cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Neuropeptide APGWamide as a Penis Morphogenic Factor (PMF) in Gastropod Mollusks

The goal of this study was to further investigate the role of endogenous APGWamide levels in imposex induction in snails. APGWamide is a common neurotransmittor/neuromodulator peptide found in many species of molluscs, and is often related to sex organ growth or reproductive behavior. Mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) were collected from the Rachel Carson Estuarine Reserve near Beaufort, NC, and were dosed with the environmental contaminant tributyltin (TBT), testosterone (T), or solvent vehicle (EtOH/ saline) controls. Both TBT and T have been shown previously to induce female snails to grow penises (a condition termed imposex), and to increase male penis size. Male normalized penis length was correlated to endogenous APGWamide levels (as measured by Western blotting of whole animal homogenates, r(2) = 0.475), and control males had significantly higher APGWamide levels than control females. All TBT-treated animals, (male, female, and imposex) had levels of APGWamide similar to control males and significantly higher than control females. In testosterone treated animals, APGWamide levels were the same as controls and it is likely that testosterone interferes with a downstream signaling event to induce imposex. In addition, immunohistochemistry for APGWamide expression in abdominal areas was done on female, male and imposex snails collected from the wild. The pattern of APGWamide in imposex snails was similar to male snails, showing large patches of immuno-reactive areas in the top portion of the visceral mass. In female snails, no areas of cross-reactivity were found.
Glutathione peroxidase activity and selenoprotein W levels in different brain regions of selenium-depleted rats1

Previous studies in selenium (Se)-depleted sheep and rats showed that selenoprotein W (SeW) levels decreased in all tissues except brain. To further investigate this depletion in different parts of the brain, second generation Se-depleted rats were used. Dams consumed a Se-deficient basal diet during gestation and lactation, and deficient rats were obtained by continuation on the same diet. Control rats were fed a diet with 0.1-mg Se/kg diet after weaning. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities were measured for comparative purposes to SeW levels. GPX activity in muscle, skin, spleen, and testis increased about 4-fold with Se repletion and reached a plateau after 6 or 10 weeks, but GPX activity decreased to almost one tenth of the original activity with continuous Se depletion. In contrast, GPX activities increased, rather than declined, in various brain regions (cortex, cerebellum, and thalamus) with time of feeding the deficient diet. An experiment with first generation rats, however, indicated that GPX activity was significantly lower in these three brain regions from rats fed the deficient diet as compared to rats fed the supplemented diet. SeW levels in skin, spleen, muscle, and testis were undetectable in weanling rats, but became detectable after 6 weeks of Se repletion. In contrast, the expression of SeW in cortex, cerebellum, and thalamus was not significantly affected by Se depletion, but increased SeW levels occurred only in thalamus with Se supplementation. The results with GPX using first and second generation rats suggest that there are "mobile" and "immobile" GPX fractions in the brain.
Pemphigus vegetans—Neumann variant associated with intranasal heroin abuse

Abstract Pemphigus vegetans is variant of pemphigus vulgaris accounting for 5% of all patients with pemphigus disorders. We describe a case of pemphigus vegetans–Neumann type associated with intranasal heroin abuse, restricted to the modified mucous membranes. The results of routine histology and direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies confirmed the diagnosis. The patient responded to oral prednisone of 40 mg daily for 1 month, followed by reduction to a maintenance dose of 15 mg daily. A complete remission was sustained for 6 months. The relationship between intranasal heroin use and the development of pemphigus vegetans remains uncertain but appears to be an intriguing possibility in this patient. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;39:872-5.)
Indirection mapping for quasi-conformal relief texturing

Heightfield terrain and parallax occlusion mapping (POM) are popular rendering techniques in games. They can be thought of as per-vertex and per-pixel relief methods, which both create texture stretch artifacts at steep slopes.To ameliorate stretching artifacts, we describe how to precompute an indirection map that transforms traditional texture coordinates into a quasi-conformal parameterization on the relief surface. The map arises from iteratively relaxing a spring network. Because it is independent of the resolution of the base geometry, indirection mapping can be used with POM, heightfields, and any other displacement effect. Noisy textures like grass and stucco can be used with indirection mapped (which is convenient when texturing terrain.) We pre-warp structured textures by the inverse of the indirection map to maintain their appearance.Our process gives approximately uniform texture resolution on all surfaces. During rendering, the time and space overhead are one texture fetch and one texture map.
Simulating Ballast Shear Strength from Large-Scale Triaxial Tests

The railroad ballast layer consists of discrete aggregate particles, and the discrete element method (DEM) is the most widely adopted numerical method to simulate the particulate nature of ballast materials and their particle interactions. Large-scale triaxial tests performed in the laboratory under controlled monotonic and repeated loading conditions are commonly considered the best means to measure macroscopic mechanical properties of ballast materials, such as strength, modulus, and deformation characteristics, directly related to load-carrying and drainage functions of the ballast layer in the field. A DEM modeling approach is described for railroad ballast with realistic particle shapes developed from image analysis to simulate large-scale triaxial compression tests on a limestone ballast material. The ballast DEM model captures the strength behavior from both the traditional slow and the rapid shear loading rate types of monotonic triaxial compression tests. The results of the experimental study ind...
Application of a metabolic inhibitor to the developing chick embryo.

Summary1. Embryonic chicks were inhibited by the direct injection of 3-acetylpyridine into the yolk-sac. 2. It was shown that this inhibition could be reversed competitively by nicotinamide over the range of 2000 to 7000 γ per egg. 3. Evidence is presented showing that 4-day-old chick embryos have a very limited capacity to convert nicotinic acid to the corresponding amide. 4. Sublethal levels of 3-acetylpyridine are shown to cause a mal-development of the chick embryo.
Evaluating Habitat Manipulations and Rodenticides to Protect Seedlings from Rodent Damage at Restored Landfills in New York

Solid waste landfills have become rather commonplace in urbanized and industrialized regions of the world. If designed, managed, and restored properly, they can be converted to useful land uses. However, restoration of woody vegetation can be difficult when animal damage occurs. Numerous species of voles occur throughout the northern hemisphere and several may become serious pests of restoration plantings at high population density, increasing the expense and difficulty of establishing targeted plant communities. We anticipated that meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were responsible for causing the majority of damage to seedlings planted on restored landfill sites in Brooklyn, New York. We evaluated the ability of two habitat manipulations (e.g. mowing, pea gravel barrier) and rodenticides to protect seedlings. We documented substantial damage and deaths of seedlings caused by rodents in the study plots with losses (damaged or dead seedlings combined) ranging from 40 to 73%. These losses occurred regardless of seedling species. Because of the preponderance of voles (71% of all first-time captures), we suspect that voles are the main species causing seedling damage. Substantial losses of seedlings occurred across treatments, although there were fewest losses with a pea gravel barrier treatment. While the pea gravel treatment reduced seedling losses about 55% compared to control plots, it is clear that additional research is needed to identify more efficient ways to reduce seedling losses to rodents in restoration plantings.
N,4,4‐Trimethyl‐2‐oxazolinium Iodide

[30093-97-1] C6H12INO (MW 241.09) InChI = 1S/C6H12NO.HI/c1-6(2)4-8-5-7(6)3;/h5H,4H2,1-3H3;1H/q+1;/p-1 InChIKey = MSVZNJGVRJXGOY-UHFFFAOYSA-M (a formylation and deuteroformylation reagent for aryl, benzyl, vinyl, and alkynyl Grignard reagents1, 2) Physical Data: mp 215 °C (dec). Preparative Method: by alkylation of commercially available 4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline with Iodomethane (eq 1). Filtration and purification affords the 2-oxazolinium salt in 80% yield.1 (1) Handling, Storage, and Precautions: slightly hygroscopic; store under an inert atmosphere; use in a fume hood.
A nonracial craniofacial perspective on human variation: A(ustralia) to Z(uni).

Dental and craniofacial measurements were collected for 57 samples from Asia, the Pacific, the aboriginal western hemisphere, and Europe. The craniofacial dimensions include many that are not obviously under the control of specific selective forces. Similar configurations for these in different samples should yield indications of recency of common ancestry according to the logic expressed by Darwin and evident in the relationships indicated by nuclear DNA comparisons. Dental dimensions, however, vary according to the length of time that different intensities in selective forces have been in operation. The craniofacial measurements were transformed into C scores and used to generate Euclidean distance dendrograms. When all the material was used to generate a single dendrogram, the European and Amerindian samples sorted into two regionally identifiable clusters, and the Asian and Pacific material sorted into the three clusters identified in separate previous studies: a Mainland Asian cluster, a Jomon-Pacific cluster and an Australo-Melanesian cluster. Since these clusters are based on variation in traits that are basically nonadaptive in nature, no hierarchical ranking is possible. The clusters simply reflect degree of relationship. This technique holds forth the promise of producing a nonracial assessment of the relation- ships of all the peoples of the world, past and present. There is a spectrum of variation in what is confusingly labeled "anatomically modern" Homo sapiens that is rarely taken into ac- count in ap raisals of human evolution in general an 8 individual fossil specimens in articular. In tooth size alone, the difference getween the average condition in Australia and that in Euro e (or China) would satisfy ence (Gingerich, 1974,1979,1980; Gingerich and Schoeninger, 19791, yet there is obvi- ously no reproductive barrier between Aus- tralians and anybody else in the world. All living human beings are demonstrabl mem- are average visible differences between the various geogra hically situated populations of the world. #he spectrum of variation is there, however, and it should be possible to deal with it in such a fashion that we can determine how much of it is due to differ- ences in the intensity of s ecific selective
Automatic synthesis of low-power gated-clock finite-state machines

The automatic synthesis of low power finite-state machines (FSM's) with gated clocks relies on efficient algorithms for synthesis and optimization of dedicated clock-stopping circuitry. We describe a new transformation for incompletely specified Mealy-type machines that makes them suitable for gated-clock implementation with a limited increase in complexity. The transformation is probabilistic-driven, and identifies highly-probable idle conditions that will be exploited for the optimal synthesis of the logic block that controls the local clock of the FSM. We formulate and solve a new logic optimization problem, namely, the synthesis of a subfunction of a Boolean function that is minimal in size under a constraint on its probability to be true. We describe the relevance of this problem for the optimal synthesis of gated clocks. A prototype tool has been implemented and its performance, although influenced by the initial structure of the FSM, shows that sizable power reductions can be obtained using our technique.
Mixing in Water Storage Tanks. I: No Buoyancy Effects

The results of extensive experiments on jet-induced mixing in water storage tanks are reported in two papers. The experiments were conducted on three styles of storage tanks using a newly developed three-dimensional laser-induced fluorescence (3DLIF) system that can measure the whole field of tracer concentrations in the tanks and its temporal evolution through the mixing process. Various inlet geometries were tested for each tank style. In this paper, the results of experiments with no buoyancy effects are given. The 3DLIF technique enabled complex flow patterns to be observed such as a donut-shaped dead zone that inhibited mixing in ground-level cylindrical tanks. Values of dimensionless mixing times are presented that enable comparisons of the mixing efficiency of different inlet configurations and allow prediction of mixing times in prototype tanks. For cylindrical tanks, the dimensionless mixing time increases with increasing depth-to-diameter ratio. Vertical nozzles at the bottom mixed most efficiently. If a single vertical nozzle is used, placing it near a sidewall is preferred. Mixing becomes somewhat more rapid as the number of nozzles increase. Mixing times for rectangular tanks are generally similar to cylindrical tanks. The use of a tube intended to enhance mixing actually inhibited mixing in standpipe tanks.
Intersection of Child Abuse and Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence:

This review addresses research on the overlap in physical child abuse and domestic violence, the prediction of child outcomes, and resilience in children exposed to family violence. The authors explore current findings on the intersection of physical child abuse and domestic violence within the context of other risk factors, including community violence and related family and environmental stressors. Evidence from the studies reviewed suggests considerable overlap, compounding effects, and possible gender differences in outcomes of violence exposure. The data indicate a need to apply a broad conceptualization of risk to the study of family violence and its effects on children. Further testing of competing theoretical models will advance understanding of the pathways through which exposure leads to later problems in youth, as well as protective factors and processes through which resilience unfolds.
Loricrin expression in cultured human keratinocytes is controlled by a complex interplay between transcription factors of the Sp1, CREB, AP1, and AP2 families.

The major protein component of the cornified cell envelope barrier structure of the epidermis is loricrin, and it is expressed late during terminal differentiation in epidermal keratinocytes. We have previously shown that an AP1 site located in the proximal promoter region (position −55) is essential for human loricrin promoter activity (Rossi, A., Jang, S-I., Ceci, R., Steinert, P. M., and Markova, N. G. (1998) J. Invest. Dermatol. 110, 34–40). In this study we show that its regulation requires complex cooperative and competitive interactions between multiple transcription factors in keratinocytes located in different compartments of the epidermis. We show that as few as 154 base pairs of 5′-upstream sequences from the cap site can direct the keratinocyte-specific expression in cultured keratinocytes. Mutation and DNA-protein analyses show that Sp1, c-Jun, an unidentified regulator, and the co-activator p300/CREB-binding protein up-regulate whereas Sp3, CREB-1/CREMα/ATF-1, Jun B, and an AP2-like protein (termed the keratinocyte-specific repressor-1 (KSR-1)) suppress loricrin promoter activity. We show that CREB protein can compete with c-Jun for the AP1 site and repress loricrin promoter activity. We show here that the protein kinase A pathway can activate loricrin expression by manipulation of the Sp1, Sp3, and KSR-1 levels in the nucleus. Thus, in undifferentiated cells, loricrin expression is suppressed by Jun B, Sp3, and KSR-1 proteins. But in advanced differentiated cells, levels of Sp3, KSR-1, and CREB proteins are lower; the unidentified regulator protein can bind; Sp1 and c-Jun are increased; and then p300/CBP is recruited. Together, these events allow loricrin transcription to proceed. Indeed, the synergistic effects of the Sp1, c-Jun, and p300 factors indicate that p300/CBP might act as bridge to form an active transcription complex.
Controlling the apparent inertia of passive human-interactive robots

We have been exploring the use of passive robotic mechanisms for the display of virtual surfaces. Cobots are one way of producing virtual surfaces using a passive mechanism. Unlike powered robots, the nonlinear dynamics of the passive mechanism (e.g., an arm) can be felt by the user as a spatially varying apparent inertia. This effect occurs in many passive designs, including but not limited to cobots. We explain the variable apparent inertia as the projection of the spatially-varying inertia matrix onto the direction of motion, and discuss several ways to control the apparent inertia. We explore apparent inertia in detail for the unicycle two link arm, a cobot we have developed for experiments in single-arm motor control studies and rehabilitation. Special paths ("iso-mass contours") are found for this mechanism along which the apparent inertia is constant.
Single locus (rol) control of extreme resistance to red cell osmotic lysis: intrinsic mode of gene action.

Previous work has indicated that inbred mouse strains C57BL/6 and DBA/2 produce red cells differing in their sensitivity to osmotic lysis and that the trait is under multigene control. A recombinant inbred strain (BXD-31), produced from C57BL/6 and DBA/2, has red cells manifesting resistance to osmotic lysis far greater than that of either progenitor. We demonstrate here that the fragility difference between BXD-31 and DBA/2 is the consequence of allelic variation at a single autosomal locus, termed rol. The resistance allele (rol9) is almost completely recessive to the sensitive one (rols). Results of bone marrow chimera analyses indicate that (1) the mode of rol gene action is by a direct influence on the properties of the red cells rather than an indirect influence on their extracellular milieu, and (2) rol does not affect erythrocyte production and turnover. The fragility difference caused by rol variation is likely to involve the erythrocyte membrane or underlying cytoskeleton, since various red cell properties sensitive to ion metabolism differences are unaffected by the gene.
Universities, Industry, and Government in Collaboration: A Review of the Literature on Research Centers

Research has become more complex, involving large teams of researchers, often at multiple institutions. The university research center (URC) has emerged as an important feature of this research environment. URCs represent an especially large and growing influence over university research with ties to industry and commercialization potential. The review begins with a summary of conceptual issues, including definition, description, categorization, and contextualization of URCs. In the second section, the review examines the central activity underlying the URC concept, collaboration. The third section reviews the literature on URC evaluation, including methodological recommendations and examples. The concluding section develops a systemic model of the URC and its stakeholders and recommends approaches to evaluation and directions for future research guided by the challenges facing the center approach to government-funded university research. The model includes the contributions government, industry, and university stakeholders make to URCs and the benefits they seek in return. This model considers the URC as a multiparty alliance with formal and informal aspects. The model posits that a URC can be successfully established if credible formal or informal contracts support agreements that the parties will make the expected contributions and that desired benefits will be obtained and distributed. This model is especially relevant to the challenge of sustainability for URCs. It also reflects the progression in research on URCs from the center level to increased consideration of issues affecting constituent parts of centers, such as faculty or firms, and situates each part within a system.
Cardiotoxicity of Molecularly Targeted Chemotherapeutic Agents

The explosion of knowledge regarding the molecular underpinnings of cancer has led to rapid and significant improvements in oncologic therapy. However, little has been done to carefully define the impacts of these new treatments on cardiovascular health and disease. Many newer agents, by virtue of overlapping targets in tumors and normal cardiovascular tissues, have significant short- and long-term effects on cardiovascular structure and function. In this chapter, we will review (1) the wide variety of targeted therapies currently in use and their known, and potential, cardiovascular side effects; (2) the currently limited clinical trial data regarding prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of such side effects; and (3) the establishment and future of cardio-oncology as a novel field of research and clinical care.
Abstract TP310: Subarachnoid Extension of Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Perihematomal Ischemic Compression Are Related, Harmful Processes

Background: Decreased diffusion is associated with poor outcomes in primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), although the mechanism of that phenomenon is uncertain. Two distinct types of decreased diffusion have been observed, perihematomal ischemia (PHI) and distant areas of ischemia. Extension of hemorrhage into the subarachnoid (SAH) and intraventricular (IVH) compartments may be indicators of high perihematomal pressures and diminished brain parenchyma compliance. The objective of this study is to evaluate for an association between PHI and poor outcomes, and to evaluate whether PHI is associated with SAH and IVH as markers of injurious perihematomal pressure. Methods: Patients with primary ICH were enrolled into a prospective registry between December 2006 and July 2012. Patients were managed, and serial neuroimaging obtained, per a structured protocol. MRI was performed on all salvageable patients when possible. SAH, IVH and PHI were identified on imaging, along with ICH volumes, by expert reviewers blinded to outcomes. An ordinal regression model was used to evaluate for an association between PHI and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 28 days, adjusted for ICH Score. A binary logistic regression models was developed to identify an association between PHI and other potential predictors of malignant peri-hematomal pressures: SAH, IVH, initial hematoma volume, and supra- versus infratentorial location. Results: 94 patients were studied. 27 (28.7%) had SAH and 44 (46.8%) had IVH. PHI was associated with mRS at 28 days (odds ratio 2.88 [95% CI 1.23-6.75]), independent of ICH Score. PHI was associated with SAH (3.74 [1.25-11.21]), whereas no significant association was found with IVH, hematoma volume or location. Conclusions: PHI is independently associated with poor outcomes in primary ICH. PHI is associated with SAH, but not hemorrhage volume, location or decompression into the ventricular system. These findings suggest that PHI and subarachnoid hemorrhage extension are associated, unique markers for injurious perihematomal pressure.
The role of self-monitoring in the maintenance of weight loss success.

Introduction Self-monitoring has been shown to be a crucial part of initial weight loss success in behavioral interventions. However, little is known about the impact of self-monitoring during the period following initial treatment.
Cashing out: The decisional flexibility of uncertainty responses in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and humans (Homo sapiens).

Researchers are exploring whether animals share with humans something like a metacognitive capacity. Though some results point to human-animal continuities in this domain, they face the dominant criticism that animals’ performances might be associative. A persistent problem is that animal-metacognition paradigms present static environments of risk and reward that may foster inflexible and conditioned responding. Those environments do not challenge animals to show the flexibility in their decision strategies that could indicate an antecedent capacity to metacognition. Accordingly, we tested macaques and humans on an uncertainty-monitoring paradigm in which risk changed dynamically. Participants classified stimuli of different difficulties while also choosing when to use a cashout response to collect the accumulated rewards that would be forfeit on a discrimination error. Macaques and humans flexibly adjusted their decision criteria to achieve appropriate protection against the cost of error that could differ depending on trial difficulty and the number of rewards at risk. In particular, monkeys widened their cashout-response region as their accumulated rewards increased, providing more protection against a more costly error. These findings demonstrate a new continuity between humans’ and animals’ uncertainty systems. They reveal a calibration by macaques of present risk to trial difficulty tolerated. They show that animals’ uncertainty-monitoring and risk-management systems have substantial trial-by-trial flexibility.
Structure of Amorphous Semiconductor Interfaces Determined from in Situ Optical Reflectivity Measurements

The optical reflectivity at 6328 A of a-Si:H, a-Ge:H, a-Si:H/a-SiN x :H and a-Si :H/a-SiO x :H interfaces can be explained by a model of chemically abrupt interfaces that are macroscopica!ly rough on a scale of 10–20 A .
Study on the control strategy for single-tuned hybrid active power filters

A DC link voltage controller and double loop control strategy with grid current and the fifth harmonic current feedback are proposed to deal with the low compensation precision of the single-tuned parallel hybrid active power filters(PHAPFs) due to low bandwidth.Specifically,the small signal model and transfer function were derived firstly based on the circuit topology of the PHAPF.The double loop controller and the voltage controller were designed.Simulation investigation was done and a prototype was built.Simulation and experimental results verify that the proposed control strategies could not only acquire very high steady-state compensation precision as well as fast dynamic responses but also reduce the cost of the equipment since only two phases of grid current are required to be detected.
Neural networks cascade control of a class of nonlinear systems with its applications

A class of strict feedback multi input multi output nonlinear systems with parameters and structure unknown are considered in this paper. Neural networks based cascade control scheme was proposed to control the mentioned systems. In this control scheme,backstepping based method was adopted to design this cascade controller which integtated the advantages of the good performance of backstepping based nonlinear control and simple structure of the cascade control. As parameters and structure of the nonlinear system are unkown,neural networks was introduced to approximate the nonlinear system. And the adaptive law of the neural network was designed by Lyapunov method. Then semi global unform boundedness were analyzed based on Lyapunov method. Numerical simulations were also conducted. Finally,this proposed method was applied on a robotic manipulator,and physical experiments were completed. Results of numerical simulations and physical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Use of Noninvasive Imaging in Cardiac Amyloidosis

Cardiac involvement in amyloidosis is associated with poor outcomes. The standard test for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis is endomyocardial biopsy but given current advances in noninvasive imaging, the diagnosis is frequently obtained or strongly suspected without biopsy. Echocardiography is the most utilized cardiac imaging modality, particularly myocardial strain measures with this modality have been found to be a predictor of clinical outcomes, superior to traditional parameters. Other known imaging modalities with new, useful protocols for this pathology include nuclear imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). In particular, CMR has excellent sensitivity and specificity.
The effect of the common anomalies of the lumbar spine upon disc degeneration and low back pain.

Summary It is clear that disc degeneration should be interpreted as a more or less normal physiological process that begins at about the age of 20 and continues throughout life. Anything that increases stress on a disc will cause it to degenerate more rapidly. This is especially true of torsional stresses. Scoliosis does not increase symptoms, at least not until late in life, but older patients often exhibit severe disc degeneration with lateral slip. In our experience the most common level of lateral slip is L3 on L4. There is evidence that scoliotic children have an abnormality in the chemistry of the intervertebral disc that causes it to become soft, thus permitting shifting and rotation. There is a definite hereditary element associated with disc degeneration. We really do not know the true nature of disc degeneration, nor do we know why some discs degenerate and narrow without bulging or rupture while others do. We especially do not know why some discs produce pain during the process of degeneration while the vast majority do not.
Graph algorithms for the haplotyping problem

Evidence from investigations of genetic differences among human beings shows that genetic diseases are often the results of genetic mutations. The most common form of these mutations is single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). A complete map of all SNPs in the human genome will be extremely valuable for studying the relationships between specific haplotypes and specific genetic diseases. Some recent discoveries show that the DNA sequence of human beings can be partitioned into long blocks where genetic recombination has been rare. Then, inferring both haplotypes from chromosome sequences is a biologically meaningful research topic, which has compounded mathematical and computational problems. We are interested in the algorithmic implications to infer haplotypes from long blocks of DNA that have not undergone recombination in populations. The assumption justifies a model of haplotype evolution---haplotypes in a population evolves along a coalescent, based on the standard population-genetic assumption of infinite sites, which as a rooted tree is a perfect phylogeny. The Perfect Phylogeny Haplotyping (PPH) Problem was introduced by Daniel Gusfield in 2002. A nearly linear-time solution to the PPH problem (O( nmα(nm)), where α is the extremely slowly growing inverse Ackerman function) is provided. However, it is very complex and difficult to implement. So far, even the best practical solution to the PPH problem has the worst-case running time of O( nm2). D. Gusfield conjectured that a linear-time ( O(nm)) solution to the PPH problem should be possible. We solve the conjecture of Gusfield by introducing a linear-time algorithm for the PPH problem. Different kinds of posets for haplotype matrices and genotype matrices are designed and the relationships between them are studied. Since redundant calculations can be avoided by the transitivity of partial ordering in posets, we design a linear-time (O(nm )) algorithm for the PPH problem that provides all the possible solutions from an input. The algorithm is fully implemented and the simulation shows that it is much faster than previous methods.
Hypofractionated regional nodal irradiation for breast cancer

Research from the 1950s and 1960s out of the UK and Australia pioneered work in hypofractionated RNI for breast cancer but resulted in unacceptable toxicity given their limited knowledge of radiobiology [1–4]. The 1970s and 1980s brought us well-known randomized (postmastectomy radiation therapy) PMRT data from Canada and the development of the UK Start trials, both revealing safe delivery of hypofractionated RNI for breast cancer after chemotherapy [5, 6]. The 1990s and 2000s include a follow-on UK Start trial, as well as several small prospective trials from Pakistan, Greece, and Belgium, all demonstrating safe hypofractionated RNI for breast cancer [7–10].
Fine Tuning Surface Energy of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) by Heteroatom Modification of the Alkyl Side Chains

Recent work has pointed to polymer miscibility and surface energy as key figures of merit in the formation of organic alloys and synergistic behavior between components in ternary blend solar cells. Here, we present a simple model system and first report of poly(3-hexylthiophene)-based random copolymers featuring either a semifluoroalkyl (P3HT-co-FHT) or oligoether (P3HT-co-MET) side chain, prepared via Stille polycondensation. Water drop contact angle measurements demonstrated that P3HT-co-FHT polymers reached a minimum surface energy of 14.2 mN/m at 50% composition of comonomers, while in contrast, P3HT-co-MET polymers increased as high as 27.0 mN/m at 50% composition, compared to P3HT at 19.9 mN/m. Importantly, the surface energy of the copolymers was found to vary regularly with comonomer composition and exhibited fine-tuning. Optical and electronic properties of the polymers are found to be composition independent as determined by UV–vis and CV measurements; HOMO energy levels ranged from 5.25 to 5.3...
Characterizing Students’ Mechanistic Reasoning about London Dispersion Forces

Characterizing how students construct causal mechanistic explanations for chemical phenomena can provide us with important insights into the ways that students develop understanding of chemistry concepts. Here, we present two qualitative studies of undergraduate general chemistry students’ reasoning about the causes of London dispersion forces in nonpolar species such as helium atoms. In the first study, we used semi-structured interviews to examine students’ verbal explanations for how and why electrical interactions arise between helium atoms. In the second, we used an online short-answer version of the interview task to examine the prevalence of the drawing and explanation types we observed in student interviews. We present a characterization of students’ explanations and drawings in terms of increasing sophistication and demonstrate how it may be used as a model for assessing students’ ability to engage in scientific practices such as explanation.
Co-Optation or Restriction: The Differentiated Government Control over Foundations in China

A central theme in contemporary China scholarship is the state-society relations, in particular, the government-NGO relations. However, despite the understanding that the government plays an important role in NGO development and differentiates its relations with NGOs, we still don’t know why and how. This paper adopts the critical discourse analysis approach to examine the foundation mission statements. The finding of distinct patterns of “harmony” and “obeying the law” allows the author to construct a two-dimensional control mechanism composed of government’s intention to co-opt or restrict a foundation. Through multinomial logistic regression, the paper finds that foundation funding sufficiency leads to government’s strong intention to co-opt and weak intention to restrict. That is, resource dependence can break certain institutional constraints such as government ties and issue sensitivity. It proves the Chinese government can adapt to the socioeconomic conditions and impose calculated control over foundations accordingly.
Soft food microrheology

Soft food materials, such as gels, pastes, emulsions and colloidal suspensions, are highly heterogeneous structures under constant dynamic interactions. For this reason, these materials frequently exhibit complicated rheological responses, many of which defy characterization by conventional techniques without disrupting their internal food microstructure. In this paper, we highlight recent advances in microrheological methods to probe rheological responses of delicate samples at the microscale. They offer a powerful new approach to characterize soft food materials in a direct and unobtrusive way. Microrheological methods promise to reveal a better fundamental understanding of the underlying structures and dynamics of soft food materials, inform novel constitutive models, and help develop new technological applications.
Stratigraphy and paleoenvironmental analysis of the Frasnian-Famennian (Upper Devonian) boundary interval in Tioga, north-central Pennsylvania

Abstract Two pulses of extinction in the late Frasnian (Late Devonian), the Lower and Upper Kellwasser (LKW and UKW) events, coincided with the deposition of organic-rich strata in many parts of the world, including the Appalachian Basin. Here, we describe two stratigraphic sections from Tioga, north-central Pennsylvania, that span the Frasnian-Famennian (F-F) boundary interval. The F-F boundary and UKW-equivalent strata are probably located in the covered interval between the two sections, but the LKW-equivalent Pipe Creek Formation is well exposed. We propose several stratigraphic revisions, including raising the Lock Haven Formation to group status and dividing it into formations, as well as redefining the base of the Canaseraga Formation and subdividing it into members. Paleoenvironments at Tioga range from offshore/outer shelf to middle shoreface. A regression follows the LKW transgression, as evidenced by the sharp superposition of middle shoreface sands on outer-shelf mudstones, similar to large facies changes associated with the LKW in other settings. The LKW is typically interpreted as representing deposition under dysoxic-anoxic conditions, and trace and body fossil content suggest that the Pipe Creek Formation represents dysoxic but not permanently anoxic conditions. These stratigraphic revisions and records of environmental change will provide the framework for more detailed studies of the LKW and UKW extinction events in the Appalachian Basin.
The Role of Pharmacy Through Collaborative Practice in an Ambulatory Care Clinic

Pharmacists have been practicing in ambulatory care environments managing patients with chronic illnesses since the 1970s. The US Surgeon General and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention support pharmacists working in collaboration with physicians to optimize medication outcomes, improve patient satisfaction, and lower health care costs. Through collaborative practice agreements, pharmacists are able to work as part of a health care team with access to electronic health records, and they assist busy physicians manage patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes. This article will review the different types of ambulatory care practice settings, what is included in a collaborative practice agreement, the credentialing and privileging of pharmacists working in such environments, the qualifications of pharmacists, the scope of practice, and some challenges for reimbursement.
Comparing Population-based Risk-stratification Model Performance Using Demographic, Diagnosis and Medication Data Extracted From Outpatient Electronic Health Records Versus Administrative Claims

Background:There is an increasing demand for electronic health record (EHR)–based risk stratification and predictive modeling tools at the population level. This trend is partly due to increased value-based payment policies and the increasing availability of EHRs at the provider level. Risk stratifi
Seasonality and Readmission after Heart Failure, Myocardial Infarction, and Pneumonia.

Objective To investigate whether hospital readmission after admission for heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), and pneumonia varies by season. Data Sources All patients in 2005–2009 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases for New York and California hospitalized for HF, MI, or pneumonia. Study Design The relationship between discharge season and unplanned readmission within 30 days was evaluated using multivariate modified Poisson regression. Principal Findings Cohorts included 869,512 patients with HF, 448,945 patients with MI, and 813,593 patients with pneumonia. While admissions varied widely by season, readmission rates only ranged from 25.0 percent (spring) to 25.6 percent (winter) for HF (p > .05), 18.9 percent (summer) to 20.0 percent (winter) for MI (p < .001), and 19.4 percent (spring) to 20.3 percent (summer) for pneumonia (p < .001). In adjusted models, in New York, there was lower readmission in spring and fall (RR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96–0.99 for both) after admission for HF and higher readmission in spring (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.07) after MI. In California, there was lower readmission in spring and winter (RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93–0.96 and RR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.98, respectively) after pneumonia. Conclusions Given marked seasonality in incidence and mortality of HF, MI, and pneumonia, the modest seasonality in readmissions suggests that readmissions may be more related to non–seasonally dependent factors than to the seasonal nature of these diseases.
Neuroprotective Effects of Psalmotoxin-1, an Acid-Sensing Ion Channel (ASIC) Inhibitor, in Ischemia Reperfusion in Mouse Eyes

ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of the current study is to assess changes in the expression of Acid-Sensing Ion Channel (ASIC)1a and ASIC2 in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after retinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury and to test if inhibition of ASIC1a provides RGC neuroprotection.Methods: Transient ischemia was induced in one eye of C57BL/6 mice by raising intraocular pressure to 120 mmHg for 60 min followed by retinal reperfusion by restoring normal pressure. RGC function was measured by Pattern electroretinography (PERG). In addition, retinal ASIC1a and ASIC2 were observed by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Changes in calpain, fodrin, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), Brn3a, super oxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), catalase, and glutathione perioxidase-4 (GPX4) protein levels were assessed by western blot. RGC numbers were measured by immunohistochemistry on whole retinal flat mounts using anti-RNA binding protein with multiple splicing (RBPMS) antibodies. Intravitreal injection of psalmotoxin-1, a sele...
Using the h-index to rank influential information scientistss: Brief Communication

The authors apply a new bibliometric measure, the h-index (Hirsch, 2005), to the literature of information science. Faculty rankings based on raw citation counts are compared with those based on h-counts. There is a strong positive correlation between the two sets of rankings. It is shown how the h-index can be used to express the broad impact of a scholar's research output over time in more nuanced fashion than straight citation counts. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Myocardial hypersensitivity to ischemic injury is not reversed by clonidine or propranolol in a predator-based rat model of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Abstract • Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. We previously reported that a predator-based model of PTSD increases myocardial sensitivity to ischemic injury. Heightened sympathetic signaling has a well-established role in the formation of anxiety associated with PTSD and may also contribute to worsening of myocardial injury in the ischemic heart. Thus, we examined whether suppression of sympathetic tone protects the ischemic heart in rats subjected to this model of PTSD. Rats were treated with saline or clonidine throughout the 31-day stress paradigm. Behavior on the elevated plus maze (EPM) was assessed on Day 32, and hearts were subjected to an ischemic insult on day 33. Stressed rats exhibited increased anxiety on the EPM and significantly larger myocardial infarcts following ischemia. Clonidine reversed the anxiety-like behavior but had no impact on infarct size. In a subsequent experiment, rats were treated with propranolol in their drinking water throughout the stress paradigm. Propranolol had no effect on either anxiety or myocardial sensitivity to ischemic injury. These findings suggest that the myocardial hypersensitivity to ischemic injury observed in this model is not caused by increased sympathetic tone or chronic β-adrenergic receptor signaling.
Chasms and Collisions: Native American Women's Decolonial Labor

“[My basket narratives] weave old forms of articulation with new forms of iconography to create a collision, which echoes the cultural experience of my life.” --Sarah Sense “I have always felt there is a significant chasm that divides Native people from non-Natives…that began at first contact and continues to this day.” --Shan Goshorn In this article, I argue Native American visual artists understand and characterize the fallout of the project of “cultural simulations” that preoccupy systems of continued colonial occupation in the Americas. As suggested in the above quotes, Native aritsts are attentive to Indigenous visualities that trouble settler colonial designs of signifying the indian -- visualities that are hyper-aware of settler colonial methods of reading Native subjects by binding them to metrics of authenticity. What’s more, their works record Indigenous subjects not as static representations but as dynamic, living peoples that have complicated relationships to the settler state; each of her “visual records” is not a document of closure but is a decolonizing blueprint fortified by the vitality of Indigenous lived experience. The “chasm” of misunderstanding about which Eastern Band Cherokee artist Shan Goshorn argues and the “collision” of cultural expressions about which Choctaw/Chitimacha artist Sarah Sense describes provides a way of thinking about artistic renderings of lived experience for Native women -- decolonized expressions that critically and creatively reckon with both the chasm and collision of historical and contemporary genocidal terror. The labor of reckoning which Sense and Goshorn take on in their works recognizes that the invention of cultural simulations is the specter of white desire – a necessary fiction which protects and projects white innocence from the on-going project of cultural genocide. If the willful work of settler historical amnesia (erasure) must be coupled with inflexible symbolic violence (invention) for the project of colonialism to continue and thrive, then the tribally specific (from the ground up) labor of Native artists must also be commensurate with the hemispheric/global Indigenous connective tissue (lateral) of Native women’s work against all forms of violence and oppression. It seems to me that dimension best addresses the oblate nature of discursive dominance, and it seems to me that Sense and Goshorn are entirely aware of just that
Hybrid CuxO–TiO2 Nanopowders Prepared by Ball Milling for Solar Energy Conversion and Visible-Light-Induced Wastewater Treatment

Hybrid nanocomposites of Cu2O–(R)TiO2, CuO–(R)TiO2, and Cu3TiO4–(R)TiO2 (where R represents the rutile phase of TiO2) nanopowders (NPs) were produced via solid state reaction followed by 20 h of ba...
Should Trackable Pill Technologies Be Used to Facilitate Adherence Among Patients Without Insight

Aripiprazole tablets with sensor offer a new wireless trackable form of aripiprazole that represents a clear departure from existing drug delivery systems, routes, or formulations. This tracking technology raises concerns about the ethical treatment of patients with psychosis when it could introduce unintended treatment challenges. The use of "trackable" pills and other "smart" drugs or nanodrugs assumes renewed importance given that physicians are responsible for determining patients' decision-making capacity. Psychiatrists are uniquely positioned in society to advocate on behalf of vulnerable patients with mental health disorders. The case presented here focuses on guidance for capacity determination and informed consent for such nanodrugs.