cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of MARPP-58, a morphine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein of 58 kDa, as tyrosine hydroxylase: evidence for regulation of its expression by chronic morphine in the rat locus coeruleus

Previously, we have identified a number of morphine- and cyclic AMP- regulated phosphoproteins (MARPPs) in the rat locus coeruleus (LC) and other brain regions. We now show that one of these phosphoproteins, a 58 kDa protein designated MARPP-58, is tyrosine hydroxylase. First, MARPP-58 comigrates with immunolabeled, immunoprecipitated, and purified tyrosine hydroxylase on 1- and 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Second, MARPP-58, immunoprecipitated tyrosine hydroxylase, and purified tyrosine hydroxylase yield identical 1-dimensional phosphopeptide maps. Third, MARPP-58 exhibits a regional and subcellular distribution in brain consistent with tyrosine hydroxylase. Identification of MARPP-58 as tyrosine hydroxylase made it possible to determine whether increases in MARPP-58 phosphorylation induced by chronic morphine in the LC reported previously are associated with alterations in enzyme activity and expression in this brain region. We show that chronic treatment of rats with morphine increases levels of tyrosine hydroxylase activity, immunoreactivity, and mRNA in the LC. Induction of the enzyme by chronic morphine was blocked by concomitant treatment of rats with the opiate receptor antagonist naltrexone, indicating that morphine produces this effect through the activation of opiate receptors. Consistent with previous observations that the chronic morphine-induced change in MARPP-58 phosphorylation is specific to the LC, changes observed in enzyme activity, immunoreactivity, and mRNA were not observed in a number of other brain regions studied. The results indicate that chronic morphine regulates the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase specifically in the LC and suggest that such regulation reflects long-term adaptations of LC neurons to chronic morphine at the level of gene expression.
Using the dusty gas diffusion equation in catalyst pores smaller than 50 Å radius

When the dusty gas diffusion equation is applied to materials containing pores with radii below 50 A, the observed diffusion behavior in these smaller pore systems can be quite different from that predicted by the equation. Higher temperatures and in some cases higher pressures tend to lessen the deviations between prediction and experiment. The observed deviations are probably caused by surface transport and by momentum transfer between gas molecules and pore walls during molecular flight. For bimodal materials, an additional factor can be the inapplicability of the equation to systems of parallel micro- and macropores. Excellent agreement between theory and experiment occurs for large-pore unimodal systems.
« Théâtre africain et théâtre québécois : un essai de rapprochement »

Cet article tente de relever le defi d’une comparaison systematique entre theâtre africain et quebecois. Apres un bref panorama, sont explorees les differences et similarites entre les deux genres. Les premieres, nombreuses, sont de nature historique, culturelle, etc. Mais, de part et d’autre, on note un meme souci de produire un theâtre politique qui soit aussi formellement novateur. D’ou le recours a la danse, au chant, a la musique, entre autres, et l’avenement d’un nouveau genre de spectacle theâtral.
An external cavity diode laser sensor

A simple compact optical sensor system consisting of a near-field external cavity coupled to a semiconductor laser is reported. In this device, a change of phase in the light fed back into the laser cavity by the perturbed external mirror modulates the output of the laser by effectively changing the laser facet reflectivity. Phase shifts of 9\cdot10^{-8} rad and 10-6rad were measured at 10 kHz and 100 Hz, respectively, using a 1-Hz bandwidth and a 98-percent reflector placed less than 10 μm from the laser facet. The sensitivity of these devices is shown to be limited by the intrinsic amplitude noise of the laser. The implementation of this sensor configuration is reported as an acoustic sensor, hydrophone, magnetic field, and current sensor as well as an accelerometer.
Edge detection in range images through morphological residue analysis

Two morphological methods for edge detection in range images are proposed. The first method uses the opening and closing residues of structuring elements in orthogonal directions to detect roof and crease edges, and is essentially a morphological implementation of residue analysis techniques. The more general second method is based on a morphological version of the first derivative operator. This method utilizes dilation and erosion residues of structuring elements at different scales to reliably extract step edges along with roof edges and crease edges, and to classify each pixel as belonging to eight possible structure types: positive roof, negative roof, positive crease, negative crease, top of step, base of step, ramp, and constant surface. This method may be thought of as a morphological multiscale method. >
Efficacy of Multiple-Talker Phonetic Identification Training in Postlingually Deafened Cochlear Implant Listeners.

Purpose This study implemented a pretest-intervention-posttest design to examine whether multiple-talker identification training enhanced phonetic perception of the /ba/-/da/ and /wa/-/ja/ contrast...
Denying the Significance of Race

On February 26, 2012, at approximately 7:17 p.m., George Zimmerman spotted a young Black male in a hoodie walking in his neighborhood (Barry, 2012). Zimmerman thought the person looked suspicious, so he followed him and called 911. Within minutes of the 911 call, George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin found themselves in a heated scuffle that ended when Zimmerman shot and killed Martin (Sanford Police Department [SPD] Offense Report, 2012).
Intrinsic versus Practical Limits of Atmospheric Predictability and the Significance of the Butterfly Effect

AbstractLimits of intrinsic versus practical predictability are studied through examining multiscale error growth dynamics in idealized baroclinic waves with varying degrees of convective instabilities. In the dry experiment free of moist convection, error growth is controlled primarily by baroclinic instability under which forecast accuracy is inversely proportional to the amplitude of the baroclinically unstable initial-condition error (thus the prediction can be continuously improved without limit through reducing the initial error). Under the moist environment with strong convective instability, rapid upscale growth from moist convection leads to the forecast error being increasingly less sensitive to the scale and amplitude of the initial perturbations when the initial-error amplitude is getting smaller; these diminishing returns may ultimately impose a finite-time barrier to the forecast accuracy (limit of intrinsic predictability and the so-called “butterfly effect”). However, if the initial pertur...
Cytokines and Sleep Mechanisms

The primary thesis of this essay is that infectious disease induces changes in sleep and that these sleep alterations are mediated by cytokines. More specifically, we propose that specific microbial products stimulate cytokine production and that these cytokines, in turn, induce the changes in sleep that occur during infections. Included in this scheme is the proposal that the cytokine interleukin-1 (IL1) is also involved in physiological sleep regulation.
Low-Frequency Ultrasound-Induced Transport across Non-Raft-Forming Ternary Lipid Bilayers

We examined the effect of bilayer composition on membrane sensitivity to low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS) in bilayers composed of ternary mixtures of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine...
Computational Kinetic Discrimination of Ethylene Polymerization Mechanisms for the Phillips (Cr/SiO2) Catalyst

The mechanism of ethylene polymerization by the widely used Phillips catalyst remains controversial. In this work, we compare initiation, propagation, and termination pathways computationally using small chromasiloxane cluster models for several previously proposed and new mechanisms. Where possible, we consider complete catalytic cycles and compare predicted kinetics, active site abundances, and polymer molecular weights to known properties of the Phillips catalyst. Prohibitively high activation barriers for propagation rule out previously proposed chromacycle ring expansion and Green–Rooney (alternating alkylidene/chromacycle) mechanisms. A new oxachromacycle ring expansion mechanism has a plausible propagation barrier, but initiation is prohibitively slow. On sites with adjacent bridging hydroxyls, either ≡Si(OH)CrII-alkyl or ≡Si(OH)CrIII-alkyl, initiated by proton transfer from ethylene, chain growth by a Cossee–Arlman-type mechanism is fast. However, the initiation step is uphill and extremely slow, ...
Examination of body fluids for tumors cells.

The examination of body fluids for the presence of cancer cells has been performed for many years. Although Beale first reported finding neoplastic cells in unstained smears of sputum, examination of material other than pleural and peritoneal effusions was infrequently performed before the popularization of cytologic methods by Papanicolaou and Traut in 1943. Originally, the smear technic fell into disregard because of the inability of examiners to be sure of the presence of cancer cells. Bahrenberg first described the cell-block method, but it was not until Mandlebaum reported finding actinomyces in a cell block that this method became more generally used. The advantages of the cellblock technic were that it presented material to the pathologist in the form in which he had been most accustomed to viewing, and that his routine stains could be employed. In 1928 Zemansky concluded that the cell-block method was superior to the smear technic and that examinations of material other than pleural and ascitic fluid were unreliable. Foot, in 1937, reported his experience with serous fluids using the cell-block method and remarked upon the presence of mitoses in normal cells. Since 1943, many authors have reported their results with the smear and cell-block technics for various fluids.' ~' "• ' ' ' At the present time, the examination of body fluids for the presence of cancer cells is accepted as a routine laboratory procedure, not only for the detection of unsuspected cancer, but also for evidence of metastases of known tumors to distant sites.
A Re-examination of the Role of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 8 in Developmental Abnormalities Caused by the P1/HC-Pro Viral Suppressor of RNA Silencing

Plant viral suppressors of RNA silencing induce developmental defects similar to those caused by mutations in genes involved in the microRNA (miRNA) pathway. These abnormalities were originally thought to reflect a pleiotropic impact of silencing suppressors on miRNA control of plant development. However, subsequent work with the P1/HC-Pro potyviral suppressor of silencing showed that global impairment of the miRNA pathway was not responsible for the phenotypical anomalies. More recently, developmental defects caused by a P1/HC-Pro transgene under control of the 35S promoter were attributed to moderate upregulation of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR 8 (ARF8), a target of miR167. The key piece of evidence in that work was that the developmental defects in the 35S-pro:P1/HC-Pro transgenic Arabidopsis were greatly alleviated in the F1 progeny of a cross with plants carrying the arf8-6 mutation. Arf8-6 is a SALK line T-DNA insertion mutant, a class of mutations prone to inducing transcriptional silencing of transgenes expressed from the 35S promoter. Here we report a re-investigation of the role of ARF8 in P1/HC-Pro-mediated developmental defects. We characterized the progeny of a cross between our 35S-pro:P1/HC-Pro transgenic Arabidopsis line and the same arf8-6 T-DNA insertion mutant used in the earlier study. The T-DNA mutation had little effect in the F1 generation, but almost all arf8-6/P1/HC-Pro progeny had lost the P1/HC-Pro phenotype in the F2 generation. However, this loss of phenotype was not correlated with the number of functional copies of the ARF8 gene. Instead, it reflected transcriptional silencing of the 35S-pro:P1/HC-Pro transgene, as evidenced by a pronounced decrease in P1/HC-Pro mRNA accompanied by the appearance of 35S promoter siRNAs. Furthermore, arf8-8, an independent loss-of-function point mutation, had no detectable effects on P1/HC-Pro phenotype in either the F1 or F2 generations. Together these data argue against the reported role of increased ARF8 expression in mediating developmental defects in P1/HC-Pro transgenic plants.
Modigliani’s Early Life and Influences

Modigliani penned an autobiography relating his experiences in Italy, America and other European countries.1 For each country, he presents his major works like a meal consisting of graphs, symbols, data, and explanations for general readers to digest. A “scientific autobiography” written by “a ferocious Galileo,” says Samuelson. “His memoirs are just like him. Any reader will get to know a delightful person and learn some economics besides,”2 echoes Solow. Adventures stands besides other biographical pieces Modigliani had written, one for his Nobel Prize in 1985,3 and a chapter in a book.4 Why should we have another record of his life and works?
A Surgical Business Composite Score for Army Medicine

ABSTRACT Measuring surgical business performance for Army military treatment facilities is currently done through 6 business metrics developed by the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) Surgical Services Service Line (3SL). Development of a composite score for business performance has the potential to simplify and synthesize measurement, improving focus for strategic goal setting and implementation. However, several considerations, ranging from data availability to submetric selection, must be addressed to ensure the score is accurate and representative. This article presents the methodology used in the composite score's creation and presents a metric based on return on investment and a measure of cases recaptured from private networks.
Cadherins in Mechanotransduction

Intercellular adhesions are crucial mechanical and signaling hubs that mechanically integrate cells within tissues and transduce force perturbations generated by endogenous contractility and exogenous forces from the surrounding environment. Recent findings identified a new class of force-sensing adhesive complexes at intercellular junctions, and elucidated a new force transduction mechanism that can impact cell mechanics and instruct such cell functions as barrier integrity and cell cycle control. This chapter highlights the major, recent findings demonstrating that cadherin-based adhesion complexes, which are the principal adhesive proteins at cell-cell junctions, are force transducers. I focus on the methods used to investigate force transduction on length scales, ranging from atomistic simulations to tissue functions and development. These approaches revealed a key force transducer at these adhesive junctions, as well as one mechanism of cadherin-based force transduction. Although this mechanism shares some elements of mechanotransduction at cell-ECM adhesions, it is distinct from other integrin-based force sensing.
Always on the Phone: The Invisible Role of Hmong Women in Diasporic Media Industries

This article examines the emerging media institution of Hmong teleconference radio, a global form of mobile communication that is largely operated and accessed by Hmong American women. Interviews with Hmong Americans about this participatory form of mass media reveal the ways in which it is opening new pathways for diasporic communication, but also the ways that it is criticized and delegitimized. It argues that Hmong teleconference radio offers a rich case study for analyzing mobile phone cultures in a digital era, ultimately showing how women's labor and entrepreneurship within the mobile media realm can be minimized or altogether obscured through gendered hierarchies of value.
Anisotropic formulation of hyperbolic polynomial chaos expansion for high-dimensional variability analysis of nonlinear circuits

In this paper, a new polynomial chaos (PC) approach for the fast variability analysis of high speed nonlinear circuits is presented. The key feature of this work is the development of an alternative anisotropic hyperbolic scheme to intelligently truncate general PC expansions. This truncation scheme not only prunes the statistically insignificant bases arising from the high degree interactions of the random dimensions but also modulates the maximum degree of expansion along each dimension based on the contribution of that dimension to the response surface. The proposed approach results in a substantially sparser PC expansion for marginal loss of accuracy.
Diastolic Function and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background Little is known about baseline diastolic dysfunction and changes in diastolic dysfunction grade after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for aortic stenosis (AS) and its impact on overall outcomes. The aim of this study was to describe baseline diastolic dysfunction and changes in diastolic dysfunction grade that occur with TAVR and their relationship to mortality and rehospitalization. Methods This was a single-center study evaluating all TAVRs from January 2012 to June 2014. We compared parameters of diastolic dysfunction grade on pre-TAVR and 1 month post-TAVR echocardiograms for all patients undergoing the procedure. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier time-to-event analysis, and multivariate logistic regression were used. Results Of a sample size of 120 patients undergoing TAVR for symptomatic severe AS, 90 were included in the final analysis after excluding significant mitral valve disease. There were improvements in individual parameters of diastolic dysfunction grade such as lateral e′ velocity, E/lateral e′, and left atrial volume index (nonsignificant trend) in the setting of improvement in aortic valve area and gradients and functional class pre- and post-TAVR. Multivariate analysis revealed that baseline diastolic dysfunction grade, but not post-TAVR or changes in diastolic dysfunction grade, was associated with 1-year death (hazard ratio, 1.163; 95% CI, 1.049–1.277, P = .005) and combined death/cardiovascular hospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.174; 95% CI, 1.032–1.318; P = .018). Conclusions In this single-center retrospective study of patients with symptomatic severe AS who underwent TAVR, several diastolic function parameters improved on echocardiography, but baseline diastolic dysfunction grade remained the most important echocardiographic factor associated with adverse 1-year outcomes.
Characterization of the effect of a new commercial transmission detector on radiation therapy beams.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the influence of a new commercial transmission detector on radiation therapy beams. Methods and materials A transmission detector designed for online treatment monitoring was characterized on a TrueBeam STx linear accelerator with 6-MV, 6-flattening filter free, 10-MV, and 10-flattening filter free beams. Measurements of percentage depth doses, in-plane and cross-plane off-axis profiles at different depths, transmission factors, and skin dose were acquired with 3 × 3, 5 × 5, 10 × 10, 20 × 20, and 40 × 40 cm 2 field sizes at 100 cm and 80 cm source-to-surface distance (SSD). A CC04 chamber was used for all profile and transmission factor measurements. Skin dose was assessed at 100, 90, and 80 cm SSD using a variety of detectors (Roos and Markus parallel-plate chambers and optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters [OSLDs]). Skin dose was also assessed for various patient sample plans with OSLDs. Results The percentage depth doses showed small differences between the unperturbed and perturbed beams for 100 cm SSD (≤4 mm depth of maximum dose difference, 2 field size was 2 field size, this increased to Conclusions The transmission detector has minimal effect on clinically relevant radiation therapy beams for intensity modulated radiation therapy and volumetric arc therapy (field sizes 10 × 10 cm 2 and less). For larger field sizes, some perturbations are observable that would need to be assessed for clinical impact.
Inhaled corticosteroid prescribing in a pediatric emergency department: Sustained success and prescription filling rates.

ABSTRACTObjective: To determine if improvement in Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) prescribing in the pediatric emergency department (PED) can be sustained after transition from intense intervention to low-intervention phase, and to determine ICS fill rates. Methods: A Quality Improvement (QI) project began in Aug 2012. Results through Feb 2014 were previously published. In Feb 2014 interventions were scaled back to determine the sustainability of QI success. Eligible patients included children aged 2–17 seen in the PED for asthma between Feb 2014 and Sept 2016. The primary change when moving to the low-intervention phase was stopping monthly attending feedback. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who were prescribed an ICS at the time of PED discharge. The secondary objective of this study was to determine the proportion of patients who filled their ICS prescription in the 6 months following Emergency Department (ED) visit. Results: The goal rate of ICS prescribing was 75%. After transition to...
TENDERIZING MECHANISMS | Enzymatic

Degradation of meat proteins is an important mechanism to improve the tenderness of meat. This degradation can be initiated by enzymes that are intrinsic to the muscle, or by those that are exogenous and are added to the meat with the specific goal of improving tenderness. Intrinsic enzymes include calpains, cathepsins, and caspases. Exogenous enzymes are typically of plant origin and include bromelain, ficin, and papain. Intrinsic enzymes are most active against myofibrillar proteins, whereas the exogenous plant enzymes can degrade both myofibrillar and connective tissue proteins. Optimizing the activity of these enzymes is the key to improving meat tenderness.
Enchanting Fields: Collective Events and Emotion as Value-Amplifiers for the Maker Movement

Emerging economic fields often resemble social movements because the risk of championing new and unrecognizable business ventures deters opportunists solely interested in maximizing profit, leaving...
Barriers and Facilitators to Expanding Roles of Medical Assistants in Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs)

Background Many primary care practices participating in patient-centered medical home (PCMH) transformation initiatives are expanding the work roles of their medical assistants (MAs). Little is known about attitudes of MAs or barriers and facilitators to these role changes. Methods Secondary data analysis of qualitative cross-case comparison study of 15 New Jersey primary care practices participating in a PCMH project during 2012 to 2013. Observation field notes and in-depth and key informant interviews (with physicians, office managers, staff and care coordinators) were iteratively analyzed using grounded theory. Results MA roles and responsibilities changed from a mostly reactive role, completing tasks dependent on physician orders during the patient visit and facilitating patient flow through the office, to a more proactive one, conducting previsit planning, engaging in the overall care for patients, and assisting with population management. MAs differed in their attitudes about increased responsibilities, with some welcoming the opportunity to take on expanded roles, others resenting their increased responsibilities, and some expressing insufficient understanding regarding why new tasks and procedures were being implemented. Major barriers to MA role shifts included 1) insufficient understanding of the PCMH concept, 2) lack of time for added responsibilities, 3) additional workload without additional compensation, 4) disparate levels of medical knowledge and training, 5) reluctance of clinicians to delegate tasks, 6) uncertainty in making new workflow changes routine, 7) staff turnover, and 8) change fatigue. MAs were more positive about their role shifts when they 1) understood how their responsibilities fit within broader PCMH practice transformation goals; 2) received formal training in new tasks; 3) had detailed protocols and standing orders; 4) initiated role changes with small, achievable goals; 5) had open communication with clinicians and practice leaders; and 5) received additional compensation or paths to career advancement. Conclusions Practice leaders need to be conscious of obstacles when they increase expectations of MAs, and they must be willing to invest time and resources into developing their MA workforce. An environment that allows open dialog with MAs and rewards and compensation that recognizes their increased efforts will help make expansion of MA roles occur more smoothly and efficiently.
Spectral Characterization of a Novel NO Sensing Protein in Bacteria: NosP

A novel family of bacterial hemoproteins named NosP has been discovered recently; its members are proposed to function as nitric oxide (NO) responsive proteins involved in bacterial group behaviors such as quorum sensing and biofilm growth and dispersal. Currently, little is known about molecular activation mechanisms in NosP. Here, functional studies were performed utilizing the distinct spectroscopic characteristics associated with the NosP heme cofactor. NosPs from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa), Vibrio cholerae (Vc), and Legionella pneumophila (Lpg) were studied in their ferrous unligated forms as well as their ferrous CO, ferrous NO, and ferric CN adducts. The resonance Raman (rR) data collected on the ferric forms strongly support the existence of a distorted heme cofactor, which is a common feature in NO sensors. The ferrous spectra exhibit a 213 cm–1 feature, which is assigned to the Fe–Nhis stretching mode. The Fe–C and C–O frequencies in the spectra of ferrous CO NosP complexes are inversely correl...
The role and potential of blueberry in increasing deforestation in southern Georgia, United States

Abstract Several studies have analyzed the social, economic, and environmental impacts of deforestation in the context of developing countries. However, no study, to the best of our knowledge, has focused directly on the role of expanding demand for agricultural commodities on deforestation in the context of developed countries, in general, and the United States, in particular. We used an integrative approach to understand linkages between deforestation and agricultural expansion in SE Georgia where about 15,000 hectares of evergreen forestlands and grasslands have been converted to blueberries between 2010 and 2017. We first developed economic models to understand any differences in profitability between a hectare of pine plantation and blueberry orchard. The economic analysis shows that the annualized net present value of blueberry production is higher by $3848.0/ha than loblolly pine in the region. We developed a site suitability model using geospatial tools for blueberry production in SE Georgia as well and found that about 85% of the available land is suitable for blueberry production in SE Georgia. We also found that about 80% of existing pine forestlands overlap with the land that is suitable for blueberry production. Our results indicate that a further rise in the demand for blueberries could increase deforestation in SE Georgia. We suggest an integrated approach based on innovative economic policies for reducing deforestation in SE Georgia.
Dietary Fat and Sugar in Promoting Cancer Development and Progression

The uncontrolled cellular growth that characterizes tumor formation requires a constant delivery of nutrients. Since the 1970s, researchers have wondered if the supply of nutrients from the diet co...
Unique Factorization in \(\mathbb {Z}\)

This chapter presents the concept of induction, in two equivalent forms: complete induction, and the well-ordering principle. One or the other is used to prove the existence and uniqueness of factorization of any number > 1 into a product of prime numbers (the so-called Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic), to prove the Division Theorem, and to prove the existence of Bezout’s Identity. Uniqueness of factorization permits an alternative description of when one number divides another. It also provides alternate descriptions of the greatest common divisor and the least common multiple of two numbers.
Pointwise estimates of Brezis–Kamin type for solutions of sublinear elliptic equations

Abstract We study quasilinear elliptic equations of the type − Δ p u = σ u q in R n , where Δ p u = ∇ ⋅ ( ∇ u | ∇ u | p − 2 ) is the p -Laplacian (or a more general A -Laplace operator div A ( x , ∇ u ) ), 0 q p − 1 , and σ ≥ 0 is an arbitrary locally integrable function or measure on R n . We obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions (not necessarily bounded) which satisfy global pointwise estimates of Brezis–Kamin type given in terms of Wolff potentials. Similar problems with the fractional Laplacian ( − Δ ) α for 0 α n 2 are treated as well, including explicit estimates for radially symmetric σ . Our results are new even in the classical case p = 2 and α = 1 .
Consciousness and body image: lessons from phantom limbs, Capgras syndrome and pain asymbolia

Words such as ‘consciousness’ and ‘self’ actually encompass a number of distinct phenomena that are loosely lumped together. The study of neurological syndromes allows us to explore the neural mechanisms that might underlie different aspects of self, such as body image and emotional responses to sensory stimuli, and perhaps even laughter and humour. Mapping the ‘functional logic’ of the many different attributes of human nature on to specific neural circuits in the brain offers the best hope of understanding how the activity of neurons gives rise to conscious experience. We consider three neurological syndromes (phantom limbs, Capgras delusion and pain asymbolia) to illustrate this idea.
Constructing Graphs over ℝn with Small Prescribed Mean-Curvature

In this paper nonlinear Hodge theory and Banach algebra estimates are employed to construct a convergent series expansion which solves the prescribed mean curvature equation \(\pm \nabla \cdot \left (\nabla u/\sqrt {1\pm |\nabla u|^{2}}\right ) = nH\) for n-dimensional hypersurfaces in \(\mathbb {R}^{n+1}\) (+ sign) and \(\mathbb {R}^{1,n}\) (− sign) which are graphs \(\{(x,u(x)):x\in \mathbb {R}^{n}\}\) of a smooth function \(u:\mathbb {R}^{n}\to \mathbb {R}\), and whose mean curvature function H is α-Holder continuous and integrable, with small norm. The radius of convergence is estimated explicitly from below. Our approach is inspired by, and applied to, the Maxwell–Born–Infeld theory of electromagnetism in \(\mathbb {R}^{1,3}\), for which our method yields the first systematic way of explicitly computing the electrostatic potential \(\phi \propto u\) for regular charge densities \(\rho \propto H\) and small Born parameter, with explicit error estimates at any order of truncation of the series. In particular, our results level the ground for a controlled computation of Born–Infeld effects on the Hydrogen spectrum.
The Soft Law Future of the Global Climate Regime

Assessments of the evolving climate change regime increasingly view it as a political and legal failure. The most common criticism of the recent UN conferences in Cancun and Copenhagen is that they did not result in binding legal agreements, and more generally that the climate regime does not contain enough hard-law elements. This is consistent with a general bias in favor of hard law exhibited by both scholars and practitioners, who tend to view softer outcomes as inferior or merely as temporary stepping stones on the way to “real” law. I argue that this hard law bias is counterproductive in the case of climate change, which presents especially difficult cooperation problems. I outline the ways in which the flexibility associated with soft law helps address both the efficiency concerns (how to reduce emission at the lowest aggregate cost and in the face of uncertainty) and distributive concerns (how to equalize costs and increase participation) that have plagued cooperation in this area. I argue the soft law strategy employed at Copenhagen and Cancun produced a number of negotiation successes that bode well for the future, and show that many of the hard law elements of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol were in fact counterproductive.
Antagonistic regulation of axillary bud outgrowth by the BRANCHED genes in tobacco

As a key integrator of shoot branching, BRANCHED 1 (BRC1) coordinates and is orchestrated by endogenous and environmental signals involved in the regulation of axillary bud outgrowth. In the present study, we characterized the regulatory roles of five BRC gene members in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) using CRISPR site-directed mutagenesis and overexpression assays. It was shown that lateral branching was negatively regulated by NtBRC1A-1, 1B-1, and 1B-2, but was unexpectedly promoted by NtBRC2A. Suppression of bud growth may be attained by direct binding of NtBRCs to the Tassels Replace Upper Ears 1 (TRU1) genes. It was speculated that NtBRC2A probably confers a dominant negative effect by interfering with the branching-inhibitory BRC1 genes. Our results suggested that highly homologous gene family members may function antagonistically in the same signaling pathway. However, the molecular mechanism underlying NtBRC2A-mediated outgrowth of axillary buds needs to be further addressed. KEY MESSAGE: Axillary bud outgrowth in general is negatively regulated by the BRANCHED gene. Here we show that the BRANCHED genes play opposing regulatory roles in tobacco lateral branching.
Movement Issues with Chronically Ill or Chronic Pain Patients

The purpose of the chapter is to discuss the physiological changes that may occur with chronic illness and/or chronic pain due to inactivity. Currently, there is little guidance for proper rehabilitation. We will discuss normal and abnormal tissue healing, the effects of bed rest on the body, metabolic changes associated with inactivity, and rehabilitation considerations for this population. Besides its role in treatment, movement alone may play a role in prevention of chronic dysfunctions. Further research needs to be conducted on effective treatment approaches and protocols for proper rehabilitation of the chronically ill patient.
11 – Corporation Stocks

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the various types of corporation stocks. Some corporations issue a single class of stock—called common stock. Other corporations issue two classes: (1) common and (2) preferred. The preferred stock has a number of advantages when compared to the common stock: it comes first in distributions of profit, it is even guaranteed a profit distribution in certain instances, and it is redeemed first if the corporation is dissolved. The holders of common stock have the voting power. The charter specifies the maximum, or authorized, number of shares that a corporation can sell. As a share is sold, it is said to be issued. Stock is either par or no-par. The preferred stock is guaranteed a distribution of profits. If a year passes in which the board of directors decides not to distribute any profits, the cumulative preferred stock has the right to the unpaid past dividends in the next year. The noncumulative preferred stock does not have this right, and the common stock never has the cumulative right. Corporation profits distributed to stockholders are known as dividends. To compute the dividends earned by a class or a share of stock, it is necessary to know what kinds of stock have been issued, with what rights, and in what amounts.
Trust influences perceptions of virtual humans, but not necessarily learning

Abstract Researchers have investigated the extent to which features of virtual humans (e.g., voice) influence learning. However, only recently have researchers began to question how trust influences perceptions of virtual humans and learning with a virtual human. In this study, we use unsupervised machine learning (k-means clustering) to examine the extent to which learners trust a virtual human with different voices. General trust attitudes toward a virtual human were measured using a validated questionnaire after participants watched videos of the virtual human presenting educational information. The results indicated that a virtual human with a low-quality text-to-speech (TTS) voice had the most variation in perceived trust, followed by a high-quality TTS voice and a recorded human voice. In addition, trust significantly influenced perceptions of the virtual human persona in the TTS conditions, whereas it had little influence on measures of persona in the recorded human voice condition. Finally, trust had little influence on learning outcomes in any of the conditions. While previous findings have shown that trust can vary between voice conditions, the results presented here show that different types of voices led to different trust responses even within voice conditions, raising important implications for instructional designers.
Positive Changes in Certified Nursing Assistants' Communication Behaviors With People With Dementia: Feasibility of a Coaching Strategy.

Purpose This study investigated whether a 6-week coaching strategy resulted in positive changes in self-perceived knowledge and efficacy (SPKE) and positive communication behaviors in certified nur...
Introduction to Mathematics

This chapter presents mathematical concepts and techniques that are fundamental for the study of problems in mechanical engineering. Precisely formulating a mathematical model of the problem at hand, using appropriate methods and techniques to solve the mathematical problem, and, finally, interpreting the solution to the real life problem are some of the important components of the process of solving problems in any engineering field. The topics covered here include linear algebra, differential equations, the Laplace transform, Fourier analysis, and complex analysis. These basic concepts essentially act as tools that facilitate the understanding of many techniques involved in different branches of mechanical engineering.
Genes involved in immune, gene translation and chromatin organization pathways associated with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae presence in nasal secretions of domestic sheep

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae contributes to polymicrobial pneumonia in domestic sheep. Elucidation of host genetic influences of M. ovipneumoniae nasal detection has the potential to reduce the incidence of polymicrobial pneumonia in sheep through implementation of selective breeding strategies. Nasal mucosal secretions were collected from 647 sheep from a large US sheep flock. Ewes of three breeds (Polypay n = 222, Rambouillet n = 321, and Suffolk n = 104) ranging in age from one to seven years, were sampled at three different times in the production cycle (February, April, and September/October) over four years (2015 to 2018). The presence and DNA copy number of M. ovipneumoniae was determined using a newly developed species-specific qPCR. Breed (P<0.001), age (P<0.024), sampling time (P<0.001), and year (P<0.001) of collection affected log10 transformed M. ovipneumoniae DNA copy number, where Rambouillet had the lowest (P<0.0001) compared with both Polypay and Suffolk demonstrating a possible genetic component to detection. Samples from yearlings, April, and 2018 had the highest (P<0.046) detected DNA copy number mean. Sheep genomic DNA was genotyped with the Illumina OvineHD BeadChip. Principal component analysis identified most of the variation in the dataset was associated with breed. Therefore, genome wide association analysis was conducted with a mixed model (EMMAX), with principal components 1 to 6 as fixed and a kinship matrix as random effects. Genome-wide significant (P<9x10-8) SNPs were identified on chromosomes 6 and 7 in the all-breed analysis. Individual breed analysis had genome-wide significant (P<9x10-8) SNPs on chromosomes 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 15, 17, and 22. Annotated genes near these SNPs are part of immune (ANAPC7, CUL5, TMEM229B, PTPN13), gene translation (PIWIL4), and chromatin organization (KDM2B) pathways. Immune genes are expected to have increased expression when leukocytes encounter M. ovipneumoniae which would lead to chromatin reorganization. Work is underway to narrow the range of these associated regions to identify the underlying causal mutations.
Trajectories of early alcohol use milestones: Interrelations among initiation and progression.

BACKGROUND Alcohol use shows age-graded patterning, with normative use progressing through characteristic milestones of escalating use or severity. Despite some knowledge about the timing of milestone attainment and sequencing across milestones, there is a gap in our understanding of the earliest stages of use. This study characterizes the timing, sequencing, and speed of progression through milestones beginning with the first sip of alcohol. METHODS Sixth through eighth graders (N = 1023; 52% female; 76% White; M = 12.23 years old) completed web surveys through the end of high school. Participants reported on alcohol experiences including the first sip, full drink, consumption of 3+ drinks/occasion (heavy drinking), being drunk, and experiencing acute consequences, from which milestone age and speed of progression (duration) were calculated. Milestone prevalence, sequencing, and timing were characterized, and associations between age of attainment and speed of progression were examined. We also examined whether milestone timing and progression varied by sex and racial/ethnic group. RESULTS Overall, milestones followed the expected ordering with the exception of heavy drinking (3+ drinks/occasion) and being drunk, which appear to index similar experiences. An earlier age of attainment was associated with an increased likelihood of attaining each of the milestones. In contrast, once a milestone was achieved, there was reduced risk of initiation of subsequent adjacent milestones for individuals with an earlier first sip and full drink, and earlier initiation was associated with a longer duration to subsequent milestones. Girls were more likely to attain all milestones than boys, but there was no sex difference in the age of attainment. In contrast, Hispanic youth reported earlier ages of initiation than White non-Hispanic youth, but the likelihood of attainment did not vary by race/ethnicity. Rapid progression was observed in females but did not vary by race/ethnicity. DISCUSSION Risks associated with early drinking are complex, with little support for normative ordering of milestones beyond the first sip. Although early drinking is associated with an increased risk of subsequent drinking, it does not appear to place the drinker on an accelerated course to heavier use. A nuanced understanding of risks associated with milestone timing may inform intervention efforts.
Age of diabetes onset in the mutant proinsulin syndrome correlates with mutational impairment of protein foldability and stability

Diverse heterozygous mutations in the human insulin gene cause a monogenic diabetes mellitus (DM) syndrome due to toxic misfolding of the variant proinsulin. Whereas mutations that add or remove cysteines (thereby leading to an odd number of thiol groups) generally lead to neonatal-onset DM, non-Cys-related mutations can be associated with a broad range of ages of onset. Here, we compare two mutations at a conserved position in the central B-chain -helix: one neonatal in DM onset (ValB18[->]Gly) and the other with onset delayed until adolescence (AlaB18). The substitutions were introduced within a 49-residue single-chain insulin precursor optimized for folding efficiency (Zaykov, A., et al. ACS Chem. Biol. 9, 683-91 (2014)). Although mutations are each unfavorable, GlyB18 (a) more markedly perturbs DesDi folding efficiency in vitro than does AlaB18 and (b) more severely induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in cell-based studies of the respective proinsulin variants. In corresponding two-chain hormone analogs, GlyB18 more markedly perturbs structure, function and thermodynamic stability than does AlaB18. Indeed, the GlyB18-insulin analog forms a molten globule with attenuated -helix content whereas the AlaA18 analog retains a nativelike cooperative structure with reduced free energy of unfolding ({Delta}{Delta}Gu 1.2({+/-}0.2) kcal/mole relative to ValB18 parent). We propose that mutations at B18 variably impede nascent pairing of CysB19 and CysA20 to an extent correlated with perturbed core packing once native disulfide pairing is achieved. Differences in age of disease onset (neonatal or adolescent) reflect relative biophysical perturbations (severe or mild) of an obligatory on-pathway protein folding intermediate.
Free ghost gauge fields

Singularity-free non-Abelian solutions of the classical free Yang-Mills equations are shown to exist, which have a vanishing energymomentum tensor density. Their internal holonomy group is found to be noncompact.
Ontology-Based user context management: the challenges of imperfection and time-dependence

Robust and scalable user context management is the key enabler for the emerging context- and situation-aware applications, and ontology-based approaches have shown their usefulness for capturing especially context information on a high level of abstraction But so far the problem has not been approached as a data management problem, which is key to scalability and robustness The specific challenges lie in the imperfection of high-level context information, its time-dependence and the variability in the dynamics between its different elements The approach presented in this paper presents a layered data model which structures the problems and is geared towards flexible and efficient query processing in combination of relational database and logic-based techniques The techniques have been successfully applied for context-aware corporate learning support.
Ultrasonic input-output for transmitting and receiving longitudinal transducers coupled to same face of isotropic elastic plate

The quantitative understanding of ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation parameters such as the stress wave factor were studied. Ultrasonic input/output characteristics for an isotropic elastic plate with transmitting and receiving longitudinal transducers coupled to the same face were analyzed. The asymptotic normal stress is calculated for an isotropic elastic half space subjected to a uniform harmonic normal stress applied to a circular region at the surface. The radiated stress waves are traced within the plate by considering wave reflections at the top and bottom faces. The output voltage amplitude of the receiving transducer is estimated by considering only longitudinal waves. Agreement is found between the output voltage wave packet amplitudes and times of arrival due to multiple reflections of the longitudinal waves.
A MPPT algorithm based on extremum seeking with variable gain for microinverters in microgrid

In this paper, a MPPT algorithm for photovoltaic microinverter in microgrid based on proposed modified Extremum Seeking is presented. Proposed MPPT algorithm possesses characteristics of faster response and smaller oscillation compares with Perturb and Observe MPPT and it is also suitable for various kinds of solar panels either. In order to acquire MPPT with higher quality, a practical interleaved boost converter topology must be employed as the DC section of the microinverter. Then, a MPPT algorithm based on Extremum Seeking with an extra accelerating coefficient can be achieved by taking advantage of high-accuracy detectable power character of interleaved converter. Besides, system modeling of whole closed-loop system is deduced and Lyapunov stability analysis of photovoltaic microinverter system is demonstrated. Therefore it can be summarized that an additional variable coefficient which is determined by the gradient information of the photovoltaic operating curve can be introduced as the accelerating coefficient. For the purpose of verifying the correctness of proposed MPPT, simulations are established on the platform of Matlab/Simulink. In short, both theoretical analysis and simulation results manifest the validity of proposed modified MPPT algorithm.