cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-specific binding of mouse IgG1 to Heligmosomoides polygyrus: parasite homogenate can affinity purify mouse monoclonal antibodies.

A characteristic feature of infections with the nematode parasite of mice Heligmosomoides polygyrus , is a marked IgG1 hypergammaglobulinaemia. A possible source for this immunoglobulin has recently been demonstrated, through evidence that H. polygyrus adult worm homogenate (AWH) can induce the in vitro production of non-specific IgG1 from mouse lymphocytes. To determine the interactions between this immunoglobulin and the parasite, the ability of IgG1 to bind to AWH of H. polygyrus was investigated. Protein (Western) blotting indicated that mouse monoclonal antibodies are able to bind non-specifically to selected parasite antigens. Furthermore, by binding H. polygyrus adult worm homogenate to cyanogen bromide (CNBr)-activated Sepharose CL-4B, an affinity column was prepared which could be used to efficiently purify mouse IgG1 monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies were eluted from the affinity column and still retained their original specificity. These results indicate that H. polygyrus not only induces the production of non-specific IgG1 by the host, it can also bind this immunoglobulin to its own specific proteins. Thus, it is possible that IgG1 produced during a primary infection with H. polygyrus may not entirely benefit the host.
Taxonomy of Black Fly Sibling Species: Two New Species in the Prosimulium mixtum Group (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Two species of black flies in the Prosimulium mixtum (IIIL-1) group are named and described. Prosimulium arvum sp. nov., previously known chromosomally as P. approximatum , is morphologically similar to P. fuscum and P. mysticum. P. transbrachium sp. nov. is most closely related to P. mixtum . The larva and its associated salivary gland chromosome preparation were designated as the type for each species in order to minimize ambiguity in future taxonomic work. The taxonomic problems of sibling species in Simuliidae are discussed and a procedure for standardizing the designation of type material is suggested.
Discriminative pronounciation learning using phonetic decoder and minimum-classification-error criterion

In this paper, we report our recent research aimed at improving the pronunciation-modeling component of a speech recognition system designed for mobile voice search. Our new discriminative learning technique overcomes the limitation of the traditional ways of introducing alternative pronunciations that often enlarge confusability across different lexical items. Instead, we make use of a phonetic recognizer to generate pronunciation candidates, which are then evaluated and selected using the global minimum-classification-error measure, guaranteeing a reduction of the training-set error rate after introducing alternative pronunciations. A maximum entropy approach is subsequently used to learn the weight parameters of the selected pronunciation candidates. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the discriminative pronunciation learning technique in a real-world speech recognition task where pronunciation of business names presents special difficulty for high-accuracy speech recognition.
Impact of small-crack effects on design-life calculations

The potential impact of the observed small-crack-effect in 2024-T3 aluminum alloy on calculated crack-growth lives is described. The significance of the small-crack effect is assessed by comparing lives computed using only large-crack data to those computed using a combined small- and large-crack data base for constant-amplitude (R = -1 and 0) and fighter-wing spectrum loading (FALSTAFF) conditions. Based on the life calculations, the small-crack effect would have no impact on life analyses that assume an initial crack larger than about 0.3 mm; only a small impact on life analyses that assume an initial crack of 0.1 mm; but a large impact on life analyses that assume an initial crack of about 0.01 mm. When small-crack effects are taken into account, fatigue life analyses based solely on crack growth may provide a viable alternative to traditional two-part initiation-plus-crack-growth life analyses.
Adverse childhood experiences and cigarette smoking: the 2009 Arkansas and Louisiana Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systems.

Introduction Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as neglect, verbal, sexual, and physical abuse, household dysfunction, and other childhood stressors are associated with a range of negative health outcomes and risk behaviors. Although there is evidence that ACEs are related to an increased risk for cigarette smoking, additional studies in more diverse samples are needed. Methods Adults taking part in the 2009 Arkansas (n = 3,125) and Louisiana (n = 7,152) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systems were surveyed regarding their smoking history and exposure to 11 ACEs. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine independent associations between individual and total number of ACEs and both lifetime and current smoking adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results Exposure to each type of ACE was associated with a significantly increased risk for both lifetime (odds ratios [ORs]: 1.35-3.65) and current (ORs: 1.31-2.43) cigarette smoking among residents of both states. Total number of ACEs was also related to the odds of smoking in a generally graded fashion such that Arkansas residents reporting 5 or more ACEs were 3.97 (95% CI: 2.46-6.41) and 2.70 (95% CI: 1.64-4.43) times as likely as those reporting no ACEs to be lifetime and current smokers, respectively. Corresponding odds for those living in Louisiana were 3.06 (95% CI: 2.32-4.02) for lifetime smoking and 2.80 (95% CI: 2.07-3.77) for current smoking. Conclusions ACEs are associated with an increased likelihood of cigarette smoking in adulthood among residents of Arkansas and Louisiana. Efforts to prevent abuse, neglect, and other ACE may include among their benefits reduced risk for later smoking-related illness.
Integrated analysis of metabolic phenotypes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an important microorganism for both industrial processes and scientific research. Consequently, there have been extensive efforts to characterize its cellular processes. In order to fully understand the relationship between yeast's genome and its physiology, the stockpiles of diverse biological data sets that describe its cellular components and phenotypic behavior must be integrated at the genome-scale. Genome-scale metabolic networks have been reconstructed for several microorganisms, including S. cerevisiae, and the properties of these networks have been successfully analyzed using a variety of constraint-based methods. Phenotypic phase plane analysis is a constraint-based method which provides a global view of how optimal growth rates are affected by changes in two environmental variables such as a carbon and an oxygen uptake rate. Some applications of phenotypic phase plane analysis include the study of optimal growth rates and of network capacity and function. In this study, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome-scale metabolic network was used to formulate a phenotypic phase plane that displays the maximum allowable growth rate and distinct patterns of metabolic pathway utilization for all combinations of glucose and oxygen uptake rates. In silico predictions of growth rate and secretion rates and in vivo data for three separate growth conditions (aerobic glucose-limited, oxidative-fermentative, and microaerobic) were concordant. Taken together, this study examines the function and capacity of yeast's metabolic machinery and shows that the phenotypic phase plane can be used to accurately predict metabolic phenotypes and to interpret experimental data in the context of a genome-scale model.
REGULATION OF SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAYS BY ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE

The female sex steroid hormones 17beta-estradiol and progesterone mediate their biological effects on development, differentiation, and maintenance of reproductive tract and other target tissues through gene regulation by nuclear steroid receptors that function as ligand-dependent transcription factors. However, not all effects of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone are mediated by direct control of gene expression. These hormones also have rapid stimulatory effects on the activities of a variety of signal transduction molecules and pathways and, in many cases, these effects appear to be initiated from the plasma cell membrane. There is growing evidence that a subpopulation of the conventional nuclear steroid receptor localized at the cell membrane mediates many of the rapid signaling actions of steroid hormones; however, novel membrane receptors unrelated to conventional steroid receptors have also been implicated. This chapter reviews the nature of the receptors that mediate rapid signaling actions of estrogen and progesterone and describes the signaling molecules and pathways involved, the mechanisms by which receptors couple with components of signaling complexes and trigger responses, and the target tissues and cell functions regulated by this mode of steroid hormone action.
A Theory of the Effects of Advanced Information Technologies on Organizational Design, Intelligence, and Decision Making

This article sets forth a theory of the effects that computer-assisted communication and decision-aiding technologies have on organizational design, intelligence, and decision making. Several components of the theory are controversial and in need of critical empirical investigation. The article focuses on those technology-prompted changes in organizational design that affect the quality and timeliness of intelligence and decision making, as contrasted with those that affect the production of goods and services.
Field experiments of a surface-penetrating radar for Mars

Using ground-penetrating radars to investigate the subsurface of Mars will be a key scientific objective over the next several years, especially in light of the large possibility that water could exist within the planet. Radars operating from a few megahertz up to a gigahertz will be able to provide valuable information concerning the subsurface electrical structure at resolutions ranging from a few centimeters near the surface to a few tens of meters at greater depths. One of the major goals of the work presented was to develop a lightweight, low-power, frequency-modulated radar system that could be used to detect subsurface deposits of ice and water. An inexpensive prototype system was developed using off-the-shelf connectorized components and evaluation boards. To verify the operation of this prototype system, a preliminary experiment was conducted in Lawrence, Kansas. Next, experiments were conducted over locations containing permafrost and ice in Fairbanks, Alaska. Results from these experiments are presented.
Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Concerted Integration by Strand Transfer Inhibitors Which Recognize a Transient Structural Intermediate

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase (IN) inserts the viral DNA genome into host chromosomes. Here, by native agarose gel electrophoresis, using recombinant IN with a blunt-ended viral DNA substrate, we identified the synaptic complex (SC), a transient early intermediate in the integration pathway. The SC consists of two donor ends juxtaposed by IN noncovalently. The DNA ends within the SC were minimally processed (∼15%). In a time-dependent manner, the SC associated with target DNA and progressed to the strand transfer complex (STC), the nucleoprotein product of concerted integration. In the STC, the two viral DNA ends are covalently attached to target and remain associated with IN. The diketo acid inhibitors and their analogs effectively inhibit HIV-1 replication by preventing integration in vivo. Strand transfer inhibitors L-870,810, L-870,812, and L-841,411, at low nM concentrations, effectively inhibited the concerted integration of viral DNA donor in vitro. The inhibitors, in a concentration-dependent manner, bound to IN within the SC and thereby blocked the docking onto target DNA, which thus prevented the formation of the STC. Although 3′-OH recessed donor efficiently formed the STC, reactions proceeding with this substrate exhibited marked resistance to the presence of inhibitor, requiring significantly higher concentrations for effective inhibition of all strand transfer products. These results suggest that binding of inhibitor to the SC occurs prior to, during, or immediately after 3′-OH processing. It follows that the IN-viral DNA complex is “trapped” by the strand transfer inhibitors via a transient intermediate within the cytoplasmic preintegration complex.
Influence of Temperature and Mating Status on the Development and Fecundity of the Mealybug Parasitoid, Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope Noyes and Menezes (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope Noyes and Menezes (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a new parasitoid of the Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a common pest in the greenhouses of the southeastern United States. The objectives of this study were to assess the influence of temperature (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C) and mating status (virgin and mated) on the life history of this parasitoid. Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope is an arrhenotokous parasitoid with the mated females producing progeny with the proportion of males between 0.34 and 0.41. Parasitism rates ranged between 17 and 40% and increased with temperature. The number of progeny produced by the mated parasitoids increased from 8 at 15°C to 11 at 30°C, which were 10 and 50% lower, respectively, than that of virgin parasitoids. For females of either mating status, brood sizes averaged between 3.1 and 4.9 progeny per mummy. More than 94% of parasitoids successfully survived to adulthood between 15 and 30°C. No parasitoid completed development at 35°C. The developmental times of Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope were 55, 25, 17, and 12 d at 15, 20, 25, and 30°C, respectively. Using a linear thermal summation model and a nonlinear Logan 6 model, we determined that the lower developmental threshold, upper developmental threshold, and optimal temperature to be 11.1, 35.0, and 30.3°C, respectively, and the thermal constant was 222.2 DD. The lifetime fecundity of Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope were 58–71 progeny between 15 and 30°C. Mated females had significantly higher lifetime fecundity than virgin females. We expect Anagyrus sp. nov. nr. sinope to survive and reproduce within a temperature range commonly maintained in greenhouses.
Comparative Ultrastructure of Digestive Diverticulae in Bathymodiolin Mussels: Discovery of an Unknown Spherical Inclusion (SIX) in Digestive Cells of a Seep Mussel

Mussels in the genus Bathymodiolus host endosymbiotic bacteria in their gills, from which the mussel derives much of its nutrition. Bathymodiolin mussels also have functional digestive systems and, as in shallow-water mytilid mussels, cells of the digestive diverticulae are of two types: basophilic secretory cells and columnar digestive cells. Cellular contents of secretory and digestive cells of Bathymodiolus thermophilus and Bathymodiolus brevior from deep-sea hydrothermal vents are comparable to cellular contents of these cell types observed in shallow-water mytilids. In the seep mussel Bathymodiolus heckerae, cellular contents of columnar cells were anomalous, being dominated by an unknown cellular inclusion herein called spherical inclusion unknown or SIX. SIX was observed in all digestive cells and some basophilic cells of B. heckerae examined with TEM. It is a large (2-10-mm diameter) and abundant (7 ± 1.5 inclusions per epithelial cell section) inclusion, with a double external membrane and stacked internal lamellae. No microbial DNA was detected in digestive tubules of B. heckerae using molecular probes, preferential DNA amplification techniques, or DAPI staining, suggesting that SIX is not a unicellular parasite or symbiont. The ubiquity and abundance of SIX within cells of the digestive diverticula suggest that it has an important cellular function (positive or negative), yet to be determined.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY OF GUANARITO VIRUS, AN EMERGING ARENAVIRUS AFFECTING HUMANS

The nucleotide sequence of a portion of the nucleocapsid (N) gene of the Guanarito virus prototype strain (INH-95551) has been determined. It was obtained by direct RNA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragment sequencing of the 3' end of the small (S) RNA fragment. A comparison of this 782-nucleotide segment was done with the known homologous gene sequences of five other arenaviruses: Junin, Machupo, Tacaribe, Pichinde, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM). Phylogenetic analysis of the N gene open reading frame showed that Guanarito virus is genetically distinct from other members of the Arenavirus family, with 32% nucleotide sequence divergence from Junin, 30% from Machupo, 32% from Tacaribe, 41% from Pichinde, and 45% from LCM. Comparison of amino acids encoded by this sequence region indicated a probable antigenic domain (amino acids 55-63) shared among all arenaviruses studied to date. Along with its host restriction and focal distribution, our data support the hypothesis that this virus has been evolving independently in its endemic focus, for some time.
Tense and de re Attitudes

I will discuss so-called double-access interpretations associated with various constructions in this chapter. They are analyzed as involving de re attitudes about temporal entities (either states or intervals). I will develop my argument in several stages. First, I will discuss a family of examples that involve a present tense morpheme locally commanded by a past tense morpheme.
Counting Packets Sent Between Arbitrary Internet Hosts

In this paper we demonstrate a side-channel technique to infer whether two machines are exchanging packets on the Internet provided that one of them is a Linux machine. For ICMP and UDP exchanges, we require that at least one machine is a Linux machine, and for TCP connections, we require that at least the server is a Linux machine. Unlike many side-channel measurement techniques, our method does not require that either machine be idle. That is, we make no assumptions about either machines’ traffic patterns with respect to other hosts on the Internet. We have implemented our technique, and we present the results of a proof-of-concept experiment showing that it can effectively measure whether hosts are communicating.
Opportunities and Outcomes: The Role of Peers in Developing the Oral Academic English Proficiency of Adolescent English Learners

Although researchers often acknowledge the importance of linguistically rich interactions in the academic language development of emergent bilingual students, few studies have explicitly examined the role of linguistic peer support and the underlying structure of social relationships in the second language learning experiences and outcomes of immigrant adolescents in schooling contexts. This mixed methods study investigates the role of peers—including bilingual peers—in the development of oral academic English during adolescence. Using social network analysis, this study describes the unique contribution of peer linguistic resources to the oral Academic English Proficiency of 102 adolescent Spanish-speaking immigrant students. Findings show that having bilingual peers who collaborated on academic tasks with participants, in English or Spanish, contributed to academic English proficiency beyond individual predictors of second language acquisition (age, time in the United States, gender, and maternal education). Peer social network composition indexed the opportunities adolescent English learners encountered at school to learn and use academic English.
Mediating Influences on the Relationsmp between Market Orientation and Profitability in Small Industrial Firms

This research sought to investigate potential mediating influences on the market orientation-profitability relationship in a model which operationalizes performance as a multi-dimensional construct...
Genetic algorithms

Genetic algorithms, invented by J. H. Holland, emulate biological evolution in the computer and try to build programs that can adapt by themselves to perform a given function. In some sense, they are analogous to neural networks, but there are important differences between them. This paper shows that genetic algorithms are easy to program, test and analyze by means of APL2 functions.
Suppression of Type I Interferon Signaling Overcomes Oncogene-Induced Senescence and Mediates Melanoma Development and Progression

Oncogene activation induces DNA damage responses and cell senescence. We report a key role of type I interferons (IFNs) in oncogene-induced senescence. IFN signaling-deficient melanocytes expressing activated Braf do not exhibit senescence and develop aggressive melanomas. Restoration of IFN signaling in IFN-deficient melanoma cells induces senescence and suppresses melanoma progression. Additional data from human melanoma patients and mouse transplanted tumor models suggest the importance of non-cell-autonomous IFN signaling. Inactivation of the IFN pathway is mediated by the IFN receptor IFNAR1 downregulation that invariably occurs during melanoma development. Mice harboring an IFNAR1 mutant, which is partially resistant to downregulation, delay melanoma development, suppress metastatic disease, and better respond to BRAF or PD-1 inhibitors. These results suggest that IFN signaling is an important tumor-suppressive pathway that inhibits melanoma development and progression and argue for targeting IFNAR1 downregulation to prevent metastatic disease and improve the efficacy of molecularly target and immune-targeted melanoma therapies.
Completion of the Three-Stage Fontan Pathway Without Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Background:The three-stage surgical approach is now accepted as the standard for management of children born with functional single ventricle. However, there is little consensus on the cardiopulmon...
A study on determination of ethanol in blood

Objective:To establish a gas chromatography method for the determination of ethanol in blood.Methods:Blood was diluted by water and then the diluent was used for analysis by GDX-103 packed column of glass-FID detector measured.The ethanol were assessed by gas chromatography and quantified by an external standard calibration technique.Results:Linear regression correlation coefficients greater than 0.99 are obtained for ethanol form 10 μg/ml to 200 μg/ml concentration range.The limit of detection for ethanol is 5 μg/ml.The recovery of the ethanol in the sample was 92.9% and the relative standard deviation was 4.29%.The precision for the samples was RSD 4.17%～7.22%.Conclusion:Simpleness and speediness of the analytical method was confirmed.The method is sensitive and accurate.
Study of secondary pool boiling effects with functionalized surfaces created via Femtosecond Laser Surface Processing

A pool boiling phenomenon referred to as secondary boiling effects is discussed. Based on experimental trends and numerical simulations, a mechanism is proposed that identifies the parameters that lead to this phenomenon. Secondary boiling effects refer to a distinct decrease in the wall superheat temperature near the critical heat flux due to a significant increase in the heat transfer coefficient. Recent pool boiling heat transfer experiments on femtosecond laser processed Inconel and stainless steel multiscale surfaces consistently displayed secondary boiling effects. Through experimental and numerical studies, it was determined that secondary boiling effects are a result of both temperature drop along the microstructures and nucleation characteristic length scales. The temperature drop is a function of microstructure height and thermal conductivity. An increased microstructure height and a decreased thermal conductivity result in a significant temperature drop along the microstructures. This temperature drop becomes more pronounced at higher heat fluxes and along with the right nucleation characteristic length scales results in a change of the boiling dynamics. Nucleation spreads from the bottom of the microstructure valleys to the top resulting in a decreased surface superheat with increasing heat flux. This decrease in wall superheat at higher heat fluxes is reflected by a “hook back” of the traditional boiling curve and is thus referred to as secondary boiling effects. In addition, a boiling hysteresis during increasing and decreasing heat flux develops due to the secondary boiling effects. This hysteresis further validates the existence of secondary boiling effects.
Thermal Conductivity of Nanotube Assemblies and Superfiber Materials

Individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been reported to have the highest thermal conductivities of any known material. However, significant variability exists both for the reported thermal conductivities of individual CNTs and the thermal conductivities measured for macroscopic CNT assemblies (e.g. CNT films, buckypapers, arrays, and fibers), which range from comparable to metals to aerogel-like. This chapter reviews the current status of the field, summarizing a wide selection of experimental results and drawing conclusions regarding present limitations of the thermal conductivity of CNT assemblies and opportunities for improvement of the performance of nanotube superfiber materials.
Epidemiology of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Diabetic Foot Infections in a Large Academic Hospital: Implications for Antimicrobial Stewardship.

Introduction Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputations in the United States. Antimicrobials active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are recommended in patients with associated risk factors; however, limited data exist to support these recommendations. Due to the changing epidemiology of MRSA, and the consequences of unnecessary antibiotic therapy, guidance regarding the necessity of empirical MRSA coverage in DFIs is needed. We sought to 1) describe the prevalence of MRSA DFIs at our institution and compare to the proportion of patients who receive MRSA antibiotic coverage and 2) identify risk factors for MRSA DFI.
Improving Decision Quality: The Role of Business Intelligence

ABSTRACTThis exploratory study provides a validated, parsimonious research model of antecedents of the perception of the quality of decisions made using business intelligence support. Findings provide insight into little investigated avenues such as the role of problem space complexity in perceived decision quality as well as indicate a more complex interplay among the antecedents of decision quality than heretofore examined. For example, results suggest that there may be a tipping point for which information quality and use of the system support higher perceived decision quality. In addition, these findings provide a direction for future research to generate deeper, more meaningful contributions in our collective understanding of how business intelligence (BI) serves to improve the quality of decision-making.
Novel Mutations in Synaptic Transmission Genes Suppress Neuronal Hyperexcitation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Acetylcholine (ACh) receptors (AChR) regulate neural circuit activity in multiple contexts. In humans, mutations in ionotropic acetylcholine receptor (iAChR) genes can cause neurological disorders, including myasthenia gravis and epilepsy. In Caenorhabditis elegans, iAChRs play multiple roles in the locomotor circuit. The cholinergic motor neurons express an ACR-2-containing pentameric AChR (ACR-2R) comprised of ACR-2, ACR-3, ACR-12, UNC-38, and UNC-63 subunits. A gain-of-function mutation in the non-α subunit gene acr-2 [acr-2(gf)] causes defective locomotion as well as spontaneous convulsions. Previous studies of genetic suppressors of acr-2(gf) have provided insights into ACR-2R composition and assembly. Here, to further understand how the ACR-2R regulates neuronal activity, we expanded the suppressor screen for acr-2(gf)-induced convulsions. The majority of these suppressor mutations affect genes that play critical roles in synaptic transmission, including two novel mutations in the vesicular ACh transporter unc-17 In addition, we identified a role for a conserved major facilitator superfamily domain (MFSD) protein, mfsd-6, in regulating neural circuit activity. We further defined a role for the sphingosine (SPH) kinase (Sphk) sphk-1 in cholinergic neuron activity, independent of previously known signaling pathways. Overall, the genes identified in our study suggest that optimal modulation of synaptic activity is balanced by the differential activities of multiple pathways, and the novel alleles provide valuable reagents to further dissect neuronal mechanisms regulating the locomotor circuit.
Complete photonic band gaps in supercell photonic crystals

We develop a class of supercell photonic crystals supporting complete photonic band gaps based on breaking spatial symmetries of the underlying primitive photonic crystal. One member of this class based on a two-dimensional honeycomb structure supports a complete band gap for an index-contrast ratio as low as ${n}_{\mathrm{high}}/{n}_{\mathrm{low}}=2.1$, the lowest index contrast known to support a complete band gap for a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal. This same design principle is used to develop the first photonic crystal slab that supports a band gap for dual-polarization visible light. The complete band gaps found in such supercell photonic crystals do not necessarily monotonically increase as the index contrast in the system is increased.
The association of lifetime physical inactivity with bladder and renal cancer risk: A hospital-based case-control analysis.

Abstract Objectives Recreational physical inactivity has been gaining recognition as an independent epidemiological exposure of interest in relation to cancer endpoints due to evidence suggesting that it may associate with cancer independent of obesity. In the current analyses, we examined the associations of lifetime recreational physical inactivity with renal and bladder cancer risk. Methods In this hospital-based case-control study, we identified N = 160 renal cancer patients, N = 208 bladder cancer patients, and N = 766 age frequency-matched controls without cancer. Participants self-reporting never participating in any regular/weekly recreational physical activity throughout their lifetime were classified as physically inactive. Utilizing unconditional multivariable logistic regression analyses, we estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to represent the associations between lifetime physical inactivity and renal and bladder cancer risk. Results In multivariable logistic regression models, we observed significant positive associations between lifetime recreational physical inactivity and renal cancer and bladder cancer risk: odds ratio = 1.77 (95% CI: 1.10–2.85) and odds ratio = 1.73 (95% CI: 1.13–2.63), respectively. Similar associations also persisted among individuals who were not obese for both renal and bladder cancer: odds ratio = 1.75 (95% CI: 1.03–2.98) and odds ratio = 1.70 (95% CI: 1.08–2.69), respectively. Conclusions In this case-control study, we observed evidence of a positive association between renal and bladder cancer with lifetime recreational physical inactivity. These data add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that physical inactivity may be an important independent risk factor for cancer. However, additional studies using a larger sample and prospectively collected data are needed to substantiate the current findings.
Characteristics of Hydraulic Fracture in Heterogeneous Rock with Distributed Hard Inclusions

Hydraulic fracture is an important technic for oil/gas production. A smeared cracked method is adopt for simulating hydraulic fracturing propagation within the framework of a fully coupled, pore pressure-solid phase interaction formulation. The stress-strain behavior of the solid phase is modeled as a porous media by using elasto-plastic, Drucker-Prager description. The inherent assumption of the fracture model is that the permeability can be expressed as a function of the difference between the mean effective stress and the tensile strength of the rock. For two-phase flow, the relative permeability is used for including the effect of fluid mixture between the original fluid and injection fluid. The rock sample with randomly distributed irregular hard inclusions is studied with the vertical stress, horizontal stress and pore pressure being 29.13 MPa, 19.77 MPa and 10.34 MPa, respectively. By running over 30 numerical cases, the characteristics of injection pore pressure and equivalent opening versus injection time are well simulated with different relevant dynamic viscosity, injection rate, intrinsic conductivity and tensile strength. Finally, the paper ends with some useful observations on the characteristics of hydraulic fracture.
Anwendungssinulation An Bildschirm Mit den interaktiven Schulungssystemen COURSEWRITER und ITS

Die Anwendungssimulation ist eine Methode. Sie erlaubt es, Anwendungen an den Datensichtstationen so zu prasentieren, wie sie der Benutzer spater einmal nach der Programmierung erleben wird. Es handelt sich dabei um eine Technik, bei der die Ein-/Ausgaben der Daten an den Datenstationen sowie die Plausibilitatsprufungen der transferierten Daten simuliert werden. Der Endbenutzer erlebt also den Teil der Anwendung real, mit dem er spater in der Routine standig zu tun haben wird. Zur Anwendungssimulation werden die interaktiven Schulungssysteme COURSEWRITER oder ITS (Interactive Training System) eingesetzt. Diese Lizenzprogramme der IBN gestatten eine schnelle, interaktive Entwicklung der Bildschirmformate sowie deren Nodifikationen. Die Sprache wird im Kapitel 3 naher erlautert.
Energy Constraint as a Novel Mechanism Linking Exercise and Health

Humans and other species adapt dynamically to changes in daily physical activity, maintaining total energy expenditure within a narrow range. Chronic exercise thus suppresses other physiological ac...
Assessment for Learning in Physical Education: The What, Why and How

Assessment in physical education has undergone significant changes since in the 1990s. Teachers now place less emphasis on fitness test scores and dressing out, and more on skills and knowledge acc...
A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener granulomatosis).

We report a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal cavity arising in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). The patient was a 35-year-old man who had been diagnosed...
Bis(μ‐thio­phene‐2‐carbaldehyde thio­semicarbazonato)bis­[acetonitrile­copper(I)] bis­(tetra­fluoro­borate)

The title compound, [Cu2(C6H7N3S2)2(C2H3N)2](BF4)2, is a dimer with a central Cu2S2 core resulting from thio­semi­carbazone sulfur bridging. Both Cu–TCT units (TCT is the thio­phene-2-carboxaldehyde thio­semicarbazone anion) are roughly planar and are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the Cu2S2 plane.
Descriptions of the Larva, Pupa and Life History of the North American Darkling Beetle Idiobates castaneus (Knoch) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

This study describes the larva and pupa of the monotypic darkling beetle Idiobates castaneus (Knoch) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in the tribe Tenebrionini, from eastern North America. The species inhabits forested regions where adults and associated larvae have been discovered under dry loose bark of dead standing trees where cavities or pockets of frass have formed, apparently following infestations of other insects and rodents. Identity is confirmed by rearing of adults and pupae and preservation of associated exuvia. Distinctive characters of the larval abdominal apex and the armature of pupal ‘gin-traps’ are illustrated. A key to the larvae of North American genera currently placed in Tenebrionini is included.
On Impact of Unsafe Set Structure in Control Lyapunov-Barrier Function-Based Model Predictive Control

In this work, we developed Control Lyapunov-Barrier functions for two types of unsafe regions (i.e., bounded and unbounded sets) to solve the problem of stabilization of nonlinear systems with guaranteed safety. Specifically, discontinuous control actions are required to handle potential stationary points (except the origin) for Control Lyapunov-Barrier function in the presence of a bounded unsafe region embedded within the closed-loop system stability region. Subsequently, the CLBF-MPC is developed by incorporating CLBF-based constraints to guarantee closed-loop stability with safety for both bounded and unbounded unsafe regions. The application of the proposed CLBF-MPC method is demonstrated through a chemical process example with a bounded and an unbounded unsafe region, respectively.
DOES CULTURE AFFECT ELECTORAL OUTCOMES? EVIDENCE FROM TRANSITION COUNTRIES

Why do some societies fail to adopt “good” economic institutions? Recent literature points to the role of complementarities between social norms and proposed formal rules in advancing institutional change. To shed light on one potential mechanism, we track election performance of executive parties in up to 18 post‐communist democracies over 1991–2015 to test whether cultural attitudes influenced voters' response to market reform. We show that in more individualistic cultures, reform is associated with greater reward for the incumbent in the next election. The implication is that in democracies, voters select policies and institutions that are in line with prevailing culture. (JEL O17, P35, Z1)
Efficacy of Tiered Training on Paraeducator Implementation of Systematic Instructional Practices for Students With Severe Disabilities

Existing approaches for training paraeducators rely heavily on intensive one-to-one coaching and may not be feasible in practice. In this study, we test a tiered training model in which all paraedu...
Star Formation and Active Galactic Nuclei in the Core of the Shapley Supercluster: A Very Large Array Survey of A3556, A3558, SC 1327−312, SC 1329−313, and A3562

The core of the Shapley supercluster (A3556, A3558, SC 1327-312, SC 1329-313, and A3562) is an ideal region in which to study the effects of cluster mergers on the activity of individual galaxies. This paper presents the most comprehensive radio continuum investigation of the region, relying on a 63 pointing mosaic obtained with the Very Large Array yielding an areal coverage of nearly 7 deg2. The mosaic provides a typical sensitivity of about 80 μJy at a resolution of 16'', enabling the detection of galaxies with star formation rates as low as 1 M⊙ yr-1. The radio data are complemented by optical imaging in the B and R bands, producing a catalog of 210 radio-detected galaxies with mR ≤ 17.36 (MR ≤ -19). At least 104 of these radio-detected galaxies are members of the supercluster on the basis of public velocity measurements. Across the entire core of the supercluster, there appears to be a significant deficit of radio galaxies at intermediate optical magnitudes (-21 ≥ MR > -22). This deficit is offset somewhat by an increase in the frequency with which brighter galaxies (MR ≤ -22) host radio sources. More dramatic is the highly significant increase in the probability for fainter galaxies (-20 ≥ MR > -21) in the vicinity of A3562 and SC 1329-313 to be associated with radio emission. The radio and optical data for these sources strongly suggest that these active galaxies are powered by star formation. In conjunction with recent X-ray analysis, this is interpreted as young starbursts related to the recent merger of SC 1329-313 with A3562 and the rest of the supercluster.
Development of a Soluble KIT (sKIT) Electrochemical Aptasensor For Cancer Theranostics

A conformational changing aptamer based electrochemical sensor was developed for the detection of soluble KIT, a cancer biomarker, in human serum. The sensor was fabricated with a ferrocene labeled aptamer (Kd < 5 nM) conjugated to a gold electrode. Quantitative KIT detection was performed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The experimental parameters such as the ratio of aptamer to spacer, aptamer immobilization time, pH, and KIT incubation time were optimized by EIS, and the sensing surface was characterized with voltammetry. The assay specificity was investigated using interfering species showing high specificity towards the target protein. The aptasensor exhibited a wide dynamic range from 10 pg/mL to 100 ng/mL in buffer with a detection limit of 1.15 pg/mL. The sensor also exhibited a linear response with increased KIT concentrations spiked in human serum. The applicability of the sensor was successfully demonstrated using cancer cell conditioned media. The proposed aptasensor can be used in continuous or intermittent approach for cancer therapy monitoring and diagnostics (theranostics).
The Arabidopsis Calcium Sensor Calmodulin-like 38 Regulates Stress Granule Autophagy and Dynamics during Low Oxygen Stress and Re-aeration Recovery

In response to the energy crisis resulting from submergence stress and hypoxia, Arabidopsis limits non-essential mRNAs translation, and accumulate cytosolic stress granules (SG). SGs are phase-separated mRNA-protein particles that partition transcripts for various fates: storage, degradation, or return to translation after stress alleviation. Here, it is shown that RNA stress granules are dynamically regulated during hypoxia stress and aerobic recovery via two phases of autophagy that require the AAA+ ATPase CDC48 and the calcium sensor Calmodulin-like 38 (CML38). CML38 is a core hypoxia response-protein that associates with hypoxia-induced SGs. We show that CML38 is essential for SG autophagy during extended hypoxia. Further, cml38 mutants show disorganized SG morphology during extended hypoxia, suggesting a role in SG formation and maintenance. We also show that upon the return of aerobic conditions, intracellular calcium and CML38 are necessary for SG breakdown and turnover, and for upregulating autophagy. cml38 mutants not only lose these responses, but also have aberrant, sustained autophagosome accumulation during the reoxygenation recovery phase. The findings suggest that CDC48 RNA granule autophagy ("granulophagy") is conserved in plants, and that the hypoxia-induced calcium sensor CML38 regulates SG autophagy during anaerobic stress as well as during the reprogramming phase associated with reoxygenation.
Retention of green leaves not brown leaves increases spring cynipid diversity on large valley oaks

Plants can retain either physiologically active green leaves or inactive brown leaves over winter. Research has suggested that leaf retention incurs a cost due to higher herbivore load in the following year; however, no distinction has, thus, far been made between retention of green and brown leaves. We surveyed the over-winter retention of physiologically active green and inactive brown leaves of valley oaks (Quercus lobata) and examined their relationship with the diversity and density of 15 gall-making cynipid wasp species. Cynipid diversity in the spring was 8.2-fold greater on larger trees with more green leaf retention. Brown leaf retention was not associated with spring cynipid diversity, but was related to a substantial 20-fold reduction in spring cynipid densities on large trees. Retention of either leaf type was generally a poor predictor of summer cynipid diversity and density. Overall, green leaf retention better explained cynipid diversity, but brown leaf retention better explained cynipid densities. These differing effects may be explained by the fact that green leaves provide a common cue used by herbivores to find a suitable host. Retained brown leaves, however, may be an ecological trap for over-winter gall wasps that normally drop to the ground.
NIH funding trends for neurosurgeon-scientists from 1993–2017: Biomedical workforce implications for neurooncology

Neurosurgeons represent 0.5% of all physicians and currently face a high burden of disease. Physician-scientists are essential to advance the mission of National Academies of Science (NAS) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) through discovery and bench to bedside translation. We investigated trends in NIH neurosurgeon-scientist funding over time as an indicator of physician-scientist workforce training. We used NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORTER) to extract grants to neurosurgery departments and neurosurgeons from 1993 to 2017. Manual extraction of each individual grant awardee was conducted. After adjusting for U.S. inflation (base year: 1993), NIH funding to neurosurgery departments increased yearly (P < 0.00001). However, neurosurgeon-scientists received significantly less NIH funding compared to scientists (including basic scientists and research only neurosurgeons) (P = 0.09). The ratio of neurosurgeon-scientists to scientists receiving grants was significantly reduced (P = 0.002). Interestingly, the percentage of oncology-related neurosurgery grants significantly increased throughout the study period (P = 0.002). The average number of grants per neurosurgeon-scientists showed an upward trend (P < 0.001); however, the average number of grants for early-career neurosurgeon-scientists, showed a significant downward trend (P = 0.05). Over the past 23 years, despite the overall increasing trends in the number of NIH grants awarded to neurosurgery departments overall, the proportion of neurosurgeon-scientists that were awarded NIH grants compared to scientists demonstrates a declining trend. This observed shift is disproportionate in the number of NIH grants awarded to senior level compared to early-career neurosurgeon-scientists, with more funding allocated towards neurosurgical-oncology-related grants.
An Experimental Exploration of Political Knowledge Acquisition from the Daily Show Versus CNN Student News

Research in the realm of political entertainment in recent years has explored how political entertainment, and political humor in particular, might affect cognitive processing of information (Nabi, Moyer-Guse, and Bynre, 2007; Young, 2008) and learning (Cao, 2008; Hollander, 2005; Kim & Vishak, 2008). This project presents the results of an experiment completed in April 2008 (N = 293) to explore the effects of a week of exposure to on-line clips of political satire (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) and online news clips (CNN Student News) on college students' acquisition of various forms of political knowledge. Media orientations are examined as a moderator of these effects (Kosicki & McLeod, 1990). Compared to the control group, subjects exposed to CNN experienced significant gains in knowledge at Time 2. But these gains occurred in the context of current affairs knowledge, and to a lesser extent in the context of candidate knowledge. Exposure to The Daily Show was also a significant predictor of Time 2 knowledge gains, but gains were limited to current affairs knowledge. Neither experimental condition experienced increases in civics knowledge, and no significant differences in knowledge gains emerged between participants in the CNN condition and those in the Daily Show condition. Moderating effects of media orientations suggest that positive orientations towards the Daily Show enhanced learning in the Daily Show condition. Implications for research on political humor as a source of political information are discussed.
Preferred crystallographic directions of pore propagation in porous silicon layers

Results are presented that demonstrate that pores propagate along preferred crystallographic directions within both n- and p-type silicon substrates. In addition to this, pores were surprisingly found not to have a round shape. Instead, they are confined by well-defined crystallographic planes. The results from plane-view TEM technique provide quantitative information on the pore size and pore-to-pore distance distributions. These indicate that morphologies are most sensitive to the silicon substrate characteristics. >