cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of CodY-Binding Sites in Bacillus subtilis

CodY is a global transcriptional regulator that is known to control directly the expression of at least two dozen operons in Bacillus subtilis, but the rules that govern the binding of CodY to its target DNA have been unclear. Using DNase I footprinting experiments, we identified CodY-binding sites upstream of the B. subtilis ylmA and yurP genes. The protected regions overlapped versions of a previously proposed CodY-binding consensus motif, AATTTTCWGAAAATT. Multiple single mutations were introduced into the CodY-binding sites of the ylmA, yurP, dppA, and ilvB genes. The mutations affected both the affinity of CodY for its binding sites in vitro and the expression in vivo of lacZ fusions that carry these mutations in their promoter regions. Our results show that versions of the AATTTTCWGAAAATT motif, first identified for Lactococcus lactis CodY, with up to five mismatches play an important role in the interaction of B. subtilis CodY with DNA.
An Unusual Trance

Benefit appears to flow from becoming aware of one’s trance, even when this seems to be a limited skill. The following report of a case of writer’s cramp suggests that even in these circumstances the trance can be valuable in providing a coping mechanism. The case is worth noting because the unusual self-rating, in hypnosis, of his own response, far exceeded any objective measurement of the response by an observer. In retrospect, the case history demonstrates that a great deal of therapeutic momentum was derived from the patient’s feeling that his arm levitation was considerably more impressive than, in fact, it was.
cAMP-stimulated ion currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing CFTR cRNA

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) was expressed in stage V/VI Xenopus oocytes by injection of cRNA transcribed in vitro from a pBluescript vector containing 6.2-kb wild...
Bryophytes and Lichens from Malheur National Forest, Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon

Abstract. We present a collections-based checklist for bryophyte and lichen species known or expected to occur within the boundaries of Malheur National Forest, an administrative unit spanning several climatic zones and vegetation types in the semi-arid Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. A synthesis of survey, literature and herbarium records yielded 2 hornwort species, 51 liverworts, 219 mosses and 276 lichens. Notable bryophytes included: Anoectangium aestivum, Bruchia bolanderi, Bryum calobryoides, Calliergonella lindbergii, Racomitrium depressum, Fontinalis hypnoides, Preissia quadrata and Schistidium cinclidodonteum. Notable lichens included: Lecanora pringlei, Peccania arizonica, Placidiopsis cinerascens, Schaereria dolodes and 6 calicioid lichens. We also provide conservation notes and conclude with a brief synopsis of collecting history in the region.
How Way-Finding is Challenging Gatekeeping in the Digital Age

This paper re-evaluates the relevance of the gatekeeping framework in the twenty-first century, arguing that in an age of digital journalism the gatekeeping metaphor has begun to restrict our study of journalism. Reviewing current research and utilizing a variety of surveys, case studies and theoretical work, the paper proposes a new framework. It argues that rather than online journalism studies focusing on the packaging of a news product by a news source (gatekeeping), it should instead focus on the paths taken by news users to individual stories via search engines, gatewatchers and social media (way-finding). To support this, five key areas of change are investigated: the increased capacity for storing and publishing news; new tools for news creation; increased use of aggregators and gatewatchers; competition on a story-by-story basis; and immediate audience feedback.
Mimicry-related Predation on Two Viceroy Butterfly (Limenitis archippus) Phenotypes

Abstract In the eastern United States, the mimetic viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) exhibits clinal variation in wing color, ranging from a tawny orange phenotype (L. a. archippus) in the N to a dark mahogany phenotype (L. a. floridensis) in Florida. Geographic distributions of these two subspecies are roughly coincident with the ranges of the viceroy's two eastern mimicry models: the monarch (Danaus plexippus) in the N, and the queen (D. gilippus) in the S. This coincidence has historically been attributed to “model-switching”: presumably, southern viceroys have switched from mimicking the monarch to mimicking the locally predominant queen, due to selective pressure exerted by visually foraging predators. As an initial test of this hypothesis, I sought evidence of selective predation on light and dark viceroys by captive red-winged blackbirds previously exposed to either monarchs or queens. Results were consistent with the model-switching hypothesis: queen-conditioned birds preferentially avoided ...
The advantages of early spine fusion in the treatment of fracture-dislocation of the cervical spine.

This Paper is concerned with the advantages of internal fixation and spine fusion early in the treatment of fracture-dislocations of the cervical spine. It is based on a statistical analysis of eighty-four cases of this entity treated within the clinical experience of the authors. It is important to understand the mechanism of injury in each case in order to treat it intelligently. In the treatment of cervical-spine injuries, first consideration must be given to protection of the neural elements. Relieving all pressure from the spinal cord and nerve roots, and putting them at rest, affords the best opportunity for return of function of the neural elenments. To do this with certainty requires accurate reduction of bone elements, followed by internal fixation for immediate stability and spine fusion to prevent late recurrence. The general routine of skeletal traction, internal fixation, and spine fusion constitutes a method of treatment that needs to be varied but slightly in order to include a large percentage of all serious injuries of the cervical spine. The results in thirty-eight spine fusions and forty-six injuries treated conservatively indicate that the patients in whom fusion was done had less residual deformity and a lower rate of recurrence. In addition less time was spent in the hospital or in uncomfortable casts, and less time was spent away from work. The mechanism of injury in cervical-spine fractures and dislocations is discussed in some detail, with emphasis on the hyperextension types. A new interpretation of the roentgenographic findings in a large group of fracture-dislocations with mild anterior displacement shows that approximately half of them were caused by hyperextension rather than flexion as previously thought. Prior to the recognition of this mechanism, it was difficult to understand the severe neurological changes that were frequently present. Placing these cases in the group of hyperextension injuries makes the neurological damage understandable.
Determining the operational limits of the biosand filter

Worldwide, access to clean drinking water is not available for more than 800 million people. The biosand filter (BSF), an intermittently operated slow sand filter, was developed to address this problem. The BSF is used in homes to improve water quality. Three main objectives were examined in this research: (1) investigate initial startup and recovery performance after cleaning BSF, (2) examine the number of people the BSF may effectively serve, and (3) determine effects of an extended pause period on BSF performance. Laboratory experiments examined the BSF's ability to reduce fecal coliforms (FC) and turbidity for the various objectives. Results indicate that during the startup period, 27 days were needed to achieve 1 log reduction, while only 17 days were needed after cleaning the BSF to achieve 1 log reduction. A maximum of six people can be effectively served by a single BSF based upon the results of the experiment. A 7-day extended pause period determined that the bacterial layer will begin to go dormant or die off when the filter is not used for an extended period.
Territoriality in Pronghorn Bucks on the National Bison Range, Moiese, Montana

The behavior of seven different mature male pronghorns (Anti-locapra americana) was studied for 102.6 hours during the rut season of 1966 on the National Bison Range in Montana. the bucks were in non-overlapping territories of Viq to Vs square miles. a buck on his territory displayed aggressive behavior to males that looked toward him or exposed the sides of their bodies to him. the bucks defended their areas against yearling bucks in all 131 interactions, and against other adult bucks in 69 of 73 similar encounters.
Order of Dry and Wet Mixed-Length Self-Assembled Monolayers

Functionalizing the surface of metal and oxide materials with self-assembled monolayers is an elegant method for tuning the chemical properties of the surfaces. The properties of a coated surface depend on both the chemical nature of the termination as well as the order of the monolayer. One commonly used platform is alkylsilanes on silica surfaces. Here we characterize the disorder of self-assembled monolayers having a mixture of two monomer lengths using sum-frequency generation (SFG) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We find that mixed monolayer order varies smoothly as a function of composition. The mixed monolayers are more disordered than either pure monolayer, and of the pure monolayers, the shorter monolayer is more disordered. The nonlinear relationship between monolayer disorder and composition, along with atomic force microscopy images, suggests completely homogeneous mixing or very small domains of the monomers. The order of the monolayers as determined by SFG spectroscopy does not ...
Analysis on Epidemic Situation of HIV/AIDS in Changde from 1995 to 2011

Objective To analyze the epidemic situation of AIDS in Changde during the period of 1995-2011.Methods Information about the epidemic situation of AIDS in Changde from 1995 to 2011 was collected and analyzed by using descriptive epidemiological analysis method.Results Totally 741 HIV/AIDS cases were reported accumulatively from 1995 to 2011.The distribution features showed that the cases were found mostly in the young and middle-aged people aged between 30 and 49 years(67.34%),the males(67.61%),farmers,homemakers,the unemployed and migrant workers(68.56%).Most of the cases were transmitted through sexual intercourse(72.60%),in which 469(63.29%) cases were from heterosexual transmission and 69(9.31%) were from homosexual transmission.Conclusions Between 1995 and 2011,there were rapid increases in HIV/AIDS prevalence in Changde.MSM transmission showed an increasing trend,and the disease tended to spread from high-risk groups to general population.It is urgent to scientifically develop the work about AIDS prevention and control in Changde.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors perturb fatty acid metabolism and induce peroxisomes in keratinocytes

Topical lovastatin stimulates epidermal fatty acid synthesis in vivo; therefore, studies were undertaken to examine the effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on fatty acid metabolism in cultured keratinocytes. When exposed to fluindostatin or lovastatin for greater than or equal to 24 h, keratinocytes in serum-free media accumulated nile red-fluorescent lipid droplets. By 72 h, the triacylglycerol and phospholipid content were increased 2.5- and 1.3-fold, respectively. Reductase inhibitors (1-10 microM) increased fatty acid synthesis approximately 1.5-fold; increased synthesis was noted only after greater than 15 h exposure and was distributed among phospholipids and triacylglycerols. Oxidation of [14C]palmitate to CO2 was decreased greater than 50% in inhibitor-treated cultures, and label accumulated in triacylglycerols. Inhibitor-treated keratinocytes exhibited increased numbers of peroxisomes, using diaminobenzidene ultracytochemistry. Peroxisomal hyperplasia was also demonstrated by increased catalase activity (1.5- to 2.5-fold), increased dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase activity (1.4-fold) and increased peroxisomal (KCN-insensitive) fatty acid oxidation (1.4-fold) in inhibitor-treated cultures. Thus HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors increase fatty acid synthesis, induce triacylglycol and phospholipid accumulation, and induce peroxisomes in cultured keratinocytes. Coincubations with either low density lipoproteins or 25-hydroxycholesterol prevented both the peroxisomal hyperplasia and increased fatty acid synthesis, suggesting that these effects of reductase inhibitors may be linked to their effects on the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway.
The application of mass spectrometry to the study of the pineal gland.

This paper presents briefly the basic principles of operation for the mass spectrometer (MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) systems as well as discuss some of the analytical and assay methods for indole compounds which utilize GCMS. Using 5-methoxytryptophol as an example, the development of such an assay method is examined in detail. Finally, some of the most recent methodological and instrumental developments in mass spectrometry, including field disorption mass spectrometry (FDMS), negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry, and isotope dilution techniques are discussed in view of the contributions they may be expected to make to the study of pineal chemistry.
Symposium: What Is Hemophilia?: On the Nature and Diagnosis of Hemophilia

The primary cause of the defective hemostasis in hemophilia is the lack of thromboplastinogen in the blood. This anomaly is congenital and hereditary. The mechanism whereby the concentration of thromboplastinogen is depressed in the blood is not known and no satisfactory explanation can be given why the defect manifests itself only in the male. The degree of the hypothromboplastinogenemia determines the intrinsic severity of the disease. The diagnosis is based on establishing the existence of a bleeding tendency from birth, in demonstrating a deficiency of thromboplastinogen in the blood, and in finding a typical hereditary pattern.
Introduction: Models and Theories of Ethnic Conflict

Ethnic conflict and racial conflict are phrases often taken to describe the same phenomenon. However, when the usage of these terms in books over time is examined, a different picture emerges. Figure 1.1, taken from the Google search of words in books between 1800 and 2000, shows that neither phrase was in common use before 1900 when “racial conflict” began to appear. The other phrase did not make a significant appearance before 1960. “Racial conflict” peaked about 1970 and then declined.
TH-CD-206-04: Learning Relevance Criterion for Multi-Atlas Based Image Segmentation

Purpose: It is important to effectively identify the subset of relevant training atlases in learning based segmentation. Since segmentation based geometry relevance between atlases and the target is inaccessible due to the unknown target segmentation, image feature based relevance criteria have to be used instead. This study aims to learn an image based criterion that best reflects the underlying geometry agreement. Methods: We learn the image-based relevance criterion in the form of a Mahalanobis distance on linearly transformed image feature, which is specialized to image intensity in this work, and optimize such linear transformation. Given a set of atlases, i.e., image/segmentation pairs, a linear transformation is optimized to make the Mahalanobis distance small between the geometrically relevant atlases and large between the irrelevant pairs. Performance assessment and comparison with the commonly-used mean square distance (MSD), a special case of the Mahalanobis distance with a trivial linear transform, are performed based on clinical brain MR images. Results: The proposed surrogate learning approach was validated with multi-atlas based corpus callosum segmentation. Compared to MSD, our learned surrogate demonstrated superiority in selecting the geometrically relevant atlases. The learned surrogate yielded an improvement on the average pairwise Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of the selected atlases from .004 to .007, and a corresponding improvement on the ultimate segmentation accuracy from .003 to .005, over an atlas subset size from 1 to 20. Conclusion: This work provides a systematic methodology to learn task-specific criterion to select atlases for image segmentation, and demonstrates effectiveness in identifying the most relevant atlases. We are working on investigating various image features and extending to nonlinear transformations for further improvement.
Evidence-Based Treatment Programs for Conduct Problems: Are They Cost Effective?

Over the last decade and a half, interest in the economic analysis of interventions and services to prevent or treat behavioral health problems among children and youth has grown (Aos, Lieb, Mayfield, Miller, & ­Pennucci, 2004; Foster, Jonnes, & Dodge, 2003). The need for such research has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health. For example, the National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) 1996 plan for prevention research recognized this gap and stated: “Too little attention, however, has been focused on conducting cost–benefit or ­cost-effectiveness analyses that can reliably demonstrate whether preventive interventions indeed save money and improve health.” Such information is of great importance to policy makers: “cost–benefit or cost-effectiveness analyses need to become an integral part of NIMH-supported prevention effectiveness ­trials” (p. 17–18) (National Advisory Mental Health Council, 1996). However, the growth of interest has outstripped that of progress. For example, of the 23 programs in the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators and Community Leaders,” only one has been subjected to economic analysis – the ­Strengthening Families Program (Spoth, Guyll, & Day, 2002).
Environmental Determinates of Stream Caddisfly (Trichoptera) Diversity in Eastern Texas, USA

We assessed Trichoptera diversity for 91 wadeable stream sites in eastern Texas, and caddisflies were found at 86 sites. Caddisfly larvae were collected separately from benthic samples and from snag habitat (woody debris). We collected 13 families and 28 genera from benthic samples and 9 families and 21 genera of Trichoptera from snag habitats, and there was broad overlap among taxa between the two habitat types. A significantly greater number of genera were collected from non-urban benthic samples (mean=4.29, range=1–11) than urban ones (mean=2.6, range 1–7) (t-testα=0.05, t=3.57, P=0.0006) (Fig. 3A). We also found significantly fewer genera on snag habitats (mean=2.12) in urban streams compared to non-urban streams (mean=3.48) (t-testα=0.05, t=4.14, p=0.0001). We used correspondence analysis to evaluate data from benthic and snag habitats in nonurban and urban locations. Several genera were more commonly associated with urban streams while other genera were more commonly associated with non-urban stream...
Men's Responses to Women's Sexual Refusals: Development and Construct Validity of a Virtual Dating Simulation of Sexual Aggression.

Objective To provide evidence regarding the construct validity of a sexual aggression proxy in which male participants go on multiple virtual dates with a woman. A unique strength of this proxy is participants' opportunity to make choices throughout the simulation about how they interact with their virtual date. These decisions determine their exposure to the female agent's sexual refusals. Method Piloting included focus groups (n = 82), surveys (n = 95), and cognitive interviews (n = 32). To establish construct validity, 87 male participants completed two separate sessions: 1) an online survey with measures of discriminant and convergent validity; and 2) a lab session in which they went on multiple dates that included nonsexual options, sexual options which the female agent accepted, and sexual options she refused. Sexual aggression was operationalized as the total number of sexual refusals that participants' received. Results There was strong correlational evidence for discriminant and convergent validity. As hypothesized, there were some differences in the risk factors associated with refusals received on casual as compared to steady dates. Additionally, the number of refusals received was associated with the types of thoughts and actions commonly reported by perpetrators. Conclusions This simulation provides a new approach for examining sexual aggression in controlled experiments that vary factors within the simulation such as the man's and woman's intoxication and past sexual history. Because what happens is based on each individual's responses, it could be adapted for use in prevention and treatment programs.
Compacted Bloom Filter

A Bloom filter is a space-efficient probabilistic data structure that is used in many domains including networking applications to test for set memberships. Such applications often require sending Bloom filters using messages. Consequently, it is important to minimize the size of the filters such that the storage, transmission, and processing costs are minimized. In this paper, we introduce a novel data structure, which we refer to as the Compacted Bloom Filter (CmBF) that improves performance, uses less storage, and provides the same functionality as a standard Bloom filter. CmBF is suitable for many networking applications including IP traceback, peer-to-peer networks, and DDoS attack filtering approaches that require the transfer of large amount of information, such as IP addresses, among nodes. Moreover, CmBF works well for endpoints with limited memory. However, unlike the standard Bloom filter, CmBF introduces false negatives. We formalize expressions representing the false negative and positive rates. We perform simulations that validate our theory and investigate different tradeoffs in CmBF.
Descriptors for Perception of Quality in Jazz Piano Improvisation

Quality assessment of jazz improvisation is a multi-faceted, high-level cognitive task routinely performed by educators in university jazz programs and other discriminating music listeners. In this pilot study, we present a novel dataset of 88 MIDI jazz piano improvisations with ratings of creativity, technical proficiency, and aesthetic appeal provided by four jazz experts, and we detail the design of a feature set that can represent some of the rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and other expressive attributes humans recognize as salient in assessment of performance quality. Inherent subjectivity in these assessments is inevitable, yet the recognition of performance attributes by which humans perceive quality has wide applicability to related tasks in the music information retrieval (MIR) community and jazz pedagogy. Preliminary results indicate that several musiciologically-informed features of relatively low computational complexity perform reasonably well in predicting performance quality labels via ordinary least squares regression.
Conversion of Low-Flow Priapism to High-Flow State Using T-Shunt with Tunneling

Introduction. The three types of priapism are stuttering, arterial (high-flow, nonischemic), and venoocclusive (low-flow, ischemic). These are usually distinct entities and rarely occur in the same patient. T-shunts and other distal shunts are frequently combined with tunneling, but a seldom recognized potential complication is conversion to a high-flow state. Case Presentation. We describe 2 cases of men who presented with low-flow priapism episodes that were treated using T-shunts with tunneling that resulted with both men having recurrent erections shortly after surgery that were found to be consistent with high-flow states. Case 1 was a 33-year-old male with sickle cell anemia and case 2 was a 24-year-old male with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. In both cases the men were observed over several weeks and both men returned to normal erectile function. Conclusions. Historically, proximal shunts were performed only in cases when distal shunts failed and carry a higher risk of serious complications. T-shunts and other distal shunts combined with tunneling are being used more frequently in place of proximal shunts. These cases illustrate how postoperative erections after T-shunts with tunneling can signify a conversion from low-flow to high-flow states and could potentially be misdiagnosed as an operative failure.
Psychosocial Keys to African American Achievement? Examining the Relationship Between Achievement and Psychosocial Variables in High Achieving African Americans:

Grit, growth mindset, ethnic identity, and other group orientation are four psychosocial variables that have been associated with academic achievement in adolescent populations. In a sample of 105 ...
Macrophage metabolism in atherosclerosis

A key aspect of atherosclerosis is the maladaptive inflammatory response to lipoprotein accumulation in the artery. The failure to decrease lipid accumulation, to clear apoptotic cells, and to resolve inflammation ultimately leads to macrophage accumulation within the vascular wall [Thorp EB (2010) Apoptosis15, 1124-1136; Moore K et al. (2013) Nat Rev Immunol 13, 709-721; Moore KJ and Tabas I (2011) Cell 145, 341-355; Ley K et al. (2011) Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 31, 1506-1516]. Several subsets of macrophages are found inside atherosclerotic plaques [Chinetti-Gbaguidi G et al. (2015) Nat Rev Cardiol 12, 10-17; Leitinger N and Schulman IG (2013) Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 33, 1120-1126; Mantovani A et al. (2009) Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 29, 1419-1423]: Proinflammatory M1-like macrophages potentially participate in atherosclerosis initiation and progression; M2-like macrophages are thought to be protective due to their anti-inflammatory and profibrotic properties, presumably stabilizing the plaque [Chistiakov DA et al. (2015) Int J Cardiol 184, 436-445; Gordon S (2003) Nat Rev Immunol 3, 23-35]; Mox macrophages develop in response to oxidized phospholipids and present a glutathione- and potentially redox-regulating phenotype [Kadl A et al. (2010) Circ Res 107, 737-746]; Mhem macrophages are found in areas of plaque hemorrhage [Boyle JJ et al. (2009) Am J Pathol 174, 1097-1108; Boyle JJ et al. (2012) Circ Res 110, 20-33] where they are involved in heme clearance. Recent evidence suggests that the relative abundance of these macrophage subsets is a better indicator of plaque progression and stability than the total number of lesion macrophages [Chinetti-Gbaguidi G et al. (2015) Nat Rev Cardiol 12, 10-17]. Over the last few years, findings in the area of immunometabolism established a link between the metabolic state of the different macrophage phenotypes and their functions [O'Neill LAJ and Pearce EJ (2016) J Exp Med 213, 15-23]. However, the effect of metabolic changes in macrophages on atherosclerotic plaque progression and stability is not well understood and an area of intensive study. In this review, we will summarize and critically discuss recent developments in the field of macrophage metabolism in the context of atherosclerosis to guide future investigation in this area.
Prognostic significance of Kadish staging in esthesioneuroblastoma: An analysis of the National Cancer Database.

Background Given the rarity of esthesioneuroblastoma, it is difficult to validate a staging system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of the Kadish staging system in esthesioneuroblastoma using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods One thousand one hundred sixty-seven patients with esthesioneuroblastoma were identified from the NCDB. Results Five-year survival was 80.0% for Kadish A, 87.7% for Kadish B, 77.0% for Kadish C, and 49.5% for Kadish D. Kadish B had higher survival than Kadish A. More Kadish B patients received surgery with adjuvant therapy than Kadish A patients (41.6% vs 32.5%; P = .0038) and also had more positive margins (21.6% vs 11.3%; P = .03). There was no difference in age distribution, sex, race, or neck dissection status between the 2 groups. Conclusion Kadish B had greater survival than Kadish A, but the treatment characteristics could not account for this difference. The utility of early-stage Kadish staging is uncertain and requires further study.
The Role of Emotion Regulation and Socialization in Behavioral Parent Training: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Low-income families are less likely to effectively engage in Behavioral Parent Training (BPT), the standard of care for early-onset (3-8 years old) disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs); however, re...
E-cigarette Use and Cigarette Smoking Cessation among Texas College Students.

Objectives We examined the relationships between e-cigarette use and subsequent cigarette smoking behaviors at 6- and 12-month follow-ups among young adults. Methods Participants were 18-29 year-old current and former cigarette smokers (N = 627) at 24 Texas colleges, participating in a 3-wave study. Multi-level, multivariable logistic regression models, accounting for school clustering, examined the impact of self-reported use of e-cigarettes on cigarette smoking status at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Two mutually-exclusive groups of e-cigarette users were examined: those that used for cigarette smoking cessation and those that used for reasons other than cessation. Baseline covariates included socio-demographics, past quit attempts, nicotine dependence, cigarettes per day, and other tobacco use. Results Use of e-cigarettes for cigarette smoking cessation was associated with increased odds of cigarette smoking cessation at 6- and 12-month follow-ups, while using e-cigarettes for other reasons was not, when adjusting for covariates. Conclusions Use of e-cigarettes for cigarette smoking cessation may reduce cigarette smoking rates in young adult college students. Additional research is needed examining e-cigarettes as a complement to evidence-based cessation resources that are associated with cigarette smoking cessation among young adults.
The Mechanics of Morphogenesis in Multicellular Embryos

Our subject is morphogenesis, the shaping of a multicellular embryo. As an embryo develops, it acquires sequentially the characteristic levels of biological organization: A single cell, a fertilized egg, generates a mass of cells which form tissues, then organs, then organ systems. Processes at all of these levels depend on each other; to understand morphogenesis one must unravel this interdependence. The major subject of current investigations in cell biomechanics is the relation between activities of cells and the molecular processes that mediate these activities. In these investigations most experiments focus on the behavior of single cells, or on the interactions between pairs of cells. However, such studies leave unresolved the many-cell problem: How do many cells, interacting in diverse ways, shape an embryo?
Electronic nicotine delivery system use behaviour and loss of autonomy among American Indians: results from an observational study.

Objective American Indians (AI) have a high prevalence of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use. However, little information exists on (ENDS) use, either alone or in combination with cigarettes (dual use), among AI. The objective of this small-scaled study was to examine use behaviours and dependence among exclusive ENDS users and dual users of AI descent. Exclusive smokers were included for comparison purposes. Setting Oklahoma, USA. Participants Adults of AI descent who reported being exclusive ENDS users (n=27), dual users (n=28) or exclusive cigarette smokers (n=27). Measures Participants completed a detailed questionnaire on use behaviours. The Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) was used to assess loss of autonomy over cigarettes and was reworded for ENDS. Dual users completed the HONC twice. Sum of endorsed items indicated severity of diminished autonomy. Comparisons were made with non-parametric methods and statistical significance was defined as P Results Median duration of ENDS use was 2 years among ENDS users and 1 year among dual users. Most ENDS and dual users reported Conclusions Severity of diminished autonomy was lower for ENDS than cigarettes in this small sample of AI. Future, adequately powered studies should be conducted to fully understand ENDS use patterns and dependence levels in this population.
Who Wants the Breakup? Gender and Breakup in Heterosexual Couples

Marriage is the most important, and the most stable social network tie in American life. Marriage is also a gendered, and therefore a potentially asymmetric network tie. Most divorces in the US are wanted by the wife. Women’s predominance in wanting divorce (among couples who divorce) seems to have been consistent over time. This chapter employs a new longitudinal study of relationships in the US, the “How Couples Meet and Stay Together” surveys, to examine the gender of who wanted the breakup for both marital and nonmarital heterosexual relationships for the first time. The results show that only in marriages are the majority of breakups wanted by the female partner. Men and women in nonmarital heterosexual relationships in the US are equally likely to want to breakup. Furthermore, wives report lower relationship quality than husbands, while men and women in nonmarital relationships report more similar relationship quality.
Methodology for comparing wood adhesive bond load transfer using digital volume correlation

The steps followed to study the micromechanics of wood adhesive bond planes using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and digital volume correlation (DVC) are described. Iodine-tagged adhesive was formulated to provide X-ray contrast between the wood cell material and the adhesive. Specimens were tested in single-lap shear by tension loading and scanned in a step-loading procedure. DVC was applied to natural texture (such as pits, cell tips, and ray cell features), and the accuracy and precision of DVC for wood texture were characterized. XCT imagery was segmented, and the morphology of the adhesive was compared with the load transfer characteristics. Challenges to be addressed for performing in situ experiments with natural texture and DVC are discussed. The results show measurable effects of the microstructure (such as rays and resin canals) on strain distributions, but determining whether or not there is a significant link between adhesive morphology and bond performance requires further study.
Activity-dependent decrease in contact areas between subsurface cisterns and plasma membrane of hippocampal neurons.

Subsurface cistern (SSC) in neuronal soma and primary dendrites is a specialized compartment of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that is in close apposition (10 nm) with the plasma membrane (PM). ER-PM contact areas are thought to be involved in intracellular calcium regulation. Here, structural changes of SSC in hippocampal neurons were examined by electron microscopy upon depolarization with high K+ (90 mM) or application of NMDA (50 μM) in rat dissociated cultures as well as organotypic slice cultures. The number and average length of SSC-PM contact areas in neuronal somas significantly decreased within 30 s under excitatory condition. This decrease in SSC-PM contact area progressed with time and was reversible. These results demonstrate a structural decoupling between the SSC and the PM upon stimulation, suggesting that there may be a functional decoupling of the calcium regulation. Because SSC-PM contact areas may mediate calcium influx, the decrease in contact area may protect neurons from calcium overload upon heightened stimulation.
Spinoza’s Theory of Scientia Intuitiva

Many prominent distinctions involving kinds of knowledge or cognition are dichotomous: a priori or a posteriori, necessary or contingent, analytic or synthetic, conceptual or empirical, certain or probable, self-evident or inferential, general or particular, intellectual or imaginative.
Cytopathogenesis and Cytopathology of Influenza Virus Infection of Cells in Culture

A critical appraisal of available evidence suggests that all target cells in which influenza virus replication occurs are doomed to destruction. Studies of apparently noncytopathic viruses in which foci of infection were localized with a chro-mogenic neuraminidase substrate demonstrated that in all instances when neuraminidase-positive foci could be demonstrated, cell necrosis (cytopathic effect, CPE) was subsequently detected by microscopy (Palese et al., 1973; E.D. Kil-bourne, unpublished data). Assuming, then, the absence of temperate or latent infection, differences in virulence, pathogenicity, and persistence among influenza viruses must be explained as a resultant of virus and host-cell factors that determine the probability of host cell escape from infection under defined conditions. These conditions may favor the emergence of DI particles or the induction of interference or interferon that may influence the pattern of microinfection (plaque formation) or the persistence of virus in serially propagated cell cultures. In persistent infection of laboratory cell cultures, influenza virus mutants may evolve with altered replication, neuraminidase activity, and interfering properties. However, even these mutants were demonstrably cytopathic (Frielle et al., 1984).
Experimental Evolution to Explore Adaptation of Terrestrial Bacteria to the Martian Environment

Since their origin some 3.8 billion years ago, microorganisms have diversified such that they now inhabit practically every conceivable niche on planet Earth. Many of these earthly niches are at physical and/or chemical conditions considered to be at the extreme margins of habitability. But what are the true extremes at which life can exist? Recent robotic explorations of our solar system have led to the discovery of potentially habitable environments on other celestial bodies such as the planet Mars or in subsurface oceans under the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn. In order to investigate whether life could exist in such extraterrestrial environments, laboratory evolution experiments have been undertaken to probe the physical limits at which life can be forced to adapt. Results from these experiments are informing us about the molecular mechanisms microbes utilize to perform critical life functions at environmental extremes both on and off Earth.
Detection and Quantitation of Gluten in Fermented-Hydrolyzed Foods by Antibody-Based Methods: Challenges, Progress, and a Potential Path Forward

Celiac disease (CD) affects approximately 1 in 141 individuals in the United States, requiring adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. The Codex Standard and the European Commission states that gluten level of gluten-free foods must not exceed 20 ppm. The FDA requires food bearing the labeling claim “gluten-free” to contain less than 20 ppm gluten. Accurate quantitation of gluten in fermented-hydrolyzed food is a challenge due to the lack of appropriate reference materials and variable proteolysis. The recent uses of proteases (e.g. proline endopeptidases or PEP) to hydrolyze immunopathogenic sequences of gluten proteins further complicates the quantitation of immunopathogenic gluten. The commercially available methods routinely used to detect and quantitate gluten are not able to distinguish between different hydrolytic patterns arising from differences in fermentation processes. This is a severe limitation that makes accurate quantitation and, ultimately, a detailed evaluation of any potential health risk associated with consuming the food difficult. With an aim to ensure accurate quantitation of gluten in fermented-hydrolyzed foods by taking into consideration the diversity of the peptide profiles generated during the fermentation process, a novel multiplex-competitive ELISA method was recently developed. The ELISA utilizes the G12, R5, 2D4, MIoBS, and Skerritt antibody-HRP conjugates employed in nine commercial gluten ELISA methods and simultaneously measures gliadin, deamidated gliadin, and glutenin specific epitopes. Western blot analysis provided added information into the antigenic targets being detected by the multiplex-competitive ELISA. Together, the multiplex-competitive ELISA and western blot analysis provide insight into the extent of proteolysis resulting from various fermentation processes and have the potential to aid in the selection of appropriate hydrolytic calibration standards, leading to accurate gluten quantitation in fermented-hydrolyzed foods.
Local RR Lyrae stars: native and alien

Measurements of [Fe/H] and radial velocity are presented for 89 RR Lyrae (RRL) candidates within 6 kpc of the Sun. After removal of two suspected non-RRL, these stars were added to an existing database, which yielded 464 RRL with [Fe/H] on a homogeneous scale. Using data from the Gaia satellite (Data Release 2), we calculated the positions and space velocities for this sample. These data confirm the existence of a thin-disc of RRL with [alpha/Fe] ~ solar. The majority of the halo RRL with large total energies have near zero angular momenta about the Z axis. Kinematically these stars closely resemble the Gaia-Sausage/Gaia-Enceladus stars that others have proposed are debris from the merger of a large galaxy with the Milky Way. The metallicity and period distributions of the RRL and their positions in the period-amplitude diagram suggest that this disrupted galaxy was as massive as the Large Magellanic Cloud and possibly greater.
Context-Dependent Utilities A Solution to the Problem of Constant Acts in Savage

Savage’s framework of subjective preference among acts provides a paradigmatic derivation of rational subjective probabilities within a more general theory of rational decisions. The system is based on a set of possible states of the world, and on acts, which are functions that assign to each state a consequence. The representation theorem states that the given preference between acts is determined by their expected utilities, based on uniquely determined probabilities (assigned to sets of states), and numeric utilities assigned to consequences. Savage’s derivation, however, is based on a highly problematic well-known assumption not included among his postulates: for any consequence of an act in some state, there is a “constant act” which has that consequence in all states. This ability to transfer consequences from state to state is, in many cases, miraculous – including simple scenarios suggested by Savage as natural cases for applying his theory. We propose a simplification of the system, which yields the representation theorem without the constant act assumption. We need only postulates P1-P6. This is done at the cost of reducing the set of acts included in the setup. The reduction excludes certain theoretical infinitary scenarios, but includes the scenarios that should be handled by a system that models human decisions.
14-Color single tube for flow cytometric characterization of CD5+ B-LPDs and high sensitivity automated minimal residual disease quantitation of CLL/SLL

INTRODUCTION The diagnosis of CLL/SLL relies on flow cytometric immunophenotyping. Increasing emphasis is being placed on precise detection of the minimal residual disease. Following antigen recommendations of ERIC and ESCCA's Harmonization Project, we validated a 14-color assay for the characterization CD5+ lymphoproliferative neoplasms and CLL MRD with a sensitivity of at least 10-4 . METHODS The assay was designed based on ERIC/ESCCA recommended antigens with the addition of CD40 for alternate gating when CD19 expression is reduced. Lower limit of quantitation/lower limit of detection, assay procedural precision, linearity, and limit of blank were established. Then, 52 CD5+ B-cell lymphoproliferative neoplasms (41 CLL/11 non-CLL) and 29 normal samples were used for parallel evaluation. Automated cluster identification and quantitation of CLL clones in MRD setting was performed using Barned-Hutt SNE. Separation analysis between CLL and non-CLL phenotypes was performed by PCA and bh-SNE. RESULTS Separation ratios for each antigen exceeded ERIC/ESCCA guidelines. Precision was <20% at LLOQ (0.01%). The limit of blank was <10/500,000 cells. Concordance between the 14-color and legacy assay (Deming regression y = 1.01x, r2 = .99) was seen. All 20 samples with MRD levels 0.5%-0.006% (median 0.04%) showed an abnormal cell cluster by bh-SNE, with concordant results between manual and automated quantitation (y = x, r2 = 1). CLL cases clustered together and away from mantle cell lymphoma by bh-SNE and PCA with outlier atypical phenotype CLL cases posing diagnostic challenges by both manual and automated analysis. CONCLUSION The 14-color CD5+ LPD assay provides a robust standardization platform for MRD and disease characterization using both manual and automated analysis.
Parental Language Input Predicts Neuroscillatory Patterns Associated with Language Development in Toddlers at Risk of Autism

In this study we investigated the impact of parental language input on language development and associated neuroscillatory patterns in toddlers at risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Forty-six mother-toddler dyads at either high (n = 22) or low (n = 24) familial risk of ASD completed a longitudinal, prospective study including free-play, resting electroencephalography, and standardized language assessments. Input quantity/quality at 18 months positively predicted expressive language at 24 months, and relationships were stronger for high-risk toddlers. Moderated mediations revealed that input-language relationships were explained by 24-month frontal and temporal gamma power (30–50 Hz) for high-risk toddlers who would later develop ASD. Results suggest that high-risk toddlers may be cognitively and neurally more sensitive to their language environments, which has implications for early intervention.
CD4 Inhibits Helper T Cell Activation at Lower Affinity Threshold for Full-Length T Cell Receptors Than Single Chain Signaling Constructs.

CD4+ T cells are crucial for effective repression and elimination of cancer cells. Despite a paucity of CD4+ T cell receptor (TCR) clinical studies, CD4+ T cells are primed to become important therapeutics as they help circumvent tumor antigen escape and guide multifactorial immune responses. However, because CD8+ T cells directly kill tumor cells, most research has focused on the attributes of CD8+ TCRs. Less is known about how TCR affinity and CD4 expression affect CD4+ T cell activation in full length TCR (flTCR) and TCR single chain signaling (TCR-SCS) formats. Here, we generated an affinity panel of TCRs from CD4+ T cells and expressed them in flTCR and three TCR-SCS formats modeled after chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to understand the contributions of TCR-pMHCII affinity, TCR format, and coreceptor CD4 interactions on CD4+ T cell activation. Strikingly, the coreceptor CD4 inhibited intermediate and high affinity TCR-construct activation by Lck-dependent and -independent mechanisms. These inhibition mechanisms had unique affinity thresholds dependent on the TCR format. Intracellular construct formats affected the tetramer staining for each TCR as well as IL-2 production. IL-2 production was promoted by increased TCR-pMHCII affinity and the flTCR format. Thus, CD4+ T cell therapy development should consider TCR affinity, CD4 expression, and construct format.
Race, politics, and perceptions of anti-Black and anti-White discrimination over time

Race differences in perceptions of discrimination are well documented, but questions remain about contextual- and individual-difference moderators of when White and Black Americans see racial bias....