cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A critical evaluation of the purification of biominerals by hypochlorite treatment.

The quantitative deproteination of calcific deposits from surgically explanted heart valve bioprostheses was carried out by both hypochlorite and hydrazine extraction to establish which is the better procedure for preparing purified mineral suitable for detailed chemical and structural characterization. Hypochlorite treatment resulted in a material with a higher Ca/PO4 ratio than that of the untreated deposits. The hydrazine treatment did not produce such an effect. A systematic comparison of x-ray diffraction patterns of calcific deposits showed an increase in crystallinity of hypochlorite-treated versus native material, while the crystallinity of hydrazine-treated materials did not change. One other result of the hypochlorite treatment was a pronounced disaggregation of well-ground calcific deposits into a particle populations ranging from 50–300 nm in size, as shown by scanning electron microscopy. Results comparable to the above findings were also obtained when the two treatments were applied to other bioapatites. On the other hand, mineral solubilities were comparable, regardless of which deprotenation treatment was used. The principal conclusion from this study is that hydrazine deproteination is preferable to hypochlorite extraction in isolating pathologic mineral deposits from bioprosthetic materials for further study. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Phase locking of spin-torque oscillators by spin-wave interactions

The spin-wave mediated interaction leading to the phase locking of two spin-torque oscillators is studied. The effective coupling parameter is derived and unexpectedly found to exhibit an oscillatory behavior as a function of intercontact distance. The period of the oscillation is shown to equal the wavelength of the spin wave radiated from the contact. As a result, the oscillators will alternate between in-phase and out-of-phase oscillations, corresponding to maximal and minimal output powers. The predictions are confirmed by micromagnetic simulation.
Regulation and Consequence of Serine Catabolism in Streptococcus pyogenes

The Gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes (also called group A Streptococcus [GAS]), is found strictly in humans and is capable of causing a wide variety of infections. Here we demonstrate that serine catabolism in GAS is controlled by the transcriptional regulator Spy49_0126c. We have designated this regulator SerR (for serine catabolism regulator). Microarray and transcriptional reporter data show that SerR acts as a transcriptional repressor of multiple operons, including sloR and sdhBA. Purified recombinant SerR binds to the promoters of both sloR and sdhB, demonstrating that this regulation is direct. Deletion of serR results in a lower culture yield of the mutant than of the wild type when the strains are grown in defined medium unless additional serine is provided, suggesting that regulation of serine metabolism is important for maximizing bacterial growth. Deletion of sloR or sdhB in the ΔserR mutant background restores growth to wild-type levels, suggesting that both operons have roles in serine catabolism. While reports have linked sloR function to streptolysin O expression, transport experiments with radiolabeled l-serine reveal that the sloR operon is required for rapid acquisition of serine, suggesting a novel role for this operon in amino acid metabolism.
A novel parallel adaptation of an implicit path delay grading method

For large modern circuits, it is desirable to trade hardware cost for time when making path delay fault coverage estimates, especially as a subroutine for ATPG and timing analysis solutions. A parallel adaptation of an established framework for implicit path delay fault grading on with a GPGPU implementation is presented. Experimental evaluation on a NVIDIA Tesla C2075 GPU shows on average 50x speedup against the basic version for the framework on an Intel Xeon E5504 host system. Over a 1200x speedup is observed against a single-threaded, more complex version in the framework which grades more faults.
Software Solutions for Biomedical Decision Making

Software development in biomedicine continues to face challenges due to many factors including the complexity of the field, communication difficulties between healthcare professionals and software developers, and lack of standards that would facilitate communication among multiple institutions. In this work, approaches to dealing with biomedical decision making are discussed with implications in modeling the status of each patient on an individual basis. The software is based on an intelligent agent structure that incorporates a number of reasoning paradigms and a variety of input parameters ranging from text description to numerical data. The methods are illustrated in an application for cardiac diagnosis.
Oxidative Stress Measured by Urine F2-Isoprostane Level is Associated With Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Oxidative stress is implicated in prostate cancer by several lines of evidence. We studied the relationship between the level of F2-isoprostanes, a validated biomarker of oxidative stress, and prostate cancer and high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.Materials and Methods: This case-control analysis within the Nashville Men's Health Study included men recruited at prostate biopsy. Body morphometrics, health history and urine were collected from more than 2,000 men before biopsy. F2-isoprostanes were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry within an age matched sample of Nashville Men's Health Study participants that included 140 patients with high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, 160 biopsy negative controls and 200 prostate cancer cases. Multivariable linear and logistic regression was used to determine the associations between F2-isoprostane level, and high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostate cancer.Results: Mean patient age was 66.9 years (SD 7.2)...
Terrain‐Referenced Positioning Using Airborne Laser Scanner

ABSTRACT: This paper describes a high-accuracy, prototype terrain-referenced positioning system that uses an airborne laser scanner (ALS) as the terrain sensor. Meter-level position estimation is performed using a batch processing technique to search for the highest level of agreement between georeferenced ALS data and a digital elevation model (DEM) with approximately 2 m postspacing and elevation accuracy on the order of 30 cm root mean square (RMS). The prototype system uses an ALS with a 33,333 Hz pulse rate, providing a horizontal measurement resolution of less than 5 m. Exhaustive and gradient-based methods are investigated as part of the batch processing search technique, which calculates the most likely user position within a spatial search area referred to as the sum-of-squared-error (SSE) surface. The performance of the prototype system is evaluated with data collected using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dryden DC-8 Airborne Laboratory.
Arctic Ocean not likely to become a significant carbon dioxide sink

One effect of declining summer Arctic sea ice extent in a warming climate is that it would expose more surface water to the air, potentially allowing for more air-sea gas exchange and thus possibly improving the Arctic Ocean's ability to act as a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). However, some recent research has shown that the southeastern Canada Basin in the Arctic Ocean actually has a relatively weak capacity to act as a sink for atmospheric CO2.
Clinical Recognition of Juvenile Hypothyroidism in the Early Stage

The clinical manifestations of biochemically-confirmed acquired hypothyroidism in nineteen children and adolescents were reviewed to evaluate the symptoms and signs in the early stage of the disease. The group consisted of 14 girls and 5 boys ranging in age from 4 to 15 years. In 13 of the 19 patients with profound biochemical hypothyroidism, classical symptoms were often absent and clinical signs limited. In these patients, hypothyroidism was presumed to have been short in duration and consequence of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. In the remaining 6 patients, hypothyroidism was long-standing and clinical presentation classical, including disproportionate weight gain, fatigue, cold intolerance, myxedematous feature, growth retardation and constipation. Goiter was the most consistent finding in both groups and was present in all instances of spontaneously acquired primary hypothyroidism. These observations emphasize the importance of routine examination of the thyroid gland, particularly in preadolescent and adolescent girls. The finding of goiter may be the only detectable sign of hypothyroidism in the early stage of the disease. Biochemical evaluation should not be deferred because of a clinically euthyroid presentation. Replacement therapy must be instituted when findings indicate a hypothyroid state. Failure to recognize and treat hypothyroidism in these pubertal patients may compromise the adult height, since skeletal maturation will proceed under the influence of sex hormones despite the presence of hypothyroidism.
The long decline of a leading economy: GDP in central and northern Italy, 1300–1913

The purpose of the article is to present the statistical reconstruction of a series of per capita output in central–northern Italy between 1300 and 1913. The various phases of both the statistical procedure and the results are presented and discussed. From the Renaissance until the 1880s, when modern growth starts, the curve of per capita GDP is downward bent. Output series together with three robustness tests, are collected in the Appendices.
Computing radiosity solution on a high performance workstation LAN

The notion of optimality of a parallel algorithm is closely tied to the characteristics of the parallel machine. A parallel implementation of radiosity solution is chosen for studying relationship between algorithms and parallel architectures. The radiosity method determines a view independent solution to scene illumination. This approach is computationally intensive and can benefit from parallelism. An algorithm for solving the radiosity equation was previously developed for Intel iPSC/2, a tightly coupled message passing multiprocessor. This algorithm when directly ported to IBM RS6000 LAN performed worse than a serial algorithm due to the high message latency of a LAN. Network parameters on the LAN multicomputer were measured. A new algorithm that minimizes the number of messages by increasing task granularity is proposed. The results obtained using this algorithm indicated expected performance improvements. >
Specificity of DNA binding of the c-Myc/Max and ARNT/ARNT dimers at the CACGTG recognition site

Basic helix-loop-helix proteins that interact with the DNA recognition site CACGTG include the c-Myc/Max heterodimer and the ARNT (Ahreceptornucleartranslocator) homodimer. We have utilized a PCR-based protocol to identify high affinity binding sites of either the c-Myc/Max or ARNT/ARNT dimers and analyzed the ability of these dimers to interact with their derived consensus sequences and activate genes. chi(2)analysis of the selected DNA recognition sites revealed that DNA binding of the ARNT homodimer is symmetric, resulting in the consensus sequence RTCACGTGAY. Gel shift analysis demonstrated that the flanking nucleotides play an important role in dictating DNA binding affinity of the ARNT homodimer. These flanking sequences also regulate the ability of ARNT to competitively displace the c-Myc/Max heterodimer from a CACGTG-containing sequence. However, transient transfection analyses in CV-1 cells revealed that ARNT and c-Myc/Max exhibited similar abilities to activate transcription through each other's consensus sequences. Taken together, these results indicate that although binding affinity of these dimers for the CACGTG core sequences may be differentially influenced by flanking nucleotides, transcriptional activity may also be determined by other factors, such as cellular concentrations of these proteins and their co-activators.
High-frequency Acoustic Recording Package (HARP) for broad-band, long-term marine mammal monitoring

Advancements in low-power and high-data-capacity consumer computer technology during the past decade have been adapted to autonomously record sounds from marine mammals over long periods. Acoustic monitoring has advantages over traditional visual surveys including greater detection ranges, continuous long-term monitoring in remote locations under various weather conditions and independent of daylight, and lower cost. However, until recently, the technology required to autonomously record whale sounds over long durations has been limited to low-frequency (< 1000 Hz) baleen whales. The need for a broader-band, higher-data capacity system capable of autonomously recording toothed whales and other marine mammals for long periods has prompted the development of a High-frequency acoustic recording package (HARP) capable of sample rates up to 200 kHz. Currently, HARPs accumulate data at a rate of almost 2 TB per instrument deployment which creates challenges for processing these large data sets. One method we employ to address some of these challenges is a spectral averaging algorithm in which the data are compressed and viewed as long duration spectrograms. These spectrograms provide the ability to view large amounts of data quickly for events of interest, and they provide a link for quickly accessing the short time-scale data for more detailed analysis. HARPs are currently in use worldwide to acoustically monitor marine mammals for behavioral and ecological long-term studies. The HARP design is described and data analysis strategies along with software tools are discussed using examples of broad-band recorded data.
An extended filter for industrial mains

This paper presents a new structure and control scheme for a parallel active filter system intended for harmonic compensation of large nonlinear mains loads, such as speed-controlled electric drives, up to 5 MVA. The filter has relatively small rating; it is about 15% of the nonlinear load power rating. The control scheme is based on the direct harmonic control method.
Scalar quarkonium masses and mixing with the lightest scalar glueball

We evaluate the continuum limit of the valence (quenched) approximation to the mass of the lightest scalar quarkonium state for a range of different quark masses and to the mixing energy between these states and the lightest scalar glueball. Our results support the interpretation of $f_0(1710)$ as composed mainly of the lightest scalar glueball.
Elucidating the biological basis for the reinforcing actions of alcohol in the mesolimbic dopamine system: the role of active metabolites of alcohol.

The development of successful pharmacotherapeutics for the treatment of alcoholism is predicated upon understanding the biological action of alcohol. A limitation of the alcohol research field has been examining the effects of alcohol only and ignoring the multiple biological active metabolites of alcohol. The concept that alcohol is a ‘pro-drug’ is not new. Alcohol is readily metabolized to acetaldehyde within the brain. Acetaldehyde is a highly reactive compound that forms a number of condensation products, including salsolinol and iso-salsolinol (acetaldehyde and dopamine). Recent experiments have established that numerous metabolites of ethanol do have direct CNS action, and could, in part or whole, mediate the reinforcing actions of alcohol within the mesolimbic dopamine system. The mesolimbic dopamine system originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and projects to forebrain regions that include the nucleus accumbens (Acb) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and is thought to be the neurocircuitry governing the rewarding properties of drugs of abuse. Within this neurocircuitry there is convincing evidence that; 1) biologically active metabolites of alcohol can directly or indirectly increase the activity of VTA dopamine neurons, 2) alcohol and alcohol metabolites are reinforcing within the mesolimbic dopamine system, 3) inhibiting the alcohol metabolic pathway inhibits the biological consequences of alcohol exposure, 4) alcohol consumption can be reduced by inhibiting/attenuating the alcohol metabolic pathway in the mesolimbic dopamine system, 5) alcohol metabolites can alter neurochemical levels within the mesolimbic dopamine system, and 6) alcohol interacts with alcohol metabolites to enhance the actions of both compounds. The data indicate that there is a positive relationship between alcohol and alcohol metabolites in regulating the biological consequences of consuming alcohol and the potential of alcohol use escalating to alcoholism.
Investigation of Guided School Tours, Student Learning, and Science Reform Recommendations at a Museum of Natural History.

A study of docent-led guided school tours at a museum of natural history was investigated. Researchers engaged in naturalistic inquiry to describe how natural history content was conveyed to students and what students gained from this model of touring. They also investigated how the content and pedagogy within the guided tour complemented recommendations from formal science standards documents and informal learning literature. About 30 visiting school groups in Grades 2-8 were observed. Teachers (n ¼ 30) and select students (n ¼ 85) were interviewed. Researchers found that tours were organized in a didactic way that conflicted with science education reform documents and research related to learning within informal contexts. Students' responses to interview questions indicated high satisfaction with the tours but low levels of science learning. 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 200- 218, 2003 Museums are important and well-respected educational and cultural resources. In particular, they serve as learning environments for students who take part in guided museum tours. In this article, we present the results of an investigation of guided tours of school groups at a large natural history museum. We describe and discuss the nature of these tours and how their structure and content relate to recommendations for science education reform (American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 1993, 1994; the National Science Education Standards (National Research Council (NRC), 1996)), and to findings reported in informal learning literature (e.g., Falk & Dierking, 2000; Hein, 1998). Finally, we discuss whether formal science reform recommendations could or should be used to enhance learning in informal settings.
Geographical Characterization of Ship Traffic and Emissions

The Commercial Marine Vessel Traffic and Air Emissions Model (CMV-TAEM) estimates and geographically represents offshore vessel traffic and emissions based on actual shipping activities. The CMV-TAEM has three modules: ship traffic, ship emissions, and policy analysis. The model establishes empirical ship traffic network on the basis of ship observations derived from the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set and shipping activity records. Geographical representations of ship traffic intensities and emissions can be produced through the mathematic manipulation of matrices of ship traffic network, shipping activity, and ship characteristic data. Overall, although seasonal changes are apparent, the global ship traffic pattern does not change much annually. The ship traffic pattern changes regionally, with a net increase in some areas and net decrease in others. Multiple-year observations are combined to make traffic patterns for major shipping lanes smoother and clearer. Results indicate that 84.5% of global ship traffic occurs north of the equator and two-thirds of global ship traffic within 200 nautical miles of the shore. About 10% of global ship traffic occurs in U.S. coastal waters; shipping along the East Coast accounts for more than one-fifth of the U.S. coastal traffic. Adequate data are available to determine ship activities and ship attributes and to implement the model.
‘Who touched my clothes?’: The Healing of the Woman with the Haemorrhage (Mark 5: 24–34; Luke 8: 42–48 and Matthew 9: 19–22) in Early Medieval Visual Culture

within the biblical miraculous healings, the story of the Haemorrhoissa (the haemorrhaging woman) has a special place (Mark 5: 24–34; Luke 8: 42–48 and Matthew 9: 19–22). The healing takes place th...
Dipyridamole-associated shock and pulmonary edema.

OBJECTIVE To report a case of fulminant shock and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema induced by intravenously administered dipyridamole. CASE SUMMARY A 73-year-old woman presented to the office of her cardiologist for dipyridamole myocardial scintigraphy. Several minutes after administration of intravenous dipyridamole 0.57 mg/kg over 4 minutes she developed wheezing, followed by cardiovascular collapse and pulmonary edema requiring 100% oxygen and endotracheal intubation. She had never received dipyridamole before this, and no other medications or exposures were documented proximate to the collapse. On transfer to the hospital, she developed shock refractory to multiple vasopressors, which responded to continuous infusions of epinephrine. She also had severe pulmonary edema requiring invasive ventilation, 100% inspired oxygen, and 24 cm H₂O positive end-expiratory pressure. An echocardiogram did not show new left-ventricular dysfunction and there were signs of right-heart underfilling, supporting a diagnosis of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Both shock and pulmonary edema resolved within 12 hours. DISCUSSION Dipyridamole-associated hypotension has been reported in a number of case series and registries. Detailed case descriptions, however, are not available in the literature to permit understanding of the mechanism of shock following hypotension resulting from dipyridamole myocardial scintigraphy. Our case is exceptional in that echocardiography results support a diagnosis of hypovolemic (rather than cardiogenic) shock. To our knowledge, this is the first case of severe (most likely noncardiogenic) pulmonary edema associated with intravenous infusion of dipyridamole. An objective causality assessment suggested that this patient's cardiopulmonary collapse was probably related to dipyridamole. CONCLUSIONS While hypotension has been previously associated with intravenous use of dipyridamole, ours is the first report to suggest a noncardiogenic mechanism for shock. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema following dipyridamole infusion.
Ventromedial hypothalamic neurons control a defensive emotion state

Defensive behaviors reflect underlying emotion states, such as fear. The hypothalamus plays a role in such behaviors, but prevailing textbook views depict it as an effector of upstream emotion centers, such as the amygdala, rather than as an emotion center itself. We used optogenetic manipulations to probe the function of a specific hypothalamic cell type that mediates innate defensive responses. These neurons are sufficient to drive multiple defensive actions, and required for defensive behaviors in diverse contexts. The behavioral consequences of activating these neurons, moreover, exhibit properties characteristic of emotion states in general, including scalability, (negative) valence, generalization and persistence. Importantly, these neurons can also condition learned defensive behavior, further refuting long-standing claims that the hypothalamus is unable to support emotional learning and therefore is not an emotion center. These data indicate that the hypothalamus plays an integral role to instantiate emotion states, and is not simply a passive effector of upstream emotion centers.
A Method for Delivering Spatio-Temporally Focused Energy to a Dynamically Adjustable Target Along a Waveguiding Structure

It is possible to exploit the frequency-dependent velocity dispersion inherent to waveguiding structures to deliver spatio-temporally focused energy to a spatial target anywhere along the longitudinal extent of a waveguide. Such focusing of energy may have application to technologies as varied as nerve stimulation or chemical etching. A waveguide signal that effects this focused energy is conceptualized and derived. The spatial location of the target acted upon by the waveguide signal is demonstrated to be dynamically adjustable with a linear filtering step. Optimal parameters for waveguide signal generation are derived in the general case, allowing for application to a cross section of homogeneous waveguides. Performance is also considered in non-ideal, absorptive media. Numerical simulations are presented that indicate agreement with analytic results, and an evaluation of possible reduction to practice is presented.
Electromagnetic simulation of mode control of a two element active antenna

The FDTD algorithm is used to simulate a two element active antenna which is capable of three different coupled oscillation modes. This analysis correctly predicts which modes will be stable in the steady state under different loading conditions. The predicted oscillation modes, oscillation frequencies and radiation patterns are compared with experimental data. >
Gates of Peristan: History, Religion and Society in the Hindu Kush

Gates of Peristan: History, Religion and Society in the Hindu Kush. Alberto M. Cacopardo and Augusto S. Cacopardo. Rome: Istituto Italiano per I'Africa. I'Oriente, 2001. 327 pp.
CLAVATA1, a regulator of meristem and flower development in Arabidopsis

We have investigated the effects on plant development of mutations in the Arabidopsis thaliana CLAVATA1 gene. In clavata1 plants, vegetative, inflorescence and floral meristems are all enlarged relative to wild type. The apical meristem can fasciate in the more severe mutant alleles, and this fasciation can occur prior to the transition to flowering. Flowers of clavata1 plants can have increased numbers of organs in all four whorls, and can also have additional whorls not present in wild-type flowers. Double mutant combinations of clavata1 with agamous, apetala2, apetala3 and pistillata indicate that CLAVATA1 controls the underlying floral meristem structure upon which these homeotic genes act. Double mutant combinations of clavata1 with apetala1 and leafy indicate CLAVATA1 plays a role in establishing and maintaining floral meristem identity, in addition to its role in controlling meristem size. In support of this, RNA expression patterns of AGAMOUS and APETALA1 are altered in clavata1 flowers.
Does Caloric Restriction Alone Explain the Effects of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Glucose Metabolism? Not by a Long Limb

Among patients with type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery has been the subject of considerable interest because of its favorable effects on glucose metabolism. Indeed, various procedures have been associated with high rates of diabetes remission (1), although the outcomes of these studies have been assessed in a heterogeneous manner (2). Despite the favorable results overall, there has been divergence among procedures regarding improvement of diabetes (1). This observation raises the possibility of identifying underlying mechanisms leading to improved glucose metabolism as a means to identify new diabetes treatments. The pathophysiology underlying development of type 2 diabetes includes defects in insulin secretion, disordered postprandial suppression of glucagon secretion, and defects in insulin action and glucose effectiveness (the ability of insulin and glucose to stimulate glucose uptake and suppress glucose release) (3). The heterogeneous effects of various forms of bariatric surgery on these parameters remain a topic of intense interest. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is currently the most common bariatric procedure. This surgical approach results in both gastric restriction and malabsorption. Increased delivery of calories to the jejunum/ileum increases enteroendocrine secretion, most notably that of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) (4). Whether the increase in postprandial concentrations of GLP-1 is relevant to insulin secretion or gastrointestinal motility in ways that benefit glucose metabolism after gastric bypass is uncertain. GLP-1 increases insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon secretion. In an intact upper gastrointestinal tract, GLP-1 also delays gastric emptying (5) and increases gastric accommodation (6). However, …
Design of Molecular Function: Channels of Communication

The ultimate goal in protein design is to elucidate the fundamental principles that determine structure. With increased understanding of the molecular basis underlying the sequence-structure relationship may come the ability to control it and, thereby, to generate proteins with desired specifications. Channel proteins, which mediate cell signaling, are ideally suitable for protein design. Plausible molecular blueprints for the pore-forming structure are bundles of amphipathic alpha-helices or beta-barrels that cluster together to generate a hydrophilic channel. This review focuses on the progress achieved to produce such designs and on the approximation of the synthetic channels to the targeted biological function.
Conversations about Phanerozoic global diversity

The emergence of Phanerozoic global diversity as a central theme of investigation has resulted from a confluence of factors, including the assembly by several researchers of global taxonomic databases; the advent of computers, which permitted construction and analysis of global Phanerozoic diversity trajectories; and the recognition that Phanerozoic diversity trends are important bellwethers of the evolutionary processes that cause biotic transitions. Despite the enormous progress in the measurement and interpretation of Phanerozoic diversity over the past quarter century, much of which has been reported in Paleobiology, these studies have collectively generated at least as many new questions as they have answered—arguably the mark of an area of inquiry that continues to be vital. In this essay, I discuss several outstanding issues in the investigation of Phanerozoic diversity, ranging from the viability of literature-derived databases for investigating global diversity trends, to the biological significance of the myriad biotic transitions that have taken place throughout the Phanerozoic.
When Policies Collide: A Decision Making Framework for Financial System Overhaul in the 21st Century

The recent global financial meltdown has shaken the modern market system to its very core. This collapse has undermined many of the theories underpinning the engine of the system. The same phenomena is unsettling many of the moral and practical intuitions policy makers championed during the modern era. But decisions to significantly overhaul fiscal policy are fraught with challenges. Though the crisis has resulted in a opportunity to reassess policy, the interconnectedness of policy rationale makes untangling and cleanup of the challenges quite difficult. Attempts to remedy or alleviate pain in one area can conflict with policy rationale in other areas. This complexity is compounded by a highly globalized economic system, which is pitting the differing policy goals of nations in conflict with one another. These competing policies have made it difficult to find a balance. This paper analyzes one example that illustrates policy tensions in play -- the decision by the American International Group (AIG), a company propped up by billions in taxpayer dollars, to pay millions in bonuses to its employees. This example will be used to establish a workable framework to effectively balance competing interests during a time of significant policy overhaul.
Structure of Quinolinate Synthase from Pyrococcus horikoshii in the Presence of Its Product, Quinolinic Acid

Quinolinic acid (QA) is a common intermediate in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) and its derivatives in all organisms that synthesize the molecule de novo. In most prokaryotes, it is formed from the condensation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and aspartate-enamine by the action of quinolinate synthase (NadA). NadA contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster cofactor with a unique, non-cysteinyl-ligated, iron ion (Fea), which is proposed to bind the hydroxyl group of a postulated intermediate in the last step of the reaction to facilitate a dehydration. However, direct evidence for this role in catalysis has yet to be provided. Herein, we present the structure of NadA in the presence of the product of its reaction, QA. We find that N1 and the C7 carboxylate group of QA ligate to Fea in a bidentate fashion, which is confirmed by Hyperfine Sublevel Correlation (HYSCORE) spectroscopy. This binding mode would place the C5 hydroxyl group of the postulated final intermediate distal to Fea and virtually incapable of coordinating to it. The structure shows that three strictly conserved amino acids, Glu198, Tyr109, and Tyr23, are in close proximity to the bound product. Substitution of these amino acids with Gln, Phe, and Phe, respectively, leads to complete loss of activity.
GOAL: the comprehensive gene ontology analysis layer

Homogeneity or heterogeneity of cells is the most fundamental and important features of analyzing biological associations of genes and gene products. Recent bioinformatics technology requires an automated high-throughput analysis application that can handle massively produced data from next generation sequences and dramatically increased size of public proteomic/genomic databases. Although Gene ontology (GO) database has been newly spotlighted on its wide coverage of machine-readable terminologies, its complex DB schema and vast amount of applications utilizing GO without deep considerations of GO term relations dilute the actual power of GO-based analysis and resulted in misleading/under estimated outcomes. Meanwhile, our recent studies showed that BSM score, a new way of measuring functional similarity, clearly outperformed existing conventional methods. However, implementing BSM score that requires integrating multiple databases and calculating scoring matrix is not trivial and even difficult for bioinformatics experts; therefore, a web-based graphical user interface (GUI) tool, Gene Ontology Analysis Layer (GOAL: http://www.ittc.ku.edu/chenlab/ goal) is introduced to provide user-friendly GO application powered by state of art functional similarity metric, BSM score.
Non-State Armed Groups and Technology: The Humanitarian Tragedy at Our Doorstep?

Technological advances are altering the contemporary asymmetric conflicts between non-state armed groups and state actors. This article discusses the humanitarian consequences of these changing conflicts by first illustrating the dangers posed by non-state armed groups gaining access to advanced technologies. A subsequent examination of the increasing ability of non-state armed groups to use new technologies, such as cyber operations, to mitigate state actor advantages and the resultant risks to civilian populations follows. The article concludes that the humanitarian challenges presented by this growing intimacy between non-state armed groups and technology, whether through a potentially devastating attack or by the dramatic erosion to the principle of distinction, are immense and cannot be ignored.
Potentiometric determination of interrelationships of energy conservation and ion gradients in mitochondria.

Abstract The reduction potential of cytochrome c is monitored potentiometrically with N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine as a mediator of electrons from cytochrome c to a platinum electrode. Rotenone and cyanide are used as respiratory inhibitors in simultaneous observation of reversal of electron transport between cytochrome b measured spectroscopically and cytochrome c measured potentiometrically. Rotenone, malonate, antimycin A, and cyanide are employed to inhibit respiration for observation of reversal of electron transfer between cytochrome a measured spectroscopically and cytochrome c measured potentiometrically. The midpoint potential of cytochrome a at pH 7.4 is estimated to be more than 330 mv. Rotenone alone is used as an inhibitor of electron transfer in a study of the interrelation between the phosphate potential and the reduction potential of cytochrome c in nonrespiring mitochondria; reduction potential changes in cytochrome c are shown to give an accurate estimate of phosphate potential changes in mitochondria. The standard free energy of hydrolysis of bound ATP to bound ADP at pH 7.4 is estimated to be -9.4 kcal. By means of the potentiometric technique with rotenone-inhibited mitochondria to follow phosphate potential changes, the interaction of ion gradient and ion transport with the energy conservation system is investigated by adding calcium, valinomycin, nigericin, or uncoupling agents to alter ion permeability or ion gradients.
Racebending fandoms and digital futurism

Online fan art can be a way for communities to celebrate a particular fandom, characters, or relationships; yet though these pieces have been studied for their ability to create community and express identity, one area that has yet to be fully explored in connection to fan art is as a form of activism. The racebending movement on Tumblr suggests an effort by fans to reclaim books, films, and television from the whitewashing that often takes place in the entertainment industry. In particular, this project explores Tumblr art devoted to recasting popular fiction with people of color, and how this activism has ties to movements such as Afrofuturism, as well as relating the history of the term "racebending" itself. I will examine how these recastings are performed to gauge the intention behind them, and to trace how they are being used as a commentary on society. I believe these rewritings of popular fandoms not only indicate a desire by fans to see more portrayals of diversity, but are also in essence creating an ethno-futuristic space. Though for the most part, the television and film industries continue to whitewash their programming, these fans protest that notion through creating their diversified fan art; in essence, rejecting the homogenous entertainment of the past and present in favor of a self-made, heterogeneous future.
Adult-born neurons modify excitatory synaptic transmission to existing neurons

Neurogenesis, the creation of new brain cells called neurons, occurs primarily before birth. However, a region of the brain called the dentate gyrus, which is involved in memory, continues to produce new neurons throughout life. Recent studies suggest that adding neurons to the dentate gyrus helps the brain to distinguish between similar sights, sounds and smells. This in turn makes it easier to encode similar experiences as distinct memories. The brain’s outer layer, called the cortex, processes information from our senses and sends it, along with information about our location in space, to the dentate gyrus. By combining this sensory and spatial information, the dentate gyrus is able to generate a unique memory of an experience. But how does neurogenesis affect this process? As the dentate gyrus accumulates more neurons, the number of neurons in the cortex remains unchanged. Do some cortical neurons transfer their connections – called synapses – to the new neurons? Or does the brain generate additional synapses to accommodate the newborn cells? Adlaf et al. set out to answer this question by genetically modifying mice to alter the number of new neurons that could form in the dentate gyrus. Increasing the number of newborn neurons reduced the number of synapses between the cortex and the mature neurons in the dentate gyrus. Conversely, killing off newborn neurons had the opposite effect, increasing the strength of the synaptic connections to older cells. This suggests that new synapses are not formed to accommodate new neurons, but rather that there is a redistribution of synapses between old and new neurons in the dentate gyrus. Further work is required to determine how this redistribution of synapses contributes to how the dentate gyrus works. Does redistributing synapses disrupt existing memories? And how do these findings relate to the effects of exercise – does this natural way of increasing neurogenesis increase the overall number of synapses in the system, potentially creating enough connections for both new and old neurons?
Interval estimation: An information theoretic approach

We develop here an alternative information theoretic method of inference of problems in which all of the observed information is in terms of intervals. We focus on the unconditional case in which the observed information is in terms the minimal and maximal values at each period. Given interval data, we infer the joint and marginal distributions of the interval variable and its range. Our inferential procedure is based on entropy maximization subject to multidimensional moment conditions and normalization in which the entropy is defined over discretized intervals. The discretization is based on theory or empirically observed quantities. The number of estimated parameters is independent of the discretization so the level of discretization does not change the fundamental level of complexity of our model. As an example, we apply our method to study the weather pattern for Los Angeles and New York City across the last century.
Is there a future for sharing? A comparison of traditional and new institutions

The sharing economy has raised hopes that online platforms will usher in a new era of sharing, even though economic theory suggests that income growth may reduce sharing in the long run. This paper presents evidence that that high-income people are less likely than low-income people to use traditional institutions for sharing goods, including carpools, multi-person households, and garage sales. While it first appears that high-income people are equally likely to use new institutions, such as Craigslist, Airbnb, and Zipcar, this partly reflects the fact that many low-income households in the US still lack an internet connection. Conditional on having internet access, this paper finds that online sharing platforms are also disproportionately used by the poor. The future of sharing likely depends on countervailing forces. Economic growth may continue to dampen incentives to share goods, but this effect could be offset by the proliferation of institutions, norms, and preferences that facilitate sharing.
Emotion and Partnerships

The scholarly literature on partnerships virtually ignores emotion. That is unfortunate because both the practices we use and the research we conduct could be deepened by directly addressing the ways emotions influence partnership processes and outcomes
Idiopathic Infarction of Intraabdominal Lymph Nodes: A Cause of Fever of Unknown Origin

Infarcted peribiliary lymph nodes were found at laparotomy in a 56-year-old man who had a fever of unknown origin and transient abdominal pain. Despite thorough clinical and laboratory investigation, a cause was not demonstrated. A review of the reported cases of idiopathic or spontaneous lymph node infarction revealed a clinical presentation characterized by the sudden appearance of a painful mass, often associated with otherwise unexplained fever. Most clinical laboratory test results were negative. Although the pathogenesis is not known, histologic changes in involved lymph nodes are indistinguishable from those produced experimentally by occlusion of the vascular supply of lymph nodes. The histologic differential diagnosis includes lymphoma, metastatic carcinoma, vasculitis, and infection.
Life's a Gas under Pressure: Ethylene and Etioplast Maintenance in Germinating Seedlings.

Seedlings that emerge from the soil at the beginning of spring are true survivors: They found a pocket of water for hydration, escaped pecking birds and human footsteps, and wound their way up through rough particles to the soil surface without being reduced to shreds. This latter feat comes in
Practical Tips for Ethical Data Sharing

This Tutorial provides practical dos and don’ts for sharing research data in ways that are effective, ethical, and compliant with the federal Common Rule. I first consider best practices for prospe...
Math in The Real World: Mathematical Moments from Reality Television

(2005). Math in The Real World: Mathematical Moments from Reality Television. Math Horizons: Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 24-26.
Differentiation in Theta and Beta Electrocortical Activity between Visual and Physical Perturbations to Walking and Standing Balance

Human balance is a complex process in healthy adults, requiring precisely timed coordination among sensory information, cognitive processing, and motor control. It has been difficult to quantify brain dynamics during human balance control due to limitations in brain-imaging modalities. The goal of this study was to determine whether by using high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and independent component analysis, we can identify common cortical responses to visual and physical balance perturbations during walking and standing. We studied the responses of 30 healthy young adults to sensorimotor perturbations that challenged their balance. Subjects performed four 10 min trials of beam walking and tandem stance while either being mediolaterally pulled at the waist or viewing brief 20° field-of-view rotations in virtual reality. We recorded high-density EEG, motion capture, lower leg electromyography (EMG), and neck EMG. We hypothesized that both physical pull and visual rotation perturbations would elicit time–frequency fluctuations in theta (4–8 Hz) and beta (13–30 Hz) bands, with increased occipito-parietal activity during visual rotations compared with pull perturbations. Our results confirmed this hypothesis. For both perturbations, we found early theta synchronization and late alpha–beta (8–30 Hz) desynchronization following perturbation onset. This pattern was strongest in occipito-parietal areas during visual perturbations and strongest in sensorimotor areas during pull perturbations. These results suggest a similar time–frequency electrocortical pattern when humans respond to sensorimotor conflict, but with substantive differences in the brain areas involved for visual versus physical perturbations. Our findings may have important implications for assessing and training balance in individuals with and without motor disabilities.
Management of Chronic Prostatitis (CP)

To review the most up-to-date diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis. We conducted a review of the literature based on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis. The use of advanced phenotyping, links to lifestyle, and multimodal approaches has helped to enhance the treatment of chronic prostatitis and its negative effects on quality of life. Chronic prostatitis is a common and complex condition that requires a multimodal approach to treat symptoms. Recent advances in phenotyping and risk factors help to individualize treatment and enhance treatment outcomes.
Advanced Routing Strategy with Highly-Efficient Fabric-Wide Characterization for Optical Integrated Switches

Optical switch fabrics are regarded as key enablers for future optical interconnects and access networks to meet the increasing demand for communication bandwidth. We begin with a review of the state-of-the-art optical switching technologies based on the silicon integration platform with special attention to MZI-based switching devices, together with insights on their performance limitations and scalability considerations. We will then discuss the recent progress on the advanced routing strategy to intentionally avoid the worst-case performance of the switch and relax the receiver dynamic range requirements. Furthermore, a highly-efficient fabric-wide method for calibration and characterization of integrated switches without the need of built-in power monitors is presented. This technique can substantially reduce the cost and complexity for device integration and packaging, which can be leveraged to facilitate the fast generation of optimal routing tables through a fully automated process.
Lasers for Deep Space Optical Communications

Deep space optical communications places unique requirements on the laser transmitters. Recent developments for both a multi-Watt average power downlink laser source and candidates for a kW class uplink laser source will be discussed.