cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Efficient, Solvent-Free Process for Synthesizing Anhydrous MgCl2

A new efficient and solvent-free method for the synthesis of anhydrous MgCl2 from its hexahydrate is presented. Fluidized dehydration of MgCl2·6H2O feedstock at 200 °C in a porous bed reactor yields MgCl2·nH2O (0 < n < 1), which has a similar diffraction pattern as activated MgCl2. The MgCl2·nH2O is then ammoniated directly using liquefied NH3 in the absence of solvent to form MgCl2·6NH3. Calcination of the hexammoniate complex at 300 °C then yields anhydrous MgCl2. Both dehydration and deammoniation were thoroughly studied using in situ as well as ex situ characterization techniques. Specifically, a detailed understanding of the dehydration process was monitored by in situ PXRD and in situ FTIR techniques where formation of salt with nH2O (n = 4, 2, 1, <1) was characterized. Given the reduction in thermal energy required to produce dehydrated feedstock with this method compared with current strategies, significant cost benefits are expected. Overall, the combined effect of activation, macroporosity, and ...
Pseudoprogression in Neuro-Oncology: Overview, Pathophysiology, and Interpretation

Abstract Pseudoprogression, or the radiographic increase in enhancement and or edema on magnetic resonance imaging without tumor progression, is a widely recognized yet poorly understood entity affecting glioma patients and their management. This chapter aims to summarize the discovery and definition of pseudoprogression, its underlying pathophysiology, and its relation to various treatments and O -6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase methylation status. Additionally, existing criteria used for the diagnosis of tumor recurrence and pseudoprogression are presented. Numerous radiologic techniques have been utilized to try to accurately distinguish pseudoprogression from disease progression and are summarized. New biologic approaches for detection of early recurrence are also discussed. The importance of the accurate diagnosis of pseudoprogression has dramatic implications not only for a patient's treatment course, but also for the design, implementation, and interpretation of clinical trials.
Specters of Islam

In this paper, I trace historical developments in Islamist politics and mainstream feminism in relation to media representations of Muslim women. By examining articles in The New York Times (NYT) published between 1979 and 2011, I suggest that secular representations of Islam, both in the media and feminist discourse, propagate what I call ‘anti-Islamism.’ By constructing a periodization based on signature events within contemporary Islamist history (what I term an ‘Islamist periodization’), I identify tactical shifts within the larger, global strategy of anti-Islamism. As a conceptual frame, anti-Islamism moves beyond articulations that either conceptualize Islamophobia as a behavioral-psychological disposition created through misinformation, or as a structural form of racial bigotry. Instead, anti-Islamism describes a consistent effort to counter and negate Islam’s world-making aspirations. Ultimately, I deduce that feminism as a political and epistemic project (with three major exceptions) is necessarily incompatible with Islamic orthodoxy – an incompatibility reinforced by media representations.
Antithromboembolic Strategies for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

We set out to synthesize available data on antithrombotic strategies for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with a focus on triple antithrombotic therapy (triple therapy [TT]; dual antiplatelet therapy plus an anticoagulant) versus dual therapy (DT; one antiplatelet agent and an anticoagulant). We searched OVID MEDLINE and PubMed from January 2005 to September 2017 using the search terms oral anticoagulant, triple therapy, dual therapy, acute coronary syndrome, percutaneous coronary intervention, and atrial fibrillation (limited to randomized controlled trials, observational studies, English language, minimum 6–12 months of follow-up, minimum 100 human patients). We excluded surveys, literature reviews, articles not directly related to TT versus DT, incomplete studies, and short-term in-hospital studies. All eligible studies were reviewed to evaluate possible antithrombotic management strategies for patients with AF undergoing PCI. Extracted studies were categorized according to the specific anticoagulant (vitamin K antagonist vs. direct-acting oral anticoagulant) and P2Y12 inhibitor used. Each category review was followed by a discussion providing insight into the quality of evidence and implications for practice. We found that the risk of bleeding with TT was higher than with DT, without demonstrated added benefit of reducing major adverse cardiovascular events. TT use should be minimized in patients with high bleeding risk, and patient-specific factors should be critically analyzed to select appropriate antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents.
Literacy Practices in Sociocultural Perspective

Work under the rubric of literacy practices is usefully understood as part of a general commitment to analyze micro and macro relationships. This is done under the concept of ‘practice,’ seen as the intersection point of person, culture, and society. In the self-defined New Literacy Studies, analysis of literacy practices entails a dual focus on both events and models or theories. This article discusses these foci in light of sociocultural phenomena such as artifactualized language, ideology, subversive language use, and institutional authority. It concludes by discussing contemporary literacy problems and recommending continuing exchanges between the New Literacy Studies and anthropologically based research on indexicals.
In Vitro Fertilization: Do Short-Term Changes in Estrogen Levels Produce Increased Fibrinolysis?

High estrogen levels have been implicated as a cause of thrombosis. Patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) present an opportunity to study isolated estrogen effects on the coagulation system, since hormonal manipulation is used to achieve varying estrogen concentrations. We evaluated the effect of estrogen levels on the fibrinolytic and clotting systems of 32 patients undergoing IVFfrom whom venous samples were obtained during a period of several weeks at baseline and retrieval times. Flow cytometric studies were performed to assay platelet activation. Hemostasis markers measured thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), fibrinogen, plasmin-α 2 -antiplasmin complexes (PAP), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1 ), and D-dimer. A significant decrease in PAI-1 and an increase in PAP were observed at high estrogen levels, suggesting an increase in fibrinolytic potential. However, the products of fibrinolysis, as measured by D-dimer levels, decreased at high estrogen levels. No changes were seen in platelet activation indicators or TAT levels. The fact that a decrease in products of fibrinolysis was seen at high estrogen levels despite concurrent changes in PAI- and PAP that normally accompany increased fibrinolysis may be due to alterations in the overall balance of the fibrinolytic system or to a delay in onset of fibrinolysis.
6 - Solubility of Gases in Brines

This chapter presents tabular information on the standard air saturation concentration (moist air at 1 atm) for oxygen and carbon dioxide in terms of μmol/kg, mg/L, and Bunsen coefficients (L real gas/(L atm)) for 0–40°C and marine conditions (0–240 g/kg as NaCl). Tabular data for the vapor pressure and density of water is also presented for 0–240 g/kg as NaCl. Using the equations presented in Chapter 1, air saturation concentrations (at local barometric pressure) and solubility of arbitrary gas composition mixtures can be computed. Sample problems are included for representative examples.
Constructive induction of features for planning

Constructive induction techniques use constructors to combine existing features into new features. Usually the goal is to improve the accuracy and/or efficiency of classification. An alternate use of new features is to create representations which allow planning in more efficient state spaces. An inefficient state space may be too fine grained, requiring deep search for plans with many steps, may be too fragmented, requiring separate plans for similar cases, or may be unfocused, resulting in poorly directed search. Modifying the representation with constructive induction can improve the state space and overcome these inefficiencies. Additionally, since most learning systems depend on good domain features, constructive induction will compliment the action of other algorithms.
Abnormalities of placental development and function are associated with the different fetal growth patterns of hypoplastic left heart syndrome and transposition of the great arteries.

Background: Birthweight is a critical predictor of congenital heart disease (CHD) surgical outcomes. Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is cyanotic CHD with known fetal growth restriction and placental abnormalities. Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is cyanotic CHD with normal fetal growth. Placental development, growth and function is vital for appropriate fetal growth and recent studies have suggested abnormal placentation in cases of CHD. Comparison of the placenta in these diagnoses may provide insights on the fetal growth abnormality of CHD as well as identify any shared placental abnormalities in these two forms of CHD. Methods: Clinical data and placental histology from placentas associated with Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) were analyzed for gross pathology, morphology, maturity and vascularity and compared to both control and previously analyzed HLHS placentas. RNA was isolated from HLHS, TGA and control placentas and sequenced by Illumina HiSeq.Gene, analysis was performed using TopHat, R and MSigDB. Cluster analysis was performed using GoElite and Pathway analysis performed using PANTHERdb Overrepresentation Test. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to assess placental nutrient transporter expression in all three groups. Results: Placental weight was reduced in TGA cases, and placentas demonstrated reduced villous vasculature, immature terminal villi, and increased fibrin deposition in the parenchyma compared to controls and reflected our previous data from HLHS placentas. However, birth weight was not reduced in TGA cases compared to controls in contrast to the HLHS cohort and placental efficiency was significantly increased in TGA cases but not HLHS compared to control. Clustering and Pathway analysis identified both similarities and differences in placental transcriptomes between TGA and HLHS with term controls. Immunohistochemical analysis highlighted substantial differences between TGA and HLHS placentas in the protein expression and localization of nutrient transporters previously associated with impaired fetal growth. Conclusions: This study identifies the disruption of multiple placental mechanisms in two subtypes of CHD. Despite common vascular and structural disturbances in placentas from HLHS and TGA, these do not account for the differences seen in fetal growth which are likely due to perturbations in placental transport capabilities and efficiency seen in HLHS but not in TGA.
Immunization of Solid Organ Transplant Candidates and Recipients: A 2018 Update.

This article discusses the recommended vaccines used before and after solid organ transplant period, including data regarding vaccine safety and efficacy and travel-related vaccines. Vaccination is an important part of the preparation for solid organ transplantation, because vaccine-preventable diseases contribute to the morbidity and mortality of these patients. A pretransplantation protocol should be encouraged in every transplant center. The main goal of vaccination is to provide seroprotection before transplantation, because iatrogenically immunosuppressed patients posttransplant have a lower seroresponse to vaccines.
Intersectional Identities and HIV: Race and Ethnicity Drive Patterns of Sexual Mixing

Large disparities exist in HIV across racial and ethnic populations—with Black and Latino populations disproportionately affected. This study utilizes a large cohort of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) to examine how race and ethnicity drive sexual partner selection, and how those with intersecting identities (Latinos who identify as White or Black) differ from Latinos without a specific racial identification (Latinos who identify as “Other”). Data come from YMSM (N = 895) who reported on sexual partners (N = 3244). Sexual mixing patterns differed substantially by race and ethnicity. Latinos who self-identified as “Black” reported mainly Black partners, those who self-identified as “White” predominantly partnered with Whites, while those who self-identified as “Other” mainly partnered with Latinos. Results suggested that Black-Latino YMSM are an important population for prevention, as their HIV prevalence neared that of Black YMSM, and their patterns of sexual partnership suggested that they may bridge Black YMSM and Other-Latino YMSM populations.
Implementing self-monitoring to reduce inappropriate vocalizations of an adult with autism in the workplace

Abstract Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are capable of competitive employment and can work successfully in community businesses. However, it is common for individuals with ASD to be unemployed or underemployed at higher rates than other groups with disabilities and the population at large. ASD encompasses a range of behaviors with the potential to interfere with productivity within the workplace. Research has supported management of these behaviors, through methods such as self-monitoring, may improve community access and employment. A singlesubject withdrawal design was utilized to evaluate the functional relationship between implementation of the I-Connect self-monitoring intervention and inappropriate vocalizations, with secondary measurement of work engagement and hair pulling behaviors. An adult female with ASD received training on the use of the I-Connect self-monitoring application in her work place medical records setting. Introduction of the I-Connect self-monitoring application resulted in an immediate decrease in inappropriate vocalizations. Social validity measures suggest the application was easy to utilize and may be beneficial in increasing a person's perceived ability to regulate inappropriate vocalizations in a work environment.
Room for monsters and writers: Performativity in children’s classroom drawing:

Much research on children’s classroom drawing emerged from an interest in the relationships between drawing and early writing and focused on drawing as a pedagogical tool to engage young children i...
Comparing mand training and other instructional methods to teach a foreign language

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of mand, tact, and native-to-foreign (NFI) and foreign-to-native (FNI) intraverbal training on the acquisition of a foreign language. We used a multiple-baseline design across participants with an embedded adapted alternating treatments design to compare the effects of mand training, tact training, NFI training, and FNI training on the acquisition rate of Chinese words in four typically developing adults. We also examined the emergence of untrained foreign language responses for each training condition. Data for 3 out of the 4 participants suggest that mand training was the most efficient training procedure with respect to acquisition rate. The greatest amount of emergent responding was observed for the mand and tact training conditions.
HPV vaccination has not increased sexual activity or accelerated sexual debut in a college-aged cohort of men and women

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is linked to several types of cancer. HPV vaccination uptake in the U.S. is relatively low, despite the vaccine’s high efficacy. Some parents of adolescents have concerns that vaccination will encourage sexual behavior and therefore choose not to vaccinate. Previous studies investigating vaccination and sexual behavior have included only young women and girls. The objective of this study is to assess associations between HPV-vaccination and sexual behavior in a college-age cohort of both men and women. We analyzed questionnaire data collected from the Michigan HPV and Oropharyngeal Cancer Study, a cohort study designed to investigate HPV infection and its association with sexual behavior (data collected 2015–17, Ann Arbor, MI). Here, we consider vaccination status, sexual behavior, and substance use among 241 college-aged men and women. Logistic, Poisson, and Cox regression were used to determine the relationship between probability of sexual debut, number of sexual partners, and HPV vaccination status at baseline as well as between age at sexual debut and vaccination status at debut. HPV vaccination status was not significantly associated with an increased likelihood of sexual debut (odds ratio: 0.80 (95% CI: 0.41–1.58), decreased age of sexual debut (hazard ratio: 0.81 (95% CI: 0.65–1.00), nor an increased number of sexual partners (per year sexually active; incidence rate ratio: 1.27 (95% CI: 0.86–1.87)) in this cohort, after controlling for age, race, sex, and substance use. Instead, race or alcohol use were independent predictors of sexual behavior. Concerns about the influence of the HPV vaccine on sexual behavior are likely unfounded for both men and women. These results can aid in increasing vaccine acceptability, inform and strengthen physician recommendations, and ultimately reduce the burden of HPV and HPV-related cancers in the U.S.
Grassroots Activism and the Institutionalization of Renewable Energy Policy in Germany and the United States

Energy issues have inspired grassroots mobilization on both sides of the Atlantic. We examine the apparent paradox that activists have had a greater impact on national renewable energy policy in Germany despite the greater openness of U.S. political institutions. The German anti-nuclear movement became a focal point for critique of corporatist policy making and the growth of an advocacy coalition for renewables. With the entrance of the Greens into the Bundestag, renewables activists pursued a two-pronged approach of policy advocacy and mass mobilization. This approach has moved renewables forward despite a continued lack of citizen access opportunities. The U.S. movements lacked the broad framing and focused institutional target of their German counterparts. Further, easy access meant that countermobilization by traditional energy advocates stalemated their efforts at the national level despite the salience of the issue. Ironically, exclusion from the center of institutional power in Germany has resulted in a more fundamental challenge to that power from grassroots movements, which have been the main drivers of innovation.
4 Perspectives in Human-Centered Machine Learning

Machine learning (ML) has had a tremendous impact in across the world over the last decade. As we think about ML solving complex tasks, sometimes at super-human levels, it is easy to forget that there is no machine learning without humans in the loop. Humans define tasks and metrics, develop and program algorithms, collect and label data, debug and optimize systems, and are (usually) ultimately the users of the ML-based applications we are developing. In this talk, we will cover 4 human-centered perspectives in the ML development process, along with methods and systems, to empower humans to maximize the ultimate impact of their ML-based applications.
Caffeine is associated with improved alveolarization and angiogenesis in male mice following hyperoxia induced lung injury

Caffeine therapy for apnea of prematurity reduces the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature neonates. Several mechanisms, including improvement in pulmonary mechanics underly beneficial effects of caffeine in BPD. As vascular development promotes alveologenesis, we hypothesized that caffeine might enhance angiogenesis in the lung, promoting lung growth, thereby attenuating BPD. C57Bl/6 mice litters were randomized within 12 h of birth to room air (RA) or 95%O2 to receive caffeine (20 mg/kg/day) or placebo for 4 days and recovered in RA for 12wks. The lung mRNA and protein expression for hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) and angiogenic genes performed on day 5. Lung morphometry and vascular remodeling assessed on inflation fixed lungs at 12wks. Caffeine and hyperoxia in itself upregulate HIF-2α and vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression. Protein expression of HIF-2α and VEGFR1 were higher in hyperoxia/caffeine and angiopoietin-1 lower in hyperoxia. An increase in radial alveolar count, secondary septal count, and septal length with a decrease in mean linear intercept indicate an amelioration of hyperoxic lung injury by caffeine. An increase in vessel surface area and a significant reduction in smooth muscle thickness of the pulmonary arterioles may suggest a beneficial effect of caffeine on vascular remodeling in hyperoxia, especially in male mice. Postnatal caffeine by modulating angiogenic gene expression early in lung development may restore the pulmonary microvasculature and alveolarization in adult lung.
Petrology of the 2016–2017 eruption of Bogoslof Island, Alaska

The 2016–2017 eruption of Bogoslof primarily produced crystal-rich amphibole basalts. The dominant juvenile tephra were highly microlitic with diktytaxitic vesicles, and amphiboles had large reaction rims. Both observations support a magma history of slow ascent and/or shallow stalling prior to eruption. Plagioclase-amphibole-clinopyroxene mineralogy are also suggestive of shallow magma crystallization. Lavas were emplaced as shallow submarine lava domes and cryptodomes that produced 70 relatively short-lived and water-rich explosions over the course of the 9-month-long eruption. The explosions ejected older trachyandesite lavas that were likely uplifted by cryptodome emplacement that began in December 2016 and continued for many months. Trachyte pumice, similar in composition to a 1796 lava dome, was entrained in basalts by the end of the eruption. The pumice appears to be a largely crystalline magma that was rejuvenated, entrained in the basalt, and heated to ~ 1000 °C. The composition of trachytes require differentiation through stronger amphibole control than the apparent shallow crustal evolution implied for the basalt. This suggests that they are magmas derived from a mid-crustal zone of amphibole crystallization. Nearby arc-front volcanoes that notably lack amphibole have strikingly similar compositional trends. Trace element signatures of the Bogoslof basalts, however, suggest derivation from a mantle source with residual garnet and lower-degree melting than basalts from nearby arc-front volcanoes. The diversity of magmas erupted at Bogoslof thus provides an opportunity not only to probe rare backarc compositions from the Aleutian arc but also to examine the apparent role of amphibole in generating evolved compositions more broadly in arc environments.
The role of urea in the solubility of cellulose in aqueous quaternary ammonium hydroxide

We examine the role of water and urea in cellulose solubility in tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH). Molecular dynamics simulations were performed for several different solvent compositions with a fixed cellulose fraction. For each composition, two simulations were carried out with cellulose fixed in each of the crystalline and the dissolved states. From the enthalpy and the entropy of the two states, the difference in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) and hence the spontaneity is determined. A comparison with solubility experiments showed a strong correlation between the calculated ΔG and the experimental measurements. A breakdown of the enthalpic and entropic contributions reveals the roles of water and urea in solubility. At high water concentration, a drop in solubility is attributed to both increased enthalpy and decreased entropy of dissolution. Water displaces strong IL–cellulose interactions for weaker water–cellulose interactions, resulting in an overall enthalpy increase. This is accompanied by a strong decrease in entropy, which is primarily attributed to both water and the entropy of mixing. Adding urea to TBAH(aq) increases solubility by an addition to the mixing term and by reducing losses in solvent entropy upon dissolution. In the absence of urea, the flexible [TBA]+ ions lose substantial degrees of freedom when they interact with cellulose. When urea is present, it partially replaces [TBA]+ and to a lesser extent OH− near cellulose, losing less entropy because of its rigid structure. This suggests that one way to boost the dissolving power of an ionic liquid is to limit the number of degrees of freedom from the outset.
Target-centric angle variables in pursuit tracking

A method for constructing a dynamic local reference frame centered at the location of a pursuit target is proposed. It uses original fixed reference frame coordinates for three positions: the location of a moving target, the location of a pursuing entity, and a third reference point that defines the instantaneous target trajectory direction. The method involves rigid body geometric operations and creates a consistent local reference frame configuration having its origin at the target location. The local frame also has the target trajectory pointing in the positive x axis direction, and a defined azimuth plane descriptive of the current pursuer location. This plane is determined by a concluding local frame rotation around the set x axis, which specifies a particular y axis direction. If the pursuer position is not on the local frame’s azimuth plane, its perpendicular projection on to that plane serves as an additional position for use in defining angle variables. Three angle variables relevant to the pursuit dynamics (not all mutually independent) are obtained from the three coordinate values of the pursuer position in the local frame: an elevation angle, an azimuth angle, and a bearing angle that basically describes how far off course the pursuer position is from being directly behind the target’s current trajectory path position. To illustrate the method of obtaining these angles and to demonstrate their potential usefulness in characterizing pursuit behavior, example experimental data from a motor control and coordination pursuit task performance are presented and analyzed.
Validation of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory in Pharmacists.

Objectives: This study aimed to 1) determine the validity of the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) for use in the assessment of burnout in a sample of pharmacists using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and 2) use the CBI items and other measures of work-life to assess burnout in pharmacists employed in various types of practice. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to a sample of 2,582 pharmacists in a single Midwestern US state. The survey included the three subscales of the CBI, each of which measures personal, work-related, and patient-related dimensions of burnout. Other items included demographics, practice type, workload, and work-life balance. CFA was used to measure fit, and Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess reliability. Correlation was used to assess criterion validity of the CBI. Logistic regression and bivariate analyses were used to assess pharmacist burnout based on demographics. Results: Following the removal of 2 items from the measurement model, a 17-item 3-factor CBI was found to possess satisfactory psychometric properties for use in pharmacists. The CBI correlated with measures of work-life demonstrating criterion validity. A logistic regression showed that younger pharmacists and community pharmacists experience higher burnout than older pharmacists and clinical pharmacists. Community pharmacists also more often reported high workloads and poorer work-life integration. Both community and clinic pharmacists desired more time providing patient care services and less time dispensing. Conclusion: The CBI is a psychometrically reliable and valid instrument for assessing burnout in pharmacists. Younger pharmacists and community pharmacists warrant attention due to their higher degree of burnout.
MYC hyperactivates WNT signaling in APC/CTNNB1-mutated colorectal cancer cells through miR-92a-dependent repression of DKK3

Activation of Wnt signaling is among the earliest events of colon cancer development. It is achieved either via activating mutations in the CTNNB1 gene encoding {beta}-catenin, the key transcription factor in the Wnt pathway, or most commonly by inactivating mutations in APC, a major {beta}-catenin binding partner and negative regulator. However, our analysis of recent Pan Cancer Atlas data revealed that CTNNB1 mutations significantly co-occur with those affecting Wnt receptor complex components (e.g., Frizzled and LRP6), underscoring the importance of additional regulatory events even in the presence of common APC/CTNNB1 mutations. In our effort to identify non-mutational hyperactivating events, we determined that KRAS-transformed murine colonocytes overexpressing direct {beta}-catenin target MYC show significant upregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway and reduced expression of Dickkopf 3 (DKK3), a reported ligand for Wnt co-receptors. We demonstrate that Myc suppresses Dkk3 transcription through one of mir-17-92 cluster microRNAs, miR-92a. We further examined the role of DKK3 by overexpression and knockdown and discovered that DKK3 suppresses Wnt signaling in APC-null murine colonic organoids and human colon cancer cells despite the presence of downstream activating mutations in the Wnt pathway. Conversely, MYC overexpression in the same cell lines resulted in hyperactive Wnt signaling, acquisition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers, and enhanced migration and invasion and metastasis in syngeneic orthotopic mouse colon cancer model. Our results suggest that the MYC->miR-92a-|DKK3 axis hyperactivates Wnt signaling, forming a feedforward oncogenic loop. SIGNIFICANCECommon APC and CTNNB1 mutations activate Wnt signaling in colorectal cancers. Here we demonstrate that further potentiation of this pathway involves microRNA-dependent repression of the DKK3 gene by the Myc oncoprotein.
DNA Methylation and Cell Differentiation: An Overview

The problem of cellular differentiation has renewed interest for molecular biologists who are studying the modifications of DNA. Three modifications are getting much of the attention. One is a structural modification of the one dimensional message by the insertion of transposable genetic elements. Another is a base modification by methylation which does not alter the one-dimensional coding properties, but may change the affinity for other molecules and thereby transcription or readout of the code. The third is a new three dimensional structural form called Z-DNA which is related to the base sequence, the modification by methylation, the torsional properties and the molecular environment. This change would affect affinity for other molecules and could also affect the readout of the code.
Academic and cultural literacy for heritage speakers of Spanish: A case study of Latin@ students in California

Abstract This paper examines the multilingual landscape of California and emphasizes the potential of systemic functional linguistics (SFL) in a university curriculum as a way of promoting students’ language awareness and cultural literacy. Heritage speakers of Spanish in the U.S. constitute an important student population with unique linguistic and educational needs and challenges, in learning both English and Spanish ( Carreira, 2007 , Valdes, 2005 ). Spanish heritage speakers provide an example of a heterogeneous group of learners, both linguistically and culturally. Several studies on bilingualism ( Garcia, 2009 , Grosjean, 2010 , Hornberger, 2003 ) underline the importance of schooling to develop advanced bi-literacy in the heritage language. Heritage speakers’ use of Spanish usually revolves around the home or community domains. As a result of having developed their linguistic registers in informal contexts they have not used Spanish in situations where this particular type of language is utilized to construct knowledge or negotiate membership in an academic or professional community. In light of this fact, they are subsequently less prepared to meet the linguistic and literacy demands of these settings. In order to become legitimate participants then, they not only need to expand their control over a range of oral and written academic registers but, just as importantly, need to negotiate, construct, and index new identities as members of the academic community ( Achugar & Colombi, 2008 ). This study describes pedagogical practices in a university curriculum for Spanish heritage speakers that stress the relationship between the bilingual continuum and its connection with the social and situational context. These practices emphasize the meaning-making of language in the construal of discourse. They argue for explicit instruction of dialect, genre and register theory as a way of promoting students’ language awareness and academic literacy. Furthermore, a functional approach of language highlights the dialectical relationship between language and culture. The use of pedagogical practices that focus on auto-cultural, and inter-cultural language awareness can facilitate not only the development of bi-literacy but also the acceptance of cultural diversity in the Spanish speaking world and of Latin@s in the United States.
Abstract 19680: Cardiovascular Hypercontractility in Cantu Syndrome Results From Neurohumorally-induced Increase in Cardiomyocyte L-type Ca2+ Current

Cantu Syndrome (CS) is a rare multi-system disease characterized by hypertrichosis, skeletal abnormalities, and cardiovascular disease. Disease-causing gain of function (GOF) mutations have been identified in the genes encoding both the pore forming subunit (K IR 6.1, KCNJ8) and the accessory subunit (SUR2, ABCC9) of the K ATP channel, but mechanisms by which K ATP GOF mutations confer disease remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to characterize CS cardiovascular disease in a patient cohort and use engineered mouse models to explore how the cardiovascular features arise. Cardiovascular phenotyping demonstrated that CS patients have significantly diminished blood pressure, dilated LV, increased LV mass, and increased contractility (LV global strain (longitudinal)) as assessed by echo. Ambulatory ECG analysis demonstrated diminished heart rate variability, circadian abnormalities, and low vagal function. K ATP currents recorded from cardiac [[Unable to Display Character: –]]specific K IR 6.1 gain of function ((cGOF), G343D) ventricular cardiomyocytes (VM) demonstrated diminished sensitivity to ATP inhibition. Smooth muscle cells (SMC) from vascular-specific K IR 6.1 GOF (vGOF) similarly showed diminished sensitivity to ATP inhibition. cGOF mice showed increased cardiac ejection fraction compared to control mice, while vGOF mice showed increased cardiac strain rate (SR rad-d) by echocardiogram. Neither cGOF, nor vGOF mice showed thickened LV wall dimensions when compared with control mice. Whole cell calcium current recordings from cGOF mouse vm showed markedly increased L-type Ca 2+ current (LTCCC) density that was comparable to that seen in WT vm treated with isoproterenol (iso). To increase K ATP in both VM and SMC, slow release minoxidil (Min, a KATP channel opener) pellets, or placebo were implanted in WT mice for three weeks. Subsequent LTCCC recordings showed increased calcium current in MIN treated mice comparable to iso treated WT vm. Long-standing intracellular calcium excess is a well-described precipitant of cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Therefore, increased L-type calcium current found in K ATP GOF models suggests a mechanistic link between increased K ATP current and Cantu cardiac pathology.
A Dynamic Defense of Cooperative Federalism

The battle over federalism theory has yet to yield a victor. It is safe to say that dual federalism is dead, but recent commentators, particularly Robert Schapiro, have promulgated shiny new theories of federalism to take its place. What the current literature lacks is a concise, useful comparison of the rival theories. This Article compares the three major competing families of federalism theory: dual, cooperative, and dynamic. Adopting Schapiro’s normative framework, I analyze these three models in light of their instrumental utility. The assessment leads to a surprising and ironic conclusion: Schapiro’s polyphonic theory fails under his very own analytic rubric. Cooperative federalism, by contrast, outshines its competitors in two ways. First, within a framework of shared regulatory sovereignty, cooperative federalism optimally distributes segments of legislative authority by allowing the national government to enunciate broad, first-order norms and allowing the states to craft complementary regulations within those boundaries. Second, recent work in cooperative federalism shows that it can step outside the obsolete realm of sovereignty tug-of-war. In this way, cooperative federalism empowers states to realize their policy goals even in the absence of strict regulatory autonomy.
Practical and Provably-Secure Commitment Schemes from Collision-Free Hashing

We present a very practical string-commitment scheme which is provably based solely on collision-free hashing. Our scheme enables a computationally bounded party to commit strings to an unbounded one, and is optimal (within a small constant factor) in terms of interaction, communication, and computation. Our result also proves that constant round statistical zero-knowledge arguments and constant-round computational zero-knowledge proofs for NP exist based on the existence of collision-free hash functions.
Uncoupling the Roles of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DRB5 Genes in Multiple Sclerosis

Genetic susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with the MHC located on chromosome 6p21. This signal maps primarily to a 1-Mb region encompassing the HLA class II loci, and it segregates often with the HLA-DQB1*0602, -DQA1*0102, -DRB1*1501, -DRB5*0101 haplotype. However, the identification of the true predisposing gene or genes within the susceptibility haplotype has been handicapped by the strong linkage disequilibrium across the locus. African Americans have greater MHC haplotypic diversity and distinct patterns of linkage disequilibrium, which make this population particularly informative for fine mapping efforts. The purpose of this study was to establish the telomeric boundary of the HLA class II region affecting susceptibility to MS by assessing genetic association with the neighboring HLA-DRB5 gene as well as seven telomeric single nucleotide polymorphisms in a large, well-characterized African American dataset. Rare DRB5*null individuals were previously described in African populations. Although significant associations with both HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DRB5 loci were present, HLA-DRB1*1503 was associated with MS in the absence of HLA-DRB5, providing evidence for HLA-DRB1 as the primary susceptibility gene. Interestingly, the HLA-DRB5*null subjects appear to be at increased risk for developing secondary progressive MS. Thus, HLA-DRB5 attenuates MS severity, a finding consistent with HLA-DRB5’s proposed role as a modifier in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Additionally, conditional haplotype analysis revealed a susceptibility signal at the class III AGER locus independent of DRB1. The data underscore the power of the African American MS dataset to identify disease genes by association in a region of high linkage disequilibrium.
Hepatic α2μ-globulin localizes to the cytosol of rat proximal tubule cells

Hepatic α 2μ -globulin localizes to the cytosol of rat proximal tubule cells. Background α 2μ -Globulin (A 2 ), an 18.6 kD protein of hepatic origin, accumulates in the proximal tubule as an abundant, 15.5 kD cleavage product termed "A 2 -fragment" (A 2 -f). A 2 -f facilitates proximal tubule fatty acid oxidation, presumably by binding hydrophobic ligands. This requires some A 2 -f to enter the cytosol of the renal epithelial cell (REC). The localization of A 2 /A 2 -f in the proximal tubule cell was evaluated in this study. Methods Immunoblot analysis of renal cortical homogenates separated by differential centrifugation and quantitative immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) was performed to localize A 2 /A 2 -f using an affinity-purified antibody that detects both proteins. To evaluate A 2 as a physiologically relevant ligand, the accumulation of A 2 -f in the female rat kidney (normally devoid of A 2 -f) was examined after the induction of hepatic A 2 synthesis. Ligand binding, uptake, and degradation assays were used to assess A 2 processing by RECs in vitro. Results Although A 2 and A 2 -f were detected in the "lysosomal" fraction, only A 2 -f was found in the soluble protein fraction. IEM confirmed the presence of significant signal in the vesicular and lysosomal as well as the cytosolic compartments. In contrast, both β 2μ globulin (B 2 ) and cathepsin B were restricted to endosomes. In the female rat, induction of hepatic A 2 production resulted in A 2 -f accumulation in the renal cortex. In RECs in culture, uptake of A 2 and B 2 demonstrated nonsaturable, nondisplacable surface binding and similar uptake rates. Compared with B 2 , A 2 was markedly resistant to degradation. Conclusions A fraction of A 2 escapes lysosomal degradation, permitting A 2 -f to accumulate in the cytosol of the proximal tubule epithelial cell. A 2 may represent an unusual example of a physiologic protein capable of accumulating in a distant cell type.
On Evolutionary Models for SNI Progenitor Stars

It has been proposed that the Type I supernova (SNI) explosion starts in a white dwarf (WD) star that is accreting mass from a companion star in a close binary orbit. Others’ computations have described this explosion, but how an accreting WD can ever become an SNI if it first ejects the accreted envelope in one or more nova outbursts’ is still unresolved. My calculations of WD evolution include the effects of mass accretion, convective mixing, nuclear burning, and gravitational settling. These calculations test the Starrfield, Truran, and Sparks (1981) proposal that at low accretion rates, settling of the CNO nuclei will lead to steady-state hydrogen burning, not nova outburst. The preliminary results of this study, consisting of two evolutionary sequences of an initially cool pure 12C 1.0 M⊙ WD show that nearly half of the carbon near the base of the accreted layer, initially of solar composition, gravitationally diffuses out in 2 x 105 years.
On A Field Theory of Open Strings, Tachyon Condensation and Closed Strings

I review the physical properties of different vacua in the background independent open string field theory.
Ownership and the History of American Computing

The study of ownership in the history of computing presents a rich opportunity to analyze the interplay between IP and technological development. Although historians of computing usually acknowledge the importance of this area, the broader history of ownership and computing has been generally overlooked. This Think Piece shows how historians of computing can draw from, and contribute to, work on the history of ownership. The author focuses on the period between the 1940s and 1980s, during which the legal frameworks for the ownership of machines and programs that we know today began to develop.
Application of omni-directional texture analysis to SAR images for levee landslide detection

This paper explores different types of gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) [2] texture features for automated detection of landslides on levees using remotely sensed Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). Two approaches of texture analysis are investigated: one based on a rubber band straightening transform (RBST) which has been used extensively in the past in the medical imaging community, and one based on the authors' developed approach of spiral straightening transform (SST). The transforms are used to project a circular region in the image to a rectangular representation where texture feature extraction can be applied. Straightforward linear discriminant analysis, for feature reduction and optimization, and maximum likelihood methods, for classification, are also utilized. The proposed system was tested on L-band SAR data with HH, HV, and VV polarizations collected from NASA's UAVSAR of the Mississippi River levee system between Vicksburg, MS and Clarksdale, MS, USA. The proposed approach is shown to detect all known levee landslides in the test area with a low number of false positives.
Synthesis and characterization of silver-platinum bimetallic nanowires and platinum nanotubes

A galvanic replacement reaction was used to prepare silver–platinum bimetallic nanowires and platinum nanotubes. Silver nanowires, prepared by boiling aqueous silver nitrate with sodium citrate in the presence of small amount of sodium hydroxide, were used as the sacrificial template in the galvanic reaction to prepare silver–platinum bimetallic nanowires and ultimately hollow platinum nanotubes. The resulting nanomaterials are stable and can be isolated without core aggregation or decomposition. These new materials have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.
The effects of prefeeding in autoshaping and omission training

The effects of reducing the hunger drive by prefeeding were investigated in standard autoshaping and omission training procedures. Prefeeding produced a small but reliable reduction in response rate which was of the same magnitude in both autoshaping and omission training. These results indicate that responding in both autoshaping and omission training is under the control of a Pavlovian conditioning process.
Catalase Activity for Rapid Assessment of High Level Total Mesophilic Microbial Load in Milk

ABSTRACT: Total mesophilic microbial load (APC) is an important index for milk quality. It takes 48 h to enumerate APC with conventional plating methods. This report presents a rapid catalase activity test for monitoring APC in milk. Most aerobic microorganisms have strong catalase activities. Catalase activity in milk was monitored with a Pasteur pipette method in 5 min. The correlation between high APC numbers (> 4.0 log CFU/ml) and catalase activities was strongly correlated with r2=0.89. Classifying the APC into eight contamination groups was found to be a sound means of utilizing the resultant catalase activities to predict APC.
Are Suicidal Behaviors Contagious in Adolescence? Using Longitudinal Data to Examine Suicide Suggestion

Durkheim argued that strong social relationships protect individuals from suicide. We posit, however, that strong social relationships also have the potential to increase individuals’ vulnerability when they expose people to suicidality. Using three waves of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we evaluate whether new suicidal thoughts and attempts are in part responses to exposure to role models’ suicide attempts, specifically friends and family. We find that role models’ suicide attempts do in fact trigger new suicidal thoughts, and in some cases attempts, even after significant controls are introduced. Moreover, we find these effects fade with time, girls are more vulnerable to them than boys, and the relationship to the role model—for teenagers at least—matters. Friends appear to be more salient role models for both boys and girls. Our findings suggest that exposure to suicidal behaviors in significant others may teach individuals new ways to deal with emotional distress, na...
New MBE buffer used to eliminate backgating in GaAs MESFETs

The buffer is grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) at low substrate temperatures (150-300 degrees C) using Ga and As/sub 4/ beam fluxes. It is highly resistive, optically inactive, and crystalline, and high-quality GaAs active layers can be grown on top of the buffer. MESFETs fabricated in active layers grown on top of this new buffer show improved output resistance and breakdown voltages; the DC and RF characteristics are otherwise comparable to MESFETs fabricated by alternative means and with other buffer layers. >