cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antagonistic Effects of Cellular Poly(C) Binding Proteins on Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Gene Expression

Immunoprecipitation and subsequent mass spectrometry analysis of the cellular proteins from cells expressing the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) P protein identified the poly(C) binding protein 2 (PCBP2) as one of the P protein-interacting proteins. To investigate the role of PCBP2 in the viral life cycle, we examined the effects of depletion or overexpression of this protein on VSV growth. Small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of PCBP2 promoted VSV replication. Conversely, overexpression of PCBP2 in transfected cells suppressed VSV growth. Further studies revealed that PCBP2 negatively regulates overall viral mRNA accumulation and subsequent genome replication. Coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence microscopic studies showed that PCBP2 interacts and colocalizes with VSV P protein in virus-infected cells. The P-PCBP2 interaction did not result in reduced levels of protein complex formation with the viral N and L proteins, nor did it induce degradation of the P protein. In addition, PCBP1, another member of the poly(C) binding protein family with homology to PCBP2, was also found to interact with the P protein and inhibit the viral mRNA synthesis at the level of primary transcription without affecting secondary transcription or genome replication. The inhibitory effects of PCBP1 on VSV replication were less pronounced than those of PCBP2. Overall, the results presented here suggest that cellular PCBP2 and PCBP1 antagonize VSV growth by affecting viral gene expression and highlight the importance of these two cellular proteins in restricting virus infections.
Family Matters: Dyadic Agreement in End-of-Life Medical Decision Making

Purpose: We examined race/ethnicity and cultural context within hypothetical end-of-life medical decision scenarios and its influence on patient–proxy agreement. Design and Methods: Family dyads consisting of an older adult and 1 family member, typically an adult child, responded to questions regarding the older adult’s preferences for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, artificial feeding and fluids, and palliative care in hypothetical illness scenarios. The responses of 34 Caucasian dyads and 30 African American dyads were compared to determine the extent to which family members could accurately predict the treatment preferences of their older relative. Results: We found higher treatment preference agreement among African American dyads compared with Caucasian dyads when considering overall raw difference scores (i.e., overtreatment errors can compensate for undertreatment errors). Prior advance care planning moderated the effect such that lower levels of advance care planning predicted undertreatment errors among African American proxies and overtreatment errors among Caucasian proxies. In contrast, no racial/ethnic differences in treatment preference agreement were found within absolute difference scores (i.e., total error, regardless of the direction of error). Implications: This project is one of the first to examine the mediators and moderators of dyadic racial/cultural differences in treatment preference agreement for end-of-life care in hypothetical illness scenarios. Future studies should use mixed method approaches to explore underlying factors for racial differences in patient–proxy agreement as a basis for developing culturally sensitive interventions to reduce racial disparities in end-of-life care options.
Net nitrogen mineralization from light- and heavy-fraction forest soil organic matter

Fine surface soil ( < 2 mm) from four sites in Oregon and Washington and three in Costa Rica was separated by repeated notation in NaI solution (sp. gr. < 1.2, 1.4, or 1.6 g cm−3) into a light and a heavy fraction. Most organic matter in the light fractions consisted of partly-decomposed root fragments and other plant and microbial remnants and most in the heavy fractions was adsorbed or deposited on mineral surfaces or was protected within organo-mineral microaggregates. The light fraction had a consistently wider C:N ratio than the heavy, and net N mineralization during anaerobic incubation was greater from the heavy than from the light fraction in five of six soils for which both fractions were incubated. Net N mineralization was greater from the heavy fraction than from the whole soil of most sites perhaps because the light fraction immobilized N released from the heavy fraction when they were incubated together. Correlation between net N mineralization (as a proportion of total N) and C:N ratio was negative for the light fraction (r2=0.74) but positive for the heavy fraction (r2 = 0.85), suggesting that the C:N ratio does not control the extent to which heavy-fraction N is mineralizable.
Color image compression: Multiwavelets vs. scalar wavelets

Recently developed balanced multiwavelets have proven effective for image compression; however, their performance falls slightly short of the scalar wavelets. A previous comparison of some scalar wavelet and multi wavelet properties illustrated their importance for grayscale image compression. In this paper we present another property: the perfect reconstruction (PR) property; it too appears to explain the performance differences. This paper compares the compression performance of 3 scalar wavelets and 5 balanced multiwavelets on 7 color images. We observe that SA 4 depicts the best performance amongst the multi wavelets in terms of both subjective quality and PSNR; this matches our expectation based on our results that indicate that it is the only BMW which satisfies the PR conditions. Although SA 4 rivals the biorthogonal scalar wavelets in terms of many desirable properties, it suffers from a lower balancing/vanishing order. This difference explains the 0.01–0.47 dB performance gap between the best scalar wavelet and the best balanced multiwavelet.
Quantitation of Candida CFU in Initial Positive Blood Cultures

One potential limitation of DNA-based molecular diagnostic tests for Candida bloodstream infection (BSI) is organism burden, which is not sufficiently characterized. We hypothesized that the number of CFU per milliliter (CFU/ml) present in an episode of Candida BSI is too low for reliable DNA-based diagnostics. In this study, we determined Candida burden in the first positive blood culture and explored factors that affect organism numbers and patient outcomes. We reviewed records of consecutive patients with a positive blood culture for Candida in the lysis-centrifugation blood culture system (Isolator, Wampole Laboratories, Cranbury, NJ) from 1987 to 1991. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed. One hundred fifty-two episodes of Candida BSI were analyzed. Patient characteristics included adult age (72%), indwelling central venous catheters (83%), recent surgery (29%), neutropenia (24%), transplant (14%), and other immune suppression (21%). Rates of treatment success and 30-day mortality for candidemia were each 51%. The median CFU/ml was 1 (mode 0.1, range 0.1 to >1,000). In the multivariate analysis, pediatric patients were more likely than adults to have high organism burdens (odds ratio [OR], 10.7; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 4.3 to 26.5). Initial organism density did not affect patient outcome. Candida CFU/ml in the first positive blood culture of a BSI episode varies greatly; >50% of cultures had ≤1 CFU/ml, a concentration below the experimental yeast cell threshold for reliable DNA-based diagnostics. DNA-based diagnostics for Candida BSI will be challenged by low organism density and the need for sufficient specimen volume; future research on alternate targets is warranted.
Psychological Characteristics of Women Volleyball Players: Relationships with Injuries, Rehabilitation, and Team Success

Relatively few studies have used standardized psychological instruments to describe personality characteristics of women intercollegiate athletes. Using members of women's intercollegiate volleyball teams from two midwestern conferences as subjects, this study investigated relationships of the four psychological factors underlying the Millon Behavioral Health Inventory with success of team, conference affiliation, occurrence of athletic injury, and, for players who had injuries, adherence to rehabilitation plans. The factor describing an assertive, self-assured, independent attitude distinguished one conference from the other, had higher values for successful than for unsuccessful teams, and was associated with higher injury rates. For players suffering moderate or severe injuries, this factor was also associated with adherence to rehabilitation plans. The relationship of this factor with the several variables is explained as resulting from risk taking and positive deviance.
Constructing embodied understanding of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: preservice teachers’ learning to teach with information technology

This paper reports the key findings of a qualitative, exploratory study on preservice teachers’ learning to teach with information technology (IT) across the last three semesters of their preparation programme. Triangulated qualitative data were collected and analysed on an ongoing basis to track what the nine preservice teachers learned, and how they learned as well as how they used such learning to what effect. This study suggests that learning to teach with IT is an idiosyncratic, multi-dimensional, and developmental process that involves confirmation and adjustments to many aspects of change simultaneously. Six participants showed the steady progress in using a variety of IT in various field placements and became technology advocates. Thus, learning to teach with IT holds the potential to transform teaching and learning in schools amongst and through preservice teachers.
Improving disability evaluation productivity: linking innovative business models with information technology

This paper examines the relationship between the healthcare industry and disability evaluation, with a special focus on how information technology (IT) can assist in fostering the disability evaluation process. In the USA, various disability compensation programmes exist, and each uses a specialised terminology to define disability based on the compensation payer's definition. However, ambiguity arises as a result of the use of these multiple definitions and interpretation of terms, which contributes to delays in the disability evaluation process. This paper develops two conceptual models for disability evaluation and explores the underlying business models and the role of IT in achieving productivity gains. Throughout this discussion the focus is on process inefficiencies in determining disabilities and the potential role of innovative business models and technology practices. Finally, future research opportunities and their implications are also enumerated.
On the Isothermal Martensitic Transformation in 3Y‐TZP

The martensitic tetragonal (t) → monoclinic (m) transformation in 3Y-TZP displays both athermal and isothermal kinetics; both are stress-assisted. Room-temperature transformation was induced with Vickers indentations; the isothermal, or thermally activated, component was induced by annealing indented samples at temperatures up to ∼ 900 K. The reverse m → t transformation occurred on annealing at still higher temperatures. The extent of transformation in the indented region was quantified with Raman microprobe spectroscopy, while the deformation associated with the transformed regions was evident as surface displacements around the indent. The spatial distribution of the transformation product(s) around the indents is complex and not yet entirely understood.
Phosphatidic acid regulation of PIPKI is critical for actin cytoskeletal reorganization

Type I phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIPKI) is the main enzyme generating the lipid second messenger phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], which has critical functions in many cellular processes, such as cytoskeletal reorganization, membrane trafficking, and signal transduction. All three members of the PIPKI family are activated by phosphatidic acid (PA). However, how PA regulates the activity and functions of PIPKI have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we identify a PA-binding site on PIPKIγ. Mutation of this site inhibited the PA-stimulated activity and membrane localization of PIPKIγ as well as the formation of actin comets and foci induced by PIPKIγ. We also demonstrate that phospholipase D (PLD) generates a pool of PA involved in PIPKIγ regulation by showing that PLD inhibitors blocked the membrane localization of PIPKIγ and its ability to induce actin cytoskeletal reorganization. Targeting the PIPKIγ PA-binding-deficient mutant to membranes by a membrane localization sequence failed to restore the actin reorganization activity of PIPKIγ, suggesting that PA binding is not only involved in recruiting PIPKIγ to membranes but also may induce a conformational change. Taken together, these results reveal a new molecular mechanism through which PA regulates PIPKI and provides direct evidence that PA is important for the localization and functions of PIPKI in intact cells.
Daily disposable hydrogel contact lenses: a comparative study

Abstract This open-label study compares three daily disposable hydrogel contact lenses, Focus® Dailies® (Ciba Vision), 1-Day Acuvue® (Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson), and SofLens® one day disposable (Bausch & Lomb). Comparisons were made by soliciting participant preference among factors such as overall satisfaction, comfort, satisfaction with vision, dryness, eye strain, ease of handling, irritation upon insertion, frequency of solution use, and rate of damage of contact lenses. Subjects were randomly given appropriate Focus® Dailies®, 1-Day Acuvue®, and SofLens® one day disposable to use on both eyes for 2-week periods. After use of each of the three lens designs, the participants filled out a questionnaire about their wearing experience and their eyes were evaluated for contact lens complications. They also filled out a final questionnaire. Fifty percent of the participants favored Focus® Dailies® in a forced-choice comparison although 1-Day Acuvue® and SofLens® one day disposable scored higher in overall satisfaction. We find that participant preference appears to be influenced by factors other than performance on the eye. Factors such as packaging (easy to open) and lens designs that enhance handling strongly influence patient lens preference.
Adaptive responses to peroxynitrite : increased glutathione levels and cystine uptake in vascular cells

We and others recently demonstrated increased glutathione levels, stimulated cystine uptake, and induced γ-glutamylcysteinyl synthase (γ-GCS) in vascular cells exposed to nitric oxide donors. Here ...
Reduction of Aqueous HOCl with Activated Carbon

A mathematical model describing the unsteady state of chlorine removal from water by activated carbon is developed and tested. Constants in the model, which account for intraparticle diffusion and surface reaction, are determined from semibatch experiments in which the level of free chlorine, present in all cases as HOCl, is maintained constant. The resulting model is tested for its adequacy in describing experimental results obtained from a closed batch reactor and from a fixed-bed reactor for several sets of conditions including different particle sizes. Very close agreement is demonstrated between experimental results, in the form of effluent chlorine concentration versus time, and model predictions.
The Effect of an Appreciatory Comment on Sales: Reciprocity in a Retailing Context

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether thanking shoppers (upon entering a store) and telling them that they were appreciated as customers would result in an increase in sales. An experiment was conducted in an electronics store and a total of 200 subjects were used. The results showed that shoppers told: "Thank you for shopping at _______. We really appreciate having you as our customer. Which department can I direct you to?" spent significantly more than a control group of shoppers who were not told anything ($408.03 vs. $240.54). The results of this study are explained by reference to the literature on reciprocity and gift-giving.
Italian for beginners: the next steps for SLO-based management

Literature is rife with compelling ideas on simplifying storage management using service-level objectives (SLOs). However, very few of these ideas have actually been productized, despite the fact that many of the original ideas came from industry and were developed more than a decade ago. While many good research ideas do not become products, in this case, we believe that there are important reasons why adoption has been slow. This paper investigates the reasons for slow adoption and discusses ideas that can truly simplify storage management using SLOs.
"We Cannot Possibly Meet the Needs of These Children": Complexities of Race and Disability in the Referral Process of Urban Schools

This qualitative investigation was conducted with 20 K-5 general education teachers from 10 culturally diverse schools in a large urban school district in the southeastern area of the United States. Data were obtained through semistructured interviews and referral records. Questions were designed to elicit their perspectives about special education in hopes of learning more about teacher decision making in the referral process. Interview data revealed six major themes about teacher referral decisions that led to three core conceptual categories: (a) high referrers, (b) low referrers, and (c) "contradictory paradoxes" or teachers whose responses did not match their referral patterns. The data are discussed in terms of ways in which support can be provided to make general educators more aware of special education and to prepare them to educate culturally, academically, and linguistically diverse students with disabilities.
A MODEL TO EXPLAIN MOLT-BREEDING OVERLAP AND CLUTCH SIZE IN SOME TROPICAL BIRDS.

The tendency for avian clutch size to decrease with latitude is well documented (Lack, 1947, 1948; Lack and Moreau, 1965; Moreau, 1944; Skutch, 1949, 1967a). Most of the hypotheses proposed to explain this phenomenon suggest that energy (either food itself or the time used to gather it) is in some way limiting. Lack (1947, 1948, 1966) indicates that mean clutch size represents the largest number of young for which parents can find adequate food. Because shorter days (Lack, 1947) and heavy rains (Foster, 1974a) decrease the number of daylight hours available for feeding, tropical birds presumably can feed fewer young than can temperate forms. Ricklefs (1970) postulates that increased intersp,ecific competition among tropical as compared to temperate predators causes a reduction in food abundance (insects) and thus results in low productivity of predators, i.e., low clutch size among birds. Cody (1966) suggests that tropical birds must devote proportionally mo,re energy to improving predator avoidance and competitive ability than do temperate forms, even at the expense of energy for reproduction, because both predation and competition are higher in the tropics. In view of the above, the large number of avian species in the New World and African tropics which molt while breeding is of interest. Although most investigators have considered molt-breeding overlap only incidental to other studies, this phenomenon has now been reported (Foster, 1974b) for 122 tropical species (excluding all Australian arid region birds). Molt, which usually is temporally independent of breeding is an energetically demanding process. Thus species which overlap molt and breeding form something of a paradox. These birds appear to have additional energy available during the breeding period which could be devoted to reproduction but is not. Organisms which do not utilize for breeding all energy potentially available for that process presumably should be at a selective disadvantage. The purpose of the present paper is to define a set of circumstances in which the channelling of energy into molt, even at the expense of breeding, may be selectively advantageous.
The Work of Invisibility: Radiation Hazards and Occupational Health in South African Uranium Production

This article explores the technopolitical mechanisms by which radiation hazards in South African uranium production were rendered invisible. The occupational health effects of underground uranium mining were deeply contested for decades, all over the world. From the 1950s to the 1990s, the volatile nature of labor relations under apartheid shaped how the South African mining industry responded to the presence of radon gas. With occasional help from state scientists, the industry muffled the political menace of radon gas by making its physical presence difficult to see. Sometimes this invisibility resulted from deliberate decisions, sometimes from structural suppression, sometimes from the tangle of both. This article argues that maintaining radon's invisibility took work.
PROBABILISTIC PLAN RECOGNITION FOR INTELLIGENT INFORMATION AGENTS - Towards Proactive Software Assistant Agents

In this paper, we present a software assistant agent that can proactively manage information on behalf of cognitively overloaded users. We develop an agent architecture, known here as ANTicipatory Information and Planning Agent (ANTIPA), for recognizing user plan in an unobtrusive manner and reasoning about time constraints to provide relevant information at a right time. ANTIPA integrates probabilistic plan recognition with constraint-based information gathering. This paper focuses on our probabilistic plan prediction algorithm inspired by a decision theory that human decision making is based on long-term outcomes. A proof of concept user study shows a promising result.
Epilepsy and Spinocerebellar Ataxia

A large consanguinous family from Saudi Arabia with 4 affected children presenting with an autosomal recessive ataxia, generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy and mental retardation is reported from the Institut de Genetique, Universite Louis Pasteur, Illkirch, France; Division of Pediatric Neurology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and other centers.
Survivorship Analysis of the Mayo Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

From 1974 until the end of 1988, 204 primary Mayo total ankle arthroplasties were performed at the Mayo Clinic. By means of actuarial analysis, we determined the cumulative rates of survival with failure (defined as removal of the implant) as the end point. The average duration of follow-up was nine years (range, two to seventeen years). By applying the Cox proportional-hazards general linear model, we identified two independent variables that were associated with a significantly higher risk of failure: a previous operative procedure on the ipsilateral foot or ankle and an age of fifty-seven years or less. The overall cumulative rate of survival at five, ten, and fifteen years was 79, 65, and 61 per cent, respectively. The probability of an implant being in situ at ten years was 42 per cent for patients who were fifty-seven years old or less and who had had previous operative treatment of the ipsilateral ankle or foot and 73 per cent for those who were more than fifty-seven years old and who had had no such previous operative treatment. We do not recommend the use of the Mayo total ankle arthroplasty, particularly in younger patients who have had a previous operative procedure on the ipsilateral ankle or foot.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, Embryo Culture, and Transfer of In Vitro–Produced Blastocysts

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is becoming a common clinical procedure in the horse, but little information is available on techniques for its performance. Each laboratory uses different procedures and different media for the steps involved with in vitro embryo production. This article outlines the procedures used in the Clinical Equine Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Program at Texas A&M University for in vitro blastocyst production during the past 3 years.
Forensic Chemical Engineering Investigation and Analysis

Chemists and chemical engineers are often asked by attorneys to offer scientific and/or technical assistance on matters in controversy when the details involve damage to persons or property from chemicals, fires, or explosions.
The Relationship Between Perceived Hookup Attitudes and Negative Hookup Consequences: Do Perceived Attitudes of Close Friends Matter?

Research suggests that the perceived hookup attitudes of close referents are generally a poor predictor of hookup behavior and likely a poor direct predictor of negative hookup consequences. The current study aimed to examine three intervening variables as mediators of the relationship between the perceived hookup attitudes of college students’ close friends and negative hookup consequences (e.g., regret, embarrassment). Self-report data were collected from 589 heavy-drinking college students from three midsized universities. The results indicated that students’ own attitudes toward hooking up, motivation to hook up, and self-reported number of hookup partners significantly mediated the relationship between the perceived hookup attitudes of close friends and negative hookup consequences. The perceived hookup attitudes of close friends were positively associated with participants’ attitudes toward hooking up. Participants’ attitudes toward hooking up were positively associated with social-sexual motivation...
Personal Branding: A Primer for Radiology Trainees and Radiologists

A radiologist's personal brand is a composite of many parts in one's professional life. In an age where work quality and digital footprints are tracked and measured more than ever before, it behooves radiologists to develop and curate their own individual brands in effective ways. Personal branding consists of the decisions we make, both consciously and unconsciously, which affect our reputation and the likelihood of seeking our services in the future for both patients and referring providers. As hospital systems are increasingly adjusting their systems to cater to better patient experiences, it is imperative that radiologists similarly adjust our practice patterns to accommodate the needs of the new paradigm of value-based care. It is no longer sufficient to only practice excellent clinical radiology; one's service experience to clinical providers, report quality, and digital presence must all be robust and compelling. Defining your brand and promoting your vision and quality standards have become as important to radiologists' future as keeping up with advancements in radiologic technology. One must select the proper platforms and types of interactions in which to engage from available social media options. Developing a consistent brand and presence in the work setting, on social media accounts, and in professional organizations at the local, national, and international levels is the ultimate goal. At present, very little, if any, formal training is provided on personal branding skills such as these in current residency curricula, and it is critical for radiologists to fill their gaps in knowledge through additional means.
Effects of Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury on Cerebral Vascular, Histopathological, and Behavioral Outcomes in Rats

Abstract To determine the effects of mild blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI), several groups of rats were subjected to blast injury or sham injury in a compressed air-driven shock tube. The effects of bTBI on relative cerebral perfusion (laser Doppler flowmetry [LDF]), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) cerebral vascular resistance were measured for 2 h post-bTBI. Dilator responses to reduced intravascular pressure were measured in isolated middle cerebral arterial (MCA) segments, ex vivo, 30 and 60 min post-bTBI. Neuronal injury was assessed (Fluoro-Jade C [FJC]) 24 and 48 h post-bTBI. Neurological outcomes (beam balance and walking tests) and working memory (Morris water maze [MWM]) were assessed 2 weeks post-bTBI. Because impact TBI (i.e., non-blast TBI) is often associated with reduced cerebral perfusion and impaired cerebrovascular function in part because of the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species such as peroxynitrite (ONOO−), the effects of the administration of the ONO...
Single — Stage three — Phase grid — Connected photovoltaic system with maximum power tracking and active and reactive power control based on nonlinear control

Nowadays, due to the high-scale penetration of photovoltaic systems, reliable and efficient photovoltaic grid-connected systems using the advances of power electronics and advanced control techniques are desirable. In this paper, using the general structure for synchronous dq0 frame, a single-stage three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic inverter with a nonlinear control strategy is developed to generate maximum power of the photovoltaic array regardless of the atmospheric conditions, without the necessity of a DC-DC converter. This scheme can simultaneously compensate for reactive power, thus; maintaining the unity power factor on the grid side. A Lyapunov analysis is developed to prove the stability of the system and boundedness of signals in the closed loop system. Simulation results demonstrate the control objectives are met along with the effectiveness and robustness of the nonlinear controller in the proposed control scheme.
Seeing and Seeing As

In the last chapter we encountered four figures—a cube, a rhomboid, a staircase, and a tunnel—all of which displayed the phenomenon of reversible perspective. We also considered two drawings which, besides showing some variability in perspective, were marked by shifts in organization, or in aspect. These were called the “duck-rabbit” and the “wife-mother-in-law” respectively. In each case the question was asked, “Do we all see the same thing?” For there was no question here of a differing retinal reaction. The stimulus pattern is roughly the same for all onlookers. Nor is it easy to see how we could defensibly speak of our different reactions to these figures as being accompanied by different visual sensations, i.e., different sense-data. And yet, undeniably, different reports are forthcoming when we ask of people viewing these figures, “What do you see?”
Using a Wiki-Based Course Design to Create a Student-Centered Learning Environment: Strategies and Lessons

As public administration programs increase their proportion of online and hybrid course offerings, online course offerings must provide a unique value to maintain a high-quality education instead o...
CERTAIN CONCEPTS OF CELL STRUCTURE RELEVANT TO RELEASE OF NEUROHUMORAL AGENTS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a few concepts of cell structure relevant to the release of neurohumoral agents. It presents the three possible configurations of the unit membrane that could satisfy the X-ray evidence. The decision between these three possible models came from the studies of purified lipids and proteins fixed, embedded, and sectioned in the same way as the tissues. Crystalline proteins such as chymotrypsinogen displayed a uniform density in electron micrographs after fixation with either KMnO4 or OSO4. This confirmed the impression already accepted that proteins gave a uniform density because it was known that collagen produced a uniformly dense appearance in micrographs. In addition, the myosin filaments in muscle appeared as uniformly dense structures. The unit membrane concept only deals with a pattern of organization of the lipid and nonlipid in the membrane.
Low-molecular-weight heparins versus unfractionated heparin in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

In the United States, there are approximately 217,000 patients with deep-vein thrombosis hospitalized each year. The cause for these thrombotic events include surgery, trauma, malignancy, hereditary thrombotic disorders, stroke, spinal cord injury, and idiopathic. Frequently, a number of these patients are cared for in rehabilitation units or centers to improve their functional status. This rehabilitation process is often interrupted with the development of deep vein thrombosis and or pulmonary embolism. These patients are placed on bedrest and, often, are transferred to an acute care hospital to receive continuous infusion unfractionated heparin with a targeted activated partial thromboplastin time of 1.5-2.5 times the baseline value and warfarin to achieve an international normalized ratio of 2-3. Recently, the low-molecular-weight heparins have been shown to be as or more effective than unfractionated heparin, have less major bleeding complications, and do not require laboratory monitoring of coagulation tests to adjust medications. The purpose of this article is to review the efficacy and safety of low-molecular-weight heparins and provide physiatrists with a rationale approach for managing patients with deep vein thrombosis and or pulmonary embolism on their respective units.
Sustaining the Assessment of Climate Impacts on Oceans and Marine Resources

Based on current understanding and projections, it is very likely that marine ecosystems under U.S. and other jurisdictions will continue to be affected by climate change through a suite of changes in ocean physical, chemical, biological, social, and economic systems (Doney et al., 2012; Hollowed et al., 2011; see previous sections). These climate- driven changes will have significant impacts on U.S oceans (see Sections 2 and 3), the communities and economies that depend on them (see Section 4), and U.S. international relations (see Section 5).
Efficient Sampling With Q -Learning to Guide Rapidly Exploring Random Trees

This letter presents a novel approach for efficient sampling of Rapidly-exploring Random Trees (RRTs) based upon learning a state-action value function ( Q -function). Our sampling method selects the optimal node to extend in the search tree via the learned state value computed from the node feature representation. Our softmax node selection procedure avoids becoming stuck at local minima and maintains the asymptotic completeness property of RRTs. We employ several features in learning the Q -function, including radial basis function (RBF) scoring of collision and collision-free regions in the configuration space. Since this approach allows the RRT to explore efficiently while avoiding obstacles via the Q -function, the RRT planner is continually adapted to the surrounding environment in an online manner. We compare our proposed method with traditional sampling-based planning algorithms in a number of robot arm planning scenarios and demonstrate the utility and effectiveness of our approach.
USP7: Structure, substrate specificity, and inhibition

Turnover of cellular proteins is regulated by Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS). Components of this pathway, including the proteasome, ubiquitinating enzymes and deubiquitinating enzymes, are highly specialized and tightly regulated. In this mini-review we focus on the de-ubiquitinating enzyme USP7, and summarize latest advances in understanding its structure, substrate specificity and relevance to human cancers. There is increasing interest in UPS components as targets for cancer therapy and here we also overview the recent progress in the development of small molecule inhibitors that target USP7.
Internet of Things: An Analysis and Proposal of White Worm Technology

The quantity of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the marketplace and lack of security is staggering. The interconnectedness of IoT devices has increased the attack surface for hackers. "White Worm" technology has the potential to combat infiltrating malware. Before white worm technology becomes viable, its capabilities must be constrained to specific devices and limited to non-harmful actions. This paper addresses the current problem, international research, and the conflicting interest of individuals, businesses, and governments regarding white worm technology. Proposed is a new perspective on utilizing white worm technology to protect the vulnerability of IoT devices, while overcoming its challenges.
Alternative Futures for the Department of Energy National Laboratories

The Department of Energy’s management of its program for dealing with the radioactive and hazardous wastes at its former nuclear weapons production sites and the national laboratories has been criticized for its expense and the slow pace of cleanup. The program is of great size and the problems that plague it, developed over decades, are acute and pervasive. Involving the national laboratories in more sweeping ways is an important part of a number of needed improvements.
Reconstructing the Phylogeny: Computational Methods

Abstract In this chapter, we outline the basics of phylogenetic tree reconstruction methods and related computational aspects. We use the software package R to demonstrate computational hands-on examples. One of the great opportunities offered by modern genomics is that phylogenetics applied on a genomic scale (phylogenomics) should be especially powerful for elucidating gene and genome evolution, relationships among species and populations, and processes of speciation and molecular evolution. However, a well-recognized hurdle is the sheer volume of genomic data that can now be generated relatively cheaply and quickly, for which analytical tools are lagging. Thus, we end this chapter with some open problems relating to multi-locus phylogenetic tree analysis.
Mitochondrial AAA proteases: A stairway to degradation

Mitochondrial protein quality control requires the action of proteases to remove damaged or unnecessary proteins and perform key regulatory cleavage events. Important components of the quality control network are the mitochondrial AAA proteases, which capture energy from ATP hydrolysis to destabilize and degrade protein substrates on both sides of the inner membrane. Dysfunction of these proteases leads to the breakdown of mitochondrial proteostasis and is linked to the development of severe human diseases. In this review, we will describe recent insights into the structure and motions of the mitochondrial AAA proteases and related enzymes. Together, these studies have revealed the mechanics of ATP-driven protein destruction and significantly advanced our understanding of how these proteases maintain mitochondrial health.
The SLAC RCE Platform for ProtoDUNE

The ProtoDUNE-SP is a single-phase liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) prototype for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). Signals from 15,360 electronic channels are received by 60 Reconfigurable Cluster Elements (RCEs), which are processing elements designed at SLAC for a wide range of applications and are based upon the “system-onchip” Xilinx Zynq family of FPGAs. The RCEs are housed in industry-standard ATCA shelves on a custom blade, called the Cluster on Board (COB). The RCE platform and its processing functions for the ProtoDUNE-SP will be presented.
1 – Joint Torque

Concept of joint torques—or joint moments as many prefer to call them—is one of the fundamental concepts in the biomechanics of human motion and motor control. In classical mechanics however the concept of joint torques (moments) is not defined and is not used. In this chapter the concept is defined and discussed in detail.
Abaloparatide and the Spine: A Narrative Review

Osteoporosis is a common and debilitating condition characterized by diminished bone mass and architecture leading to bone fragility. Antiresorptive medicines like bisphosphonates (and less commonly denosumab) are the typical first-line agents for the medical treatment of osteoporosis. However, newer anabolic agents have been shown to improve bone mass and architecture, as well as reduce fracture risk, to a greater degree than traditional antiresorptive therapies. Teriparatide (human recombinant parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1-34, Forteo, Ely Lilly, Indianapolis, IN), which was the first in class to be approved in the United States, is the most widely used anabolic osteoporosis medicine and has shown significant benefit over traditional antiresorptive therapies. However, abaloparatide (synthetic parathyroid-related peptide (PTHrP), Tymlos, Radius Health, Waltham, MA), the second drug in this family, has recently become available for use. In this narrative review, we review the mechanism, effects, and benefits of abaloparatide compared to alternative treatments as well as discuss the current literature in regard to its effect on osteoporosis-related complications in the spine.
Structural Brain Patterns Associated with Traumatic Stress Resilience and Susceptibility to Mood and Anxiety Symptoms in Youths

Understanding biological mechanisms underlying traumatic stress resilience is critical and can advance preventive psychiatry. Brain phenotypes of stress resilience have been investigated in animals, but such data in humans is scarce. Here we characterize cross-sectional brain correlates of traumatic stress resilience and susceptibility to mood and anxiety psychopathology (MAP) in community youth with substantial trauma exposure. Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort youths with high-quality structural neuroimaging data were included (N = 1392, mean age ~ 15). MAP was quantified using a dimensional factor score. Resilience and susceptibility were ascertained retrospectively and defined as low/high MAP (respectively) in relation to trauma exposure. This resilience-susceptibility construct was operationalized as the interaction term between trauma exposure and MAP. Clinical functioning level was quantified with the Children Global Assessment Scale. Statistical models examined association of volume, cortical thickness, and gray matter density with resilience, covarying for age, sex, race, socioeconomic status, and image quality. Resilience was associated with better clinical functioning and with specific neural correlates, such that in extensive traumatic stress exposure, smaller brain volume was associated with low MAP; while in low trauma exposure, smaller volumes were correlated with higher MAP. This pattern was evident in total brain volume (trauma by MAP interaction, F(1, 1383), p < .05), and in volumes of white matter, parietal lobe, basal ganglia, and within basal ganglia (nucleus accumbens, globus pallidus, and putamen) (all FDR corrected p’s < .05). Exploratory analyses revealed no such interaction in the hippocampus or amygdala. Findings suggest that in substantial childhood/adolescent life trauma exposure, larger brain volume, usually considered protective, is inversely associated with resilience.
The Impact of Osteobiologic Subtype Selection on Perioperative Complications and Hospital-Reported Charges in Single- and Multi-Level Lumbar Spinal Fusion.

ABSTRACT Background: Over the last several decades, various osteobiologics including allograft, synthetics, and growth factors have been used for lumbar spinal fusion surgery. However, the data on these osteobiologic products remain controversial with conflicting evidence in the literature. This study evaluates the influence of osteobiologic type selection on perioperative complications and hospital-reported charges in single-level and multilevel lumbar fusion. Methods: Using the 2016 and 2017 Nationwide Readmission Database, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 125,143 patients who received lumbar fusion with either autologous tissue substitute, nonautologous tissue substitute, or synthetic substitute. This cohort was split into single-level and multilevel fusion procedures, and one-to-one age and sex propensity score matching was implemented. This resulted in cohorts each consisting of 1967 patients for single-level fusion, and cohorts each consisting of 1657 patients for multilevel fusion. Statistical analysis included one-way analysis of variance and Tukey multiple comparisons of means. Results: Autologous single-level fusion resulted in significantly more postoperative pain at 30-, 90-, and 180-day follow-up compared to fusion with nonautologous graft (P Conclusion: Significant differences were found between the groups with respect to rates of complications, including infection, postoperative pain, and neurologic injury. Furthermore, the hospital-reported charges of each procedure varied significantly. As the field of biologics continues to expand, it is important to continually evaluate the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of these novel materials and techniques. Level of Evidence: 3 Clinical Relevance: With increased utilization of osteobiologics and spinal fusion being a common procedure, longitudinal data on readmissions, and post-operative complications are critical in guiding evidence-based practice.
Morality as Legislation: Rules and Consequences

'What would happen if everyone acted that way?' This question is often used in everyday moral assessments, but it has a paradoxical quality: it draws not only on Kantian ideas of a universal moral law but also on consequentialist claims that what is right depends on the outcome. In this book, Alex Tuckness examines how the question came to be seen as paradoxical, tracing its history from the theistic approaches of the seventeenth century to the secular accounts of the present. Tuckness shows that the earlier interpretations were hybrid theories that included both consequentialist and non-consequentialist elements, and argues that contemporary uses of this approach will likewise need to combine consequentialist and non-consequentialist commitments.
Blowback or overblown? Why civilians under threat support invasive foreign intervention:

How do military tactics shape civilian support for foreign intervention? Critics contend that invasive tactics undermine popular support by alienating the civilian population. Counterexamples sugge...
Fabrication of Glass Mirror Segments for the International X-Ray Observatory

As the next major X-ray astronomical mission of NASA, ESA, and JAXA, the International X-ray Observatory (IXO) requires a mirror assembly that has an unprecedented effective area and an angular resolution better than all past missions except Chandra. This mirror assembly consists of approximately 15,000 mirror segments, which need to be fabricated, measured, aligned and integrated. In this talk we will present the latest results from our effort of developing an efficient and fast process of making these mirror segments by slumping commercially available glass sheets. We will report on our progress both in terms of perfecting the slumping process as well as the metrology process. In particular, we will discuss what additional work needs to be done to fully facilitate the manufacture of these mirror segments, meeting both budgetary and schedule requirements.
Mechanical domain non-degenerate parametric resonance in torsional mode micro electro mechanical oscillator

We present experimental results of operation of a single oscillator with time varying stiffness as an auto-parametric resonator in both degenerate and non-degenerate mode. The stiffness corresponding to the first two natural modes of this oscillator is designed to be time dependant and under such a condition the "sum type" parametric resonance is observed. This two mode non-degenerate version of parametric resonance offers some advantages over the degenerate version. The driving frequency and the response frequency are totally decoupled (they are related by integer or fractional harmonics in the case of degenerate amplification). The drive frequency, which is the sum of the first two natural mode frequencies, can be designed to be as far away as needed from the first natural frequency at which the signal gets amplified.
The Friday Flip: New Methods to Increase Interaction and Active Learning in Economics

The “flipped classroom” has begun to revolutionize the way that students receive information from their teachers and is ushering in a new era of active and creative thinkers. Although flipping the classroom has gained a great deal of popular attention in magazines and blog posts by education researchers, very little research has focused on the effectiveness or feasibility of flipping the classroom at the collegiate level. This paper documents the implementation of a “partially-flipped” class over one semester of a large enrollment microeconomics course, as well as presents results of students’ perception towards flipped learning.