cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient Computation of Linkage Disequilibria as Dense Linear Algebra Operations

Genomic datasets are steadily growing in size asmore genomes are sequenced and new genetic variants arediscovered. Datasets that comprise thousands of genomes andmillions of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), exhibitexcessive computational demands that can lead to prohibitivelylong analyses, yielding the deployment of high-performancecomputational approaches a prerequisite for the thoroughanalysis of current and future large-scale datasets. In this work, we demonstrate that the computational kernel for calculatinglinkage disequilibria (LD) in genomes, i.e., the non-randomassociations between alleles at different loci, can be cast interms of dense linear algebra (DLA) operations, leveraging thecollective knowledge in the DLA community in developing high-performance implementations for various microprocessor ar-chitectures. The proposed approach for computing LD achievesbetween 84% and 95% of the theoretical peak performance ofthe machine, and is up to 17X faster than existing LD kernelimplementations. Furthermore, we argue that, the currenttrend of increasing the SIMD (Single Instruction MultipleData) register width in microprocessors yields minor benefitsfor assessing LD, resulting in an increasing gap betweenperformance attainable by LD computations and the theoreticalpeak of the microprocessor architecture, suggesting the needfor hardware support.
The Application Software Framework About Distributed Intelligent Alarm Information in Intelligent Substation

With rapid development of the power grid construction and the new energy, power grid operating characteristic has major changes. The intelligent alarm processing function in the existing dispatching automation system cannot meet the requirements of the power grid operation. Distributed application has become a new application requirement for power grid dispatching automation system. In recent years, the distributed application research on distributed state estimation, distributed intelligent alarm, and distributed SCADA has been reported. Base on the status and application of the intelligent power network dispatch and control system, the intelligent alarm function analyzes the difference between the traditional alarm system and the distributed intelligent alarm system. And the paper studies the architecture and specification of the two-level distributed intelligent alarm system and analyzes the value and its future application prospect of distributed intelligent alarm for dispatching operation.
Social Problems of Absorption Since 1945

The object of this survey is to examine the experiences of representative immigration countries since the Second World War from the social rather than the economic point of view. The scarcity of reliable data on the magnitude, composition, and effects of migratory movements in a number of countries has made it impossible to deal with the subject with scientific precision. An attempt will therefore be made to provide an empirical background as a basis for discussion.
Construction and Computation with Nucleic Acids on the Cell Surface

In this chapter, the authors summarize recent advances in using cells and their surfaces for engineering and computation applications. Many of these advances have a clear potential for translational applications, including imaging. Nucleic-acid based methods are scalable, modular, and rely on readily available materials. Examples and potential applications to drug targeting challenges are discussed. Finally, cell recognition, and the use of nucleic acids to mimic membrane components (e.g. channels and pores) are also described.
Evaluating Mortality with Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents (ESAs) in the Oncology Setting: The Importance of Selecting Trials That Include Survival or Loco-Regional Tumor Control as a Primary Endpoint

In February 2008, we reported increased risks of mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.20) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) (relative risk (RR) 1.57, 95% CI 1.31–1.87) among anemic cancer patients. Fifty-one trials including 13,611 patients and 38 trials including 8,172 patients were included in the mortality and VTE analyses, respectively. At ASH 2007, we reported that trials within the nephrology setting that measure survival as a primary or secondary safety endpoint should be used over trials that measure efficacy as a primary or secondary endpoint to detect significant safety signals. Herein, we compare the percentage of trials and patients included in various published meta-analyses within the cancer setting that prospectively evaluated overall survival, disease-free survival, progression-free survival and/or loco-regional tumor control as a primary outcome, to determine whether these studies can better identify safety signals than studies that do not include these primary endpoints. Randomized trials of ESA administration to anemic cancer patients that evaluated survival or loco-regional control as primary endpoints were selected for review. Overviews published since 2006 were identified in Medline databases. HRs for mortality and 95% CIs were evaluated for the survival-focused meta-analyses and published overviews. A subset analysis of our 2008 meta-analysis including studies that prospectively evaluated overall survival, disease-free survival, progression-free survival and/or loco-regional tumor control as a primary outcome resulted in an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio (HR) 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04, 1.35). Among recently reported meta-analyses, safety signals are most apparent when the percentage of patients and trials that evaluated survival or loco-regional tumor control as a primary outcome is greatest, emphasizing the importance of trial selection when conducting safety-focused meta-analyses.
Needle properties of host white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) experiencing eastern dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum Peck) infections of differing severity1

Eastern dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum Peck) parasitizes the branches of white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) and ultimately kills this host species. Previous studies of host needle physiology generally focused on trees experiencing infections of moderate severity; here, we expanded upon previous research to investigate the morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties of needles from white spruce trees experiencing the full range of infection severities. We found that the impact of parasitism on host needle parameters did not scale uniformly with infection severity. Rather, parasitism reduced host needle size distal to infection and resulted in more negative carbon isotope ratios across all infection severities. Reduced foliar nitrogen and chlorophyll content were only evident in trees with moderate or severe infection, while photosynthetic capacity was depressed in only severely infected trees. Furthermore, while some impacts were confined to infected host branches, others, such ...
Effects of Season, Strain, and Body Weight on Testes Development and Quality in Three Strains of Blue Catfish, Ictalurus furcatus

Production of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, female × blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, male hybrids has increased dramatically in the USA. Hybrid production requires surgical removal and maceration of blue catfish testes. Farmers report individual and seasonal variation in blue catfish testes development, and understanding the factors influencing testes development could improve hybrid catfish production. Effects of season (mid-May vs. mid-June), strain (DB however, there were males from each strain with good quality testes in June. GSI, sperm/g of testes, percent motility, and motile sperm/g of testes were positively correlated. Information from this study provides a better understanding of factors influencing testes development in blue catfish.
Vertical Fusional Vergences in Patients with Superior Oblique Muscle Palsies

Patients with diplopia of acute onset are referred for neurological or other evaluation because of the suspicion of underlying systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebral va...
High cervical intravagal hypercellular parathyroid gland as the etiology of severe persistent primary hyperparathyroidism.

The preoperative localization and operative management of a high cervical intravagal parathyroid adenoma in a young woman with severe persistent primary hperparathyroidism is presented. The etiology of persistent hyperparathyroidism is most frequently a missed adenoma that is often in an ectopic location ; of these, undescended adenomas represent a small but important proportion. If clinical suspicion and preoperative localization procedures suggest an undescended gland, a direct surgical approach using a high cervical incision and a unilateral exploration is often successful.
Thiol-Michael ‘click’ hydrogels as an imageable packing material for cancer therapy

Abstract Gynecological cancer treatment strategies commonly employ pelvic brachytherapy, a technique that temporarily locates radioactive materials in or near the source of the tumor. Despite numerous advances in brachytherapy treatment protocols, advances in the required vaginal packing materials lag significantly. This paper describes a packing material for vaginal brachytherapy based on a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel. Commercially available oligomeric starting materials rapidly formed a hydrogel upon action of mild base (NaHCO3) through a thiol-Michael addition reaction. Tuning the base concentration enabled rapid formation of hydrogels with moduli sufficient for effective tissue displacement (>10 kPa). The poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate oligomer molecular weight exerted minimal influence on the hydrogel modulus. The hydrogels absorbed up to four times their weight in water from the dry state. CT imaging demonstrated distinguishability between hydrogel, water, and metal medical tools. The hydrogels did not induce significant IL-8 upregulation or cytotoxicity when cultured against vaginal macrophage cells, suggesting lack of immunogenicity. Our findings support these hydrogels as ideal candidates for a packing material in pelvic brachytherapy applications.
The Tragic “Complexity of Manhood”: Masculinity Formations and Performances in James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room

This essay reads gender through performance and performance through gender. Manolova argues that James Baldwin’s novel Giovanni’s Room (1956) critiques a specific kind of liberal white American performative masculinity that perpetuates a heteronormative, racist, and imperialist social order. The novel aims to conceptualize a more ethical and socially responsible gendered subjectivity through a theatrical critique of performativity and the genre of the tragic. Manolova distinguishes between accepted theories of performative masculinity and formations of masculinity and manhood that emerge from the novel, arguing that the dialectical tension between these formations allows for the envisioning of an ethical worldview that transcends existing genres, genders, and the value systems they express.
A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach for the modeling of flux in a polymeric membrane using finite volume method

The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling in this study observes steady-state mass transfer in a polymeric membrane. The efficiency, robustness, and reliability of recent numerical methods for finding solutions to flow problems have given rise to the implementation of CFD as a broadly used analysis method for engineering problems like membrane separation system. This study is novel due to the implementation of user-defined scalar diffusion equation by using user-defined functions in finite volume method (FVM). During the implementation of governing equation and boundary conditions important details of the FVM are discussed in detail. In this research, the flux profile is reported calculated from the pressure gradient for a steady-state problem.
Resource Governance and the Crisis of Development

This chapter explores existing explanations relating to the linkages between natural resource endowment and the crises of development in some African countries. While noting the role of the so-called “resource curse” in the unfolding crises, the chapter goes beyond the limitations of resource determinism to examine the internal and external linkages to the politics of resource governance and how this leads to diverse outcomes in different settings. In conclusion, the chapter lays bare the emerging dimensions of the increased globalization of Africa’s natural resources and the prospects for sustainable development on the continent.
Coordination-responsive drug release inside gold nanorod@metal-organic framework core-shell nanostructures for near-infrared-induced synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy

Multifunctional core–shell nanostructures formed by integration of distinct components have received wide attention as promising biological platforms in recent years. In this work, crystalline zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), a typical metal-organic framework (MOF), is coated onto single gold nanorod(AuNR) core for successful realization of synergistic photothermal and chemotherapy triggered by near-infrared (NIR) light. Impressively, high doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) loading capacity followed by pH and NIR light dual stimuli-responsive DOX release can be easily implemented through formation and breakage of coordination bonds in the system. Moreover, under NIR laser irradiation at 808 nm, these novel AuNR@MOF core–shell nanostructures exhibit effective synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy both in vitro and in vivo, confirmed by cell treatment and tumor ablation via intravenous injection.
Estimation and inference in spatially varying coefficient models

Spatially varying coefficient models are a classical tool to explore the spatial nonstationarity of a regression relationship for spatial data. In this paper, we study the estimation and inference in spatially varying coefficient models for data distributed over complex domains. We use bivariate splines over triangulations to represent the coefficient functions. The estimators of the coefficient functions are consistent, and rates of convergence of the proposed estimators are established. A penalized bivariate spline estimation method is also introduced, in which a roughness penalty is incorporated to balance the goodness of fit and smoothness. In addition, we propose hypothesis tests to examine if the coefficient function is really varying over space or admits a certain parametric form. The proposed method is much more computationally efficient than the well‐known geographically weighted regression technique and thus usable for analyzing massive data sets. The performances of the estimators and the proposed tests are evaluated by simulation experiments. An environmental data example is used to illustrate the application of the proposed method.
Psoriasis in Skin of Color: Insights into the Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, Genetics, Quality-of-Life Impact, and Treatment of Psoriasis in Non-White Racial/Ethnic Groups

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition affecting diverse racial/ethnic groups throughout the world. Large population-based studies suggest that psoriasis occurs most often in individuals of European ancestry, followed by black and Hispanic individuals, although the true prevalence of psoriasis in non-white individuals is likely underestimated. Despite similarities in psoriasis between ethnic groups, there are notable differences in the presentation, quality-of-life impact, and treatment of psoriasis with important implications for the management of non-white individuals. Overall, heterogeneity in psoriasis susceptibility alleles, in combination with cultural and socioeconomic factors, may explain these differences. In this article, we review the epidemiology, clinical presentation, genetic polymorphisms, quality-of-life impact, and treatment nuances of psoriasis in patients with skin of color.
THE DESIGN OF OPTIMAL RELATIONAL DATA MODEL

Abstract A method for generating an optimal relational data model is presented in this paper. This method is semi-automatic, and it is an improvement over previous methods suggested by Codd, Bernstein, Fagin and others. It removes some of the problems found in the previous techniques. It increases the amount of automation, and it relaxes some of the input requirements. Thus, it provides a design tool which is easier to use then previous tools, and which results in an optimal set of normalized relations.
Recent Advances in CO2 Reduction Electrocatalysis on Copper

Electroreduction of CO2 represents a promising approach toward artificial carbon recycling for addressing global challenges in energy and sustainability. The foreground of this approach is dependent on the development of efficient electrocatalysts capable of selectively reducing CO2 to valuable (oxygenated) hydrocarbon products at low overpotentials. Here, we present an overview of the recent developments of Cu electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction. Our focus is placed on elucidation of the structure–property relationships of monometallic Cu electrocatalysts, which is believed to be the foundation for understanding alloys and other more complex catalytic systems. Reported mechanisms are discussed in terms of grain boundaries, open facets, residual oxides, subsurface oxygen, local pH effect, etc. After this discussion, remaining questions are raised for further development of advanced electrocatalysts for energy and chemically efficient CO2 reduction.
In the Street: Personal Adornment and Movement in the Urban Landscapes of Boston

Urban landscapes are constructed, in part, by the everyday practice and experience of those who dwell within them. This chapter seeks to better understand this process by using archaeologically recovered material culture to gain insight into the intersection of embodied movement, adornment, self-perception, social interaction, and the material and intangible aspects of the urban landscape. Analyzing material culture recovered from two nineteenth-century working-class sites located in Boston, Massachusetts, suggests several intersections that merit further investigation. This includes exploring self-presentation and social perception through artifacts of personal adornment, looking at consumer goods like bric-a-brac to gauge people’s relationship with larger cultural and social dialogues about public behavior, and using artifacts like embossed pharmaceutical bottles as tangible evidence for movement and experience in the urban landscape. A better understanding of the relationship between practice, the self, and urban space can help make sense of how living in cities affects how individuals perceive themselves and the world around them.
Predicting the Supreme Court under President McCain or President Obama

This short article speculates as to how various areas of constitutional law (i.e., reproductive rights, the Establishment Clause, affirmative action, the Commerce Clause, and Presidential power) might evolve if a President McCain or a President Obama gets to appoint two to five new Supreme Court Justices in the next four to eight years.
Acquired BRAF fusions as a mechanism of resistance to EGFR therapy.

12122Background: While multiple genetic mechanisms have been identified in EGFR mutant lung cancers as mediators of acquired resistance (AR) to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), either first g...
ADOLESCENT DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS: PERCEPTIONS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The National Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 250,000 youths under the age of 18 help support a family member with dementia, but few studies exist to shed light on the tasks performed, or whether caregiving influences psychological well-being. Adolescents age 12–17 participated in focus groups as part of an exploratory study to understand how they experience caregiving roles. Five males and six females living in northwest Ohio with an average age of 15 were recruited. Four participants were African-American, seven were White; one identified as Hispanic/Latino. All but one were attending school, and most reported their health as excellent or very good. Caregiving was provided for three grandmothers, five grandfathers, two great-grandfathers, a great-grandmother, and an uncle. A qualitative thematic analysis of the data revealed themes related to caregiving tasks performed, training and support needs, perceptions of family obligation, and psychological well-being. Caregiving duties ranged from companionship to medical care. Adolescents as young as 12 managed medications and a number of the youths performed tasks healthcare workers often assist with, such as bathing and toileting. When present, training and support was primarily informal and self-initiated. The participants expressed an appreciation for the importance of family support, did not think the caregiving tasks interfered with other social aspects of their lives, and most held positive views of their caregiving experiences. The findings of this study provide new insight into the experience of dementia caregiving that can be used to develop supportive and enriching programs aimed at increasing the wellbeing of caregiving youths.
INDIGENOUS LAND AND COMMUNITY SECURITY: A (RADICAL) PLANNING AGENDA

This paper argues that the capacity of indigenous groups to engage effectively in environmental planning activities, at different levels, is crucial to securing land justice and community security. This argument is made against the backdrop of tensions between indigenous peoples residing in post-settler societies and nation states such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand over questions of resource sovereignty. The paper argues that effective planning is central to (i) successful acquisition of lands through legal land claim processes, (ii) protecting indigenous interests by engaging the planning activities of the state, and (iii) realization of community goals by establishment of effective community-based planning processes.
Parent–Educator Communication Linked to More Frequent Home Learning Activities for Preschoolers

Parent involvement in children’s education has been linked to positive academic and behavioral outcomes. Home-based involvement is especially important for those who may face barriers to being involved at school. Teachers and school directors can encourage home learning activities, but research examining parent–educator communication for preschoolers is not as robust relative to school-aged children. We address whether parent perceptions of parent–educator communication regarding preschoolers’ learning and development is related to the home literacy environment (HLE) and the home numeracy environment (HNE). Participants (n = 262) were drawn from a statewide pre-kindergarten evaluation project aimed at providing early education programming to families with low incomes. The majority of the sample was employed full- or part-time (72.3%), had less than a Bachelor’s degree (88.3%), and children were racially/ethnically diverse (i.e., 39.5% Black, 14.7% Hispanic, 34.9% White, 10.9% other). Multiple regressions were used to examine the relation between parent perceptions of parent–educator communication and children’s home learning environments. Findings indicated that perceptions of parent–educator communication were positively related to the HLE, HNE, and specific learning activities (i.e., naming written letters, identifying letter sounds, reading number books, completing number activity books, learning simple sums, naming written numbers). Findings suggest that efforts to improve parent–educator communication in this domain may yield benefits for children’s learning, although additional research is necessary to determine whether greater parent–educator communication regarding children’s learning and development results in more frequent home learning activities during preschool.
The Treatment of Alcoholism

Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance, creating serious medical and psychological problems. I will present an overview of emergency problems here, but the extensive discussion of rehabilitation that serves as a prototype for the rehabilitation of substance abusers in general is presented in Chapter 13.
Randomized-controlled trial of a modified Mediterranean dietary program for multiple sclerosis: A pilot study.

Abstract Background There is a high level of interest in the potential role of diet among the MS community. There is a limited level of evidence for a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern in MS; the feasibility of conducting studies using educational tools to deliver this type of intervention and study its effects is unknown. Objectives To establish clinical trial feasibility for future studies utilizing educational delivery of a dietary intervention in MS; to explore the effects of a modified Mediterranean dietary intervention in MS. Methods We randomly assigned women with MS to follow/not follow the prescribed modified Mediterranean dietary intervention for 6 months, delivered through educational sessions. The diet encouraged the intake of fish and other foods high in poly- and monounsaturated fats, fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and eliminated meat, dairy, and most processed foods and limited salt intake to Results We screened 128 potential participants and enrolled 36 within 9 months, surpassing target enrollment of 30 participants at a single center in 1 year. Self-reported adherence was excellent (90.3%), with an overall study completion rate of 94.4%. The intervention group exhibited a statistically significant decline in the trajectory of Neurological Fatigue Index-MS scores (p = 0.01), a trend toward reduced Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 scores that became significant after outlier removal (p = 0.12; p = 0.023), and a reduction in Expanded Disability Status Scale (p = 0.01) over time as compared to the non-intervention group. Conclusions It is reasonable to expect a high level of interest and commitment to this type of dietary intervention study in MS, and feasible to deliver it purely through education in a clinical setting with high adherence levels despite restrictive requirements. In this pilot study, a modified Mediterranean dietary intervention reduced fatigue, impact of MS symptoms, and disability. Further work is needed.
Finite element and boundary element analysis of electromagnetic NDE phenomena

The endeavor to produce quality products coupled with a drive to minimize fail­ ure in major industries such as aerospace, power and transportation is the driving force behind studies of electromagnetic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods. Popular domain and integral methods used for the purpose of modeling electromag­ netic NDE phenomena include the finite element and boundary element methods. However no single numerical modeling technique has emerged as the optimal choice for all electromagnetic NDE processes. In a computer aided design environment, where the choice of an optimum modeling technique is critical, an evaluation of the various aspects of different numerical approaches is extremely helpful. In this dissertation, a comparison is made of the relative advantages and disad­ vantages of the finite element (FE) and boundary element (BE) methods as applied to the DC and AC Potential drop (DCPD and ACPD) methods for characterizing fatigue cracks. The comparison covers aspects of robustness, computer resource re­ quirements and ease of numerically implementing the methods. Two dimensional FE and BE models are used to model an infinitely thin fatigue crack using the ACPD method, and a two and three dimensional FE and BE model is used to study the com­ pact tension and single edge notch specimen using the DCPD method. Calibration curves and field plots in the specimen are compared to experimental and analytical data. The FE and BE methods are complementary numerical techniques and are combined to exploit their individual merits in the latter part of this dissertation. A three dimensional hybrid formulation to model eddy current NDE is then developed which discretizes the interior with finite elements and the exterior with boundary, elements. The three dimensional model is applied to an absolute eddy current coil over a finite block. A feasibility study to confirm the validity of the formulation is undertaken by comparing the numerical results for probe lift-off and coil impedance measurements with published data. This comparative study outlined above indicates that when the solution is re­ quired at discrete points, as in the potential drop methods, or the model needs to handle infinite boundaries, as in eddy current NDE, the boundary element model is more suitable. Since it is based on the Green's function, the BE method is lim­ ited to linear problems. Finite element analysis gives full field solutions, making it ideal for studying energy/defect interactions. The hybrid FE/BE formulation han­ dles non-linearity and infinite boundaries naturally, thus utilizing the best of both worlds.
Rating news claims: Feature selection and evaluation

News claims that travel the Internet and online social networks (OSNs) originate from different, sometimes unknown sources, which raises issues related to the credibility of those claims and the drivers behind them. Fact-checking websites such as Snopes, FactCheck, and Emergent use human evaluators to investigate and label news claims, but the process is labor- and time-intensive. Driven by the need to use data analytics and algorithms in assessing the credibility of news claims, we focus on what can be generalized about evaluating human-labeled claims. We developed tools to extract claims from Snopes and Emergent and used public datasets collected by and published on those websites. Claims extracted from those datasets were supervised or labeled with different claim ratings. We focus on claims with definite ratings-false, mostly false, true, and mostly true, with the goal of identifying distinctive features that can be used to distinguish true from false claims. Ultimately, those features can be used to predict future unsupervised or unlabeled claims. We evaluate different methods to extract features as well as different sets of features and their ability to predict the correct claim label. By far, we noticed that OSN websites report high rates of false claims in comparison with most of the other website categories. The rate of reported false claims is higher than the rate of true claims in fact-checking websites in most categories. At the content-analysis level, false claims tend to have more negative tones in sentiments and hence can provide supporting features to predict claim classification.
RNP-MaP: In-cell analysis of protein interaction networks defines functional hubs in RNA

ABSTRACT RNAs interact with networks of proteins to form complexes (RNPs) that govern many biological processes, but these networks are currently impossible to examine in a comprehensive way. We developed a live-cell chemical probing strategy for mapping protein interaction networks in any RNA with single-nucleotide resolution. This RNP-MaP strategy (RNP network analysis by mutational profiling) simultaneously detects binding by and cooperative interactions involving multiple proteins with single RNA molecules. RNP-MaP revealed that two structurally related, but sequence-divergent noncoding RNAs, RNase P and RMRP, share nearly identical RNP networks and, further, that protein interaction network hubs identify function-critical sites in these RNAs. RNP-MaP identified numerous protein interaction networks within the XIST long noncoding RNA that are conserved between mouse and human RNAs and distinguished communities of proteins that network together on XIST. RNP-MaP data show that the Xist E region is densely networked by protein interactions and that PTBP1, MATR3, and TIA1 proteins each interface with the XIST E region via two distinct interaction modes; and we find that the XIST E region is sufficient to mediate RNA foci formation in cells. RNP-MaP will enable discovery and mechanistic analysis of protein interaction networks across any RNA in cells.
Marriage and Same Sex Unions: A Debate

Marriage and Same Sex Unions is a compilation of essays beginning with a preface, followed by eleven chapters of essays. It includes an index listing the cases mentioned throughout various essays, ...
Structure and mechanism of a unique diiron center in mammalian stearoyl-CoA desaturase

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) is a membrane-embedded metalloenzyme that catalyzes the formation of a double bond on a saturated acyl-CoA. SCD1 has a diiron center and its proper function requires an electron transport chain composed of NADH (or NADPH), cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R), and cytochrome b5 (cyt b5). Since SCD1 is a key regulator in fat metabolism and is required for survival of cancer cells, there is intense interest in targeting SCD1 for various metabolic diseases and cancers. Crystal structures of human and mouse SCD1 were reported recently; however, both proteins have two zinc ions instead of two iron ions in the catalytic center, and as a result, the enzymes are inactive. Here we report a general approach for incorporating iron into heterologously expressed proteins in HEK293 cells. We produced mouse SCD1 that contains a diiron center and visualized its diiron center by solving its crystal structure to 3.5 A. We assembled the entire electron transport chain using the purified soluble domains of cyt b5 and b5R, and the purified mouse SCD1, and we showed that three proteins coordinate to produce proper products. These results established an in vitro system that allows precise perturbations of the electron transport chain for the understanding of the catalytic mechanism in SCD1.
Analysis of hospice duration and metrics in cancer patients in rural Appalachia.

e24006Background: Several factors influence the duration of hospice care/average length of stay (ALOS) for cancer patients choosing hospice, including patient and family acceptance of hospice, avai...
Endophthalmitis After Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty: Microbiological Yield and Visual Outcomes.

Purpose To describe the clinical presentation, management, and visual outcomes of 6 eyes with endophthalmitis after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK). Design Retrospective case series. Methods S etting : Tertiary, academic eye center. S tudy P opulation : Individuals developing endophthalmitis after DSEK at the Duke Eye Center from January 1, 2009, to January 1, 2018, with at least 6 months of follow-up. O bservation P rocedure : Retrospective chart review. O utcome M easures : Diagnostic procedures, microbiological yield, and visual outcomes. Results Six eyes of 6 patients were identified. Mean time from surgery to presentation was 51 days (range, 4-137 days). Dense vitreous opacities were present in all cases. Five of 6 cases (83%) had culture-proven infectious endophthalmitis (2 Candida glabrata, 2 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae). Aqueous tap yielded positive culture in 2 of 2 cases with adequate sample (100%); needle vitreous tap yielded positive culture in 0 of 3 cases. One eye underwent vitrectomy on presentation, and 3 eyes (50%) underwent subsequent vitrectomy for persistent endophthalmitis after a mean of 37 days. Mean pre-endophthalmitis visual acuity (VA) was 20/64; mean VA at 6 months was 20/2069 (average 15 ETDRS lines lost). VA at 6 months was light perception or no light perception in 3 of 6 cases (50%). One eye underwent enucleation at 6 months, and 1 eye became phthisical 1 year after endophthalmitis. Conclusions DSEK-related endophthalmitis may lead to severe vision loss, even with prompt and appropriate treatment. Aqueous tap had a higher culture yield than needle vitreous tap in our series.
Delayed Development of Coronary Artery Dilitation in Suspected Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome: More Research Needed

Although significant disease burden in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has been relatively uncommon in children, worldwide cases of a postinfectious multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children and possible atypical Kawasaki-like disease attributing to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection have arisen Original thinking for coronavirus disease-19 disease was that an overwhelming proinflammatory response drove disease pathogenesis Emerging reports suggest that a robust immune suppression may be more relevant and predominant Recently reported data on children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children have demonstrated a heterogeneity of immune phenotypes among these patients, with concern for a strong initial proinflammatory state;however, data are lacking to support this Likewise, understanding development of certain clinical findings to changes in the immune system is lacking CASE SUMMARY: We report a 12-year-old multiracial male with negative coronavirus disease-19 nasopharyngeal RNA polymerase chain reaction testing but positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 serology, subsequent development of vasodilatory shock with myocardial depression, and subsequent delayed development of coronary artery dilatation after resolution of myocardial depression Unlike previous reported cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, he exhibited profound lymphopenia without specific inflammatory cytokines elevations, whereas nonspecific markers (ferritin and C-reactive protein) were increased He subsequently was discharged on day 12 of hospitalization with complete recovery CONCLUSION: Our representative case of a patient with coronavirus disease-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children without robust hyperinflammation and a delayed finding of coronary artery dilatation compared with reported case series highlights the need for further mechanistic understanding of coronavirus disease-19 disease and subsequent multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children or Kawasaki disease development This report offers a number of disease mechanisms and clinical evolution considerations for further elucidation to guide development of potential therapies
Toponym usage in social media in emergencies

Abstract Emergency responders require accurate geographic information to locate and assess incidents reported on social media. Unfortunately, however, social media often lacks geographic metadata or includes geotags that inaccurately reflect the locations of reported events. Toponyms, place names in social media content, provide another source of geographic information yet toponym usage in emergencies remains poorly understood. To address this gap, this study examines toponym usage across 22,343 tweets posted during a severe storm in the Northeastern United States. Tweets were qualitatively coded for nineteen types of storm-related information as well as toponym usage, location reference, and granularity. Findings show that users i) include more geographic information, including toponyms and geotags, in tweets about emergencies than about other topics; ii) report geographically distributed events but tend to include toponyms rather than geotags when reporting local information; and iii) include mostly municipal and regional toponyms in tweets about emergencies but tend to include hyperlocal toponyms and additional municipal or regional markers in reports of infrastructure damage and service disruption. Together these findings offer implications for social sensing applications in emergency response and management. These include more opportunities for course-grained damage assessment than fine-grained situational awareness, and the need for internal and external sources of geographic information to distinguish information about local and remote events. Lastly, findings suggest opportunities for passive and active sensing approaches responsive to the recipient design of social media: users provide additional geographic context that help others distinguish local and remote risks within noisy information spaces that emerge during geographically distributed crises.
Central Nervous System

It is not the intent of this chapter to provide a comprehensive documentation of all the changes that have been recorded in the cells of the central nervous system as they age. Rather, we have chosen to follow the rather narrow path of using our own studies of the pyramidal neurons and neuroglial cells in the primary auditory cortex (area 41) of the aging rat as a basis for the following account, and to refer to recent studies of our own colleagues and of other investigators as appropriate within that context. This approach is bound to result in a rather biased description of the aging of neurons and neuroglia, but we believe that sufficient information will be given in this account for the reader to use it as a means of gaining access to studies that provide additional information and other views.
Spatiotemporal Data Set for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests

We present a spatiotemporal data set of all out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests (OHCA) dispatches for the City of Virginia Beach. We also develop a modular toolkit that can be used to process th...
Influence of Aerobic Exercise Volume on Postconcussion Symptoms

Background:Aerobic exercise has emerged as a useful treatment to improve outcomes among individuals who experience a concussion. However, compliance with exercise recommendations and the effect of ...
Substrate promiscuity of the NdmCDE N7-demethylase enzyme complex

Abstract Methylxanthines, including caffeine and theophylline, are a class of natural and synthetic compounds with important roles in food, cosmetics, and medicine. These compounds are metabolized by bacteria using five enzymes from the Rieske non-heme iron oxygenase family, NdmABCDE. The NdmCDE complex is responsible for the N7-demethylation of 7-methylxanthine to xanthine and was originally described as being highly specific for 7-methylxanthine. Here, we report that the NdmCDE complex is also active toward theobromine, producing 3-methylxanthine due to N7-demethylation. Minimal activity was observed when the enzyme complex was tested with caffeine or paraxanthine, indicating that the presence of the N1-methyl group significantly inhibits N7-demethylase activity by NdmCDE. We also demonstrated positional promiscuity in the N3-demethylase, NdmB, which is able to carry out N1-demethylation of paraxanthine. The N1-demethylation by NdmB is limited to paraxanthine and was not observed when caffeine or theophylline were assayed. These newly discovered activities were observed when enzymes were overexpressed in E. coli and differ from results with purified enzymes assayed in vitro, indicating that they may behave differently in vivo. Furthermore, these results reveal promiscuity of bacterial N-demethylase enzymes that can be used to engineer new enzymes and bacterial strains for production of high-value methylxanthines.
Prospective Chemical Regulators of Female Reproductive Muscle Function in the Stable Fly Stomoxys Calcitrans

Once Cameron (1953) established that pharmacologically active substances from neuroendocrine glands of insects could affect visceral muscle functions, interest quickly developed in two closely related areas of research: 1) the isolation and identification of prospective regulatory chemicals of the viscera and 2) the determination of the principal neural and hormonal mechanisms that control visceral organ functions. The first efforts of this research were focused on the organs of digestion, and only recently has attention turned to the muscles of the female reproductive system. This group of muscles offers some unique and challenging opportunities for the study of bioregulation because they are not only contract spontaneously but they are also subject to the effects of innervation, circulating hormones, and secretions introduced by the male during mating (Davey, 1985). In light of these facts and with the hope of eventually discovering the chemical messengers in the stable fly that regulate ovulation and oviposition, we began studies on the muscular networks of the ovary and oviduct of that insect.
Numerical Simulations of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Pulse Tubes

Pulse tube refrigerators give rise to many loss mechanisms, particularly within the pulse tube component, which greatly affect their overall thermodynamic efficiency. These losses are not well understood, as a comprehensive model that can take into account the effect of such loss mechanisms does not currently exist. In addition, the difficulty of obtaining accurate experimental data has contributed to this lack of understanding. In this paper, a comprehensive model is developed which simulates the flow process and heat transfer within the pulse tube component of orifice pulse tube refrigerators. In the model, the fluid oscillations are simulated using two dynamic meshes that move periodically and have a specified phase difference. The model includes the pulse tube and cold and warm end heat exchangers at the end of the pulse tube. Simulation results for the dynamic evolution of the temperature and velocity profiles along the tube axis are presented for several case studies. The simulations indicate the formation of a wall jet near the tube wall, in agreement with experimental observations. They also confirm the existence of momentum streaming, as well as radial heat conduction losses to the pulse tube wall. The thermodynamic performance of the tube is also quantified and compared with the available experimental data.
Minimax adaptive control of uncertain plants

In this paper, we formulate a general class of adaptive full-state information (FSI) optimal control problems, and develop a constructive method to solve it. An adaptive FSI problem is defined in terms of state dynamics which are linear in the unknown constant parameters and additive state disturbances, but nonlinear otherwise, and a soft-constrained performance function that is quadratic in disturbances and the unknown parameters, but non-quadratic otherwise. In this formulation, the controller is assumed to have access to the current and past values of both the state and its derivative. Using the cost-to-come method, we show that the original problem with partial information can be converted into an equivalent full information (FI) minimax control problem of higher dimension, which can be solved using dynamic programming methods. Both the finite- and infinite-horizon problems are considered, and in each case, a set of necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained. >
Efficacy of guard llamas to reduce canine predation on domestic sheep.

Coyotes (Canis latrans) can pose serious economic threats to sheep producers throughout the western United States. At the same time, important segments of the public prefer environmentally benign means to resolve conflicts with wild species. We evaluated the effectiveness of guard llamas to reduce canine predation on domestic sheep by placing 20 llamas with Utah sheep producers and comparing data collected from these flocks over 20 months with similar data collected from flocks without llamas. Comparisons included proportion of flocks with losses to predators and mean predation rates on ewes and lambs. We also conducted surveys to assess producer opinions about including llamas in their sheep management programs. In all comparisons of lamb losses between treatments and controls, losses sustained by control flocks in the first summer grazing season (SGS1) were significantly greater than in flocks with llamas. Among treatment flocks, losses were similar for SGS1 and the second summer grazing season (SGS2). Among controls, losses were greater in SGS1 and dropped to levels similar to treatment flocks in SGS2. The results suggest that predation may have to reach a threshold before guard llamas have noticeable effects on losses. Surveys of producers with llamas indicated strong support for using llamas as guard animals for sheep.
The threat of the wandering poor: welfare parochialism and its impact on the use of housing mobility as an anti-poverty strategy.

This Essay discusses how, if one accepts the premises of mobility-based anti-poverty strategies, the geographical parochialism and structural rigidity of the welfare system undermine mobility goals. The Essay also examines the possibility that current trends in housing policy will undercut anti-poverty goals.