cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Native extracellular matrix-derived semipermeable, optically transparent, and inexpensive membrane inserts for microfluidic cell culture

Semipermeable cell culture membranes are commonly used in multilayered microfluidic devices to mimic the basement membrane in vivo and to create compartmentalized microenvironments for physiological cell growth and differentiation. However, existing membranes are predominantly made up of synthetic polymers, providing limited capacity to replicate cellular interactions with native extracellular matrices that play a crucial role in the induction of physiological phenotypes. Here we describe a new type of cell culture membranes engineered from native extracellular matrix (ECM) materials that are thin, semipermeable, optically transparent, and amenable to integration into microfluidic cell culture devices. Facile and cost-effective fabrication of these membranes was achieved by controlled sequential steps of vitrification that transformed three-dimensional (3D) ECM hydrogels into structurally stable thin films. By modulating the composition of the ECM, our technique provided a means to tune key membrane properties such as optical transparency, stiffness, and porosity. For microfluidic cell culture, we constructed a multilayered microdevice consisting of two parallel chambers separated by a thin membrane insert derived from different types of ECM. This study showed that our ECM membranes supported attachment and growth of various types of cells (epithelial, endothelial, and mesenchymal cells) under perfusion culture conditions. Our data also revealed the promotive effects of the membranes on adhesion-associated intracellular signaling that mediates cell-ECM interactions. Moreover, we demonstrated the use of these membranes for constructing compartmentalized microfluidic cell culture systems to induce physiological tissue differentiation or to replicate interfaces between different tissue types. Our approach provides a robust platform to produce and engineer biologically active cell culture substrates that serve as promising alternatives to conventional synthetic membrane inserts. This strategy may contribute to the development of physiologically relevant in vitro cell culture models for a wide range of applications.
Black patients present with more severe vascular disease and a greater burden of risk factors than white patients at time of major vascular intervention

Abstract Background Although many studies have demonstrated racial disparities after major vascular surgery, few have identified the reasons for these disparities, and those that did often lacked clinical granularity. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate differences in initial vascular intervention between black and white patients. Methods We identified black and white patients' initial carotid, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and infrainguinal peripheral artery disease (PAD) interventions in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) registry from 2009 to 2014. We excluded nonblack or nonwhite patients as well as those with Hispanic ethnicity, asymptomatic PAD, or a history of prior ipsilateral interventions. We compared baseline characteristics and disease severity at time of intervention on a national and regional level. Results We identified 76,372 patients (9% black), including 35,265 carotid (5% black), 17,346 AAA (5% black), and 23,761 PAD interventions (18% black). For all operations, black patients were younger, more likely female, and had more insulin-dependent diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, renal dysfunction, and dialysis dependence. Black patients were less likely to be on a statin before AAA (62% vs 69%; P P P = .01]; PAD, 64% vs 67% [ P P P P P P Conclusions Black patients present with more advanced disease at the time of initial major vascular operation. Efforts to control risk factors, identify and treat arterial disease in a timely fashion, and optimize medical management among black patients may provide opportunity to improve current disparities.
Structures of the BC1 Complex Reveal Dynamic Aspects of Mechanism

Structures for the bc1 complex (1) show several features of interest to catalysis at the Qo-site. The iron sulfur protein (ISP) occurs in several different positions: at a catalytic interface on cytochrome (cyt) b close to the Qo-site, in H-bond contact with a heme propionate of cyt c1, or in several intermediate positions (1–3). The Qo-site is a bifurcated volume, in which myxothiazol and MOA-inhibitors bind in a proximal domain near heme bL, but stigmatellin and UHDBT bind in a distal domain, where they interact with the ISP docked on cyt b. The structures also allow for the first time insights into the functional significance of mutations that modify turn-over or inhibitor binding. These structural observations have led us to suggest several new mechanistic features for the operation of the Qo-site, and have suggested experiments to test these, some of which we report here.
POINT SOURCE/POINT RECEIVER ULTRASONIC WAVE SPEED MEASUREMENT

We report here a simple technique in which the echo waveform generated by a point impulse and received by a point normal displacement transducer is used to determine the longitudinal, shear wave, and the Rayleigh wave speeds. A computer program to calculate the Green's function of a plate is used to formulate and extract the wave speed information, select proper source, select test configuration and calibrate transducers. An example of using NBS conical transducers as a point source generator and a point displacement echo detector is given.
Resonant Raman Scattering as a Spectroscopic Probe of the Valence Electron Excitations of Adsorbates on Metals

The lack of specific information about the electronic structure and valence electron excitations of molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces has been a major barrier to efforts to elucidate the mechanisms that play a role in their optical properties (eg, Raman scattering, second harmonic generation, etc). The optical properties of molecules adsorbed on metals are most appropriately viewed as the properties of adsorbate-substrate (A-S) complexes whose “intramolecular” and “intermolecular” valence electron excitations are coupled to the single particle and collective electron excitations of the underlying metal1. Moreover, the A-S complexes that are formed correspond to donor-acceptor complexes2 in which the atoms of the metal substrate may serve either as the donor, or the acceptor. As a consequence, the A-S complexes can exhibit intermolecular (adsorbate-substrate) charge-transfer excitations that involve the transfer of an electron from the donor to the acceptor, or the back transfer of an electron from a negatively charged acceptor to the positively charged donor in cases where there is a transfer of charge from the donor to the acceptor in the ground state.
Why Is CSP Failing? Trends and Challenges in CSP Adoption

Content Security Policy (CSP) has been proposed as a principled and robust browser security mechanism against content injection attacks such as XSS. When configured correctly, CSP renders malicious code injection and data exfiltration exceedingly difficult for attackers. However, despite the promise of these security benefits and being implemented in almost all major browsers, CSP adoption is minuscule—our measurements show that CSP is deployed in enforcement mode on only 1% of the Alexa Top 100.
Technetium-99m Labeled Red Blood Cells for the Detection and Localization of Cavernous Hemangiomas of the Bone

Labeled red blood cells (RBCs) have already been proven useful in the detection and localization of many vascular abnormalities. One such abnormality is that of a cavernous hemangioma. Cavernous hemangiomas have a distinct circulation and have been found in many areas of the body. The ability to utilize this unique circulation is important to consider when choosing a diagnostic exam. This paper reports a case demonstrating the usefulness of labeled red blood cells for the detection and localization of cavernous hemangioma of the bone. A 31-yr-old female present with a history of persistent generalized headaches for many years. About 1 yr prior to the exam, she noticed that her headaches had become more localized to the right side of her head. Physical examination revealed a palpable lump developing on the right side of her head which was sensitive to the touch. The patient was then scheduled for a CT scan to be followed by both a bone scan and a /sup 99m/Tc blood-pool scan. A flow study using 15 mCi /sup 99m/Tc labeled RBCs was performed in the right lateral position at 1.5 sec/frame for 32 frames. Immediate blood-pool images 30-min, and 1-hr delayed images were recorded.
Combined flanged intrascleral intraocular lens fixation with corneal transplant.

Abstract Purpose To report clinical outcomes and surgical technique of flanged intrascleral intraocular lens fixation with double-needle combined with either penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) or ultrathin Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK). Observations Five patients underwent combined flanged intrascleral intraocular lens fixation with double-needle technique and keratoplasty. Three patients underwent triple procedure (open sky intrascleral intraocular lens fixation with double-needle and PKP) secondary to ocular trauma or a failed corneal transplant. Two patients underwent combined UT-DSAEK and intrascleral intraocular lens fixation for pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) and anterior chamber intraocular lens (AC IOL). Conclusion Flanged intrascleral intraocular lens fixation with double-needle technique combined with PKP or UT-DSAEK was shown to be a safe and effective method of visual rehabilitation without additional intraoperative complications.
Artificial Intelligence May Cause a Significant Disruption to the Radiology Workforce

The increasingly realistic prospect of artificial intelligence (AI) playing an important role in radiology has been welcomed with a mixture of enthusiasm and anxiousness. A consensus has arisen that AI will support radiologists in the interpretation of less challenging cases, which will give the radiologists more time to focus on the challenging tasks as well as interactions with patients and other clinicians. The possibility of AI replacing a large number of radiologists is generally dismissed by the radiology community. The common arguments include the following: (1) AI will never be able to match radiologists' performance; (2) radiologists do more than interpret images; (3) even if AI takes over a large portion of the reading tasks, the radiologists' effort will be shifted toward interactions with patients and other physicians; (4) the FDA would never agree to let machines do the work of radiologist; (5) the issues of legal liability would be insurmountable; and (6) patients would never put complete trust in computer algorithms. In this article, I analyze these arguments in detail. I find a certain level of validity to some of them. However, I conclude that none of the arguments provide sufficient support for the claim that AI will not create a significant disruption in the radiology workforce. Such disruption is a real possibility. Although the radiology specialty has shown an astonishing ability to adapt to the changing technology, the future is uncertain, and an honest, in-depth discussion is needed to guide development of the field.
Measuring Attitudes Toward Medical and Recreational Cannabis Among Older Adults in Colorado.

Background and objectives Cannabis use among older adults is on the rise. Despite growing interest in the topic, there exists a paucity of standardized measures capturing cannabis-specific attitudes among older adults. Using data from a survey of older Coloradans, we create two scales that separately measure medical and recreational cannabis attitudes. We also examine how these two attitudes relate to individual-level characteristics. Research design and methods We assess reliability using Cronbach's alpha and item-rest correlations and perform confirmatory factor analyses to test the two attitude models. We conduct a seemingly unrelated regression estimation to assess how individual characteristics predict medical and recreational cannabis attitude scores. Results Twelve indicators combined into two valid and reliable scales. Both scales had a three-factor structure with affect, cognition and social perception as latent dimensions. For both scales, fit indices for the three-factor model were statistically superior when compared with other models. The three-factor structure for both scales was invariant across age groups. Age, physical health, and being a caregiver differentially predicted medical and recreational cannabis attitude scores. Discussion and implications Medical and recreational cannabis attitude scales can inform the development and evaluation of tailored interventions targeting older adult attitudes that aim to influence cannabis use behaviors. These scales also enable researchers to measure cannabis-specific attitudes among older adults more accurately and parsimoniously, which in turn can facilitate a better understanding of the complex interplay between cannabis policy, use, and attitudes.
Methods for Evaluating the Association Between Alcohol Outlet Density and Violent Crime.

Background The objective of this analysis was to compare measurement methods-counts, proximity, mean distance, and spatial access-of calculating alcohol outlet density and violent crime using data from Baltimore, Maryland. Methods Violent crime data (n = 11,815) were obtained from the Baltimore City Police Department and included homicides, aggravated assaults, rapes, and robberies in 2016. We calculated alcohol outlet density and violent crime at the census block (CB) level (n = 13,016). We then weighted these CB-level measures to the census tract level (n = 197) and conducted a series of regressions. Negative binomial regression was used for count outcomes and linear regression for proximity and spatial access outcomes. Choropleth maps, partial R2 , Akaike's Information Criterion, and root mean squared error guided determination of which models yielded lower error and better fit. Results The inference depended on the measurement methods used. Eight models that used a count of alcohol outlets and/or violent crimes failed to detect an association between outlets and crime, and 3 other count-based models detected an association in the opposite direction. Proximity, mean distance, and spatial access methods consistently detected an association between outlets and crime and produced comparable model fits. Conclusions Proximity, mean distance, and spatial access methods yielded the best model fits and had the lowest levels of error in this urban setting. Spatial access methods may offer conceptual strengths over proximity and mean distance. Conflicting findings in the field may be in part due to error in the way that researchers measure alcohol outlet density.
Outcomes of Lung Transplantation for Cystic Fibrosis in the Setting of Extensively Drug-Resistant Organisms:

Introduction:Since the largest study on extensively drug-resistant organisms and lung transplantation in patients with cystic fibrosis, there have been innovations and advancements in the treatment...
Impacts of rainfall extremes predicted by climate-change models on major trophic groups in the leaf litter arthropod community

Arthropods in the leaf litter layer of forest soils influence ecosystem processes such as decomposition. Climate-change models predict both increases and decreases in average rainfall. Increased drought may have greater impacts on the litter arthropod community. In addition to affecting survival or behaviour of desiccation-sensitive species, lower rainfall may indirectly lower abundances of consumers that graze drought-stressed fungi, with repercussions for higher trophic levels. We tested the hypothesis that trophic structure will differ between the two rainfall scenarios. In particular, we hypothesized that densities of several broadly defined trophic groupings of arthropods would be lower under reduced rainfall. To test this hypothesis, we used sprinklers to impose two rainfall treatments during three growing seasons in roofed, fenced 14-m2 plots and documented changes in abundance from initial, pre-treatment densities of 39 arthropod taxa. Experimental plots were subjected to either LOW (fortnightly) or HIGH (weekly) average rainfall based upon climate models and the previous 100 years of regional weekly averages. Unroofed open plots, our reference treatment (REF), experienced higher than average rainfall during the experiment. The two rainfall extremes produced clear negative effects of lowered rainfall on major trophic groups. Broad categories of fungivores, detritivores and predators were more abundant in HIGH than LOW plots by the final year. Springtails (Collembola), which graze fungal hyphae, were 3× more abundant in the HIGH rainfall treatment. Taxa of larger-bodied fungivores and detritivores, spiders (Araneae), and non-spider predators were 2× more abundant under HIGH rainfall. Densities of mites (Acari), which include fungivores, detritivores and predators, were 1.5× greater in HIGH rainfall plots. Abundances and community structure of arthropods were similar in REF and experimental plots, showing that effects of rainfall uncovered in the experiment are applicable to nature. This pattern suggests that changes in rainfall will alter bottom-up control processes in a critical detritus-based food web of deciduous forests. Our results, in conjunction with other findings on the impact of desiccation on arthropods and fungal growth, suggest that drier conditions will depress densities of fungal consumers, causing declines in higher trophic levels, with possible impacts on soil processes and the larger forest food web.
Watch-and-Wait Compared to Operation for Patients with Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer.

Background Trimodality therapy with neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT), surgery, and adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. There is evidence that surgery can be deferred in patients with complete response (CR) to nCRT, a strategy termed “watch-and-wait” (WW). We compare WW to surgery in patients with CR to nCRT. Study Design We reviewed records of patients treated with nCRT for nonmetastatic rectal cancer at our institution. Complete endoscopic response (CER) was defined as negative digital rectal exam and negative endoscopy at the end of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT). Clinical complete response (cCR) was defined as CER with negative rectal MRI. Patients with CER refusing surgery were offered WW, which included strict surveillance with digital rectal exam and endoscopy. Results From January 2015 through February 2019, 465 patients completed nCRT; 406 patients had response assessment, of which 95 (23%) had CER. Of these patients, 53 patients underwent WW and 42 patients had surgery. Median follow-up was 35 months. In the WW group, 3-year freedom from local regrowth was 85%. In the surgical and WW groups, 3-year overall survival, rectal cancer-specific survival, and freedom from nonregrowth recurrence were 100% vs 88% (p = 0.03), 100% vs 95% (p = 0.16), and 92% vs 85% (p = 0.36), respectively. Of the 6 WW patients with local regrowth, 5 (83%) eventually developed distant recurrence. Conclusions WW in lieu of surgery appears to be a safe and feasible treatment approach for patients achieving CR to nCRT. Careful evaluation to confirm cCR after nCRT is valuable in selecting patients for WW.
JAMAICAN CRIME AND ECONOMY

This research paper examines an overview of literature on the most recent issues that are allied to crime and violence in Jamaica. They have been an issue which has affected the Caribbean as a whole but due to the islands many social and economic problems, it has shown an increase in crime and violence most noticeably in Jamaica. This issue has caused millions of people to live in fear due to the constant and never-ending crime and violence. The horrors of violence and crime has undoubtedly had a more profound and significant negative impact on the young population. My research will focus on the aspects of violence and crime in Jamaica. This paper will also cover the general conditions in Jamaica, the organized crime and the conventional violence, and how the impact of the crime has had an effect on economic growth. My conclusion will focus on the policies which these countries have to change that will significantly reduce crime and violence and as a result will provide a better social and economic future for all of its citizens. The aim of this research is to have a broader understanding about crime and violence in Jamaica and to raise global awareness about their conditions and the humanitarian problems. Jel Codes: A13, E71
Sound Production and Mechanism in the Giant Sea Bass, Stereolepis gigas (Polyprionidae)

This study provided a first detailed description of the acoustic calls and the possible sound production mechanism in the Giant Sea Bass (Stereolepis gigas). Passive acoustic (hydrophone) recordings of Giant Sea Bass sounds were made of three mature individuals (40–45 kg) held in a circular 17,000 l seawater tank isolated from other fish species. Four basic sounds plus combinations were identified from the tank recordings when fish were present and were encountered on numerous occasions throughout the study. We classified the basic sounds as two types of pulses (A and B), short bursts, and long bursts, and combinations of short and long bursts. Mean peak frequencies of the four sound types were less than 39 Hz, while mean durations ranged from 67 ms to 545 ms, depending on sound type. We also obtained and dissected two mature, adult Giant Sea Bass to describe the morphology of a putative sound production mechanism. Five putative sonic muscles were discovered between each of the first six pleural ribs of the male examined. These five massive muscles (=obliquus superioris?) unite ribs 3 to 9 and were found at the level of the deep hypaxial musculature. The identification of these sounds and accompanying sonic mechanism marks the first occurrence of sound production in the family of wreckfishes (Polyprionidae). This knowledge of the acoustic characteristics increases our ability to document the presence, activity, and possibly the abundance of this critically endangered species at spawning sites.
Variation in Placental microRNA Expression Associates with Familial Cardiovascular Disease

In the United States, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, and the rate of maternal mortality remains among the highest of any industrialized nation. Maternal cardiometabolic health throughout gestation and postpartum is representative of placental health and physiology. Both proper placental functionality and placental microRNA expression are essential to successful pregnancy outcomes, and both are highly sensitive to genetic and environmental sources of variation. While placental pathologies, such as preeclampsia, are associated with maternal cardiovascular health and may contribute to the developmental programming of cardiovascular disease, the role of more subtle alterations to placental function and microRNA expression in this relationship remains poorly understood. To develop a more comprehensive understanding of how cardiometabolic health influences placental microRNA expression, and how this shapes placental functionality, we performed small RNA sequencing to investigate microRNA in the placentae from the Rhode Island Child Health Study (n=230). We modeled microRNA counts on maternal family history of cardiovascular disease using negative binomial generalized linear models, and identified microRNAs that were differential expressed (DEmiRs) at a false discovery rate (FDR) less than 0.10. Utilizing parallel mRNA sequencing data and bioinformatic target prediction software, we identified potential mRNA targets of these DEmiRs. We identified 9 DEmiRs, with predicted targets of those miRNA enriched overwhelmingly in the TGF{beta} signaling pathway but also in pathways involving cellular metabolism and immunomodulation. Overall, we identified a robust association existing between familial cardiovascular disease and placental microRNA expression which may be implicated in both placental insufficiencies and the developmental programming of cardiovascular disease.
Idealized Design for Virtual Teaming: A Modest Proposal

This precis submits a business proposal for idealized design of virtual teaming at General Electric, a multinational conglomerate that retains more than 313,000 employees around the world and so must synergize a dispersed workforce.
Challenging Racial Injustice in the Criminalization of Homelessness in the United States: A Human Rights Approach

The criminalization of homelessness in the United States perpetuates a cycle of racial injustice and violates fundamental human rights. Longstanding discrimination in housing and law enforcement have resulted in disproportionate homelessness among Black Americans. Thus, laws and policies that criminalize life-sustaining behaviors, such as sleeping, in public further exacerbate racial disparities, punishing people for homelessness rather than addressing root causes. Criminalization results in fines that people cannot pay and criminal records, driving employment and housing out of reach and circulating individuals from the street to the criminal justice system and back. The criminalization of homelessness also directly violates international human rights to equality and non-discrimination, freedom from torture and ill-treatment, liberty and security of person, freedom of movement, life, and housing. To rectify these violations, the United States must decriminalize homelessness and take concrete steps to realize a right to housing for all its residents. Otherwise, we evade our responsibilities on the domestic and international stage and remain trapped in a cycle of racial injustice.
Renal Denervation for Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trials.

Abstract Objectives The authors performed an updated meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of renal denervation and specifically compared the effect of renal denervation in patients...
Immortalization and Oncogene Transformation of Human Esophageal Epithelial Cells

Carcinoma of the esophagus is a disease that shows very striking geographic variations in incidence (1). The highest incidence rates are along the eastern coast of Africa, northern coast of France, southern coast of the Caspian Sea, and in several countries in Asia which comprise the Asian esophageal carcinoma belt. In most countries, the disease is more prevalent in males than in females. In addition, esophageal cancer occurs consistently among the poor in most areas of the world, where the diet is often restricted and nutritional imbalance is common.
The Surprisingly Majoritarian Nature of Proportional Democracy: Testing the Proposition that Small Parties Have Disproportionate Influence

It is often argued in the electoral reform literature that while proportional representation may distribute seats proportionally to votes, it does not distribute legislative power proportionally. This is often combined with the assertion that small parties under PR have disproprtionate influence on outcomes. This assertion, however, is nearly always supportive with anecdotal evidence (if not simply stated as self-evident). This paper provides a systematic test of this claim. It presents both simulation results, historical data, and a case study of Israel. We find that small parties have disproportionate influence only when the number of parties is very small. As the number of parties climbs above 4, influence tends toward proportionality. Furthermore, large party bias is far more likely than small party bias. Proportional representation elections may produce a surprisingly “majoritarian” political dynamic.
Mobile Knowledge, Karma Points and Digital Peers: The Tacit Epistemology and Linguistic Representation of MOOCs / Savoir mobile, points de karma et pairs numériques : l’épistémologie tacite et la représentation linguistique des MOOC

Media representations of massive open online courses (MOOCs) such as those offered by Coursera, edX and Udacity reflect tension and ambiguity in their bold promise of democratized education and global knowledge sharing. An approach to MOOCs that emphasizes the tacit epistemology of such representations suggests a richer account of the ambiguities of MOOCs, the unsettled linguistic and visual representations that reflect the strange lifeworld of global online courses and the pressing need for promising innovation that seeks to serve the restless global desire for knowledge. This perspective piece critically appraises the linguistic laboratory of thought such representation reveals and its destabilized rhetoric of technology and educational practice. The mobile knowledge of MOOCs, detached from context and educational purpose and indifferent to cultural boundary distortions, contains both the promise of democratized education and the shadow of post-colonial knowledge export. Les representations mediatiques des cours en ligne ouverts et massifs (MOOC en anglais) comme ceux offerts par Coursera, edX et Udacity refletent une tension et une ambiguite occasionnees par leur audacieuse promesse de democratisation de l’education et de partage global du savoir. Etudier les MOOC en accentuant l'epistemologie tacite de ces representations mene a une explication plus riche des ambiguites inherentes aux MOOC, de l’incertitude des representations linguistiques et visuelles refletant l’etrange monde vecu des cours en ligne a l’echelle globale et le besoin pressant d'innovation prometteuse visant a repondre au desir insatiable de connaissance a travers le monde. Le present essai evalue de maniere critique le laboratoire linguistique d’idees revelees par une telle representation ainsi que son discours instable sur la technologie et sur les pratiques pedagogiques. Libere de tout contexte et d’objectif pedagogique et indifferent aux distorsions des barrieres culturelles, le savoir mobile des MOOC contient a la fois la promesse d'une education democratisee et le spectre d’un savoir postcolonial.
Idiopathic hypercalcemia; a case report with assays of vitamin D in the serum.

A case of idiopathic hypercalcemia present from early infancy and diagnosed at 5 years of age is reported in which the serum assay of vitamin D indicated elevated levels. After discontinuation of supplemental vitamin D and a diet low in calcium the concentrations of calcium and vitamin D in the serum gradually returned to normal over a period of 18 months. Roentgenograms of the bones showed evidence of demineralization rather than increased density as reported in other cases of "idiopathic" hypercalcemia. During a subsequent 2-year follow-up the patient has maintained a normal serum calcium. The etiology is discussed with particular reference to the role of vitamin D in this case
Mechanism by Which Fiber Antigen Inhibits Multiplication of Type 5 Adenovirus

Purified fiber antigen of type 5 adenovirus inhibited the multiplication of type 5 adenovirus by 50% when 35 µg of fiber antigen protein was added to 106 KB cells in suspension culture. Although the fiber antigen reduced the number of virions adsorbed per cell when a multiplicity of infection of 50,000 plaque-forming units (PFU)/cell was employed, the number of cells infected was not diminished under these conditions. If a low multiplicity of infection (1.1 PFU/cell) was used, viral adsorption was not detectably decreased. The fiber antigen did not reduce the capability of virions to liberate their viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The biosyntheses of DNA, ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein were blocked about 20 to 25 hr after the addition of fiber antigen to cultures of uninfected or type 5 adenovirus-infected KB cells. Most of the fiber antigen protein became cell-associated between 22 and 36 hr after it was added to cells. The hexon antigen neither inhibited viral multiplication nor blocked the biosynthesis of DNA, RNA, or protein. Moreover, the hexon did not attach to KB cells. The profound effects of the fiber antigen were not due to the induction of an interferon-like substance, for actinomycin D did not reduce the ability of the fiber to inhibit multiplication of type 1 poliovirus.
Lost in Translation?: An Essay on Law and Neuroscience

The rapid expansion in neuroscientific research fuelled by the advent of functional magnetic resonance imaging [fMRI] has been accompanied by popular and scholarly commentary suggesting that neuroscience may substantially alter, and perhaps will even revolutionize, both law and morality. This essay, a contribution to, Law and Neuroscience (M. Freeman, Ed. 2011), will attempt to put such claims in perspective and to consider how properly to think about the relation between law and neuroscience. The overarching thesis is that neuroscience may indeed make some contributions to legal doctrine, practice and theory, but such contributions will be few and modest for the foreseeable future.The first part of this essay describes the law’s implicit folk psychological view of human behavior and why any other model is not possible at present. It then turns to dangerous distractions that have clouded clear thinking about the relation between scientific explanations of human behavior and law. Next, the essay considers how to translate the mechanistic findings of neuroscience into the folk psychological concepts the law employs. Finally, illustrative case studies of the legal relevance of neuroscience studies are presented. The discussion and all the examples focus on criminal law and on competence for the sake of simplicity and coherence, but the arguments are almost all generalizable to other legal contexts.
Gene expression profiling signatures for the diagnosis and prevention of oral cavity carcinogenesis-genome-wide analysis using RNA-seq technology

// Xiao-Han Tang 1 , Alison M. Urvalek 1,* , Kwame Osei-Sarfo 1,* , Tuo Zhang 2 , Theresa Scognamiglio 3 and Lorraine J. Gudas 1 1 Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA 2 Genomics Resources Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA 3 Department of Pathology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Lorraine J. Gudas, email: // Keywords : cancer diagnosis, squamous cell carcinoma, tongue lesions, RNA-seq Received : February 10, 2015 Accepted : May 31, 2015 Published : June 10, 2015 Abstract We compared the changes in global gene expression between an early stage (the termination of the carcinogen treatment and prior to the appearance of frank tumors) and a late stage (frank squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)) of tongue carcinogenesis induced by the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) in a mouse model of human oral cavity and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Gene ontology and pathway analyses show that increases in “cell cycle progression” and “degradation of basement membrane and ECM pathways” are early events during SCC carcinogenesis and that changes in these pathways are even greater in the actual tumors. Myc, NFκB complex (NFKB1/RELA), and FOS transcription networks are the major transcriptional networks induced in early stage tongue carcinogenesis. Decreases in metabolism pathways, such as in “tricarboxylic acid cycle” and “oxidative phosphorylation”, occurred only in the squamous cell carcinomas and not in the early stages of carcinogenesis. We detected increases in ALDH1A3, PTGS2, and KRT1 transcripts in both the early and late stages of carcinogenesis. The identification of the transcripts and pathways that change at an early stage of carcinogenesis provides potentially useful information for early diagnosis and for prevention strategies for human tongue squamous cell carcinomas.
The Mean Aβ Load in the Hippocampus Correlates with Duration and Severity of Dementia in Subgroups of Alzheimer Disease

Using image analysis techniques to quantify the percentage area covered by the immunopositive marker for amyloid beta-peptide (A beta), we examined subjects with combinations of either early-onset or late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD) and either familial Alzheimer disease (FAD) or sporadic Alzheimer disease (SAD). We measured the mean and maximum A beta loads, in the hippocampus of each subject. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean A beta load between familial and sporadic AD subjects. Although sample sizes were too small for statistical testing, subjects with the epsilon 4/epsilon 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene had higher mean A beta loads than those with the epsilon 3/epsilon 3 or epsilon 3/epsilon 4 alleles. Members of the Volga German families (recently linked to chromosome 1) all had high mean A beta loads, and one of the chromosome 14-linked subjects had the highest mean A beta load while the other had a relatively small load, but the sample was too small for statistical comparisons. The duration of dementia and neuropsychological test scores showed a statistically significant correlation with the mean A beta load in the hippocampus, but not with the maximum A beta load. This difference indicates that the mean A beta load may be a more useful feature than the maximum A beta load as an objective neuropathological measure for cognitive status. This finding may help to improve the established methods for quantitative assessment of the neuropathological changes in AD.
Estimating average precision with incomplete and imperfect judgments

We consider the problem of evaluating retrieval systems using incomplete judgment information. Buckley and Voorhees recently demonstrated that retrieval systems can be efficiently and effectively evaluated using incomplete judgments via the bpref measure [6]. When relevance judgments are complete, the value of bpref is an approximation to the value of average precision using complete judgments. However, when relevance judgments are incomplete, the value of bpref deviates from this value, though it continues to rank systems in a manner similar to average precision evaluated with a complete judgment set. In this work, we propose three evaluation measures that (1) are approximations to average precision even when the relevance judgments are incomplete and (2) are more robust to incomplete or imperfect relevance judgments than bpref. The proposed estimates of average precision are simple and accurate, and we demonstrate the utility of these estimates using TREC data.
Low Reynolds number flow in a channel with oscillating wavy-walls: An analytical study

An analytical study using perturbation methods has been investigated on the flow profiles and power requirements in an oscillating flow field with a wavy-walled boundary. The velocity field is found for a fluid in between two wavy-walled plates that oscillate in phase. The wavy-walled boundary causes the flow to produce regions of recirculations within the recesses of the boundary. Once the velocity profiles are identified, the power required to drive the oscillatory fluid motion is then calculated and compared to a flat plate geometry without recesses. As expected, the analytical results show that more power is needed to drive a wavy-walled system than a flat plate configuration.
Special Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O Structures : two intermediate states and their superconducting behavior.

Abstract Two special structures formed in Tl–Ba–Ca–Cu–O superconducting compounds are reported in this paper. The first one is a defective Tl 2 Ba 2 CaCu 2 O y (Tl-2212) structure in which a large amount of Tl vacancies distribute unevenly in the (Tl–O) 2 bilayers. This defective structure is considered corresponding to an early stage of the transition from the bilayered Tl-2212 structure to monolayered Tl-1212 (TlBa 2 CaCu 2 O y ) structure, therefore can be considered as an intermediate state between the ideal Tl-2212 and Tl-1212 structures. The second special structure is formed by ordered intergrowths along the c -axis between Tl–O monolayered structures and (Tl–O) 2 bilayered structures. Phases formed by such superlattices possess their own structural and superconductive characteristics which define the phases as another type of intermediate state between the ideal Tl–Ba–Ca–Cu–O structures. Both types of intermediate structures are found closely related to the nonstoichiometric Tl concentration.
THE PENETRATION OF ASYMMETRIC LONG-ROD PROJECTILES AT 2.6 km/s

The penetration ability of asymmetric long-rod projectiles at 2.6 km/s is investigated in this numerical study. Five different projectile cross sections were considered. Results from the simulations indicate that the penetration velocity of the projectiles is only marginally influenced by the cross-sectional shape of the penetrator; the greatest reductions are seen for the projectiles with the largest area moment of inertias. The largest disparity in total penetration between the different shapes is about 4%. Physical mechanisms leading to these distictions are discussed.
DI-MMAP--a scalable memory-map runtime for out-of-core data-intensive applications

We present DI-MMAP, a high-performance runtime that memory-maps large external data sets into an application's address space and shows significantly better performance than the Linux mmap system call. Our implementation is particularly effective when used with high performance locally attached Flash arrays on highly concurrent, latency-tolerant data-intensive HPC applications. We describe the kernel module and show performance results on a benchmark test suite, a new bioinformatics metagenomic classification application, and on a level-asynchronous Breadth-First Search (BFS) graph traversal algorithm. Using DI-MMAP, the metagenomics classification application performs up to 4× better than standard Linux mmap. A fully external memory configuration of BFS executes up to 7.44× faster than traditional mmap. Finally, we demonstrate that DI-MMAP shows scalable out-of-core performance for BFS traversal in main memory constrained scenarios. Such scalable memory constrained performance would allow a system with a fixed amount of memory to solve a larger problem as well as provide memory QoS guarantees for systems running multiple data-intensive applications.
Micropolar media—I the classical theory

Abstract The present paper (Part I) is concerned with the nonlinear theory of micropolar media. The kinematics, balance laws, and constitutive theory are examined and utilized to develop the nonlinear theory of micropolar elasticity through a function basis. The fundamental problems solved include (i) motions independent of response functions, (ii) micropolar acceleration waves, and (iii) constrained microrotation and its application to rubber bonded barium ferrites. In Part II we develop the relativistic (special) theory of micropolar media.
Growth-promoting role of the miR-106a~363 cluster in Ewing sarcoma.

MicroRNAs (miRs) have been identified as potent regulators of both normal development and the hallmarks of cancer. Targeting of microRNAs has been shown to have preclinical promise, and select miR-based therapies are now in clinical trials. Ewing Sarcoma is a biologically aggressive pediatric cancer with little change in clinical outcomes despite improved chemotherapeutic regimens. There is a substantial need for new therapies to improve Ewing Sarcoma outcomes and to prevent chemotherapy-related secondary sequelae. Most Ewing Sarcoma tumors are driven by the EWS/Fli-1 fusion oncoprotein, acting as a gain-of-function transcription factor causing dysregulation of a variety of targets, including microRNAs. Our previous studies, and those of others, have identified upregulation of miRs belonging to the related miR-17∼92a, miR-106b∼25, and miR-106a∼363 clusters in Ewing Sarcoma. However, the functional consequences of this have not been characterized, nor has miR blockade been explored as an anti-cancer strategy in Ewing Sarcoma. To simulate a potential therapeutic approach, we examined the effects of blockade of these clusters, and their component miRs. Using colony formation as a read-out, we find that blockade of selected individual cluster component miRs, using specific inhibitors, has little or no effect. Combinatorial inhibition using miR “sponge” methodology, on the other hand, is inhibitory to colony formation, with blockade of whole clusters generally more effective than blockade of miR families. We show that a miR-blocking sponge directed against the poorly characterized miR-106a∼363 cluster is a particularly potent inhibitor of clonogenic growth in a subset of Ewing Sarcoma cell lines. We further identify upregulation of miR-15a as a downstream mechanism contributing to the miR-106a∼363 sponge growth-inhibitory effect. Taken together, our studies provide support for a pro-oncogenic role of the miR-106a∼363 cluster in Ewing Sarcoma, and identify miR-106a∼363 blockade, as well as miR-15a replacement, as possible strategies for inhibition of Ewing Sarcoma growth.
Analysis of the Pigment Stoichiometry of Pigment-Protein Complexes from Barley (Hordeum vulgare) (The Xanthophyll Cycle Intermediates Occur Mainly in the Light-Harvesting Complexes of Photosystem I and Photosystem II)

The carotenoid zeaxanthin has been implicated in a nonradiative dissipation of excess excitation energy. To determine its site of action, we have examined the location of zeaxanthin within the thylakoid membrane components. Five pigment-protein complexes were isolated with little loss of pigments: photosystem I (PSI); core complex (CC) I, the core of PSI; CC II, the core of photosystem II (PSII); light-harvesting complex (LHC) IIb, a trimer of the major light-harvesting protein of PSII; and LHC IIa, c, and d, a complex of the monomeric minor light-harvesting proteins of PSII. Zeaxanthin was found predominantly in the LHC complexes. Lesser amounts were present in the CCs possibly because these contained some extraneous LHC polypeptides. The LHC IIb trimer and the monomeric LHC II a, c, and d pigment-proteins from dark-adapted plants each contained, in addition to lutein and neoxanthin, one violax-anthin molecule but little antheraxanthin and no zeaxanthin. Following illumination, each complex had a reduced violaxanthin content, but now more antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin were present. PSI had little or no neoxanthin. The pigment content of LHC I was deduced by subtracting the pigment content of CC I from that of PSI. Our best estimate for the carotenoid content of a LHC IIb trimer from dark-adapted plants is one violaxanthin, two neoxanthins, six luteins, and 0.03 mol of antheraxanthin per mol trimer. The xanthophyll cycle occurs mainly or exclusively within the light-harvesting antennae of both photosystems.
Glucose consumption by red cells of diabetic patients and normal subjects. Effect of ethanol.

Abstract Glucose consumption was measured in the red cells of 15 diabetic patients and 13 normal subjects. The red cells were incubated in auto logo us serum with the glucose concentration adjusted to approximately 500 mg per 100 ml. Mean glucose consumption, both total and via the pentose phosphate pathway, by the red cells of the diabetic patients was not significantly different from that by the red cells of the normal subjects. Stimulation of the pentose phosphate pathway with ascorbate or methylene blue similarly revealed no difference between the two groups. Exposure of the red cells to ethanol in the incubation medium had no discernible effect on total glucose consumption but caused a decrease in glucose consumption by the pentose phosphate pathway. An effect of ethanol on glucose consumption by the pentose phosphate pathway was not evident in the presence of ascorbate or methylene blue. No difference in response to ethanol by the red cells of the diabetic patients and normal subjects was observed.