cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ion-Pairing Strength in Polyelectrolyte Complexes

Polyelectrolyte complexes, PECs, are spontaneously formed blends of polyelectrolytes bearing positive, Pol+, and negative, Pol–, repeat units. Many interesting PEC morphologies have been observed, ranging from dense precipitates to liquidlike coacervates to quasi-stable nanoparticles, depending on the identity of the polymers and the preparation conditions. While the number of polyelectrolytes available to synthesize these materials is large and increasing, the corresponding number of Pol+/Pol– combinations is vast. This work quantitatively compares the binding strengths between a selection of positive and negative polyelectrolytes by evaluating the extent to which ion pairs between them are broken by a common salt, KBr. Comparison of association constants or Gibbs free energies between different classes of ionic functionality reveals that more “hydrophilic” PECs are more weakly associated, small primary amines bind strongly, carboxylates bind weakly, and aromatic sulfonates interact more strongly than al...
Examining Undergraduate Students' Priorities for Academic Library Services and Social Media Communication

Abstract Academic libraries can effectively plan and market their services by identifying the value users perceive in their services and in their social media communications about those services. This study reports on findings of a survey of 104 undergraduate students in information technology courses at a large research university. Results of an ordered logistic regression analysis indicated that students considered access to information and computer resources and study support services as the most important library services offered. Likewise, students perceived library social media postings related to operations updates, study support services, and events as the most useful. Future related research will investigate the needs and priorities for library services of other key user populations of academic libraries, such as graduate students and online students, to assemble service repertoires that are tailored to individual user groups. In addition, future research will examine whether and how libraries can use the analysis of users' engagement with a library's social media postings to inexpensively gauge the value they perceive in library services.
Can metabolic function and physical fitness improve without weight loss for inactive, obese, Hispanic adolescents? A feasibility study

ABSTRACTIntroduction: A case series that examines the effects of a 12-week combined resistance and aerobic training program for four sedentary obese, Hispanic adolescents without weight loss. Subjects/Methods: Baseline and post-intervention anthropometric, metabolic and physical fitness measures were obtained. Body composition, hepatic, visceral, and intramuscular fat contents were analyzed via imaging. Fasting levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), insulin, glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides, high- and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and C-reactive protein were obtained via blood samples. Results: Two subjects decreased their glucose levels by 1.86% and 4.06%. Subjects 1, 3, and 4 increased their lean body mass by 4.12%, 9.70%, and 5.48%. ALT was reduced 13.0%, 16.0%, and 35.7% for subjects 2, 3, and 4, respectively. LDLs were reduced by 37.7%, 4.5%, and 7.5% for subjects 1, 2, and 3. Triglycerides were reduced by 25.4%, 37.8%, and 4.6% for subjects 1, 2, and 3. Visceral fat reductions by 16.5%, 14....
An emerging role for the ribosome as a nexus for post-translational modifications

The ribosome is one of life's most ancient molecular machines that has historically been viewed as a backstage participant in gene regulation, translating the genetic code across all kingdoms of life in a rote-like fashion. However, recent studies suggest that intrinsic components of the ribosome can be regulated and diversified as a means to intricately control the expression of the cellular proteome. In this review, we discuss advances in the characterization of ribosome post-translational modifications (PTMs) from past to present. We specifically focus on emerging examples of ribosome phosphorylation and ubiquitylation, which are beginning to showcase that PTMs of the ribosome are versatile, may have functional consequences for translational control, and are intimately linked to human disease. We further highlight the key questions that remain to be addressed to gain a more complete picture of the array of ribosome PTMs and the upstream enzymes that control them, which may endow ribosomes with greater regulatory potential in gene regulation and control of cellular homeostasis.
Sedentary conditions and enhanced responses to GABA in the RVLM: role of the contralateral RVLM

A sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and both conditions are associated with overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. Ongoing discharge of sympathetic ner...
The Effect of Previous Experience on Performance on A Remote Associates Test

Freshman psychology students read imaginative stories and then took a remote associates test. Responses to the test were differentially influenced by the material read. The type of memory demonstrated would seem fundamentally different from ordinary recall. Due to the methodology employed it would also appear to require a different conceptual explanation than priming or at least require an extention of that concept.
The monogenic autoinflammatory diseases define new pathways in human innate immunity and inflammation

Autoinflammatory diseases were first recognized nearly 20 years ago as distinct clinical and immunological entities caused by dysregulation in the innate immune system. Since then, advances in genomic techniques have led to the identification of new monogenic disorders and their corresponding signaling pathways. Here we review these monogenic autoinflammatory diseases, ranging from periodic fever syndromes caused by dysregulated inflammasome-mediated production of the cytokine IL-1β to disorders arising from perturbations in signaling by the transcription factor NF-κB, ubiquitination, cytokine signaling, protein folding, type I interferon production and complement activation, and we further examine their molecular mechanisms. We also explore the overlap among autoinflammation, autoimmunity and immunodeficiency, and pose a series of unanswered questions that are expected to be central in autoinflammatory disease research in the coming decade.
Sociology, Social Justice, and Victimhood

Campbell and Manning examine how victimhood culture affects the discipline of sociology. The moral concerns of victimhood culture can lead to distortions of research and unscientific evaluations of theory. They discuss the potential of sociology as a science and potential tool for reform, and argue that the failure to distinguish between facts and values undermines this potential. Many sociologists neglect scientific goals and see sociology as synonymous with the pursuit of social justice. Campbell and Manning discuss the concept of social justice and its uses in moral decision-making. Like sociology, social justice has promise, but the moral climate of universities is such that social justice is synonymous with victimhood culture and any who dissent from this view are silenced. Conflating sociology with social justice, and social justice with victimhood culture, hampers our ability to seriously pursue social science and social reform.
Forty years of reference values for respiratory system impedance in adults: 1977-2017.

Abstract Objective To provide an evidence-based review of published data regarding normal range reference values and prediction equations for measurements of respiratory impedance using forced oscillation technique (FOT) and impulse oscillometry (IOs) in adults. Methods A non-language-restricted search was performed using forced oscillation technique and impulse oscillometry as primary terms. Original research studies reporting respiratory system impedance reference values or prediction equations based on cohorts of ≥100 healthy adults were included. Publications cited in identified studies were also considered for inclusion. Results Of 882 publications identified, 34 studies were included: 14 studies of FOT, 19 studies of IOs, and one study of both techniques. Nineteen studies provided prediction equations. Most reports were from Europe (n = 20) and Asia (n = 12) and included relatively small cohorts (median = 264 subjects). Across publications, there was marked variability in performance and technique of impedance measurements. Height and sex emerged as major contributors to available prediction equations. The contribution of weight was more pronounced at the obese end of the weight spectrum. The contribution of age was less clear, and elderly were largely under-represented. Ethnicity likely plays a role, but was under-reported in currently available literature. Inclusion of current and former smokers in some studies further confound the results. Conclusions Currently available literature providing reference values and prediction equations for respiratory impedance measurements in adults is limited. Until larger-scale standardized studies are available, the choice of prediction equations should be based on datasets that best represent the target patient population and modality in use within each pulmonary physiology laboratory.
Military Cultural Competence

This article offers a new definition of military cultural competence based on a review of the literature. As a starting point, the defining characteristics of military culture is discussed and includes the chain of command, military norms, and military identity. Having laid this groundwork, the multidimensionality of military cultural competence—attitudinal, cognitive, behavior—is discussed. Clinical applications of these various competencies are provided.
Physical Activity, Muscle-Strengthening Activities, and Systemic Inflammation Among Retinopathy Patients.

Objective. We evaluated the specific association between muscle-strengthening activity (MSA) and accelerometer-assessed physical activity on systemic inflammation among retinopathy patients in the United States. Methods. Data from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to identify 157 retinopathy patients between 40 and 85 years of age with complete data on select study variables. MSA was assessed via self-report. Participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was determined from objective accelerometer data. Systemic inflammation was assessed using C-reactive protein (CRP), which was quantified using latex-enhanced nephelometry. Nonproliferative retinopathy was determined using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grading criteria, as well as objective retinal imaging assessments using the Canon Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera CR6-45NM. Individuals were excluded if they had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, heart attack, or stroke. Results. MVPA (β = –0.004, 95% CI –0.007 to –0.001, P = 0.006) but not MSA (β = –0.0001, 95% CI –0.002 to 0.001, P = 0.86) was associated with lower CRP levels. Additionally, for a more substantive 30 minutes/day increase in MVPA, there was a corresponding 0.12 mg/dL decrease in CRP. Conclusion. In this nationally representative sample of adults, only individuals who engaged in higher levels of MVPA had lower CRP levels, which is indicative of reduced systemic inflammation. MSA was not associated with systemic inflammation among this cohort. Our findings suggest that MVPA is inversely associated with systemic inflammation among retinopathy patients, which is noteworthy because increased systemic inflammation may facilitate retinopathic severity.
Exploring the Microbiome of Callinectes sapidus (Maryland Blue Crab)

ABSTRACT The Maryland blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is a treasured food, especially in areas surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. It has huge economic impact on commerce, and thus, understanding the bacterial, fungal, and viral constituents of its microbiome provides valuable information to safely manage aquaculture, handling, and cooking of this valuable commodity.
A Practical Guide to Recurrent Stroke Prevention

The risk of recurrent stroke following a first event is high. Within the first year, up to 14% of patients presenting with ischemic stroke will go on to have another stroke (1), and up to 40% in the following 5 years (2). Risk is highest in the first month after stroke (1). Recurrent stroke is associated with poorer outcome, with higher mortality and functional disability, than first stroke. Recurrent stroke risk is modulated by subtype and associated risk factors, which can guide both targeted and general recurrent prevention strategies. This chapter provides an overview of stroke subtypes and risk factors, and outlines an approach to secondary prevention based on best medical evidence and current published guidelines.
Stimuli-responsive, protein hydrogels for potential applications in enzymology and drug delivery $$^{\S }$$ §

Enhancing the stability of enzymes for sensing or biocatalysis applications is still an unmet challenge. Ordinary paper is a very attractive support for anchoring enzymes but enzyme attachment to cellulose without surface activation is still another challenge. To make progress toward these goals, we developed a simple method to prepare highly active and stable enzyme-hydrogels within the mesh of the cellulose fibers of paper. A mixture of the desired enzyme, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and arginine were reacted with carbodiimide to form stable hydrogels. A set of critical concentrations $$(\hbox {BSA}([\hbox {BSA}]_{0}) \,{\ge }1~\hbox {mM})$$ , $$[\hbox {carbodiimide}]_{0} \ge 100$$ mM and [amino acid] $$\ge 100$$ mM) were required to form transparent hydrogels. The thermal reversibility of gelation proved that the gels are stabilized by non-covalent bonding interactions between the BSA oligomers that were formed via covalent interactions. Both dynamic light scattering and SDS-PAGE studies, under pre-gelation conditions, support idea that one BSA oligomeric unit contained 40–70 protein molecules. Scanning electron micrographs, thermogravimetry and swelling studies suggest that the formation of water cavities inside the cross-linked gel matrix, where the water mass was 7–8 times higher than that of the protein and the free amino acid used as a linker/spacer. Due to the higher water content and benign gelation conditions, active enzymes could be incorporated into the gel structure during the synthesis. Hydrogels, thus, embedded with glucose oxidase (GOx) and horseradish peroxide (HRP) showed catalytic activity towards glucose, where efficient channeling of hydrogen peroxide from GOx to HRP was observed (70% efficiency in initial rate compared to free enzymes in solution). Moreover, the enzymes retained their activity after pasting the hydrogel onto ordinary paper, which was demonstrated as a glucose sensing platform with a detection limit of 5 mM glucose. Trypsin embedded in the gel showed temperature dependent self-degradation by utilizing optimum protease activity at $$37\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ . The temperature-triggered degradation of the gel can be used as a drug delivery vehicle, which was demonstrated using a reporter dye. The hydrogel made of a completely proteinaceous material that releases drugs at body temperature but bound to the matrix at room temperature ( $$25\,{^{\circ }}\hbox {C}$$ ) is useful for noninvasive drug delivery platforms. The biocompatibility and non-thermal synthetic route for the hydrogel makes it a superior material for incorporation of temperature sensitive enzymes, drug molecules or nucleic acids, for a diverse set of applications. Synthesis, characterization and applications of multifunctional, biologically benign, protein-derived hydrogels are reported here. Protein hydrogels are formed by both covalent and noncovalent interactions between amino acid residues of the constituents. Active enzymes embedded inside the gel matrix were utilized for biosensing and drug delivery applications.
Visual Life Sciences Workflow Design Using Distributed and Heterogeneous Resources

Programming or querying usually presupposes some degree of technical familiarity with the syntax of a language and the peculiarity of the objects it manipulates to produce useful information. The degree of abstractions supported in a language helps lessen the depth of such familiarity needed, and aids in improving access to and usability of these resources. To help biologists concentrate more on their science questions and not on how to compute it, several successful workflow orchestration languages and systems have been proposed. Despite their popularity, significant limitations reduce their usability and limit applicability in novel applications. In this paper, we present a visual language, called VisFlow , for workflow orchestration using heterogeneous and distributed resources. We advance the idea that once resources are minimally described and abstracted, arbitrary workflows can be designed solely using query primitives supported in VisFlow. Its capabilities can be augmented by including computational artifacts in the form of library functions written in R, Python, and Java, or even in SQL and XQuery, making it a truly extensible system. We discuss its salient features and illustrate its capabilities using a substantial set of examples.
Optimal Time-of-Use Management with Power Factor Correction Using Behind-the-Meter Energy Storage Systems

In this work, we provide an economic analysis of using behind-the-meter (BTM) energy storage systems (ESS) for time-of-use (TOU) bill management together with power factor correction. A nonlinear optimization problem is formulated to find the optimal ESS’s charge/discharge operating scheme that minimizes the energy and demand charges while correcting the power factor of the utility customers. The energy storage’s state of charge (SOC) and inverter’s power factor (PF) are considered in the constraints of the optimization. The problem is then transformed to a Linear Programming (LP) problem and formulated using Pyomo optimization modeling language. Case studies are conducted for a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) in New Mexico.
Stable G-quadruplex enabling sequences are selected against by the context-dependent codon bias

The distributions of secondary structural elements appear to differ between coding regions (CDS) of mRNAs compared to the untranslated regions (UTRs), presumably as a mechanism to fine-tune gene expression, including efficiency of translation. However, a systematic and comprehensive analysis of secondary structure avoidance because of potential bias in codon usage is difficult as some of the common secondary structures, such as, hairpins can be formed by numerous sequence combinations. Using G-quadruplex (GQ) as the model secondary structure we studied the impact of codon bias on GQs within the CDS. Because GQs can be predicted using specific consensus sequence motifs, they provide an excellent platform for investigation of the selectivity of such putative structures at the codon level. Using a bioinformatics approach, we calculated the frequencies of putative GQs within the CDS of a variety of species. Our results suggest that the most stable GQs appear to be significantly underrepresented within the CDS, through the use of specific synonymous codon combinations. Furthermore, we identified many peptide sequence motifs in which silent mutations can potentially alter translation via stable GQ formation. This work not only provides a comprehensive analysis on how stable secondary structures appear to be avoided within the CDS of mRNA, but also broadens the current understanding of synonymous codon usage as they relate to the structure-function relationship of RNA.
Characterization of the Competitive Pneumocin Peptides of Streptococcus pneumoniae

In the polymicrobial environment of the human nasopharynx, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) competes with other members of the microbial community for limited nutrients in part by secreting small peptide bacteriocins called pneumocins. Pneumocin production is controlled by a quorum sensing system encoded by the blp locus. Although the locus is found in all pneumococci, there is significant variability in the repertoire of pneumocins and associated immunity proteins encoded in the Bacteriocin Immunity Region (BIR) and in the presence or absence of a functional Blp transporter. Strains without an active Blp transporter are inactive in plate overlay assays and rely on a homologous transporter that is only produced during brief periods of competence to stimulate the blp locus and secrete pneumocins. The variability of the locus suggests that selective pressure is influencing the content to promote the optimal competitive environment. Much of the variability in the blp locus has been described at the genome level; the phenotypic activity attributable to the various BIR genes has not been fully described. To examine the role of the predicted pneumocin peptides in competition, 454 isolates were screened for competence independent blp pheromone secretion using plate assays. Active strains were characterized for inhibition, BIR content, BlpC pherotype and serotype. Deletion analysis on inhibitory strains demonstrated that BlpI and BlpJ peptides function as a two-peptide bacteriocin and that BlpIJ immunity is encoded by the co-transcribed blpU4/5 genes. BlpIJ secretion promotes inhibitory activity against the majority of pneumococcal isolates when expressed in a Blp transporter intact background. Intermediate levels of competition in biofilms were noted when BlpIJ containing strains carried the non-functional Blp transporter. Based on genome data, the combination of BlpIJ in a Blp transporter intact strain is surprisingly rare, despite clear advantages during colonization and biofilm growth. In contrast, we show that the blpK/pncF operon encoding the single-peptide pneumocin BlpK and its immunity protein is found in the majority of isolates. Unlike, BlpIJ and BlpK were shown to promote a limited spectrum of inhibition due in part to immunity that is independent of activation of the blp locus.
The quest for quantum degeneracy

While Bose–Einstein condensates of atoms were achieved in the mid-1990s, extending the regime of quantum degeneracy to polar molecules took another two decades of dedicated work. The researchers that contributed to this achievement span many generations of students in many different laboratories around the world.
Functional Group Specific Phytic Acid Adsorption at the Ferrihydrite–Water Interface

Phytic acid, as the dominant organic phosphorus species in soils, always preferentially adsorbs on Fe/Al minerals. In this study, adsorption mechanisms of phytic acid at the ferrihydrite-water interface were investigated as a function of pH using batch adsorption experiment, zeta potential measurements, in situ P K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy, and solution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. With increasing [phytic acid] from 0 to 50 μM, the isoelectric point of ferrihydrite decreased from ∼8.5 to <5. The phytic acid adsorption envelope showed that (i) adsorption decreased with increasing pH from 5 to 9 and (ii) adsorption was enhanced with increasing ionic strength. These macroscopic data are supported by the in situ spectroscopic data of inner-sphere complexation of phytic acid at the ferrihydrite-water interface. The results of solution 31P NMR showed the preferential affinities of P1,3 and P2 phosphate functional groups toward the adsorbent at pH 5 and 8.5, as evidenced by the changes in chemical shifts of the three major reactive phosphate groups. Furthermore, deconvoluted peaks of these functional groups showed that P1, P2, and P3 were the most active functional groups and followed by P5 and P4,6.
Unpacking “support”: Understanding the complex needs of therapeutic foster parents

Abstract Children in therapeutic foster care (TFC) are more likely to have complex emotional and behavioral needs that require skilled parenting, but TFC foster parents do not always receive the training and support they need to provide these children with stable, supportive and therapeutic care, resulting in high levels of placement disruptions. As the broader foster care system moves away from relying on residential programs for children with emotional and behavioral needs and in turn places more of these high-need children in home-based settings, better understanding the unique needs of TFC foster parents is critical. Drawing from focus groups with TFC foster parents, this paper explores different aspects of their experiences, identifies multiple ways in which they need support, and provides recommendations for foster care agencies looking to retain skilled foster parents and increase the quality and stability of children's experience in TFC programs.
The pan-therapeutic resistance of disseminated tumor cells: Role of phenotypic plasticity and the metastatic microenvironment

Cancer metastasis is the leading cause of mortality in patients with solid tumors. The majority of these deaths are associated with metastatic disease that occurs after a period of clinical remission, anywhere from months to decades following removal of the primary mass. This dormancy is prominent in cancers of the breast and prostate among others, leaving the survivors uncertain about their longer-term prognosis. The most daunting aspect of this dormancy and re-emergence is that the micrometastases in particular, and even large lethal outgrowths are often show resistance to agents to which they have not been exposed. This suggests that in addition to specific mutations that target single agents, there also exist adaptive mechanisms that provide this pan-resistance. Potential molecular underpinnings of which are the topic of this review.
HIMF (Hypoxia-Induced Mitogenic Factor) Signaling Mediates the HMGB1 (High Mobility Group Box 1)-Dependent Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cell Crosstalk in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Objective: HIMF (hypoxia-induced mitogenic factor; also known as FIZZ1 [found in inflammatory zone-1] or RELM [resistin-like molecule-α]) is an etiological factor of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in ...
Regulating the Regulators: A Solution to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Woes

As the number of markets available to multi-national corporations grow, concerns over foreign bribery used to tap those markets have similarly grown.1 In the United States, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (hereinafter “FCPA” or “Act”) prohibits the bribery of foreign officials.2 Enacted amidst the Watergate scandal, Congress intended to improve two infirmities in the corporate and securities regulatory scheme of 1977: low confidence in domestic security markets and stressed relations with foreign trade partners.3 Since 1977, the number of FCPA prosecutions has risen dramatically as the act, its interpretation, and its enforcement has evolved. This Note argues, through three interrelated points, that the status quo of FCPA enforcement must not be maintained. First, an overzealous enforcement policy, coupled with the scarcity of judicial interpretation of the FCPA, has given rise to alarming uncertainty among domestic corporations attempting to enter new markets. Second, that such uncertainty engendered a backlash of powerful opposition to the FCPA, which, if successful, could severely harm national interests. Third, that the current enforcement policy actually betrays the Congressional intent of the Act. The FCPA’s enforcement policy should be revised to give rise to increased compliance and confidence in domestic securities markets. Part I of this note provides an overview of the FCPA. Part II addresses the importance of maintaining strong anti-corruption policies by surveying economic, political, and social impacts of corruption. Part III discusses the proposed reforms and contrasts them to arguments in favor of retaining the status quo. Part III also observes a proposal for administrative guidance from the Securities and Exchange Commission (hereinafter “SEC”) in the form of a ‘Reg. FCPA.’ Lastly, Part IV concludes that the language of the Act should remain unamended; meanwhile, administration and enforcement models must be refined if the anticorruption momentum is to continue.
Identifying factors influencing hunter satisfaction across hunting activities in Nebraska

Using an online survey completed by individuals who hunted deer, waterfowl, upland game, or spring turkey in Nebraska during the 2017–2018 hunting seasons, we applied importance-grid analysis (IGA)...
Practising Pragmatism: The Framing of Gender Among Development Professionals in India:

This article identifies the ways in which researchers and practitioners situated in different institutions engage with different systems of knowledge in their study of gender in the context of deve...
Risk factors associated with progressive increases in serum creatinine concentrations in cats with cancer receiving doxorubicin.

Author(s): Kopecny, Lucy; Palm, Carrie A; Skorupski, Katherine A; Delgado, Mikel; Rebhun, Robert B | Abstract: BackgroundAzotemia occurs in cats administered doxorubicin, but risk factors have not been explored.ObjectiveTo determine incidence of progressive increases in serum creatinine concentration in cats with cancer receiving doxorubicin in single or multiagent chemotherapy protocols and associated risk factors.AnimalsSeventy cats with cancer receiving doxorubicin.MethodsA retrospective study (2007-2017) of cats with indices of kidney function recorded before and after doxorubicin administration was reviewed. Cats diagnosed with kidney injury because of known etiologies other than possible doxorubicin toxicosis were excluded. Variables were compared to identify risk factors.ResultsMean age (±SD) was 10.9 years (±3.2). Cancer types included lymphoma (n = 36), sarcoma (n = 19) and carcinoma (n = 14). Chronic kidney disease was present in 29/70 (41%) cats before receiving doxorubicin. Of 70 cats, 24 (34%) developed an increase in serum creatinine concentration ≥0.3 mg/dL and 10 (14%) had an increase ≥50% from baseline. Mean time to increases in serum creatinine concentration ≥0.3 mg/dL from first administration of doxorubicin was 119.3 days (±89.7), with mean 2.8 (±1.2) doses administered. Neutropenia or anemia during chemotherapy and number of radiation therapy treatments under general anesthesia were risk factors for increases in serum creatinine concentration (P l .05). Cats receiving single agent doxorubicin had a higher likelihood of an increase in serum creatinine concentration ≥0.3 mg/dL from baseline than cats receiving CHOP-based chemotherapy protocols (OR 20.0, 95% CI 2.9-100).Conclusions and clinical importanceProgressive increases in serum creatinine concentration from baseline were common in cats receiving doxorubicin and associated risk factors were identified.
On-Wafer Metrology for a Transmission Line Integrated Terahertz Source

We developed a measurement system that combines on-wafer metrology and high-frequency network analysis to characterize the response of transmission-line integrated Er-GaAs and InGaAs photomixers up to 1 THz to support the telecommunication and electronics industry.
Simplifying Neural Networks via Look up Tables and Product of Sums Matrix Factorizations

We study 2 approaches, called TableNet and Prod-SumNet respectively, to simplify the implementation of neural networks. First we look at using Look Up Tables (LUT) to remove the multiplication operations and obviate the need of a multiplier. We compare the different tradeoffs of this approach in terms of accuracy versus LUT size and the number of operations and show that similar performance can be obtained with a comparable memory footprint as a full precision linear classifier, but without the use of any multipliers. Secondly we reduce the number of trainable model parameters by decomposing linear operators in neural networks as a product of sums of simpler linear operators which generalizes recently proposed deep learning architectures such as CNN, KFC, Dilated CNN, etc. We show that good accuracy on MNIST and Fashion MNIST can be obtained using a relatively small number of trainable parameters. In addition, since implementation of the convolutional layer is resource-heavy, we also consider an implementation in the transform domain that obviates the need for convolutional layers. We illustrate the tradeoff of varying the number of trainable variables and the corresponding error rate. As an example, by using this decomposition on a reference CNN architecture for MNIST with over 3 · 106 trainable parameters, we are able to obtain an accuracy of 98.44% using only 3554 trainable parameters. Furthermore, the generality of the framework allows it to be be suitable for general problems unlike CNN which performs best in the image processing or other shift-invariant domains.
Economic Growth and the Role of Money

In this chapter, I talk about how money facilitated the division of labor and specialization, which in turn led to economic growth. Before we dig deeper into the role that money played, it is instructive to remind ourselves what money is. Recall that for something to serve as money, it has to have three characteristics: a medium of exchange; a unit of account; and a store of value. As a medium of exchange, this thing, i.e., money, allows us to exchange what we produce in excess of what we want to consume with what we want but either do not produce ourselves or do not produce enough. As a unit of account, money allows us to evaluate what we want to sell and what we want to buy. And as a store of value money allows us to save now and consume later.
When race trumps political ideology: Black teachers who advocate for social responsibility are penalized by both liberals and conservatives:

Meritocracy is a prominent narrative embedded in America's educational system: work hard and anyone can achieve success. Yet, racial disparities in education suggest this narrative does not tell the full story. Four studies (N = 1,439) examined how applicants for a teaching position are evaluated when they invoke different narratives regarding who or what is to blame for racial disparities (i.e., individuals vs. systems). We hypothesized these evaluations would differ depending on teacher race (Black/White) and evaluator political orientation. Results revealed conservatives evaluated Black and White applicants advocating for personal responsibility more favorably than applicants advocating for social responsibility. Liberals preferred social responsibility applicants, but only when they were White. They were more ambivalent in their evaluations and hiring decisions if the applicants were Black. Our findings suggest that Black applicants advocating for social change are penalized by both liberal and conservative evaluators.
Aging and loss book review: Aging and loss: Mourning and maturity in contemporary Japan, by Dr. Jason Danely, Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ, July 4, 2021 pp., $34.95 (paperback), ISBN-13: 978-0813565163; ISBN-10: 0813565162

Jason Danely is an anthropologist who conducted ethnographic research in Kyoto, Japan (Danely, 2014). The findings from this research are outlined in Aging and Loss. This book tells the stories of ...
Fashion and the College Transition: Liminality, Play, and the Structuring Power of the Habitus

Fashion has long been a signifier of social divisions within the education system as well as society at large. This paper seeks to examine how young people’s use of fashion varies in two distinct social milieus–the high school and college peer cultures. Interviews with 19 college freshmen were conducted to ascertain how fashion contributed to, or hindered, social divisions within each milieu. While informants recognized numerous social divisions marked by fashion choices within the high school milieu, during their initial weeks on campus no social divisions were identifiable. In this new milieu it appears fashion contributed to a sense of communitas among college freshmen. However, over time, this sense of communitas diminished as freshmen acquired the requisite levels of cultural capital to identify the signifiers of social divisions. Implications of this research are discussed in terms of freshmen’s limited ability to play with their identity, as expressed through fashion, as a result of the structuring power of the habitus.
Reading in English and Chinese: Evidence for a "universal" phonological principle.

Publisher Summary This chapter reveals that reading English and reading Chinese have more in common than has been appreciated when it comes to phonological processes. The text experiments suggest that readers in both systems rely on phonological processes during the comprehension of written text. The lexical experiments show differences just where it is expected : Evidence for early (“prelexical”) phonology in English but not in Chinese, but evidence for still-early (“lexical”) phonology in Chinese. The time course of activation appears to be slightly different in the two cases. Thus, the similarity between Chinese and English readers is shown not in their dependence on a visual route, but in their use of phonology as quickly as allowed by the writing system. Phonological processes are pervasive in reading, with respect to various reading processes (from comprehension to word identification), with respect to writing systems (from Chinese to English to Serbo-Croatian), and with respect to individuals (from children to hearing and deaf adults of high reading skill). The universality of phonologically referenced language assures that the achievement of reading will make use of it. The acquisition of visually based spelling representations may (or may not) reduce the role phonology plays in recognizing words, but it does not entirely eliminate it. Moreover, the value of phonological representations for memory assures a critical role for phonology in comprehension.
Identifying Similar Patterns of Structural Flexibility in Proteins by Disorder Prediction and Dynamic Programming

Computational methods are prevailing in identifying protein intrinsic disorder. The results from predictors are often given as per-residue disorder scores. The scores describe the disorder propensity of amino acids of a protein and can be further represented as a disorder curve. Many proteins share similar patterns in their disorder curves. The similar patterns are often associated with similar functions and evolutionary origins. Therefore, finding and characterizing specific patterns of disorder curves provides a unique and attractive perspective of studying the function of intrinsically disordered proteins. In this study, we developed a new computational tool named IDalign using dynamic programming. This tool is able to identify similar patterns among disorder curves, as well as to present the distribution of intrinsic disorder in query proteins. The disorder-based information generated by IDalign is significantly different from the information retrieved from classical sequence alignments. This tool can also be used to infer functions of disordered regions and disordered proteins. The web server of IDalign is available at (http://labs.cas.usf.edu/bioinfo/service.html).
A novel, dynamic pattern-based analysis of NF-κB binding during the priming phase of liver regeneration reveals switch-like functional regulation of target genes

Following partial hepatectomy, a coordinated series of molecular events occurs to regulate hepatocyte entry into the cell cycle to recover lost mass. In rats during the first 6 h following resection, hepatocytes are primed by a tightly controlled cytokine response to prepare hepatocytes to begin replication. Although it appears to be a critical element driving regeneration, the cytokine response to resection has not yet been fully characterized. Specifically, the role of one of the key response elements to cytokine signaling (NF-κB) remains incompletely characterized. In this study, we present a novel, genome-wide, pattern-based analysis characterizing NF-κB binding during the priming phase of liver regeneration. We interrogated the dynamic regulation of priming by NF-κB through categorizing NF-κB binding in different temporal profiles: immediate sustained response, early transient response, and delayed response to partial hepatectomy. We then identified functional regulation of NF-κB binding by relating the temporal response profile to differential gene expression. We found that NF-κB bound genes govern negative regulation of cell growth and inflammatory response immediately following hepatectomy. NF-κB also transiently regulates genes responsible for lipid biosynthesis and transport as well as induction of apoptosis following hepatectomy. By the end of the priming phase, NF-κB regulation of genes involved in inflammatory response, negative regulation of cell death, and extracellular structure organization became prominent. These results suggest that NF-κB regulates target genes through binding and unbinding in immediate, transient, and delayed patterns. Such dynamic switch-like patterns of NF-κB binding may govern different functional transitions that drive the onset of regeneration.
SNIFF: A Search Engine for Java Using Free-Form Queries

Reuse of existing libraries simplifies software development efforts. However, these libraries are often complex and reusing the APIs in the libraries involves a steep learning curve. A programmer often uses a search engine such as Google to discover code snippets involving library usage to perform a common task. A problem with search engines is that they return many pages that a programmer has to manually mine to discover the desired code. Recent research efforts have tried to address this problem by automating the generation of code snippets from user queries. However, these queries need to have type information and therefore require the user to have a partial knowledge of the APIs. We propose a novel code search technique, called SNIFF, which retains the flexibility of performing code search in plain English, while obtaining a small set of relevant code snippets to perform the desired task. Our technique is based on the observation that the library methods that a user code calls are often well-documented. We use the documentation of the library methods to add plain English meaning to an otherwise undocumented user code. The annotated user code is then indexed for the purpose of free-form query search. Another novel contribution of our technique is that we take a type-based intersection of the candidate code snippets obtained from a query search to generate a set of small and highly relevant code snippets. We have implemented SNIFF for Java and have performed evaluations and user studies to demonstrate the utility of SNIFF. Our evaluations show that SNIFF performed better than most of the existing online search engines as well as related tools.
Simulation study of learning automata games in automated highway systems

We propose an artificial intelligence technique called stochastic learning automata to design an intelligent vehicle path controller. Using the information obtained by on-board sensors and local communication modules, two automata are capable of learning the best possible actions to avoid collisions. Although the learning approach taken is capable of providing a safe decision, optimization of the overall traffic flow is required. This can be achieved by studying the interaction of the vehicles. The design of the adaptive vehicle path planner based on local information is extended with additional decision structures by analyzing the situations of conflicting desired vehicle paths. The analysis of the situations and the design of these structures are made possible by treatment of the interacting reward-penalty mechanisms in individual vehicles as automata games.
In vitro changes in the properties of rabbit colonie muscularis mucosae in colitis

Abstract Background: The muscularis mucosae is the muscle layer closest to the site of elevated inflammatory mediator production in inflammatory bowel disease. Thus, it is the first muscle layer subject to their influence. Methods: Using a rabbit trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid model of colitis, changes in the properties of the muscularis mucosae resulting from the inflammatory process were studied in vitro. Results: Animals developed a mild colitislike inflammation that was confined to the epithelium, lamina propria, and submucosa. Colitic muscularis mucosae contractile responses to leukotriene D 4 and prostaglandins E 2 and F 2α were significantly attenuated relative to the maximum tissue response to acetylcholine, whereas responses to histamine, substance P, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide were unchanged. In addition, the stress-generating capacity of the colitic muscularis mucosae was compromised in a stimulus-independent manner and passive tension increased relative to active tension. Conclusions: The muscularis mucosae undergoes two significant alterations in colitis: (a) a selective desensitization to the effects of arachidonic acid metabolites and (b) an impairment of its excitation-contraction coupling mechanism. A loss of the ability of the muscularis mucosae to cause mucosal movement and alter luminal surface area may be an important early stage in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease.
Promising Practices in Service-Learning with Grant Writing in Rural Communities

This paper describes the teaching practices in a community practice course that was designed for using a grant writing project with a service-learning component in a rural community. The course and assignments are outlined. Four critical success factors are: commitment to a service-learning pedagogy, flexibility regarding course objectives, engaged students, and committed agencies. Strategic partnerships and successful grant applications are the best evidence that enhanced the experience for the students and agencies.
A Life History Perspective on Parenting

Utilizing the life history methodology, this paper will examine the reminiscent memories of parenting patterns and perceived parent-child interaction experienced by 18 adult women over 63 years of age, with the aim of exploring the linkage of these early experiences to the present day relationships these women have with their adult children. (Methodology: Life history)
Performance and modeling of thermosyphon heat exchangers for solar water heaters

Determining the performance of indirect solar heating systems that use thermosyphon heat exchangers requires knowledge of how thermosyphon flow rate and heat exchanger performance vary with operating conditions. In this paper, measured performance of a two-pass, tube-in-shell, double-wall heat exchanger is discussed in terms of modeling issues. Thermosyphon heat exchangers may operate in the developing, mixed convection regime where natural convection effects can significantly influence overall heat transfer and friction coefficients. Existing models which assume the thermal and hydraulic behaviors of thermosyphon heat exchangers are only functions of the thermosyphon and collector flow rates may not be suitable for all heat exchanger types. For example, the overall heat-transfer coefficient-area product for the two-pass, tube-in-shell heat exchanger is best expressed as a function of Reynolds, Grashof, and Prandtl numbers on the thermosyphon side of the heat exchanger. It is proposed that annual simulations of solar water heaters with thermosyphon heat exchangers use this type of relationship to characterize heat transfer in the heat exchanger.