absorber, pulse energy, and pulse duration, (c) propagation of the spatial temperature profile for the fraction of light energy that was transformed into thermal energy, and propagation of acoustic transients for the fraction of light energy that was converted into mechanical energy, and (d) the dependency between temperature elevation and tissue damage, which can be described by the Arrhenius law.
Facultative thermogenesis during brooding is not the norm among pythons.

Facultative thermogenesis is often attributed to pythons in general despite limited comparative data available for the family. While all species within Pythonidae brood their eggs, only two species are known to produce heat to enhance embryonic thermal regulation. By contrast, a few python species have been reported to have insignificant thermogenic capabilities. To provide insight into potential phylogenetic, morphological, and ecological factors influencing thermogenic capability among pythons, we measured metabolic rates and clutch-environment temperature differentials at two environmental temperatures—python preferred brooding temperature (31.5 °C) and a sub-optimal temperature (25.5 °C)—in six species of pythons, including members of two major phylogenetic branches currently devoid of data on the subject. We found no evidence of facultative thermogenesis in five species: Aspidites melanocephalus, A. ramsayi, Morelia viridis, M. spilota cheynei, and Python regius. However, we found that Bothrochilus boa had a thermal metabolic sensitivity indicative of facultative thermogenesis (i.e., a higher metabolic rate at the lower temperature). However, its metabolic rate was quite low and technical challenges prevented us from measuring temperature differential to make conclusions about facultative endothermy in this species. Regardless, our data combined with existing literature demonstrate that facultative thermogenesis is not as widespread among pythons as previously thought.
The Colonel and Hug: The Partnership that Transformed the New York Yankees

Biographies of individuals related to the New York Yankees baseball club are not in short supply. The list of Yankee biographies includes figures from off the field as well: managers Casey Stengel,...
The Use of Molecular Modeling as “Pseudoexperimental” Data for Teaching VSEPR as a Hands-On General Chemistry Activity

A hands-on activity appropriate for first-semester general chemistry students is presented that combines traditional VSEPR methods of predicting molecular geometries with introductory use of molecular modeling. Students analyze a series of previously calculated output files consisting of several molecules each in various geometries. Each structure is analyzed with respect to the calculated relative energies and bond angles and then compared to the predicted geometry obtained using VSEPR theory. Therefore, students gain exposure to and an introductory experience in computational chemistry, while reinforcing the connection between VSEPR theory and “pseudoexperimental” results obtained from the calculations. This exercise can be completed by first-semester general chemistry students in a 3-h time period and without the need for students to learn how to actually perform the calculation themselves. The benefits of the exercise as well as the impact of such visualization activities on spatial orientation, parti...
Nine-year Summary of the Arkansas Steer Feedout Program: Factors Contributing to Value and Return

Abstract The objectives of this paper were to evaluate 1) factors affecting return above feedlot expenses; 2) characteristics of calves that did (FIT) or did not NOFIT) fall within a price grid structure based on quality grade, yield grade, and carcass weight; 3) impact of morbidity; and 4) characteristics that impacted initial and final value of calves enrolled in the Arkansas Steer Feedout program. Stepwise regression analysis on 1,917 calves over a 9-yr period indicated quality grade, medical expense, and ADG as significant sources of variation each year. Hot carcass weight and yield grade were significant sources of variation 8 of 9 years. Fifty-eight percent of steers were categorized as NOFIT. Calves categorized as FIT had an 8% greater carcass value and returned $75 more than NOFIT calves (P
Measuring Status Inconsistency More Trouble Than it's Worth?

There have been many attempts to isolate and measure the effects of status inconsistency (S-I) on a variety of dependent variables, including self-evaluation (Goffman, 1957), social isolation (Geschwender, 1967), political attitudes and behavior (Lenski, 1954), political extremism (Rush, 1967), prejudice (Geschwender, 1970), and psychological stress (Hornung, 1977) among numerous others. These efforts have not, for the most part, dealt satisfactorily with the identification problem demonstrated by Blalock (1965, 1966, 1967, 1968), Hodge (1970), and Hope (1975). This problem arises when one tries to separate the effects of two or more status indicators. A model that tends to overestimate S-I effects is used in the present article. Status consistency's main effects are controlled by using only consistent individuals. The model is employed to explain the variance in an array of dependent variables that have been linked to S-I. This is accomplished using two recent NORC General Social Surveys for the United States and comparative data from a Euro-barometer survey drawn from seven Western European countries. Evidence generated by "objective" measures offers little support for significant empirical effects of S-I. The few significant effects that emerge in one sample are not replicated in the others.
Growth and Characterization of Epitaxial GaAs on Ge/Si Substrates

Epitaxial GaAs layers have been grown on Ge-coated Si substrates. Deposition of epitaxial Ge was performed by electron beam evaporation onto a Si substrate. GaAs was then deposited by organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy. Films grown over large areas (∼1 cm2) and by selective epitaxy in stripe patterns (∼50 µm wide) have been evaluated by a number of techniques to determine structural and electrical properties. In addition, we report what we believe to be the first LEDs fabricated in GaAs/Ge/Si heterostructures.
Controllability Analysis of a Mass-Actuated Airplane

This paper is to follow up on prior work on a mass-actuated airplane that is controlled by internally moving masses instead of conventional control surfaces. The mass-actuated aircraft effectively has two control variables: the internal positions of two control masses, one of which is moved longitudinal along the body x-axis and the other is moved laterally along the wings. Prior works showed feasible trim results of mass actuated airplane during straight level flight and steady state turn with and without side slip angle at constant altitude. This work investigates the controllability of the aircraft with mass actuation. Furthermore, to determine quality or level of controllability by mass-actuation as compared to that by aerodynamic control surfaces, two different methods are used: (i) a measure of controllability based on controllability Gramian and (ii) values of pertaining entries in control/input matrix.
Parameters Optimization of Microgrid Control System

Microgrid has flexible operation mode.It can run in the mode of parallel operation and island operation.And it can realize the switch from parallel operation to island mode seamlessly.In the study of microgrid modes,the effect of micro-generators PI parameters on the stability of microgrid operation is revealed.The effect on the stability of microgrid from the different PI parameters combination is analyzed.Finally,through the optimized selection,the microgrid gets the best working state.It realized the flexible conversion of microgrid operation modes,and ensuring the stability of system.
Screening for blunt cerebrovascular injury: evaluating the accuracy of multidetector computed tomographic angiography.

Background Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has been widely considered the "gold standard" for diagnosing blunt cerebral vascular injury, but recent advances in multidetector computed tomographic angiography (CTA) may have led to improved accuracy compared with DSA. Methods A retrospective study of patients who underwent CTA and DSA for suspected blunt cerebral vascular injury was performed. Two neuroradiologists and one radiology resident, blinded to the other test, independently reviewed CTA and DSA studies. Sensitivity and specificity of CTA were determined using DSA as the gold standard. Results Thirty-two patients met the study criteria. Consensus DSA interpretation identified 17 vascular injuries in 15 patients. Among the three radiologists, the sensitivity of CTA for carotid injury ranged from 83% (10 of 12) to 92% (11 of 12), and the specificity ranged from 88% (36 of 41) to 98% (40 of 41). The sensitivity for vertebral artery injury ranged from 40% (2 of 5) to 60% (3 of 5), and the specificity ranged from 90% (35 of 39) to 97% (38 of 39). CTA sensitivity rose to 80% (four of five) in the vertebral artery when a lower diagnostic threshold was used. Conclusion The sensitivity of CTA for carotid artery injury at our center was higher than in previous studies. This might be attributable to the superior quality of multidetector CTA images. Our conclusions on CTA accuracy in the vertebral artery are limited by the small number of injuries.
Information Literacy in Public Affairs Curriculum

In this article, a librarian and a professor who work at the same university trace the development of information literacy standards. These standards were applied retrospectively to a graduate course that the professor teaches; the librarian was one of his students at that time. The article offers suggestions for guiding students on how to use and evaluate information resources, in order to complete a term-long research project. It also addresses librarians* efforts in educating both students and other faculty on information literacy.
Atopic Dermatitis and Papulosquamous Disorders

It is not uncommon to encounter certain papulosquamous diseases in an inpatient setting in general pediatrics. At times, the skin disease is the primary reason for admission; while in others, recognition of the skin disease may be relevant to ongoing care, such as continued appropriate topical therapy for a patient’s atopic dermatitis. Skin disease is not an uncommon reason for admission, and patients occasionally acquire a skin problem in the hospital, such as severe diaper dermatitis. Recognition of dermatologic diseases early on may shorten hospitalizations over all, and should lead to better management with appropriate consult and coordination of care.
Dissolved phosphorus concentrations in runoff from simulated rainfall on corn and soybean tillage systems

ABSTRACT: Dissolved phosphorus was measured in runoff from simulated rainfall applied to two soils and several tillage treatments used in an annual crop rotation of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans [Glycine max (L.)]. The average concentration and load of soluble P in the runoff were significantly greater from the no-till than from other tillage treatments. Only moldboard plowing after surface broadcasting of P fertilizer reduced the soluble P concentration below 0.05 mg-P/L, a concentration of total P believed to promote eutrophication. For the Catlin soil, a variety of tillage practices (disk, field cultivation, and strip-till) appeared to result in soluble P concentrations of approximately 0.14 mg-P/L. For the Tama soil, disk-barrow followed by field cultivation and harrow after fertilizer application appeared to reduce soluble P concentration in the runoff to approximately 0.06 mg-P/L. These results concur with other results reported in the literature which suggest that dissolved P concentrations in runoff from reduced tillage systems (particularly no-till) may be problematic for water quality if fertilizer P is surface applied
Maintenance of Transcription-Translation Coupling by Elongation Factor P

ABSTRACT Under conditions of tight coupling between translation and transcription, the ribosome enables synthesis of full-length mRNAs by preventing both formation of intrinsic terminator hairpins and loading of the transcription termination factor Rho. While previous studies have focused on transcription factors, we investigated the role of Escherichia coli elongation factor P (EF-P), an elongation factor required for efficient translation of mRNAs containing consecutive proline codons, in maintaining coupled translation and transcription. In the absence of EF-P, the presence of Rho utilization (rut) sites led to an ~30-fold decrease in translation of polyproline-encoding mRNAs. Coexpression of the Rho inhibitor Psu fully restored translation. EF-P was also shown to inhibit premature termination during synthesis and translation of mRNAs encoding intrinsic terminators. The effects of EF-P loss on expression of polyproline mRNAs were augmented by a substitution in RNA polymerase that accelerates transcription. Analyses of previously reported ribosome profiling and global proteomic data identified several candidate gene clusters where EF-P could act to prevent premature transcription termination. In vivo probing allowed detection of some predicted premature termination products in the absence of EF-P. Our findings support a model in which EF-P maintains coupling of translation and transcription by decreasing ribosome stalling at polyproline motifs. Other regulators that facilitate ribosome translocation through roadblocks to prevent premature transcription termination upon uncoupling remain to be identified. IMPORTANCE Bacterial mRNA and protein syntheses are often tightly coupled, with ribosomes binding newly synthesized Shine-Dalgarno sequences and then translating nascent mRNAs as they emerge from RNA polymerase. While previous studies have mainly focused on the roles of transcription factors, here we investigated whether translation factors can also play a role in maintaining coupling and preventing premature transcription termination. Using the polyproline synthesis enhancer elongation factor P, we found that rapid translation through potential stalling motifs is required to provide efficient coupling between ribosomes and RNA polymerase. These findings show that translation enhancers can play an important role in gene expression by preventing premature termination of transcription.
Abnormally High Levels of Circulating CD34+CD38−, CD34+CD38+, and CD10+ Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in the Peripheral Blood of B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (B-CLL) Patients Suggest the Presence of Additional Therapeutic Target Cells.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a lymphoproliferative disorder manifested by a clonal expansion of mature long-lived functionally defective lymphocytes that are predominantly of B-cell origin (>95% of cases). CLL cells typically express the pan-B-cell antigens CD19 and CD20 as wells as CD5, an antigen of mature T-cells, which is present in 95% of B-CLL patients and is helpful for diagnosis. The disease has a median survival of 8–10 years. Asymptomatic patients (RAI stages 0–2) are often not treated. RAI stages 3 & 4 are generally treated. Current therapies for CLL included a combination of monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, rituximab) with purine analogs (fludarabine or pentostatin) and alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide). Current therapies to manage B-cell CLL are not curative and therefore suggest that the current strategy of targeting therapy against B-cells may leave behind residual disease that contributes to progression or relapse. The importance of more primitive Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor cell populations in B-CLL patients has not been considered. We hypothesized that circulating cells may be spontaneously mobilized into the periphery of CLL patients and would therefore contribute to the peripheral blood microenvironment. To test this hypothesis we examined existing CLL cell populations from un-treated “watch-and-wait” B-CLL patients as compared to normal volunteer donor peripheral blood cell populations utilizing multivariate flow cytometric analysis. We determined CD34+CD38−, CD34+CD38+, and CD10 levels in normal peripheral blood to be 81.0±14.5, 497.3±78.33, and 83.6±17.5 cells/ml respectively. We report here the presence of abnormally high levels of these stem and progenitor cell populations in B-CLL patients (see table). Although the mechanism behind the release of these cells into the periphery in B-CLL patients is unknown, it is reasonable to propose that they may be contributing to the manifestation of the disease and are therefore potential novel target cell populations for future therapies.
Is Pepsi Really a Substitute for Coke? Market Definition in Antitrust and IP

Antitrust law explicitly depends on market definition. Many issues in IP law also depend on market definition, though that definition is rarely explicit.Applying antitrust's traditional market definition to IP goods leads to some startling results. Despite the received wisdom that IP rights don't necessarily confer market power, a wide array of IP rights do exactly that under traditional antitrust principles. This result requires us to rethink both the overly-rigid way we define markets in antitrust law and the competitive consequences of granting IP protection. Both antitrust and IP must begin to think realistically about those consequences, rather than falling back on rigid formulas or recitation of the mantra that there is no conflict between IP and antitrust.
Friend or Foe? An Exploratory Analysis of Employees’ Attitudes Towards Self-Service Technologies

Technologies that enable customers to produce services on their own have increasingly found their way into service companies (Meuter et al. 2005; Bitner et al. 2000). Some of these self-service technologies (SSTs), including airline check-in kiosks, automated teller machines (ATMs), and self–check-outs in grocery stores, already are integral to certain service delivery routines (Giebelshausen et al. 2014; Meuter et al. 2000).
Exploiting the analog properties of digital circuits for malicious hardware

While the move to smaller transistors has been a boon for performance it has dramatically increased the cost to fabricate chips using those smaller transistors. This forces the vast majority of chip design companies to trust a third party---often overseas---to fabricate their design. To guard against shipping chips with errors (intentional or otherwise) chip design companies rely on post-fabrication testing. Unfortunately, this type of testing leaves the door open to malicious modifications since attackers can craft attack triggers requiring a sequence of unlikely events, which will never be encountered by even the most diligent tester. In this paper, we show how a fabrication-time attacker can leverage analog circuits to create a hardware attack that is small (i.e., requires as little as one gate) and stealthy (i.e., requires an unlikely trigger sequence before affecting a chip's functionality). In the open spaces of an already placed and routed design, we construct a circuit that uses capacitors to siphon charge from nearby wires as they transit between digital values. When the capacitors are fully charged, they deploy an attack that forces a victim flip-flop to a desired value. We weaponize this attack into a remotely controllable privilege escalation by attaching the capacitor to a controllable wire and by selecting a victim flip-flop that holds the privilege bit for our processor. We implement this attack in an OR1200 processor and fabricate a chip. Experimental results show that the purposed attack works. It eludes activation by a diverse set of benchmarks and evades known defenses.
Abstract 20132: Carbon Nanotube Fibers Facilitate Ventriculoatrial Conduction

Introduction: Physiologic atrioventricular (A-V) conduction occurs through the atrioventricular node (AVN), and pathologic conduction may occur through accessory pathways (AP). We have previously s...
Mexican water studies in the Mexico-US borderlands

This article is an introduction to a special section of the Journal of Political Ecology that presents a Mexican perspective on the transnational dimensions of water use and management in the Mexico-U.S. borderlands. Three articles by leading Mexican scholars discuss the anthropology and history of water in the borderlands. The articles are interdisciplinary, and are linked in different ways to pioneering research on water in Mexico established by Angel Palerm.
Taxa-function robustness in microbial communities.

The species composition of a microbial community is rarely fixed and often experiences fluctuations of varying degrees and at varying frequencies. These perturbations to a community’s taxonomic profile naturally also alter the community’s functional profile–the aggregate set of genes encoded by community members–ultimately altering the community’s overall functional capacities. The magnitude of such functional changes and the specific shift that will occur in each function, however, are strongly dependent on how genes are distributed across community members’ genomes. This gene distribution, in turn, is determined by the taxonomic composition of the community and would markedly differ, for example, between communities composed of species with similar genomic content vs. communities composed of species whose genomes encode relatively distinct gene sets. Combined, these observations suggest that community functional robustness to taxonomic perturbations could vary widely across communities with different compositions, yet, to date, a systematic study of the inherent link between community composition and robustness is lacking. In this study, we examined how a community’s taxonomic composition influences the robustness of that community’s functional profile to taxonomic perturbation (here termed taxa-function robustness) across a wide array of environments. Using a novel simulation-based computational model to quantify this taxa-function robustness in host-associated and non-host-associated communities, we find notable differences in robustness between communities inhabiting different body sites, including significantly higher robustness in gut communities compared to vaginal communities that cannot be attributed solely to differences in species richness. We additionally find between-site differences in the robustness of specific functions, some of which are potentially related to site-specific environmental conditions. These taxa-function robustness differences are most strongly associated with differences in overall functional redundancy, though other aspects of gene distribution also influence taxa-function robustness in certain body environments, and are sufficient to cluster communities by environment. Further analysis revealed a correspondence between our robustness estimates and taxonomic and functional shifts observed across human-associated communities. Our analysis approach revealed intriguing taxa-function robustness variation across environments and identified features of community and gene distribution that impact robustness. This approach could be further applied for estimating taxa-function robustness in novel communities and for informing the design of synthetic communities with specific robustness requirements.
Analysis and action: The political will and public will approach

Addressing complex social problems requires the implementation of public policies in support of positive social change efforts. Both political will and public will are crucial elements of such effo...
Comparing outcomes with thoracic epidural and intercostal nerve cryoablation after Nuss procedure.

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate postoperative outcomes after minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (Nuss procedure) using video-assisted intercostal nerve cryoablation (INC) compared to thoracic epidural (TE). Materials and methods We performed a single center retrospective review of pediatric patients who underwent Nuss procedure with INC (n = 19) or TE (n = 13) from April 2015 to August 2017. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative characteristics were collected. The primary outcome was length of stay (LOS) and secondary outcomes were intravenous and oral opioid use, pain scores, and complications. Opioids were converted to oral morphine milligram equivalents per kilogram (oral morphine equivalent [OME]/kg). Mann–Whitney U test was used for continuous and chi-squared analysis for categorical variables. Results There were no significant differences in patient characteristics, except Haller Index (INC: median [interquartile range] 4.3 [3.6-4.9]; TE: 3.2 [2.8-4.0]; P = 0.03). LOS was shorter with INC (INC: 3 [3-4] days; TE: 6 [5-7] days; P Conclusions INC during Nuss procedure reduced LOS, shifting postoperative opioid use earlier during admission. This may reflect the need for improved early pain control until INC takes effect. Prospective evaluation after INC is needed to characterize long-term pain medication requirements.
Disasters, Coping with

Natural disasters and catastrophic failures of technological systems require considerable adjustment by both primary victims and rescue personnel. Loss, threat to life, exposure to the grotesque, hazardous working conditions, and breakdowns of social support networks are some of the consequences of responding to disasters. Disasters continue to affect people long after their initial impact, thus coping can be a protracted process. Stress responses to the anticipation, acute experience, and aftermath of disasters can affect mental and physical health, and successful coping may have an impact on distress and other symptoms. Distinctions among coping with natural and technological disasters, coping in emergency workers and primary victims, measurement of coping, and relationships between coping and health are discussed.
Nobility and Decadence: The Vulnerabilities of Nietzsche’s Strong Type

This paper argues that for Nietzsche it is only when the strong type decays on its own terms that it is possible for a weak type to come into dominance by inverting the values of the strong. It sets right a latent inconsistency in Deleuze’s work, Nietzsche and Philosophy , which traces back the origin of decadence to the subterranean struggle between reactive forces. I show that Deleuze’s reading runs contrary to his own contention that for Nietzsche the negative is a result of activity. I argue that the decadence of the strong is a consequence of its very creative activity and abundant health. Relying on Nietzsche’s later works, I isolate and analyze four typical traits of the strong type which not only determine this type as what it is but also make it vulnerable to decadence.
Databases, Core: Anthropology and Museums

Anthropological museum collections—including both ethnographic and archaeological materials—comprise an essential source of data for understanding the dynamic uses of material culture, relationships between human behavior and its material correlates, long-term social processes, and documentation of culture history and change. A wide variety of items and associated data are stored in museums worldwide, referenced by a bewildering array of descriptive terminologies, cataloguing systems, standards and formats for recording material type, function, provenience, age, significance, and social context. Key needs include the development of accepted nomenclature, data standards, and collection management practices. Additional concerns include varying physical or metadata organization and levels of curation, which complicate scholarly access to key museum collections, although significant progress is being made in each area. Several international initiatives have created common formats for the reporting of collection information and established baseline standards for collection organization and care for individual world regions. Challenges to the long-term integrity of museum anthropological collections include conservation requirements of the objects themselves, changing legal and ethical requirements affecting access and title to materials by native groups or descendant peoples, security issues, lack of established curation and metadata standards, and the scale and associated costs of storage and curation.