cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential Effects of Understory and Overstory Gaps on Tree Regeneration

Abstract Gaps in the forest canopy can increase the diversity of tree regeneration. Understory shrubs also compete with tree seedlings for limited resources and may depress tree recruitment. We compared effects of shrub removal and canopy windthrow gaps on seedling recruitment and understory resource levels. Shrub removal, with the canopy left intact, was associated with increased levels of understory light and soil moisture and coincided with increased species richness and diversity of tree regeneration compared to both control plots and canopy gaps. Canopy windthrow gaps, however, resulted in a more than 500 fold increase in soil nitrate concentrations, and seedling growth rates that were twice as high as that observed with shrub removal. Our results suggest that gaps in the understory shrub layer and the overstory canopy may have complementary effects on resource availability with corresponding benefits to seedling establishment and growth.
Self-aligned GaAs gate heterojunction SISFET

A self-aligned GaAs gate heterojunction enhancement-mode SISFET with a layer structure of n+-GaAs/undoped Al0.5Ga0.5As/undoped GaAs is fabricated and shows a high transconductance and a low threshold voltage. The highest transconductance at both room temperature and at 77 K ever reported on a long-channel GaAs gate SISFET, 197 mS/mm and 313 mS/mm, respectively, is obtained.
Effects of copper nanoparticles on rat cerebral microvessel endothelial cells.

Aim: The purpose of the current study was to determine whether copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) can induce the release of proinflammatory mediators that influence the restrictive characteristics of the blood–brain barrier. Material & methods: Confluent rat brain microvessel endothelial cells (rBMECs) were treated with well-characterized Cu-NPs (40 or 60 nm). Cytotoxicity of the Cu-NPs was evaluated by cell proliferation assay (1.5–50 µg/ml). The extracellular concentrations of proinflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-2, TNF-α and prostaglandin E2) were evaluated by ELISA. Results: The exposure of Cu-NPs at low concentrations increases cellular proliferation of rBMECs, by contrast, high concentrations induce toxicity. Prostaglandin E2 release was significantly increased (threefold; 8 h) for Cu-NPs (40 and 60 nm). The extracellular levels of both TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly elevated following exposure to Cu-NPs. The P-apparent ratio, as an indicator of increased permeability of rBMEC was approximately twofo...
Coherent Object Detection with 3D Geometric Context from a Single Image

Objects in a real world image cannot have arbitrary appearance, sizes and locations due to geometric constraints in 3D space. Such a 3D geometric context plays an important role in resolving visual ambiguities and achieving coherent object detection. In this paper, we develop a RANSAC-CRF framework to detect objects that are geometrically coherent in the 3D world. Different from existing methods, we propose a novel generalized RANSAC algorithm to generate global 3D geometry hypotheses from local entities such that outlier suppression and noise reduction is achieved simultaneously. In addition, we evaluate those hypotheses using a CRF which considers both the compatibility of individual objects under global 3D geometric context and the compatibility between adjacent objects under local 3D geometric context. Experiment results show that our approach compares favorably with the state of the art.
Intrathecal Baclofen Bolus Dosing and Catheter Tip Placement in Pediatric Tone Management

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB), administered by an implanted pump, has emerged as an efficacious therapy for the treatment of hypertonicity in pediatrics. Although ITB has been used for more than 20 years clinically, much is still unknown about the most optimal dosing regimens and intrathecal catheter tip placement. Clinician experience, animal research, and advanced imaging is guiding the use of ITB. The rationale for high cervical catheter tip placement and pulsating flex dosing is described.
Preparing Teachers for Family Centered Services: A Survey of Preservice Curriculum Content.

A family-centered approach is recommended as best practice in the field of early intervention. However, recent research suggests that some professionals in the field do not always implement family- centered services. This study investigated the content taught to pre-service early intervention/early childhood special education students regarding family-centered services. Eighty-two faculty members from institutions of higher education across the U.S. rated the importance of and the extent to which they taught five categories of content associated with family-centered services. Content associated with Knowledge of Fam- ilies, IFSP/IEP Skills, and Respecting Diversity were taught significantly more than Communication Skills and Knowledge of Team Work. All five categories of content were taught to at least a moderate degree and each category was rated as moderately important to crucial for students. The categories rated as most important were also taught most extensively.
Collagen and Other Matrix Glycoproteins in Embryogenesis

This chapter is devoted to the study of embryogenesis and we shall concentrate our attention on what is known about the roles of the major glycoproteins, collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and tenascin, in the development of vertebrate embryos. The role of interactions of cells with the proteoglycan/glycoprotein class of ECM is covered in depth by Toole in Chapter 9, but will not be completely ignored in this chapter, because none of these molecules is an isle unto itself. Indeed, a given cell may possess receptors for and interact with a variety of ECM molecules simultaneously (Chapter 10). Ultimately, we must also understand the interactions of matrix molecules with each other (Chapter 7), as well as with the cell, if we are to understand completely their roles in morphogenesis.
Phorbol ester-induced inhibition of potassium currents in rat sensory neurons requires voltage-dependent entry of calcium.

The whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to examine the effects of protein kinase C (PKC) activation (via the phorbol ester, phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate, PDBu) on the modulation of potassium curr...
Rigorous 3D inversion of marine magnetotelluric data in the area with complex bathymetry

Summary Three-dimensional (3D) magnetotelluric (MT) inversion is an emerging technique for offshore hydrocarbon (HC) exploration. In this paper we introduce a new approach to 3D inversion of MT data for offshore HC exploration based on the integral equation method. The method is implemented in a fully parallel computer code. We have applied the developed method and software for the inversion of marine MT data collected by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) in the Gemini Prospect, Gulf of Mexico. The inversion domain was discretized into 1.7 M cells. It took 9 hours to complete 51 iterations on the 832 processor cluster with a final misfit between the observed and predicted data of 6.2%. The inversion results reveal a resistive salt structure which is confirmed by a comparison with the seismic data. These inversion results demonstrate that we can map resistive geoelectrical structures like salt domes or HC reservoirs with reasonable accuracy using 3D inversion of marine MT data.
An Examination of Nitric Oxide Kinetics in a Plasma Afterglow with Significant Vibrational Loading

Laser-induced fluorescence measurements (LIF) of nitric oxide and two photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence (TALIF) of oxygen and nitrogen atoms are performed in a diffuse plasma filament with significant vibrational loading. The results are compared with kinetic modeling calculations. The experimental data shows that significant NO concentrations are achieved within a few microseconds after the pulse, after which the NO evolution is controlled by the reverse Zel’dovich reactions. The modeling calculation results show that the dominant formation channel is through collisions of oxygen atoms with multiple electronically-excited nitrogen states. Aside from acting as an energy reservoir, the large concentration of vibrationally-excited nitrogen in the ground electronic state seems to have no effect on NO formation. The present experimental results are accurately reproduced by incorporating all electronically excited N2 ∗ levels.
Super-Resolution of Facial Images in Video at a Distance

In this chapter, we address the problem of super-resolution of facial images in videos that are acquired at a distance. In particular, we consider (a) a closed-loop approach for super-resolution of frontal faces, (b) super-resolution of frontal faces with facial expressions, and (c) super-resolution of side face images. The details of these technical approaches and experimental results are presented in this chapter.
Central neuropeptide Y stimulates ingestive behavior and increases urine output in the ovine fetus.

We hypothesized that central neuropeptide Y (NPY) increases swallowing activity and alters renal function in the near-term ovine fetus. Six ewes with singleton fetuses (130 ± 2 days of gestation; 1...
Network Monitoring and Punishment in Public Goods Games

We report experimental findings on the impact of network structure on decentralized monitoring and punishment in public goods games. In the environments we study, individuals can only directly monitor and punish their immediate neighbors in an exogenously determined network. We examine contributions and punishment decisions in three network environments - a Complete network, a Circle network, and an Asymmetric network. We find that average contributions are lower in the Asymmetric network, but that this result is driven entirely by the player who faces only one potential punisher. We then examine the hypothesis that asymmetry in the network leads to discriminatory punishment across potential targets on the basis of their location. After controlling for targets' contribution decisions, we find instead that punishment is assigned indiscriminately to targets in different network locations. However, the data indicate that some potential targets retaliate against previous punishment more often than others, which may deter the punisher from assigning them harsher (discriminatory) punishment. Thus, we identify an additional complication of asymmetry in the network - that it may lead to more anti-social counter-punishments.
Incorporation of Soft Particles into Lipid Vesicles: Effects of Particle Size and Elasticity

The interaction between particles and lipid biomembranes plays an essential role in many fields such as endocytosis, drug delivery, and intracellular traffic. Here we conduct a theoretical study on the incorporation of elastic particles of different sizes and rigidities into a lipid vesicle through adhesive wrapping. It is shown that while the incorporation of relatively small particles involves smooth shape evolution, the vesicle wrapping of large particles exhibits a discontinuous shape transition, followed by a protrusion of the vesicle membrane at infinitesimal cost of elastic deformation energy. Moreover, softer particles require stronger adhesion energy to achieve successful internalization and delay the onset of discontinuous shape transition to a higher wrapping degree. Depending on the adhesion energy, particle-vesicle size, and rigidity ratios, and the spontaneous curvature of the vesicle, a rich variety of wrapping phase diagrams consisting of stable and metastable states of no-wrapping, partia...
Structural Studies of the Growth Hormone Receptor by Affinity Labeling

Detailed information of receptor structure can be obtained by covalently coupling radioactively labeled peptide hormones to membrane binding sites with chemical cross-linking reagents.(1) Disuccinimidyl esters have been particularly useful for such affinity labeling as they react rapidly with free amino groups under physiological conditions, thereby minimizing distortion of receptor structure.(2) Using such reagents, the receptors for insulin(3,4) and the insulinlike growth factors(5,6) have been characterized.
Occlusion-aware multi-robot 3D tracking

We introduce an optimization-based control approach that enables a team of robots to cooperatively track a target using onboard sensing. In this setting, the robots are required to estimate their own positions as well as concurrently track the target. Our probabilistic method generates controls that minimize the expected uncertainty of the target. Additionally, our method efficiently reasons about occlusions between robots and takes them into account for the control generation. We evaluate our approach in a number of experiments in which we simulate a team of quadrotor robots flying in three-dimensional space to track a moving target on the ground. We compare our method to other state-of-the-art approaches represented by the random sampling technique, lattice planning method, and our previous method. Our experimental results indicate that our method achieves up to 8 times smaller maximum tracking error and up to 2 times smaller average tracking error than the next best approach in the presented scenarios.
Appointment-keeping behaviors and procedure day are associated with colonoscopy attendance in a patient navigator population.

Abstract Background Patient navigator programs (PNP) have been shown to improve colonoscopy completion with demonstrated cost-effectiveness. Despite additional resources available to these patients, many still do not attend their colonoscopies. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with colonoscopy attendance amongst patients in whom logistical barriers to attendance have been minimized through enrollment in a PNP. Methods Retrospective case-control study of patients enrolled in a PNP for colonoscopy performed at a tertiary endoscopy center from 2009 to 2014. Cases were defined as patients who did not attend their first scheduled colonoscopy after PNP enrollment. Age- and gender-matched controls completed their first scheduled colonoscopy after PNP enrollment. Results 514 subjects (257 cases, mean age 57.1 years, 36.6% males) were included. Patients who attended their colonoscopy were less likely to be Spanish-speaking (64.6% vs 78.2%, p = 0.0003) and uninsured (0.4% vs 3.9%, p = 0.006). Attendance rates were significantly lower for screening colonoscopies compared to an indication of surveillance or diagnostic (45.5% vs 65.3%, p Conclusions Appointment-keeping behaviors, in addition to insurance-status, language-barriers and medical comorbidities, influence colonoscopy attendance in a PNP population. Patients scheduled for colonoscopies on Mondays or in December may require more resources to ensure attendance.
The last of its breed

Its progenitor once described the Dictionary of Scientific Biography – or DSB, as it is known to historians – as a "gothic cathedral". The analogy is apt: this vast 18-volume reference work is a landmark collaboration, painstakingly crafted by experts, the scope and influence of which have grown over time.
A phase II clinical trial examining the impact of neoadjuvant axitinib on primary tumor response in patients with locally advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

4516 Background: Previous studies have shown minimal impact of TKIs on primary renal tumor downsizing. Axitinib is a VEGFR TKI that has been recently approved for use in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this prospective phase II trial, we sought to investigate the safety and role of axitinib in downsizing tumors in patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma, prior to undergoing surgical resection. Methods: Patients with locally advanced (clinical stage T2-T3b N0 M0) biopsy-proven clear cell RCC were eligible for this phase II clinical trial. The primary outcome was objective response rate (using RECIST) following the administration of axitinib for 12 weeks prior to undergoing radical nephrectomy. Secondary outcomes included safety, tolerability, and feasibility of administration of axitinib in this patient population. Patients were given axitinib 5mg PO BID, and dose titration was allowed. Axitinib was continued until 36 hours prior to surgery. A dedicated radiolog...
Loci Contributing to Boric Acid Toxicity in Two Reference Populations of Drosophila melanogaster.

Populations maintain considerable segregating variation in the response to toxic, xenobiotic compounds. To identify variants associated with resistance to boric acid, a commonly-used household insecticide with a poorly understood mechanism of action, we assayed thousands of individuals from hundreds of strains. Using the Drosophila Synthetic Population Resource (DSPR), a multi-parental population (MPP) of inbred genotypes, we mapped six QTL to short genomic regions containing few protein-coding genes (3–188), allowing us to identify plausible candidate genes underlying resistance to boric acid toxicity. One interval contains multiple genes from the cytochrome P450 family, and we show that ubiquitous RNAi of one of these genes, Cyp9b2 , markedly reduces resistance to the toxin. Resistance to boric acid is positively correlated with caffeine resistance. The two phenotypes additionally share a pair of QTL, potentially suggesting a degree of pleiotropy in the genetic control of resistance to these two distinct xenobiotics. Finally, we screened the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) in an attempt to identify sequence variants within mapped QTL that are associated with boric acid resistance. The approach was largely unsuccessful, with only one QTL showing any associations at QTL-specific 20% False Discovery Rate (FDR) thresholds. Nonetheless, these associations point to a potential candidate gene that can be targeted in future validation efforts. Although the mapping data resulting from the two reference populations do not clearly overlap, our work provides a starting point for further genetic dissection of the processes underlying boric acid toxicity in insects.
WILSON'S EXPANSION WITH POWER ACCURACY

Because of the infrared renormalons, it is difficult to get power accuracy in the traditional approach to the Wilson's operator product expansion. Based on a new perturbative renormalization scheme for power-divergent operators, I propose a practical version of the OPE that allows to calculate power corrections to desired accuracy. The method is applied to the expansion of the vector-current correlation function in QCD vacuum, in which field theoretical status of the gluon condensate is discussed.
Performance Study of Ecological Self-Consolidating Cement Mixtures

AbstractThis study presents a useful analytical method based on a statistical approach for optimizing the performance of Eco-self-consolidating cement mixture (SCCM) (mortar component). Eco-SCCM is...
Strategically Stealthy: Women’s Agency in Navigating Spousal Violence

Research on women who divorce their abusive husbands typically draws on the experiences of those who have had contact with formal intimate partner violence (IPV) support services. The experiences o...
Optimizing the Effectiveness of Incentivized Social Sharing

Social media has become an important tool for companies interested in increasing the reach of their products and services. Some companies even offer monetary incentives to customers for recommending products to their social circles. However, the effectiveness of such incentives is often hard to optimize due to the large space of incentive parameters and the inherent tradeoff between the incentive attractiveness for the customer and the return on investment for the company. To address this problem, we propose a novel graph evolution model, Me+N model, which provides flexibility in exploring the effect of different incentive parameters on company's profits by capturing the probabilistic nature of customer behavior over time. We look at a specific family of incentives in which customers get a reward if they convince a certain number of friends to purchase a given product. Our analysis shows that simple monetary incentives can be surprisingly effective in social media strategies.
Text Segment Length Can Impact Emotional Reactions to Narrative Storytelling

Previous studies have suggested that simple physical changes in how a text is presented can have profound effects on how a text is learned and processed. Although research on text learning does sug...
Synergistic antifungal effect of chitosan-stabilized selenium nanoparticles synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquids against Candida albicans biofilms.

Background Candida albicans is a major opportunistic fungal pathogen. One of the most important virulence factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of candidiasis is its ability to form biofilms. A key characteristic of Candida biofilms is their resistance to antifungal agents. Due to significant morbidity and mortality rates related to biofilm-associated drug resistance, there is an urgency to develop novel nanotechnology-based approaches preventing biofilm-related infections. Methods In this study, we report, for the first time, the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles by irradiating selenium pellets by nanosecond pulsed laser ablation in liquid chitosan as a capping agent. Synergy of the fungicidal effect of selenium nanoparticles and chitosan was quantified by the combination index theorem of Chou-Talalay. Results This drug combination resulted in a potent fungicidal effect against a preformed C. albicans biofilm in a dose-response manner. By advanced electron microscopy techniques, we documented the adhesive and permeabilizing properties of chitosan, therefore allowing selenium nanoparticles to enter as the cell wall of the yeast became disrupted and distorted. Most importantly, we demonstrated a potent quantitative synergistic effect when compounds such as selenium and chitosan are combined. Conclusion These chitosan-stabilized selenium nanoparticles could be used for ex vivo applications such as sterilizers for surfaces and biomedical devices.
Autoregulation of the Heat-Shock Response

The heat-shock proteins (hsps) were initially defined as a small set of proteins that are rapidly and dramatically induced when cells or whole organisms are exposed to high temperatures1–5 (see Fig. 1). The same proteins are induced by a wide variety of other types of stress—ethanol, heavy metal ions, and anoxia being among the most common inducing agents.
The Cleft Palate Team

The purpose of this chapter is twofold. First, it is to describe the team approach to the radiological study of the velopharyngeal portal. This portion of the chapter is included for the benefit of the radiologist who has had little or no exposure to the cleft palate team approach. For as noted by Skolnick in 1977 (1): To most radiologists, the roentgen examination of the velopharyngeal portal is an entirely new procedure. This is not a technique learned during one’s residency, and it is not a technique discussed at radiological meetings or in the radiological journals. There are probably too few needs for such studies to teach the procedure as a routine one to the radiological community. Furthermore, the radiologist is not accustomed to working with other than roentgenological data. The recording of speech and the understanding of the types of speech tasks that will produce specific movements in the structures of the velopharyngeal portal complicate the examination and put additional burdens on the radiologist. Also, for this examination to be successful, it has to be an interactive procedure in which the speech tasks may be modified as the study is being performed because of particular events that are observed. Thus, the radiologist is now being asked to perform as a speech pathologist as well. In addition, except for specialized pediatric radiologists, most radiologists are not accustomed to working with small children, especially in situations where the full cooperation of an unsedated patient is required in order to perform the study.
Surface Chemistry in Aqueous Solutions

A review is presented of the chemistry of surfaces in aqueous solutions, with emphasis on those process that contribute to stress corrosion cracking. Accordingly, the thermodynamic criteria for passive film formation are discussed in order to identify conditions under which stable and metastable corrosion products form on the surface. The electrical properties of both metal/electrolyte and oxide/electrolyte interfaces are also examined, and recent quantum mechanical modifications to the theories for the electrical double layer are discussed. Passivity, passivity breakdown, and the kinetics of repassivation play important roles in determining the susceptibility of a metal or alloy to stress corrosion cracking, and these phenomena are discussed at some length, particularly with respect to recently developed deterministic models for chemically- induced breakdown.
Real-time damage monitoring in trailing edge bondlines of wind turbine blades with triboluminescent sensors:

Adhesively bonded joints in wind turbine blades, particularly trailing edge joints, are prone to damage due to high-intensity stress concentrations, missing adhesive, or deficient bonds at the bond...
Humanitarian Hernia Surgery: Lessons Learned

Access to essential surgical care is limited for almost one third of the global population. Surgical outreach missions try to address the burden of surgical disease in low- and middle-income countries. Short-term missions provide needed care to underserved patients, but often lack sustainability. The World Bank Group’s Disease Control Priorities report identified the need for systematic education to improve surgical capacity building. We report lessons learned from providing humanitarian hernia surgery in Western Hemisphere countries. These efforts include a systematic training method to further local self-sustainability.
Inhibition of Diabetes-Induced Lysyl Oxidase Overexpression Prevents Retinal Vascular Lesions Associated With Diabetic Retinopathy.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of reducing diabetes-induced lysyl oxidase (LOX) overexpression on vascular cell apoptosis and blood-retinal barrier (BRB) characteristics in diabetic rats. Methods Nondiabetic rats, diabetic rats, and diabetic rats intravitreally (IV) injected with LOX siRNA or scrambled (scram) siRNA were used in the study. One month after the onset of diabetes, intravitreal injections were initiated at monthly intervals for up to three times. At the end of study, retinal capillary networks were isolated, stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and hematoxylin, and assessed for acellular capillaries (AC) and pericyte loss (PL). To assess vascular leakage, extravasation of FITC-dextran was evaluated in retinal capillaries after tail vein injection of FITC-dextran. Western blot analysis was performed to determine retinal LOX level and confirm LOX downregulation via LOX siRNA intravitreal injection. Results LOX expression was significantly upregulated in retinas of diabetic rats compared with that of nondiabetic rats. Diabetic rats injected with LOX siRNA showed a significant decrease in retinal LOX expression compared with those of diabetic rats or scram siRNA-injected rats. In diabetic retinas, AC and PL were significantly increased compared with those of nondiabetic retinas. Importantly, diabetic rats treated with LOX siRNA exhibited a significant decrease in AC and PL counts compared with those of untreated diabetic rats. Furthermore, diabetic rats treated with LOX siRNA showed significant decrease in retinal vascular permeability compared with that of untreated diabetic rats. Conclusions Findings suggest LOX siRNA intravitreal injection may be effective against diabetes-induced LOX overexpression in preventing apoptosis and vascular leakage associated with diabetic retinopathy.
Dominant Ideology Threat and the Interpersonal Consequences of Attributions to Discrimination

Although psychologists have studied prejudice for nearly a century, it has been only recently that attention has turned toward understanding the consequences of prejudice for its targets, those who are stigmatized (see Crocker, Major, & Steele, 1998; Major, Quinton, & McCoy, 2002, for reviews). Stigmatized individuals possess or are perceived to possess an attribute conveying a devalued social identity within a social context (Crocker et al., 1998). Examples of groups that are stigmatized in North America include racial and ethnic minorities, women, gay men and lesbians, people with heavy body weights, and individuals belonging to nontraditional religious groups. The stigmatized encounter discrimination in many domains including restricted access to resources such as employment, income, housing, and education (see R. Clark, Anderson, V. R. Clark, & Williams, 1999, for a review). Additionally, the stigmatized experience many forms of social threat, including being ignored, rejected, disrespected, and patronized (Hebl, Foster, Mannix, & Dovidio, 2002; Swim, Hyers, Cohen, & Ferguson, 2001). Thus, one important goal of research on stigma involves understanding how members of stigmatized groups cope with the predicaments posed by being the target of prejudice and discrimination (Miller, chap. 2, this volume; Swim & Thomas, chap. 6, this volume).
Genome-wide effects on Escherichia coli transcription from ppGpp binding to its two sites on RNA polymerase

The second messenger nucleotide ppGpp dramatically alters gene expression in bacteria to adjust cellular metabolism to nutrient availability. ppGpp binds to two sites on RNA polymerase (RNAP) in Escherichia coli, but it has also been reported to bind to many other proteins. To determine the role of the RNAP binding sites in the genome-wide effects of ppGpp on transcription, we used RNA-seq to analyze transcripts produced in response to elevated ppGpp levels in strains with/without the ppGpp binding sites on RNAP. We examined RNAs rapidly after ppGpp production without an accompanying nutrient starvation. This procedure enriched for direct effects of ppGpp on RNAP rather than for indirect effects on transcription resulting from starvation-induced changes in metabolism or on secondary events from the initial effects on RNAP. The transcriptional responses of all 757 genes identified after 5 minutes of ppGpp induction depended on ppGpp binding to RNAP. Most (>75%) were not reported in earlier studies. The regulated transcripts encode products involved not only in translation but also in many other cellular processes. In vitro transcription analysis of more than 100 promoters from the in vivo dataset identified a large collection of directly regulated promoters, unambiguously demonstrated that most effects of ppGpp on transcription in vivo were direct, and allowed comparison of DNA sequences from inhibited, activated, and unaffected promoter classes. Our analysis greatly expands our understanding of the breadth of the stringent response and suggests promoter sequence features that contribute to the specific effects of ppGpp.
Impact of medical therapy for cardiovascular disease on left ventricular diastolic properties and remodeling.

Abstract Background Left ventricular (LV) remodeling and diastolic properties are affected by both underlying cardiovascular disease/cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRFs) and corresponding medication therapy. However, these effects may not be apparent in patients with multiple CVDRFs. We evaluated the effect of medication classes on hemodynamics in a patient cohort with normal LV dimensions and systolic function. Methods In 38 participants (61 ± 7 years, 64 ± 9% LV ejection fraction) undergoing coronary angiography, LV pressure measurement and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed. The effects of coronary artery disease (CAD), CVDRFs and their corresponding medication therapy on LV parameters were analyzed considering the number of CAD/CVDRFs and ‘adequacy’ of medication therapy to address each existing condition with specific indication-based medication classes. Results Of the patients studied, 68% had CAD, 87% had hypertension, 87% had dyslipidemia, and 45% had diabetes. Neither individual or total number of CAD/CVDRFs were associated with overall differences in LV diastolic parameters. However, those without (n = 20) and with (n = 18) ‘adequate’ medication therapy for underlying CAD/CVDRFs differed in values of LV end diastolic pressure (17 ± 4 vs. 11 ± 5 mm Hg, P Conclusions Our results suggest an association between the degree of LV diastolic impairment and LV remodeling with the intensity of treatment for CAD/CVDRFs. Comprehensive treatment of all identified CAD/CVDRFs may be an important factor for the preservation of diastolic function.
The first complete mitochondrial genomes of sawtail surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae: Prionurus).

Surgeonfishes of the family Acanthuridae are primarily large-bodied herbivores that provide critical ecosystem services to coral reefs. Five out of the six genera that comprise the family have had mitochondrial genomes sequenced, with the exception of the genus Prionurus. Here, for the first time, we assemble and annotate the mitochondrial genomes of two sawtail surgeonfishes. The circular genomes of P. biafraensis and P. laticlavius are 16,552 bp and 16,531 bp in length, respectively, and contain 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region. Gene arrangement and codon usage were similar to reported mitochondrial genomes of other surgeonfish genera, and a phylogenetic analysis of protein-coding genes recovers a topology for Acanthuridae that is consistent with nuclear analyses.
Experiences with “Babywearing”: Trendy parenting gear or a developmentally attuned parenting tool?

Abstract Close proximity to infants increases mothers’ awareness of her infants’ needs and subsequent responsive maternal behaviour. Limited research on infant carrying or “babywearing” (i.e., holding or carrying a baby in a cloth carrier that is worn on the body) indicates that frequent close physical contact increases maternal responsiveness and promotes secure attachment between mothers and their infants. This community-based intervention study of adolescent mothers (N = 56; M = 19.2 years, SD = 2.3; 47.8% White, 40.6% Hispanic) uses a mixed methods approach to assess mother’s experiences with babywearing and the potential use of infant carrying practices to improve mother-infant bonding. Mothers were randomly assigned to the intervention condition (n = 30; used an infant carrier one hour daily) or the control condition (n = 25; read to their baby). In-home interviews were conducted at 2–4 weeks postpartum (W1), and 3- (W2) and 6- (W3) months later. At each wave, mothers in both conditions were asked open-ended questions about their experiences with babywearing. Five predominant themes emerged following an open coding scheme of their primary experience: bonding, calming, convenience, infant well-being, and dislike carrier. Participants who babywore primarily for bonding (r = 0.32), calming (r = 0.37), and infant well-being (r = 0.36) were significantly more likely to have spent more time babywearing overall. Mothers who babywore but disliked the carrier were significantly more likely to have postpartum bonding difficulties at W3 (r = 0.30). Mothers in the control group who chose to babywear emphasized the carrier’s convenience across development, whereas the intervention mothers primarily identified bonding and calming benefits. Mothers in the control condition typically used the carrier to complete tasks/activities in lieu of a stroller rather than to calm their babies or to hold them longer. Differences between conditions may be due in part to the marketing of infant carriers as transportation aids rather than parenting tools. Promoting the use of infant carriers is a cost-effective and culturally relevant practice, which may promote parent-infant calmness and bonding.
Adam Smith: Sytematic Philosopher and Public Thinker: by Eric Schliesser, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2017, 432 pp., £59, ISBN 9780190690120, ISBN-10: 0190690127

In Adam Smith: Systematic Philosopher and Public Thinker, Eric Schliesser presents a case for one view of Adam Smith as a man of system. This is indeed a clever hook for readers, as it seems contra...
A Day in the Life of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Preliminary Analysis of Within-Day Emotion Generation and Regulation

In Linehan’s (1993) biosocial theory, borderline personality disorder (BPD) results in part from frequent, intense, negative emotions and maladaptive behavioral responses to those emotions. We conducted a secondary data analysis of an intensive single-case experimental design to explore hourly relations among behavioral responses and emotions in BPD. Eight participants with BPD (Mage = 21.57, 63% female; 63% Asian-American) reported their emotions and behaviors hourly on two days. Participants reported a neutral-to-negative average emotional state with substantial variability each day. This emotional state was characterized most frequently by anxiety and joy. Participants tended to “dig into”, or savor, experiences of joy, but problem-solve around, push away, or accept anxiety. Acceptance predicted hour-by-hour increases in negative emotion intensity, and pushing emotions away predicted hour-by-hour increases in positive emotion intensity. These results suggest that anxiety dominates the emotional experiences of people with BPD and co-occurs with a variety of emotion regulation strategies, while joy co-occurs with strategies designed to prolong emotional experiences. Despite its general adaptiveness, acceptance may be less effective, and pushing emotions away may be more effective, than other emotion regulation strategies at improving momentary negative emotions for those with BPD. We discuss the preliminary nature of these findings and encourage future researchers to build on them in larger samples with more severe presentations of BPD.
The addition of naltrexone alters cerebral glucose uptake following acute forced swimming

Abstract Endogenous opioid release has been linked to exercise. We investigated if opioid blockade following forced swimming, a common model of rodent exercise, influenced cerebral glucose metabolism in mice. PET scan was used to assess the uptake of Fludeoxyglucose (FDG-18), a marker of cerebral glucose metabolism in 19 regions of the interest in the brain following: forced swimming, an acute dose of the opioid receptor blocker naltrexone or a combination of both. Forced swimming increased glucose uptake in the cerebellum, while naltrexone + forced swimming increased glucose uptake in the hypothalamus, forebrain, septum and amygdala. This suggests that opioid blockade alters the typical pattern of cerebral glucose uptake following forced swimming in mice in certain areas of the brain
Pseudo-cobra neck deformity due to aplasia cutis congenita.

Abstract Aplasia cutis congenita is a rare but heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by the absence of one or more areas of skin sometimes extending to deeper tissues. The disorder as a solitary neck lesion has yet to be reported in the literature. Our patient presented with a pseudo-cobra neck deformity secondary to aplasia cutis congenita. Guidance on optimal management for non-scalp and more “benign” presentations of this disorder is lacking.
Feasibility of Augmenting Ankle Exoskeleton Walking Performance With Step Length Biofeedback in Individuals With Cerebral Palsy

Most people with cerebral palsy (CP) suffer from impaired walking ability and pathological gait patterns. Seeking to improve the effectiveness of gait training in this patient population, this study developed and assessed the feasibility of a real-time biofeedback mechanism to augment untethered ankle exoskeleton-assisted walking performance in individuals with CP. We selected step length as a clinically-relevant gait performance target and utilized a visual interface with live performance scores. An adaptive ankle exoskeleton control algorithm provided assistance proportional to the real-time ankle moment. We assessed lower-extremity gait mechanics and muscle activity in seven ambulatory individuals with CP as they walked with adaptive ankle assistance alone and with ankle assistance plus step-length biofeedback. We achieved our technical validation goal by demonstrating a strong correlation between estimated step length and real step length (R = 0.771, p < 0.001). We achieved our clinical feasibility goal by demonstrating that biofeedback-plus-assistance resulted in a 14% increase in step length relative to baseline (p ≤ 0.05), while no difference in step length was observed for assistance alone. Additionally, we observed near immediate improvements in lower-extremity posture, moments, and positive power relative to baseline for biofeedback-plus-assistance (p < 0.05), with none, or more-limited improvements observed for assistance alone. Our findings suggest that providing real-time biofeedback and using step length as the target can be effective for increasing the rate at which individuals with CP improve their gait mechanics when walking with wearable ankle assistance.
A comparison of estimators for the network autocorrelation model based on observed social networks

Abstract Network autocorrelation models (NAMs) are widely used to study a response variable of interest among subjects embedded within a network. Although the NAM is highly useful for studying such networked observational units, several simulation studies have raised concerns about point estimation. Specifically, these studies have consistently demonstrated a negative bias of maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the network effect parameter. However, in order to gain a practical understanding of point estimation in the NAM, these findings need to be expanded in three important ways. First, these simulation studies are based on relatively simple network generative models rather than observed networks, thereby leaving as an open question how realistic network topologies may affect point estimation in practice. Second, although there has been strong work done in developing two-stage least squares estimators as well as Bayesian estimators, only the MLE has received extensive attention in the literature, thus leaving practitioners in question as to best practices. Third, the performance of these estimators need to be compared using both bias and variance, as well as the coverage rate of each estimator's corresponding confidence or credible interval. In this paper we describe a simulation study which aims to overcome these shortcomings in the following way. We first fit real social networks using the exponential random graph model and used the Bayesian predictive posterior distribution to generate networks with realistic topologies. We then compared the performance of the three different estimators mentioned above.
A systematic framework for using membrane metrics for strain engineering.

Abstract The cell membrane plays a central role in the fitness and performance of microbial cell factories and therefore it is an attractive engineering target. The goal of this work is to develop a systematic framework for identifying membrane features for use as engineering targets. The metrics that describe the composition of the membrane can be visualized as “knobs” that modulate various “outcomes”, such as physical properties of the membrane and metabolic activity in the form of growth and productivity, with these relationships varying depending on the condition. We generated a set of strains with altered membrane lipid composition via expression of des, fabA and fabB and performed a rigorous characterization of these knobs and outcomes across several individual inhibitory conditions. Here, the knobs are the relative abundance of unsaturated lipids and lipids containing cyclic rings; the average lipid length, and the ratio of linear and non-linear lipids (L/nL ratio). The outcomes are membrane permeability, hydrophobicity, fluidity, and specific growth rate. This characterization identified significant correlations between knobs and outcomes that were specific to individual inhibitors, but also were significant across all tested conditions. For example, across all conditions, the L/nL ratio is positively correlated with the cell surface hydrophobicity, and the average lipid length is positively correlated with specific growth rate. A subsequent analysis of the data with the individual inhibitors identified pairs of lipid metrics and membrane properties that were predicted to impact cell growth in seven modeled scenarios with two or more inhibitors. The L/nL ratio and the membrane hydrophobicity were predicted to impact cell growth with the highest frequency. We experimentally validated this prediction in the combined condition of 42 °C, 2.5 mM furfural and 2% v/v ethanol in minimal media. Membrane hydrophobicity was confirmed to be a significant predictor of ethanol production. This work demonstrates that membrane physical properties can be used to predict the performance of biocatalysts in single and multiple inhibitory conditions, and possibly as an engineering target. In this manner, membrane properties can possibly be used as screening or selection metrics for library- or evolution-based strain engineering.
The missing link: cities and soft power of nations

This theory-building research identifies how cities generate soft power for nation-states through their communicative and diplomatic practices. Building on the relatively nascent studies of city diplomacy and city branding, the main objective is to establish a taxonomic categorisation of cities as soft power assets. The reason for conducting a research is three-fold. First, the excitement about the potential of cities to lead in providing solutions to global problems overshadows their role as sub-state units. Second, mega-cities and metropolitan areas dominate the research carried. Third, cities and nations do not have to share the same policy priorities, images, or even landscape. Against this background, the research asks one main question: What are the different ways through which cities generate soft power assets? The answer is presented as a taxonomic categorisation that defines five different roles for cities to generate soft power.
Host response transcriptomic analysis of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever pathogenesis in the cynomolgus macaque model.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a highly pathogenic tick-borne RNA virus prevalent in Asia, Europe, and Africa, and can cause a hemorrhagic disease (CCHF) in humans with mortality rates as high as 60%. A general lack of both effective medical countermeasures and a comprehensive understanding of disease pathogenesis is partly driven by an historical lack of viable CCHF animal models. Recently, a cynomolgous macaque model of CCHF disease was developed. Here, we document the targeted transcriptomic response of non-human primates (NHP) to two different CCHFV strains; Afghan09-2990 and Kosova Hoti that both yielded a mild CCHF disease state. We utilized a targeted gene panel to elucidate the transcriptomic changes occurring in NHP whole blood during CCHFV infection; a first for any primate species. We show numerous upregulated genes starting at 1 day post-challenge through 14 days post-challenge. Early gene changes fell predominantly in the interferon stimulated gene family with later gene changes coinciding with an adaptive immune response to the virus. There are subtle differences between viral strains, namely duration of the differentially expressed gene response and biological pathways enriched. After recovery, NHPs showed no lasting transcriptomic changes at the end of sample collection.
The Role of Context in Understanding Similarities and Differences in Remembering and Episodic Future Thinking

Abstract Remembering events from one's lifetime (autobiographical remembering) and envisioning events one might experience in the future (episodic future thought) call upon many similar cognitive processes, yet humans can routinely distinguish between the two. How can we understand their similarities and differences (in phenomenological and processing terms)? This chapter suggests that the greater accessibility of contextual associations for remembered events than imagined events plays a key role in understanding this puzzle, and we present behavioral and neuroimaging evidence that converges on this conclusion.