cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural networks for managing multifamily properties

This research used neural networks to develop a decision support system, and model the relationship between one's living environment and residential satisfaction. Residential satisfaction was investigated at two affordable housing multifamily rental properties located in Atlanta, Georgia. The neural network was trained using data from Defoors Ferry Manor and the network was validated using data from Moores Mill. The neural network accurately categorized ninety-eight percent of the cases in the training set and ninety-three percent of the cases in the validation test set. This research represents a first attempt to use neural networking to model the relationship between one's living environment and residential satisfaction
Phosphate starvation induces uptake of glyphosate by Pseudomonas sp. strain PG2982

Pseudomonas sp. strain PG2982 has the ability to use the phosphonate herbicide, glyphosate, as a sole phosphorus source (J. K. Moore, H. D. Braymer, and A. D. Larson, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 46:316-320, 1983). Glyphosate uptake is maximal in the late log phase of growth and is induced by phosphate starvation. Uptake is inhibited by phosphate and arsenate, but not by the amino acids glycine and sarcosine. The Km and Vmax for glyphosate uptake were calculated to be 23 microM and 0.97 nmol/mg (dry weight) per min, respectively. A phosphate transport system with a broad substrate specificity may be responsible for glyphosate uptake.
Obesity prevalence estimates in a Canadian regional population of preschool children using variant growth references.

Childhood obesity is a public health problem in Canada. Accurate measurement of a health problem is crucial in defining its burden. The objective of this study is to compare the prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity in preschool children using three growth references. Weights and heights were measured on 1026 preschool children born in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada, and body mass index calculated. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined and statistical comparisons conducted among the three growth references; the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). CDC and IOTF produced similar estimates of the prevalence of overweight, 19.1% versus 18.2% while the WHO reported a higher prevalence 26.7% (p < .001). The CDC classified twice as many children as obese compared to the IOTF 16.6% versus 8.3% (p < .001) and a third more than the WHO 16.6% versus 11.3% (p < .01). There was variable level of agreement between methods. The CDC reported a much higher prevalence of obesity compared to the other references. The prevalence of childhood obesity is dependent on the growth reference used.
MMT/AO 5 μm IMAGING CONSTRAINTS ON THE EXISTENCE OF GIANT PLANETS ORBITING FOMALHAUT AT ∼13-40 AU ∗

A candidate3MJup extrasolar planet was recently imaged by Kalas et al. usingHubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys and Keck II at 12. �� 7 (96 AU) separation from the nearby (d = 7.7 pc) young (∼200 Myr) A2V star Fomalhaut. Here, we report results from M-band (4.8 μm) imaging of Fomalhaut on 2006 December 5 using the Clio IR imager on the 6.5 m MMT with the adaptive secondary mirror. Our images are sensitive to giant planets at orbital radii comparable to the outer solar system (∼10–40 AU). Comparing our 5σ M-band photometric limits to theoretical evolutionary tracks for substellar objects, our results rule out the existence of planets with masses >2 MJup from ∼13 to 40 AU and objects >13 MJup from ∼ 8t o 40 AU.
Evaluation of alkali–silica reactivity using ASR kinetic model

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine reliability of kinetic models to evaluate and compare the alkali–silica reactivity (ASR) of fourteen aggregate sources. To this aim, linear expansion of mortar bars made with fourteen distinct aggregate sources was measured over the test durations of 14, 28, and 56 days. The previously suggested ASR kinetic model, known as Kolmogorov–Avrami–Mehl–Johnson (K–A–M–J) model, was utilized to interpret the ASR classifications of the investigated aggregates. Additionally, a modified K–A–M–J model was developed to better predict the degree of reactivity of the trial aggregates. When compared to the original model, the failure limits obtained from the proposed modified kinetic model showed better correlations with the findings obtained from the expansion limits in evaluating alkali–silica reactivity of the investigated aggregates.
Reprogramming wireless sensor networks: challenges and approaches

Wireless sensor networks need an efficient and reliable reprogramming service to facilitate management and maintenance tasks. In this article we first outline a framework to examine different functions in reprogramming, followed by an analysis of reprogramming challenges. We then provide a comprehensive survey of the state-of-the-art reprogramming systems, and discuss different approaches to address these challenges. Finally we explore performance, protocol behavior, and the impact of several design factors.
Seed germination and rising atmospheric CO2 concentration: a meta-analysis of parental and direct effects

Summary Plant regeneration from seed is largely governed by germinability and speed of germination. These fitness components have received considerably less attention in CO2 research relative to studies of vegetative or reproductive output responses. Moreover, the limited literature has not been rigorously examined for generalizable patterns of responses and/or potential mechanisms. We used a meta-analytic approach to summarize literature results of seed germination characteristics in response to parental CO2 enrichment (eCO2). The direct effects of eCO2 on germination components were also analyzed. The data set came from 29 original research papers encompassing 64 species and 116 observations. Across all studies, parental eCO2 increased subsequent germination by 9%, but the responses varied among species by as much as 300%. The response was significantly higher in trees than in other life forms. With the exception of crops, parental eCO2 also increased germination rate in most life forms and functional groups. Despite a considerable interspecific variability, we found a positive correlation between germination success and seed mass responses to parental eCO2. Therefore, the observed diversity of regeneration success responses to parental eCO2 is partly controlled by the direction and magnitude of changes in seed mass.
Tertiary Igneous Chronology of the Great Basin of Western United States–Implications for Tectonic Models

The chronology of igneous activity in the Great Basin of western United States is used as a time framework for a simple plate model. This chronology suggests that a plate (Farallon plate) became underthrust to sufficient depth by the middle Tertiary to trigger the eruption of volcanic rocks of andesitic to rhyolitic composition in the central part of the Great Basin, 40 m.y. ago. This plate continued to be underthrust until about 19 m.y. ago, at which time it was completely consumed and volcanic activity ceased. When the oceanic ridge reached a certain point under the Great Basin about 16 m.y. ago, this resulted in the widespread eruption of olivine basalt and the main initial phase of Basin and Range faulting.
Swept coherent spectrum analysis of the complex optical field

Swept coherent optical spectrum analysis is becoming a viable method for high-resolution spectral measurements. This technique is typically used to measure the power spectral density, however, the measurement of the spectral phase of periodically modulated optical signals is also possible. The adjacent spectral peaks are simultaneously observed by a modulated optical local oscillator. Optical mixing translates the phase difference between the adjacent optical spectral peaks to an easily measured low-frequency electrical signal. This process preserves phase relationships. Since the spectral phase is reconstructed from the phase difference between the adjacent spectral peaks, the common mode optical phase noise is cancelled. Simultaneous measurement of the spectral amplitude and phase results in complete characterization of the complex optical field of the modulated optical carrier. Knowledge of the complex optical field allows transformation from the frequency domain to the time domain by means of the inverse Fourier transform. Theoretical background and experimental results are included.
Dual roles of the sixth transmembrane segment of the CFTR chloride channel in gating and permeation

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is the only member of the adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily that functions as a chloride channel. Previous work has suggested that the external side of the sixth transmembrane segment (TM6) plays an important role in governing chloride permeation, but the function of the internal side remains relatively obscure. Here, on a cysless background, we performed cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and modification to screen the entire TM6 with intracellularly applied thiol-specific methanethiosulfonate reagents. Single-channel amplitude was reduced in seven cysteine-substituted mutants, suggesting a role of these residues in maintaining the pore structure for normal ion permeation. The reactivity pattern of differently charged reagents suggests that the cytoplasmic part of TM6 assumes a secondary structure of an α helix, and that reactive sites (341, 344, 345, 348, 352, and 353) reside in two neighboring faces of the helix. Although, as expected, modification by negatively charged reagents inhibits anion permeation, interestingly, modification by positively charged reagents of cysteine thiolates on one face (344, 348, and 352) of the helix affects gating. For I344C and M348C, the open time was prolonged and the closed time was shortened after modification, suggesting that depositions of positive charges at these positions stabilize the open state but destabilize the closed state. For R352C, which exhibited reduced single-channel amplitude, modifications by two positively charged reagents with different chemical properties completely restored the single-channel amplitude but had distinct effects on both the open time and the closed time. These results corroborate the idea that a helix rotation of TM6, which has been proposed to be part of the molecular motions during transport cycles in other ABC transporters, is associated with gating of the CFTR pore.
The Decline of the Grenvillite Faction Under the First Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, 1817-1829

The Grenvillites were one of the more durable and long lasting of the political groups or factions which functioned within the Westminster scene during the first three decades of the nineteenth century. Yet several years before the Reform Bill of 1832 substantially reduced their borough strength in the House of Commons, the Grenvillites as a group had ceased playing even a peripherally important role in the political nation. The decline of this faction illustrates one of the problems implicit in a system which places emphasis upon a great peer or wealthy Commoner acting as paterfamilias of a political clique. It is all very well when there exists an individual of some talent or even a moderate degree of gravitas to lead the group, but what will follow when an internal shift within the faction throws up a total incompetent, who neither properly prunes nor tends his preserve, to run the corporate affairs? This article will examine how such an occurrence overtook the Grenvillites during the years after 1817.
Transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea

It has been widely accepted dogma that palatopharynogoplasty failure occurs from obstruction at nonpalatal sites. Accumulating data suggests that obstruction is multilevel, and persistent palatal levels of obstruction occur after palatopharynogoplasty failure. A procedure which advances the soft palate rostrally to enlarge the retropalatal airway is described.
Fast Implementation of Iterative Reconstruction with Exact Ray-Driven Projector on GPUs

Abstract Iterative methods are popular choices in image reconstruction fields due to their capability of recovering object information from incomplete acquisition data. However, the computation process involves frequent uses of forward and backward projections that are computationally expensive. Past research has proved that a forward projector that can produce high quality images is crucial to achieve a good convergence rate. In this paper a high performance iterative reconstruction framework is introduced, where two most popular iterative algorithms: Simultaneous Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (SART) and Ordered-subsets Expectation Maximization (OSEM) are supported. The framework utilizes Siddon's ray-driven method to generate forward projected images. Benefited from functionalities offered by current generation of graphics processing units (GPUs), it achieves better performance when compared to previous GPU implementations that use grid-interpolated methods, on top of the significant speedups over CPU-based solutions.
A BAYESIAN APPROACH TO RETRANSFORMATION BIAS IN TRANSFORMED REGRESSION

Ecological data analysis often involves fitting linear or nonlinear equations to data after transforming either the response variable, the right side of the equation, or both, so that the standard suite of regression assumptions are more closely met. However, inference is usually done in the natural metric and it is well known that retransforming back to the original metric provides a biased estimator for the mean of the response variable. For the normal linear model, fit under a log-transformation, correction factors are available to reduce this bias, but these factors may not be generally applicable to all model forms or other transformations. We demonstrate that this problem is handled in a straightforward manner using a Bayesian approach, which is general for linear and nonlinear models and other transformations and model error structures. The Bayesian framework provides a predictive distribution for the response variable so that inference can be made at the mean, or over the entire distribution to incorporate the predictive uncertainty.
Similarity between the group B and A streptococcal C5a peptidase genes.

Group B streptococci (GBS) and group A streptococci (GAS) are known to have surface-associated peptidase activity which specifically cleaves C5a (C5a-ase), the primary chemotaxin for polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Amplification products were obtained from GBS genomic DNA template by using the polymerase chain reaction and primers corresponding to the C5a peptidase gene of GAS (scpA12). A restriction map of the GBS full-length amplified gene (scpB) was developed. The scpB restriction map was found to be highly similar to that of the analogous gene in GAS. A 50-bp deletion was located near the 59 end of scpB in a region where repeat sequences are found in scpA12. Hybridization experiments confirmed that other serotypes of GBS also carry an scpB-like gene. These results show that GBS contain a gene, scpB, which is very similar to that harbored by M12 GAS. The probability that scpB encodes the C5a-ase protein is discussed. Images
Reproductive Physiology and Behavior of Byrsotria fumigata Gynandromorphs (Orthoptera (Dictyoptera): Blaberidae)

Reproductive physiology and behavior were studied in Byrsotria fumigata (Guerin) bilateral gynandromorphs. All of the animals studied showed varying degrees of gynandromorphism, separable into 3 categories according to external and internal characteristics. Yolk deposition, vitellogenic blood protein secretion, and colleterial gland glucoside activity were observed in many gynandromorphs, although successful oothecal formation was not observed. In these gynandromorphs vitellogenin synthesis, yolk deposition, and colleterial gland activity were not inhibited by the presence of male reproductive organs. Gynandromorphs exhibited both male and female sexual behavior when observed with males, females, or other gynandromorphs. No copulations involving gynandromorphs were observed. Several gynandromorphs secreted detectable quantities of the female sex pheromone.
Alcohol impairs brain reactivity to explicit loss feedback

Rationale Alcohol impairs the brain's detection of performance errors as evidenced by attenuated error-related negativity (ERN), an event-related potential (ERP) thought to reflect a brain system that monitors one's behavior. However, it remains unclear whether alcohol impairs performance-monitoring capacity across a broader range of contexts, including those entailing external feedback.
Survival for 145 days with a total artificial heart

A calf into which a biolized, total artificial heart (TAH) had been implanted survived for 145 days. All measured physiological parameters except central venous pressure (CVP) were back to normal one month after implantation, and thereafter the animal's physiological development was similar to that of a normal calf. The initial weight, which was 96 kilograms at implantation, reached 190 kilogram at the end of experiment, with a daily gain rate of 0.9 kilogram per day. After the nineteenth postoperative week, signs of congestive heart failure appeared, such as high venous pressure, ascites, and enlarged liver although the calf outwardly appeared well. On postoperative day 146, the animal started foaming at the mouth, and a convulsion occurred; then, the experiment was terminated after 3,494 hours of pumping. At autopsy, there were acute bilateral bronchopneumonia involving mostly both upper lobes, pulmonary edema, slight chronic pneumonitis, and hepatomegaly. There were no serious thrombotic deposits inside the cardiac prosthesis.
Pre-Hospital Ticagrelor in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction? Probably Not.

Potent early antiplatelet therapy is important in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). At present, the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association STEMI guidelines recommend oral P2Y12 antagonists be given “as early as possible or at
Use of Continuous Infusion Hydralazine in a Pediatric Patient on Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Hydralazine is a direct peripheral arterial vasodilator used for acute hypertension. Usually administered as a bolus dose, continuous infusion has been described during pregnancy for preeclampsia and eclampsia and in limited reports in cardiac surgeries for afterload reduction. This case describes the use of continuous infusion hydralazine for afterload reduction in an infant receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) post–cardiac surgery. Postsurgery, the patient's mean arterial pressures (MAPs) could not be controlled despite escalating doses of vasodilatory medications including nitroprusside, nicardipine, and milrinone; hence, continuous infusion hydralazine was initiated. Although the initiation of a hydralazine infusion produced a decrease in MAP, the response was unsustainable. This case highlights an alternative method for managing systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output to allow for myocardial recovery after cardiac surgery and use of extracorporeal support. At the time of this ...
Seducing astrocytes to the dark side

After injury and in disease of the central nervous system (CNS), local cells called astrocytes respond with diverse molecular changes whose functional consequences are incompletely understood. A combined genomic and experimental analysis shows that classically-activated microglia, which are innate immune cells resident in CNS neural tissue, release molecules that drive astrocytes into a neurotoxic state, raising important questions about potential adaptive and maladaptive functions of such a mechanism.
Using Xbox kinect motion capture technology to improve clinical rehabilitation outcomes for balance and cardiovascular health in an individual with chronic TBI

Motion capture virtual reality-based rehabilitation has become more common. However, therapists face challenges to the implementation of virtual reality (VR) in clinical settings. Use of motion capture technology such as the Xbox Kinect may provide a useful rehabilitation tool for the treatment of postural instability and cardiovascular deconditioning in individuals with chronic severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Kinect-based VR intervention using commercially available motion capture games on balance outcomes for an individual with chronic TBI. The secondary purpose was to assess the feasibility of this intervention for eliciting cardiovascular adaptations. A single system experimental design (n = 1) was utilized, which included baseline, intervention, and retention phases. Repeated measures were used to evaluate the effects of an 8-week supervised exercise intervention using two Xbox One Kinect games. Balance was characterized using the dynamic gait index (DGI), functional reach test (FRT), and Limits of Stability (LOS) test on the NeuroCom Balance Master. The LOS assesses end-point excursion (EPE), maximal excursion (MXE), and directional control (DCL) during weight-shifting tasks. Cardiovascular and activity measures were characterized by heart rate at the end of exercise (HRe), total gameplay time (TAT), and time spent in a therapeutic heart rate (TTR) during the Kinect intervention. Chi-square and ANOVA testing were used to analyze the data. Dynamic balance, characterized by the DGI, increased during the intervention phase χ 2 (1, N = 12) = 12, p = .001. Static balance, characterized by the FRT showed no significant changes. The EPE increased during the intervention phase in the backward direction χ 2 (1, N = 12) = 5.6, p = .02, and notable improvements of DCL were demonstrated in all directions. HRe (F (2,174) = 29.65, p = < .001) and time in a TTR (F (2, 12) = 4.19, p = .04) decreased over the course of the intervention phase. Use of a supervised Kinect-based program that incorporated commercial games improved dynamic balance for an individual post severe TBI. Additionally, moderate cardiovascular activity was achieved through motion capture gaming. Further studies appear warranted to determine the potential therapeutic utility of commercial VR games in this patient population. Clinicaltrial.gov ID - NCT02889289
Fat Content Determination

Lipids are sparingly soluble in water but show variable solubility in a number of organic solvents. The fat content of foods for some purposes is determined by solvent extraction methods (Soxhlet, Goldfish, Mojonnier), nonsolvent extraction methods (Babcock), and instrumental methods that rely on physical and chemical properties of lipids. This laboratory exercise includes determination of lipid contents of various snack foods by the Soxhlet and Goldfish methods, and determination of the lipid content of milk by the Mojonnier and Babcock methods.
Olfactory identification deficit predicts white matter tract impairment in Alzheimer's disease

Olfactory identification deficit (OID) has been associated with both aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the context of an amnestic disorders, OID predicts conversion to AD. Neuroanatomical correlates could increase specificity and sensitivity and elucidate the mechanistic differences between OID in AD and aging. Cross-sectional analysis of white matter microstructural changes was performed using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tract-based-spatial-statistics in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), AD and normal controls (NC) in 66 subjects (26 AD, 15 aMCI, 25 NC). DTI 3-Tesla MRI scans were analyzed and subject level means for fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial and axial diffusivity (λ1D and λ2,3D) were calculated. Linear regression models were applied using DTI markers as predictor and OID as outcome. OID was associated with increased λ1D in aMCI and increased MD, λ1D and λ2,3D in AD. Voxel-wise analyses revealed widespread differences in all markers in AD. There were significant differences in λ1D in aMCI, particularly in the olfactory tract. OID is correlated with microstructural white matter changes as early as in aMCI. This study may help elucidate the biological basis for olfactory impairment in Alzheimer's disease. Neuroanatomical correlates could help distinguish OID associated with AD and that associated with aging.
Quantitative Analysis of Kynurenine Aminotransferase II in the Adult Rat Brain Reveals High Expression in Proliferative Zones and Corpus Callosum.

Abstract Kynurenic acid, a metabolite of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation, acts as an endogenous antagonist of alpha7 nicotinic and NMDA receptors and is implicated in a number of neurophysiological and neuropathological processes including cognition and neurodegenerative events. Therefore, kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT II/AADAT), the enzyme responsible for the formation of the majority of neuroactive kynurenic acid in the brain, has prompted significant interest. Using immunohistochemistry, this enzyme was localized primarily in astrocytes throughout the adult rat brain, but detailed neuroanatomical studies are lacking. Here, we employed quantitative in situ hybridization to analyze the relative expression of KAT II mRNA in the brain of rats under normal conditions and 6 h after the administration of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Specific hybridization signals for KAT II were detected, with the highest expression in the subventricular zone (SVZ), the rostral migratory stream and the floor of the third ventricle followed by the corpus callosum and the hippocampus. This pattern of mRNA expression was paralleled by differential protein expression, determined by serial dilutions of antibodies (up to 1:1 million), and was confirmed to be primarily astrocytic in nature. The mRNA signal in the SVZ and the hippocampus was substantially increased by the LPS treatment without detectable changes elsewhere. These results demonstrate that KAT II is expressed in the rat brain in a region-specific manner and that gene expression is sensitive to inflammatory processes. This suggests an unrecognized role for kynurenic acid in the brain’s germinal zones.
Small-Scale Drilling Test Rig For Investigation of Axial Excitation On The Drilling Process

This paper describes the design, construction and operation of a small-scale drilling rig for the purpose of investigation of the effect of axial excitation on the drilling process. The rig is bench top in size and has been designed to drill small rock samples, whilst at the same allowing axial excitation to be induced into the drilling process. The rig has been designed to drill the rock without any drilling fluids – so allowing improved observation of the chip generation process. Additionally, the drilling weight on bit is applied via masses, so allowing greater representation of the dynamic behavior of the drilling process – i.e. capturing more natural frequencies. The results from the rig have been obtained over two frequency ranges – low frequency (0-50 Hz) and high frequency (50-250 Hz). Results show that improved rate of penetration is obtained with axial excitation – with low and high frequency optima occurring. These optima can be related to the behavior of the string in the two frequency ranges – in the low frequency range, the entire string acts in unison; whereas at high frequency, only the bit/rock system is active. As a result, it is concluded that for low frequency operation, only information about the drill string is required to optimize performance; whereas for high frequency operation, information about the bit/rock system is required to optimize performance. Observation of the chip generation process via high speed video has shown that during axial excitation, regular shaped bricks are ejected when compared with the typical wedge- shaped chips that are normally ejected during the drilling process. It is concluded that, during the axial excitation process, the chips are being ejected via a levering action, so allowing a more efficient and quicker process. MIT [1] provided background classes, project guidance and project review as part of an NOV/MIT advanced technology program. Larger scale lab tests and/or field tests are required to verify/validate these conclusions.
Immune recognition of somatic mutations leading to complete durable regression in metastatic breast cancer

Immunotherapy using either checkpoint blockade or the adoptive transfer of antitumor lymphocytes has shown effectiveness in treating cancers with high levels of somatic mutations—such as melanoma, smoking-induced lung cancers and bladder cancer—with little effect in other common epithelial cancers that have lower mutation rates, such as those arising in the gastrointestinal tract, breast and ovary1–7. Adoptive transfer of autologous lymphocytes that specifically target proteins encoded by somatically mutated genes has mediated substantial objective clinical regressions in patients with metastatic bile duct, colon and cervical cancers8–11. We present a patient with chemorefractory hormone receptor (HR)-positive metastatic breast cancer who was treated with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) reactive against mutant versions of four proteins—SLC3A2, KIAA0368, CADPS2 and CTSB. Adoptive transfer of these mutant-protein-specific TILs in conjunction with interleukin (IL)-2 and checkpoint blockade mediated the complete durable regression of metastatic breast cancer, which is now ongoing for >22 months, and it represents a new immunotherapy approach for the treatment of these patients.
Notes on the reproductive biology of Zigadenus paniculatus, a toxic range plant

Zigadenus paniculatus is a toxic plant common on sagebrush foothills at middle elevations in the western United States. Plants produce several racemes from a single stalk. Flowering commences at the base of each raceme and proceeds upwards. The terminal raceme begins blooming first and is followed by lower racemes in se- quential order. Flowers are markedly protandrous and incapable of autogamy. Observations do not support the idea that apomixis is a viable reproductive strategy. Plants are mostly self-incompatible; a few seeds were produced from geitonogamous hand pollinations. The pollen/ovule ratio was high, also suggesting outcrossing as the predominant mode of sexual reproduction. A self-incompatibility mechanism may have evolved because the movements of syrphid flies on the inflorescence render protandry alone insufficient to prevent some selfing. The probable presence of toxic substances in the pollen and nectar appears to have reduced the number of potential pollinator species but increased the flower constancy of those species capable of utilizing the floral rewards. This note describes aspects of the repro- ductive biology of death camas, Zigadenus paniculatus (Nutt.) S. Wats., a toxic range plant that occurs throughout the western United States on plains and foothills usually in association with sagebrush (Artemisia spp.). This perennial species commonly pro- duces a single paniculate flowering stalk from a tunicate bulb in spring. Plants prob- ably do not flower until the second or third year (pers. obs.). All plant parts of Z. pan- iculatus and of several other species in the genus contain numerous alkaloids through both vegetative and flowering periods (Will- aman and Li 1970). Sheep are particularly susceptible to poisoning because the plant is palatable to them (Stoddart et al. 1949). Little is known of the reproductive biology of Zigadenus, but two of the characteristics considered by Solbrig (1976) to favor out- crossing in plant species, i.e., the perennial habit and occurrence in environments with relatively low climatic predictability, are de- scriptive of Z. paniculatus. In addition, the smallish, creamy white, actinomorphic flow- ers produce both minute droplets of nectar from glands at the base of each tepal and substantial pollen, and appear adapted for outcrossing by insects. Despite the open structure of the flowers, insect visitation may be restricted to a limited subset of potential pollinators by the presence of toxic sub- stances (probably alkaloids). The pollen, and perhaps nectar, of at least one species (Z. venenosus S. Wats.) is toxic to the honey bee {Apis mellifera L.) (Hitchcock 1959) and pos- sibly other potential visitors. Baker and Baker (1975) and Rhoades (1979) have hypothesized that the presence of alkaloids in flowers serves to limit visitation to flower-constant visitors and thereby increases the efficiency
Cardiovascular Changes with Aging

Changes in cardiovascular anatomy and function that are specifically due to aging are often difficult to distinguish because of the high prevalence of heart and blood vessel disease among the elderly in Western cultures. 1–4
Migration within Metapopulations: The Impact upon Local Population Dynamics

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the impact of migration within metapopulations upon local population dynamics. A central issue in the analysis of metapopulations is the frequency of migration, or demographic connectivity, among component populations. For most analyses, the actual number of migrants that successfully move between two populations per breeding season or generation is the most important measure of the level of connectivity between them. Migration frequency will be a continuous variable, and may range from zero—where populations are completely isolated from one another—to a value that may be nearly equal to the number of individuals in each unit, in which case the two units function as a single population. This chapter focuses on the more general “rescue effect” metapopulation system, in which migration can prevent local population extinctions, but where there may be stochastic variation in both the rate and the direction of migration. Thus, the identities of the “source” and “sink” populations can change unpredictably through time. The studies discussed in this chapter suggest that metapopulations with strong rescue effects may be more common than currently supposed, and the best way to look for metapopulations with strong rescue effects may be to examine habitat types, rather than particular taxa.
Specificity and sensitivity of PROMIR, ERPIN and MIR-ABELA in predicting pre-microRNAs in the chicken genome.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous 21-23 nucleotide molecules that are known to regulate about 30% of protein-coding genes through the RNAi pathway. Low level expression of some miRNA has limited their in-situ discovery. Such limitations could be ameliorated by in-silico methodologies. The efficacies of three major programs (ERPIN, ProMir and miR-abela) in detecting known pre-miRNA were evaluated using chicken pre-miRNA data. The sensitivity of ProMir, miR-abela and ERPIN were 53%, 57% and 93%, respectively. The specificity of the three algorithms using 5,000 random sequences was 98.94%, 99.46%, and 99.10% for ProMir-g, ERPIN and miR-abela, respectively. The sensitivities of the existing programs are low for chicken data and an efficient algorithm may be needed to predict novel chicken pre-miRNAs.
Metabolism and disposition of arsenic species from controlled dosing with dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV) in adult female CD-1 mice. V. Toxicokinetic studies following oral and intravenous administration

Arsenic species contaminate food and water, with typical dietary intake below 1 μg/kg bw/d. Exposure to arsenic in heavily contaminated drinking water is associated with human diseases, including cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, diabetes, and cancer. Dietary intake assessments show that rice and seafood are the primary contributors to intake of both inorganic arsenic and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV) and at similar magnitudes. DMAV plays a central role in the toxicology of arsenic because enzymatic methylation of arsenite produces DMAV as the predominant metabolite, which may promote urinary clearance but also generates reactive intermediates, predominantly DMAIII, that bind extensively to cellular thiols. Both inorganic arsenic and DMAV are carcinogenic in chronically exposed rodents. This study measured pentavalent and trivalent arsenic species in blood and tissues after oral and intravenous administration of DMAV (50 μg As/kg bw). DMAV underwent extensive first-pass metabolism in the intestine and liver, exclusively by reduction to DMAIII, which bound extensively to blood and tissues. The results confirm a role for methylation-independent reductive metabolism in producing fluxes of DMAIII that presumably underlie arsenic toxicity and indicate the need to include all dietary intake of inorganic arsenic and DMAV in risk assessments.
Sex differences in diabetes and kidney disease: mechanisms and consequences

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes, along with their accompanying hyperglycemia, are associated with a multitude of comorbidities including the development of diabetic kidney disease. Although the hallmark...
The Orbits of the Magellanic Clouds

This paper reviews our current understanding of the orbital history and mass of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. Specifically, I will argue that the Clouds are on their first infall about our Milky Way and that their total masses are necessarily ∼ 10 times larger than traditionally estimated. This conclusion is based on the recently revised HST proper motions of the Clouds and arguments concerning the binary status of the LMC-SMC pair and their baryon fractions.
Multiple-Instance Learning for Sparse Behavior Modeling from Wearables: Toward Dementia-Related Agitation Prediction

Agitation in persons with dementia (PWD) poses major health risks both for themselves and for their caregivers. Passive sensing based continuous behavior tracking can prevent the escalation of such episodes. But, predicting such behavior from sensor streams, especially in real-world residential settings, is still an active area of research. Major challenges include the sparsity, unpredictability, and variations in such behavior, as well as the "weak" annotations from real-world participants. This paper proposes a novel approach to overcome these issues in predicting agitation episodes from the PWD’s wrist motion data. In a transdisciplinary study on dementia dyads residing in their homes, the PWD motion is continuously sensed from their smart watch inertial sensors, while agitation episodes are actively marked by the caregivers. The data from 10 residential deployments, each with 30 days duration, are analyzed in this paper, and multiple-instance learning (MIL) based models are implemented to learn from such sparse and weakly annotated data. These models are compared with single-instance models in predicting the agitated behavior. The results show the potential of MIL models in sparsely labeled behavior inference from wearables in-the-wild.
ASSOCIATION OF LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN TRIGLYCERIDES (LDL-TG) AND REMNANT-LIKE PROTEIN CHOLESTEROL (RLP-C) WITH CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS IN THE ELDERLY: THE ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY

Traditional lipid risk factors are weak predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older adults. Novel measures of triglyceride rich lipoproteins including LDL-TG and RLP-C have been shown to be significantly associated with CVD in middle aged adults. We sought to evaluate whether LDL-TG and RLP-
A Diselenide Turn‐On Fluorescent Probe for the Detection of Thioredoxin Reductase

We report the first diselenide-based probe for the selective detection of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), an enzyme commonly overexpressed in melanomas. The probe design involves conjugation of a seminaphthorhodafluor dye with a diselenide moiety. TrxR reduces the diselenide bond, triggering a fluorescence turn-on response of the probe. Kinetic studies reveal favorable binding of the probe with TrxR with a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km ) of 15.89 μm. Computational docking simulations predict a greater binding affinity to the TrxR active site in comparison to its disulfide analogue. In vitro imaging studies further confirmed the diselenide probe exhibited improved signaling of TrxR activity compared to the disulfide analogue.
Predicting drug response and synergy using a deep learning model of human cancer cells.

Summary Most drugs entering clinical trials fail, often related to an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms governing drug response. Machine learning techniques hold immense promise for better drug response predictions, but most have not reached clinical practice due to their lack of interpretability and their focus on monotherapies. We address these challenges by developing DrugCell, an interpretable deep learning model of human cancer cells trained on the responses of 1,235 tumor cell lines to 684 drugs. Tumor genotypes induce states in cellular subsystems that are integrated with drug structure to predict response to therapy and, simultaneously, learn biological mechanisms underlying the drug response. DrugCell predictions are accurate in cell lines and also stratify clinical outcomes. Analysis of DrugCell mechanisms leads directly to the design of synergistic drug combinations, which we validate systematically by combinatorial CRISPR, drug-drug screening in vitro, and patient-derived xenografts. DrugCell provides a blueprint for constructing interpretable models for predictive medicine.
Characteristics and therapeutic applications of antimicrobial peptides

The demand for novel antimicrobial compounds is rapidly growing due to the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. In response, numerous alternative approaches are being taken including use of polymers, metals, combinatorial approaches, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMPs are a naturally occurring part of the immune system of all higher organisms and display remarkable broad-spectrum activity and high selectivity for bacterial cells over host cells. However, despite good activity and safety profiles, AMPs have struggled to find success in the clinic. In this review, we outline the fundamental properties of AMPs that make them effective antimicrobials and extend this into three main approaches being used to help AMPs become viable clinical options. These three approaches are the incorporation of non-natural amino acids into the AMP sequence to impart better pharmacological properties, the incorporation of AMPs in hydrogels, and the chemical modification of surfaces with AMPs for device applications. These approaches are being developed to enhance the biocompatibility, stability, and/or bioavailability of AMPs as clinical options.
Optical isotopic shifts and hyperfine splittings for Yb

A cw tunable dye laser and atomic-beam techniques were used to determine the splittings and separations of the natural Yb isotopes for the 5556.5-\AA{}, $^{3}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}^{1}S_{0}$ transition. The resonant scattering was recorded with an instrumental resolution of 7 MHz full width at half-maximum, giving peak separations accurate to \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5 MHz. The hyperfine splittings were analyzed to yield values of -0.382(19)% for the hyperfine anomaly and 10.9 GHz/${\mathrm{fm}}^{2}$ for the field-shift constant; these agree with published values. The optical isotope shifts obtained, along with published electronic and muonic x-ray shifts, were analyzed to yield $\ensuremath{\delta}〈{r}^{2}〉$ values and a specific mass shift in the range 200-300 MHz. This latter is considerably greater than is normally used for $6{s}^{2}\ensuremath{-}6s6p$ transitions. The model dependence of the isotopic-shift analysis was examined, and the hyperfine anomaly was compared with calculations based on Nilsson wave functions.
"Without my medication, I'm a wreck": Photo-elicitation to explore medication use among people experiencing homelessness.

Abstract Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) live with a high burden of chronic illness, functional and cognitive impairments, and serious mental illness. Many PEH are prescribed complex medication regimens to manage symptoms and improve health and functioning. However, medication use within the context of homelessness is complicated, and adherence is often suboptimal. Objective To document medication use within the context of homelessness and explore experiences of medication use among people experiencing homelessness (PEH). Methods This study used mixed methods including photo-elicitation interviews. Participants were given a digital camera and asked to take pictures of people, places, things, and situations that represented every day medication use. Participants were also asked to write down reasons for taking the pictures. After two weeks, participants returned the camera and notes. At a subsequent interview, the photographs and notes were reviewed and discussed. Demographic and health-related information was also collected for each participant. An interpretive description approach was used for qualitative data analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in order to describe the sample. Results Seven PEH completed this study. Mean age was 45 years (SD = 11.3) and length of homelessness was 6.1 years (SD = 11.3). All reported multiple chronic conditions (≥2) and reported taking 6.6 (SD = 2.6) medications. Participants reported medication adherence barriers with mean score of 37 (SD = 5.5) on the ASK-12, a 12-item scale with a range of 12–60 (higher scores indicate more barriers). Qualitative analysis identified four categories: medication-related burdens, medication-related beliefs, connectedness, and stigmatizing encounters. Conclusions Medication use among PEH is complex and cannot be considered separately from daily life or from struggles to meet basic needs. Multi-level interventions are needed to optimize medication use among PEH, and healthcare professionals including community pharmacists should reinforce beliefs that medication-related benefits outweigh the burdens and then tailor services to the context of homelessness.
Screened Out Onscreen: Disability Discrimination, Hiring Bias, and Artificial Intelligence

This Article explores how Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 interact with artificial intelligence (AI) and employment bias and discrimination against and for people with disabilities. Under these sections, employers are prohibited from discrimination on the basis of disability in the hiring and employment process, yet technology that screens video interviews, applications, and other employee and prospective employee materials demonstrates bias and does not select disabled job candidates. These biases can run afoul of the ADA and raise ethical concerns. People with disabilities face disproportionately high unemployment rates compared to the general population. Technology often improves lives and access to opportunity, but AI has the potential to disrupt gains and progress made to improve the lives of disabled individuals. Part I of this Article analyzes AI and its relation to the disability rights and disability justice movements. Part II explains hiring biases and technology’s relationship with disability. Part III is a thorough analysis of AI and disability bias in employment under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title I of the ADA. The concluding section of this Article offers some reflections on accessibility and equity within the workplace as it concerns people with disabilities and how AI can help, rather than hinder, disability hiring and eliminate bias, rather than continue to perpetuate it.