cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compartmentalized partnered replication for the directed evolution of genetic parts and circuits

Compartmentalized partnered replication (CPR) is an emulsion-based directed evolution method based on a robust and modular phenotype-genotype linkage. In contrast to other in vivo directed evolution approaches, CPR largely mitigates host fitness effects due to a relatively short expression time of the gene of interest. CPR is based on gene circuits in which the selection of a 'partner' function from a library leads to the production of a thermostable polymerase. After library preparation, bacteria produce partner proteins that can potentially lead to enhancement of transcription, translation, gene regulation, and other aspects of cellular metabolism that reinforce thermostable polymerase production. Individual cells are then trapped in water-in-oil emulsion droplets in the presence of primers and dNTPs, followed by the recovery of the partner genes via emulsion PCR. In this step, droplets with cells expressing partner proteins that promote polymerase production will produce higher copy numbers of the improved partner gene. The resulting partner genes can subsequently be recloned for the next round of selection. Here, we present a step-by-step guideline for the procedure by providing examples of (i) selection of T7 RNA polymerases that recognize orthogonal promoters and (ii) selection of tRNA for enhanced amber codon suppression. A single round of CPR should take ∼3-5 d, whereas a whole directed evolution can be performed in 3-10 rounds, depending on selection efficiency.
Egg Recognition Cues and Maternal Behavior in Desmognathus Ocoee

Egg brooding behavior is typical in plethodontid salamanders, and in most species females attend their eggs from oviposition until hatching (Crump, 1995). Attendant behavior has been shown to increase egg survival in the field (Forester, 1979a;Harris et al., 1995), and it has been specifically demonstrated to reduce susceptibility of eggs to predation (Bachmann, 1984;Forester, 1979a,Forester, 1979a), yolk layering (Forester, 1979a), fungal infestation (Austin, 1997;Forester, 1979a;Ng and Wilbur, 1995;Snyder, 1971), and desiccation (Forester, 1984;Ng and Wilbur, 1995). Such behavior, however, represents a significant investment for the female, resulting in weight loss (Forester, 1981;Harris et al., 1995;Ng and Wilbur, 1995) and increased exposure to predators (Hom, 1988).
Effect of spatial heterogeneity and colocalization of eNOS and capacitative calcium entry channels on shear stress-induced NO production by endothelial cells: A modeling approach.

Colocalization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE) channels in microdomains such as cavaeolae in endothelial cells (ECs) has been shown to significantly affect intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and NO production, but the effect has not been well quantified. We developed a two-dimensional continuum model of an EC integrating shear stress-mediated ATP production, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, and eNOS activation to investigate the effects of spatial colocalization of plasma membrane eNOS and CCE channels on Ca2+ dynamics and NO production in response to flow-induced shear stress. Our model examines the hypothesis that subcellular colocalization of cellular components can be critical for optimal coupling of NO production to blood flow. Our simulations predict that heterogeneity of CCE can result in formation of microdomains with significantly higher Ca2+ compared to the average cytosolic Ca2+. Ca2+ buffers with lower or no mobility further enhanced Ca2+ gradients relative to mobile buffers. Colocalization of eNOS to CCE channels significantly increased NO production. Our results provide quantitative understanding for the role of spatial heterogeneity and the compartmentalization of signals in regulation of shear stress-induced NO production.
The association of lymph node dissection with 30-day perioperative morbidity among men undergoing minimally invasive radical prostatectomy: analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP).

The incremental morbidity of lymph node dissection (LND) among men undergoing radical prostatectomy remains uncertain. We therefore evaluated the association of LND with perioperative morbidity among men undergoing minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP). We identified 29,012 men aged 35–89 who underwent MIRP from 2010–2015 in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, of whom 47% underwent concomitant LND. The associations of LND with 30-day perioperative morbidity and mortality were evaluated using logistic regression, adjusted for patient features. Median age at surgery was 63 (IQR 57, 67) years. There were statistically significant, but clinically insignificant, differences in several baseline characteristics stratified by performance of LND, including older age at surgery (p < 0.001), higher American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class (p < 0.001), and longer operative time (p < 0.001) for men who underwent LND. Overall, 30-day complications occurred in 4.3% of patients. There were no statistically significant differences in rates of 30-day complications (4.2 vs. 4.4%, p = 0.44), perioperative blood transfusion (1.7 vs. 1.7%, p = 0.99), hospital readmission (3.6 vs. 4.0%, p = 0.09), reoperation (1.1 vs. 1.1%, p = 0.80), or 30-day mortality (0.1 vs. 0.2%, p = 0.56) between patients who underwent MIRP alone or MIRP with LND, respectively. On multivariable analysis, LND was not significantly associated with an increased risk of perioperative morbidity or 30-day mortality. LND at the time of MIRP does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of perioperative morbidity.
Using a Behavioral Intervention to Improve Performance of a Women’s College Lacrosse Team

This study examined the use of prompting and an interdependent group negative reinforcement contingency to improve performance of 12 collegiate women's lacrosse players. The team coaches wanted players to "name passes," defined as saying the name of a player who should catch the ball at least 1 s before the catch. The intervention was evaluated using an A-B-A-B design, and results indicated that prompting and negative reinforcement (removing sprints at the end of practice for desired performance) were successful for improving names on passes. Players rated the intervention as acceptable, but only 7 out of 12 thought it should continue to be used in future practices.
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis and Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

In recent years, toxic epidermal necrolysis has been recognized to be composed of two distinct clinicopathologic entities. Although both forms share the clinical picture of generalized erythema, cutaneous tenderness, and widespread exfoliation of the epidermis, they differ totally in their histopathology, etiopathogenesis, and prognosis. Because prognosis can be affected by initial therapeutic choices, rapid and proper diagnosis of these diseases is important. Excellent guidelines are presented for the clinician.
Making Parallel Computers Usable

One of the basic issues in parallel processing has to do with how knowledge gained from past experience can be used effectively. From the point of view of a user of parallel systems, specific areas in which prior experience should be able to play a major role include: the ability to make effective use of libraries of previously developed algorithms the efficient mapping new algorithms to parallel architectures, where efficient applies both to the resulting mapping and the process by which the mapping is done the development of new algorithms the rapid assessment of proposed and new architectures for their suitability for a given application.
Automating Request-based Software Distribution

Request-based distribution of software applications over a network is a difficult problem that many organizations face. While several programs address this issue, many lack features required for more sophisticated exports, and more complex solutions usually have a very limited scope. Managing these exports by hand is usually a time consuming and error-prone task. We were in such a situation when we developed the Automated Netdist program a year ago.Automated Netdist provides an automated mechanism for system administrators to request and receive software exports with an immediate turnaround. The system provides a simple user interface, secure authentication, and both user and machine based authentication. Each of these is configurable on a package-by-package basis for flexibility.Netdist is a modular service. The user interface, authentication and authorization are independent of the export protocol. We are currently distributing via NFS, but adding an additional protocol is as simple as writing a script to perform the export and plugging it into Netdist.
Founding conditions and benefit offerings: evidence from US startups

The purpose of this paper is to answer the following research question: at the time of founding of a startup, what entrepreneurial conditions would influence the long-term offerings of HR benefits? To answer this question, our study examines the effects of four founding conditions of startups – total assets, founder’s education, industry experience and startup experience – on the basis of the resource-based view of firms.,Using data from the Kauffman Firm Survey (KFS) conducted in the period 2005–2010, this paper analyzed the relationships between the founding conditions and the offering of HR benefits by 4,148 new ventures during the first five years after founding. In addition, this paper examined the relationships of the same founding conditions to the offering of each of seven specific benefits: alternative work schedule, bonus plan, health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, tuition reimbursement and stock options.,Three conditions at founding – total assets, founders’ education level, industry experience – have a positive and enduring influence on the offering of HR benefits to the employees. Startup experience has a significant effect on benefit offerings during the first year after founding but no significant effect on benefit offerings in subsequent years. All founding conditions have significant and long-lasting positive effects on each benefit, except for startup experience, which has a negative effect on some benefits.,The HRM literature indicates that there has been a surprising gap between practical interest and academic research with regard to benefits. In addition, there is a dearth of research on how entrepreneurs make strategic decisions such as offering benefits to their employees. The study represents an attempt to fill in this gap.
Biomarkers of brain injury and neurologic outcomes in children treated with chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

10521Background: Little is known about neurotoxic mechanisms associated with chemotherapy in children with ALL. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of brain injury may provide insight into this process. Methods: 235 patients (51% male; mean [SD] age diagnosed 6.8 [4.7] years) treated on a chemotherapy only protocol provided CSF samples following diagnosis and through consolidation. CSF was assayed for biomarkers of myelin degradation (myelin basic protein [MBP]), neuronal damage (nerve growth factor [NGF], total-Tau [T-Tau]) and astrogliosis (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]). Leukoencephalopathy was evaluated by brain MRI’s during therapy. At ≥5 years post-diagnosis, 138 (70%) of the 198 still eligible survivors (without relapse and unrelated neurologic injury) completed neurocognitive testing and brain diffusion tensor imaging of white matter integrity at age 13.6 [4.6] years. Log-binomial and general linear models were used to examine whether biomarker changes from baseline through consolidation...
Bayesian Optimization of Asynchronous Distributed Microelectrode Theta Stimulation and Spatial Memory

There is a great need for an electrical stimulation therapy to treat medication-resistant, surgically ineligible epileptic patients that successfully reduces seizure incidence with minimal side effects. Critical to advancing such therapies will be identifying the trade-offs between therapeutic efficacy and side effects. One novel treatment developed in the tetanus toxin rat model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, asynchronous distributed microelectrode stimulation (ADMETS) in the hippocampus has been shown to significantly reduce seizure frequency. However, our results have demonstrated that ADMETS has a negative effect on spatial memory that scales with the amplitude of stimulation. Given the high dimensional space of possible stimulation parameters, it is difficult to construct a mapping from variations in stimulation to behavioral effect. In this project, we present a novel, principled approach using closed-loop Bayesian optimization to tune stimulation that successfully maximize a desired objective - performance on a spatial memory assay.
A novel photoactivatable tool for intermediate filament disruption indicates a role for keratin filaments in early embryogenesis

Abstract The significance of cytoplasmic intermediate filament proteins has previously been examined largely through various genetic approaches, including knockdown, knockout and transgenic overexpression. Few studies to date have attempted to examine the role of specifically the filamentous intermediate filament network in orchestrating various cell functions. To directly assess the role of the filamentous keratin intermediate filament network in regulation of cellular behavior, we created a PhotoActivatable disruptor of keratin Intermediate Filaments (PA-dIF). This genetically encoded construct consists of a peptide derived from the 2B2 region of Keratin 8 fused to the photosensitive LOV2 domain from Avena sativa phototropin-1. Upon 458 nm photoirradiation, PA-dIF disrupts keratin intermediate filaments in multiple species and cell types. Marked remodeling of the keratin intermediate filament network accompanies collective cellular morphogenetic movements that occur during gastrulation and neurulation in the Xenopus laevis frog embryo. Light-based activation of PA-dIF was able to disrupt keratin intermediate filaments in Xenopus cells and lead to tissue-specific disruption of morphogenetic processes. Altogether our data show a fundamental requirement for keratin intermediate filaments in orchestrating morphogenetic movements during early embryonic development that have yet to be revealed in other model systems. Moreover, our data validate the utility of a new genetically encoded photoactivatable tool for the disruption and examination of intermediate filaments.
High-affinity free ubiquitin sensors as quantitative probes of ubiquitin homeostasis and deubiquitination

Abstract Ubiquitin (Ub) conjugation is an essential post-translational modification that affects nearly all proteins in eukaryotes. The functions and mechanisms of ubiquitination are areas of extensive and ongoing study, and yet the dynamics and regulation of even free (i.e., unconjugated) Ub are poorly understood. A major impediment has been the lack of simple and robust techniques to quantify Ub levels in cells and to monitor Ub release from conjugates. Here we describe the development of avidity-based fluorescent sensors that address this need. The sensors bind specifically to free Ub, have Kd values down to 60 pM, and, in concert with a newly developed workflow, allow us to distinguish and quantify the pools of free, protein-conjugated, and thioesterified forms of Ub from cell lysates. Alternatively, free Ub in fixed cells can be visualized microscopically by staining with a sensor. Real-time assays using the sensors afford unprecedented flexibility and precision to measure deubiquitination of virtually any (poly)Ub conjugate.
The Effect of Personality on Decision Making

This study examines whether personality can predict error making in decisions made using heuristics. We predicted that certain personalities would be more likely to use heuristics and therefore lead to more errors. We measured the personality of college students with the Big Five Inventory, and measured decision making through six decisions. Using a set of binary logistic regression models, we found that Conscientiousness was unexpectedly negatively related to correct decisions, and Agreeableness and Neuroticism had expectedly negative relationships with correct decisions. Openness was negatively related to correct decisions. An explanation for these findings is presented.
An Unusual Presentation of Native Valve Endocarditis Caused by Staphylococcus warneri

Staphylococcus warneri is a coagulase-negative staphylococcal (CoNS) bacterium. It is a common saprophyte on human skin, present in approximately 50% of the healthy adult population; it has emerged as a cause of serious infection in the past two decades. In most cases, there is a predisposing condition, such as a new implant or surgical procedure, before the identification of S warneri as the pathogen. It is believed that CoNS are mostly associated with prosthetic valve infections. S warneri can lead to a slow growing and an indolent course and late diagnosis. Cases of CoNS infective endocarditis are less likely to have a vascular or immunologic phenomenon and can lead to large vegetations requiring valve replacement if not detected in time. There are currently only two cases of native valve endocarditis from community-acquired S warneri in the literature. We report a case of native valve endocarditis in an immunocompetent patient without any of the usual predisposing risk factors. Our case illustrates the importance of CoNS bacteremia and the implications of delayed diagnosis of CoNS endocarditis in clinical practice.
European press portrayals of migration: national or partisan constructs?

The press occupies an influential position through its ability to portray current developments and social groups within a particular context. This paper examines which issues receive the greatest a...
Management of postoperative dysphagia after prosthetic laryngoplasty or arytenoidectomy.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of various treatments for dysphagia after laryngeal surgery. Study design Retrospective. Animals Horses treated for dysphagia after laryngeal surgery. Methods Medical records of horses treated for dysphagia after prosthetic laryngoplasty (PLP) or partial arytenoidectomy (PA) were reviewed. Signalment, prior surgery, preoperative videoendoscopic diagnosis, and surgical treatments were recorded. Short- and long-term follow-up were obtained. Chi-square and logistical regression were performed to correlate independent variables and outcomes. Results Forty-four percent of horses with prior PLP and 88% of horses with prior PA had persistent resting dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). Vocal fold augmentation (VFA) as a single treatment was most commonly performed (n = 22), followed by laryngoplasty removal (LPR; n = 1). Fifteen horses received a combination of treatments: VFA (n = 15), LPR (n = 4), laryngeal tie-forward (LTF; n = 2), and esophageal release (n = 1). Short-term clinical outcomes were reported; 80% of horses treated with VFA (n = 35) had resolution of dysphagia, and 20% were improved. Among the 33 horses available to long-term follow-up, 31 (94%) returned to some level of work, and DDSP during work was reportedly resolved in 23 of 25 horses. Conclusion Vocal fold augmentation resulted in resolution of symptoms relating to dysphagia in 81% of horses. Twenty percent of horses treated with LPR had sustained resolution of dysphagia. A combination of LPR, VFA, LTF was performed in 18% of horses. Clinical significance Treatment options directed at altering laryngeal geometry and/or position of the larynx were successful in resolving 86% of dysphagia in horses previously regarded as very difficult to treat.
Successful venoplasty of superior vena cava stenosis in a patient with a total artificial heart after orthotopic heart transplantation due to primary graft failure.

Background With the limited number of available suitable donor hearts resulting in plateaued numbers of heart transplantations, short- and long-term mechanical circulatory support devices, including the implantation of total artificial hearts (TAHs) are modalities that are increasingly being used as treatment options for patients with end-stage heart failure. The superior vena cava syndrome has been described in this context in various disease processes. We report successful venoplasty for superior vena cava syndrome in a patient with a TAH. Case presentation A 65-year-old man with a history of nonischemic cardiomyopathy had received a left ventricular assist device, and then 2 years later, underwent orthotopic heart transplantation using the bicaval anastomosis technique. The postprocedural course was complicated by primary graft failure, resulting in the need for implantation of a TAH. About 5 months after TAH implantation, he started to develop complications such as volume retention, swelling of the upper extremities, and was diagnosed to have a superior vena cava syndrome. The patient underwent a successful venoplasty of his superior vena cava by interventional radiology with resolution of upper body edema, normalization of renal, and liver function. Conclusion Potential fatal complications caused by catheter or wire entrapment in the right-sided mechanical valve of a TAH have been reported. We describe a safe method for the treatment of superior vena cava syndrome in patients with TAH.
Insurgency and Juxtacity in the Age of Urban Divides

This commentary concerns juxtapositions of varied spaces of citizen-authority negotiation within formal and informal politics. I build on the concept of juxtacity, as a productive articulation of contradictory realities and spaces of citizenship and authority, to reveal the co-constitutive and the non-binary spaces of action in insurgent movements. Focusing on a particular articulation of citizenship and authority that I conceptualize relationally as invited and invented spaces of citizens’ action, I highlight how contrasting spaces of politics can work co-constitutively. I ground my reflections in practices of subordinate groups as key actors in southern urbanism, namely South Africa’s township struggles for dignified sanitation (Social Justice Coalition, SJC, and Ses’khona movement), and Brazil’s homeless workers struggles for housing and land (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Teto, MTST). In their citizen-authority negotiation, these movements are agile, moving across invited and invented spaces as necessary to advance their struggle.
Personal networks and mortality in later life: racial and ethnic differences.

BACKGROUND Social network characteristics are associated with health outcomes in later life, including mortality. Moreover, there are well-established mortality disparities across race and ethnicity. Although previous studies have documented these associations separately, limited research considers the two in tandem. The present study addressed how the associations between social network characteristics and mortality differ across race and ethnicity in later life. METHODS Data were from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. At baseline, 3005 respondents were interviewed with regards to their health and social networks. Five years later, 430 respondents had died. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of all-cause mortality over the study period. RESULTS Network size and kin composition were negatively associated with mortality, whereas density was positively associated with mortality. There was a stronger negative association between the kin composition and mortality for Hispanic respondents compared with white and black respondents. CONCLUSION The present study contributes to the large literature documenting the link between social networks and health by highlighting the importance of analyzing networks through a sociocultural lens.
Prevalence of Optimal Metabolic Health in U.S. Adolescents, NHANES 2007-2016.

Background: While the overweight and obesity epidemic in the adolescent population is well described, a comprehensive evaluation of cardiometabolic health markers has not been reported. Our purpose...
The Patient Perspective on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following Elective Hand Surgery: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Analysis

Purpose Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have traditionally been used for research purposes, but are now being used to evaluate outcomes from the patient’s perspective and inform ongoing management and quality of care. We used quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluate the short-version Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) and the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS) with regard to patient preference and measurement of patient goals and their responsiveness after treatment. Methods Patients 18 years or older undergoing elective hand surgery received the QuickDASH and PSFS questionnaires before and at 6 weeks after surgery. Two additional questions intended to elicit patients’ preferences regarding the QuickDASH and PSFS were included. Responsiveness was measured by change in pre- to postoperative score. We analyzed patients’ responses to the 2 additional questions to identify themes in PROM preferences. Results from the quantitative and qualitative analyses were combined into a convergent mixed-methods (eg, quantitative and qualitative) analysis. Results Thirty-eight patients completed preoperative questionnaires; 25 (66%) completed postoperative questionnaires. Seventeen patients (77%) preferred the PSFS, 3 (14%) had no preference, 2 (9%) preferred the QuickDASH. The average change from pre- to postoperative QuickDASH was –10 (SD, 20), and that of the PSFS was –27 (SD, 26). Ten patients (40%) reported QuickDASH score changes above the minimal clinically importance difference (MCID), 17 patients (68%) reported PSFS score changes above the MCID. Content analysis revealed 4 themes in preference for a PROM: instrument simplicity (ease of instrument understanding and completion), personalized assessment (individualization and relevance), goal directed (having measurable aims or objectives), distinct items (concrete or specific instrument items or functions). Conclusions Most patients felt the PSFS better measured their goals because it is a simple, personalized instrument with distinct domains. Clinical relevance Whereas standardized PROMs may better compare across populations, physicians, or conditions, employing PROMs that address patient-specific goals may better assess aspects of care most important to patients. A combination of these 2 types of PROMs can be used to assess outcomes and inform quality of care.
Orthopaedic Care of the Transgender Patient.

» A transgender person is defined as one whose gender identity is incongruent with their biological sex assigned at birth. This highly marginalized population numbers over 1.4 million individuals in the U.S.; this prevalence skews more heavily toward younger generations and is expected to increase considerably in the future. » Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) has physiologic effects on numerous aspects of the patient's health that are pertinent to the orthopaedic surgeon, including bone health, fracture risk, and perioperative risks such as venous thromboembolism and infection. » Language and accurate pronoun usage toward transgender patients can have a profound effect on a patient's experience and on both objective and subjective outcomes. » Gaps in research concerning orthopaedic care of the transgender patient are substantial. Specific areas for further study include the effects of GAHT on fracture risk and healing, outcome disparities and care access across multiple subspecialties, and establishment of perioperative management guidelines.
Dynamic bike sharing traffic prediction using spatiotemporal pattern detection

Abstract This study proposes a two-step pattern detection methodology for dynamic bike share station traffic prediction using historic traffic and spatiotemporal characteristics. The model is developed on the 15-minute aggregated Washington, D.C. Capital Bikeshare data to predict bike share station traffic for both short- and long-term horizons ranging from 15 min to 4 h. The results show the prediction accuracy equals 100% for 15-minute, 1-hour, and 2-hour horizons and slightly more than 95% for 3-hour and 4-hour horizons at the system level. Not surprisingly, the prediction accuracy drops at the station level. For 15-minute and 1-hour horizons, the prediction accuracy equals 77% and 82%, and it ranges from 24% to 31% for 2-hour, 3-hour, and 4-hour horizons. The results also show that temporal characteristics contribute more than spatial characteristics in the short-time horizons, but the contribution is flipped for long-time horizons. The proposed models have the capacity to estimate bike share traffic for both short- and long-time horizons in less than 20 s of runtime, which illustrates the practicality of the models in dynamic bike sharing traffic prediction, and the potential of the proposed model to be updated in real-time and incorporate the most recent observations into predictions.
Digital civic participation and misinformation during the 2020 taiwanese presidential election

From fact-checking chatbots to community-maintained misinformation databases, Taiwan has emerged as a critical case-study for citizen participation in politics online. Due to Taiwan’s geopolitical history with China, the recent 2020 Taiwanese Presidential Election brought fierce levels of online engagement led by citizens from both sides of the strait. In this article, we study misinformation and digital participation on three platforms, namely Line, Twitter, and Taiwan’s Professional Technology Temple (PTT, Taiwan’s equivalent of Reddit). Each of these platforms presents a different facet of the elections. Results reveal that the greatest level of disagreement occurs in discussion about incumbent president Tsai. Chinese users demonstrate emergent coordination and selective discussion around topics like China, Hong Kong, and President Tsai, whereas topics like Covid-19 are avoided. We discover an imbalance of the political presence of Tsai on Twitter, which suggests partisan practices in disinformation regulation. The cases of Taiwan and China point toward a growing trend where regular citizens, enabled by new media, can both exacerbate and hinder the flow of misinformation. The study highlights an overlooked aspect of misinformation studies, beyond the veracity of information itself, that is the clash of ideologies, practices, and cultural history that matter to democratic ideals.
The transpositions of a filmmaker—Ingmar Bergman at home and abroad

Ingmar Bergman’s cinema has been distributed around the world to varied, constantly evolving public response. In this 1998 essay, Birgitta Steene assesses data collected from film viewers in five c...
Performance of FRP-Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Bridge Girders after 12 Years of Service in Coastal Florida

Abstract Although externally bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are commonly employed to strengthen reinforced concrete members, the durability of these rehabilitation measures is not...
Parameters Affecting Tufa Precipitation from Recycled Concrete Aggregate

Aggregate generated from concrete is one of the most considered recycled materials used in the U.S. for construction that requires earthwork. However, recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is known to produce tufa. This study focuses on understanding the composition of the precipitated tufa material from RCA as well as the factors that affect the precipitation process. The precipitation experiments were conducted using PWP (Plummer–Wigley–Parkhurst) reaction vessel using a synthetic metastable RCA solution. Based on the identified parameters, a parametric study was also conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the suggested mitigation method in the literature to remove and replace fine particles from RCA. Additionally, as part of this parametric study, the effects of contact time and blending with natural virgin aggregate (V.A.) were investigated as alternative mitigation methods. Minteq A2 and geochemical modeling were utilized to calculate the total solid-phase formation under equilibrium conditions from 100% RCA, 100% V.A., and different blends of the two materials. It is shown that the total ionic strength, availability of carbonate and bicarbonate ions, and saturation conditions of Ca and SO4 ions control the mineralogy of the tufa precipitation. Depending on the mechanism, it was found that the calcium carbonate or calcium sulfate minerals can be the dominant forms of precipitation in RCA tufa. Other minor elements contributing to RCA tufa formation were found to be Na, K, Cl, and Si. The parametric study showed that the RCA tufa potential is not dependent on the particle size fractions of RCA but can be reduced by blending RCA with V.A. or decreasing the contact time between water and RCA particle by creating a highly permeable layer of RCA.
A Review of the Year in Family Law 2006-2007: Judges Try to Find Answers to Complex Questions

Family law today reflects not only forty years of Supreme Court decisions, uniform family laws, and a trend toward federalization, but also the changing nature of families, which are often more defined by function than form. Fewer people are getting married; same-sex couples can enter into civil unions in numerous states; and more than six million people cohabitate. The number of children born out of wedlock has reached nearly forty percent. Increasing numbers of couples plan for dissolution or death by entering premarital or postmarital contracts. Assisted reproduction technology enables not only infertile couples to reproduce, but also same-sex couples. Therefore, today's survey of family law includes numerous topic headings that were not "issues" back in 1967 when we began this annual review. The volume of cases seems to expand exponentially, as reflected in the size of this Quarterly issue.
Aspirin and Risks of Cardiovascular Disease in the Physicians’ Health Study

In the United States today, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality, accounting for approximately one half of the more than two million annual deaths. Fatal myocardial infarction (MI) is the primary cause of cardiovascular death and the single greatest cause of all mortality, accounting for roughly one of every three deaths in the United States. The potential public health impact of a primary prevention measure that could reduce cardiovascular mortality by even 20% is therefore large. Such an intervention could, at least in theory, prevent 160,000 of the 800,000 deaths from MI and more than 28,000 of the 144,000 annual stroke deaths.
Field Crop Production and Soil Management in the Pacific Northwest1

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the production of field crops and associated soil management in the Pacific Northwest. The chapter discusses land forms, climate, water resources, and soils of the region. Soil is an important factor in crop production and soil management; it is treated more thoroughly than the other regional characteristics.. Land use, field crop production, and soil management are all controlled to a large degree by these factors. The Pacific Northwest has been divided into 11 major kinds of soil area, primarily based on soil differences related to differences in climate. Owing to the diversity of soil management, problems and practices are discussed largely by soil zones. Crop production in these zones is largely confined to narrow alluvial valleys, many with unique local soil problems. The general use of soil management practices is summarized for the entire region insofar as information is available. The chapter discusses the principal crops in each zone and the range of climatic conditions found in the different cultivated land areas within each crop zone in the Pacific Northwest.
Transgender HIV Prevention: Qualitative Evaluation of a Model Prevention Education Program

This study employed focus group methodology to evaluate the impact of the first HIV prevention education workshop targeting the transgender community. The impact on AIDS awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and risk reduction; participant satisfaction; and suggestions for program improvement were assessed. Qualitative analysis of the discussion transcript indicated the following: a panel of transgender persons with HIV/AIDS enhanced AIDS awareness and perceived susceptibility to HIV infection, sexual negotiation role-plays facilitated risk reduction by helping participants put knowledge into practice in a transgender-specific context, and assessment of personal risk and the development of an individualized prevention plan appeared effective. Participants suggested paying more attention to the context in which HIV risk occurs, integrating HIV prevention into transgender-specific sexuality education, and diversifying recruitment and intervention strategies to target hard-to-reach subgroups of the transgender po...
Design and tuning of fuzzy control surfaces with Bezier functions

Design and tuning a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) are usually done in two stages. In the first stage, the structure of a FLC is determined based on physical characteristics of the system. In the second stage, the parameters of the FLC are selected to optimize the performance of the system. The task of tuning FLCs can be performed by a number of methods such as adjusting control gains, changing membership functions, modifying control rules and varying control surfaces. A method for the design and tuning of FLCs through modifying their control surfaces is presented in this paper. The method can be summarized as follows. First, fuzzy control surfaces are modeled with Bezier functions. Shapes of the control surface are then adjusted through varying Bezier parameters. A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to search for the optimal set of parameters based on the control performance criteria. Simulation results on various control systems show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Expanding the academic discipline of real estate valuation

Purpose – This paper aims to trace the evolution of the theory and practice of valuation of real estate interests. Using a historical perspective, especially in the context of recent events, it identifies an emerging unification of thought and application that has important implications for the future.Design/methodology/approach – The paper identifies and synthesizes the contributory literature to the philosophical underpinnings of value theory and practice as applied to real estate. From pre‐history to the present, it traces classical concepts and the way these are related to the recent innovations in economic and financial valuation theory.Findings – Recent contributions to value theory hold the promise of unifying and transforming the practice of real estate appraisal to one that is state‐of‐the‐art in terms of its contemporary relevance. However, numerous issues remain as obstacles, including insufficient recognition of the “real” nature (as opposed to “capital” nature) of real estate; a lag in educat...
Hexose and amino acid transport by chicken embryo fibroblasts infected with temperature-sensitive mutant of Rous sarcoma virus. Comparison of transport properties of whole cells and membrane vesicles.

Abstract The effect of transformation on hexose and amino acid transport has been studied using whole cells and membrane vesicles of chicken embryo fibroblasts infected with the temperature-sensitive mutant of the Rous sarcoma virus, TS-68. In whole cells, TS-68-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts cultured at the permissive temperature (37°C) had a 2-fold higher rate of 2-deoxy- d -glucose uptake than the same cells cultured at the non-permissive temperature (41°C). However, both the non-transformed and transformed cells had comparable rates of α-aminoisobutyric acid transport. Membrane vesicles, isolated from TS-68-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts cultured at 41°C or 37°C, displayed carrier-mediated, intravesicular uptake of d -glucose and α-aminoisobutyric acid. Membrane vesicles from TS-68-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts cultured at 37°C had an approx. 50% greater initial rate of stereospecific hexose uptake than the membrane vesicles from fibroblasts cultured at 41°C. The two types of membrane vesicle had similar uptake rates of α-aminoisobutyric acid. The results of hexose and amino acid uptake by the membrane vesicles correlated well with those observed with the whole cells. Km values for stereospecific d -glucose uptake by the membrane vesicles from TS-68-infected chicken embryo fibroblasts cultured at 41 and 37°C were similar, but the V value was greater for the membrane vesicles from TS-68-infected cells cultured at 37°C. Cytochalasin B competitively inhibited stereospecific hexose uptake in both types of membrane vesicle. These findings suggest that the membrane vesicles retained many of the features of hexose and amino acid transport observed in whole cells, and that the increased rate of hexose transport seen in the virallytransformed chicken embryo fibroblasts was due to an increase in the number or availability of hexose carriers.
Current Challenges in Integrating Educational Technology into Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Education

Developing curriculum and instruction for mathematics education and designing technologically enhanced learning environments are often pursued separately, but may need to be addressed together to effectively link the strengths of technology to performance in mathematics and conceptual understanding. This paper addresses current challenges with educational technology in elementary and middle school mathematics education, as well as technology’s influence on curriculum, instruction, and student performance. Three properties of computer-based technology are described; these properties determine technology’s unique value for elementary and middle school mathematics: engagement and motivation, informative feedback, and visualization. Three computer-based math applications, Doodle Math, Puzzle Me, and GeoShape, are introduced as examples that combine effective learning resources and technology.
Solidification morphology and semi-solid deformation in superalloy Rene 108

A high temperature nickel-base superalloy (Rene 108) was directionally solidified by imposing various growth rates and thermal gradients using a modified Bridgeman apparatus. The scaling of the solidification structure was recorded as a function of the imposed growth variables. A special Gleeble testing procedure, developed previously where the solidified samples were quickly raised to a predetermined temperature in the semi-solid zone and fractured, was used for the measurement of fracture conditions in the semi-solid region. The effect of the solidification process variables, namely, the temperature gradient and velocity, on the fracture stress in the transverse direction was to increase the fracture stress at a given temperature. The upper hot-tearing temperature was noted to be a function of the solidification variables. The amount of strain accommodation and the hot tearing resistance was found to be influenced by the solidification microstructure. Fracture maps, which include the temperature, transverse fracture stress and temperature gradient during solidification (T-σT-G), for the directionally solidified microstructures are presented. Castability maps are created from the microstructure and the fracture data and display the porosity and semi-solid strength as a function of the casting variables.
Isolation and Characterization of NUC70, a Cytoplasmic, Hematopoietic Apoptotic Endonuclease

Endonucleolytic DNA fragmentation is the common end point and the prevailing indicator of apoptosis. We have identified a 70-kDa endonuclease (NUC70) that is activated in drug-induced apoptosis of human hematopoietic cells. We purified NUC70 to homogeneity and generated a rabbit polyclonal antibody to distinguish it from previously identified nucleases. Biochemical characterization of isolated NUC70 demonstrates that it is Ca2+/Mg2+-dependent and active over a pH range of 6–8. When incubated with isolated HeLa nuclei, NUC70 was capable of generating internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. This endonucleolytic activity was inhibited by Zn2+, aurintricarboxylic acid,N-ethylmaleimide, spermine, and iodoacetamide. Western immunoblots using the anti-NUC70 antibody and DNA-SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis assays indicate that NUC70 expression and activity is restricted to human hematopoietic cells. No such activity was detected in human epithelial cell lines or murine hematopoietic cells. We also observed no difference in levels of NUC70 expression between apoptotic and nonapoptotic cells, suggesting that activation of NUC70 may be by posttranslational modification. We demonstrate that NUC70 activity is diminished in cells pretreated with the caspase inhibitors z-DEVD-fmk, z-VAD-fmk, and Z-CH2-Asp-DCB. Time course studies of cytoplasmic and nuclear endonuclease activities during apoptosis show that NUC70 is a cytoplasmic endonuclease that is translocated to the nucleus after the initiation of apoptosis. We confirmed this with immunostaining studies using anti-NUC70 antibody. These results demonstrate that NUC70 is an endogenous cytoplasmic endonuclease that is activated during apoptosis in a caspase-dependent mechanism.
Parvalbumin-Expressing Interneurons Linearly Control Olfactory Bulb Output

Summary In the olfactory bulb, odor representations by principal mitral cells are modulated by local inhibitory circuits. While dendrodendritic synapses between mitral and granule cells are typically thought to be a major source of this modulation, the contributions of other inhibitory neurons remain unclear. Here we demonstrate the functional properties of olfactory bulb parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV cells) and identify their important role in odor coding. Using paired recordings, we find that PV cells form reciprocal connections with the majority of nearby mitral cells, in contrast to the sparse connectivity between mitral and granule cells. In vivo calcium imaging in awake mice reveals that PV cells are broadly tuned to odors. Furthermore, selective PV cell inactivation enhances mitral cell responses in a linear fashion while maintaining mitral cell odor preferences. Thus, dense connections between mitral and PV cells underlie an inhibitory circuit poised to modulate the gain of olfactory bulb output.
The Structure of a Three-Dimensional Tip Vortex at High Reynolds Numbers

The tip vortex structure of a three-dimensional hydrofoil at high Reynolds number was measured experimentally in both the 48 in. (1.22 m) diameter water tunnel and the 48 in. (1.22 m) wind tunnel at the Applied Research Laboratory, Penn State. The flow on and near the hydrofoil was measured in both facilities using a number of flow visualization techniques and laser velocimetry. The downstream tip vortex was measured with a three-component laser velocimeter at a number of streamwise positions
Radio-Frequency Spectrum Analyzers

The resolving power of radio-frequency spectrum analyzers of the continuously tuned type is defined as the width in frequency, at points 3 decibels down, of the trace of a continuous-wave signal. The optimum resolving power is 1.3√F/T, in which F is the frequency band scanned, and T the period of one scan. Traces of pulse-modulated, frequency-modulated, and amplitude-modulated signals are illustrated to show effect of resolving power.
A KiSS to remember

The Kiss1 gene encodes a family of neuropeptides named kisspeptins, which bind to a (former orphan) G-protein-coupled receptor called GPR54. Recent investigations suggest that kisspeptins play a vital role in regulating the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). New evidence confirms that kisspeptins act through GPR54 to stimulate GnRH secretion. Kisspeptins and GPR54 are crucial for pubertal maturation in the primate. Kiss1 mRNA is differentially regulated by sex steroids in distinct hypothalamic nuclei.