cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Impact of d-δ-Tocotrienol and Geranylgeraniol on the Growth and HMG CoA Reductase of Human DU145 Prostate Carcinoma Cells.

The growth-suppressive effect of d-δ-tocotrienol and geranylgeraniol is at least partially attributed to their impact on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway that provides essential intermediates for the posttranslational modification of growth-related proteins including RAS. We hypothesize that these agents synergistically impact cell growth based on their complementary mechanisms of action with HMG CoA reductase. d-δ-tocotrienol (0-40 µmol/L; half maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 15 µmol/L) and geranylgeraniol (0-100 µmol/L; IC50 = 60 µmol/L) each induced concentration-dependent suppression of the growth of human DU145 prostate carcinoma cells. Blends of the two agents synergistically suppressed the growth of DU145 cells, with combination index values ranging 0.67-0.75. While 7.5 µmol/L d-δ-tocotrienol and 30 µmol/L geranylgeraniol individually had no impact on cell cycle distribution in DU145 cells, a blend of the agents induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. The synergistic downregulation of the expression of HMG CoA reductase by 7.5 µmol/L d-δ-tocotrienol and 30 µmol/L geranylgeraniol was accompanied by a reduction in membrane K-RAS protein. Our finding supports the cancer chemopreventive action of plant-based diets and their isoprenoid constituents. Properly formulated isoprenoids and derivatives may provide novel approaches in prostate cancer prevention and therapy.
Investigating mechanically induced phase response of the tissue by using high-speed phase-resolved optical coherence tomography (Conference Presentation)

Phase-resolved optical coherence tomography (OCT), a functional extension of OCT, provides depth-resolved phase information with extra contrast. In cardiology, changes in the mechanical properties have been associated with tissue remodeling and disease progression. Here we present the capability of profiling structural deformation of the sample in vivo by using a highly stable swept source OCT system The system, operating at 1300 nm, has an A-line acquisition rate of 200 kHz. We measured the phase noise floor to be 6.5 pm±3.2 pm by placing a cover slip in the sample arm, while blocking the reference arm. We then conducted a vibrational frequency test by measuring the phase response from a polymer membrane stimulated by a pure tone acoustic wave from 10 kHz to 80 kHz. The measured frequency response agreed with the known stimulation frequency with an error < 0.005%. We further measured the phase response of 7 fresh swine hearts obtained from Green Village Packing Company through a mechanical stretching test, within 24 hours of sacrifice. The heart tissue was cut into a 1 mm slices and fixed on two motorized stages. We acquired 100,000 consecutive M-scans, while the sample is stretched at a constant velocity of 10 um/s. The depth-resolved phase image presents linear phase response over time at each depth, but the slope varies among tissue types. Our future work includes refining our experiment protocol to quantitatively measured the elastic modulus of the tissue in vivo and building a tissue classifier based on depth-resolved phase information.
The Utilization of Electron Microscopy in the Study of Powder Metallurgical Phenomena II. The Deduction of Neck Growth Mechanism from Rate Data for Submicron Copper and Silver Spheres

While the optimization of sintering rates for any material must be the ultimate objective of sintering studies on that material, little can be achieved in this direction unless some basic knowledge of the predominant mass flow mechanisms exists. A frequently employed experimental means for determining sintering mechanisms in solids has been the measurement of the rate of growth of a neck between two similar bodies during sintering. If these bodies are regular geometric forms (spheres, cylinders, etc.) the mechanisms of material transport responsible for neck growth can be deduced from absolute rate data and the temperature dependence of rate constants.
Pythium yorkensis sp. nov., a potential soybean pathogen from southeastern Pennsylvania, USA

Biodiversity surveys of natural as well as agricultural ecosystems commonly reveal novel isolates. Here we report a new species, Pythium yorkensis sp. nov., isolated from field soil during a survey of oomycete diversity in asymptomatic soybean across southeastern Pennsylvania. Molecular data from both mitochondrial and nuclear loci support a unique phylogenetic position for the isolates collected, and morphological features distinguish this new species from close relatives in Pythium Clade J. Pathogenicity assays suggest that this new species may be a potential agricultural pathogen as isolates were mildly aggressive on soybean. This study highlights the continued need for culture-based surveys in collaboration with high-throughput sequence-based approaches for environmental sampling. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Therapeutic drug monitoring of antitubercular agents for disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis during intermittent haemodialysis and continuous venovenous haemofiltration.

What is known and objective There is a lack of data regarding therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of antitubercular agents in the setting of continuous venovenous haemofiltration (CVVH). We describe TDM results of numerous antitubercular agents in a critically ill patient during CVVH and haemodialysis. Case summary A 49-year-old man was initiated on treatment for disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis. During hospital admission, the patient developed critical illness and required renal replacement therapy. TDM results and pharmacokinetic calculations showed adequate serum concentrations of rifampin, ethambutol and amikacin during CVVH and of rifampin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol and levofloxacin during intermittent haemodialysis. What is new and conclusion The presence of critical illness and renal replacement therapy can induce pharmacokinetic changes that may warrant vigilant TDM to ensure optimal therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe TDM for several antitubercular agents during CVVH in a critically patient with disseminated M. tuberculosis.
Combinatorial genetics in liver repopulation and carcinogenesis with a in vivo CRISPR activation platform

CRISPR/Cas9 activation (CRISPRa) systems have enabled genetic screens in cultured cells lines to discover and characterize drivers and inhibitors of cancer cell growth. We adapted this system for use in vivo to assess whether modulating endogenous gene expression levels can result in functional outcomes in the native environment of the liver. We engineered the dCas9+ mouse, a Cre-inducible CRISPRa system for cell type-specific gene activation in vivo. We tested the capacity for genetic screening in live animals by applying CRISPRa in a clinically relevant model of liver injury and repopulation. We targeted promoters of interest in regenerating hepatocytes using multiple single guide RNAs (gRNAs), and employed high-throughput sequencing to assess enrichment of gRNA sequences during liver repopulation, and to link specific gRNAs to the initiation of carcinogenesis. All components of the CRISPRa system were expressed in a cell type-specific manner and activated endogenous gene expression in vivo. Multiple gRNA cassettes targeting a proto-oncogene were significantly enriched following liver repopulation, indicative of enhanced cell division of cells expressing the proto-oncogene. Furthermore, hepatocellular carcinomas developed containing gRNAs that activated this oncogene, indicative of cancer initiation events. Furthermore, we employed our system for combinatorial cancer genetics in vivo, as we found that while clonal hepatocellular carcinomas were dependent on the presence of the oncogene-inducing gRNAs, they were depleted for multiple gRNAs activating tumor suppressors. Conclusion: The in vivo CRISPRa platform developed here allows for parallel and combinatorial genetic screens in live animals. This approach enables screening for drivers and suppressors of cell replication and tumor initiation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Sedation practices in gastrointestinal endoscopy-A survey from southern India.

Gastrointestinal endoscopies can cause an unpleasant experience for the patient. In India, most endoscopists follow a common institutional policy for sedation. The aim of this study was to analyze the sedation practices in various endoscopy centers across southern India. Data were collected with the help of a structured questionnaire given to a senior endoscopist of the center. Data from the completed questionnaire were later analyzed. Data were obtained from 19 centers across southern India. All endoscopy suites had central oxygen supply and emergency cart. A defibrillator was available in 12 centers (63.2%). Common criteria followed for administering sedation included therapeutic procedures (84.2%), patients who requested sedation (63.2%), children (63.2%), high-risk procedures (57.9%), and uncooperative patients (57.9%). Monitoring methods included pulse oximetry alone in six centers (31.6%), pulse oximetry with blood pressure monitoring in five centers (26.3%), and pulse oximetry, blood pressure, and electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring in eight centers (42.1%). For advanced procedures like endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), sedation was universally used. An anesthesiologist was available in the endoscopy suite in eight centers (42.1%). Five endoscopists administered propofol sedation without anesthesiologist’s presence (26.3%). Thirteen centers had a written protocol for pre-procedure risk assessment (68.4%). A dedicated post-procedure observation area was available in seventeen centers (89.5%). Seven centers followed a written post-sedation discharge protocol (36.8%). Significant variations exist in the practice of sedation among endoscopists in southern India. There is an urgent need to formulate guidelines by endoscopy societies for ensuring better patient outcomes in endoscopy.
Feed Formulation and Processing

When fish are cultured in a system where natural foods are absent, such as trout raceways, or where natural foods make only a small contribution to the nutrition of the fish, as in intensively stocked catfish ponds, the feed should be nutritionally complete. However, where abundant natural food is available, supplemental feeds need not contain all of the essential nutrients. Nutritionally incomplete feeds are usually specific for a fish species or culture system; supplemental feeds for tilapia culture are discussed in chapter 8. This chapter discusses the formulation of nutritionally complete feeds.
Embodied Nonverbal Microaggressions from the Perspective of Dance/Movement Therapists: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study explored dance/movement therapist’s embodied experiences of nonverbal microaggressions and how they experience nonverbal microaggressions in the clinical relationship. Data were collected via hour-long, video recorded, in-person interviews of four (N = 4) current practicing dance/movement therapists in the Chicago area. Data analysis was conducted using IPA of verbal and movement data where five key themes emerged (a) personal offense, (b) anger, and (c) curiosity towards experiences of nonverbal microaggressions; and microaggressions have the potential to both (d) strengthen and (e) harm the clinical relationship. Their experiences implicate the vital role the body plays in the experience of microaggressions by highlighting how the body responds to these experiences via changes in flow, retreating, and moving the limbs over the center of the body. An embodied movement response to nonverbal themes was created by the researcher in an attempt to more clearly articulate the themes of the movement data and is included as an embedded link.
Gamify Online Courses with Tools Built into Your Learning Management System (LMS) to Enhance Self-Determined and Active Learning

“Gamified” active learning has been shown to increase students’ academic performance, engagement, and make more social connections than standard course settings. However, the costs to use an educational game design with efficient delivery of the game/course plan can be problematic. Our first objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of gamification by using existing techniques (e.g., simple HTML-based games) and readily available collaborative tools (e.g., Wikis) from a typical learning management system (LMS) such as Blackboard. Moreover, our second objective was to examine students’ attitudes towards gamification (e.g., usefulness). Data were collected from 2015 to 2017 (n = 80) at a Midwestern university in the United State using a mixed methods approach. For the quantitative method, online surveys were conducted in an experimental group (class with implementation of gamification) and control group (class without any gamified activities) that were randomly selected from graduate level statistics courses. For the qualitative method, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with subjects who addressed their interests to be interviewed during the online survey. A Welch’s independent t-test revealed a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the mean exam scores of experiment and control groups. A difference favored the classes with gamification. More than 70 % of students agreed that gamified activities were either extremely or highly useful in helping them review and/or understand fundamental concepts. In conclusion, using built-in LMS tools to design gamified learning activities may enhance students’ learning outcome/effectiveness, provide more diversified learning methods and motivation, and offer easy modifications for different learning needs.
Raman detection of MNA in solid rocket fuels

A sensitive Raman spectroscopy technique is used for detection and possible quantification of the propellant stabilizer, nmethyl nitroaniline (MNA), in solid rocket propellants used in multiple domestic missile systems. Over time, the energetic ingredients of the propellant will degrade and react with the stabilizer, causing issues with the propellant useful safe life. Currently, there are no non-destructive analytical techniques for which MNA can be detected in solid rocket fuel inside a missile. Therefore, after a certain amount of time, missiles in inventory must be disassembled and tested for reliability and safety. This methodology is labor intensive, costly, and time consuming so a less intrusive approach is warranted to determine a missile useful safe life. Raman spectroscopy provides a possible solution to this problem, where a small fiber optic probe line may be inserted into the rocket motor of the missiles, which can be tested within seconds without the need for dismantling the missiles. A 785 nm portable Raman analyzer is used for all measurements reported in this paper with integration times ranging from 10 to 60 s. It is found that Raman sensing is a viable option for detection of MNA in solid rocket fuels.
Shared-use mobility competition: a trip-level analysis of taxi, bikeshare, and transit mode choice in Washington, DC

The emergence of new shared-use mobility options such as bikeshare and ride-hailing services render the traditional dichotomy between personal vehicles and public transit somewhat irrelevant. Trans...
Progress on the Prevention and Treatment of Hantavirus Disease

Hantaviruses, members of the order Bunyavirales, family Hantaviridae, have a world-wide distribution and are responsible for greater than 150,000 cases of disease per year. The spectrum of disease associated with hantavirus infection include hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) also known as hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). There are currently no FDA-approved vaccines or treatments for these hantavirus diseases. This review provides a summary of the status of vaccine and antiviral treatment efforts including those tested in animal models or human clinical trials.
Biomechanics of the Human Brain during Dynamic Rotation of the Head.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a substantial societal burden. The development of better technologies and systems to prevent and/or mitigate the severity of brain injury requires an improved und...
QRS AXIS DEVIATION IN DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IS ASSOCIATED WITH MYOCARDIAL FIBROSIS AND VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked results in dystrophin deficiency and universally develop cardiomyopathy and early mortality. Subepicardial myocardial fibrosis (MF) by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) precedes decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by cardiac magnetic
Information Seeking and Processing in the Context of Vaccine Scandals

This study employs the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model to examine social cognitive variables that motivate active information seeking and systematic processing. The research co...
Preliminary Results of a Global Database on the Soft Law Governance of Artificial Intelligence

Soft law programs create substantive expectations that are not directly enforceable by government. All kinds of organizations apply soft law to regulate the development or use of methods and applications of artificial intelligence (AI), yet limited scholarship is devoted to studying their prevalence. This article describes the methodology and preliminary results of a project that compiled a global database of AI soft law programs. It uncovers information on the type of organizations that create them, distinguishes how they are enforced, their origin and jurisdiction, influence, and the themes of their text. As developers and users of soft law, stakeholders (private sector, governments, and civil society) face a dearth of information regarding their option space on how to govern AI. The objective of this work is to make available an analysis and compilation of programs that facilitates the creation of effective soft law programs.
Alleviation of Huntington pathology in mice by oral administration of food additive glyceryl tribenzoate

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of mutant huntingtin protein and significant loss of neurons in striatum and cortex. Along with motor difficulties, the HD patients also manifest anxiety and loss of cognition. Unfortunately, the clinically approved drugs only offer symptomatic relief and are not free from side effects. This study underlines the importance of glyceryl tribenzoate (GTB), an FDA-approved food flavoring ingredient, in alleviating HD pathology in transgenic N171-82Q mouse model. Oral administration of GTB significantly reduced mutant huntingtin level in striatum, motor cortex as well as hippocampus and increased the integrity of viable neurons. Furthermore, we found the presence of sodium benzoate (NaB), a FDA-approved drug for urea cycle disorders and glycine encephalopathy, in the brain of GTB-fed HD mice. Accordingly, NaB administration also markedly decreased huntingtin level in striatum and cortex. Glial activation is found to coincide with neuronal death in affected regions of HD brains. Interestingly, both GTB and NaB treatment suppressed activation of glial cells and inflammation in the brain. Finally, neuroprotective effect of GTB and NaB resulted in improved motor performance of HD mice. Collectively, these results suggest that GTB and NaB may be repurposed for HD.
A Continuous, Impedimetric Parylene Flow Sensor

A continuously recording, impedimetric thermal liquid flow sensor fabricated on a Parylene C thin film substrate is presented for the first time. The sensing concept, inspired by hot-film anemometry, includes an additional upstream unheated reference electrode pair which enabled attenuation of environmental drift in impedance by more than $5\times $ . This sensor design and transduction approach was motivated by the need for an alternative to traditional hot-film anemometers for in vivo applications. An analytical model was developed to describe the axial fluid temperature surrounding the impedimetric sensor and its effect on solution conductivity. The impact of heater power was modeled and matched with experimental data; similar analysis was conducted for other parameters including channel height, ambient temperature, and electrolyte concentration. The sensor achieved a $2\sigma $ resolution of $17~\mu \text{L}$ /min over the range 43–200 $\mu \text{L}$ /min. The models and fabricated device significantly expand our understanding of thermal impedimetric flow sensing. [2020-0357]
Data-Intensive Computing Modules for Teaching Parallel and Distributed Computing

Parallel and distributed computing (PDC) has found a broad audience that exceeds the traditional fields of computer science. This is largely due to the increasing computational demands of many engineering and domain science research objectives. Thus, there is a demonstrated need to train students with and without computer science backgrounds in core PDC concepts. Given the rise of data science and other data-enabled computational fields, we propose several data-intensive pedagogic modules that are used to teach PDC using message-passing programming with the Message Passing Interface (MPI). These modules employ activities that are common in database systems and scientific workflows that are likely to be employed by domain scientists. Our hypothesis is that using application-driven pedagogic materials facilitates student learning by providing the context needed to fully appreciate the goals of the activities.We evaluated the efficacy of using the data-intensive pedagogic modules to teach core PDC concepts using a sample of graduate students enrolled in a high performance computing course at Northern Arizona University. In the sample, only 30% of students have a traditional computer science background. We found that the hands-on application-driven approach was generally successful at helping students learn core PDC concepts.
Loss and recovery of transcriptional plasticity after long-term adaptation to global change conditions in a marine copepod

Abstract Adaptive evolution from standing genetic variation and physiological plasticity will fuel resilience in the geologically unprecedented warming and acidification of the earth’s oceans. For marine animals, however, we have much to learn about the mechanisms, interactions, and costs of adaptation. Here, using 20 generations of experimental evolution followed by three generations of reciprocal transplantation, we investigate the relationship between adaptation and plasticity in the marine copepod, Acartia tonsa, in future greenhouse conditions (high temperature, high CO2). We find highly parallel genetic adaptation to greenhouse conditions in genes related to stress response, gene expression regulation, actin regulation, developmental processes, and energy production. However, reciprocal transplantation showed that genetic adaptation resulted in a loss of transcriptional plasticity, reduced fecundity, and reduced population growth when greenhouse animals were returned to ambient conditions or reared in low food conditions, suggestive of genetic assimilation after 20 generations of adaptation. Despite the loss of plasticity at F21, after three successive transplant generations, greenhouse-adapted animals were able to match the ambient-adaptive transcriptional profile. Concurrent changes in allele frequencies and erosion of nucleotide diversity suggest that this recovery occurred via adaptation back to ancestral conditions. These results demonstrate the power of experimental evolution from natural populations to reveal the mechanisms, timescales of responses, consequences, and reversibility of complex, physiological adaptation. While plasticity facilitated initial survival in global change conditions, it eroded after 20 generations as populations genetically adapted, limiting resilience to new stressors and previously benign environments.
Plain English for Grammarians

This paper explores the consequences of using technical grammar terminology with novice legal writers. The author suggests a variety of ways in which legal writing instructors can imbue their lessons with language instruction without creating anxiety on the part of their students.
Taping out an FPGA in 24 hours with OpenFPGA: The SOFA Project

This paper highlights the Skywater Open-source embedded FpgAs (SOFA) project, which is a series of open-source embedded FPGA IPs built with the Skywater 130nm technology. The SOFA project showcases an agile prototyping methodology for FPGAs, enabled by the OpenFPGA framework, whose fabrication-ready layouts are generated in 24 hours. We also present the associated Verilog-to-Bitstream toolchain for end users.
Biophysics: Agonist activation and analysis

This chapter covers the quantitative aspect of agonist activation: how the blood, and by extension the interstitial fluid, presents a pharmaceutical agent to the cell; quantification of drug concentration and tissue response; diffusion and elimination of an intracellular agent; statistical analysis of the tissue response; and the difficult problems associated with drug development. Because of the necessary role played by agonist receptors in this process, the background of some of the major receptor types is also included. Membrane receptor proteins Agonists initiate a cell response by binding to a receptor. Without trying to give a complete list of every kind of receptor, three of the major categories of receptors are the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), the tyrosine kinase receptors, and nuclear receptors. GPCRs dominate cell activation using the temporally limited G-protein system. There are more than 800 GPCR proteins, and the complexity of their activation scheme is daunting. Tyrosine kinase receptors are activated by insulin and a variety of growth factors, and activate processes associated with the structural growth of cells and tissues. Nuclear receptors bind to hydrophobic hormones, steroids, thyroid hormones, etc., that do their work by initiating gene transcription. This section gives a brief overview of these receptor types, with the understanding that all of them have far more complexity than can be covered here. Recognizing the pivotal role these molecules play in linking the quantitative aspects of cell activation, pharmacokinetics, dose–response relations, intracellular diffusion, and data analysis of biological responses, it is appropriate that a general discussion of their functions is included.
University of California Center for Health Quality and Innovation: experiences from a system approach to scaling up effective interventions

The challenge of improving outcomes, costs, and access in health care among academic health systems is not a dearth of innovative research; but the difficulties encountered when attempting the dissemination and implementation of effective interventions throughout health systems. The University of California (UC) Center for Health Quality and Innovation (CHQI) was established to mitigate barriers to improvements among UC academic health systems. UC recognizes that engagement by leadership, strong evaluation processes, and innovator champions are key to overcoming dissemination and implementation barriers within large health systems. CHQI, led by five UC health system CEOs, six medical school deans, and the UC Senior Vice President of Health Sciences and Services, integrates evidence-based interventions by supporting a collaborative approach to innovative research and spreading best practices through grants, leadership, change management training, and convening task forces to facilitate system-wide change. CHQI employs a tactical and methodical performance-monitored approach to disseminating and implementing proven models of care, including quantifying the ROI (in quality and costs) of all programs prior to initiating a spread program. Once the ROI is assessed for scale and feasibility, a team of senior UC researchers provides guidance by reviewing program implementation and process measures with a focus on spreading best practices, as well as ongoing cost and outcome analyses. Since 2011, CHQI has funded 50 innovation projects, and trained and supported 23 fellows who additionally manage their own innovation projects. This panel presents CHQI's approach and experiences with scaling up effective interventions, through 3 of its multi-site programs that demonstrated a proven ROI before integrating and spreading evidence-based interventions across 5 UC health systems. The panelists will discuss barriers, challenges and successes of project design, evaluation, and implementation, such as data integration issues, organizational barriers (including culture and policies) among health systems, institutional impediments (workflow, workforce), and future plans.
Vector Sequence Analysis and Full Weak Safety for Concurrent Systems

In this paper we analyze a particular sequence of points in the poset of nonnegative lattice points in n-dimensions. For this sequence, in 2-dimensions, we obtain optimal upper bounds on the number of points to be selected in order to ensure desired chain lengths among selected points; for higher dimensions, the upper bounds obtained are not optimal [6]. We use these bounds to decide full weak safety for a simple resource-oriented model for concurrent systems ([5, 12]). In this model, processes execute a sequence of operations (a program) which are controlled by a finite state device called the synchronizer. Concurrency among processes is modeled as an interleaving of their operations. A concurrent system consisting of a synchronizer and infinitely many identical processes is full weak safe if and only if all valid interleavings (of any finite number of processes) are accepted by the synchronizer. To decide full weak safety, we use our chain length result to give an effective procedure to obtain a threshold τ, such that the model is full weak safe if and only if all interleavings of operations length τ or less are accepted by the synchronizer.
Disaggregating PTAs at the Role of International Division of Labor on PTA Formation

This paper shows that additional insights on PTA formation can be gained from separating North-South, North-North, and South-South country pairs. Inter-industry trade is mostly significant for all country pairs and intra-industry trade has a positive impact only for North-South and North-North country pairs. Controlling for geographical proximity, countries choose PTA partners with which they have a history of trading. Using a simple model, this paper demonstrates that trade protection is not the necessary outcome with international product fragmentation. Empirical findings support the hypothesis that international division of labor has influenced the formation of North- South PTAs.
Linear-time Computability of Combinatorial Problems on Generalized-Series-Parallel Graphs

ABSTRACT This paper extends in several ways the notable work of Takamizawa, Nishizeki and Saito in 1982 [16], which in turn was inspired by that of Watanabe, Ae and Nakamura in 1979 [17]. We illustrate an emerging theory/methodology for constructing linear-time graph algorithms by providing such algorithms for finding the maximum-cut and the maximum cardinality of a minimal dominating set for a generalized-series-parallel graph.
User clustering for high-speed small cell backhaul over coaxial cable

Growing demand for fast internet services has led to evolution of new industry standards for data services over coaxial cables. New coaxial cable standards, in addition to promising high speed residential broadband services, also present a viable low cost solution for small cell backhaul. The standards allow flexible resource management by allowing the customization of data transmission according to user channel characteristics. Users can be grouped together according to similarity in channel conditions and bit-loading profiles can be assigned independently to each group. This paper presents a joint grouping and profile assignment algorithm that gives strong data rate results with low implementation complexity. These high data rates make it possible for coaxial cable services to meet the demand of high capacity backhaul for small cells.
Ionization of bromouracil and fluorouracil stimulates base mispairing frequencies with guanine

To test whether ionized base pairs influence polymerase-catalyzed misinsertion rates, we measured the efficiency of forming 5-bromouracil (B), 5-fluorouracil (F), and thymine base pairs with guanine and adenine as a function of pH using avian myeloblastosis reverse transcriptase. When B, F, and T were present as dNTP substrates, misincorporation efficiencies opposite G, normalized to incorporation of C opposite G, increased by about 20-, 13-, and 7-fold, respectively, as reaction pH increased from 7.0 to 9.5. Incorporation efficiencies to form the correct base pairs, B.A and F.A, normalized to T.A, decreased by 4- and 8-fold, respectively, with increasing pH. The effects of pH on misincorporation efficiencies were about 10-fold greater when B, F, and T were present as template bases. The relative misincorporation efficiencies of G opposite template B, F, and T, normalized to incorporation of A opposite B, F, and T, increased by about 430-, 370-, and 70-fold, respectively, as pH was increased from 6.5 to 9.5, while correct incorporation of A opposite template B and F decreased about 10-fold over the same pH range. Plots depicting incorrect and correct incorporation efficiencies versus pH were fit to a pH titration equation giving the fraction of ionized base as a function of pH. We conclude that avian myeloblastosis reverse transcriptase forms B.G and F.G mispairs in an ionized Watson-Crick conformation in preference to a neutral wobble structure containing favored keto tautomers of B or F. Although participation of disfavored enol tautomers in enzyme-catalyzed base mispair formation cannot be ruled out, the results are inconsistent with the "standard" disfavored tautomer model of mutagenesis. Instead, the data support a model in which ionization of halouracil bases is primarily responsible for B- and F-induced mutagenesis.
Trait rumination moderates the effect of mentation type on heart rate responses to stressor recall.

AbstractRuminative thought about stressors has been linked to extended post-stressor cardiovascular activation, which in turn predicts negative long-term health outcomes. Past work indicates that the nature of thought (mental imagery or verbal thought) may shape cardiovascular responses. Some evidence suggests that individuals with rumination tendencies may be especially vulnerable to stress-related cardiovascular activation, although it is unclear to what extent type of thought (imagery or verbal thought) influences this relationship. This study included a laboratory stressor followed by a stressor recall task in which mentation type was manipulated. Healthy undergraduate students (N = 138; 47% female) underwent a speech stressor and then were randomly assigned to complete a stressor recall task using either mental imagery or verbal-linguistic mentation. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were measured throughout. Self-report trait rumination was measured at baseline. Results indicated that trait ru...
Testing Lattice Quantum Gravity in 2+1 Dimensions

Borrowing techniques from cosmology, I compute the power spectrum of quantum fluctuations in (2+1)-dimensional causal dynamical triangulations, a promising discrete path integral approach to quantum gravity. The results agree with those of canonical quantization to a high degree of precision, providing strong evidence for the equivalence of the two approaches and for the validity of the discrete method.
On the Very Idea of Continental (or for that Matter Anglo–American) Philosophy

For most of the past century, philosophers on the Continent and those in the United States and Britain have taken themselves to be working in very different, even mutually exclusive, philosophical traditions. Although that may have been true until recently, it is no longer so. This piece surveys ten different proposed distinctions that have been offered between the two traditions, and it shows that none of them works, as there are major thinkers on both sides of each proposed distinction that do not neatly fit the proposal. The upshot of this is that it no longer makes sense to uphold the idea of two traditions, and that it is time we all dropped the mutual suspicion and denigration that have characterized relationships between us for the past hundred years.
Synaptonemal complexities and commonalities.

Formation of synaptonemal complex and high levels of homologous recombination are the hallmarks of meiotic prophase. The relationship between these two processes has been the subject of intense study for nearly 50 years. Recent findings highlight the differences and commonalities of this relationship in different species.
A radioimmunoassay for human antibody specific for microbial antigens.

Abstract A simple and sensitive method for detecting and quantitating antibody specific for microbial antigens is described. Bacterial, fungal, parasitic or viral antigens attached to bromoacetyl cellulose or the intact cells themselves were added to a series of two-fold dilutions of human serum. After a short incubation period, which allowed human antibody to attach to the antigens, the complex was thoroughly washed and carbon-14 labeled anti-human light chain antibody was added to each dilution. The resulting complex was washed, collected on a filter pad, placed in a scintillation vial and radioassayed. The relationship between radioactivity bound and −log2 of the serum dilution was linear. The endpoint for each assay and a confidence interval was calculated by doing inverse prediction from simple linear regression. Results obtained using this assay indicated the presence of antibody in a pool of normal human sera specific for herpes virus and for both cell surface and intracellular antigens of Streptococcus mutans, Naegleria fowleri, and Cryptococcus neoformans. In general the dominant response was against the intracellular antigens rather than cell surface antigens.
Initial developments in the Stanford SQUIRT program

Stanford University's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics has commenced full scale development of a new microsatellite initiative. Known as the satellite quick research testbed (SQUIRT) program, the project's goal is to produce student engineered satellites capable of servicing state-of-the-art research payloads on a yearly basis. This program is specifically designed to meet the education and research goals of the department's Satellite Systems Development Laboratory. SQUIRT vehicles are envisioned to consist of a 25 pound, 9 inch tall, 16 inch diameter hexagonal structure with complete processor, communications, power, thermal, and attitude subsystems. These spacecraft cater to low power, volume, and mass research experiments and student developed educational packages. Mission lifetimes of up to one year are considered. Through student participation, voluntary mentoring from the academic and industrial communities, and the extensive use of off-the-shelf components, the cash outlay target for SQUIRT class vehicles is $50,000. This paper discusses the educational and research issues surrounding the development of Stanford's spacecraft design curriculum and the formulation of the SQUIRT program. A technical review of the first SQUIRT satellite, named SAPPHIRE, and an outline of the conceptual plans for other missions is also presented. Additionally, initiatives concerning partner academic institutions and public domain design information are featured.
Nuclear Symmetry Energy

On the basis of a phenomenological theory proposed in an earlier paper the nuclear symmetry energy is recalculated. The value obtained is smaller than the one given before, which was incorrect. A relativistic calculation of the enengy with the radius parameter r/sub o/ = 1.07 x 1O/sup -13/ cm of the electron scattering experiments yields about the correct symmetry energy. Compensating uncertainties due to inaccuracy in r/sub o/, corrections due to the exclusion principle, and a possible difference in the radius of proton and neutron distributions make an accurate comparison with the empirical symmetry energy meaningless. (auth)
Hyperpolarization Induces a Long-Term Increase in the Spontaneous Firing Rate of Cerebellar Golgi Cells

Golgi cells (GoCs) are inhibitory interneurons that influence the cerebellar cortical response to sensory input by regulating the excitability of the granule cell layer. While GoC inhibition is essential for normal motor coordination, little is known about the circuit dynamics that govern the activity of these cells. In particular, although GoC spontaneous spiking influences the extent of inhibition and gain throughout the granule cell layer, it is not known whether this spontaneous activity can be modulated in a long-term manner. Here we describe a form of long-term plasticity that regulates the spontaneous firing rate of GoCs in the rat cerebellar cortex. We find that membrane hyperpolarization, either by mGluR2 activation of potassium channels, or by somatic current injection, induces a long-lasting increase in GoC spontaneous firing. This spike rate plasticity appears to result from a strong reduction in the spike after hyperpolarization. Pharmacological manipulations suggest the involvement of calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II and calcium-activated potassium channels in mediating these firing rate increases. As a consequence of this plasticity, GoC spontaneous spiking is selectively enhanced, but the gain of evoked spiking is unaffected. Hence, this plasticity is well suited for selectively regulating the tonic output of GoCs rather than their sensory-evoked responses.
The relative importance of temporal envelope information for intelligibility prediction: A study on cochlear-implant vocoded speech

Vocoder simulation has been long applied as an effective tool to assess factors influencing the intelligibility of cochlear implants listeners. Considering that the temporal envelope information contained in contiguous bands of vocoded speech is correlated and redundant, this study examined the hypothesis that the intelligibility measure evaluating the distortions from a small number of selected envelope cues is sufficient to well predict the intelligibility scores. The speech intelligibility data from 80 conditions was collected from vocoder simulation experiments involving 22 normal-hearing listeners. The relative importance of temporal envelope information in cochlear-implant vocoded speech was modeled by correlating its speech-transmission indices (STIs) with the intelligibility scores. The relative importance pattern was subsequently utilized to determine a binary weight vector for STIs of all envelopes to compute the index predicting the speech intelligibility. A high correlation (r=0.95) was obtained when selecting a small number (e.g., 4 out of 20) of temporal envelope cues from disjoint bands to predict the intelligibility of cochlear-implant vocoded speech.
Effects of asynchronous snowmelt on flushing of dissolved organic carbon: a mixing model approach

In many snowmelt-dominated catchments, stream dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels typically increase rapidly as spring melt commences, peak before maximum discharge, and decrease quickly as melting continues. We present data from Deer Creek (Summit County, CO) that shows this distinctive flushing response of DOC during snowmelt runoff, with DOC stored in landscape soils flushed to the stream in response to infiltrating melt waters. Our prior studies show that asynchronous melting of the snowpack across the landscape causes the spring DOC flush to be initiated at different times throughout the catchment. In this study we quantify characteristics of the asynchronous melt and its effect on DOC flushing. We investigated whether a simple mixing model can be used to capture the essentials of the asynchronous melting of a seasonal snowpack and its controls on DOC transport. We divided the catchment into zones of aspect and elevation, which largely determine spatial and temporal variations in the distribution of snow. TOPMODEL was used to simulate the hydrology in each zone, and the simulated flow paths were routed through a simple DOC mixing model to predict contributions of DOC to the stream. The zonal responses were aggregated to give a predicted response of hydrology and DOC fluxes for the entire catchment. Our results indicate that asynchronous melting--which determines the timing of contributions of discharge and DOC to streamflow from different areas of the landscape-can be quantified using a simple modeling approach.
Feedback Controlled Bilayer Heating Within the Regulated Attachment Method

Synthetic lipid bilayers provide a cell-inspired environment for studying the functions of biomolecules. The regulated attachment method (RAM) is one method for forming liquid-supported lipid bilayers — known as droplet interface bilayers (DIBs) — that form at the interface of lipid-encased aqueous volumes in oil. While RAM allows for independent control of the aqueous phases on both sides of the membrane and provides a convenient way to control the size of the bilayer, previous studies utilizing this technique have been performed exclusively at room temperature. The goal of this research is to incorporate proportional-integral (PI) feedback control of temperature within the flexible RAM substrate with initial efforts focused on heating above room temperature. The proposed system includes a resistive etched-foil heating element and wire-type thermocouples for point-wise temperature measurement in standard RAM substrates. Open loop heating tests are used to map the magnitudes of steady state temperature distributions within the substrate and characterize the dynamic heating response. These tests show that a first-order heating model accurately describes transient temperature responses to heater power inputs. A one-probe configuration is found to provide measurements that are within <1°C of temperature measured at the bilayer region. The optimized probe configuration is used in PI feedback control, where the closed loop system is found to track the desired temperature to within +/−0.3°C. Experiments of temperature control with aqueous lipid droplets present permit electrical measurements of bilayer area without increasing background noise. Using this platform, we study the effect of temperature on the stability and size of a diphytanoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPhPC) lipid bilayer, and we observe that increasing the temperature of the bilayer from room temperature to 30°C results in a 30% decrease in the area of the membrane.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
What is a Christian? Notes toward an anthropology of Christianity

(2003). What is a Christian? Notes toward an anthropology of Christianity. Religion: Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 191-199.
Nerve impulse equations: Computer solutions and displays

Abstract The differential equations for nerve impulse propagation (the Hodgkin-Huxley equations) are solved numerically by computer. Programs for performing these computations and displaying the results are described, examples of solutions are given, and the use of these programs in an undergraduate Neurobiology course is discussed.
Selective uptake of Zn65 by dorsolateral prostate of rat.

SummaryThe dorsolateral prostate of the rat concentrates Zn65 from 15 to 25 times more than any other organ. These concentrations are high enough to suggest the use of this element in studies of the physiology of the prostate and possibly in the evaluation of clinical diseases of that organ.