cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Margin-Based Framework for Online Contingency Selection in Unbalanced Networks

A framework for performing fast online contingency selection in unbalanced power systems is presented in this paper. Selection methods are typically based on the principle of identifying the effect of contingencies on multiple normalized performance indices and ranking them using the results. Presently used performance indices are highly nonlinear and they are known to mask the effects of single contingencies leading to misclassifications. In this paper, we propose two new methods, one relying on margin-based performance indices and another based on state sensitivity. New performance indices are proposed based on margins of 1) circuit loading, 2) bus voltages, and 3) reactive power. In addition, a state sensitivity method is proposed which estimates a system's post contingency operating state via a single iteration of the quadratized power flow model and provides estimates of post contingency line loading, bus voltages, and reactive power levels. Numerical experiments on a three phase version of the IEEE Reliability Test System show that the proposed performance indices yield more accurate results, at a computational cost comparable to a single power flow iteration. The state sensitivity method is more accurate in identifying critical contingencies but its computational cost is higher. The method has been also demonstrated in the larger PEGASE systems.
ZnO/Al:ZnO Transparent Resistive Switching Devices Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition for Memristor Applications.

ZnO has intrinsic semiconductor conductivity because of an unintentional doping mechanism resulting from the growth process that is mainly attributable to oxygen vacancies (VO) positioned in the bandgap. ZnO has multiple electronic states that depend on the number of vacancies and the charge state of each vacancy. In addition to the individual electron states, the vacancies have different vibrational states. We developed a high-temperature precursor vapor mask technique using Al2O3 to pattern the atomic layer deposition of ZnO and Al:ZnO layers on ZnO-based substrates. This technique was used to create a memristor device based on Al:ZnO thin films having metallic and semiconducting and insulating transport properties ZnO. We demonstrated that adding combination of Al2O3 and TiO2 barrier layers improved the resistive switching behavior. The change in the resistance between the high- and low-resistivity states of the memristor with a combination of Al2O3 and TiO2 was approximately 157%. The devices were exp...
Abstract IA13: Microbiota associations in colon cancer

Sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) results from accumulated DNA mutations in colonic epithelial cells but the factors inducing the causative DNA mutations are unclear. One prime local consideration is the microbiota but little is known about how the microbiota may influence colon carcinogenesis. To further understand the relationship between the microbiota and the colonic epithelium in CRC hosts and non-cancer hosts, we studied the microbiota organization in Carnoy9s fixed tissues that preserve the mucus layer of the colonic epithelium and the community composition through microbiome profiling. Unexpectedly, we identified a broad regional change in microbiota organization on colon tissues of the CRC host with invasive polymicrobial bacterial biofilms found commonly on both surgically-resected tumors and normal tissue from the proximal colon. Bacterial biofilms were associated with changes in tissue biology predicted to contribute to colon carcinogenesis. In contrast, the non-tumor host colon epithelial samples did not reveal geographic localization of biofilm formation. High throughput sequencing did not reveal consistent bacterial community membership associated with tumors, regardless of biofilm status. Colon mucosal biofilm detection may contribute to risk for development of sporadic CRC. Citation Format: Cynthia L. Sears. Microbiota associations in colon cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr IA13.
Simultaneous determination of 17 kinds of pesticide residues in farm products by capillary gas chromatography

Objective:To establish a capillary gas chromatography(GC) method for the simultaneous determination of 17 kinds of pesticide residues in farm products.Methods: Pesticide residue in samples was firstly dissolved in acetonitrile.After salted out with sodium chloride,the organic layer was decontaminated and used for analysis by capillary gas chromatography with quantification by external standard method.Results: The linear range of the standard curves for 17 kinds of pesticide were 0 μg/ml~5.0 μg/ml.The correlation coefficients were 0.99~1.00.The relative standard deviations ranged from 0.97%~6.22%.The average recoveries for the samples ranged from 67.1%~103.4%.The detection limit of the method was 0.01 mg/kg~0.06 mg/kg.Conclusion: It was concluded that this method was simple,sensitive,rapid and suitable for the determination of 17 kinds of pesticide residue in farm products.So the GC method can be used as an alternative method for the determination of pesticide residue in farm products,for example,vegetables,fruits and fungi.
Mutation Screening of HEY2 Gene in Chinese patients with tetralogy of Fallot

Objective To screen the mutation of HEY2 gene in Chinese patients with sporadic tet- ralogy of Fallot.(TOF).Methods 52 patients with tetralogy of Fallot were selected from Fuwai hospital, After extracting the genomic DNA,the HEY2 gene was amplified by the means of"touch down polymerase chain reaction"(touch down PCR),After being purified,the PCR products of HEY 2 were conducted to the sequencing reaction to investingate whether there were mutations or SNPs or not.Results No pathogenic mutation was identified in all TOF patients.Only 2 single nucleotide changes including c.222T→G in exon 3 and c.621A→T in exon 5 were found,however beth of these 2 heterozygeus changes do not alternate the amino acid of the HEY2 protein.Conclusions The mutation of HEY2 gene might not be associated with tetralogy of Fallot in Chinese population.
Diagnosis and management of corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction.

Venous surgery has certainly become a viable alternative to impotent patients who show a defect in veno occlusive function as the primary organic cause for their impotence
Speaking Up in Meetings: Summary and Conclusions

As I began this research, I was struck by the gap between the practical concerns of my female colleagues and the theoretical sophistication of current scholarship on gender and language.1 On the one side were ideas about women and language informed by popular representations, which, if they cited research at all, selected only those findings reinforcing a vision of stark gender differences (Cameron, 1995). On the other side were critiques of hegemonic, homogeneous, and dichotomous conceptions of gender. Viewed in light of the latter critiques, popular narratives of gender difference and gender bias—like those shared with me by my colleagues in traditionally male professions—might be considered naive and essentialist. Contemporary views of the complications of gender and other social categories resonate with CA’s early observations on the myriad possible identifications one might draw upon in any moment of interaction (Sacks & Schegloff, 1979), with momentary choices both reflecting and positing social identities and participant relations in situ. In the conclusion to her 2003 book Gender and Politeness, Sara Mills addresses the tensions between earlier homogeneous and categorical approaches to gender and contemporary critiques of those simple, dual oppositional categories, but she also acknowledges that we must remain aware of the degree to which women are disadvantaged in relation to men in material terms: in terms of the salaries they earn; their positions in hierarchies; their representation in Parliament; the amount of housework and child-care they are expected to do; the degree that they are at risk of sexual assault and violence; and so on.
The “Regulatory Genome” for Animal Development

This chapter focuses on the system level organization of the core genomic regulatory apparatus encoded in the DNA, and how this is the locus of causality underlying the twin phenomena of animal development and evolution. The sequence-dependent regulatory genome is bound by transcription factors that recognize short DNA sequence motifs. Development is the execution of the genetic program for construction of a given species of organism. Genomic programs for development progressively regulate their own readout, in contrast, for example, to the way architects' programs are used to construct buildings. All the structural characters of an edifice, from its overall form to local aspects such as placement of wiring and windows, are pre-specified in an architectural blueprint. The steps of development cannot all be pre-specified at once, because animals are multi-cellular, and different cells do different things with the same encoded program, that is, the DNA regulatory genome.
The fundamental concept of level of service

“What’s traffic like today?” This is a question we have all asked on numerous occasions when we prepare to make a trip as a driver or passenger in a car. What do we really mean, however, when we ask it, and what do we really expect in response? Are we interested in how fast traffic is moving? Are we interested in how congested our intended route is? Are we interested in how long we will have to wait at critical locations, like signalized intersections? Are we interested in how safe our trip will be? Are we interested in how comfortable our trip will be? The answer is, of course, “yes” to all of these. However, in answering all of these questions (assuming we can for any given case), we are creating a multidimensional matrix of possible conditions.
Comparison of biodegradation of low-weight hydroentangled raw cotton nonwoven fabric and that of commonly used disposable nonwoven fabrics in aerobic Captina silt loam soil

The increasing use of synthetic disposable nonwoven products generates a large amount of non-biodegradable solid waste. In an effort to enhance the use of raw cotton in nonwoven wipes applications,...
Expert Testimony and Sexual Predator Statutes after Hendricks

The recent decision of the United States Supreme Court in Kansas v. Hendricks (1997) upheld a sexual predator statute that authorizes civil commitment of certain sex offenders who have been convicted of sexual offenses and have served criminal sentences for those offenses. This case raises a variety of Constitutional questions in the United States, but it also raises a series of interesting questions about the appropriate scope of expert testimony by psychologists regarding commitments under these statutes. These issues regarding expert testimony are significant both in their own right and because addressing them confronts one with serious difficulties regarding the normative foundations of the statutes. This paper examines the significance of the Court's brief substantive due process analysis for the role of psychological expert testimony regarding commitment under these statutes, and it identifies but does not attempt to resolve the associated normative concerns regarding the justification for commitment under these statutes.
Feminist Research with Student Activists: Enhancing Campus Sexual Assault Research

Addressing sexual assault on university and college campuses in the United States is a national priority. To date, research on campus sexual assault overwhelmingly focuses on students as objects of study: as survivors, perpetrators, and bystanders of sexual assault. This focus has largely overlooked students who act as agents of change, mobilizing to alter campus norms around consent, prevention, survivor support, and institutional response. In this article, we encourage feminist scholars to incorporate students as advocates against sexual assault and to invite students to be collaborators in research. We discuss a student-led organization and our ongoing collaborative study with the organization to illustrate how feminist researchers can feature student engagement with campus sexual assault at the grass roots. We conclude with recommendations to expand the national research agenda on campus sexual assault.
Agency, Affect, and Conservation in the Anthropocene

The “Anthropocene”—a relatively recent neologism meant to designate a new epoch in which no part of “Nature” has been untouched (and, by implication, unsullied) by humans—has been contested in term...
Modulating Wnt Signaling Rescues Palate Morphogenesis in Pax9 Mutant Mice

Cleft palate is a common birth defect caused by disruption of palatogenesis during embryonic development. Although mutations disrupting components of the Wnt signaling pathway have been associated with cleft lip and palate in humans and mice, the mechanisms involving canonical Wnt signaling and its regulation in secondary palate development are not well understood. Here, we report that canonical Wnt signaling plays an important role in Pax9-mediated regulation of secondary palate development. We found that cleft palate pathogenesis in Pax9-deficient embryos is accompanied by significantly reduced expression of Axin2, an endogenous target of canonical Wnt signaling, in the developing palatal mesenchyme, particularly in the posterior regions of the palatal shelves. We found that expression of Dkk2, encoding a secreted Wnt antagonist, is significantly increased whereas the levels of active β-catenin protein, the essential transcriptional coactivator of canonical Wnt signaling, is significantly decreased in the posterior regions of the palatal shelves in embryonic day 13.5 Pax9-deficent embryos in comparison with control littermates. We show that small molecule-mediated inhibition of Dickkopf (DKK) activity in utero during palatal shelf morphogenesis partly rescued secondary palate development in Pax9-deficient embryos. Moreover, we found that genetic inactivation of Wise, which is expressed in the developing palatal shelves and encodes another secreted antagonist of canonical Wnt signaling, also rescued palate morphogenesis in Pax9-deficient mice. Furthermore, whereas Pax9del/del embryos exhibit defects in palatal shelf elevation/reorientation and significant reduction in accumulation of hyaluronic acid-a high molecular extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan implicated in playing an important role in palatal shelf elevation-80% of Pax9del/del;Wise-/- double-mutant mouse embryos exhibit rescued palatal shelf elevation/reorientation, accompanied by restored hyaluronic acid accumulation in the palatal mesenchyme. Together, these data identify a crucial role for canonical Wnt signaling in acting downstream of Pax9 to regulate palate morphogenesis.
Ruthenium Catalysts for the Reduction of N-Nitrosamine Water Contaminants.

N-Nitrosamines have raised extensive concern due to their high toxicity and detection in treated wastewater and drinking water. Catalytic reduction is a promising alternative technology to treat N-nitrosamines, but to advance this technology pathway, there is a need to develop more-efficient and cost-effective catalysts. We have previously discovered that commercial catalysts containing ruthenium (Ru) are unexpectedly active in reducing nitrate. This study evaluated supported Ru activity for catalyzing reduction of N-nitrosamines. Experiments with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) show that contaminant is rapidly reduced on both commercial and in-house prepared Ru/Al2O3 catalysts, with the commercial material yielding an initial metal weight-normalized pseudo-first-order rate constant (k0) of 1103 ± 133 L·gRu–1·h–1 and an initial turnover frequency (TOF0) of 58.0 ± 7.0 h–1. NDMA is reduced to dimethylamine (DMA) and ammonia end-products, and a small amount of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) was detected as a tra...
Reduction kinetics of undoped and aluminum titanate (Al2TiO5) doped NiO-YSZ solid oxide fuel cell anodes

Abstract Undoped and 1–10 wt% aluminum titanate, Al2TiO5, (ALT) doped nickel oxide/yttria-stabilized zirconia (NiO/YSZ) anode materials were kinetically evaluated during isothermal (800 °C) H2 reduction (5% H2-95% N2 and pure H2 gas). It was found that the two parameter Avrami-Erofe’ev model (AEn) was the most successful in representing reduction kinetics. The reduction mechanisms have been identified as the formation and growth of nuclei and is maintained after aluminum titanate, Al2TiO5, (ALT) doping and when the H2 concentration in the gas flow is increased. ALT doped samples result in the formation of NiAl2O4; which, when present in sufficient amounts, slowly reduces causing a shift of the model from the experimental data. This phenomenon has been correlated, through microstructural evaluation, to the formation of Ni nanoparticles. In all investigated cases, the reduction kinetics of the system was accelerated when the H2 concentration was increased from 5% to 100%.
Enzymes Involved in the Catalysis of Catecholamine Biosynthesis

The postulated biosynthetic pathway (Blaschko, 1939) for the formation of the adrenergic transmitters (Fig. 1) was the subject of several studies and was confirmed with the use of radioactive labeled precursors. Three enzymes are involved in the catalysis of norepinephrine biosynthesis: tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopa decarboxylase (DDC), and dopamines-hydroxylase (DβH; a fourth enzyme, namely, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) catalyzes the biosynthesis of epinephrine from norepinephrine. Two enzymes, namely, TH and DβH, can be classified as mixed-function oxidase (Mason, 1957) or monooxygenase (Hayaishi, 1964). The general reaction catalyzed by monooxygenases is shown in Reaction (1) where RH stands for the substrate to be hydroxylated, ROH for the hydroxylated product, and XH2 for the electron donor.
Food safety: Review and Implications for Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians

Section 103 (d) of the Americans with Disabilities Act directs the secretary of health and human services to identify, publish, and annually review a list of pathogens transmitted via food contaminated by infected food handlers. The secretary is also directed to publish means by which diseases on the list are transmitted. The intent of the list is to protect disabled food handlers when they become ill and to provide managers with information for determining when to remove or reassign disabled food handlers who have infectious or communicable diseases to jobs that do not involve handling food. Pathogens often transmitted via food contaminated by infected food handlers are Salmonella typhi, Shigella species, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, hepatitis A virus, and the Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses. This article discusses section 103 (d) and for each of the six pathogens describes characteristics and growth requirements, types of foods involved in outbreaks, factors that contribute to foodborne outbreaks, and prevention and control measures. Human beings are the only reservoir of Sal typhi. The source of Shigella species is the intestinal tract of human beings and other primates. Human beings are the common reservoir of Staph aureus and Strep pyogenes. Staph aureus is frequently found in the nose and on the skin of healthy people, whereas Strep pyogenes is carried in the throat of infected or asymptomatic carriers. Foodborne viruses of public health concern originate in the human intestine. Foods that favor the multiplication of Sal typhi are often foods that require no cooking. Many outbreaks of foodborne disease attributed to Shigella species and viruses have been associated with salads. Moist, high-protein, and salty foods that have been cooked are most often involved in outbreaks of staphylococcal foodborne illness. Foods usually implicated in Strep pyogenes outbreaks are predominately composed of milk, eggs, or meat. Dietitians and dietetic technicians can use three approaches to reduce the incidence of foodborne disease attributed to food handlers: conducting training and education programs, implementing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system, and supporting certification of foodservice managers.
Association Between Electronic Cigarette Use and Myocardial Infarction.

Introduction Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are promoted as a less risky alternative to conventional cigarettes and have grown in popularity. Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that they could increase the risk of myocardial infarction. Methods The National Health Interview Surveys of 2014 ( n =36,697) and 2016 ( n =33,028) were used to examine the cross-sectional association between e-cigarette use (never, former, some days, daily) and cigarette smoking (same categories) and myocardial infarction in a single logistic regression model that also included demographics (age, gender, BMI) and health characteristics (hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia) using logistic regression. Data were collected in 2014 and 2016 and analyzed in 2017 and 2018. Results Daily e-cigarette use was independently associated with increased odds of having had a myocardial infarction (OR=1.79, 95% CI=1.20, 2.66, p =0.004) as was daily conventional cigarette smoking (OR=2.72, 95% CI=2.29, 3.24, p p =0.608 and p =0.392) whereas former (OR=1.70, p p p p p p p Conclusions Daily e-cigarette use, adjusted for smoking conventional cigarettes as well as other risk factors, is associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction.
Soft-Decision-Based Distributed Detection With Correlated Sensing Channels

Prior works on distributed detection with correlated Gaussian observations primarily dealt with single-bit reports to the fusion center and suboptimal fusion rules. Considering multiple bits and independent reporting channel errors, we formulate the optimal detection problem as a nonlinear integer programming problem for which the genetic algorithm is applied to find a suboptimal solution. The Bayesian probability of error performance of our suboptimal solution, first, for one-bit, is better than the performance of some previously proposed schemes and, second, for multiple bits, approaches that of the centralized detection scheme.
Hierarchical Reconstruction of High-Resolution 3D Models of Human Chromosomes

Eukaryotic chromosomes are often composed of components organized into multiple scales, such as nucleosomes, chromatin fibers, topologically associated domains (TAD), chromosome compartments, and chromosome territories. Therefore, reconstructing detailed 3D models of chromosomes in high resolution is useful for advancing genome research. However, the task of constructing quality high resolution 3D models is still challenging with existing methods. Hence, we designed a hierarchical algorithm, called Hierarchical3DGenome, to reconstruct 3D chromosome models at high resolution (<=5 Kilobase (KB)). The algorithm first reconstructs high-resolution 3D models at TAD level. The TAD models are then assembled to form complete high-resolution chromosomal models. The assembly of TAD models is guided by a complete low-resolution chromosome model. The algorithm is successfully used to reconstruct 3D chromosome models at 5KB resolution for the human B-cell(GM12878). These high-resolution models satisfy Hi-C chromosomal contacts well and are consistent with models built at lower (i.e. 1MB) resolution, and with the data of fluorescent in situ hybridization experiments. The Java source code of Hierarchical3DGenome and its user manual are available here https://github.com/BDM-Lab/Hierarchical3DGenome.
Laboratory diagnostic approaches in metabolic disorders

The diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) takes many forms. Due to the implementation and advances in newborn screening (NBS), the diagnosis of many IEM has become relatively easy utilizing laboratory biomarkers. For the majority of IEM, early diagnosis prevents the onset of severe clinical symptoms, thus reducing morbidity and mortality. However, due to molecular, biochemical, and clinical variability of IEM, not all disorders included in NBS programs will be detected and diagnosed by screening alone. This article provides a general overview and simplified guidelines for the diagnosis of IEM in patients with and without an acute metabolic decompensation, with early or late onset of clinical symptoms. The proper use of routine laboratory results in the initial patient assessment is also discussed, which can help guide efficient ordering of specialized laboratory tests to confirm a potential diagnosis and initiate treatment as soon as possible.
Recovering from the Accident

In the aftermath of the Challenger accident, and particularly after the reviews by the Rogers Commission and others assessing the reality of the shuttle’s operations and National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA’s) less-than-stellar performance in managing them, it became clear that there was a high degree of self-delusion in the way the shuttle had been perceived. Rather than a vehicle delivering on the promises that NASA had made to Richard Nixon in 1972, claiming that the space shuttle would “revolutionize transportation into near space by routinizing it” and would “take the astronomical costs out of astronautics,” the shuttle was revealed to be a vehicle that was expensive and difficult to operate safely. The stage was thus set for a debate over post-Challenger launch policy. That seven-month debate proved very contentious, with its focal points being both whether to build a new shuttle orbiter to replace Challenger and what role the shuttle would play in future U.S. launch policy.
In optical sensing the interaction time is what matters most (Conference Presentation)

Abstract: In this talk I explain that enhancement of performance of almost any optical sensor in the end intimately connected to increasing the time of light-matter interaction, i.e. reducing the group velocity of light. Such similarly different phenomena as ENZ (epsilon near zero), plasmonics, micro-cavities, photonic crystals, EIT, (electro-magnetically induced transparency) Fano resonances, and PT (Parity-time) symmetry can all be characterized using the same slow light formalism indicating that their performances are in the end comparable.
Chapter 4 – Dielectric Function and Doping of a Superlattice

Publisher Summary This chapter describes how to calculate the dielectric constant of a superlattice. The dielectric constant represents the screening of the applied electric field in a medium owing to the presence of charges and dipoles. The transverse dielectric constant of the Ga0.5Al0.5As/GaAs superlattice has been measured by Tsu, showing that the refractive index lies between the Ga0.5Al0.5As alloy and GaAs. The dielectric constant is important for impurity levels, excitons, and carrier screening in general. For polar semiconductors like GaAs, the ionic contribution to the static dielectric constant represents a significant factor compared with the part contributed by its covalent nature. When the energy states in a quantum confined system are pushed up, the reduction in the dielectric constant increases the binding energy of the dopants. Because the impurity sites intermingle with the barriers, which confine the electrons, the binding energy is position dependent. The matrix element has an energy denominator; the higher is the band gap of the solids, the lower is the dielectric function. Therefore, if the energy state is raised owing to quantum confinement, the dielectric function is reduced accordingly. In doping semiconductors, often the most important features in the operation of electronic devices, the binding energy of dopants is inversely proportional to the square of the dielectric constant, a major effect to be accounted for in 3D quantum confinement.
Effects of regulatory network organization and environment on PmrD connector activity and polymyxin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli

Polymyxins are a class of cyclic peptides with antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Resistance to these compounds is often mediated by pathways that also confer resistance to host antimicrobial peptides. In Enterobacteriaceae, the PhoQ/PhoP and PmrB/PmrA two-component systems regulate many of the genes associated with these resistance mechanisms. In K. pneumoniae, spontaneous polymyxin resistance is frequently acquired through inactivation of the gene mgrB, which encodes a negative regulator of PhoQ. However, this resistance mechanism has not been reported in other genera of Enterobacteriaceae, despite the presence of mgrB among many members of this family. In addition, the frequency of developing spontaneous resistance to the antimicrobial peptide polymyxin through chromosomal mutations is much higher in Klebsiella compared to Salmonella or E. coli. Here we show that in K. pneumoniae, PmrD is not required for polymyxin resistance arising from inactivation of mgrB. In addition, we show that in E. coli, the protein PmrD can activate PmrA under certain conditions. Our results suggest that the importance of PmrD connector activity in polymyxin resistance depends on both the network organization and on the environmental conditions associated with PmrB stimulation.
Simultaneous, full characterization of a single-photon state

Advances in quantum optics and quantum information technologies increasingly require a way to fully understand the state of single indistinguishable photons. While previous approaches have needed two or more measurements, a new experiment demonstrates a way to characterize single-photon states with just one measurement.
Identification of the Rigid Core for Aged Liquid Droplets of an RNA-Binding Protein Low Complexity Domain

The biomolecular condensation of proteins with low complexity sequences plays a functional role in RNA metabolism and a pathogenic role in neurodegenerative diseases. The formation of dynamic liquid droplets brings biomolecules together to achieve complex cellular functions. The rigidification of liquid droplets into β-strand-rich hydrogel structures composed of protein fibrils is thought to be purely pathological in nature. However, low complexity sequences often harbor multiple fibril-prone regions with delicately balanced functional and pathological interactions. Here, we investigate the maturation of liquid droplets formed by the low complexity domain of the TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43). Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements on the aged liquid droplets identify residues 365-400 as the structured core, which are squarely outside the region between residues 311-360 thought to be most important for pathological fibril formation and aggregation. The results of this study suggest that multiple segments of this low complexity domain are prone to form fibrils and that stabilization of β-strand-rich structure in one segment precludes the other region from adopting a rigid fibril structure.
Parallel valence processing alterations associated with compulsive behavior in SAPAP3 knockout mice and human OCD

ABSTRACT Abnormalities in valence processing – the processing of aversive or appetitive stimuli – may be an underrecognized component of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Independent experimental paradigms have suggested disturbance of emotional valence systems in OCD, yet no standardized assay has been employed to assess both negative and positive valence processing in clinical studies of OCD patients, either at baseline or in response to therapeutic interventions. Additionally, preclinical rodent models are critical for treatment discovery in OCD, yet investigations examining whether rodent models of compulsive behavior similarly show alterations in valence systems have been limited. We sought to establish paradigms for assessing valence processing across both human OCD patients and in a preclinical rodent model: in OCD patients, we used validated behavioral tests to assess explicit and implicit processing of fear-related facial expressions (negative valence) and socially-rewarding happy expressions (positive valence); in the SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mouse model of compulsive behavior, we used auditory fear conditioning and extinction (negative valence) and reward-based operant conditioning (positive valence). We find that OCD patients show enhanced negative and impaired positive valence processing, and that performance on valence processing tasks correlates with clinical measures of OCD severity. We further find that SAPAP3 KO mice show heightened negative and impaired positive valence processing alterations similar to those of OCD patients. Our results show parallel valence processing abnormalities in OCD patients and a preclinical rodent model of compulsive behavior, and suggest valence processing alterations as novel therapeutic targets across a translational research spectrum.
Using a consumer-based wearable activity tracker for physical activity goal setting and measuring steps in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: exploring acceptance and validity.

Activity monitoring devices may be used to facilitate goal-setting, self-monitoring, and feedback towards a step-based physical activity (PA) goal. This study examined the performance of the wrist-worn Fitbit Charge 3™ (FC3) and sought opinions on walking and stepping-in-place from women with gestational diabetes (GDM). Participants completed six 2-min metronome-assisted over ground bouts that varied by cadence (67, 84, or 100 steps per minute) and mode (walking or stepping-in-place; N = 15), with the sequence randomized. Steps were estimated by FC3 and measured, in duplicate, by direct observation (hand-tally device, criterion). Equivalence testing by the two one-sided tests (TOST) method assessed agreement within ± 15%. Mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of steps were compared to 10%, the accuracy standard of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™. A subset (n = 10) completed a timed, 200-m self-paced walk to assess natural walking pace and cadence. All participants completed semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed and analyzed using descriptive and interpretive coding. Mean age was 27.0 years (SD 4.2), prepregnancy BMI 29.4 kg/m2 (8.3), and gestational age 32.8 weeks (SD 2.6). The FC3 was equivalent to hand-tally for bouts of metronome-assisted walking and stepping-in-place at 84 and 100 steps per minute (i.e., P < .05), although walking at 100 steps per minute (P = .01) was no longer equivalent upon adjustment for multiple comparisons (i.e., at P < .007). The FC3 was equivalent to hand-tally during the 200-m walk (i.e., P < .001), in which mean pace was 68.2 m per minute (SD 10.7), or 2.5 miles per hour, and mean cadence 108.5 steps per minute (SD 6.5). For walking at 84 and 100 steps per minute, stepping-in-place at 100 steps per minute, and the 200-m walk, MAPE was within 10%, the accuracy standard of the CTA™. Interviews revealed motivation for PA, that stepping-in-place was an acceptable alternative to walking, and competing responsibilities made it difficult to find time for PA. The FC3 appears to be a valid step counter during the third trimester, particularly when walking or stepping-in-place at or close to women’s preferred cadence.
Survey of the cattle health and production record-keeping methods and opinions of cow-calf producers in Mississippi

The objective of this study was to identify characteristics of Mississippi cow-calf producers associated with their use of cattle health record-keeping systems. Anonymous surveys were mailed to 1,275 cow-calf members of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association. Multivariable logistic regression using manual forward variable selection was used to test factors for association with cattle health and production record-keeping outcomes. Significance was defined at alpha=0.05. Three-hundred eight surveys (24%) were returned. Of these, 292 (95%) were actively involved in cow-calf production, with 221 (75.7%), 29 (9.9%), and 42 (14.4%) being commercial, seedstock, or both, respectively. Two-hundred nineteen of 290 (75.5%) owned 55 years old. Two-hundred forty-five of 289 (84.8%) used individual animal identification. Two-hundred fifteen (73.6%) and 76 (26%) of 292 used hand-written and electronic records, respectively. Using electronic cattle records was associated with computer access (OR=7.6, 95%CI=2.3 to 25.8), smartphone ownership (OR=6.9, 95%CI=2.0 to 23.6), and Bachelor’s degree or higher (OR=2.0, 95%CI=1.1 to 3.7). Producer interest in using a smartphone-based cattle record-keeping system was associated with smartphone ownership (OR=6.0, 95%CI=2.1 to 16.6), and being ≤55 years old (OR=2.9, 95%CI=1.5 to 5.4). Access to technology and producer demographics influence the record-keeping practices of Mississippi cow-calf producers.
Ethanol and small intestinal transport

Chronic alcoholism is a complex disorder often drocarbon portions of the alcohol molecule. When characterized by malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, an ethanol molecule is placed in a lipid/water partiand diarrhea.’ Among the possible mechanisms for tion system, the contribution of the hydroxyl group these disturbances are alterations in intestinal digespredominates over the two-CH, groups. The hytion, absorption, and secretion. Alcohol may alter indroxyl group forms hydrogen bonds with water and testinal absorption by acting on processes other than achieves infinite aqueous solubility for the molecule. actual transport of nutrients across the wall of the Ethanol has relatively less hydrophobicity and biointestine. As summarized in Table 1, the effects of logic effects on an equimolar basis than the longer ethanol on gastric emptying,‘-7 intestinal motility,“,” chain members of the aliphatic alcohol series. The
The Globalization of Law

By globalization of law, we might refer to the degree to which the whole world lives under a single set of legal rules. Such a single set of rules might be imposed by a single coercive actor, adopted by global consensus, or arrived at by parallel development in all parts of the globe. Although the end of bipolarity and the cold war brings some comfort, surely we have not moved very far toward a regime of international law either through the establishment of a single global law giver and enforcer or through a strong nation-state consensus. If we had, we would be speaking of international law, not the globalization of law. Nor can we even confidently claim that law has become global or universal in the sense that everyone on the planet can be sure that wherever he or she goes on the planet, human relationships will be governed by some law, even if not by a law that is everywhere the same. Indeed, unless we move very far toward an anthropological merging of law and custom, we would probably conclude that a smaller proportion of the world's population enjoys legally defined relationships today than it did one hundred years ago. This retreat would have occurred on the basis of one great historical fact alone: the enormous population of China has moved from a regime of Imperial however thin and corrupted, to a Leninist regime of non-law. Moreover, in much of the post-colonial third world, the legal regimes of the colonial occupiers have been thrown out, but it has been impossible to replace them with new legal regimes or restore the pre-colonial legal regimes that the European imperialists disrupted. Indeed, if the Indian sub continent and Indonesia could not be counted as having maintained some kind of rule of law, we would confront a world in which the relative number of persons living under regimes of law had declined so precipitously as to render talk of the globalization of law entirely misleading. When we speak of the globalization of law, we must be conscious that we are speaking of an extremely narrow, limited, and specialized set of legal phenomena set into a globe in which it is not at all clear whether the total quantum of human relationships governed by law has increased or decreased over the
Simulation technology for free flight system performance and survivability analysis

Before new automated technologies can be incorporated into the air-traffic-management system, they need to be analyzed and tested extensively. This analysis and testing is required not only to demonstrate functionality, but also to determine overall system performance and dependability. The risks and costs of operational testing preclude its routine use, especially to test system survivability where intentional serious failures will be forced to occur to ensure that they are handled properly. Fortunately, simulation provides a practical alternative. This paper describes a simulation system designed to assess the performance and survivability of various automated technologies in terminal area flight. It also presents some preliminary results of the system's use.
The mechanism of hatching in Fundulus heteroclitus: Development and physiology

The development and physiology of the hatching mechanism were examined in Fundulus heteroclitus. Histological examination of the hatching glands revealed that they first became differentiated on or about day 5 of development. By day 7 the glands took on a granular appearance which was correlated with the first appearance of chorionase. From day 7 to day 10, growth of the glands and their increase in chorionase content were exponential. Cell size and chorionase activity peaked on day 10 and thereafter remained constant until hatching. The effects of several drugs were tested for their effects on hatching. Epinephrine and low concentrations of MS-222, in conjunction with low oxygen concentration, were found to advance the median hatching date of eggs (HD50). Turbocurarine, high concentrations of MS-222, and atropine inhibited hatching completely, as did transection of the hind brain. On the basis of these experiments we have hypothesized that a respiratory stress response is linked to chorionase release during normal hatching.
Law's Empire Strikes Back: Taking Alimentary Rights Seriously

Presents a critical corrective to Dworkin's flawed theory of rights. Presents a typology for correct materialist analysis of natural rights and positive laws. Explicits qualities of the right to food, a basic alimentary right flanked by the rights to water, clothing, shelter, and supplemented by the psychological rights to one's own language, culture, education and development.
Delocalization energies of troponoids from bomb calorimetric and vapour pressure measurements

The gas phase empirical resonance energy for cycloheptatriene, tropone, tropolone, aminotropone, and 1-amino-7-imino-1,3,5-cycloheptatriene has been established from vapour pressures and bomb calorimetric results. When the stabilization due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding is subtracted from the empirical resonance energies, the stabilization attributable to delocalization is about 14 kcal mol−1 for all members of the series studied except cycloheptatriene for which the value is about 8 kcal mol−1.
Effect of thyroxin administration on the rate and steric course of enzymatic reduction of steroids.

Effect of Thyroxin Administration on the Rate and Steric Course of Enzymatic Reduction of Steroids
Sexual orientation and substance abuse treatment utilization in the United States: Results from a national survey.

This study examined substance abuse treatment utilization across three dimensions of sexual orientation (identity, attraction, and behavior) in a large national sample of adults in the United States. Prevalence estimates were based on data collected from the 2004-2005 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. The sample consisted of 34,653 adults 20 years and older, and represented a population that was 52% women, 71% White, 12% Hispanic, 11% African American, 4% Asian, and 2% other race/ethnicities. An estimated 2% of the target population self-identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual; 4% reported same-sex sexual behavior, and 6% reported same-sex sexual attraction. Sexual minorities, especially women, had a greater likelihood of lifetime substance use disorders and earlier age of drinking onset. The majority of respondents with substance use disorders were untreated and lifetime substance abuse treatment utilization differed based on sexual orientation. Sexual minorities were found to have more extensive family histories of substance abuse problems. The findings indicate the underutilization of substance abuse treatment among all adults, and highlight some important factors to consider when working with sexual minorities.
The Thomas precession

Abstract The equation for the Thomas precession is derived by using simple matrix calculation. No knowledge of group theory of Lobachevski geometry is assumed.
Agropine—a major new plasmid-determined metabolite in crown gall tumours

THE crown gall tumour system may represent an elegant form of biochemical parasitism, in which the tumour-inducing bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens can, by insertion1 and expression2 of genetic sequences carried on the tumour-inducing (Ti) plasmid3, determine the synthesis of unusual amino acids in transformed plant cells. These abnormal metabolities can be specifically utilised as nitrogen sources by the particular strain of inducing bacterium4. So far, two classes of plasmid-determined product have been recognised: the octopine family—octopine5, octopinic acid6, lysopine7 and histopine8— and the nopaline family—nopaline9 and nopalinic acid10. Whether the octopine or nopaline family of amino acids is synthesised by a particular tumour depends entirely on the type of Ti plasmid present in the inducing bacterium11. We report here the discovery of a completely new type of plasmid-determined compound which is present in prodigious amounts (up to 7% of the tumour dry weight) in tumours induced by octopine strains of A. tumefaciens.
Heat capacity experiment for very high resolution tests of the theory of confined materials

Abstract We report the current status of an experiment to measure the heat capacity of helium confined within a stack of evenly spaced silicon plates at temperatures very close to the superfluid transition. Newly developed high-resolution thermometry has substantially improved our ability to look into regions where three-dimensional crosses over to two-dimensional behaviour and where two-dimensional behaviour dominates. These regions have been of interest to theorists and experimentalists for decades. The main part of the apparatus consists of a high-purity copper calorimeter containing a stack of 408 silicon plates spaced 57 μm apart and a pair of high-resolution, fast response, paramagnetic salt thermometers. The thermometers have been shown to have a noise level of 10 −10 K with 1 Hz bandwidth. The expected resolution of the heat capacity measurements is 10 −9 K. To avoid the smearing effects of gravity in the 4.5-cm high helium sample, the measurements will be performed on the Space Shuttle. The results from the experiment can be combined with supplementary ground measurements on smaller length scales to perform additional tests of the renormalization group predictions for crossover to lower-dimensional behaviour.
Direct demonstration that homotetrameric chaperone SecB undergoes a dynamic dimer-tetramer equilibrium.

We have shown here that the cytosolic bacterial chaperone SecB is a structural dimer of dimers that undergoes a dynamic equilibrium between dimer and tetramer in the native state. We demonstrated this equilibrium by mixing two tetrameric species of SecB that can be distinguished by size. We showed that the homotetrameric species exchanged dimers, because when the mixture was analyzed both by size exclusion chromatography and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis a third hybrid tetrameric species was detected. Furthermore, treatment of SecB with 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid), which modifies the sulfhydryl group on cysteines, caused irreversible dissociation to a dimer indicating that cysteine must be involved in the stabilizing interactions at the dimer interface. It is clear that the two dimer-dimer interfaces of the SecB tetramer are differentially stable. Dissociation at one interface allows for a dynamic dimer-tetramer equilibrium. Because only dimers were exchanged it is clear that the other interface between dimers is significantly more stable, otherwise oligomers should have formed with a random distribution of monomers.