cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF LACTIC DEHYDROGENASE IN WHITE SKELETAL MUSCLE

The limitations of the conventional histochemical methods for localization of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in white skeletal muscle have been analyzed quantitatively. It is demonstrated that more than 80 per cent of LDH diffuses into the incubation medium within the first 10 minutes of incubation. Furthermore, it is confirmed that the addition of phenazine methosulfate (PMS) to the ingredients of the histochemical reaction for LDH increases substantially the capacity of the white muscle extract to reduce Nitro-BT. Based on these observations, a modified method of cytochemical localization of LDH has been developed. This method prevents the leakage of LDH from tissue sections by the application of all the ingredients of the histochemical reaction to tissue sections in a thin gelatin film. The incubation mixture contains PMS so that the staining system is independent of tissue diaphorase. The application of this method to the adductor magnus muscle of the rabbit revealed a fine reticulum in the sarcoplasm of all muscle fibers, in addition to the staining of mitochondria. The distribution of the staining suggests that LDH is localized in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
How within-group behavioural variation and task efficiency enhance fitness in a social group

How task specialization, individual task performance and within-group behavioural variation affects fitness is a longstanding and unresolved problem in our understanding of animal societies. In the temperate social spider, Anelosimus studiosus, colony members exhibit a behavioural polymorphism; females either exhibit an aggressive ‘asocial’ or docile ‘social’ phenotype. We assessed individual prey-capture success for both phenotypes, and the role of phenotypic composition on group-level prey-capture success for three prey size classes. We then estimated the effect of group phenotypic composition on fitness in a common garden, as inferred from individual egg-case masses. On average, asocial females were more successful than social females at capturing large prey, and colony-level prey-capture success was positively associated with the frequency of the asocial phenotype. Asocial colony members were also more likely to engage in prey-capture behaviour in group-foraging situations. Interestingly, our fitness estimates indicate females of both phenotypes experience increased fitness when occupying colonies containing unlike individuals. These results imply a reciprocal fitness benefit of within-colony behavioural variation, and perhaps division of labour in a spider society.
Factors Governing the Development of High Tech Industry Agglomerations: A Tale of Three Cities

GLASMEIER A. (1988) Factors governing the development of high tech industry agglomerations: a tale of three cities, Reg. Studies 22, 287–301. High tech industries are thought to precipitate structural change in local economies through the creation of backward and forward linkages and new firm spinoffs. Case studies of high tech firms and products indicate interindustry linkage development is closely associated with product type and organizational structure of firms. Three product configurations, one-of-a-kind, customized and standardized, generate differing levels of linkage and spinoff potential. Firms producing customized products with highly variable input structures and established subcontracting relationships are more amenable to linkage and spinoff creation than firms producing one-of-a-kind or standardized products. The potential for linked industry development is further diluted because the spatial expansion path of high tech firms has been through the creation of ‘technical branch plants’ which a...
A ceramic–carbon hybrid as a high-temperature structural monolith and reinforcing filler and binder for carbon/carbon composites

Abstract A new ceramic–carbon nanostructured hybrid (86 vol.% ceramics, 14 vol.% carbon) formed from organoclay during pyrolysis is reported. It functions as a reinforcing filler and a binder for carbon/carbon (C/C) composites. Alone, it can also serve as a high-temperature structural monolith. During pyrolysis, the ordered montmorillonite clay ( d 001 31.5 A) is transformed to mullite, cristobalite and disordered clay, allowing the clay part of the organoclay to serve as both binder and reinforcement. The organic part serves as a binder. Thus, a unidirectional C/C composite (50 vol.% fibers, 33 vol.% carbon matrix, 5 vol.% hybrid and 12% porosity) exhibiting flexural strength 290 MPa, modulus 55 GPa and toughness 2.9 MPa is obtained by 1000 °C 21-MPa hot-press pyrolysis in the presence of mesophase pitch powder, which serves as an additional binder, without densification after the pyrolysis. With the hybrid incorporation, the fiber content decreases from 53 to 50 vol.%, but the flexural strength and modulus are increased by 46% and 14% respectively, relative to the composite without the hybrid but with densification. Hot pressing the organoclay alone forms a black monolithic sheet with high thermal stability, electrical resistivity 6 × 10 6 Ω cm, flexural strength 180 MPa, modulus 69 GPa, but low ductility.
Minimum Spanning Trees

The minimum spanning tree (MST) problem is one of the simplest and most studied classical optimization problems. It is concerned with finding a spanning tree of an undirected, connected graph such that the sum of the weight of selected arcs is at a minimum and, therefore, sometimes it is also referred to as the minimum weight spanning tree problem. The importance of MSTs can be derived from its wide range of both direct and indirect applications, some of which are described in this article. Several efficient solution techniques have been used effectively for many years, playing a central role in generating important ideas for designing algorithms for other combinatorial problems. We discuss two classical algorithms: Prim's algorithm and Kruskal's algorithm, followed by recent developments that improve the asymptotic time bounds using advanced data structures. Keywords: spanning tree; Prim's algorithm; Kruskal's algorithm; min–max path
Gradient Non-Linearity Correction of MR Images for Functional Radiosurgery

This paper discusses the correction of MR images to submillimeter accuracy needed for functional radiosurgery. MR images experience non-linear distortion due to the magnetic field, which becomes more of a problem for newer machines with larger bores and stronger magnetic fields. This paper models the distortion correction parameters using a spherical harmonics basis, which avoids the need to invert the function to correct the image. The coefficients appear linearly for the spherical harmonics so they are solved for in each dimension by least squares techniques for an MR image of a phantom and the measurements of the phantom. Practical considerations in the design are also covered.
Analysis of electrostatic MEMS using meshless local Petrov-Galerkin (MLPG) method

We analyze electrostatic deformations of rectangular, annular circular, solid circular, and elliptic micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) by modeling them as elastic membranes. The nonlinear Poisson equation governing their deformations is solved numerically by the meshless local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) method. A local symmetric augmented weak formulation of the problem is introduced, and essential boundary conditions are enforced by introducing a set of Lagrange multipliers. The trial functions are constructed by using the moving least-squares approximation, and the test functions are chosen from a space of functions different from the space of trial solutions. The resulting nonlinear system of equations is solved by using the pseudoarclength continuation method. Presently computed values of the pull-in voltage and the maximum pull-in deflection for the rectangular and the circular MEMS are found to agree very well with those available in the literature; results for the elliptic MEMS are new.
EFFECT OF FRANKFURTER CURE INGREDIENTS ON N‐NITROSODIMETHYLAMINE FORMATION IN A MODEL SYSTEM

The effect of cure ingredients on the nitrosation of dimethylamine was investigated in a model system containing sodium nitrite. The ingredients used were: sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, glucono-δ-lactone (GDL), sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), sodium erythorbate (NaEry), sodium ascorbate (NaAsc), ascorbic acid (AscH) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). Under conditions approximating those used in the processing of frankfurters, CDL by itself was found to increase the formation of dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA), whereas reductants reduced the amount formed. Of the reductants, NaAsc or NaEry, in combination with other cure ingredients have similar inhibitory activity. The use of NaCl, NaNO3 and SAPP had little or no effect on DMNA formation.
Distribution of molecules locally delivered from bone cement.

Revision of infected orthopedic implants is successful in most cases when antimicrobials are delivered locally (mixed with bone cement or bone graft which is placed in the site from which the infected tissue was removed); however, there is still a substantial rate of recurrence most likely due to the antimicrobials not achieving a therapeutic dose at all locations in the tissue. To study transport within this environment, gadolinium chelated in diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA), a MRI contrast agent with size and solubility similar to two common antimicrobials (gentamicin and vancomycin), was mixed with bone cement, implanted in vivo into two models of orthopedic surgical wounds, and imaged using MRI 5.5 h after implantation. Image thresholding was used to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations of areas/volumes containing detectable concentrations of Gd-DTPA. Distribution is found to be anisotropic with Gd-DTPA transporting preferentially anterior of the implant toward the skin. When fascia is not closed over the implant site, Gd-DTPA transports to the skin and along the subcutaneous plane. The distance transported indicates that transport is likely driven by convection. Finally, the tissue concentration of Gd-DTPA is much less than the concentration loaded into the bone cement. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 806–814, 2014.
Samaritans, Family Builders, and the Politics of Intercountry Adoption†

Critics of intercountry adoption define it as a demand-driven market for babies, from which parents in rich countries benefit at the expense of those in poor countries. Advocates hold that it often provides the best chance for orphaned children to grow up in a family. This paper investigates these opposing claims. It develops a theory that outlines the circumstances under which intercountry adoption is likely to result in a “baby trade,” and evaluates expectations derived from that theory on the basis of data on adoptions to the United States. The findings suggest that sending countries with large and fast-growing adoption programs may be particularly vulnerable to the temptation to supply a demand-driven market. However, sending countries do not simply respond to international incentives. Instead, the variation in participation in intercountry adoption between sending countries is partially driven by domestic incentives. The paper ends with suggestions for future research and policy.
Changes in urinary uric acid excretion in obstructive sleep apnea before and after therapy with nasal continuous positive airway pressure.

Study objective To assess the utility of urinary uric acid excretion as a marker of nocturnal hypoxia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) before and after the institution of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Design Prospective, open. Setting Sleep Disorders Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Participants Thirty consecutive male subjects, 20 with OSAHS and 10 without OSAHS. Measurements and methods Spot morning urine and venous blood samples were obtained in all subjects; samples were also obtained after the application of CPAP in those with OSAHS. Uric acid excretion, normalized to creatinine clearance, was calculated as the product of urinary uric acid and serum creatinine concentrations divided by urine creatinine concentration. In patients with OSAHS, uric acid excretion was 0.55±0.1 mg/dL before CPAP therapy and decreased to 0.30±0.01 mg/dL after CPAP therapy (p Conclusion Uric acid excretion is increased in OSAHS patients and normalizes after CPAP treatment, most likely reflecting differences in tissue oxygenation between the two conditions. Further studies in large number of patients may confirm the usefulness of this simple test for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with OSAHS.
Moments of Danger and the Practice of Archaeology

This book has been an effort to explain the multiple times in Annapolis when history and tradition, following Benjamin, were wrested from a conformism that was hoping to overpower it. Though we can easily say, and are still led to believe, that the Annapolis landscape has looked the same for centuries, it is an artifact that has been repeatedly re-formed by the ruptures that define a particular long term struggle with modernity. Because the landscape is a record of this history, it contains the forms, contours, and identities of past Annapolitan social formations as they encountered and sought to seal the ruptures that new social processes and political economic structures created. Like the pauses, the “uhms”, I mentioned in the first chapter, these moments of danger in the Annapolis landscape were marks where history confronted itself and produced the ethnohistories that make up the substance of the archaeological record reported on here. In this conclusion I want to summarize these moments and then consider again the methods employed to identify them in order to offer a brief critique of current practice in historical archaeology. This discussion will clarify my title by arguing that all archaeology is at its basic level an archaeology of history.
High-fidelity switch models for software-defined network emulation

Software defined networks (SDNs) depart from traditional network architectures by explicitly allowing third-party software access to the network's control plane. Thus, SDN protocols such as OpenFlow give network operators the ability to innovate by authoring or buying network controller software independent of the hardware. However, this split design can make planning and designing large SDNs even more challenging than traditional networks. While existing network emulators allow operators to ascertain the behavior of traditional networks when subjected to a given workload, we find that current approaches fail to account for significant vendor-specific artifacts in the SDN switch control path. We benchmark OpenFlow-enabled switches from three vendors and illustrate how differences in their implementation dramatically impact latency and throughput. We present a measurement methodology and emulator extension to reproduce these control-path performance artifacts, restoring the fidelity of emulation.
Early Assessments of Hill’s Lunar Theory

John C. Adams, writing in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society for November 1877, was the first to give public recognition of the importance of Hill’s 1877 paper54:
Determination of D‐Amino Acids in Some Processed Foods and Effect of Racemization on In Vitro Digestibility of Casein

Several processed foods and controls were analyzed by gas chromatography for the presence of D-amino acids. The concentration of each of the D-amino acids detected in the processed foods was approximately the same as that in the controls except that D-aspartic acid was significantly higher in dark toast surface and extruded soy flour. In vitro digestibility of casein which was alkali-treated to cause racemization, but without lysinoalanine (LAL) formation, was essentially the same as that of racemized casein containing LAL, but was lower than that of nonracemized control casein.
Nationality and Neighborhood Risk at the Origins of FHA Underwriting

Histories of the emergence of federally sanctioned mortgage underwriting in the United States have made racial discrimination a central theme. Yet their emphasis on systematic favoritism for whites over blacks tells only part of the story. This article examines how a broader, waning concept of race that encompassed nationality as well as skin color influenced the practice of locational risk rating at the Federal Housing Administration. Using qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the construction of “neighborhood risk” reveals how, from the introduction of the agency’s underwriting standards, raters depended on a more nuanced population classification scheme in evaluating urban areas. The evidence presented here about the differential treatment of nationality groups points to new directions for studies of housing policy in the United States.
Key comparisons: applying the scientific method to validate uncertainty

We examine chi-squared statistics that are appropriate for analysing the adequacy of different key comparison reference value candidates in accounting for the observed dispersion of results of a key comparison, about the candidate estimator, and within the stated uncertainty claims. We extend the analysis to cover cases where the uncertainty budgets incorporate low degrees of freedom or have significant correlations. To use these statistics for the usual chi-squared tests of consistency, the required distributions can readily be evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation, including the effects of non-Gaussian uncertainty distributions. Pair-difference chi-squared statistics are a useful method for analysing metrologica, being independent of the choice of estimator of central tendency, and so may expedite the process of analysis, consensus building and publication
Pearls and Oy-sters: Central fourth nerve palsies

Lesions of the fourth (trochlear) cranial nerve cause vertical or oblique diplopia by impairing the ability of the superior oblique muscle to intort and depress the eye. This binocular diplopia worsens in downgaze and lateral gaze away from the affected eye. Because intorsion is necessary to maintain fusion in ocular counter-roll, this diplopia also worsens with head tilt toward the affected eye.1,2 The authors thank Dr. Laura Balcer for assisting in the production of the figures.
Nucleic acid targeting: towards personalized therapy for head and neck cancer

In light of a detailed characterization of genetic aberrations in cancer, nucleic acid targeting represents an attractive therapeutic approach with significant translational potential. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide with stagnant 5-year survival rates. Advances in conventional treatment have done little to improve survival and combined chemoradiation is associated with significant adverse effects. Recent reports have characterized the genetic alterations in HNSCC and demonstrated that mutations confer resistance to conventional and molecular targeted therapies. The ability to use specific nucleic acid sequences to inhibit cancer-associated genes including non-druggable targets facilitates personalized medicine approaches with less adverse effects. Additionally, advances in drug delivery mechanisms have increased the transfection efficiency aiding in greater therapeutic responses. Given these advances, the stage has been set to translate the information garnered from genomic studies into personalized treatment strategies. Genes involved in the tumor protein 53 and epidermal growth factor receptor pathways have been extensively investigated and many promising preclinical studies have shown tumor inhibition through genetic modulation. We, and others, have demonstrated that targeting oncogene expression with gene therapy approaches is feasible in patients. Other methods such as RNA interference have proven to be effective and are potential candidates for clinical studies. This review summarizes the major advances in sequence-specific gene modulation in the preclinical setting and in clinical trials in head and neck cancer patients.
Democracies in Action: A Changing Learning Community Landscape

Learning alongside others to effect transformation of community and self is a process of inquiry that guides theory and practice. My purpose as an author is to portray a balanced, realistic portrait of the promises and pitfalls of engaging in professional learning communities (PLCs). Herein I present the results of a democratic project that united 42 scholars and practitioners who made discoveries as collaborators within evolving communities of practice geared toward desirable change. I also draw upon the relevant literature to describe this trend and identify possibilities for renewal, reflection, and inquiry that arise out of PLCs.
Biologically Targeted Therapy of Pediatric Brain Tumors

Investigators at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; George Washington University, and Children’s National Brain Tumor Institute, Washington, DC review the molecular pathways implicated in pediatric brain tumors, biologic agents that target these pathways, and current clinical trials of these novel therapies.
Societal computing

Social Computing research focuses on online social behavior and using artifacts derived from it for providing recommendations and other useful community knowledge. Unfortunately, some of that behavior and knowledge incur societal costs, particularly with regards to Privacy, which is viewed quite differently by different populations as well as regulated differently in different locales. But clever technical solutions to those challenges may impose additional societal costs, e.g., by consuming substantial resources at odds with Green Computing, another major area of societal concern. We propose a new crosscutting research area, Societal Computing, that focuses on the technical tradeoffs among computational models and application domains that raise significant societal issues. This dissertation, advised by Prof. Gail Kaiser, will focus on privacy concerns in the context of Societal Computing and will aim to address research topics such as design patterns and architectures for privacy tradeoffs, better understanding of users' privacy requirements so that tradeoffs with other areas such as green computing can be dealt with in a more effective manner, and better visualization techniques for making privacy and its tradeoffs more understandable.
Interaction of Psychological and Sociological Factors in Political Behavior

The theoretical models developed to deal with the interaction of sociological and psychological factors in the formation of political behavior indicate a wide divergence of opinion. At one extreme area group of scientists, mainly psychiatrists and anthropologists, who see most social phenomena as deriving from the subjective experiences of the individual. The specific traumata inherent in different methods of upbringing and in the resulting renunciations imposed upon the child are regarded by them as the formative basis for customs, religions, social attitudes, and so forth. Some specific examples of their point of view may be found in attempts to explain war as an expression of the destructive instincts, or capitalism as a manifestation of the anal syndrome. But at the other extreme are proponents of the view that the social structure is independent of the single individual and that individual behavior can be explained and predicted in terms of membership in classes and groups as they have developed historically, mainly on the basis of mode of subsistence.Failing to agree with either of these extreme points of view, one may argue that any speculation about the causal interrelation of sociological and psychological factors in the group and in the individual must recognize the fact that these factors have been artificially isolated and abstracted and that no exclusive factual primacy can be given to any of the aspects in a pattern so closely interwoven.
An Investigation of First- versus Third-Person Risk Narrative Processing Through the Lens of the Heuristic-Systematic Model

This online experiment analyzed the effect of first- versus third-person risk narratives on 235 female college students’ affect, attitudes, risk perceptions and thoughts regarding tanning beds through the lens of the heuristic-systematic model. Participants receiving a third-person narrative reported a greater number of systematic thoughts as compared to those receiving a first-person narrative. Regardless of condition, participants reported significantly more systematic thoughts as compared to heuristic thoughts. Narrative researchers should take note that not all narratives may be processed in a heuristic manner as largely proposed by past research. Future research should delve further into the reasons why third-person messages may be processed higher along the heuristic-systematic continuum.
PSYCHOMOTOR RESPONSES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO PERSONALITY TRAITS OF YOUNG MEN PERFORMING IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE (110 F).

Abstract The purpose of this study was to isolate relationships between psychomotor responses and personality structure. Fifteen subjecs were administered the Thurstone Temperament Schedule. Stress was provided by a heat chamber with an ambient temperature of 110 F (30–50 percent R.H.) and walking on a treadmill which moved at 4 mph at zero grade. Analysis of the data permits the following conclusions: (a) two-hand coordination showed a positive significant relationship to the measure of competitiveness; (b) tapping showed a positive significant relationship to the vigorous and sociable traits; and (c) a significant positive relationship between strength and the active trait was found. Hand and arm steadiness had a significant negative relationship with the emotional stability trait.
Medicinal Drumming: An Ancient and Modern Day Healing Approach

This article reviews the medicinal drumming praxis, an ancient and modern day ceremonial approach to psychological and spiritual well-being. A brief overview of similar, but culturally diverse healing modalities is presented along with a background on the evolution of certain Afro-Caribbean rhythms that are centerpiece to the drumming ceremony, and are used to activate and channel healing energy within a group setting. Distinctions between different drumming styles are presented and an explanation regarding the uniqueness of ceremonial drumming is offered. The conceptualization of the medicinal drumming praxis is operationalized into stages that sequentially unfold over the course of the ceremony. A discussion about the manner in which; rhythms, plant medicine, song, storytelling, colors, symbols and elements such as water, air, fire and earth, are used to produce an effect is presented. The effects generated by the ceremonial process and the tools used during a drumming ceremony are addressed. The process by which the facilitator (guide) ushers the group through the ceremony is explained and the manner in which the energetic current of the group is activated and molded during the ceremony is described. A discussion on generating and encoding intention into sound vibrations is provided. The capacity to stimulate group cohesion, unconditional positive regard, social connectivity, and well-being through ceremony is argued. The ability to elevate consciousness through drumming ceremony is explored. A discussion, on the use of ceremony as a sacred space that generates a pathway whereby the projection of constructive intentionality and communion with higher consciousness occurs, is presented. A previous evaluation of the model is offered along with a summary of a current training and implementation project funded by the San Francisco Department of Public Health is described.
PD-L1 expression in non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma and benign kidney tumors.

4526 Background: Programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor negatively regulates T cell-mediated responses.PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) is aberrantly expressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and is asso...
The mitochondrial α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinases: Molecular cloning, tissue-specific expression and primary structure analysis

The protein kinases responsible for phosphorylation of the mitochondrial α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complexes constitute a unique family of eukaryotic protein kinases (Popov et al., 1992; Popov et al., 1993; Popov et al., 1994). The first of these enzymes to be cloned (Popov et al., 1992), the branched chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BDK), phosphorylates and inactivates the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC), the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of branched chain amino acids. Phosphorylation-mediated inhibition of BCKDC by BDK conserves leucine, isoleucine and valine, the dietary essential branched chain amino acids that must be maintained continuously available for protein synthesis by all tissues. Phosphorylation of Ser293 and Ser303 of the E1α subunit of BCKDC results in inhibition of the thiamine pyrophosphate-dependent step catalyzed by the E1 component and thereby inhibition of the overall activity. BCKDC phosphatase, an enzyme that has been isolated and partially characterized (Damuni and Reed, 1987) but not cloned or studied in detail with respect to regulation in either the short or the long term, is responsible for dephosphorylation and activation of BCKDC. This phosphatase deserves considerably more study since its activity relative to that of BDK determines the proportion of BCKDC in its active dephosphorylated state. α-Ketoisocaproate, the product of leucine transamination, is a potent inhibitor of BDK (Lau et al., 1982; Paxton and Harris, 1984), an effect believed important in the short term for determining the activity state of BCKDC (for review see: Harris et al., 1986). An excessive amount of blood leucine, originating either from the diet or from proteolysis of tissue protein, results in an increased cellular concentration of α-ketoisocaproate.
Chapter 8 - Hypothiocyanite

Thiocyanate (SCN−) is the usual substrate for the human defensive peroxidases (components of human innate defense that include lactoperoxidase, salivary peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, and eosinophil peroxidase). The initial product of the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of SCN− by hydrogen peroxide is the antimicrobial agent hypothiocyanite (OSCN−). Stoichiometric methods of preparing OSCN− are also known. This review addresses the synthesis and chemistry of OSCN− and its derivatives in general, with particular attention paid to reactions that may be biologically relevant and to the evidence for putative biological intermediates. As SCN− is considered to be a pseudohalide in several aspects of reactivity, the inorganic chemistry of OSCN− is, not surprisingly, related to the corresponding hypohalites, albeit complicated by reactions of the cyano moiety of OSCN−.
Stereotype threat, trait perseveration, and vagal activity: evidence for mechanisms underpinning health disparities in Black Americans.

Objective: Black Americans (BAs) are at an elevated risk for morbidity and mortality in comparison to White Americans (WAs). Racial stressors are a common occurrence in American culture and is theorized to contribute to these disparities. When race-focused, stereotype threat (ST) is considered to be a factor that is detrimental to health in BAs; however few studies have directly investigated the impact of a ST manipulation on physiological function. Furthermore, it is proposed that racial stressors such as ST may have prolonged effects when more likely to perseverate (e.g. rumination) over the stressor and thus, those with greater trait perseveration may be more affected by ST. We sought to explore the impact of ST and trait perseveration on changes in vagus nerve activity - an indication of adaptive psychological and physiological well-being - as indexed by vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV). Design: Forty-three (24 females, mean age of 20, standard deviation of 3 years) apparently healthy BA individuals were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions in which they received either implicit (subtle), explicit (blatant), or no ST priming (control condition), prior to completing a cognitive task. Resting vmHRV was assessed both at baseline (pre-task) and recovery (post-task). Results: BAs in the explicit ST condition exhibited the greatest decrease in vmHRV in comparison to the control group from pre- to post-task. BAs with moderate to high levels of trait perseveration showed the greatest decrease in vmHRV from pre- to post-task in comparison to those with lower levels of trait perseveration and BAs in the control group. Conclusion: These data suggest that racial ST, especially when explicit and coupled with trait perseveration, can decrease vagal activity, as indexed by decreased vmHRV, which when experienced frequently can have significant consequences for health and longevity in BAs.
Inteins as Indicators of Bio-Communication

Genetic information is stored in DNA molecules, horizontal gene transfer shares this information between organisms. The transfer of genetic information thus is an important method of bio-communication. Communities of organisms made up of either the same species, or different species can transfer genetic material between community members. In Bacteria and Archaea these transfers are unidirectional, except for mating described for Haloarchaea (Naor et al. 2012) and possibly also occurring in other archaea. Inteins are selfish genetic elements found in all domains of life. As is the case for most mobile selfish genetic elements, horizontal gene transfer is an important part of the intein’s life cycle. Several unique properties of inteins make them particularly well suited as markers of horizontal gene transfer pathways. In this chapter, we explore these properties, and provide examples of their uses to reveal patterns of horizontal gene transfer.
Databases for many majors: the penultimate year

This poster depicts accomplishments, concentrating on 2016--2017, of an NSF IUSE collaborative grant (DUE-1431848/DUE-1431661) for reaching out to many majors using databases, entitled "Databases for Many Majors: Customizable Visualizations to Improve STEM Learning." These visualizations introduce fundamental database concepts using a dynamic presentation. The first years of this grant saw the addition of a third visualization to the two that had been developed in an earlier grant: one introducing relational databases and how they differ from spreadsheets, the other covering querying concepts and the SQL standard. The new visualization describes the conceptual design of relational databases using Entity-Relationship diagrams. A unique aspect of the animations is that they are customizable, where the example data and the associated text can be revised for any domain. Each animation includes a checkpoint, which is a formative self-assessment component that quizzes the learner to reinforce the concepts. The third ("penultimate") year saw, besides further testing and refinement of existing software, the development of a tool for online customizations. This tool guides the user through the creation of the database and generates the files that support the customization of the three animations using the newly created database. The domain expert can then use the generated file to customize the associated text within each animation. The animations are available on the project's Web site at http://databasesmanymajors.faculty.asu.edu, including several customizations to the following topics: astronomy, computational molecular biology, environmental science/ecology, forensics, geographic information systems, and statistics. The coming ("ultimate") year's work will include user testing of the customization tool and on Open Source versions of the software.
crisprQTL mapping as a genome-wide association framework for cellular genetic screens

Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are powerful paradigms for mapping the determinants of gene expression and organismal phenotypes, respectively. However, eQTL mapping and GWAS are limited in scope (to naturally occurring, common genetic variants) and resolution (by linkage disequilibrium). Here, we present crisprQTL mapping, a framework in which large numbers of CRISPR/Cas9 perturbations are introduced to each cell on an isogenic background, followed by single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq). crisprQTL mapping is analogous to conventional human eQTL studies, but with individual humans replaced by individual cells; genetic variants replaced by unique combinations of unlinked guide RNA (gRNA)-programmed perturbations per cell; and tissue-level RNA-seq of many individuals replaced by scRNA-seq of many cells. By randomly introducing gRNAs, a single population of cells can be leveraged to test for association between each perturbation and the expression of any potential target gene, analogous to how eQTL studies leverage populations of humans to test millions of genetic variants for associations with expression in a genome-wide manner. However, crisprQTL mapping is neither limited to naturally occurring, common genetic variants nor by linkage disequilibrium. As a proof-of-concept, we applied crisprQTL mapping to evaluate 1,119 candidate enhancers with no strong a priori hypothesis as to their target gene(s). Perturbations were made by a nuclease-dead Cas9 tethered to KRAB, and introduced at a mean "allele frequency" of 1.1% into a population of 47,650 profiled human K562 cells (median of 15 gRNAs identified per cell). We tested for differential expression of all genes within 1 megabase of each candidate enhancer, effectively evaluating 17,584 potential enhancer-target gene relationships within a single experiment. At an empirical false discovery rate of 10%, we identify 128 cis crisprQTLs (11%) whose targeting resulted in downregulation of 105 nearby genes. crisprQTLs were strongly enriched for proximity to their target genes (median 34.3 kilobases) and the strength of H3K27ac, p300, and lineage-specific transcription factor ChIP-seq peaks. Our results establish the power of the eQTL mapping paradigm as applied to programmed variation in populations of cells, rather than natural variation in populations of individuals. We anticipate that crisprQTL mapping will facilitate the comprehensive elucidation of the cis-regulatory architecture of the human genome.
The Effectiveness of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention for College Freshmen Who Have Aged out of Foster Care

This study investigated the effects of a brief meditation intervention on perceived stress, mindfulness, and sleep quality for college freshmen who have aged out of foster care. Thirty-six youth who had aged out of foster care and enrolled at a large midwestern 4-year university (n = 16 experimental group, n = 20 control group) participated in a study in which they were assessed three times on the dependent variables. Students also participated in a focus group after the intervention ended. Four sessions of the brief mindfulness intervention resulted in significant short-term reductions in stress levels and increases in sleep quality. Finding effective personal interventions to increase chances for college success for students with histories in foster care can also offer potential insight toward the development of educational models and resources for other vulnerable college student populations.
Pannexin1: a multifunction and multiconductance and/or permeability membrane channel.

Of the three pannexins in vertebrate proteomes, pannexin1 (Panx1) is the only one well characterized, and it is generally accepted that Panx1 functions as an ATP release channel for signaling to ot...
Ex vivo ovine model for teaching open laryngotracheal surgery.

Objective: To develop an animal model for teaching open laryngotracheal surgical procedures. Methods: The heads and necks from 5 pre-pubescent sheep were harvested after humane anesthesia. After 2—5 days to allow for rigor mortis to resolve, a specimen was supported with sandbags on an operating table. Operative procedures including tracheotomy, medialization laryngoplasty, anterior cartilage grafting, tracheal resection with primary anastomosis, and laryngectomy with closure of the pharynx were attempted. Results: The ovine head and neck provided an accurate model for simulation of all attempted procedures. Ovine tissue resembled that of humans in mechanical properties and handling. Postsurgical endoscopy confirmed graft alignment. Conclusions: The sheep head and neck provides an inexpensive, realistic, and safe model for surgical training for a variety of open laryngotracheal procedures. This is particularly relevant given the recent emphasis on surgical simulation and the relative rarity of some of these procedures in residency training. Key words: Airway surgery; Laryngotracheal reconstruction; Sheep; Surgical simulation; Tracheal resection
The evolution of induction mechanisms in bacteria: insights derived from the study of the beta-ketoadipate pathway.

Publisher Summary The comparative survey of induction mechanisms used by different bacterial genera to govern the synthesis of enzymes for a single pathway can give insight into some of the factors that contributed to the selection of particular compounds as inducers and to the evolution of patterns of inductive control. This chapter presents different types of inductive control and discusses the regulation of inducer levels. Inductive control evolves through the modification of preexisting genetic material. The chapter discusses β-ketoadipate pathway, which is a multistep route for the dissimilation of aromatic compounds. It highlights the regulation of β-ketoadipate pathway in two bacterial species, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas putida . This provides a background for tracing the development of concepts about four evolutionary factors that influence the evolution of induction mechanisms: (1) the economy of enzyme synthesis, (2) unification of inductive control, (3) the preexisting genetic material from which genes evolved, and 4) the role of nutritional opportunities in the natural environment in the selection of organisms with specific patterns of induction.
Horizon: a multi-abstraction framework for graph analytics

A graph application written using a distributed graph processing framework can perform over an order of magnitude slower than its high-performance, native counterpart. This issue stems from the aim, common to most graph frameworks, of restricting the scope of application development to specific graph constructs, such as, for example, vertex or edge programs. In this paper we present Horizon, a distributed graph processing framework achieving close to native performance without penalizing productivity by providing a multi-layer, multi-abstraction model of computation. Compared to current frameworks, Horizon extends the scope of computation by exposing two notions usually relegated to implementations: graph data models and communication models. Horizon can reduce execution time by an average of 5.3× across different applications and datasets and process an order of magnitude larger graphs when compared to the state of the art.
TMPfold: a web tool for predicting stability of transmembrane α-helix association.

Abstract Estimating energies of transmembrane (TM) α-helix association is essential for understanding folding of membrane proteins and formation of their functional assemblies. A new physics-based method was developed and implemented in the TMPfold web server for the calculation of the free energy of TM helix association (ΔGasc) in TM α-bundles of known structure. The method was verified using the experimental ΔGasc values for 36 TM complexes, including dimers of 10 glycophorin A mutants. The calculated free energy changes (ΔΔGasc) caused by mutations in TM helices correlated with experimental changes in the stability of 42 mutants of bacteriorhodopsin and 25 mutants of rhomboid protease. TMPfold was applied for evaluation of ΔGasc in 554 PDB structures of 85 seven-helical TM proteins and identification of stable two-helical folding intermediates. The proposed tentative paths of cotranslational helix assembly of several polytopic proteins were consistent with experimental studies of their folding. TMPfold is accessible at ( https://opm.phar.umich.edu/tmpfold_server ).
Podocyte stress and detachment measured in urine are related to mean arterial pressure in healthy humans

Hypertension-associated progressive glomerulosclerosis is a significant driver of both de novo and all-cause chronic kidney disease leading to end-stage kidney failure. The progression of glomerular disease proceeds via continuing depletion of podocytes from the glomeruli into the ultrafiltrate. To non-invasively assess injury patterns associated with mean arterial pressure (MAP), we conducted an observational study of 87 healthy normotensive individuals who were cleared for living kidney donation. Urine pellet podocin and aquaporin2 mRNAs normalized to the urine creatinine concentration (UPod:Creat ratio and UAqp2:Creat ratio) were used as markers of podocyte detachment and tubular injury, respectively. The ratio of two podocyte mRNA markers, podocin to nephrin (UPod:Neph) as well as the ratio of podocin to the tubular marker aquaporin2 (UPod:Aqp2) estimated the relative rates of podocyte stress and glomerular vs. tubular injury. The MAP was positively correlated with the UPod:Neph and UPod:Aqp2, thereby confirming the relationship of MAP with podocyte stress and the preferential targeting of the glomerulus by higher MAP. In multivariable linear regression analysis, both UPod:Neph and UPod:Creat, but not UAqp2:Creat or proteinuria, were both significantly related to a range of normal MAP (70 to 110 mm Hg). Systolic, as opposed to diastolic or pulse pressure was associated with UPod:Creat. Thus, higher podocyte stress and detachment into the urine are associated with MAP even in a relatively "normal" range of MAP. Hence, urine pellet mRNA monitoring can potentially identify progression risk before the onset of overt hypertension, proteinuria or chronic kidney disease.