cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thalamocortical Relay Fidelity Varies Across Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Protocols in a Data-Driven Computational Model

The therapeutic effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) may arise through its effects on inhibitory basal ganglia outputs, including those from the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi). Changes in GPi activity will impact its thalamic targets, representing a possible pathway for STN-DBS to modulate basal ganglia-thalamocortical processing. To study the effect of STN-DBS on thalamic activity, we examined thalamocortical (TC) relay cell responses to an excitatory input train under a variety of inhibitory signals, using a computational model. The inhibitory signals were obtained from single-unit GPi recordings from normal monkeys and from monkeys rendered parkinsonian through arterial 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine injection. The parkinsonian GPi data were collected in the absence of STN-DBS, under sub-therapeutic STN-DBS, and under therapeutic STN-DBS. Our simulations show that inhibition from parkinsonian GPi activity recorded without DBS-compromised TC relay of excitatory inputs compared with the normal case, whereas TC relay fidelity improved significantly under inhibition from therapeutic, but not sub-therapeutic, STN-DBS GPi activity. In a heterogeneous model TC cell population, response failures to the same input occurred across multiple TC cells significantly more often without DBS than in the therapeutic DBS case and in the normal case. Inhibitory signals preceding successful TC relay were relatively constant, whereas those before failures changed more rapidly. Computationally generated inhibitory inputs yielded similar effects on TC relay. These results support the hypothesis that STN-DBS alters parkinsonian GPi activity in a way that may improve TC relay fidelity.
From Newtonian dynamics to sparse Tableaux formulation and multi-body dynamics

This paper discusses the importance of the classical Newtonian mechanics on a new computer-oriented formulation called Sparse Tableaux Formulation (STF), which is the heart of Automatic Dynamic Analysis of Mechanical Systems. At the same time, it shows that such formulation can integrate different methods of numerical integration without disturbing its integrity. The STF is a modularized formulation as well as being open-ended. This will allow its development in time according to scientific and industrial demand. The paper shows that the physical systems can be mapped into mathematical representations that can be assembled in harmony with the system's structure, and the results of the computer simulations can be mapped back directly into the physical system.
Oxidative stress, testosterone, and cognition among Caucasian and Mexican-American men with and without Alzheimer's disease

Background The use of testosterone among aging men has been increasing, but results from studies addressing the effectiveness of testosterone replacement therapy have been equivocal. Objective Given our prior pre-clinical studies that reported a major influence of oxidative stress on testosterone's neuroprotective effects, we investigated whether the negative effects of testosterone on brain function were predicted by oxidative load. Methods In order to test our hypothesis, we determined whether circulating total testosterone and luteinizing hormone correlated with cognition in a subset of the Texas Alzheimer's Research & Care Consortium (TARCC) cohort, consisting of Caucasian (n = 116) and Mexican-American (n = 117) men. We also assessed whether oxidative stress (as indexed by homocysteine levels) modified this relationship between sex hormones and cognition, and whether the levels of two antioxidants, superoxide dismutase-1 and glutathione S-transferase (GST), varied as a function of circulating testosterone. Results In a low oxidative stress environment, testosterone was positively associated with the level of the antioxidant, GST, while no deleterious effects on cognitive function were noted. In contrast, under conditions of high oxidative stress (homocysteine levels >12 μmol/L), testosterone and luteinizing hormone were associated with cognitive impairment, but only among Caucasians. The ethnic difference was attributed to significantly higher GST levels among Mexican-Americans. Conclusion While testosterone may be beneficial under conditions of low oxidative stress, testosterone appears to have negative consequences under conditions of elevated oxidative stress, but only in Caucasians. Mexican-Americans, however, were protected from any deleterious effects of testosterone, potentially due to higher levels of endogenous antioxidant defenses such as GST.
Investigation of Possible Extra Recharge During Pumping in Nottingham Aquifer

Approaches to investigate possible recharge during a pumping test period are demonstrated by analyzing the pumping test data from the Nottingham aquifer, UK. The pumping lasted more than 200 days and the data for different observed periods are used to obtain aquifer parameters. If recharge is ignored, estimated transmissivities and storntivities change progressively with the observation time. This indicates that a gradually added new source may be involved. Then the observed data in both pumping and recovery periods at one of the pumping sites are matched by the data calculated from the Tliteis equation. The match is very good except near the end of the recovery period. It shows that the real draw down recovered more quickly than predicted by the model, indicating that the aquifer obtained extra recharge from other sources. The match between the observation and the model is improved by including a fixed-head boundary or leakage in the model. The recharge to the at[Juif'er is estimated to be 19% and 34% of the pumpage at the end of pumping, depending on the method used. The real source of the additional recharge is not clear; it could be from the surface water in the unconfined area, the storage of the aquitard, tlite compaction of the aquitard, or a combination of the three. This requires further hydrogeological investigation.
Development of a Meso-Scale Material Model for Ballistic Fabric and Its Use in Flexible-Armor Protection Systems

A meso-scale ballistic material model for a prototypical plain-woven single-ply flexible armor is developed and implemented in a material user subroutine for the use in commercial explicit finite element programs. The main intent of the model is to attain computational efficiency when calculating the mechanical response of the multi-ply fabric-based flexible-armor material during its impact with various projectiles without significantly sacrificing the key physical aspects of the fabric microstructure, architecture, and behavior. To validate the new model, a comparative finite element method analysis is carried out in which: (a) the plain-woven single-ply fabric is modeled using conventional shell elements and weaving is done in an explicit manner by snaking the yarns through the fabric and (b) the fabric is treated as a planar continuum surface composed of conventional shell elements to which the new meso-scale unit-cell based material model is assigned. The results obtained show that the material model provides a reasonably good description for the fabric deformation and fracture behavior under different combinations of fixed and free boundary conditions. Finally, the model is used in an investigation of the ability of a multi-ply soft-body armor vest to protect the wearer from impact by a 9-mm round nose projectile. The effects of inter-ply friction, projectile/yarn friction, and the far-field boundary conditions are revealed and the results explained using simple wave mechanics principles, high-deformation rate material behavior, and the role of various energy-absorbing mechanisms in the fabric-based armor systems.
Collective Identity and Expressive Forms

This article provides an analytic overview of scholarly work on the concept of collective identity by considering its conceptualization and various empirical manifestations, the analytic approaches informing its discussion and analysis, and a number of theoretical and empirical issues, including a synopsis of the symbolic means through which collective identity is expressed and asserted. Although the scholarly roots of the concept can be traced to classical sociologists such as Marx and Durkheim, and more recently to the mid-century work of scholars such as Erik Erickson and Erving Goffman, it was not until the latter quarter of the past century that the concept generated an outpouring of work invoking the concept directly or referring to it indirectly through the linkage of various collectivities and their identity interests via such concepts as identity politics, identity projects, contested identities, insurgent identities, nationalism, imagined communities, identity movements and even social movements more generally. Conceptually, the essence of collective identity resides in a shared and interactive sense of we-ness and collective agency. Although the concept is distinguished analytically from both personal identity and social identity, the three types of identity clearly overlap and interact. Empirically, collective identity can surface in a variety of contexts, although the preponderance of research has focused on its connection to gender, ethnicity, religion, nationalism and particularly social movements. Analytically, collective identity has generally been discussed from a primordial, structural, and/or constructionist standpoint. Primordial and structural approaches are discussed as variants of essentialism, which is contrasted to constructionism. Among other things, constructionism focuses attention on the symbolic expression and maintenance of collective identities.
Joint Leisure Time in Friend and Romantic Relationships: The Role of Activity Type, Social Skills and Positivity

After research that has identified joint activity time as a relational maintenance behavior, this study examined specific qualitative variables that affect the reward value and maintenance potential of joint leisure time. This experiment manipulated leisure activity type in romantic and friend relationships, and measured the social skills and positivity exhibited in a joint leisure event in the laboratory. A total of 104 dyads (50 romantics and 54 friends) were videotaped while engaged in one of three activity conditions (game, relax, TV). Participants also completed follow-up questionnaires. In general, results indicated that when participants exhibited good social skills and perceived positivity in their partner, their joint activity time was more satisfying. Activity type influenced the opportunities for satisfying interaction. Relationship type had no effect on leisure satisfaction. Contributions to rewarding joint leisure time for relationships are discussed.
The Immune System and Helminth Infection in Domestic Species

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the immune system and helminth infection in domestic species. The quantitative and qualitative contributions of immunoglobulins, lymphoid cells, myeloid cells, and nonspecific effector systems to protective immunity vary for each helminth infection and for different parts of the life cycle of an individual helminth. The blood group antigens are known to be a part of the normal antigenic mosaic of several parasitic helminths, including Ascaris suum of the pig. Such antigens, or the carbohydrate moiety recognized by anti–blood group sera and lectins, can facilitate the provision of a surface coating of host material and the establishment of the organism in the host. Various immunoglobulin classes of antibody occur during infection. Immunoglobulin A antibodies are detectable within days of infection and immunoglobulin E antibodies are recognized as a characteristic of helminth infections.
Representation in Municipal Government

Municipal governments play a vital role in American democracy, as well as in governments around the world. Despite this, little is known about the degree to which cities are responsive to the views of their citizens. In the past, the unavailability of data on the policy preferences of citizens at the municipal level has limited scholars’ ability to study the responsiveness of municipal government. We overcome this problem by using recent advances in opinion estimation to measure the mean policy conservatism in every U.S. city and town with a population above 20,000 people. Despite the supposition in the literature that municipal politics are non-ideological, we find that the policies enacted by cities across a range of policy areas correspond with the liberal-conservative positions of their citizens on national policy issues. In addition, we consider the influence of institutions, such as the presence of an elected mayor, the popular initiative, partisan elections, term limits, and at-large elections. Our results show that these institutions have little consistent impact on policy responsiveness in municipal government. These results demonstrate a robust role for citizen policy preferences in determining municipal policy outcomes, but cast doubt on the hypothesis that simple institutional reforms enhance responsiveness in municipal governments.
Changing Concepts in Cancer Prevention: Limitations and Implications for Future Research in Environmental Carcinogenesis

While the cause and nature of certain human cancers are known, definitive preventative guidelines still cannot be offered for many types of tumors. This is partly due to the inherent biostatistical and epidemiological limitations involved in the identification and interpretation of complex carcinogenic risk factors and potential low-risk hazards. Two divergent control strategies have emerged: ( a ) regulatory programs designed to control or eliminate minute quantities of pollutants in the ambient environment, based on fairly rigid quantitative risk assessment; ( b ) a biological research effort to understand the fundamental biological mechanisms with the objective of eventually manipulating or intervening in carcinogenesis through chemoprevention or therapy. Apart from more intensified effort on certain already recognized causal factors, current research indicates that the eliminatory approach will have little impact on the cancer burden and that the mechanistic approach, although difficult and slow, represents the most logical alternative. This will require long-term major investments in fundamental research and manpower. This biological approach, however, is largely ignored by the public and legislative bodies concerned with cancer control strategies, partly due to lack of formal input to appropriate national bodies by experts in chemical carcinogenesis. Informed scientists have an important role in ensuring that the public and legislative bodies are aware of current scientific views on carcinogenesis and the need to establish priorities in research.
beta-Adrenergic action on wild-type and KPQ mutant human cardiac Na+ channels: shift in gating but no change in Ca2+:Na+ selectivity.

Objective: Prior studies of the modulation of the Na+ current by sympathetic stimulation have yielded controversial results. Separation of the Na+ and Ca2+ currents poses a problem in myocyte preparations. The gating of cloned Na+ channels is different in oocytes compared with mammalian expression systems. We have examined the sympathetic modulation of the α-subunit of the wild-type human cardiac Na+ channel (hH1) and the long QT-associated mutant, ΔKPQ, expressed in human embryonic kidney cells. Methods: Stable cell lines of hH1 and ΔKPQ were established in human embryonic kidney cells. Whole-cell and single-channel currents were measured with the patch–clamp technique. Sympathetic stimulation was effected by exposure to isoproterenol or 8-bromo-cAMP. Na+ channel activation and inactivation were determined using standard voltage clamp protocols. Ca2+: Na+ permeability ratio was determined under bi-ionic conditions. Results: We observed a qualitatively different effect of sympathetic stimulation on the cardiac Na+ current from that reported in frog oocytes: activation and inactivation kinetics were shifted to more negative potentials. This shift was similar for both hH1 and ΔKPQ. [Δ V 0.5 for inactivation: 8.3±1.7 mV, p <0.001 (hH1); 6.8±0.9 mV, p <0.001 (ΔKPQ)]. Increased rate of closed-state inactivation contributed to the shifting of the inactivation–voltage relationship. Open-state inactivation was not affected as mean open times were unchanged. Reversal potential measurement in hH1 suggested a low Ca2+: Na+ permeability ratio of 0.017, uninfluenced by sympathetic stimulation. In ΔKPQ, the size of the persistent relative to the peak current was increased with 8-bromo-cAMP from 3.0±0.7% to 4.3±0.6% ( p =0.056). Conclusions: Sympathetic stimulation exerts multiple effects on the gating of hH1. Similar effects are also seen in ΔKPQ which may increase arrhythmia susceptibility in long QT syndrome by modifying the Na+ channel contribution to the action potential.
Answering our critics: You can't measure learning to read with a stopwatch

Abstract For over a decade reading teachers have been criticized by reading researchers who came stopwatch‐in‐hand to observe their classes. Without denying the need for improvement, a review of other research suggests that some of this criticism must be considered unfair. Three aspects of reading instruction which researchers with stopwatches may miss are: (1) that students continue reading and learning outside the reading group; (2) that learning to read involves feelings; and, (3) that learning to read is more than time spent looking at words.
Approximation and fixed parameter subquadratic algorithms for radius and diameter in sparse graphs

The radius and diameter are fundamental graph parameters, with several natural definitions for directed graphs. Each definition is well-motivated in a variety of applications. All versions of diameter and radius can be solved via solving all-pairs shortest paths (APSP), followed by a fast postprocessing step. However, solving APSP on n-node graphs requires Ω(n2) time even in sparse graphs.We study the question: when can diameter and radius in sparse graphs be solved in truly subquadratic time, and when is such an algorithm unlikely? Motivated by our conditional lower bounds on computing these measures exactly in truly subquadratic time, we search for approximation and fixed parameter subquadratic algorithms, and alternatively, for reasons why they do not exist.We find that:• Most versions of Diameter and Radius can be solved in truly subquadratic time with optimal approximation guarantees, under plausible assumptions. For example, there is a 2-approximation algorithm for directed Radius with one-way distances that runs in O(m[EQUATION]) time, while a (2 -- δ)-approximation algorithm in O(n2--e) time is considered unlikely.• On graphs with treewidth k, we can solve all versions in 2O(k log k)n1+o(1) time. We show that these algorithms are near optimal since even a (3/2 -- δ)-approximation algorithm that runs in time 2o(k)n2--e would refute plausible assumptions.Two conceptual contributions of this work that we hope will incite future work are: the introduction of a Fixed Parameter Tractability in P framework, and the statement of a differently-quantified variant of the Orthogonal Vectors Conjecture, which we call the Hitting Set Conjecture.
On analyzing the effect of near-coincident faults on flight control computers

The impact of near-coincident faults has to be taken into account for designing highly reliable flight control computers. The Markov version of the CARE 111 coverage model is employed for assessing that impact. Closed form solutions for permanent and transient near-coincident fault factors are derived, assuming that parameters of the coverage model are exponentially distributed. The influence of fault detection rate, fault detectability, error production and pro agation rates, error detectability and transient faultPerror transition rate, on the near-coincident fault factors, is discussed. Eventually, the near-coincident fault factors are employed for analyzing the effect of the interfering faults on the reliability of a triple modular redundant (TMR) computer. A homogeneous, continuoustime Markov chain is used for describing the behavior of the TMR system in presence of faults. System reliability and near-coincident fault unrelia bility are derived as functions of mission time, fault detectability and the weight of permanent and transient faults/errors. We conclude that the impact of near-coincident faults is higher when the percentage of transients is lower. That impact can be curbed by increasing fault detectability.
Pulsed Laser Deposition of High TC Superconducting Thin Films

In this paper we present results of studies of the effect of process variations and substrate surface conditions on the microstructure and electrical properties of laser deposited YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7‐δ thin films. The principle conclusions are as follows. The film properties of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7‐δ are relatively constant over a large range of substrate temperatures (620C‐720C) and oxygen pressures (150‐800 mT). There are small compositional variations with substrate temperature similar to, but much smaller than, those seen in reactively sputtered films. The best films were grown at 670C in 400mT of oxygen and have a zero resistance T c of 89K and J c > 1x10 6 A/cm 2 at 77K. There are, however, variations in the T c , J c , and orientation of films grown on MgO under similar deposition conditions. These variations reflect differences in the nucleation and growth process of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7‐δ on MgO which can arise from subtle changes in substrate surface properties. In particular, while the films are predominantly oriented with c axis perpendicular and a,b axes in the plane of the substrate along the MgO[100] direction, there are variable amounts of grains whose in‐plane orientations are at large angles to the MgO [100] direction, leading to large angle grain boundaries in some films. These large angle grain boundaries are correlated with the presence of Josephson weak links in some small constrictions for films on MgO.
The highest affinity DNA element bound by Pbx complexes in t(1;19) leukemic cells fails to mediate cooperative DNA-binding or cooperative transactivation by E2a-Pbx1 and class I Hox proteins - evidence for selective targetting of E2a-Pbx1 to a subset of Pbx-recognition elements

Oncoprotein E2a-Pbx1 contains the N-terminal transactivation domains of E2a and the majority of the homeodomain protein, Pbx1. Using recombinant proteins, both Pbx1 and E2a-Pbx1 heterodimerize with Hox proteins on bipartite elements, Pbx1 binding a 5' TGAT core and Class I Hox proteins binding adjacent 3' TAAT, TTAT, or TGAT cores. In contrast to these in vitro results, nuclear extracts from E2a-Pbx1-transformed cells assemble an abundant Pbx-containing complex on TGATTGAT that excludes E2a-Pbx1, suggesting that an uncharacterized in vivo partner discriminates between E2a-Pbx1 and Pbx proteins, distinguishing it from Hox proteins. Here, we describe the DNA-binding properties of this complex, and identify TGATTGAC (PCE; Pbx Consensus Element) as its optimal recognition motif. In vitro, the PCE fails to bind heterodimers of Class I Hox proteins plus either Pbx1 or E2a-Pbx1. Likewise, in vivo, the PCE fails to mediate cooperative transactivation by E2a-Pbx1 plus Class I Hox proteins. Thus, the PCE binds a Pbx dimer partner that behaves unlike Class I Hox proteins. Competition analysis indicates that the Pbx-containing complex that binds the PCE also binds the TGATTGAT Pbx-Hox element and binds promoter elements required for tissue-specific expression of a number of cellular genes. Thus, different Pbx partners dictate targetting of Pbx heterodimers to related DNA motifs that differ in the sequence of their 3' half-sites, and E2a-Pbx1 heterodimerizes with only a subset of Pbx partners, restricting its potential DNA targets.
Vilification and Self-Definition in the book of Revelation

New Testament scholars, as well as preachers, are in frequent danger of perpetuating negative stereotypes about the Jews. The reason for this state of affairs is that the polemical anti-Jewish remarks in the NT are often simply repeated or paraphrased in the interpreter's context without attention to the difference in meaning these remarks have when read in their original social and historical contexts. Krister Stendahl has done much to sensitize Christians to this danger in his writing, public speaking, and teaching. This concern about relations between Jews and Christians today is a major reason for doing a historical analysis of the passages in the book of Revelation in which Jews are vilified (2:9 and 3:9).
Enabling Parallel Simulation of Large-Scale HPC Network Systems

With the increasing complexity of today’s high-performance computing (HPC) architectures, simulation has become an indispensable tool for exploring the design space of HPC systems—in particular, networks. In order to make effective design decisions, simulations of these systems must possess the following properties: (1) have high accuracy and fidelity, (2) produce results in a timely manner, and (3) be able to analyze a broad range of network workloads. Most state-of-the-art HPC network simulation frameworks, however, are constrained in one or more of these areas. In this work, we present a simulation framework for modeling two important classes of networks used in today’s IBM and Cray supercomputers: torus and dragonfly networks. We use the Co-Design of Multi-layer Exascale Storage Architecture (CODES) simulation framework to simulate these network topologies at a flit-level detail using the Rensselaer Optimistic Simulation System (ROSS) for parallel discrete-event simulation. Our simulation framework meets all the requirements of a practical network simulation and can assist network designers in design space exploration. First, it uses validated and detailed flit-level network models to provide an accurate and high-fidelity network simulation. Second, instead of relying on serial time-stepped or traditional conservative discrete-event simulations that limit simulation scalability and efficiency, we use the optimistic event-scheduling capability of ROSS to achieve efficient and scalable HPC network simulations on today’s high-performance cluster systems. Third, our models give network designers a choice in simulating a broad range of network workloads, including HPC application workloads using detailed network traces, an ability that is rarely offered in parallel with high-fidelity network simulations.
Molecular characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates obtained from two hospital outbreaks in Los Angeles County, California, USA.

Antibiotic resistant strains of Acinetobacter baumannii have been responsible for an increasing number of nosocomial infections including bacteremia and ventilator-associated pneumonia. In this study, we analyzed 38 isolates of A. baumannii obtained from two hospital outbreaks in Los Angeles County for the molecular epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance determinants. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis, tri-locus multiplex PCR and multi-locus sequence typing (Pasteur scheme) were used to examine clonal relationships of the outbreak isolates. Broth microdilution method was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates. PCR and subsequent DNA sequencing were employed to characterize antibiotic resistance genetic determinants. Trilocus multiplex PCR showed these isolates belong to Global Clones I and II, which were confirmed to ST1 and ST2, respectively, by multi-locus sequence typing. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis analysis identified two clonal clusters, one with 20 isolates (Global Clone I) and the other with nine (Global Clone II), which dominated the two outbreaks. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing using 14 antibiotics indicated that all isolates were resistant to antibiotics belonging to four or more categories of antimicrobial agents. In particular, over three fourth of 38 isolates were found to be resistant to both imipenem and meropenem. Additionally, all isolates were found to be resistant to piperacillin, four cephalosporin antibiotics, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. Resistance phenotypes of these strains to fluoroquinolones were correlated with point mutations in gyrA and parC genes that render reduced affinity to target proteins. ISAba1 was detected immediately upstream of the bla OXA–23 gene present in those isolates that were found to be resistant to both carbapenems. Class 1 integron-associated resistance gene cassettes appear to contribute to resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics. The two outbreaks were found to be dominated by two clonal clusters of A. baumannii belonging to MLST ST1 and ST2. All isolates were resistant to antibiotics of at least four categories of antimicrobial agents, and their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles correlate well with genetic determinants. The results of this study will facilitate our understanding of the molecular epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility and mechanisms of resistance of A. baumannii obtained from Los Angeles hospitals.
Juvenile Dermatomyositis: Pathophysiology and Disease Expression

In summary, the child who develops the symptoms of the specific rash, proximal muscle weakness, or fatigue should seek medical care promptly. With the advances in physical and medical therapy, many of the consequences of the disease can now be ameliorated. Data suggest that JDMS and PM may each have a different pathophysiology, but more evidence is needed. The next few years will be exciting as there is a national effort by an increased number of investigators to determine the epidemiologic and genetic factors that influence JDMS disease susceptibility and severity.
Timing and route of enteral tube-feeding did not reduce death or poor outcome in stroke and dysphagia.

Source Citation The FOOD Trial Collaboration. Effect of timing and method of enteral tube feeding for dysphagic stroke patients (FOOD): a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2005;365:7...
Pharmacokinetic principles in pediatric pharmacology.

Pharmacokinetic techniques have been developed and mathematical methods have been utilized to relate drug dosage, pharmacologic effects, and time, as a means of evaluating and controlling drug therapy. The primary variables which determine the time course of pharmacologic effects are the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of the drug and the intrinsic affinity of the drug for the receptor.
How Does Space Influence the Relationship Between Host and Parasite Diversity

Host species richness and parasite species richness are often positively correlated, but the strength of this relationship varies from study to study. What accounts for this variability? Here, we explore the role of spatial scale in mediating the commonly reported positive relationship between host and parasite diversity. Building from ecological theory, we lay out a series of hypotheses for how spatial grain size might influence both the strength and slope of this relationship. Most significantly, we consider how variability in spatial grain size may result in differences in sampling effort that affect estimates of host and parasite richness differently, and we explore the potential for spatial grain to have divergent effects on strength versus slope of the relationship between host and parasite richness. Finally, we examine what empirical data exist to test the outlined hypotheses and conduct a meta-regression of published studies. Our analyses-which detected no significant associations-highlight several factors that compromise our ability to robustly compare the host-parasite richness relationship across contexts, including mismatches between absolute spatial scale and spatial scale of ecological processes as well as variability across and within studies with respect to spatial grain size, taxonomic resolution, definitions of "hosts" and "parasites," and sampling effort. This work suggests that questions regarding the spatial dependence of the host diversity-parasite diversity relationship may be most-effectively addressed within a single multi-host-multi-parasite system.
Young, Whitney M.

Born: July 31, 1921, Lincoln Ridge, KY Education: Kentucky State Industrial College, B.S., 1941; University of Minnesota, M.S.W., 1947 Died: March 11, 1971, Lagos, Nigeria Young mastered the art of mediation as an army sergeant during World War II, settling disputes between black soldiers and white officers. As executive director of the National Urban League (NUL, 1961–71), he earned national recognition and respect. He lobbied employers to hire blacks, hereby increasing NUL's job placements from dozens to 40,000–50,000 annually. Leaving as dean of Atlanta University's School of Social Work, he transformed NUL. He defined clear procedures of financial accounting, reorganized the national staff, and strengthened communication with local branches, which grew from sixty-three to ninety-eight. Skillfully involving NUL in the civil rights movement and federal social programs, he increased public and corporate funds for its educational and employment services. Young thus became a crucial mediator. A co-sponsor of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963), he proposed a “Domestic Marshall Plan” for Black America. Similarly, in 1968, he established a “New Thrust” program to dismantle riot-torn ghettos and build affordable housing. This would make education, job training, and health care accessible to the inner-city poor. Young also gained political influence as an informal adviser to presidents John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon. Official presidential advisers used his ideas in planning what became the War on Poverty.
Performance Modeling and Predictive Scheduling for Distributed Stream Data Processing

In a distributed stream data processing system, an application is usually modeled using a directed graph, in which each vertex corresponds to a data source or a processing unit, and edges indicate data flow. In this paper, we propose a novel predictive scheduling framework to enable fast and distributed stream data processing, which features topology-aware modeling for performance prediction and predictive scheduling. For prediction, we present a topology-aware method to accurately predict the average tuple processing time of an application for a given scheduling solution, according to the topology of the application graph and runtime statistics. For scheduling, we present an effective algorithm to assign threads to machines under the guidance of prediction results. To validate and evaluate the proposed framework, we implemented it based on a highly-regarded distributed stream data processing platform, Storm, and tested it with 3 representative applications: word count (stream version), log stream processing and continuous query. Extensive experimental results show 1) The topology-aware prediction method offers an average accuracy of 84.2 percent. 2) The predictive scheduling framework reduces the average tuple processing time by 24.9 percent on average, compared to Storm's default scheduler.
Troponin Autoantibodies: From Assay Interferent to Mediator of Cardiotoxicity.

Twenty years ago in Clinical Chemistry , cardiac troponin I (cTnI)3 autoantibodies to the stable portion of cTnI near the carboxyterminal end of the molecule were first identified as an etiology for false-negative cTnI results (1). Since then, there has been a continuing evolution of our understanding of cardiac troponin autoantibodies as both assay interferents as well as mediators of cardiac pathogenesis. Of particular clinical significance, there is an emerging link between cTnI autoantibodies and cardiotoxicity perhaps related to immune-checkpoint inhibition \[i.e., anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and anti–programmed cell death protein 1 cancer immunotherapy (PD-1)\] (2, 3). Cardiac troponins are the biomarkers of choice for the assessment of myocardial injury, including myocardial infarction. Clinical assays for cardiac troponins are sandwich immunoassays directed to stable portions of cardiac cTnI and cTnT. As with all such assays, antibody interference can occur. This issue of Clinical Chemistry contains an article in which the authors have evaluated the impact of such antibodies for the various cardiac troponin fragments and complexes in a series of carefully done studies (4). By gel filtration, cTnI autoantibodies were demonstrated to bind to cTnI when cTnI was associated with troponins T and C (the I–T–C ternary complex). However, they did not bind to either free cTnI or when cTnI was associated with C (the I–C binary complex). The authors thus suggest that the negative interference by troponin autoantibodies in cTnI immunoassays is a result of interference with circulating complexes of I-T-C. Importantly, they suggest that a similar effect can be seen with cTnT assays as well as with cTnI assays, given that the I-T-C complex is commonly detected with the cTnT assay as well. Based on the specificity of cTnI autoantibodies for the I-T-C ternary complex, the authors propose a model where, …
Elucidating Important Sites and the Mechanism for Amyloid Fibril Formation by Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics.

Fibrils formed by the β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide play a central role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, the principles governing their growth and stability are investigated by analyzing canonical and replica-exchange molecular dynamics trajectories of Aβ(9–40) fibrils. In particular, an unstructured monomer was allowed to interact freely with an Aβ fibril template. Trajectories were generated with the coarse-grained united-residue force field, and one- and two-dimensional free-energy landscapes (FELs) along the backbone virtual-bond angle θ and backbone virtual-bond-dihedral angle γ of each residue and principal components, respectively, were analyzed. Also, thermal unbinding (unfolding) of an Aβ peptide from the fibril template was investigated. These analyses enable us to illustrate the entire process of Aβ fibril elongation and to elucidate the key residues involved in it. Several different pathways were identified during the search for the fibril conformation by the monomer, which f...
New Addition and Cycloaddition Reactions of the Cationic Carbyne Complexes [Cp(CO)(L)M≡CR]+ (M = Mn, Re; L = CO, PPh3; R = Me, Tolyl)

The electrophilic carbyne complex [Cp(CO)2≡Re≡CTol]+ reacts with azoarenes, epoxides, aziridines, and propylene sulfide to give a variety of new metallacycles and carbene complexes. Vinyl-substituted carbyne complexes of the form [Cp(CO)LMn≡C-CR=CR2]+ (L = CO, PPh3) have been prepared by three different routes, and they react with nucleophiles to give carbene and vinylidene derivatives, depending upon the size of the nucleophile. The ethylidyne complexes [Cp(CO)2M≡CCH3]+ (M = Mn, Re) can be deprotonated to yield the new vinylidene complexes Cp(CO)2M=C=CH2, and these complexes react with imines and benzalazine to give new metallacycles and with ButN=C=NBut to induce metathesis of the vinylidene C=C bond to form complexes possessing ButN≡C isocyanide ligands.
Energy Dissipation in Monolayer MoS2 Electronics.

The advancement of nanoscale electronics has been limited by energy dissipation challenges for over a decade. Such limitations could be particularly severe for two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors integrated with flexible substrates or multilayered processors, both being critical thermal bottlenecks. To shed light into fundamental aspects of this problem, here we report the first direct measurement of spatially resolved temperature in functioning 2D monolayer MoS2 transistors. Using Raman thermometry, we simultaneously obtain temperature maps of the device channel and its substrate. This differential measurement reveals the thermal boundary conductance of the MoS2 interface with SiO2 (14 ± 4 MW m–2 K–1) is an order magnitude larger than previously thought, yet near the low end of known solid–solid interfaces. Our study also reveals unexpected insight into nonuniformities of the MoS2 transistors (small bilayer regions) which do not cause significant self-heating, suggesting that such semiconductors are less...
CRISPR-based gene replacement reveals evolutionarily conserved axon guidance functions of Drosophila Robo3 and Tribolium Robo2/3

Axon guidance receptors of the Roundabout (Robo) family regulate a number of axon guidance outcomes in bilaterian animals in addition to their canonical role in Slit-dependent midline repulsion. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, three Robo paralogs (Robo1, Robo2, and Robo3) each have specialized roles in regulating midline crossing and the formation of longitudinal axon pathways in the embryonic ventral nerve cord. The number of robo genes differs in other insects, and it is unknown whether the roles and/or signaling mechanisms of Drosophila Robos are shared in other insect species. To directly compare the axon guidance activities of Robo receptors in Drosophila and the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, I have used a CRISPR/Cas9-based approach to replace Drosophila robo3 with Tribolium robo2/3. I show that when expressed from the robo3 locus in Drosophila embryos, Tribolium Robo2/3 (TcRobo2/3) protein is properly translated and localized to axons, where it reproduces the normal expression pattern of Drosophila Robo3. In embryos expressing TcRobo2/3 in place of robo3, two distinct subsets of longitudinal axons are guided properly to their normal positions in the intermediate neuropile, indicating that TcRobo2/3 can promote Robo3-dependent axon guidance decisions in developing Drosophila neurons. These observations suggest that the mechanism by which Drosophila Robo3 promotes longitudinal pathway formation is evolutionarily conserved in Tribolium, where it is performed by TcRobo2/3. The CRISPR/Cas9-based gene replacement approach described here can be applied to comparative evolutionary developmental studies of other Drosophila genes and their orthologs in other species.
Institutionalizing the Human Right of the Undocumented to Be Domestic Political Participants

In the previous chapter, I argued for the justifiability of undocumented disobedience. I also argued that decent peoples owe the undocumented disobedients immunity to deportation proceedings initiated specifically in response to their justifiable civilly disobedient acts. This is to acknowledge a moral right of undocumented migrants to participate in the domestic politics of the country in which they have no legal right to live, love, and work. Is there, however, a legal right that may be said to be owed to undocumented migrants in virtue of the justifiability of their disobedient protest? I argue next that there should be such a legal right. Nevertheless, this is not a right to become a citizen or a right to stay or not to be deported. Instead, it is a right of global undocumented migrants to demand that decent peoples formally recognize and protect them as political participants in shaping and influencing the sovereign decisions of the people of which they are not members. This requires embedding such a right to be a political participant, wherever one is, in the institutional arrangements of all decent societies, both democratic and hierarchical. In this respect, I argue that it is actually the key institutional feature of Rawls’ concept of the decent hierarchical society – the consultation procedure representing the interests of groups with differentially distributed rights – that provides the most appropriate forum for institutionalizing a human right to be a participant, wherever one is and wherever one is from. Indeed, such non-democratic procedures of consultation and representation may be adapted to the context of minimally democratic societies.
On the persistence and coherence of subpolar sea surface temperature and salinity anomalies associated with the Atlantic multidecadal variability

This study identifies key features associated with the Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) in both observations and a fully coupled climate model, e.g., decadal persistence of monthly mean subpolar North Atlantic (NA) sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity (SSS) anomalies, and high coherence at low frequency among subpolar NA SST/SSS, upper ocean heat/salt content, and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) fingerprint. These key AMV features, which can be used to distinguish the AMV mechanism, cannot be explained by the slab ocean model results or the red noise process but are consistent with the ocean dynamics mechanism. This study also shows that at low frequency, the correlation and regression between net surface heat flux and SST anomalies are key indicators of the relative roles of oceanic versus atmospheric forcing in SST anomalies. The oceanic forcing plays a dominant role in the subpolar NA SST anomalies associated with the AMV.
Learning to Play: A Review and Theoretical Investigation of the Developmental Mechanisms and Functions of Cetacean Play

Play is a behavioral phenomenon most commonly observed in the young of both solitary and social species. Documentation of play in cetaceans varies across species and settings. Cetacean play behavioral repertoires include a broad range of actions, such as the manipulation of diverse objects, blowing bubbles, chasing conspecifics, and swimming in spirals through the water. As is common in research on animal play, cetacean play has been grouped into categories by its form, including locomotor play, object play, and different variations of social play, such as affiliative games, play fighting, and socio-sexual play. Research has primarily focused on recording the topography of cetacean play and the demographics of the individuals engaging in play. However, these classifications are insufficient to address the possible developmental and societal functions of cetacean play behaviors, or the mechanisms with which play behaviors are spread between conspecifics and acquired by young members of cetacean populations. This article applies several developmental and social learning theories in order to organize current knowledge and guide future research.
Bad Feminists? Perceived Self-Discrepancy Predicts Differences in Gender Equality Activism

This study examines why people who believe in gender equality vary in their degree of activist participation. We conducted one study to assess whether US participants’ (N = 333) perceived behavioral or belief inconsistencies, or perceived knowledge deficits, predicted feminist self-identification and activism. Results demonstrated that the effect of pro-gender equality ideology on activism was mediated by our “bad feminist” variable—including behavioral and belief inconsistencies with gender equality, and perceived knowledge deficit about gender equality. Bad feminist self-perceptions (i.e., perceived inconsistencies) also predicted (1) feminist self-identification and (2) self-esteem. With perceived inconsistencies in the model, self-identification predicted activism to a relatively small degree (β = .23). This structural model explained 45% of variance in reported activism. This model represents an empirical study of the “bad feminist” effect and introduces a new framework for examining participation in the feminist movement. Practical implications suggest the need for increased education about inclusive feminism, aiming to debunk myths of a singular definition, with attention to perceived discrepancies or inadequacies. Future strategies aiming to promote engagement with feminism should also take self-evaluation processes into account.