cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Additions to the Fern Flora of Saba, Netherlands Antilles

Abstract Recent fieldwork on Saba, Netherlands Antilles, has resulted in the discovery of nine fern species unrecorded for the island. All are known from other islands in the Antilles, as well as from other tropical areas.
Chronic alcohol-induced changes in cardiac contractility are not due to changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ transient

Long-standing heavy alcohol consumption acts as a chronic stress on the heart. It is thought that alcohol-induced changes of contractility are due to altered Ca2+ handling, but no measurements of c...
THE EFFECT OF STOCHASTIC TECHNIQUE ON ESTIMATES OF POPULATION VIABILITY FROM TRANSITION MATRIX MODELS

Population viability analysis is an important tool for conservation biologists, and matrix models that incorporate stochasticity are commonly used for this purpose. However, stochastic simulations may require assumptions about the distribution of matrix parameters, and modelers often select a statistical distribution that seems reasonable without sufficient data to test its fit. We used data from long-term (5–10 year) studies with 27 populations of five perennial plant species to compare seven methods of incorporating environmental stochasticity. We estimated stochastic population growth rate (a measure of viability) using a matrix-selection method, in which whole observed matrices were selected at random at each time step of the model. In addition, we drew matrix elements (transition probabilities) at random using various statistical distributions: beta, truncated-gamma, truncated-normal, triangular, uniform, or discontinuous/observed. Recruitment rates were held constant at their observed mean values. Two methods of constraining stage-specific survival to ≤100% were also compared. Different methods of incorporating stochasticity and constraining matrix column sums interacted in their effects and resulted in different estimates of stochastic growth rate (differing by up to 16%). Modelers should be aware that when constraining stage-specific survival to 100%, different methods may introduce different levels of bias in transition element means, and when this happens, different distributions for generating random transition elements may result in different viability estimates. There was no species effect on the results and the growth rates derived from all methods were highly correlated with one another. We conclude that the absolute value of population viability estimates is sensitive to model assumptions, but the relative ranking of populations (and management treatments) is robust. Furthermore, these results are applicable to a range of perennial plants and possibly other life histories. Corresponding Editor: A. R. Solow.
Globalization from a World-System Perspective: A New Phase in the Core-A New Destiny for Brazil and the Semiperiphery?*

The study of globalization, prominent in all fields of social science, scarcely draws upon the insights generated by the world-systems theory. In this essay, I delineate five key dimensions on which a world-systems approach diverges from a world society approach. When linked together, these five stages offer support for a dependency perspective that was elaborated in the theoretical work underpinning the world-system paradigm. I use the case of Brazil to demonstrate how a consent model, derived from this paradigm, offers a better understanding of the dynamics leading to global convergence than a consensus model derived from a world society paradigm.
DTCD policies and approach to international technical co–operation in the energy field

As the developing countries of the world increase their demand for energy the need for technical co–operation among them will increase. Rising oil prices and the high level of capital investment required for the exploitation of energy resources represent major difficulties for developing countries. In addition, the need to intensify the monitoring and control of the environmental impact of energy resource development and use will create further financial burdens on developing economies. The United Nations Department of Technical Co–operation for Development (UN/DTCD) provides assistance to developing countries faced with these difficulties through project activities in the area of energy, centering on institution building by direct support, training and provision of modern equipment.
Bidirectional synaptic plasticity correlated with the magnitude of dendritic calcium transients above a threshold.

The magnitude of postsynaptic Ca2+ transients is thought to affect activity-dependent synaptic plasticity associated with learning and memory. Large Ca2+ transients have been implicated in the indu...
Characterization of Si1−xGex/Si Heterostructures Using Optically-Detected Magnetic Resonance

Si 1−x Ge x /Si heterostructures with varying layer-thicknesses have been characterized using photoluminescence and magnetic resonance detected on photoluminescence. Three of the four samples studied exhibit sharp photoluminescence bands at different energies. For a 120 A Si/40 A Si 1−x Ge x heterostructure, magnetic resonance of an electron in the Si and of a hole in the Sil. x Ge x layers were observed. These results indicate cross-interface, or Type II, excitonic recombination. Further, anisotropie magnetic resonance spectra indicate the presence of dangling-bonds defects in the heterostructures.
Substerilizing Irradiation of Plodia interpunctella1 Males: Effects on Three Filial Generations

One-day-old males of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), were treated with 5, 10, or 15 krad of gamma radiation and paired with untreated virgin females. Progeny were collected through 3 generations (F1, F2, and F3), lines were established with all degrees of inbreeding and outbreeding, and effects were assayed by determining sterility and the average number of progeny produced by males, females, or pairs from each line. Results showed that the greater the initial dose, the greater the reduction in the number of progeny and the longer the population depression persisted. Both males and females of the F1, were more affected than P1, males, though F1 males were much more affected than F1 females. Recovery of reproductive ability began in the F2 generation and continued into the F3 generation. Each generation of males proved to be more affected than the corresponding females when the sexes were outcrossed with untreated moths. The greater the degree of inbreeding for radiation, the greater the effect on both males and females and the longer the effects persisted. Although radiation produced a high degree of control only in the F1, generation and at the highest dose, sufficient depression accompanied inbreeding at the lower doses to reduce abundance of a natural population for several generations after a single mass release of substerilized males.
21 PHOSPHORYLATION OF b-CATENIN BY PROTEIN KINASE A IN VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS.

Beta-catenin is a transcriptional coactivator that promotes cell proliferation by induction of genes such as cyclin D1, c-myc, and others. Enhanced b-catenin signaling was observed in many cancer cells and in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) during restenosis. The canonical mechanism of regulation of b-catenin involves its phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) that targets b-catenin to ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome system. Mitogenic factors promote b-catenin signaling through inhibition of GSK3, resulting in reduced b-catenin phosphorylation, its stabilization, and subsequent accumulation in the nucleus, where it stimulates gene transcription. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of VSMC proliferation induced by extracellular ATP (a VSMC mitogen relevant to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis). We found that (1) ATP potently induces the cyclin D1 transcription in VSMC; (2) stimulation of cyclin D1 transcription by ATP is dependent on b-catenin signaling and on protein kinase A (PKA) activity; (3) b-catenin is phosphorylated by PKA in vitro and in intact cells at two novel sites, Ser-552 and Ser-675; (4) phosphorylation by PKA promotes the transcriptional activity of b-catenin; (v) mutation of Ser-675 attenuates the promoting effect of PKA; (6) phosphorylation by PKA does not affect the GSK3-dependent phosphorylation of b-catenin, its stability or intracellular localization; but (7) phosphorylation at Ser-675 site promotes the binding of b-catenin to its transcriptional coactivator, CREB-binding protein (CBP). In conclusion, this study identifies a novel, noncanonical mechanism of modulation of b-catenin signaling through direct phosphorylation of b-catenin by PKA, promoting its interaction with CBP.
Characteristics and significance of petrology of Changxing Formation in Yuanba area,northeastern Sichuan

Based on thin section collection and microscope observation by six wells of Changxing Formation in Yuanba area,30 types of rocks and four types of sediment sources were identified.Radiolarian chert was identified firstly in this area,which is the evidence of the existence of deep-sea sedimentary environment in early Changxing Formation.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Major Cardiovascular Outcomes for Radial Versus Femoral Access in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES Radial artery access (RA) for left heart catheterization and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) has been demonstrated to be safe and effective. Despite consistent data showing less bleeding complications compared with femoral artery access (FA), it continues to be underused in the United States, particularly in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in whom aggressive anticoagulation and platelet inhibition regimens are needed. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare major cardiovascular outcomes and safety endpoints in patients with ACS managed with PCI using radial versus femoral access. METHODS Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing RA versus FA in patients with ACS were analyzed. Our primary outcomes were mortality, major adverse cardiac event, major bleeding, and access-related complications. A fixed-effects model was used for the primary analyses. RESULTS Fifteen randomized controlled trials and 17 cohort studies involving 44,854 patients with ACS were identified. Compared with FA, RA was associated with a reduction in major bleeding (odds ratio [OR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-0.61, P < 0.001), access-related complications (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.18-0.39, P < 0.001), mortality (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.54-0.75, P < 0.001), and major adverse cardiac event (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.57-0.85, P < 0.001). These significant reductions were consistent across different study designs and clinical presentations. CONCLUSIONS Based on this large meta-analysis, RA for primary PCI in the setting of ACS is associated with reduction in cardiac and safety endpoints when compared with FA in both urgent and elective procedures. This should encourage a wider adoption of this technique among centers and interventional cardiologists.
Prognostic value of morphologic characteristics of cryopreserved embryos: a study using videocinematography

Fifty embryos, previously frozen at the zygote or 2- to 4-cell stage, were studied. Observers, who were unaware of the occurrence of pregnancy, assessed the morphologic features of these embryos by retrospectively analyzing videocinematographic recordings that were made shortly before replacement. Seven of 26 zygotes and 4 of 24 cleaved embryos implanted, with the incidence of implantation being analyzed in relation to 12 morphologic characteristics. Smooth surface of the blastomere's membranes was a statistically significant predictor of implantation for frozen-cleaved embryos, and variable zona pellucida thickness was the only parameter with predictive value for frozen zygotes. A highly significant difference was found between the implanting capacity of previously frozen-cleaved embryos and the number of abnormal morphologic characteristics. Three quarters of the thawed embryos had at least two abnormal characteristics, indicating that cryodamage was high. Major advantages of videocinematography are the absence of time constraints associated with observing live embryos, the ability to observe new morphologic parameters by freeze-frame and slow motion, and the permanent storage of embryonic data for quality control evaluation.
Assessment of pallid sturgeon relative condition in the upper channelized Missouri River

ABSTRACTDuring the spring 2015 sampling efforts on the Missouri River, several adult pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) were captured in a visually emaciated condition. As pallid sturgeon recovery efforts continue throughout the Missouri River, this may negatively impact the local population and hamper recovery. Therefore, the objectives were to (1) assess the annual variation in pallid sturgeon condition, (2) determine how condition varies amongst gender and reproductive status and if condition affects fecundity, (3) determine the annual proportion of reproductive female pallid sturgeon, and (4) test several hypothesized factors which may contribute to variations in pallid sturgeon condition. Overall, the relative condition of pallid sturgeon has significantly declined over the past 12 years, except for the large adult-sized fish (> 840 mm fork length). Pallid sturgeon condition began to decline in 2013 then rapidly declined in 2014 and even more in 2015. The mean annual pallid sturgeon condition rea...
The Neoliberal Restructuring of Agriculture and Food in Greece

While public debt has become the focal point of discussions of the Greek crisis, the Greek crisis has been used as an opportunity to extend a series of neoliberal reforms. I examine the agricultura...
Micro-Raman imaging of SrI 3 − anions in SrI 2 :Eu scintillator crystals

Europium-doped strontium iodide (SrI 2 :Eu) crystals are reported to be high light yield scintillator materials with good energy resolution, the best energy resolution of SrI 2 :Eu at 662 keV having reached 2.6%. To improve the crystals growth quality and to protect the crystals from hydration, it is practical to distinguish the pure crystals from impurity and structural defects by Raman spectroscopy. In this report, SrI 2 :Eu crystals grown from the vertical Bridgman method have been characterized with the polarized Raman spectroscopy. Orientations of the crystals were determined with the spectroscopy assisted with the polarized optical microscopy. The crystals are highly hygroscopic, the intensity of new peak at 87 cm−1 associated with SrI 3 − anions continues to increase with time even the samples are kept in mineral oil or encapsulated in parylene. Micro-Raman mapping on the distributions of SrI 3 − anions in SrI 2 crystals stored in mineral oil are reported.
Limited contribution of rare, noncoding variation to autism spectrum disorder from sequencing of 2,076 genomes in quartet families

Genomic studies to date in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have largely focused on newly arising mutations that disrupt protein coding sequence and strongly influence risk. We evaluate the contribution of noncoding regulatory variation across the size and frequency spectrum through whole genome sequencing of 519 ASD cases, their unaffected sibling controls, and parents. Cases carry a small excess of de novo (1.02-fold) noncoding variants, which is not significant after correcting for paternal age. Assessing 51,801 regulatory classes, no category is significantly associated with ASD after correction for multiple testing. The strongest signals are observed in coding regions, including structural variation not detected by previous technologies and missense variation. While rare noncoding variation likely contributes to risk in neurodevelopmental disorders, no category of variation has impact equivalent to loss-of-function mutations. Average effect sizes are likely to be smaller than that for coding variation, requiring substantially larger samples to quantify this risk.
Magnetoelectric antiferromagnets as platforms for the manipulation of solitons

We study the magnetic dynamics of magnetoelectric antiferromagnetic thin films, where an unconventional boundary ferromagnetism coexists with the bulk N\'eel phase below the N\'eel temperature. The spin exchange between the two order parameters yields an effective low-energy theory that is formally equivalent to that of a ferrimagnet. Dynamics of domain walls and skyrmions are analyzed within the collective-variable approach, from which we conclude that they behave as massive particles moving in a viscous medium subjected to a gyrotropic force. We find that the film thickness can be used as a control parameter for the motion of these solitons. In this regard, it is shown that an external magnetic field can drive the dynamics of domain walls, whose terminal velocity is tunable with the sample thickness. Furthermore, the classification of the skyrmion dynamics is sensitive to the spatial modulation of the sample thickness, which can be easily engineered with the present (thin-film) deposition techniques. Current-driven spin transfer can trigger drifting orbits of skyrmions, which can be utilized as racetracks for these magnetic textures.
Porous monolith microfluidics for bacterial cell-to-cell communication assays

Genetically engineered bacteria can be used for a wide range of applications, from monitoring environmental toxins to studying complex communication networks in the human digestive system. Although great strides have been made in studying single strains of bacteria in well-controlled microfluidic environments, there remains a need for tools to reliably control and measure communication between multiple discrete bacterial populations. Stable long-term experiments (e.g., days) with controlled population sizes and regulated input (e.g., concentration) and output measurements can reveal fundamental limits of cell-to-cell communication. In this work, we developed a microfluidic platform that utilizes a porous monolith to reliably and stably partition adjacent strains of bacteria while allowing molecular communication between them for several days. We measured small molecule production by the bacterial populations in response to stimuli using analytical chemistry methods and measured fluorescent output. The results are compared with communication and diffusion delay models. This porous monolith microfluidic system enables bacterial cell-to-cell communication assays with dynamic control of inputs, relatively long-term experimentation with no cross contamination, and stable bacterial population size. This system can serve as a valuable tool in understanding bacterial communication and improving biosensor design capabilities.
Other Animals Left Behind in the Exclusion Zone

This chapter “Other Animals Left Behind in the Exclusion Zone” considers a variety of animals—domesticated and wild—that lived in the exclusion zone, including chickens, pigs, and ostriches, as well as foxes, Japanese raccoon dogs (tanuki), and wild boars. This chapter also looks at local aquariums that sustained enormous damage. The scientific studies of the local wildlife, such as Japanese macaques and pale blue butterflies, have indicated adverse effects of the radiation on them.
A Blast From the Past: Revival of Angiotensin II for Vasodilatory Shock:

Objective: To review and summarize data on angiotensin II (AT-II), approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2017 to increase blood pressure in adults with septic or other dist...
The Sixteenth Chapter

[1] And I heard a great voice out of the temple [2] saying to the seven angels: [3] ‘Go your ways, [4] pour out your vials of wrath upon the earth’. [5] And the first went and poured out his vial upon the earth [6] and there fell a noisome and a sore botch upon the men which had the mark of the beast [7] and upon them that worshipped his image.
Digital games for international development: A field theory perspective:

While serious games have been used within the field of international development since 2005, their adoption as tools for social and behavior change has remained fairly limited. Using Bourdieu’s the...
Youth's Perceptions of E-cigarette Advertisements with Cessation Claims.

Objectives E-cigarettes are not FDA-approved smoking cessation aids. Nevertheless, content analyses have shown that e-cigarette companies make claims about cessation efficacy. Some advertisements are explicit (directly mentioning their product can help smokers quit or stop smoking), while others are implicit (not containing cessation-related language, but implying cessation efficacy through subtle wording and imagery). This is the first study to examine directly how adolescents and young adults (AYAs) perceived these ads, and specifically whether they identify the cessation claims in e-cigarette advertisements. Methods 248 AYAs in California viewed 4 e-cigarette advertisements with cessation claims, then selected claims made by each advertisement. Descriptive statistics and multi-level logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between the type of claims and perception. Results The claim "helps me quit smoking" was most frequently selected after viewing advertisements with explicit cessation claims, but not after viewing implicit claims. No significant effect of tobacco use and age on claim selection was observed. Conclusions E-cigarette manufacturers make claims about cessation efficacy, and AYAs can identify such claims in advertisements, especially the explicit ones. FDA should regulate these advertisements as making therapeutic claims.
Was that crazy or what? Postman’s semantic environment model as a lens for understanding problematic communication

Courses: Introduction to Communication Studies, Rhetorical/Media Criticism, Political Communication, Language and Social Interaction.Objectives: The aims of this single-class activity are (1) to em...
Knowledge Places: Embedding Knowledge in the Space of the Classroom

This research investigates a novel approach to supporting classroom learning communities through the use of proxemic interaction and ambient visualizations. Specifically, community knowledge is embedded within the physical space of the classroom, with the aim of mediating opportunistic inter-group interactions, instigated through proximity and shared artifacts. This approach entails decomposing the community knowledge-base into a collection of independent thematic sub-stores, and then conceptually distributing those sub-stores to mapped, demarcated locations around the classroom, called "Knowledge Places." This necessitates physical movement among and proximity to those places in order for students to contribute to or otherwise access their peers' contributions to the emerging knowledge-base. The present research studies the materialization of Knowledge Places over the course of ten weeks within a sixth-grade life science curriculum, with topics of food webs and ecosystems.
How wind speed shear and directional veer affect the power production of a megawatt-scale operational wind turbine

Abstract. Most megawatt-scale wind turbines align themselves into the wind as defined by the wind speed at or near the center of the rotor (hub height). However, both wind speed and wind direction can change with height across the area swept by the turbine blades. A turbine aligned to hub-height winds might experience suboptimal or superoptimal power production, depending on the changes in the vertical profile of wind, also known as shear. Using observed winds and power production over 6 months at a site in the high plains of North America, we quantify the sensitivity of a wind turbine's power production to wind speed shear and directional veer as well as atmospheric stability. We measure shear using metrics such as α (the log-law wind shear exponent), βbulk (a measure of bulk rotor-disk-layer veer), βtotal (a measure of total rotor-disk-layer veer), and rotor-equivalent wind speed (REWS; a measure of actual momentum encountered by the turbine by accounting for shear). We also consider the REWS with the inclusion of directional veer, REWSθ , although statistically significant differences in power production do not occur between REWS and REWSθ at our site. When REWS differs from the hub-height wind speed (as measured by either the lidar or a transfer function-corrected nacelle anemometer), the turbine power generation also differs from the mean power curve in a statistically significant way. This change in power can be more than 70 kW or up to 5 % of the rated power for a single 1.5 MW utility-scale turbine. Over a theoretical 100-turbine wind farm, these changes could lead to instantaneous power prediction gains or losses equivalent to the addition or loss of multiple utility-scale turbines. At this site, REWS is the most useful metric for segregating the turbine's power curve into high and low cases of power production when compared to the other shear or stability metrics. Therefore, REWS enables improved forecasts of power production.
The limits of liberal integrity

Nili’s important book presents us with an intriguing idea in chapter five. If we see the liberal state as having integrity then that means certain kinds of policies should be prioritized by the sta...
2 – PHYSIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS

Publisher Summary The central aim of motor physiology is to understand the way in which the physical makeup of the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system allows for the adaptive control of posture and movement. Specialized mechanisms allow motor control to be carried out such that attention to the detailed properties of muscle activity is generally unnecessary. By recording the activity of neurons in different brain regions and by studying the effects of lesions in various brain sites, it has been demonstrated that there are important functional distinctions among brain centers. Some centers are primarily devoted to hearing, some to vision, some to smell, and so forth. In the domain of motor control, some centers are involved in relatively low-level aspects of the control of movement and posture such as the direction and force of single limb movements, whereas others are involved in higher-level aspects such as planning extended sequences of actions. The chapter presents the major principles of motor physiology.
Risk factors associated with infection of blood-borne virus among people who used methamphetamine

The surge of methamphetamine use has been a complicating factor compounding the steeply increasing number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. Infection from blood-borne viruses including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV, related to methamphetamine use continue to grow. This study aims to examine the risk factors associated with HBV, HCV and HIV among people who used methamphetamine. People who ever used methamphetamine were identified from five National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cohorts, 2007 to 2016. The outcome was either positive or negative for blood-borne viruses as identified from laboratory tests. Weighted statistics for the combined ten years of data were calculated by multiplying the weighted variable for laboratory measurements by 0.2. We examined the association of sexual activities (sexual partners, sexual identity), drug use behaviors (poly-drug use, injection drug use, frequency of drug use, age started using methamphetamine), demographics, and socio-economic status with blood-borne viruses using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models. There were 1132 participants representing approximately 11,996,319 persons who ever used methamphetamine in the U.S. Blood-borne viruses’ positive rate was 13.0 per 100,000. Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed significant associations of blood-borne infections with age 40–49 years (vs. age 20–29 years, adjusted odds ratio 4.77, 95% CI 1.11–20.55), age 50–59 years (vs. age 20–29 years, 10.25, 2.40–43.82), living within poverty index 1–1.9 (vs. poverty index > = 2, 2.55; 1.19–5.49), living below the poverty threshold (vs. poverty index > = 2, 2.55; 1.11–5.86), having lower than high school education (vs. equal or higher than high school education, 3.13; 1.51–6.46), sexual identity as other than heterosexual (vs. heterosexual, 5.60; 1.72–18.28), using methamphetamine and heroin and cocaine (vs. using methamphetamine alone, 4.24; 1.06–16.92), injection drug use (vs. no injection drug use, 3.15; 1.61–6.16), and started using methamphetamine at age above 25 (vs. started using methamphetamine at age between 10 and 17, 2.09; 1.01–4.35). Among people who use methamphetamine, those who use polysubstance, or who inject substances, are in urgent need for vaccination and interventions to avoid further harm from blood borne infections.
Robust and annotation-free analysis of alternative splicing using short-read scRNA-seq data

Although alternative splicing is a fundamental and pervasive aspect of gene expression in higher eukaryotes, it is often omitted from single-cell studies due to quantification challenges inherent to commonly used short-read sequencing technologies. Here, we propose a new computational method, scQuint, that performs accurate quantification, dimensionality reduction, and differential splicing analysis using full-length, short-read, single-cell RNA-seq data. scQuint does not require transcriptome annotations and is robust to technical artifacts. In applications across diverse mouse tissues from Tabula Muris and the primary motor cortex from the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network, we find evidence of strong cell-type-specific alternative splicing, complementary to total gene expression, and identify a large volume of previously unannotated splice junctions. To further elucidate the regulation of alternative splicing, we build a predictive model based on splicing factor activity, which recovers several known interactions and generates new hypotheses, including potential regulatory roles of novel alternative splicing events in Khdrbs3 and Rbfox1.
Alterations of cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism during liver repair and regeneration after acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice.

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury (AILI) is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States, but its impact on metabolism, therapeutic efficacy, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of co- and/or subsequent administered drugs are not fully investigated. The current work explored this field with a focus on the AILI-mediated alterations of cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated drug metabolism. Various levels of liver injury were induced in mice by treatment with APAP at 0, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg. Severity of liver damage was determined at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours by plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), microRNA miR122, and tissue staining. The expression and activities of CYP3A11, 1A2, 2B10, 2C29, and 2E1 were measured. Sedation efficacy and ADRs of midazolam, a CYP3A substrate, were monitored after APAP treatment. ALT, AST, and miR122 increased at 24 hours after APAP treatment with all APAP doses, while only 200 and 400 mg/kg treated groups recovered back to normal levels at 72 and 96 hours. The expression and activity of the CYPs significantly decreased at 24 hours with all APAP doses, but only recovered back to normal at 72 and 96 hours with 200 and 400, but not 600 mg/kg of APAP. The alterations of CYP activities resulted in altered sedation efficacy and ADRs of midazolam, which were corrected by dose justification of midazolam. Overall, this work illustrated a low-CYP expression window after AILI, which can decrease drug metabolism and negatively impact drug efficacy and ADRs. Significance Statement The data generated in the mouse model demonstrated that expression and activities of CYP enzymes and correlated drug efficacy and ADRs are altered during the time course of liver repair and regeneration after liver is injured by treatment with APAP. Dose justifications based on predicted changes of CYP activities can achieve desired therapeutic efficacy and avoid ADRs. The generated data provide fundamental knowledge for translational research to drug treatment for patients during liver recovery and regeneration who have experienced AILI.
Elucidation of Resolvin and Protectin Sulfido-Conjugated Mediators: New Pro-Resolving and Tissue Regenerative Pathways

Resolution of inflammation is an active cellular and biochemical process mediated by autacoids. Here, we investigated self-limited infectious exudates for novel bioactive chemical signals in tissue regeneration and resolution. Using spleens from E. coli infected mice, self-resolving infectious exudates, human spleens and blood from sepsis patients we identified two new families of potent molecules. Characterization of their physical properties and isotope tracking demonstrated that the bioactive structures contained a docosahexaenoate backbone and sulfido-conjugated triene or tetraene double bond systems. Activated human phagocytes converted 17-hydro(peroxy)-4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,15E,19Z-docosahexaenoic acid to these bioactive molecules. Regeneration of injured planaria was accelerated with nanomolar amounts of 16-glutathionyl, 17-hydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid and 16-cysteinylglycinyl, 17-hydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid (coined protectin conjugates in tissue regeneration) as well as 8-glutathionyl, 7,17-dihydroxy-doc...
Neuropilin-2 Is a Newly Identified Target of PAX8 in Thyroid Cells

PAX8 is a transcription factor essential for thyroid gland development, as well as for the maintenance of the thyroid differentiated state in the adult. In particular, PAX8 has been comprehensively shown to regulate genes that are considered markers of thyroid differentiation. However, a better knowledge of genes transcriptionally regulated by PAX8 is desirable to clarify its role in endocrine syndromes and cancer susceptibility. In order to further investigate PAX8 downstream targets, we recently performed a genome-wide expression analysis following PAX8 knockdown in FRTL-5 thyroid cells and Neuropilin-2 was identified as a potential transcriptional target of PAX8. In this study, we determined the role of the transcription factor PAX8 in the regulation of Neuropilin-2 expression. Indeed, in thyroid cells PAX8 directly binds the Neuropilin-2 promoter leading to its transcriptional repression. Interestingly, we observed an inverse correlation between the expression of PAX8 and Neuropilin-2 in thyroid carcinoma tissues and cell lines compared to non-tumor counterparts, suggesting a critical role of PAX8 in regulating Neuropilin-2 expression in vivo. Notably, ectopic overexpression of PAX8 in FB-2 thyroid cancer cells promotes Neuropilin-2 downregulation producing a significant reduction in cell proliferation, migration ability, and invasion activity and reverting the cell phenotype from mesenchymal to a more epithelial one. These findings uncover the novel interplay between PAX8 and Neuropilin-2, which is likely to be important in the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases.
Using protein microarrays to study cancer.

Microarrays or “biochips” provide an efficient way to achieve a global molecular perspective of human disease. DNA microarrays have been used extensively to generate transcriptional fingerprints of...
Stochastic Realization of Non-Minimum Phase Systems

In this paper we present a stochastic realization method for linear, time-invariant, non-minimum phase systems when only output data are available. The input sequence need not be independent and identically distributed. It must be non-Gaussian, with some special properties that are described in the text. Our method proceeds in two stages. First, a minimum phase system is obtained using second-order statistics of the output. Next, an all-pass filter is realized, by exploiting higher-order statistics of the innovations. The cascade of the minimum-phase and all-pass systems yields the desired non-minimum phase system.
Diffusion Rates and Dispersal Patterns of Unfed versus Recently Fed Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius L.).

Bed bug problems have been increasing since the 1980s, and accordingly, there have been intensive efforts to better understand their biology and behavior for control purposes. Understanding bed bug diffusion rates and dispersal patterns from one site to another (or lack thereof) is a key component in prevention and control campaigns. This study analyzed diffusion rates and dispersal patterns in a population of bed bugs, recently fed and unfed, in both one-dimensional and two-dimensional settings. When placed in the middle of a 71 cm × 2.7 cm artificial lane, approximately half of the bugs regardless of feeding status stayed at or near the release point during the 10 min observation periods, while about a fourth of them walked to the end of the lane. When placed in the middle of an arena measuring 51 cm × 76 cm and allowed to walk in any direction, approximately one-fourth of bed bugs, fed or unfed, still remained near their release point (no significant difference between fed or unfed). As for long-distance dispersal, 11/50 (22%) of recently fed bed bugs moved as far as possible in the arena during the 10 min replications, while only 2/50 (4%) unfed bed bugs moved to the maximum distance. This difference was significantly different (p < 0.0038), and indicates that unfed bed bugs did not move as far as recently fed ones. A mathematical diffusion model was used to quantify bed bug movements and an estimated diffusion rate range of 0.00006 cm2/s to 0.416 cm2/s was determined, which is almost no movement to a predicted root mean squared distance of approximately 19 cm per 10 min. The results of this study suggest that bed bugs, upon initial introduction into a new area, would have a difficult time traversing long distances when left alone to randomly disperse.
A Threat to Liberty

Abstract More than 2,000,000 people are currently incarcerated in the United States. This incarceration rate is unprecedented and unequaled in any other nation, at any other time in history. The severity of the situation is exacerbated given the disproportionate incarceration rates of African American and Hispanic males and females. This article critically examines the influence of White privilege as a form of social control that results in racist practices that lead to the disproportionate incarceration of African American and Hispanic men and women. Strategies to address this endemic problem through personal, political, and preventive interventions are also discussed.
SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT OF ACTION SPECTRA FOR PHOTOREACTIONS I AND II OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS

— We have devised a method of obtaining simultaneous action spectra for photoreactions I and II by analysis of direct and indirect effects involved in enhancement. The method requires previous determination of the neutral wavelength which gives maximum quantum yield by virtue of equal fractions of open reaction centers (p and q) for each photoreaction. A sufficient intensity of the neutral wavelength is used as a constant background. Upon addition of a weak modulated measuring light of intensity Im and wavelength λm two amperometric signals are obtained for rate of oxygen evolution. A modulated signal (AC¯) isolates the direct effect of Im and gives action of photoreaction II as AC/Im. An increment in total rate (ΔDC) also includes an indirect effect of Im in perturbing reaction center conditions (p and q). From analysis of interaction of the two photoreactions, action for photoreaction I can be estimated as (2 ΔDC-AC)/Im. The method is applicable to whole cells, properly scales the two action spectra to each other, and removes contribution of the State 1-State 2 phenomena. Action spectra were obtained for Chlorella.
Trajectory Optimization for Target Localization Using Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with navigation and video capabilities can be used to perform target localization. Combining UAV state estimates with image data leads to bearing measurements of the target that can be processed to determine its position. This 3-D bearings-only estimation problem is nonlinear and traditional ltering methods are prone to biases, noisy estimates, and lter instabilities. The performance of the target localization is highly dependent on the vehicle trajectory, motivating the development of optimal UAV trajectories. This work presents methods for designing trajectories that increase the amount of information provided by the measurements and shows that these trajectories lead to enhanced estimation performance. The Fisher Information Matrix (FIM) is used to quantify the information provided by the measurements. Several objective functions based on the FIM are considered and the A-optimality criterion is shown to be the best suited for trajectory optimization in the 3-D bearings-only target localization problem. The resulting trajectories produce spirals, which increase the angular separation between measurements and reduce the range to the target, supporting geometric intuition. The problem of simultaneous target estimation and vehicle trajectory optimization is explored and the resulting algorithms produce vehicle trajectories that increase the information provided by the measurements, enhancing the target estimation performance by increasing accuracy, reducing uncertainty and improving lter convergence.
Transport of organic acids through perfluorosulfonate polymeric membranes

Abstract Carboxylic acids in aqueous solutions permeate through perfluorosulfonate merebranes. The permeation is significantly enhanced when the sulfonic acid groups are convetted to their sodium salt form. Transport fluxes at atmospheric pressure have been found to vary in the 10 -9 —10 -6 mol/cm 2 -sec range, depending on the nature of the acids. Interesting separation possibilities of carboxylic acids from one another or from nonpolar compounds are discussed.
Characterization of H2-receptor mediated relaxation in rabbit aortic strips

Rabbit aortic strips contracted with either KC1 (60 mM), phenylephrine (10−5 M) or angiotensin-II (10−7 M) were exposed to cumulative concentrations of the H2-receptor agonists impromidine, histamine, 4-methyl histamine and dimaprit in the presence of the H1-receptor antagonist, pyrilamine (10−6 M). All of the H2-receptor agonists produced a similar degree of relaxation in strips contracted with phenylephrine. The order of potency was impromidine>histamine>4-methyl histamine⩾dimaprit. All of the H2-receptor agonists except 4-methyl histamine were able to produce significant degrees of relaxation in aortic strips contracted with angiotensin-II. In contrast, none of the H2-receptor agonists, in doses which relaxed phenylephrine and angiotensin-II contracted muscles, we able to relax aortic strips contracted by KCl. When the relaxant ability of the H2-receptor agonist, impromidine, was compared to that of D-600, isoproterenol and adenosine, it was found to produce relaxation similar to that characterized by isoproterenol. Impromidine, like isoproterenol, more readily relaxed aortic strips contracted by either phenylephrine or angiotensin-II.
Increased loss of thyroxine from the blood streams of newts after injection with ovine prolactin

Thyroidectomized red-spotted newts were injected with or were immersed in solutions of l-thyroxine (l-T4). By use of radioimmunoassays, it was demonstrated that accumulations of T4 were lost from the serum of animals treated with 0.3 IU of ovine prolactin (o-PRL) more rapidly than from ones injected with saline. Similarly, the levels of endogenous T4 in the blood streams of intact animals were shown to be lowered by the injection of the same dose of o-PRL.
Clean air with economic growth: Optimization modeling

Conflicts between the goals of having clean air and economic development are widespread. This paper discusses the conceptual and mathematical development of a linear programming optimization model and an interative solution procedure to determine optimal economic development strategies to promote employment subject to various contexts which limit air pollution carrying capacity. Three cases are formulated: (1) maximizing employment subject to ambient concentration constraints, (2) maximizing employment subject to emissions constraints, and (3) minimizing emissions subject to employment constraints. Empirical relationships using Census and pollutant inventory data describe a conceptual urban system, so that indirect and induced impacts of development strategies are also included. The modeling incorporates both point and nonpoint sources, and is shown to be adaptable for nonreactive emissions.
Review Essay: John Rawls's Last Word

Although no one can deny the profound importance of John Rawls's work in political philosophy, which covered both an original theory of justice and extensive work and teaching on the history of moral and political philosophy, we are now at the point where his contributions more clearly suggest certain historical limitations. Such topics as gender justice, racial justice, and environmental justice figured in Rawls's work only belatedly and in less than satisfactory ways. Surely the wide influence of the Rawlsian revolution should suggest that the erasures and blindspots in his historical reconstructions ought to be acknowledged and addressed, rather than avoided out of some misguided conception of charity in interpretation.
Applying web usability techniques to assess student awareness of library web resources

The authors adapted Web usability techniques to assess student awareness of their library's Web site. Students performed search tasks using a Web browser. Approaches were categorized according to a student's preference for, and success with, the library's Web resources. Forty-five percent of the students utilized the library's Web site as first tool of choice.
Nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine) and UVB photocarcinogenesis: a dose response effect.

The effects of UVB energy and nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine, HN2) on tumor formation in the hairless mouse skin was examined. Twice weekly applications of HN2 produced tumors in 34% of the mice. In addition, the HN2 treatments plus UVB radiation resulted in a significant acceleration in tumor formation as compared to either carcinogenic stimulus alone. The twice weekly application of HN2 plus UVB exposure was more tumourigenic than UVB plus HN2 applied once a week. Thus a positive carcinogenic dose response was noted. No tumor-suppressing effects were detected in this study.
Musiplectics: computational assessment of the complexity of music scores

In the Western classical tradition, musicians play music from notated sheet music, called a score. When playing music from a score, a musician translates its visual symbols into sequences of instrument-specific physical motions. Hence, a music score's overall complexity represents a sum of the cognitive and mechanical acuity required for its performance. For a given instrument, different notes, intervals, articulations, dynamics, key signatures, and tempo represent dissimilar levels of difficulty, which vary depending on the performer's proficiency. Individual musicians embrace this tenet, but may disagree about the degrees of difficulty. This paper introduces musiplectics (musiplectics = music + plectics, Greek for the study of complexity), a systematic and objective approach to computational assessment of the complexity of a music score for any instrument. Musiplectics defines computing paradigms for automatically and accurately calculating the complexity of playing a music score on a given instrument. The core concept codifies a two-phase process. First, music experts rank the relative difficulty of individual musical components (e.g., notes, intervals, dynamics, etc.) for different playing proficiencies and instruments. Second, a computing engine automatically applies this ranking to music scores and calculates their respective complexity. As a proof of concept of musiplectics, we present an automated, Web-based application called Musical Complexity Scoring (MCS) for music educators and performers. Musiplectics can engender the creation of practical computing tools for objective and expeditious assessment of a music score's suitability for the abilities of intended performers.