cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
O-GlcNAc Modification of the runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 (Runx2) Links Osteogenesis and Nutrient Metabolism in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Runx2 is the master switch controlling osteoblast differentiation and formation of the mineralized skeleton. The post-translational modification of Runx2 by phosphorylation, ubiquitinylation, and acetylation modulates its activity, stability, and interactions with transcriptional co-regulators and chromatin remodeling proteins downstream of osteogenic signals. Characterization of Runx2 by electron transfer dissociation tandem mass spectrometry revealed sites of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification, a nutrient-responsive post-translational modification that modulates the action of numerous transcriptional effectors. O-GlcNAc modification occurs in close proximity to phosphorylated residues and novel sites of arginine methylation within regions known to regulate Runx2 transactivation. An interaction between Runx2 and the O-GlcNAcylated, O-GlcNAc transferase enzyme was also detected. Pharmacological inhibition of O-GlcNAcase (OGA), the enzyme responsible for the removal of O-GlcNAc from Ser/Thr residues, enhanced basal (39.9%) and BMP2/7-induced (43.3%) Runx2 transcriptional activity in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts. In bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells differentiated for 6 days in osteogenic media, inhibition of OGA resulted in elevated expression (24.3%) and activity (65.8%) of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) an early marker of bone formation and a transcriptional target of Runx2. Osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the presence of BMP2/7 for 8 days culminated in decreased OGA activity (39.0%) and an increase in the abundance of O-GlcNAcylated Runx2, as compared with unstimulated cells. Furthermore, BMP2/7-induced ALP activity was enhanced by 35.6% in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells differentiated in the presence of the OGA inhibitor, demonstrating that direct or BMP2/7-induced inhibition of OGA is associated with increased ALP activity. Altogether, these findings link O-GlcNAc cycling to the Runx2-dependent regulation of the early ALP marker under osteoblast differentiation conditions.
What Constitutes a Scientific Database

We propose that a scientific database should be inherently different from, say a business database. The difference is based on the nature of science itself, in which hypotheses, or logical implications, form an essential part of the discipline. Empirical observations give rise to tentative hypotheses. Individual hypotheses are then tested, refuted or refined, by further empirical observation. In the paper, we propose representing the observational data of science in a lattice format that also conveys all the logical implications that can be supported by those observations. We claim that such a structure can be incrementally created and that the hypotheses formed will adapt to new data. We demonstrate its practicality by presenting two real situations in which it has been used. Finally, we look at the rather considerable storage costs associated with this approach and discuss other limitations that are still unresolved in this new approach to the representation of scientific data.
Geniuses of resistance: Feminist consciousness and the Black radical tradition

This article contests the criticisms of Black Marxism, as a basically masculinist text, that have circulated mainly in oral form. Based in part on an interview with Robinson, the article explores the concept of a closed, top-down narrative, which permits no further engagement or activity on the part of the reader, and an open-ended text, based on a methodology such as Robinson's, which can act as a point of departure for other activist scholars. The article develops the notion of resistance itself as gendered, which is particularly evident in Robinson's later work, and argues that the simplistic inclusion of women does not, of itself, render a text feminist
Effective intrusion detection using multiple sensors in wireless ad hoc networks

In this paper we propose a distributed intrusion detection system for ad hoc wireless networks based on mobile agent technology. Wireless networks are particularly vulnerable to intrusion, as they operate in open medium, and use cooperative strategies for network communications. By efficiently merging audit data from multiple network sensors, we analyze the entire ad hoc wireless network for intrusions and try to inhibit intrusion attempts. In contrast to many intrusion detection systems designed for wired networks, we implement an efficient and bandwidth-conscious framework that targets intrusion at multiple levels and takes into account distributed nature of ad hoc wireless network management and decision policies.
Yarn Diameter and Linear Mass Correlation

This paper focuses on the determination of the statistical correlation between yarn diameter and yarn linear mass. The experimental methods employed are based on optical analysis and on image processing techniques applied to electron microscope images. Several different cotton yarns were examined over a wide range of yarn linear masses. The results indicate that diameters predicted by the relationship commonly quoted in the literature can be as much as 62% smaller than those experimentally observed.
Characterization of mutant androgen receptors causing partial androgen insensitivity syndrome

The androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is an X-linked disorder caused by mutations of the androgen receptor (AR) gene resulting in a spectrum of sex phenotypes that ranges from complete female (complete AIS) to nearly complete male (partial AIS). Using the polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, we have analyzed the AR gene in three 46,XY individuals with partial AIS. In one subject whose androgen insensitivity was manifest at birth by clitoromegaly, posterior labial fusion, and a urogenital sinus, androgen-binding affinity in genital skin fibroblasts was similar to that of the control. In this subject, a mutation was identified in exon C encoding the second zinc finger of the androgen receptor. The mutation converted a leucine residue at position 616 to arginine, causing greatly reduced binding of receptor to an androgen-response element DNA sequence. However, the mutant AR retained a low level of transcriptional activity at physiological androgen concentrations in keepi...
Effectiveness of Routine Patient Bathing to Decrease the Burden of Spores on the Skin of Patients with Clostridium difficile Infection

For 74 patients with Clostridium difficile infection, the quality and frequency of bathing was often limited because of such factors as the presence of devices, decreased mobility, and pain. Routine bathing practices had limited efficacy in decreasing the burden of spores on skin; however, showers were more effective than bed baths.
Lymphoid neogenesis in murine cardiac allografts undergoing chronic rejection.

Lymphoid neogenesis is the process by which ectopic lymphoid accumulations that resemble lymph nodes arise in nonlymphoid tissues. Such lymphoid accumulations, known as tertiary lymphoid organs (TLO), are observed in chronic autoimmunity and they propagate immune pathology by setting up local antigen presenting sites. Whether lymphoid neogenesis occurs in transplanted organs and contributes to rejection is not well understood. To begin to address this question, we retrospectively analyzed 319 murine cardiac allografts for microscopic evidence of lymph-node-like structures. We found 78 allografts that had either classical TLO, characterized by discrete T- and B-cell zones and high endothelial venules (HEV) expressing peripheral node addressin (PNAd) (n = 34), or PNAd+ HEV without organized lymphoid accumulations (n = 44). These changes were present in both short- and long-lived allografts and were invariably associated with rejection. Importantly, they occurred in 78% of allografts undergoing chronic rejection (n = 85) but in only 7% of allografts undergoing primarily acute rejection (n = 184). These findings indicate that, like autoimmunity, alloimmunity is associated with lymphoid neogenesis in the target organ and suggest a role for local T-cell activation in chronic allograft rejection.
Youth perspectives on tech in schools: from mobile devices to restrictions and monitoring

This research brief is a contribution by the Youth and Media team at the Berkman Center to its Student Privacy Initiative, which seeks to explore the opportunities and challenges that may arise as educational institutions adopt cloud computing technologies. In order to understand the implications of cloud services for student privacy more holistically, it might be helpful to examine how technology that is already implemented in academic contexts is used by youth and to explore how students feel about current practices. Towards this goal and informed by our recent research, the brief aims to make visible the youth perspective regarding the use of digital technology in the academic context, with focus on privacy-relevant youth practices, limitations on access to information, and youth’s relation to educators in a high-tech environment. The brief includes insights and quotes gathered through a series of in-person focus groups as well as data from a questionnaire administered to all focus group participants. In addition, it highlights in a few instances additional research and data.The overarching study was conducted by the Youth and Media team between February and August 2013. The team conducted 30 focus group interviews with a total of 203 participants across the greater Boston area, Chicago, Greensboro (North Carolina), Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. Each focus group lasted 90 minutes, including the 15-minute questionnaire, consisting of 20 multiple-choice questions and one open-ended response. Although the research sample was not designed to constitute representative cross-sections of particular populations, the sample includes participants from diverse ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds. Participants ranged in age from 11 to 19. The mean age of participants is 14.8 (SD=1.96).
Storage and ultraviolet-induced tissue stress effects on fresh-cut pineapple

The effect of UV-induced stress on the volatile aroma compounds in cut pineapple was compared with that of storage at 4 °C for 24 h. Eighteen volatile compounds were identified by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in fresh-cut pineapple. Methyl-2-methylbutanoate, methyl hexanoate, methyl 5-hexenoate, ethyl hexanoate and ethyl 5-hexenoate were the major aroma compounds. Storage at 4 °C for 24 h, and exposure of cut fruit to UV radiation for 15 min caused a considerable decrease in the concentration of esters and increase in the relative amount of copaene. This sesquiterpene, when added to crushed cantaloupe melon (0.1 mg g−1), inhibited microbial growth in the fruit over a period of 24 h at 20 °C. Cis- and trans-ocimene were present in the fruit but their production was not photo-induced by UV irradiation. Ocimene, however, was a potent antimicrobial agent that killed microorganisms when added to the crushed fruit and stored at 20 °C for 24 h. The results indicate that sesquiterpene phytoalexins could contribute to the defense mechanism in wounded pineapple tissue. Published in 2004 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variable-modulus orthodontics

Traditionally, orthodontists have varied the size of the wire in order to produce a range of light to heavy forces. A new approach to force control in presented which allows wire size to remain relatively constant and the material of the wire is selected on the basis of clinical requirements. When the material instead of the cross section is varied, superior orientation should be achieved with fewer wires during tooth alignment, and bracket-wire play becomes independent of the forces needed. Since wire stiffness is determined by wire corss section and material, a simplified numbering system is described which aids clinicians in evaluating any orthodontic wire.
A software development system for FPGA-based data acquisition systems

We present a compiler, debugger, linker, and hardware/software interface for data acquisition systems based on hardware that is reconfigurable by the end user. Unlike earlier work, we choose a source language which is software-oriented. Our goal is to make systems with reconfigurable hardware accessible to scientists and engineers who are competent programmers but are not hardware literate.
The Double-ITCZ Problem in IPCC AR4 Coupled GCMs: Ocean–Atmosphere Feedback Analysis

Abstract This study examines the double–intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) problem in the coupled general circulation models (CGCMs) participating in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4). The twentieth-century climate simulations of 22 IPCC AR4 CGCMs are analyzed, together with the available Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) runs from 12 of them. To understand the physical mechanisms for the double-ITCZ problem, the main ocean–atmosphere feedbacks, including the zonal sea surface temperature (SST) gradient–trade wind feedback (or Bjerknes feedback), the SST–surface latent heat flux (LHF) feedback, and the SST–surface shortwave flux (SWF) feedback, are studied in detail. The results show that most of the current state-of-the-art CGCMs have some degree of the double-ITCZ problem, which is characterized by excessive precipitation over much of the Tropics (e.g., Northern Hemisphere ITCZ, South Pacific convergence zone, Maritime Continent, and eq...
Decentralization: Definitions, Theories and Debate

In its most general term, decentralization refers to the transfer of authority from a central government to a sub-national entity. But beyond this general definition, the process of decentralization is a complex undertaking, taking on different meanings in different contexts and according to the desires and plans of those in charge of its design and implementation. There are many ways in which a government may devolve power to the sub-national level. Thus, decentralization can be political, administrative, fiscal, or economic. In many cases, these different types of decentralization are carried out simultaneously however, adding to the complexity of the process.
Thinking Cap Plus Thinking Zap: tDCS of Frontopolar Cortex Improves Creative Analogical Reasoning and Facilitates Conscious Augmentation of State Creativity in Verb Generation

Recent neuroimaging evidence indicates neural mechanisms that support transient improvements in creative performance (augmented state creativity) in response to cognitive interventions (creativity cueing). Separately, neural interventions via tDCS show encouraging potential for modulating neuronal function during creative performance. If cognitive and neural interventions are separately effective, can they be combined? Does state creativity augmentation represent "real" creativity, or do interventions simply yield divergence by diminishing meaningfulness/appropriateness? Can augmenting state creativity bolster creative reasoning that supports innovation, particularly analogical reasoning? To address these questions, we combined tDCS with creativity cueing. Testing a regionally specific hypothesis from neuroimaging, high-definition tDCS-targeted frontopolar cortex activity recently shown to predict state creativity augmentation. In a novel analogy finding task, participants under tDCS formulated substantially more creative analogical connections in a large matrix search space (creativity indexed via latent semantic analysis). Critically, increased analogical creativity was not due to diminished accuracy in discerning valid analogies, indicating "real" creativity rather than inappropriate divergence. A simpler relational creativity paradigm (modified verb generation) revealed a tDCS-by-cue interaction; tDCS further enhanced creativity cue-related increases in semantic distance. Findings point to the potential of noninvasive neuromodulation to enhance creative relational cognition, including augmentation of the deliberate effort to formulate connections between distant concepts.
Regional distribution of ventilation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: the role of thoracic electrical impedance tomography (EIT) monitoring.

The aim of our study was to apply the electrical impedance tomography (EIT) technique to the study of ventilation during wake and NREM and REM sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apneas (OSA). This is a prospective, observational, monocentric, pilot study in a neurology department with a sleep disorder center. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, both gender, and diagnosis of OSA. Exclusion criteria were the contraindications to the thoracic EIT. All patients underwent laboratory-based polysomnography (PSG) alongside thoracic EIT. Primary endpoint was to compare the global impedance (GI) among the conditions: “Wake” vs “Sleep,” “NREM” vs “REM,” and “OSA” vs “Non-OSA.” Secondary endpoint was to measure the regional distribution of impedance in the four regions of interest (ROIs), in each condition. Of the 17 consecutive patients enrolled, two were excluded because of poor-quality EIT tracings. Fifteen were analyzed, 10 men and 5 women, mean age 51.6 ± 14.4 years. GI was higher in Wake vs Sleep (Wake 13.24 ± 11.23; Sleep 12.56 ± 13.36; p < 0.01), in NREM vs REM (NREM 13.48 ± 13.43; REM 0.59 ± 0.01; p < 0.01), and in Non-OSA vs OSA (Non-OSA 10.50 ± 12.99; OSA 18.98 ± 10.06; p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in the regional distribution of impedance between Wake and Sleep (χ 2 = 3.66; p = 0.299) and between Non-OSA and OSA (χ 2 = 1.00; p = 0.799); conversely, a significant difference was observed between NREM and REM sleep (χ 2 = 62.94; p < 0.001). To our knowledge, this is the first study that addresses the issue of regional ventilation in OSA patients during sleep. Thoracic electrical impedance changes through the sleep-wake cycle and during obstructive events. The application of thoracic EIT can prove a valuable additional strategy for the evaluation of OSA patients.
Epidemiological characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Linyi City from 2004 to 2012

[Objective]To explore the epidemiological characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome( HFRS) in Linyi City from 2004 to 2012,provide scientific evidence for developing the prevention and control measures.[Methods]The surveillance data of HFRS in Linyi City during this period were analyzed by the descriptive epidemiological method. [Results]2 364 cases of HFRS were reported in Linyi City from 2004 to 2012,and the average annual incidence rate was 2. 54 / lakh. There were 10 death cases with the fatality rate of 0. 42%. Cases occurred in autumn and winter accounted for 45. 90%( 1 085 /2 364) of total cases,while cases in spring and summer accounted for 28. 64%( 277 /2 364). Most of cases were farmers,accounting for 87. 35%( 2 065/2 364). The male to female ratio was 2. 64∶ 1. 65. 06%( 1 538/2 364) of patients were people aged 20-50 years old. The host density in the fields was 1. 16%,the Apodemus agrarius was the dominant specie,and the virus carrying rate was 1. 94%.The indoor host density was 1. 23%,the Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus were the dominant species,and the virus carrying rate was 2. 12%.[Conclusion]The incidence rate of HFRS has decreased in Linyi City in the recent years,but there still exists the potential risk of epidemic. It is necessary to strengthen the comprehensive prevention and treatment measures.
Naples in the Time of Cholera, 1884–1911: Survival and recovery

ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF PALLIATION Despite so great an ordeal, Naples survived. The plan developed by the municipal giunta lay in ruins, but the city nevertheless weathered the crisis. Part of the explanation for this endurance was a feature of the disease itself – one of the great ‘cholera mysteries’ that characterize the history of this exotic pestilence. For reasons still insufficiently understood, epidemic cholera is self-limiting. Thus in Naples the epidemic began by rapidly and violently destroying those individuals who were most at risk. It then began slowly to subside after the catharsis of mid-September. The circle of its victims narrowed, and the rate of mortality declined. By the end of September it no longer appeared that the city was being inexorably annihilated. The medical crisis was slowly abating. In October the daily bills of mortality were almost comforting, so marked was the contrast with the preceding weeks. Figures that, in August, would have created panic, brought relief after the experience of September. Although the outburst continued into early November, the official daily number of deaths never again climbed as high as ninety. There began instead a slow descent into single digits. Imperceptibly, tensions in the city followed the downward curve of mortality. With fewer cases a day, conflicts became less frequent, the hospital service improved, the cemetery kept pace with the smaller number of cadavers, and scenes of horror grew steadily rarer. Terror itself began to subside. The Crosses – White and Red The spontaneous decline of the epidemic force of the disease, however, is only one aspect of the gradual return to near-normality that occurred in October.
Accurate modeling of the terrestrial gamma-ray background for homeland security applications

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed computer models to simulate the use of radiation portal monitors to screen vehicles and cargo for the presence of illicit radioactive material. The gamma radiation emitted by the vehicles or cargo containers must often be measured in the presence of a relatively large gamma-ray background that is mainly due to the presence of potassium, uranium, and thorium (and progeny isotopes) in the soil and surrounding building materials. This large background is often a significant limit to the detection sensitivity for items of interest and must be modeled accurately for analyzing homeland security situations. Calculations of the expected gamma-ray emission from a disk of soil and asphalt were made using the Monte Carlo transport code MCNP and were compared to measurements made with a thallium-drifted sodium iodide detector. Analysis revealed that the energy spectrum of the measured background could not be reproduced unless the model included gamma rays coming from the ground out to distances of at least 300 m. The contribution from beyond about 50 m was primarily due to gamma rays that scattered in the air before entering the detectors rather than passing directly from the ground to the detectors. These skyshine gamma rays contribute tens of percent to the total gamma-ray spectrum, primarily at energies below a few hundred keV. The techniques that are being developed to efficiently calculate the contributions from a large soil disk and a large air volume in a Monte Carlo simulation are described and the implications of skyshine in portal monitoring applications are discussed.
Honduras is open for business: extractivist tourism as sustainable development in the wake of disaster?

ABSTRACTFollowing Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the Honduran government introduced legislative reforms designed to generate investment opportunities in energy, mining and tourism and to expedite the post-disaster recovery. This experiment in “disaster capitalism” provided a blueprint for the recovery strategy implemented by the government of Porfirio Lobo after the 2009 coup against Manuel Zelaya. The similarities between these two historical conjunctures necessitate a deeper engagement with the meaning of extractivism in post-disaster contexts, particularly in relation to so-called sustainable tourism development. While multilateral aid institutions have claimed tourism as a sustainable alternative to more exploitative forms of economic development, this paper draws on ethnographic research in a coastal Garifuna community to argue that tourism is analogous with extractivism. By analyzing the collective action and resistance of black and Indigenous organizations for territorial autonomy, this paper elucidates ...
Disparities in Arkansas Mandated Immunization Coverage Among Natural Home and Foster-Care Adolescents

Poster: "18th ICID / UMP.329 / Disparities in Arkansas Mandated Immunization Coverage Among Natural Home and Foster-Care Adolescents" by: "J. Ngundue; Little Rock, AR/US"
State Security, Human Security, and the Problem of Complementarity

The concept of human security has been proposed as a more comprehensive, analytical, humane, and reform-oriented approach than traditional views of state security. But, many commentators, including a United Nations commission, insist that human security and state security are complementary, mutually dependent perspectives. This view, which understates the clash between the two doctrines, is well intended but mistaken. Efforts to describe their relationship in terms of separate or overlapping spheres of praxis have not been successful. Particularly in the post-Cold War period, when the prevailing structure of global politics has become imperial, a failure to understand that human security and imperial power are incompatible threatens to convert the former doctrine into an imperial ideology.
Classification and the Use of Instruments

If the taxonomic changes were the preconditions of the theory choice in the optical revolution, then what were the causes of these taxonomic changes? At first glance, it looks as if these taxonomic changes were caused by some social or political motives: Brewster stuck with the old taxonomic system because he could downgrade the merits of the wave theory, Lloyd introduced a dichotomous system because he could make the wave theory look good, and these tactics were closely tied up with the politics at the British Association. This social or political interpretation, however, has a vital problem. If Brewster’s persistence in using the traditional taxonomic system reflected only his hostile attitude toward the wave theory and if Lloyd’s choice of a dichotomous system was merely a rhetorical trick, then we should expect heated debates between the rivals on the legitimacy of their classifications, but that never happened. The silence of particle theorists suggested that they might have agreed with the main idea embedded in Lloyd’s system. Comparing the three major taxonomic systems during the revolution, we can see that the emphasis on polarization was a common theme, which appeared first in Brewster’s classification, was further elaborated in Herschel’s, and finally reached its climax in Lloyd’s dichotomous system. This common theme reflected the consensus shared by particle and wave theorists during this period that polarization was the most promising research topic. The common practice of the optical community may have been the foundation of these taxonomic changes, but why did not Brewster, who had recognized the importance of polarization much earlier than Lloyd, develop a dichotomous system? This chapter analyzes the cognitive basis for taxonomic choices in the debate concerning the two rival theories of light, and argues that the selections of taxonomic systems by these historical actors were not arbitrary. Brewster stuck to the old Newtonian system not because he was unscientific or irrational, but because his experimental instruments and procedures prevented him from seeing polarization as the most important optical property. Similarly, Lloyd’s dichotomous system was not a rhetorical tactic, but a reflection of the improvement in experimental instruments and procedures.
Attachment predicts cortisol response and closeness in dyadic social interaction

The present study examined how the interplay of partners' attachment styles influences cortisol response, actual closeness, and desired closeness during friendship initiation. Participants provided salivary cortisol samples at four timepoints throughout either a high or low closeness task that facilitated high or low levels of self-disclosure with a potential friend (i.e., another same-sex participant). Levels of actual closeness and desired closeness following the task were measured via inclusion of other in the self. Results from multi-level modeling indicated that the interaction of both participants' attachment avoidance predicted cortisol response patterns, with participants showing the highest cortisol response when there was a mismatch between their own and their partners' attachment avoidance. Further, the interaction between both participants' attachment anxiety predicted actual closeness and desired closeness, with participants both feeling and wanting the most closeness with partners when both they and their partners were low in attachment anxiety.
Outcome of Surgery for Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux: Clinical and Endoscopic Follow-up after 300 Fundoplications in 279 Consecutive Patients.

Purpose:Clinical and endoscopic assessment of the outcome after fundoplication for pediatric gastroesophageal reflux.Basic procedures:Hospital records of 279 consecutive patients who underwent fund...
The enigmatic Middle Ordovician fossil Archeognathus and its relations to conodonts and vertebrates

Since its discovery in 1938, there has been no agreement as to the zoological nature of the Middle Ordovician jawlike fossil Archeognathus primus from the Dutchtown Formation of Missouri. Early opinions were divided between a vertebrate and a conodont affinity, whereas most recent views have rejected a close relationship with either group. Until recently, the holotype was the only known specimen of this fossil but recent collecting at two Dutchtown localities has added two virtually complete and over 70 fragmentary specimens which provide morphological and chemical evidence on the affinities of Archeognathus. This evidence indicates that Archeognathus primus is a fibrous conodont related to a genus such as Coleodus. Furthermore, we have found no microstructural evidence supporting a vertebrate affinity. Youngquistina mitteni Miller from the Harding Sandstone of Colorado is a second species of Archeognathus, and an unnamed specimen from Alabama is also congeneric, as are probably the fragmentary specimens from localities in the North American Midcontinent and the Siberian Platform that have been consistently referred to Neocoleodus.--Modified journal abstract.
When is genetic modification socially acceptable? When used to advance human health through avenues other than food.

Given the potential for genetic modification (GM) to impact human health, via food and health mechanisms, a greater understanding of the social acceptance of GM is necessary to facilitate improved health outcomes. This analysis sought to quantify U.S. residents’ acceptance of GM across five potential uses (grain production, fruit or vegetable production, livestock production, human medicine, and human health, i.e. disease vector control) and provides an in-depth analysis of a timely case study–the Zika virus (ZIKV). The two categories with the highest levels of acceptance for GM use were human medicine (62% acceptance) and human health (68% acceptance); the proportions agreeing with the use of GM for these two categories were statistically different from all other categories. Acceptance of GM in food uses revealed 44% of the sample accepted the use of GM in livestock production while grain production and fruit and vegetable production showed similar levels of agreement with 49% and 48% of responses, respectively. Two variables were significant in all five models predicting GM acceptance; namely, being male and GM awareness. Being male was significant and positive for all models; respondents who reported being male were more likely (than those who reported female) to agree with all five of the uses of GM studied. Those who were reportedly aware of GM mosquito technology were also more likely to agree with all uses of GM technology investigated. The potential relationship between awareness of GM technology uses and acceptance of other uses could help inform rates of acceptance of new technologies by various population segments.
Using Research and Evaluation to Support Comprehensive Reform

This chapter explores the role that research and evaluation play in supporting comprehensive reform in community colleges, focusing on lessons from two major initiatives: Achieving the Dream and Completion by Design.
Asymmetric sequential double Michael reactions of γ,δ-unsaturated β-ketoesters to nitroolefins catalyzed by Ni (II)-diamine complex

Abstract The asymmetric sequential double Michael reactions of γ , δ -unsaturated β -ketoesters and nitroolefins catalyzed by 2 mol% of readily prepared Ni(II)-bis[( R , R )- N , N ′-dibenzylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine] complex and then with 1 equivalent of tetramethylguanidine (TMG) for cyclization have been developed. The reaction gave the corresponding Michael adducts of multifunctional cyclohexenol derivatives with three chiral stereocenters in good yields, moderate diastereoselectivities, and high enantioselectivities under mild reaction conditions.
Changes in Ovulation Rate, Uterine Capacity, Uterine Dimensions, and Parity Effects with Selection for Litter Size in Swine

This study was conducted with random samples of pigs of a line (LS) selected for eight generations for litter size and a randomly selected control line (RS) in the Nebraska Gene Pool population and of crosses of these lines with a Large White-Landrace composite line (I) that was selected for an index of ovulation rate and embryonic survival to 50 d of gestation. Two experiments were done to obtain information on ovulation rate, uterine dimensions, and uterine capacity. In Exp. 1, 103 gilts were slaughtered 9 to 16 d after their second estrus to obtain reproductive tracts for evaluation of ovulation rate and uterine dimensions. In Exp. 2, unilateral hysterectomy-ovariectomy was performed 3 to 10 d after puberty in 109 gilts that were then mated at their next estrus and slaughtered at 93 to 100 d of gestation to recover reproductive tracts for evaluation. Litter size at birth was recorded at first (n = 414), second (n = 159), and third (n = 143) parity of pureline and crossline gilts. The cumulative response to eight generations of selection for litter size pooled over type of cross and parity was 1.21 +/- .38 pigs, in good agreement with the realized response of 1.06 pigs previously estimated for the period of selection. This response was due to an increase of 1.30 +/- .54 eggs in ovulation rate (measured by the number of corpora lutea in cyclic and pregnant gilts) and .66 +/- 1.28 pigs in uterine capacity (measured after unilateral hysterectomy-ovariectomy). No significant changes were found in uterine dimensions in cyclic gilts. Approximately 25% of the increase in litter size could be explained by a reduction in number of mummified pigs at birth, an indication that uterine capacity in late gestation was increased. Estimated differences between lines (gLS - gRS) were not significantly different for pureline and crossline gilts and sows, and no interactions of these estimates with parity were detected. Estimates of heterosis for LS x I and RS x I did not differ significantly, nor were interactions of heterosis with parity significant.
Designing web labs for teaching security concepts

Security education is critical in today's cyber-threat environment. Many schools have investigated different approaches to teaching fundamental security concepts through lectures, hands-on labs, security education tools, competitions, and integrated curricula. At the Air Force Academy, we have used interactive tools in and out of the classroom to teach security concepts for several years. Several of our tools present concepts in a simulated environment with a higher level of abstraction than running a real tool on an actual machine. We have also begun experimenting with embedding the tools in a set of web pages that can be used to direct the student through the concepts, suggest experiments to try, and provide additional explanation of results. These "web labs" are well-suited to remote access and online learning environments. This paper will describe the general design philosophy of such labs, give specific examples, and discuss our experience and future plans.
Quantum molecular dynamics of warm dense iron and a five-phase equation of state

Through quantum molecular dynamics (QMD), utilizing both Kohn-Sham (orbital-based) and orbital-free density functional theory, we calculate the equation of state of warm dense iron in the density range 7-30g/cm^{3} and temperatures from 1 to 100 eV. A critical examination of the iron pseudopotential is made, from which we find a significant improvement at high pressure to the previous QMD calculations of Wang et al. [Phys. Rev. E 89, 023101 (2014)10.1103/PhysRevE.89.023101]. Our results also significantly extend the ranges of density and temperature that were attempted in that prior work. We calculate the shock Hugoniot and find very good agreement with experimental results to pressures over 20 TPa. These results are then incorporated with previous studies to generate a five-phase equation of state for iron.
Stress redistribution during bending fatigue: Relationships among stress, strain and bending moment are examined to determine the distribution of stress in a bending-fatigue specimen and its redistribution during fatigue resulting from change in the cyclic secant modulus of the material

One of the effects of the application of cyclic stress, in most metals, is a change in stiffness. Some materials become harder while others initially soften as increasing numbers of cyclic stress are imposed. The effect of this changing stiffness on the distribution of stress during bending fatigue is examined. In general, the maximum stress, strain and bending moment are all observed to vary throughout the fatigue life. The manner of variation is dependent on the type of material as well as the loading conditions imposed. Experimental results are compared with calculated values based on cyclic stress-strain curves obtained in axial stress tests.
Summing Up Genetic Predictors of Behavior

We are at the beginning of a journey to understand how a restricted set of genes can program the rules by which the brain develops, and the implications of stochasticity and decision making in the development of human individuality. However, we already know well enough that we are all neurogenetically individual and free.
Habitat suitability and herbivores determine reintroduction success of an endangered legume

Reintroductions of rare plants require detailed knowledge of habitat requirements, species interactions, and restoration techniques. Thus, incremental experimentation over many years may be required to develop adequate knowledge and techniques for successful reintroduction. To determine drivers of extinction in historical reintroductions of a federally endangered perennial (Astragalus bibullatus), we developed a reintroduction experiment to disentangle the relative importance of habitat quality, herbivores, and restoration technique on reintroduction success. In a factorial design, we manipulated access to vertebrate herbivores across different habitat types (mesic ecotone vs. xeric barren), and used founder populations comprised of more transplants and genetic sources than previous reintroduction attempts. In mesic ecotones where historical reintroductions failed, excluding herbivores, thinning woody encroachment to improve habitat quality, outplanting across a greater array of microhabitats, and increasing founder population size did not improve demographic rates over previous attempts. Compared to mesic ecotones, transplant survival rates and cumulative fruit production were more than two and ten times greater, respectively, in a xeric barren ecotone characterized by open, grassy, and dry microenvironmental conditions. Across all sites, herbivores decreased probabilities of survival and flowering of larger adult plants. Flowering rates were 80% greater inside relative to outside herbivore exclusion cages. Over a four-year period, only a single uncaged plant produced fruit. Our study demonstrates that habitat quality and vertebrate herbivory are key drivers of long-term persistence in rare plant reintroductions. Using incremental experiments that build on previous knowledge gained from long-term monitoring can improve reintroduction outcomes.
Comparative genomics of 16 Microbacterium spp. that tolerate multiple heavy metals and antibiotics

A total of 16 different strains of Microbacterium spp. were isolated from contaminated soil and enriched on the carcinogen, hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. The majority of the isolates (11 of the 16) were able to tolerate concentrations (0.1 mM) of cobalt, cadmium, and nickel, in addition to Cr(VI) (0.5-20 mM). Interestingly, these bacteria were also able to tolerate three different antibiotics (ranges: ampicillin 0-16 μg ml-1, chloramphenicol 0-24 μg ml-1, and vancomycin 0-24 μg ml-1). To gain genetic insight into these tolerance pathways, the genomes of these isolates were assembled and annotated. The genomes of these isolates not only have some shared genes (core genome) but also have a large amount of variability. The genomes also contained an annotated Cr(VI) reductase (chrR) that could be related to Cr(VI) reduction. Further, various heavy metal tolerance (e.g., Co/Zn/Cd efflux system) and antibiotic resistance genes were identified, which provide insight into the isolates' ability to tolerate metals and antibiotics. Overall, these isolates showed a wide range of tolerances to heavy metals and antibiotics and genetic diversity, which was likely required of this population to thrive in a contaminated environment.
The effects of resistance training, overtraining, and early specialization on youth athlete injury and development.

Introduction In 2014, 60 million youth ages 6-18 participated in some form of generalized athletics. Around 3.5 million children are injured annually participating in organized sport or recreational activities. While sound physical education can decrease the burden of youth sports injuries, the median annual physical education budget of $ 764 for USA elementary, middle, and high schools may not allow enough flexibility to apply evidenced-based guidelines. Evidence acquisition The topics were selected after a careful review of the 2016 National Strength and Conditioning Association Position Statement on Long-Term Athletic Development. Articles used to summarize the topics were located by using and cross-referencing sources from this statement. PubMed searches were also conducted using the key words "youth sports injuries," "early sports specialization," "training and maturation," "training versus developmental stage," and "long-term athletic development." Evidence synthesis Youth resistance training has been shown to decrease not only the risk of injury, but also of the development of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Adequate recovery time also decreases injury risk, and resources such as the RESTQ-Sport are available to help coaches identify stress-recovery imbalances, which can be detected two months before an athlete becomes overreached. Through early detection of overtraining, a significant proportion of overuse injuries can be prevented. Early specialization causes fewer muscle groups to be worked and increased repetition, theoretically increasing the risk of injury and early sport dropout. Prior to puberty, increased neuronal activation and adaptation can be achieved through focusing on agility, balance and coordination, thus taking advantage of increased synaptoplasticity. In these early years, neuronal stimulation is more important than muscle hypertrophy, which plays a greater role in athletic development after puberty. Conclusions A substantial proportion of youth injuries are preventable. Coaches and physical educators who correctly understand and apply the principles outlined in this review can help youth under their supervision engage in healthy training for sport.
Augmentation index in the assessment of wave reflections and systolic loading.

Abstract Background Augmentation index (AIx) is used to quantify the augmented systolic aortic pressure that impedes ventricular ejection. Its use as an index of wave reflections is questionable. We hypothesize that AIx is quantitatively different from the reflection coefficient under varied physiological conditions. Methods 42 datasets of aortic pressure and flow waveforms were obtained during induced hypertension (methoxamine infusion) and vasodilation (nitroprusside infusion) in our mongrel dog experiments (n = 5) and from Mendeley data during various interventions (vasoconstrictors, vasodilators, pacing, stimulation, hemorrhage and hemodilution). Wave reflections and principal components of reflection coefficients were computed for comparison to AIx and heart rate normalized AIx. Results Principal reflection coefficient, Γ1, increased in hypertension and decreased in vasodilation, hemorrhage and hemodilution. AIx followed the trend in many cases but was consistently lower than Γ1 in almost all the subjects. The Bland-Altman analysis also showed that both AIx and normalized AIx underestimated Γ1. The relationship between augmentation index and reflection coefficient was explained by a linear regression model (r2 = 0.23, p Conclusion AIx is a reasonable clinical trend indicator, albeit not an accurate surrogate measure of the amount of wave reflections.
More than Fun and Games: Cell 16, Female Liberation, and Physical Competence, or Why Sport Matters

Active in the Boston area from 1968 to 1974, members of the radical feminist organization Cell 16 advocated for a number of important causes, including martial arts training for women. In sparking ...
A Heterogeneous O-Band Quantum-Dot DFB Laser with Integrated MOS Capacitive Control

We demonstrate a heterogeneous 1310 nm QD DFB laser with record efficiency and excellent single-mode property. The observed wavelength tuning enabled by an integrated MOS capacitor for the first time is promising for high-speed QD laser direct modulation.
WIP: Synthesizing Exemplary Engineering Ethics Education Efforts

This Work-In-Progress paper seeks to continue the development of a framework with which to organize engineering ethics instructional approaches. We build on a recent coding framework that was developed as part of a systematic review of US post-secondary engineering ethics education literature. We apply and iterate on the framework by analyzing the 2016 National Academy of Engineering report, "Infusing Ethics into the Development of Engineers: Exemplary Education Activities and Programs," which includes two-page synopses of 25 exemplary ethics programs. By applying the framework to these exemplars, we aim to identify prominent instructional approaches utilized across NAE exemplars and the extent to which NAE exemplars’ instructional approaches differ from those identified in the prior systematic review. This WIP has three preliminary outcomes: (1) identification of trends in instructional design approaches across the NAE exemplars, (2) comparison of the instructional design approaches of NAE exemplars with the prior systematic review, and (3) identification of next steps needed to develop a more holistic picture of how ethics is taught in US post-secondary engineering contexts. Example revisions to the coding framework involved combining community-engagement and real-world exposure, broadening micro-insertion to sociotechnical integration, and coding for explicit mentoring components of instruction. A future research step involves further specification of these codes to detail how the NAE exemplars applied select instructional approaches, including heuristics, ethical theories, and case studies, and real-world engagement.