cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FIRST LACTATION CONTEMPORARY COMPARISONS AS INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON DAUGHTER RECORDS USED FOR SIRE EVALUATION.

Abstract The accuracy of various measures of a dairy sire's transmitting ability, using ten contemporary averages, was studied. First lactation and the mean of two or more lactation records made by artificially bred daughters of Holstein sires were adjusted for differences in herd opportunity, using first and all lactation running season contemporary averages. Adjustments were made on 4,855 cow records and the relative effectiveness of the adjustments evaluated. The first lactation contemporary averages were most effective in removing herd variance, but resulted in an increase in the herd by sire variance component estimates. The measure using all lactation records from daughters and contemporaries yielded the largest expected correlation (.93) between the mean of 100 daughters and all future daughters. Selection biases were studied between all lactation and first lactation contemporary records. Results indicated that the all lactation contemporaries overestimated the environmental situation for first lactation records by 258 lb of milk.
Before the Revolution: America's Ancient Pasts. By Daniel K. Richter. (Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University, 2011. Pp. viii, 502. $35.00.)

In the 1980s, scholars of early America recognized that the synthesis that had driven waves of earlier studies had disappeared. Colonial America could not be understood as an offshoot of New Englan...
Dynamic computer simulation models: New methodology for continuing medical education

Structural changes in the health care delivery system are creating new opportunities for continuing medical education (CME). In this article, we review the evolving role of CME and outline how computer simulation methodology can be used to facilitate self-directed and group learning, and illustrate this approach with three applications: adolescent smoking prevention programs, smoking cessation programs in managed care organizations, and cost-containment efforts in cardiovascular surgery.
Laparoscopic Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy for Morbid Obesity. The Future Procedure of Choice

I report the general experience of performing sleeve gastrectomy defined as “a partial gastrectomy that results in removal of most of the stomach,” as a first-stage procedure for morbidly and super-obese people. I also explore its potential as a single procedure evaluating its advantages and disadvantages. This procedure is designed to reduce the size of the stomach and its distention, whereby the patient feels full sooner and their appetite is decreased. Some posit-increased satiety results from the decreased ghrelin, secreted by the fundus, which is resected during this procedure. The advantages of sleeve gastrectomy are as follows: the stomach is reduced without loss of function, pyloric preservation prevents dumping, it requires only 1 day in the hospital, it provides an effective first-stage procedure for super-obese patients, it is useful in patients with disorders such as anemia or Crohn's disease, which preclude intestinal bypass, it can be performed laparoscopically, even in patients who weigh over 500 lbs, no band adjustment is required, it does not result in malabsorption, and it provides a good educational teaching base for doctors lacking experience in the treatment of gastric ulcers. The disadvantages include the risk of stapling complications and its irreversibility.
RETARDATION OF BONE GROWTH BY A WIRE LOOP

A wire encircling the epiphyseal cartilaginous plate in the frontal plane will stop length growth from that plate. Growth may be controlled by a wire loop, by alternately stopping and allowing normal growth as the loop is tied or untied. Length-growth equalization may be started at an earlier age. Unilateral growth may he counteracted by a wire loop around the plate on the side of overgrowth. The operation should not be performed until sufficient ossification of the epiphysis has taken place,—that is, after about eight years of age.
Gibbs Free Energy Minimization for Prediction of Solubility of Acid Gases in Water

The disposal of acid gas (CO2/H2S mixtures) is a critical aspect in the production of hydrocarbons from sour gas fields. The increasing emphasis on CO2 sequestration has also renewed interest in the disposal of flue gas mixtures (primarily containing CO2 and H2S). A common strategy for safe disposal, in either case, is to inject the acid gas in aquifers close to production plants. These strategies rely on solubility calculations at different pressures and temperatures, governed by the field operating conditions. We present a comprehensive approach using Gibbs free energy minimization to calculate acid gas solubility in water at high temperatures (298–393 K) and pressures (0.1–80 MPa). The advantage of this approach is the flexibility to use different thermodynamic models for different phases. The proposed model uses the Peng–Robinson (PR) Equation of State (EOS) description for gas components while the liquid components are described using the ideal assumption for the temperature range 298–323 K and the N...
Between- and within-species recognition among imported fire ants and their hybrids (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): application to hybrid zone dynamics

Inter- and intraspecific recognition capability among laboratory colonies of Solenopsis invicta Buren, Solenopsis richteri Forel, and their hybrids were measured with aggression bioassays. No significant differences were detected when the ability of each population to discriminate intruders from the other two populations was compared. However, scores for within-population discrimination were highest among hybrids and lowest for S. invicta , suggesting greater genetic variability for heritable recognition cues (“discriminators”) among hybrids and least variability in S. invicta . The results support the hypothesis that the fire ant hybrid zone is maintained in part by hybrid superiority resulting from increased genetic variability in heterozygotes. The hierarchy of genetic variability suggested by the data is contrasted with that suggested by electrophoretic studies of “neutral” Mendelian markers in fire ant populations.
Cystic fibrosis epithelial cell and bacterial binding

to the editor: The recently published article entitled “Sugar administration is an effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia” by Bucior et al. ([1][1]) describes the administration of a mix of simple sugars mannose, fucose, and galactose in a cellular
A qualitative study of collaborative stimulation in group design thinking

It is often assumed in both education and industry that collaboration encourages creativity. This assumption is explored by investigating the influence of designers’ interactions on creativity-relevant thinking processes by extending creative cognition to the group design context. It is proposed that sharing design entities and questions stimulates creativity-relevant thinking processes through four types of collaborative stimulation. Specific patterns are hypothesized to exist between each type of collaborative stimulation and thinking processes. A case study was conducted to determine whether the hypothesized types and patterns of collaborative stimulation exist. The results were analyzed using a directed coding approach and collaborative retrospective protocol analysis, which enable capturing both internal thoughts and external interactions with minimal interference to collaboration. The results indicate that the identified types of collaborative stimulation are observable and that they have recognizable patterns with stimulated thinking processes. Stimulation occurring through design entity questioning had the strongest relationship with generative thinking processes. Although creativity-relevant generative processes are stimulated by collaborative activity, this does not necessarily mean that collaboration results in a more creative product. However, these patterns can be used in future work to develop methods and interventions for promoting group idea generation and improving group creativity.
Patient Experience and Patient-Centered Care - Do We Really Care?

Do we really care about the patient experience? Have we changed our focus from providerfocused to patient-focused? Are we actually engaging patients with their care? And are we attentive enough to patients' needs, concerns and expectations? Our recent studies published in the British Medical Journal Quality and Safety (1,2), raise concerns regarding these questions but also offer potential explanations and suggestions for improvement.
Investigation on Quality of Life of 350 Workers in A Special Vehicle Manufacturing Factory

[Objective]To investigate factors affecting the life quality of workers in a special vehicle manufacturing factory,and provide evidence for employers to take health education and health promotion measures.[Methods]The life quality of 350 female workers in a special vehicle manufacturing factory was investigated by the Short-Form-36 Health Survey(SF-36),taking the quality of life of male residents in Hangzhou as control.[Results]Vitality(VT) and Mental Health(MH) of male workers were higher than male residents in Hangzhou,whereas Physical Functioning(PF),Role Physical(RP),Bodily Pain(BP),General Health(GH),Social Functional(SF),and Role Emotional(RE) were lower.By analyzing the factors it showed that age,different schedule for work and rest,negative life events,satisfaction of welfare benefits had significant impacts on the majority of dimensions of life quality.[Conclusion]The general quality of life of workers is lower than that of Hangzhou residents.There are many factors that affect the life quality of special vehicle manufacturing workers.Employers should consider physical and mental factors on worker's health when developing occupational safety and health policies.
Research on Application of SVG in Design System of Garment

The intention of application of SVG in the design system of garment was to promulgate the garment design system in the network more adaptive.That how to change the format between graphics and image by using SVG and how to express,store and realize net-based management of the garment style data were studied.It shows that SVG has the characteristics of scaleable,interaction and fusion with existing technique,and basing on XML and opening standard.This is an innovated idea and it has far reaching importance for development of garment industry in China.
Analysis on HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and behaviors among female commercial sex workers in Jiangyou City

Objective:To understand the HIV/AIDS related knowledge and behavior among female commercial sex workers(FSWs) of Jiangyou City,and evaluate the effect of interventions,and provide scientific evidence for formulating measures of prevention and treatment.Methods:A face-to-face questionnaire survey on HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and behaviors is performed among 264 FSWs in Jiangyou according to the national AIDS surveillance plan.Results:46.60% of the FSWs of Jiangyou city are married.45.45% of them are 30 years old above.The first sexual intercourse age of the FSWs is young.The total average awareness rate about HIV/AIDS is 89.58%.In the last time of commercial sexual intercourses,their condom use rate is 93.56%,and in the last month,65.91% of them persisited using condom every time.When having sex with their regular sexual partners in the last month,only 14.39% of them persisited using condom every time.50.76% of the FSWs in the last year have reproductive tract infection or sexually transmitted disease(STD),of which 32.32% don’t go to normal medical insititutions for diagnosis and treatment.Among the services of HIV/AIDS prevention,the STD examination rate is 67.58%,and the HIV/AIDS voluntary conseling and testing(VCT) rate is 63.64%.Conclusion:There is a notably rise of awareness rate about AIDS and condom use rate in Jiangyou City after China-U.K.HIV/AIDS Item conducted.HIV/AIDS prevention services such as STD examination and VCT need further improvement.The study shows that the older FSWs took a big proportion.Close attention should be paid to the health education of the older,the married and their regular sexual partners.
Drug discovery: Fighting evolution with chemical synthesis

A synthetic strategy has been developed that provides easy access to structurally diverse analogues of naturally occurring antibiotics, providing a fresh means of attack in the war against drug-resistant bacteria. See Article p.338
Predation on the eggs and nestlings of Florida Scrub Jays

ABsTRAcr.-We investigated nest predation in a population of Florida Scrub Jays (Aphelocoma c. coerulescens) at Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida. Frequency of nest visits by investigators did not influence predation rates. Nest predation increased as the breeding season progressed and occurred most often during daylight hours. When seasonal effects were held constant, nestlings were depredated more often than eggs, and young nestlings were depredated more often than old nestlings. Several lines of evidence indicated that, for Florida Scrub Jays, diurnal snakes and birds were the most important nest predators, while nocturnal mammals were relatively less important. Late in the breeding season, pairs with helpers experienced less nest predation than pairs without helpers. This effect was primarily the result of reduced predation on nestlings. Received 17 June 1991, accepted 13 January 1992.
HIV Dynamics With Immune Responses: Perspectives From Mathematical Modeling

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has infected over 36 million individuals worldwide and presents a tremendous public health concern, yet much remains unknown about the effect of immune responses on infection. In this review, we discuss the current status of mathematical modeling of HIV-immune system dynamics and how advances in modeling approaches have contributed to our understanding of the role of immune responses in virus infection. Recent advances provide important quantitative findings about CD8+ T cell and antibody responses. Specifically, these models explain important dynamical features such as the intracellular eclipse phase, and they estimate immune escape rates, the timing of MHC downregulation, and the proportion of virus in antibody-viral complexes. Models of HIV-immune system dynamics, validated with experimental data, advance our quantitative understanding of infection and can generate hypotheses for further experiments. Greater insight on immune responses in HIV infection dynamics can lead to the development of vaccines and ultimately a cure for this infection.
Juvenile/Family Forensics

This chapter provides an overview of the legal issues and professional guidelines involved in custody evaluation and determination. It also focuses on that impact of family law and custody concerns on children and adolescents. The legal system is frequently asked about the issue of child custody when divorcing parents cannot agree on a coparenting plan or when one partner feels the other lacks adequate parenting skills or may pose a physical threat to the child. Judges, attorneys, and families often turn to mental health professionals to help educate the court and to provide recommendations about custody determinations. Activist groups for children's rights have begun to recommend amendments that could potentially help protect their rights. The National Task Force for Children's Constitutional Rights began writing an amendment to the United States Constitution that would grant children protections— such as: the right to a safe home, the right to adequate health care, the right to an adequate education, and the right to the care of a loving family, or a substitute as close to a loving family as possible. In addition, the amendment would provide children with the right to an attorney in any legal matter affecting their interests.
Flows of sediment, flows of insecurity: Climate change adaptation and the social contract in the Ebro Delta, Catalonia

Abstract To avoid dominant positivist explanations of links between climate change and security, I use alternative, human security approaches to study how climate security is managed in one of Spain’s most endangered coastal ecosystems, the Ebro Delta. I find that increasing the downstream flow of sediments retained in upstream dams is a crucial measure for dealing with climate change threats (sea-level rise) in the Delta. Yet, state policies do not increase sediment flow, but instead implement incremental adaptation at the site of climate impact (coast), which, at times, requires executing small-scale land expropriations. Refraining from improving human security via increasing sediment flow benefits corporate interests upstream. At the same time, expropriation silences mild farmer protest downstream and adds insult to injury by conveying to farmers a sense of blame for their vulnerability to climate change. Meanwhile, using expropriation at the service of incremental adaptation goes against the very rationale of expropriation established by Spanish legislation and creates a fundamental contradiction between what the practice is meant to deliver, namely security and the social contract from the part of the state, and what it actually does, i.e. permit the state to evade providing human security. I conclude that, under climate change, achieving human security, the delivery of the social contract, and corporate rent-seeking at the same time may not be possible. Moreover, rather than the social contract been threatened by state incapacity to respond to the effects of climate change and breached social contract expectations of vulnerable communities, it is the actual mobilisation of the contract in order to respond to climate change that diminishes human security.
Computers and productivity: Evidence from laptop use in the college classroom

This paper evaluates the effect of classroom computer use on academic performance. Using a quasi-experimental design and administrative data, we find that computer use in college classrooms has a negative impact on course grades. Our study exploits institutional policies that generate plausibly random variation in laptop use within the classroom. Compared to students who are not affected by computer policies, students who are induced to use computers in class perform significantly worse and students who are influenced not to use computers perform significantly better. We find that the negative effects of computer use are concentrated among males and low-performing students and more prominent in quantitative courses.
Experimental design and analysis for irradiation of SiC/SiC composite tubes under a prototypic high heat flux

Abstract The purpose of this work is to design an irradiation vehicle for testing silicon carbide (SiC) fiber-reinforced SiC matrix composite cladding materials under conditions representative of a light water reactor in order to validate thermo-mechanical models of stress states in these materials due to irradiation swelling and differential thermal expansion. The design allows for a constant tube outer surface temperature in the range of 300–350 °C under a representative high heat flux (∼0.66 MW/m2) during one cycle of irradiation in an un-instrumented “rabbit” capsule in the High Flux Isotope Reactor. An engineered aluminum foil was developed to absorb the expansion of the cladding tubes, due to irradiation swelling, without changing the thermal resistance of the gap between the cladding and irradiation capsule. Finite-element analyses of the capsule were performed, and the models used to calculate thermal contact resistance were validated by out-of-pile testing and post-irradiation examination of the foils and passive SiC thermometry. Six irradiated cladding tubes (both monoliths and composites) were irradiated and subsequently disassembled in a hot cell. The calculated temperatures of passive SiC thermometry inside the capsules showed good agreement with temperatures measured post-irradiation, with two calculated temperatures falling within 10 °C of experimental measurements. The success of this design could lead to new opportunities for irradiation applications with materials that suffer from irradiation swelling, creep, or other dimensional changes that can affect the specimen temperature during irradiation.
Comparing Amazon Mechanical Turk with unpaid internet resources in online clinical trials

Abstract Internet interventions face significant challenges in recruitment and attrition rates are typically high and problematic. Finding innovative yet scientifically valid avenues for attaining and retaining participants is therefore of considerable importance. The main goal of this study was to compare recruitment process and participants characteristics between two similar randomized control trials of mood management interventions. One of the trials (Bunge et al., 2016) was conducted with participants recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (AMT), and the other trial recruited via Unpaid Internet Resources (UIR). Methods The AMT sample (Bunge et al., 2016) consisted of 765 adults, and the UIR sample (recruited specifically for this study) consisted of 329 adult US residents. Participants' levels of depression, anxiety, confidence, motivation, and perceived usefulness of the intervention were assessed. The AMT sample was financially compensated whereas the UIR was not. Results AMT yielded higher recruitment rates per month (p Conclusions By using AMT, researchers can recruit very rapidly and obtain higher retention rates; however, these participants may not be representative of the general online population interested in clinical interventions. Considering that AMT and UIR participants differed in most baseline variables, data from clinical studies resulting from AMT samples should be interpreted with caution.
Learning to transfer microscopy image modalities

Phase Contrast and Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) microscopy are two popular noninvasive techniques for monitoring live cells. Each of these two imaging modalities has its own advantages and disadvantages to visualize specimens, so biologists need these two complementary modalities together to analyze specimens. In this paper, we propose a novel data-driven learning method capable of transferring microscopy images from one imaging modality to the other imaging modality, reflecting the characteristics of specimens from different perspectives. For example, given a Phase Contrast microscope, we can transfer its images to the corresponding DIC images without using DIC microscope, vice versa. The preliminary experiments demonstrate that the image transfer approach can provide biologists a computational way to switch between microscopy imaging modalities, so biologists can combine the advantages of different imaging modalities to better visualize and analyze specimens over time, without purchasing all types of microscopy imaging modalities or switching between imaging systems back-and-forth during time-lapse experiments.
Uniform Norm of Polynomials Constrained With Many Zeros in Two Disjoint Intervals

For nonnegative integers (s 1, s 2, m), consider the set of all real or complex polynomials of the form $$ P_n \left( x \right) = \prod\limits_{i = 1}^{s_1 } {\left( {x - x_i^{\left( {s_1 } \right)} } \right)\prod\limits_{j = 1}^{s_2 } {\left( {x - x_j^{\left( {s_2 } \right)} } \right)\sum\limits_{k = 0}^m {\alpha _k x^k } ,} } $$ where \({{s}_{1}} \geqslant {{\theta }_{1}}\left( {{{s}_{1}} + {{s}_{2}} + m} \right) = {{\theta }_{1}}n > 0\) and \({{s}_{2}} \geqslant {{\theta }_{2}}\left( {{{s}_{1}} + {{s}_{2}} + m} \right) = {{\theta }_{2}}n > 0\), \({{\theta }_{1}} > 0,{{\theta }_{2}} > 0\) and having s 1, s 2 zeros constrained so that \(x_{i}^{{\left( {{{s}_{1}}} \right)}} \in \left[ {d,1} \right],i = 1,2, \ldots ,{{s}_{1}}\), \(x_{j}^{{\left( {{{s}_{2}}} \right)}} \in \left[ { - 1,c} \right],j = 1,2, \ldots ,{{s}_{2}}\), respectively. For all \({{P}_{n}}{{\left( x \right)}^{\prime }}s\) bounded on [-1,1], we found the smallest interval \(\left[ {a,b} \right] \subseteq \left[ { - 1,1} \right]\) such that $$\parallel {{P}_{n}}{{\parallel }_{{\left[ { - 1,1} \right]}}} = \parallel {{P}_{n}}{{\parallel }_{{\left[ {a,b} \right]}}}.$$
Chapter 10 – Acute-Phase Proteins and Inflammation: Immunological and Clinical Implications

This chapter discusses the pathophysiological sequences of acute-phase response (APR), the biochemical and functional characteristics of two major acute-phase proteins in humans, and methods commonly used to measure the acute-phase response. The chapter reviews recent data implicating a pivotal role of acute-phase proteins in cardiovascular disease. APR refers to a wide range of neuroendocrinal, physiological, and metabolic changes that are initiated immediately after a tissue is afflicted with an infection or injury. At times, intense physical exercise or psychological stress can also induce mild to moderate APR-like changes. Such changes may take place locally or systemically. While the APR may first be involved in initiating and amplifying tissue inflammation, this complex response can ultimately aid in attenuating and resolving inflammation. Normally, the APR is elicited within a few hours after the initial insult and the majority of the response subsides over a period of 24–72 h.
Schooling, Learning and Worker Productivity

Concern about slackening productivity growth and deteriorating competitiveness has in many countries resulted in a new focus on the skills and education of frontline workers. The introduction of Lean Production and Total-QualityManagement is apparently raising the cognitive demands placed on blue collar workers (Womack, Jones and Roos 1991). Increasingly they are working in production cells in which every member of the team is expected to learn every job and to take on responsibilities formerly the sole province of supervisors, specialized technicians and industrial engineers. Higher order thinking and problem solving skills are believed to be in particularly short supply so much attention has been given to mathematics and science education because it is thought that these subjects are particularly relevant to their development (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills 1991).
Emotional Influences on Judgments of Legal Blame: How They Happen, Whether They Should, and What to Do About It

Determining how people’s emotions affect their judgments of legal responsibility and blame, and when, if ever, they should, is a challenging and important task. Widely accepted dual process theories of cognition (e.g., Chaiken and Trope 1999) posit that human judgment is the product of two, largely concurrent cognitive systems: an intuitive system which operates automatically, effortlessly, and often affectively (i.e., emotion-infused), and a reflective system which is more controlled, effortful, and normatively rational (Kahneman and Frederick 2002, label these as “System 1” and “System 2,” respectively). Legal judgments should be no exception. They involve explicit, more or less rational processing, but they also reflect intuition, both non-emotional (see, generally, the “heuristics and biases” literature; e.g., Gigerenzer and Engel 2006) and emotional.
Mapping intramuscular tenderness variation in four major muscles of the beef round.

The objective of this study was to quantify intramuscular tenderness variation within four muscles from the beef round: biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (ST), semimembranosus (SM), and adductor (AD). At 48 h postmortem, the BF, ST, SM, and AD were dissected from either the left or right side of ten carcasses, vacuum packaged, and aged for an additional 8 d. Each muscle was then frozen and cut into 2.54-cm-thick steaks perpendicular to the long axis of the muscle. Steaks were broiled on electric broilers to an internal temperature of 71 degrees C. Location-specific cores were obtained from each cooked steak, and Warner-Bratzler shear force was evaluated. Definable intramuscular shear force variation (SD = 0.56 kg) was almost twice as large as between-animal shear force variation (SD = 0.29 kg) and 2.8 times as large as between-muscle variation (SD = 0.20 kg). The ranking of muscles from greatest to least definable intramuscular shear force variation was BF, SM, ST, and AD (SD = 1.09, 0.72, 0.29, and 0.15 kg, respectively). The BF had its lowest shear force values at the origin (sirloin end), intermediate shear force values at the insertion, and its highest shear force values in a middle region 7 to 10 cm posterior to the sirloin-round break point (P 0.05). These data indicate that definable intramuscular tenderness variation is substantial and could be used to develop alternative fabrication and(or) merchandising methods for beef round muscles.
Quantification of Small-Animal Imaging Data

The field of molecular imaging finds its roots in nuclear medicine, which since its inception had a major focus on task-based optimization of image quality, and on in vivo quantitative assessment of metabolic and physiological parameters [1]. This standpoint reflects the limited spatial resolution and high noise characteristics of SPECT and PET compared to high resolution structural imaging modalities (CT and MRI), which provide exquisite anatomical details. The disparities between performance characteristics of currently available scanners and their potential degradation with time can be delicate and tricky to put into evidence through qualitative visual interpretation. This has motivated the development of objective and reproducible metrics to observe and adjust changes in system performance, for intercomparison studies as well as for quality assurance and quality control tasks. The use of molecular imaging in the assessment of metabolic and physiological parameters linked to specific diseases further motivated quantitative molecular imaging.
miRge 2.0 for comprehensive analysis of microRNA sequencing data

miRNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression. The rapidly developing field of microRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq; small RNA-seq) needs comprehensive, robust, user-friendly and standardized bioinformatics tools to analyze these large datasets. We present miRge 2.0, in which multiple enhancements were made towards these goals. miRge 2.0 has become more comprehensive with increased functionality including a novel miRNA detection method, A-to-I editing analysis, integrated standardized GFF3 isomiR reporting, and improved alignment to miRNAs. The novel miRNA detection method uniquely uses both miRNA hairpin sequence structure and composition of isomiRs resulting in higher specificity for potential miRNA identification. Using known miRNA data, our support vector machine (SVM) model predicted miRNAs with an average Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) of 0.939 over 32 human cell datasets and outperformed miRDeep2 and miRAnalyzer regarding phylogenetic conservation. The A-to-I editing detection strongly correlated with a reference dataset with adjusted R2 = 0.96. miRge 2.0 is the most up-to-date aligner with custom libraries to both miRBase v22 and MirGeneDB v2.0 for 6 species: human, mouse, rat, fruit fly, nematode and zebrafish; and has a tool to create custom libraries. For user-friendliness, miRge 2.0 is incorporated into bcbio-nextgen and implementable through Bioconda. miRge 2.0 is a redesigned, leading miRNA RNA-seq aligner with several improvements and novel utilities. miRge 2.0 is freely available at: https://github.com/mhalushka/miRge .
Towards Power FPGA: Architecture, Modeling and Control of Multiport Power Converters

Multiport power converters are needed in a wide range of applications including battery management systems, data center power delivery, and renewable energy systems. These systems comprise numerous distributed and modular power conversion cells with sophisticated and bidirectional power flow. This paper systematically investigates the architecture, modeling and control of multiport power converters with a large number of ports, and explores the theoretical foundation of an emerging “Power FPGA” concept - Flexible, Programmable, Granular and Adaptive power electronics - that will enable a wide range of exciting applications. We classified multiport power converters into two major categories, and developed a software tool based on Newton-Raphson method to rapidly identify the control strategy. We analyzed the applicability and limitations of this control framework, and simulated a 100-port energy converter with programmable power flow. A four-port programmable energy converter is built and tested to experimentally validate the proposed modeling and control strategy.
Analysis of impact metrics for the Protein Data Bank

Since 1971, the Protein Data Bank (PDB) archive has served as the single, global repository for open access to atomic-level data for biological macromolecules. The archive currently holds >140,000 structures (>1 billion atoms). These structures are the molecules of life found in all organisms. Knowing the 3D structure of a biological macromolecule is essential for understanding the molecule's function, providing insights in health and disease, food and energy production, and other topics of concern to prosperity and sustainability. PDB data are freely and publicly available, without restrictions on usage. Through bibliometric and usage studies, we sought to determine the impact of the PDB across disciplines and demographics. Our analysis shows that even though research areas such as molecular biology and biochemistry account for the most usage, other fields are increasingly using PDB resources. PDB usage is seen across 150 disciplines in applied sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Data are also re-used and integrated with >400 resources. Our study identifies trends in PDB usage and documents its utility across research disciplines.
Substrate Binding Regulates Redox Signaling in Human DNA Primase.

Generation of daughter strands during DNA replication requires the action of DNA primase to synthesize an initial short RNA primer on the single-stranded DNA template. Primase is a heterodimeric enzyme containing two domains whose activity must be coordinated during primer synthesis: an RNA polymerase domain in the small subunit (p48) and a [4Fe4S] cluster-containing C-terminal domain of the large subunit (p58C). Here we examine the redox switching properties of the [4Fe4S] cluster in the full p48/p58 heterodimer using DNA electrochemistry. Unlike with isolated p58C, robust redox signaling in the primase heterodimer requires binding of both DNA and NTPs; NTP binding shifts the p48/p58 cluster redox potential into the physiological range, generating a signal near 160 mV vs NHE. Preloading of primase with NTPs enhances catalytic activity on primed DNA, suggesting that primase configurations promoting activity are more highly populated in the NTP-bound protein. We propose that p48/p58 binding of anionic DNA ...
General and Specific Predictors of Comorbid Substance Use and Internalizing Problems from Adolescence to Age 33

The current study examines the continuity in comorbidity between substance use and internalizing mental health problems from adolescence to adulthood and investigates the general and specific predictors of comorbidity across development. Participants were drawn from the Seattle Social Development Project (N = 808), a gender-balanced, ethnically diverse longitudinal panel. Structural equation modeling was used to examine risk factors for comorbid substance use and internalizing problems in family and peer social environments; substance use- and mental health-specific social environments (family tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use; family history of depression); and individual risk factors (behavioral disinhibition). Latent factors were created for comorbid substance use and mental health problems at ages 13–14 and comorbidity of substance abuse and dependence symptoms and mental health disorder symptoms at ages 30–33 and included indicators of anxiety, depression, alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana problems. Comorbid problems in adolescence predicted later comorbidity of disorders in adulthood. In addition, family tobacco environment and behavioral disinhibition predicted adolescent comorbidity, while family history of depression was associated with adult comorbidity. Finally, family and peer substance use in adolescence predicted substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana) both in adolescence and adulthood. The pattern of results suggests that comorbidity in adolescence continues into adulthood and is predicted by both general and behavior-specific environmental experiences during adolescence. Findings clarify the etiology of comorbid internalizing and substance use problems and suggest potential preventive intervention targets in adolescence to curb the development of comorbidity in adulthood.
Symbolic Performance Evaluation of Concurrent Systems by Combining Petri Nets and Moment Generating Functions

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an analytical performance analysis method based on arbitrary stochastic Petri nets (ASPN) and moment generating functions and presents it by deriving closed-form performance characteristics for a machine-repairman model and a robotic assembly system. It describes a moment generating function based methodology for ASPN. The chapter presents future research directions for the Petri net and MGF combined performance analysis methodology. Combination of Petri nets and moment generating functions results in a symbolic performance analysis method. Petri nets can be used to generate control codes and validate software designs. Many applications of Petri net modeling and control are reported in flexible manufacturing and advanced automation To reduce the computational effort for large computer-integrated systems, a reduction method is always desired. When conducting analysis of large ordinary Petri nets, researchers have found many useful reduction rules.
The diverse multi-modal imaging findings of recurrent primary vitreoretinal lymphoma

Abstract We present a case of a 44-year-old man with biopsy-proven primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), who developed multiple ocular recurrences over the course of six years. Recurrences were imaged with color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography. This case demonstrates a single patient with a myriad of imaging findings of PVRL as well as response to a variety of therapeutic interventions.
Incisive real-time biosafety decision-making under societal reopening: An ego-level decision-tree understructure for a serious game (in the COVID-19 pandemic era)

In a time of the SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 pandemic (and future ones), the choices made by each individual accumulates to population scale and can have widespread repercussions on individual and population health. A critical part of the public health mandate is communicating the nature of the health threats and ways to defend against and mitigate them. For a general population that may not have any training in microbiology or the health sciences or other related fields, understanding the proper defensive measures may be challenging. This work explores the building of ego-level decision-tree understructures for serious games that may inform on such daily life decision-making at a time of societal reopening from pandemic lockdown in a complex ethical and legal space. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Using change detection to objectively evaluate whether novel over-the-counter drug labels can increase attention to critical health information among older adults.

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs have many benefits but also carry risks, such as adverse drug reactions, which are more prevalent in older adults. Because these products do not require the oversight of a physician or pharmacist, labeling plays a key role in communicating information required for their safe and effective use. Research suggests that current labels are not terribly effective at communicating potential risk. One reason for their lack of effectiveness is that few consumers attend to critical information (active ingredients and warnings) when making purchases. In two experiments, we used a change detection task to objectively evaluate how novel label designs that employ highlighting and a warning label placed on the package’s front impact attention to critical information among older participants (65 and older). The change detection task is a unique form of visual search which allowed us to assess the attentional priority of critical information among participants who were not explicitly instructed to search for this critical information. This unique aspect of the task is important given research suggesting that consumers rarely have the explicit goal of seeking out warnings and active ingredients when making OTC selections. Our results provide empirical support that both highlighting critical information and positioning it on the package’s front increase its attentional prioritization relative to current, commercial practice. Given that attending to the critical information is prerequisite to utilizing that information, strategies that elicit attention in this way are likely to reduce medication errors.
Direct coculture of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiac progenitor cells with epicardial cells induces cardiomyocyte proliferation and reduces sarcomere organization

Abstract Epicardial cells (EpiCs) are necessary for myocardium formation, yet little is known about crosstalk between EpiCs and cardiomyocytes (CMs) during development and the potential impact of EpiCs on CM maturation. To investigate the effects of EpiCs on CM commitment and maturation, we differentiated human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) and EpiCs, and cocultured EpiCs and CPCs for two weeks. When EpiCs were allowed to form epicardial-derived cells, we observed increased expression of cTnI in developing CMs. In the presence of the TGFβ inhibitor A83-01, EpiCs remained in the epicardial state and induced CM proliferation, increased MLC2v expression, and led to less organized sarcomeres. These effects were not observed if CPCs were treated with EpiC-conditioned medium or if CPCs were indirectly cocultured with EpiCs. Finally, single cell RNA sequencing identified that EpiC-CPC coculture had bi-directional effects on transcriptional programs in EpiCs and CMs, and biased EpiC lineages from a SFRP2-enriched population to a DLK1- or C3-enriched population. This work suggests important crosstalk between EpiCs and CMs during differentiation which can be used to influence cell fate and improve the ability to generate cardiac cells and tissues for in vitro models and development of cardiac cellular therapies.
Southern Ocean contributions to the Eastern Equatorial Pacific heat content during the Holocene

Abstract Temperature reconstructions from a shallow core (375 m) from the Peru Margin are used to test the influence of Subantarctic Mode Water (SAMW) on the eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP) thermostad and thus the effect of southern high latitude climate on interior ocean heat content (OHC). Temperature estimates, based on Mg/Ca measurements of planktonic and benthic foraminifera (Neogloboquadrina dutertrei and Uvigerina spp., respectively) show higher temperatures in the early Holocene, a cooling of ∼ 2 ° by 8 kyr B.P. and after relatively stable temperatures to the present. The temperature signal is similar in direction and timing to a rather robust Holocene climate signal from the southern high latitudes suggesting it originated there and was advected to the core site in the EEP. Based on the N. dutertrei and Uvigerina Mg/Ca temperature and δ13C records we conclude that SAMW acted as a conduit transporting the southern high latitude climate to the interior of the equatorial Pacific. We propose that the early Holocene warmth is related to a southward migration of the Subtropical Front, which enhanced the influence of warm subtropical water in the region of SAMW formation and was then transported to the EEP thermostad. The early Holocene warmth recorded in the EEP thermostad has a muted sea surface temperature expression indicating this mechanism is important for sequestering heat in the ocean interior.
A perspective on billfish biological research and recommendations for the future

A review of papers published on billfish biological research since the 1988 Billfish Symposium highlights the important role these symposia play in disseminating billfish research results and also shows that progress since 1988 has been slow, especially when compared with tuna and other pelagic fishes. One reason for the disparity is that marlin have not yet been successfully held in captivity. Progress has been made in elucidating the trophic biology of billfish and these data are helping to build models of pelagic ecosystem dynamics. The deployment of several types of electronic tags has expedited advances in understanding the short-term movements and depth distribution of billfish, but long-term tracks remain elusive. In part, this may be because insufficient effort has been directed at developing methods for restraining marlin for tag attachment or implantation. Light-based geolocation techniques show great promise for elucidating billfish movements, but appropriate scientific rigour must be applied to the publication of these data. Several suggestions for advancing billfish research are presented.
Effects of recombination-deficient and repair-deficient loci on meiotic and mitotic chromosome behavior in Drosophila melanogaster.

The results of recent genetic and cytological studies on recombination-defective and repair-defective mutants of Drosophila melanogaster are summarized. These studies show that there is substantial overlap between the functions used in various aspects of DNA metabolism in Drosophila. Most loci first identified by either recombination-defective or mutagen-sensitive mutants have been shown also to function in nonmutagenized mitotic cells where their action is necessary to maintain the integrity of the genome: mutants at particular loci produce elevated frequencies of chromosome breakage, mitotic exchange, mutation, and/or chromosome loss.
Analysis of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in vivo through bone marrow transduction and transplantation.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the TNF family of cytokines. TRAIL has gained much attention because of its ability to preferentially kill tumor cells with no apparent toxic side effects. Recently, different TRAIL receptor agonists, including TRAIL itself and various agonistic monoclonal antibodies against the two apoptosis‐inducing human TRAIL receptors, have been developed as novel cancer therapeutics and are currently under investigation in clinical trials. However, the mechanisms by which TRAIL mediates its selective antineoplastic activity are still not well understood. In addition to playing a role in cancer immune surveillance and tumor suppression, TRAIL has been associated with immune homeostasis, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmunity. In light of the multifunctional role of TRAIL in mediating various pathologic conditions and the potential benefits of TRAIL‐based therapies, the study of the physiologic significance of TRAIL is of great importance. Here, we describe a syngeneic system for the characterization of the in vivo function of TRAIL. By use of this model, in which the full‐length murine TRAIL protein is overexpressed in the hematopoietic cells of wild‐type mice, the in vivo tumoricidal activity of TRAIL overexpression can be studied on syngeneic murine tumor cell challenge, and the potential toxicity of TRAIL protein to normal tissues can also be analyzed.