cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prenatal nicotine exposure alters the nicotinic receptor subtypes that modulate excitation of parasympathetic cardiac neurons in the nucleus ambiguus from primarily α3β2 and/or α6βX to α3β4

Nicotinic receptors play an essential role in central cardiorespiratory function, however, the types of nicotinic receptors responsible for activating cardiac vagal neurons in the nucleus ambiguus that control heart rate are unknown. This study tests whether α-conotoxin MII and α-conotoxin AuIB sensitive nicotinic receptors are involved in augmentation of glutamatergic neurotransmission and changes in holding current in cardiac vagal neurons, and whether exposure to nicotine in the prenatal period alters these responses. The nicotinic agonist cytisine significantly increased the holding current and amplitude of glutamatergic mEPSCs. In unexposed animals α-conotoxin MII (100 nM) significantly reduced the increase in mEPSC amplitude and change in holding current evoked by cytisine. However, in animals prenatally exposed to nicotine, α-conotoxin MII blunted but did not block the increase in mEPSC amplitude but blocked the increase in holding current evoked by cytisine. In unexposed animals, α-conotoxin AuIB (10 μM) blocked the cytisine evoked increase in mEPSC amplitude and inhibited but did not abolish the increase in holding current. In contrast, in animals exposed to nicotine, α-conotoxin AuIB blunted the increase in mEPSC amplitude, and completely abolished the cytisine evoked increase in holding current. These data demonstrate that the prenatal nicotine exposure alters the nicotinic receptors involved in excitation of cardiac vagal neurons.
The Exhibition Catalogue Awards for 1991

Fifty-one catalogues were submitted for the 1991 Katharine Kyes Leab & Daniel J. Leab American Book Prices Current Exhibition Catalogue Awards for Excellence. This is the sixth year that these awards have been presented and there was a slight decrease in the number of catalogues submitted, there being 57 in the previous year. As in the past, entrants spanned a broad range of topics and level of coverage. However, with the notion of competition now firmly established among the entrants, there has been a noticeable rise in the physical and intellectual quality of the catalogues submitted. In fact, the judging . . .
Efficient Numerical Techniques for the Calculation of KKR Structure Constants

Simple computational techniques are described which enable the inherent rapid convergence (low order matrix) of the KKR method to be fully exploited for the performance of efficient band structural calculations. These techniques are for the computer evaluation of the KKR structure constants, which are the basic potential independent functions necessary when using this first principles method. By using both analytical and computational partitioning of standard formulas for the structure constants, the present approach enables them to be evaluated by expending computer times which are of the same order as the times required to calculate the KKR determinants from their matrix elements.
Granting Automata Human Rights: Challenge to a Basis of Full-Rights Privilege

As engineers propose constructing humanlike automata, the question arises as to whether such machines merit human rights. The issue warrants serious and rigorous examination, although it has not yet cohered into a conversation. To put it into a sure direction, this paper proposes phrasing it in terms of whether humans are morally obligated to extend to maximally humanlike automata full human rights, or those set forth in common international rights documents. This paper’s approach is to consider the ontology of humans and of automata and whether ontological difference between them, that pertains to the very bases of human rights, affects the latter’s claims to full human rights. Considering common bases of human rights, can these bases tell us whether a certain ontological distinction of humans from automata—or a de facto distinction about humans tacitly acknowledged by full-rights-recognizing societies—makes a difference in whether humans are morally obligated to assign these entities full rights? Human rights to security also arise. The conclusion is that humans need not be under any moral obligation to confer full human rights on automata. The paper’s ultimate point is not to close the discussion with this ontological cap but to set a solid moral and legal groundwork for opening it up tout court.
A comparative study of growth management effectiveness and urban sprawl in two thoroughbred landscapes in the U.S.

Abstract This study compares sprawl development over a 40-year period in Fayette County (Lexington) Kentucky and Marion County (Ocala) Florida, which are centers of the thoroughbred horse industry in the U.S.A. Both sites rely heavily on the local economic benefits of the thoroughbred industry, and have adopted growth management programs to steer development away from soils well-suited to the equine operations, which are highly sensitive to non-farming land uses. The research operationalizes sprawl through population density, housing unit density, roadway length density, and housing unit density measured against roadway density. Although both sites' new construction seems to have avoided prime areas well suited for thoroughbred farming operations, the analysis shows that Lexington has been able to maintain more compact housing development, and new roadways tend to fill with higher density housing. This may be a result of the locally-based growth management program, or a series of other factors, including political economy.
Synthesis of Boron Carbide Nanowires and Nanocrystal Arrays by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition

A plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique has been developed to grow single crystal boron carbide nanowires and nanonecklace arrays using the single precursorcloso-l,2-dicarbadodecaborane (C2B10H12). Nanowire and nanonecklace growth is expedited by Fe seeding of the substrate. Using the compound Fe-(C5H5)2 as an Fe source, it has been demonstrated that the density of nanowires, as well as the types of nanostructures that grow, can be tailored by controlling the concentration of Fe deposited onto the substrate surface prior to boron carbide deposition.
New species of Stizocera (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Bolivia

Two species of Stizocera (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Cerambycinae: Elaphidiini) are described from Buena Vista, Ichilo Province, Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia: Stizocera delicata, new species and Stizocera ichilo, new species. Comparison of diagnostic features with the similar species Stizocera longicollis Zajciw, Stizocera rugicollis Gu rin-M neville, and Stizocera nigroapicalis Fuchs is presented.
Demand Analysis of the Markets for Soybean Oil and Soybean Meal

A 10-equation simultaneous model of the soybean economy was constructed. This involved relationships representing quantities demanded domestically as well as exported, for both soybean oil and soybean meal. Estimates of the structural parameters of the model were obtained by the two-stage least-squares procedure, using first differences of the data. The estimates indicate an annual necessary increase of more than 30 million bushels of beans to cover the needs of the United States, Western Europe, Japan, and Canada, if prices are to remain relatively constant. This amount is based on the assumption that human and animal populations increase and that shifts in tastes and preferences and in feeding technology in these regions are of the same magnitude as they were during the period 19491964. Also it was assumed that the production of competing oils and oilseeds at the same prices as in the last decade would not drastically change. The domestic demand for oil and meal is price-inelastic (-.45, -.28); this statement holds for exports also (-.90, -.58). However, the price elasticities of demand for meal are less reliable than those of demand for oil. POLICY MAKERS in the United States must decide how far soybean production should be encouraged. Decisions in matters of this kind are made on the basis of knowledge derived from the past and evaluations of what the future may bring. This report is mainly concerned with an analysis of the past in the soybean sector through an econometric study of prices and quantities demanded. A 10-equation model was constructed, involving relationships representing quantities demanded domestically as well as quantities exported. Estimates of the structural parameters of the model were obtained by the two-stage least-squares procedure. The Economic Model
Influence of Sterile Inflammation on Susceptibility to Experimental Poliomyelitis.

Summary and Conclusions1. Following surgical section of the olfactory tracts or treatment of the nasal mucosa with zinc sulphate, the monkey can still be infected by intravenous inoculation, whether or not a sterile inflammation of the central nervous system is produced. 2. An increase in susceptibility to intravenous inoculation in monkeys with a sterile inflammation of the central nervous system is indicated by the experiments; variation in susceptibility in individual animals is always, however, an important factor. 3. The failure of sterile inflammation of the central nervous system to alter the protective action of nasal treatment with zinc sulphate suggests that the action of zinc sulphate is localized in the olfactory mucosa. 4. The resistance of the monkey to poliomyelitis infection by the gastrointestinal route was not sufficiently altered by a sterile inflammation of the central nervous system to produce the disease.
Epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease in Jiangmen, Guangdong, 2009-2011

Objective To study the epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease(HFMD) in Jiangmen, Guangdong, and provide scientific basis for the disease control and prevention. Methods We analyzed the epidemics of HFMD in Jiangmen. The data of HFMD cases were extracted from National Electronic Disease Surveillance System and summarized with the method of descriptive epidemiology. Results Total of 24 080 cases of HFMD were reported in Jiangmen, from 2009 to 2011. The annual incidence rates of HFMD were 88.90/105,185.35/105 and 263.66/105 for the year of 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The top 2 areas of highest incidence in Jingmen were Pengjiang and Heshan. There occurred 13 outbreaks of hand-foot-mouth disease during 2009-2011, the most of which were caused by EV71. The peak seasons of HFMD incidences were spring to summer (May-July). Most cases (93.15%) occurred in children under the age of five. The male-to-female ratio for HFMD was 1.73∶1. Conclusions The incidence of HFMD has significant seasonal, gender and age specific differences. Nurseries and kindergartens are the key places for prevention and control of HFMD.
Experimental Investigation on Transport Characteristics of Fluidized Geldart A/B Particles in a Geldart D Packed Bed

Redox reactions between fine solid fuels, such as pulverized coal powder, and coarse oxygen carrier particles can be carried out in a fixed/moving bed reactor chemical looping system. The migration pattern of the solid fuel powder and its contact time with coarse particles can significantly affect the reaction rate and the product yield. A number of challenges exist in transporting/mixing of fuel powder and in removing noncombustible waste (e.g., coal ash) from the reactor vessel in the chemical looping operation. Thus, it is important to understand the hydrodynamic behaviors of fine particles in such situations. This study describes an experimental approach that examines migration characteristics of fine particles (Geldart A/B), in both spatial and temporal aspects, in a packed bed of coarse particles (Geldart D). The experimental variables include the particle size distribution of the fine powder, the fine to coarse mass ratio, and flow conditions. At a given upward aeration flow within the range that i...
Cervical cancer: an overview with suggested practice and policy goals.

L ast year, the American Cancer Society predicted 11,150 cases of invasive cervical cancer would be diagnosed and 3,670 women in the United States would die from the disease (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2006b). While the incidence of cervical cancer in the United States has decreased significantly in the last 50 years, primarily due to effective screening programs, many women still suffer and die unnecessarily. However, the past couple of years have marked a turning point in the fight against cervical cancer. The availability of a test for the human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of virtually all cases of cervical cancer, and development of an HPV vaccine bring powerful new prevention tools to this fight. Cervical cancer is not only in the public eye but at the top of public policy agendas as well, as legislators and public health officials develop strategies to ensure widespread access to these technologies. At the same time, an increasing awareness of cervical cancer and HPV has given new urgency to education and outreach efforts to inform women about prevention options. Public health attention also has turned to the developing world, where cervical cancer remains a leading cancer killer among women of reproductive age and where access to advanced preventive technologies in cervical cancer screening and vaccination is limited. Federal and state governments and public health agencies play a key role in the prevention of cervical cancer. At the federal level, the government funds public health programs such as the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, and administers Medicaid and Medicare. It also has authority over the Food and Drug Administration, which reviews and approves new medicines, vaccines, and technologies. States also play a tremendous role in preventing this disease, including (but not limited to) the administration of federal programs such as local health departments, determining specific coverage issues under Medicaid, and educating the pubCNE Objectives and Evaluation Form appear on page 51.
A Cascade of Wnt, Eda, and Shh Signaling Is Essential for Touch Dome Merkel Cell Development

The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway regulates developmental, homeostatic, and repair processes throughout the body. In the skin, touch domes develop in tandem with primary hair follicles and contain sensory Merkel cells. The developmental signaling requirements for touch dome specification are largely unknown. We found dermal Wnt signaling and subsequent epidermal Eda/Edar signaling promoted Merkel cell morphogenesis by inducing Shh expression in early follicles. Lineage-specific gene deletions revealed intraepithelial Shh signaling was necessary for Merkel cell specification. Additionally, a Shh signaling agonist was sufficient to rescue Merkel cell differentiation in Edar-deficient skin. Moreover, Merkel cells formed in Fgf20 mutant skin where primary hair formation was defective but Shh production was preserved. Although developmentally associated with hair follicles, fate mapping demonstrated Merkel cells primarily originated outside the hair follicle lineage. These findings suggest that touch dome development requires Wnt-dependent mesenchymal signals to establish reciprocal signaling within the developing ectoderm, including Eda signaling to primary hair placodes and ultimately Shh signaling from primary follicles to extrafollicular Merkel cell progenitors. Shh signaling often demonstrates pleiotropic effects within a structure over time. In postnatal skin, Shh is known to regulate the self-renewal, but not the differentiation, of touch dome stem cells. Our findings relate the varied effects of Shh in the touch dome to the ligand source, with locally produced Shh acting as a morphogen essential for lineage specification during development and neural Shh regulating postnatal touch dome stem cell maintenance.
Obstetrics and Gynecology

This chapter will comprehensively address obstetric and gynecologic emergencies beginning with pelvic inflammatory disease followed by infections and abscess in and around the vaginal area. Ovarian emergencies including torsion and cyst processes are discussed. Maladies related to dysfunctional uterine bleeding are next discussed followed by gynecologic cancer. Pregnancy-related emergencies including ectopic pregnancy and other entities including miscarriage are fully detailed. Other emergency topics discussed include eclampsia, placental processes, and peripartum emergencies. This chapter will additionally provide the learner with information regarding laboratory assessment if required as well as with information regarding imaging (if required) that is essential for passing examinations.
State feedback control design for Boolean networks.

Background Driving Boolean networks to desired states is of paramount significance toward our ultimate goal of controlling the progression of biological pathways and regulatory networks. Despite recent computational development of controllability of general complex networks and structural controllability of Boolean networks, there is still a lack of bridging the mathematical condition on controllability to real boolean operations in a network. Further, no realtime control strategy has been proposed to drive a Boolean network.
The Modular Assessment of Risk for Imminent Suicide (MARIS): A proof of concept for a multi-informant tool for evaluation of short-term suicide risk

Abstract Background To date, no diagnostic tool has demonstrated clinical value for the assessment of short-term suicide risk among high-risk individuals. To this end we have developed the Modular Assessment of Risk for Imminent Suicide (MARIS), a modular patient and clinician informed risk evaluation instrument. Here we assess its predictive validity for suicidal behavior (SB) in psychiatric patients following discharge from an inpatient unit. Methods The MARIS and a psychological test battery were administered to 136 adult psychiatric patients hospitalized for high risk of suicide. Eighty-six participants had complete data at discharge and 59 (69.8%) were reached for follow-up. Logistic regressions were used to assess the predictive validity of the MARIS for SB over the 4–8 weeks following hospital discharge and its incremental predictive validity over standard risk factors. Results Patients who exhibited SB in the period between initial assessment and follow-up had significantly higher MARIS scores. ROC analysis indicated good sensitivity and specificity of MARIS in identifying risk (OR = 19). Further, MARIS total score significantly improved predictive validity by the standard risk factors when added to a model comprising global depression severity, hopelessness, and lifetime number of suicide attempts, and was the only factor that approached independent significance. Conclusion The MARIS appears to be a practical and effective tool for detecting short-term suicide risk following hospital discharge, supporting the validity of modular multi-informant approach to suicide risk evaluation. Replication of these findings and further investigation of the applications of such an approach are warranted.
Evidence-based management assessment of return on investment from anesthesia information management systems

A systematic and comprehensive review of the scientific literature revealed 4 evidence-based methods that contribute to a positive return on investment from anesthesia information management systems (AIMS): reducing anesthetic-related drug costs, improving staff scheduling and reducing staffing costs, increasing anesthesia billing and capture of anesthesia-related charges, and increased hospital reimbursement through improved hospital coding. There were common features to these interventions. Whereas an AIMS may be the ideal choice to achieve these cost reductions and revenue increases, alternative existing systems may be satisfactory for the studied applications (i.e., the incremental advantage to the AIMS may be less than predicted from applying each study to each facility). Savings are likely heterogeneous among institutions, making an internal survey using standard accounting methods necessary to perform a valid return on investment analysis. Financial advantages can be marked for the anesthesia providers, although hospitals are more likely to purchase the AIMS.
The Pig from North Jersey

The telephone rang one morning and it was Peri Kamalakar, a physician who specialized in pediatric hematology. I met Peri in 1972, when I first came to New Jersey as a young attending pediatrician. I was the director of the pediatric clinic and Peri was the pediatric chief resident. He went on to study pediatric hematology and oncology and returned to the hospital years later as its pediatric hematologist. He had a patient that he wanted to discuss with me. The child was one of a set of twins that he was seeing for anemia (the child’s hemoglobin was 8.2 g/dL with a normal of over 11), referred by her pediatrician. The child in question had a low mean cell volume (MCV, a measurement of the size of a red blood cell with a normal of 70–100 fL) The child’s MCV was 50 fL, and she also had a low mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCH, a measure of the concentration of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying molecule, inside each red blood cell). This combination is commonly seen in iron deficiency, a common problem in small, rapidly growing children whose diets are frequently insufficient in iron. He had treated the child for iron deficiency thinking that the child had iron deficiency and thalassemia minor, a not uncommon inherited abnormality of hemoglobin formation seen in many individuals with ethnic origins in the greater Mediterranean basin (this child was ethnically an Italian American). Interestingly, he thought to draw a blood lead level and found that the lead level was elevated, 37 mcg/dL, which is in the moderately elevated range. (In 2012 the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set a “reference level” for childhood blood lead levels at the top 2.5% of the population, or at that time 5 mcg/dL.) His call was to determine what I would suggest to do about the elevation in the lead level. I suggested that the treatment for iron deficiency continue and that he coordinate an investigation be initiated by the local health department in an effort to find the source of lead-exposure and to eliminate it. I further suggested that the lead level be watched to see if it might drop with the rise in the child’s iron and hemoglobin. Three months later, in August, his office called and told me that the child’s lead level was now 42 mcg/dL and I suggested hospitalization. Such an approach, I explained, would enable us to treat the child, lowering her lead level while separating her from any possible source of further lead exposure. During her hospitalization the public health officials could do their sleuthing, to determine the exposure source and eliminate it. The basic tenet of treatment of lead poisoning is to find the source or sources of exposure and to eliminate it/them. Medical therapy with medication is considered only as adjunctive therapy to the removal from the source.
Cheating in Online Courses for Financial Aid Fraud in the U.S.

This manuscript reviews issues that differentiate traditional academic cheating from course misconduct that is motivated by a desire to defraud financial aid services in the U.S. Past research on college student cheating has assumed that cheaters are driven by an incentive to obtain undeserved grades in college in order to ultimately obtain a degree. However, researchers on academic dishonesty, professors, and college administrators might not realize that online class members can include virtual "straw" students who are puppets of a financial aid fraud ring leader. Cheating behaviors of straw students differ from cheating behaviors of actual, legitimate students. This has implications for those who attempt academic dishonesty research in online environments, and it has implications for course-level professors and university administrators who are in a "should have known" position with regard to discovery of a financial aid fraud ring.
Electron and Hole Relaxation Pathways in II-VI Semiconductor Nanocrystals

Femtosecond (fs) broad-band transient absorption (TA) is used to study the intra-band relaxation and depopulation dynamics of electron and hole quantized states in CdSe nanocrystals (NC’s) with a range of surface properties. Instead of the drastic reduction in the energy relaxation rate expected due to a ‘phonon bottleneck’, we observe a fast sub-picosecond 1P-to-1S relaxation, with the rate enhanced in NC’s of smaller radius. We use fs IR TA to probe electron and hole intraband transitions, which allows us to distinguish between electron and hole pathways leading to the depopulation of NC quantized states. In contrast to electron relaxation, which is controlled by NC surface passivation, depopulation of hole quantized states is extremely fast (sub-ps-to-ps time scales) in all types samples, independent of NC surface treatment (including NC’s overcoated with a ZnS layer). Our results indicate that ultrafast hole dynamics are not due to trapping at surface defects, but rather arise from relaxation into intrinsic NC states.
Unveiling the physics of microcavity lasers.

Second-order coherence measurements can unambiguously determine whether a light source is generating coherent radiation, that is, whether it is a laser. In a systematic study reported by Kreinberg et al., this measurement is used to additionally reveal intriguing physics associated with ultra-small resonators, such as the identification of sub- or super-radiance emission.
Applying Multigroup Analysis in PLS-SEM: A Step-by-Step Process

This book chapter identifies the importance and different uses for multigroup analysis, such as research interests in cross-cultural or gender differences. Multigroup analysis via partial least squares structural equations modeling, which tests a single structural relationship at a time, is an effective way to evaluate moderation across multiple relationships versus standard moderation. Step-by-step instructions and guidelines using SmartPLS 3.0 are provided using a sample dataset. The instructions include an assessment of the measurement characteristics of the constructs by including the MICOM procedure, which adds an additional level of accuracy. Examples of both positive and negative outcomes as well as potential solutions to problems are provided in order to help users understand how to apply multigroup analysis to their own dataset. By using multigroup analysis, researchers are able to uncover differences of subsamples within the total population that is not evident when examined as a whole. Researchers having the ability to run multigroup analysis considerably improve the likelihood of identifying significant and meaningful differences in various relationships across group-specific results.
The power of negative [theoretical] results.

In PNAS, Paul Nelson and Joanna Masel present a theoretical result showing that aging in multicellular organisms is inevitable (1). The argument is as simple as it is powerful. Cellular senescence is a well-known consequence of the second law of thermodynamics, due to mutations, epigenetic misregulation, and protein misfolding. Molecular accidents in a cell can happen and they consequently do happen. In unicellular organisms, life is maintained because of natural selection against senescent cells and, thus, at the population level life can continue potentially indefinitely. However, in multicellular organisms, competition among cells has been killed to ensure cooperation among cells and thus the integrity of the organism. Breakdown of cooperation and unchecked competition among cells is known as cancer. Cooperation, and thus limited competition among cells, leads to the accumulation of senescent cells, while competition among cells kills the organism because … [↵][1]1Email: gunter.wagner{at}yale.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Assessment, Teaching And Learning In And Beyond Classrooms

In this chapter, we reflect on the relationships among assessment, teaching and learning in classrooms, within the context of assessment practices beyond the classroom. In line with Graham Nuthall (this volume, chapter 1), we argue that teaching, learning and assessment are not just about individuals and cognition, but also about the activities of learning communities and the properties of those activities that children internalise. We consider links among different forms of assessment and instruction, and their implications for broader aspects of children’s development, including their intellectual, relational, epistemological and moral agency. We also examine the impact of assessment practices beyond the classroom, such as high-stakes testing, on classroom activity systems.
An Analysis of Response-Contingent Learning Experiences for Young Children

The effects of contingent feedback on the learning and affective behavior of young children with severe and multiple handicaps was examined. Three children, ranging in age from 8 months to 25 months, were provided contingent learning experiences via electromechanical apparatus. The study addressed three questions: (a) Could these young children be taught to increase the frequency of a low incidence behavior through the use of contingent feedback?, (b) Could electromechanical devices operated by parents be utilized for this training?, (c) Did these response-contingent learning experiences facilitate development of an awareness of the contingent feedback as measured by increased positive affective responses and attention? Results indicated that all three children increased the frequency of the target behavior. The data are equivocal as to whether or not children showed an awareness of the response-contingent feedback. These findings are discussed in light of developmental and learning theories. Implications...
Constraint Satisfaction Through GBP-Guided Deliberate Bit Flipping

In this paper, we consider the problem of transmitting binary messages over data-dependent two-dimensional channels. We propose a deliberate bit flipping coding scheme that removes channel harmful configurations prior to transmission. In this method, user messages are encoded with an error correction code, and therefore the number of bit flips should be kept small not to overburden the decoder. We formulate the problem of minimizing the number of bit flips as a binary constraint satisfaction problem, and devise a generalized belief propagation guided method to find approximate solutions. Applied to a data-dependent binary channel with the set of 2-D isolated bit configurations as its harmful configurations, we evaluated the performance of our proposed method in terms of uncorrectable bit-error rate.
Resource Concentration Modulates the Fate of Dissimilated Nitrogen in a Dual-Pathway Actinobacterium.

Respiratory ammonification and denitrification are two evolutionarily unrelated dissimilatory nitrogen (N) processes central to the global N cycle, the activity of which is thought to be controlled by carbon (C) to nitrate (NO3-) ratio. Here we find that Intrasporangium calvum C5, a novel dual-pathway denitrifier/respiratory ammonifier, disproportionately utilizes ammonification rather than denitrification when grown under low C concentrations, even at low C:NO3- ratios. This finding is in conflict with the paradigm that high C:NO3- ratios promote ammonification and low C:NO3- ratios promote denitrification. We find that the protein atomic composition for denitrification modules (NirK) are significantly cost minimized for C and N compared to ammonification modules (NrfA), indicating that limitation for C and N is a major evolutionary selective pressure imprinted in the architecture of these proteins. The evolutionary precedent for these findings suggests ecological importance for microbial activity as evidenced by higher growth rates when I. calvum grows predominantly using its ammonification pathway and by assimilating its end-product (ammonium) for growth under ammonium-free conditions. Genomic analysis of I. calvum further reveals a versatile ecophysiology to cope with nutrient stress and redox conditions. Metabolite and transcriptional profiles during growth indicate that enzyme modules, NrfAH and NirK, are not constitutively expressed but rather induced by nitrite production via NarG. Mechanistically, our results suggest that pathway selection is driven by intracellular redox potential (redox poise), which may be lowered when resource concentrations are low, thereby decreasing catalytic activity of upstream electron transport steps (i.e., the bc1 complex) needed for denitrification enzymes. Our work advances our understanding of the biogeochemical flexibility of N-cycling organisms, pathway evolution, and ecological food-webs.
A national study on transportation affordability of HUD housing assistance programs

This national study is an effort to measure transportation costs and affordability for the major Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing assistance programs since the transportation costs are the second largest expense of American households. This study estimates transportation costs for 76,000 address level properties from seven major HUD-designated affordable housing programs. Our transportation cost models are tailored for low-income households and account for built environmental determinants of travel, known as D variables, at the disaggregated level. We found that more than 44% of these properties in 326 U.S. metropolitan areas are unaffordable in terms of transportation costs. That could result in a waste of over $37.9 billion HUD spends annually to run these programs and subsidize housing for low-income families while some of these families spend substantial amount of their income on transportation. Our findings suggest that the provision of subsidized housing in mixed use, and transit-served neighborhoods would help low-income households to reduce their transportation costs even in auto-oriented sprawling regions. This study concludes with policy recommendations to local and federal governments and transit agencies on ways to incorporate transportation parameters to ensure true affordability for low-income residents of subsidized housing.
An Investigation into the Fabric Properties Affecting Swimwear Drying Performance

In the swimwear industry, water repellent and moisture wicking technology can be found in swim shorts marketed towards men appearing as everyday use bottoms. Even though there are many apparel industry companies that advertise the high drying speed of swimwear garments with either high water repellency or moisture wicking, there is a lack of study examining the drying performance of these fabric properties in the actual swimwear garment. The purpose of this study was to investigate water repellency and moisture wicking property to determine a suitable fabric property which provides higher drying efficiency for versatile swimwear development.
Risk Factors for Self-Expandable Metal Stent Complications in the Treatment of Esophageal Cancer: A Scoping Review

Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) are the standard of care for treating dysphagia in patients with esophageal cancer. While effective, this intervention has been shown to have high rates of complications. This review assesses the available body of literature on the risk factors for complications of SEMS therapy and provides consolidated evidence for clinical decision-making. A total of 793 abstracts were reviewed after an extensive literature search and a final 28 articles met criteria for full review and data extraction. Identified risk factors for various SEMS complications include chemotherapy/radiotherapy, comorbid states, low functional status, specific stent characteristics, timing of stent placement, and female gender. Complications include stent migration, fistula formation, perforation, shortened stent patency, and hemorrhage. A robust understanding of these risk factors is crucial to minimize morbidity and mortality amongst patients with esophageal cancer. In patients with a history of chemotherapy and/or radiation and other specific risk factors, SEMS should be used with caution and the risk of complications should be appropriately communicated to patients.
Tethered capsule endomicroscopy-guided sampling of pancreatic fluid

A screening test for early detection of pancreatic cancer (PC) is a critical unmet need as PC is usually detected late when mortality is unavoidable. Pancreatic fluid (PF), excreted to the duodenum by the Ampulla of Vater (AoV), offers a promising sample for early stage pancreatic cancer screening as it is the richest source of PC bioanalytes. The successful identification of the AoV is critical to develop a minimally invasive and inexpensive capsule-based PC screening test. With our recently developed tether capsule endomicroscopy (TCE) technique, we imaged 27 subjects and analyzed 353 duodenal OCT-TCE datasets. Using relative positions of the major and minor ampulla, and influx of bile into the duodenum, we distinguished the major from the minor. At least one ampulla was identified in 100%, major ampulla identified in 85%, and minor ampulla identified in 67% of all subjects. The measured mean max. diameter of the major ampulla was 6.49 ± 2.23 mm, and 6.09 ± 2.05 mm for the minor.
Multimerization variants as potential drivers of neofunctionalization

Whole-genome duplications are common during evolution, creating genetic redundancy that can enable cellular innovations. Novel protein-protein interactions provide a route to diversified gene functions, but, at present, there is limited proteome-scale knowledge on the extent to which variability in protein complex formation drives neofunctionalization. Here, we used protein correlation profiling to test for variability in apparent mass among thousands of orthologous proteins isolated from diverse species and cell types. Variants in protein complex size were unexpectedly common, in some cases appearing after relatively recent whole-genome duplications or an allopolyploidy event. In other instances, variants such as those in the carbonic anhydrase orthologous group reflected the neofunctionalization of ancient paralogs that have been preserved in extant species. Our results demonstrate that homo- and heteromer formation have the potential to drive neofunctionalization in diverse classes of enzymes, signaling, and structural proteins.
An orthogonality relation for (with an appendix by Bingrong Huang)

Orthogonality is a fundamental theme in representation theory and Fourier analysis. An orthogonality relation for characters of finite abelian groups (now recognized as an orthogonality relation on with a power savings error term. The proof requires novel techniques in the computation of the geometric side of the Kuznetsov trace formula.
Examining the Value of Three Critique Methods in an Introductory Apparel Design Studio

In the discipline of design and product development, the most common presentation genre is the critique, and the most central aspect of this genre is the feedback (Dannels & Martin, 2008). Critiques allow students to assimilate information efficiently and be engaged in the critical analysis (Owens, 2007). Even though design education scholarship emphasizes the importance of the critique, few studies have examined student feelings about critique methods. Students entering the apparel industry are required to have strong oral, written, and visual communication skills, therefore must design courses build these skills. Based on Bandura's (1977) social learning theory (SLT), human behavior is explained as a continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental influences. Therefore, this study examines the effects of three different critique methods: (a) one-to-one critique with an instructor, (b) one-to-one with a peer, and (c) larger class group, in a 100-level design studio.
Bullous Pemphigoid and Other Pemphigoid Dermatoses

The pemphigoid family of dermatoses is characterized by autoimmune subepidermal blistering. The classic paradigm for pemphigoid, and the most common member, is bullous pemphigoid. Its variable clinical presentation, with or without frank bullae, is linked by significant pruritus afflicting the elderly. Mucous membrane pemphigoid is an umbrella term for a group of subepidermal blistering dermatoses that favor the mucosal membranes and can scar. Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is a chronic blistering disorder characterized by skin fragility, sensitivity to trauma, and its treatment-refractory nature. Clinicians that encounter these pemphigoid disorders may benefit from an overview of their clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, and therapeutic management, with an emphasis on the most frequently encountered pemphigoid disease, bullous pemphigoid.
Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Impulsive Aggression: Intermittent Explosive Disorder Compared With Non-Aggressive Healthy and Psychiatric Controls

Abstract Evidence of chronic, systemic, low levels of inflammation is present in several stress-related psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, depression, and intermittent explosive disorder (IED). We analyzed leukocyte gene expression (mRNA) to quantify the activity of pro and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways. Work performed in non-aggressive populations has uncovered a Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA) characterized by an upregulation of pro-inflammatory gene transcription in chronically stressed individuals. We used pathway-based bioinformatic analyses of genome-wide transcriptional profiles of peripheral blood leukocyte samples from IED study participants (N = 45) and controls [healthy (n = 45) and psychiatric (n = 34)], with analyses focusing on the pro-inflammatory transcription control pathway mediated by the NF-kB family of transcription factors (typically upregulated in CTRA) and the antiviral transcription control pathway mediated by anti-viral response (IRF) family transcription factors (typically downregulated in CTRA). Compared with both healthy and psychiatric controls, individuals with IED had upregulated transcriptional activity of the antiviral response (IRF), but no evidence of pro-inflammatory NF-kB activation. Analyses implicated CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B lymphocytes in IED-related transcriptional alterations, but showed no significant indication of monocyte involvement. This suggests that the inflammatory profile of IED differs substantially from that observed previously in other stress-related disorders, and may involve a pathogen-driven adaptive immune etiology.
Editorial of Special Issue "Multiple Sclerosis: Diagnosis and Treatment II"

The special issue on Multiple Sclerosis: Diagnosis and Treatment II, reflects advances and discoveries in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease, and novel laboratory techniques providing more sensitivity to diagnostic techninques and the understanding of neuroinflammation. Mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the role of reactive oxygen species are studied as indicators of activity of MS. In these cells, downregulation of circular and linera RNAs are reported as markers of highly active disease in MS. Progress and importance of Neurofilaments determinations in early diagnosis and as a marker of disease activity, and the analysis of the complex mechanisms and therapeutic potential of Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator are discussed. Epidemiologic observations from a highly diversified area of the world provide more insights into this important aspect of MS; discussions on the clinical challenges posed by spinal cord involvement in demyelinatind disorders and the latest aspects of pediatric onset MS, complement this fine collection of scientific papers.
There’s a Whole World Out There: Justice Kennedy’s Use of International Sources

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, a pivotal member of the Supreme Court, has shown a tendency in a number of his opinions for the Court to draw upon international sources—that is, legal materials from countries and systems outside of the United States. This is particularly true in three cases: Lawrence v. Texas, Roper v. Simmons, and Graham v. Florida. This Article will briefly survey Justice Kennedy’s use of international materials in these cases and note reactions to this practice by other members of the Court.
Lymphgefäßregeneration nach experimenteller heterotoper auto- und homologer Dünndarmtransplantation

GOOTT et al. (1) und KOCANDRLE et al. (2) haben an orthotopen experimentellen Dunndarm-Autotransplantationen nach dem 20. postoperativen Tag die Wiederherstellung des lymphatischen Abflusses aus dem Transplantat beobachtet. Es gelang ihnen nicht, dieses Phanomen bei Hunden mit Allotransplantaten zu zeigen. Es blieb bisher unbeantwortet, ob und wann eine Lymphgefasregeneration aus Allotransplantaten zum Empfangertier eintritt, da die Versuchstiere dieser Autoren zu kurz uberlebten.
A high performance matrix multiplication algorithm for MPPs

A 3-dimensional (3-D) matrix multiplication algorithm for massively parallel processing systems is presented. Performing the product of two matrices C=β C+α A B is viewed as solving a 2-dimensional problem in the 3-dimensional computational space. The three dimensions correspond to the matrices dimensions m, k, and n: A ∈ Rm×k, B ∈Rk×n, and C ∈Rm×n. The p processors are configured as a “virtual” processing cube with dimensions p1, P2, and p3. The cube's dimensions are proportional to the matrices' dimensions-m, n, and k. Each processor performs a local matrix multiplication of size m/p1 × n/p2 × k/p3, on one of the sub-cubes in the computational space. Before the local computation can be carried out, each sub-cube needs to receive sub-matrices corresponding to the planes where A and B reside. After the single matrix multiplication has completed, the sub-matrices of C have to be reassigned to their respective processors. The 3-D parallel matrix multiplication approach has, to the best of our knowledge, the least amount of communication among all known parallel algorithms for matrix multiplication. Furthermore, the single resulting sub-matrix computation gives the best possible performance from the uni-processor matrix multiply routine. The 3-D approach achieves high performance for even relatively small matrices and/or a large number of processors (massively parallel). This algorithm has been implemented on IBM Power-parallel SP-2 systems (up to 216 nodes) and have yielded close to the peak performance of the machine. For large matrices, the algorithm can be combined with Winograd's variant of Strassen's algorithm to achieve “super-linear” speed-up. When the Winograd approach is used, the performance achieved per processor exceeds the theoretical peak of the system.
Remote optical interrogation of vibrations in materials inspection applications

Vibration waveforms in materials appear in video as a minuscule fluctuation in the light scattered into the camera. By inferring from processed video how vibrational energy propagates through an article to be inspected, we may detect local material anomalies. We report progress in developing measurement protocols and technologies to perform standoff nondestructive inspection of materials for defects using video image processing. In particular we show promising results from a protocol that conforms to relatively inexpensive hardware.