cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular Analysis of Acquired Myoadenylate Deaminase Deficiency in Polymyositis (Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy)

Myoadenylate deaminase (mAMPD) deficiency occurs in primary (inherited) and secondary (acquired) forms (1). Clinically, inherited mAMPD deficiency is accompanied by exercise intolerance, muscle cramping, and myalgia. At the molecular level inherited mAMPD deficiency is characterized by normal transcript abundance without any immunoreactive mAMPD peptide (2). Recently, inherited mAMPD deficiency has been defined as a single point mutation in the human gene for myoadenylate deaminase (Ampdl) and is estimated to occur in 2% of the normal population (3).
Spatial Foundations of Inequality: A Conceptual Model and Empirical Overview

Inequalities among individuals and households in achieved socioeconomic status (income, wealth, and so on) in the United States have reached levels not observed for almost a century. We believe that a corresponding evolution of geographic inequalities in socioeconomic, environmental, institutional,
What's So Funny? Laughter and Anger in the Time of the Assassins*

Yvonne Rainer offers a witty and timely meditation on forms of humor—horrifying, puzzling, peculiar, droll—elicited by our current political moment, while reminiscing about comedy in performances at the Judson Church and elsewhere in the 1960s.
Annotation of Linguistic and Conceptual Metaphor

Metaphor makes our thoughts more vivid and fills our communication with richer imagery. Furthermore, according to the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) of [30], metaphor also plays an important structural role in the organization and processing of conceptual knowledge. According to this account, the phenomenon of metaphor is not restricted to similarity-based extensions of meanings of individual words, but instead involves activating fixed mappings that reconceptualize one whole area of experience in terms of another. CMT produced a significant resonance in the fields of philosophy, linguistics, cognitive science and artificial intelligence and still underlies a large proportion of modern research on metaphor. However, there has to date been no comprehensive corpus-based study of conceptual metaphor, which would provide an empirical basis for evaluating the CMT using real-world linguistic data. The annotation scheme and the empirical study we present in this chapter is a step towards filling this gap. We test our annotation procedure in an experimental setting involving multiple annotators and estimate their agreement on the task. The goal of the study is to investigate (1) how intuitive the conceptual metaphor explanation of linguistic metaphors is for human annotators and whether it is possible to consistently annotate interconceptual mappings; (2) what are the main difficulties that the annotators experience during the annotation process; (3) whether one conceptual metaphor is sufficient to explain a linguistic metaphor or whether a chain of conceptual metaphors is needed. The resulting corpus annotated for conceptual mappings provides a new, valuable dataset for linguistic, computational and cognitive experiments on metaphor.
Intranuclear Metabolism of Progesterone-1,2-3H in the Hen Oviduct

Abstract The metabolism of progesterone-1,2-3H has been studied in the estrogen-primed pullet. Following the intravenous administration of the hormone, radioactivity was recovered within 5 min in oviduct magnum, and at all time intervals up to 1 hour approximately one-fourth of the magnum radioactivity was localized within the nuclei of this tissue. Although the metabolism of progesterone-3H to a variety of metabolites is rapid in all tissues studied, progesterone itself and its 5α-reduced derivative allopregnanedione are the principal compounds identified in magnum cytoplasm and the only labeled steroids recovered from oviduct nuclei. The conversion of progesterone to allopregnanedione was shown to take place in magnum nuclei, and this metabolite of progesterone was recovered in significant amounts only in the magnum and shell gland of the oviduct, the comb, and the brain following the intravenous administration of progesterone-1,2-3H. At all times studied progesterone itself is the predominant species (80% or greater) bound to nuclei obtained from the magnum, whereas allopregnanedione is the principal radioactive steroid bound to nuclei in the shell gland of the oviduct.
Distributed Dynamic State Estimation of Power Systems

In this paper, a novel distributed dynamic state estimation (DSE) method for real-time monitoring of power systems is implemented. In modern large-scale power grids, the number of deployed meters and the frequency of collecting data have remarkably increased. Such a growth in the spatiotemporal size of collected data overwhelms the existing monitoring system with a centralized star structure. Streaming of data from all meters of the network to the central control center also increases communication latency. To overcome these challenges, the power system is partitioned into subsystems with local estimators, and the DSE process is distributed among local estimators. The distributed DSE is hosted at regional control centers and utilizes distributed extended Kalman filtering based on internodal transformation theory to estimate the dynamic states of power systems. The local estimators only require data within their own subsystem, and information is exchanged only between neighboring subsystems. The proposed distributed DSE is implemented on a 68-bus test system, and its accuracy is demonstrated.
Piety as Power

This chapter opens with the motif, new in the tenth century, of the Virgin Mary as queen of heaven, demonstrating how images of Mary and the Ottonian queens were conflated. Jestice argues that queens carefully cultivated a reputation for piety, but their virtue was distinctly royal, marked by benefactions that showcased the wealth and prestige of the dynasty. Several imperial ladies won a reputation for sanctity, and Adelheid was formally canonized. This queenly piety became an important political tool, which members of the dynasty were able to use to enhance their position and influence members of their society.
Anxiety sensitivity and post-traumatic stress reactions: Effects of time-varying intrusive thoughts and associated distress.

Abstract Background and objectives The present study examines the extent to which intrusive thoughts and associated distress explains the association between anxiety sensitivity (AS) and post-traumatic stress (PTS) using the “trauma film paradigm”. Methods Participants high and low in AS viewed a 10-min film of graphic scenes of fatal traffic accidents and then underwent a 10-min thought suppression period where intrusive thoughts and associated distress about the film was assessed. Participants also kept a diary of intrusions and associated distress about the film for one-week and post-traumatic stress reactions about the film were assessed after the one-week period. Results The high AS group reported greater post-traumatic stress reactions about the film a week later than the low AS group. Although the high AS group also reported more intrusion distress than the low AS group during thought suppression in the laboratory, this difference did not mediate group differences in subsequent post-traumatic stress reactions. Furthermore, the intercept and slope of intrusions and associated distress about the film during the week generally did not differentiate those high in AS from those low in AS. However, the intercept of distress during the week mediated the association between intrusion distress during thought suppression in the laboratory and post-traumatic stress reactions at the end of the week. Limitations The present study is limited by use of an analogue sample as well as modeling trauma exposure with a film. Conclusions Distress about intrusive thoughts in proximity to the trauma and over time may be an important determinant of PTS.
Elements of Cortical Architecture

Extrastriate visual cortex consists of multiple areas. As reviewed elsewhere (Kaas, 1989; Colby and Duhamel, 1991; and several chapters in this volume), there are still many questions concerning specific boundaries and subdivisions, and the criteria for area identification themselves remain under discussion. How areas interact is even less well known and is very much a topic of active research. Is there an overall architecture? Are there patterns of sequential or synchronous coactivation?
Effect of anesthesia on cerebral tissue oxygen and cardiopulmonary parameters in rats.

General anesthesia is known to alter cardiopulmonary and hematological parameters which affect tissue oxygenation. However, the effect of various types of anesthetics on the relationship between brain tissue pO2 and these physiologic parameters is still largely unknown.
Cross individual model-based alignment of volumetric images

We propose a methodology for nonlinear alignment of three-dimensional objects on the basis of geometric features such as surfaces. Studies that require the collation of volumetric images from different individuals call for the use of nonlinear transformations. Elastic transformations [1] have been developed to contribute in the problem of registration of images from two different individuals. In this paper we examine their performance quality and accuracy. We align objects by using easily obtained features, such as external brain surfaces. The effectiveness of the method is evaluated by examining the accuracy with which inner structures are brought into registration. We compare the results of linear transformations ([2] — [3]) and Elastic transformations in the registration of two 3D images acquired from two different rat brains.
Imaging Informatics: Essential Tools for the Delivery of Imaging Services

There are rapid changes occurring in the health care environment. Radiologists face new challenges but also new opportunities. The purpose of this report is to review how new informatics tools and developments can help the radiologist respond to the drive for safety, quality, and efficiency. These tools will be of assistance in conducting research and education. They not only provide greater efficiency in traditional operations but also open new pathways for the delivery of new services and imaging technologies. Our future as a specialty is dependent on integrating these informatics solutions into our daily practice.
Androgens in Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Androgens act through the androgen receptor (AR) to promote the normal development, growth, differentiation, and function of the prostate gland (Partin and Coffey, 1998). In male reproduction, the prostate functions as a sex accessory gland that contributes 30-40% of the fluid present in the seminal plasma of the ejaculate. However, in aging men the prostate is of clinical significance as the site for two common diseases, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate carcinoma (PCa). With the continuing growth of the elderly population due to improved life expectancy, the frequency of clinical diagnosis and interest in these diseases has increased. Although mortality related to BPH is very low, urinary tract symptoms occur in 70-80% of elderly men and surgical treatment is needed in 25%-30% of men who live to be 80 years of age (Berry et al., 1984). Furthermore, PCa is now the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and ranks second among cancer-related male deaths in the United States (Greenlee et al., 2000). PCa is detected histologically in a latent form in approximately 30% of men over the age of 50 and in 60-70% of men over the age of 80, but becomes clinically evident in 10-15% of American men during their lifetime (Carter and Coffey, 1990).
Theory and Practice of Hard-Surface Cleaning

Publisher Summary This chapter is concerned with the removal of soil from hard surfaces and the work done in textile and related fields has been considered. The manner in which a soil is attached to a substrate is related to the physical and chemical characteristics of both the soil and the substrate. Most cleaning processes are considered to consist of three primary steps: separation of the soil from the substrate; dispersion of the soil in the deterging medium; and prevention of soil redeposition on the substrate. Each of these phases involves mechanical, physical, and chemical considerations. There are a variety of factors to consider in choosing a particular detergent to remove a specific soil from a specific substrate. The chapter discusses the properties that one may wish to find in the detergent. Factors taken into account in selecting the proper detergent are: type of soil to be removed, type of substrate, water composition, and detergent complexity. Methods of detergent classification are based on the property for which that detergent will primarily be used for. The chapter also discusses the fact that the surface of a liquid is in an unbalanced state and that the surface tension is a measure of this imbalance. Much effort has been directed toward developing methods that would permit evaluation of detergent efficiency and the effect of specific variables on the detergent process. Direct and indirect means have been proposed for the evaluation of detergent efficiency.
Disturbances in Insulin-Glucose Metabolism in Patients With Advanced Renal Disease With and Without Diabetes

Context Use of insulin in patients with diabetes and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD; stages 4 to 5) is challenging and shows great variability among individuals. We explored the mechanisms underlying this variability. Evidence acquisition PubMed was searched for articles in English from 1960 to 2018 for advanced CKD and diabetes, glucose and insulin metabolism, insulin clearance, secretion and resistance, plasma insulin concentration, glycemic control, hypoglycemia, insulin dosage, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in CKD. Evidence synthesis The evidence shows that in most patients the daily dose of insulin needs to be significantly reduced with a high degree of variability; in some the dose remains unchanged, and rarely it is increased. The premise that the marked reduction in insulin requirement is essentially attributable to decreased insulin clearance by kidneys leading to prolongation of its plasma half-life, elevated blood insulin concentration, and hypoglycemia is not entirely correct. Other factors including decreases in food intake, insulin secretion, insulin clearance by peripheral tissues, and renal gluconeogenesis play important roles. There is also heightened resistance to insulin due to metabolic acidosis, uremic toxins, inflammatory state, and vitamin D deficiency. Importantly, the magnitude of changes in each of these factors varies between individuals with the same degree of CKD. Conclusions In the presence of diabetes with advanced CKD, the insulin regimen should be individualized based on knowledge of the daily glucose patterns. The use of CGM is promising for safer glycemic control in patients with advanced CKD and diabetes and helps prevent extremes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
ER Referrals and Hospitalizations from Post-acute and Long-Term Care Facilities

Understanding the nuances and differences between the various types of nursing facilities is essential for good patient management among the various healthcare settings, including the emergency department. In order to establish proper and effective treatment and discharge plans, providers need to know what services are available and what type of care each unique facility setting is able to fulfill. Many providers do not quite realize the many limitations and also the potentials of post-acute and long-term care facilities, and patient care is under optimally coordinated. In an age of fast and multifaceted communication, it is surprising to witness how health delivery can still be quite disjoined at times and bridges to connect this fragmented care can be promptly built with a better understanding of these ever-growing facilities.
A 69-year-old woman with double vision and lower-extremity weakness

A 69-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with double vision, weakness in the lower extremities, sensory loss, pain, and falls. Her symptoms started with sudden onset of horizontal diplopia 6 weeks before, followed by gradually worsening lower-extremity weakness, as well as ataxia and patchy
Crowdfunding's Culture of Noncompliance: An Empirical Analysis

The JOBS Act of 2012 launched a number of experiments in the regulation of securities offerings. The exemption it created that allows online equity crowdfunding offerings to retail investors garnered the most attention, in part due to widespread concerns regarding the potential for fraud and abuse. More than three years after the first crowdfunding offering, no empirical analysis of compliance has been conducted that would debunk or confirm critics’ concerns. This Article plugs that gap by analyzing a sample of 362 crowdfunding offerings and evaluating compliance with some of crowdfunding regulation’s simplest, most fundamental regulatory requirements. During the first 13 months of crowdfunding, almost half of issuers failed to file complete financial statements that met the applicable standard of review, barely one-quarter of issuers that were required to file two annual reports did so, less than 15 percent of issuers timely filed the final amount raised in their offering, and the only data point on Form C that was reviewed was, far more often than not, substantially inaccurate. Finally, the third largest crowdfunding funding portal may be violating the prohibition against a funding portal’s giving advice. In short, these findings reveal a deeply embedded culture of noncompliance. This Article is timely in light of the issuance of a concept release by the Securities and Exchange Commission that is intended to set the table for further liberalization of exempt offerings. Rather than supporting such changes, the findings set forth in this Article create doubt as to whether the crowdfunding experiment will even survive. This Article proposes a series of reforms that would address some of the above-mentioned noncompliance problems while both benefiting investors and reducing costs and burdens for issuers.
Odds of Venous Thromboembolims (VTE) Associated with Hospitalization, Surgery, and Cancer Among Nursing Home Residents: A Population-Based Study.

Abstract 2984 Poster Board II-960 In previous studies of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among all residents of Olmsted County, MN, the odds of VTE associated with surgery, medical hospitalization, or active cancer were extremely high (Univariate odds ratio [OR] =14.6; 4.6, and 8.4 respectively). We also showed that nursing home (NH) residency was an independent risk factor for VTE (OR =5.6). From a clinical practice perspective, it is important to identify which NH residents are at risk of VTE. While it might be assumed that, similar to estimates for the population generally, surgery, medical hospitalization, and cancer are associated with increased risk of VTE within the NH population, the answer remains unclear. We took advantage of the previous identification of all Olmsted County, MN residents who met research criteria for incident VTE 1998-2005 (N=1168). We then determined which individuals were resident of a local NH at time of symptom onset, regardless of location of symptom onset (i.e., for purposes of this study, individuals whose VTE occurred in-hospital having been admitted from a NH were considered NH residents). For each such NH VTE case (N=96), we identified 2 same sex Olmsted County residents of similar age and duration-of-medical-history who were resident of a local NH at the time of the case9s VTE event (i.e., index date) (N=192). The detailed provider-linked medical records of NH VTE cases and NH non-VTE controls were reviewed for 3 months before index for surgery or medical hospitalization and for 6 months surrounding index for active cancer. Using conditional logistic regression, we tested and estimated the odds ratio associated with each of these potential risk factors. The proportions of NH VTE cases and NH non-VTE controls with surgery (33%, 28%), medical hospitalization (44%, 46%), and active cancer (12%, 9%) were similar. Univariate odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) and p values for surgery, medical hospitalization, and active cancer were 1.5 (0.7-3.1), p=0.30; 1.1 (0.6-2.1), p=0.74; and 1.4 (0.6-3.2), p=0.46 respectively. Compared to the entire Olmsted County population, the odds of VTE associated with surgery, hospitalization, and cancer are surprisingly much lower for NH residents. Additional investigation is needed to characterize the subset of NH residents at increased risk of VTE. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Urinary Stone Disease in Pregnancy: A Claims Based Analysis of 1.4 Million Patients.

Purpose:Urinary stone disease during pregnancy is poorly understood but is thought to be associated with increased maternal and fetal morbidity. We determined the prevalence of urinary stone diseas...
Transcription factors protect from DNA re-methylation during reprograming of primordial germ cells and pre-implantation embryos

A growing body of evidence suggests that certain phenotypic traits of epigenetic origin can be passed across generations via both the male and female germlines of mammals. These observations have been difficult to explain owing to a global loss of the majority of known epigenetic marks present in parental chromosomes during primordial germ cell development and after fertilization. By integrating previously published BS-seq, DNase-seq, ATAC-seq, and RNA-seq data collected during multiple stages of primordial germ cell and preimplantation development, we find that the methylation status of the majority of CpGs genome-wide is restored after global reprogramming, despite the fact that global CpG methylation drops to 10% in primordial germ cells and 20% in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. We estimate the proportion of such CpGs with preserved methylation status to be 78%. Further, we find that CpGs at sites bound by transcription factors during the global re-methylation phases of germ line and embryonic development remain hypomethylated across all developmental stages observed. On the other hand, CpGs at sites not bound by transcription factors during the global re-methylation phase have high methylation levels prior to global de-methylation, become de-methylated during global de-methylation, and then become re-methylated. The results suggest that transcription factors can act as carriers of epigenetic information during germ cell and pre-implantation development by ensuring that the methylation status of CpGs is maintained after reprogramming of DNA methylation. Based on our findings, we propose a model in which transcription factor binding during the re-methylation phases of primordial germ cell and pre-implantation development allow epigenetic information to be maintained trans-generationally even at sites where DNA methylation is lost during global de-methylation.
Fat-free mass characteristics of Hispanic adults: Comparisons with non-Hispanic Caucasians and cadaver reference values.

Summary Background A four-compartment (4C) model quantifies fat, water, mineral and residual. As such, 4C models are more accurate than two-compartment (2C) models based off cadaver reference values (RV), which necessitate assumptions regarding fat-free mass (FFM) characteristics. Nonetheless, research has yet to determine whether the FFM characteristics of Hispanics are similar to non-Hispanic Caucasians and RV. Aim The aim of this analysis was to compare the FFM characteristics of Hispanics to non-Hispanic Caucasians and cadaver RV. Methods Data from 2 separate research centers were pooled to create a sample of 100 and 119 Hispanic males and females (age: 18–54 yrs; BMI: 16.46–42.27 kg/m2), respectively, and 47 and 55 non-Hispanic Caucasian males and females (age: 18–54 yrs; BMI: 16.00–36.67 kg/m2), respectively (n = 331). A 4C model was determined using bioimpedance analysis for hydration, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry for mineral, and air displacement plethysmography for body density (4C-ADP). FFM was calculated via the 4C-ADP and FFM characteristics (i.e., density [DFFM], water [TBW:FFM], bone mineral [Mo:FFM], and residual [R:FFM]) were compared between sexes and ethnicities using a one-way ANOVA and against RV via a one sample t-test. Results In Hispanics, all FFM characteristics significantly differed from cadaver RV (all p 0.05). Moreover, the R:FFM of non-Hispanic Caucasian females did not differ from cadaver RV (p = 0.403) whereas all other comparisons were significantly different (all p 0.05). All of the ethnicity comparisons within males were statistically significant (all p Conclusion The observed differences in FFM characteristics of Hispanics as compared to non-Hispanics Caucasians and reference values indicate that allied health professionals should employ appropriate caution when estimating body composition via 2C models in Hispanic populations.
Increasing Understanding of Students' Programming Process through Scratch Programming Event Data Analysis

Computational thinking (CT) is a problem solving approach that is becoming prominent in educational settings. To help ease students into the world of programming, visual programming tools such as Scratch are used. Researchers are also developing various tools in an attempt to assess students' proficiency in thought processes that make up CT. However, current existing tools mainly utilize students' final code products when evaluating their demonstration of CT, losing their opportunity to understand students' actual learning and programming procedures. This work presents a logging methodology that records programming actions of students in the Scratch block coding environment to enable an in-depth analysis of students' programming process. With this logging methodology, we conducted a case study with introductory programmers to study how the logs of students' programming processes can provide insight into how they practice CT during programming.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Binge Drinking among U.S. High School Students in Grade 12: Cusp Catastrophe Modeling of National Survey Data

Findings from cusp catastrophe modeling of binge drinking among college students in the United States (U.S.) and high school students in other countries (i.e., Japan) have advanced our understanding of alcohol abuse. No reported study has used the same method to investigate binge drinking among U.S. high school students, a high-risk population for alcohol abuse. In this study, we analyzed data for 12th graders (n = 1122) from the 2015 Monitoring the Future (MFT) Study with cusp catastrophe models. Guided by Kahneman's dual-system theory that integrates the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior, perceived alcohol harm (0-3, larger indicating less harm) was modeled as asymmetry variable (knowledge and beliefs), and drinking in social settings (contextual factors, 0 = no and 4 = always) as bifurcation variable to predict binge drinking in the past two weeks (0, 1, 2, 3 or more times). Analytical results indicated that a cusp model, depending on the method for parameter estimation could explain 36-88% of the variance in binge drinking while a linear model only explained up to 14%. Results from the indirect cusp modeling methods indicated that perceived alcohol harm and drinking in social settings both significantly predicted binge drinking. However, the estimated cusp point varied depending on the method for parameter estimation. In conclusion, the dynamics of binge drinking among U.S. high school students are nonlinear and discrete. Knowledge-based interventions to prevent binge drinking need to emphasize social and contextual factors that may trigger sudden behavior change to achieve greater intervention effect. To advance cusp catastrophe modeling, further research is needed to improve the method for parameter estimation.
Superfund Sites and Juvenile Detention: Proximity Analysis in the Western United States

This study considers the relationship between juvenile detention centers and hazardous waste (Superfund) sites in nine western states in the United States. It asks whether there is a pattern of tox...
“I Am to Others What I Am to Myself”: Religion, Charity, and Fraud in Rebecca Harding Davis’s A Law Unto Herself

Rebecca Harding Davis’s 1878 A Law Unto Herself is not a neat and tidy narrative. The story instead meanders through a range of literary genres and pressing social issues of the late 1870s. Framed ...
Management of heart failure in cardiac amyloidosis using an ambulatory diuresis clinic.

Background Recurrent congestion in cardiac amyloidosis (CA) remains a management challenge, often requiring high dose diuretics and frequent hospitalizations. Innovative outpatient strategies are needed to effectively manage heart failure (HF) in patients with CA. Ambulatory diuresis has not been well studied in restrictive cardiomyopathy. Therefore, we aimed to examine the outcomes of an ambulatory diuresis clinic in the management of congestion related to CA. Methods and Results We retrospectively studied patients with CA seen in an outpatient HF disease management clinic for (1) safety outcomes of ambulatory intravenous (IV) diuresis and (2) health care utilization. Forty-four patients with CA were seen in the clinic a total of 203 times over 6 months. Oral diuretics were titrated at 96 (47%) visits. IV diuretics were administered at 56 (28%) visits to 17 patients. There were no episodes of severe acute kidney injury or symptomatic hypotension. There was a significant decrease in emergency department and inpatient visits and associated charges after index visit to the clinic. The proportion of days hospitalized per 1000 patient days of follow-up decreased as early as 30 days (147.3 vs 18.1/1000 patient days of follow-up, P Conclusions We demonstrate the feasibility of ambulatory IV diuresis in patients with CA. Our findings also suggest that use of a HF disease management clinic may reduce acute care utilization in patients with CA. Leveraging multidisciplinary outpatient HF clinics may be an effective alternative to hospitalization in patients with HF due to CA, a population who otherwise carries a poor prognosis and contributes to high health care burden.
PARprolink: a photoaffinity probe for identifying poly(ADP-ribose)-binding proteins

ABSTRACT Post-translational modification of proteins with poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) is an important component of the DNA damage response. Four PAR synthesis inhibitors have recently been approved for the treatment of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Despite its clinical significance, a molecular understanding of PAR function, including its binding partners, remains incomplete. In this work, we synthesize a PAR photoaffinity probe that captures and isolates endogenous PAR binders. Our method identified dozens of known PAR-binding proteins and hundreds of novel binders involved in DNA repair, RNA processing, and metabolism. PAR binding by eight candidates was confirmed using pull-down and/or electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Using PAR probes of defined lengths, we detected proteins that preferentially bind to 40-mer over 8-mer PAR, indicating that polymer length may regulate the outcome and timing of PAR signaling pathways. This investigation produces the first census of PAR-binding proteins, provides a proteome-wide view of length-selective PAR binding, and associates PAR binding with RNA metabolism and the formation of biomolecular condensates.
Seeding a Black Feminist Future on the Horizon of a Third Reconstruction: The Abolitionist Politics of Self-Care in Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower

Entering the discussion of the current political climate as a possible “Third Reconstruction,” this article reads Octavia E. Butler’s recent New York Times bestselling novel, Parable of the Sower, ...
Divergence in heritable life history traits suggests potential for local adaptation and trade-offs associated with a coal ash disposal site.

Globally, human activities have resulted in rapid environmental changes that present unique challenges for wildlife. However, investigations of local adaptation in response to simultaneous exposure to multiple anthropogenic selection pressures are rare and often generate conflicting results. We used an in situ reciprocal transplant design within a quantitative genetic framework to examine how adaptive evolution and phenotypic plasticity contribute to the persistence of an amphibian population inhabiting an environment characterized by high levels of multiple toxic trace elements. We found evidence of phenotypic divergence that is largely consistent with local adaptation to an environment contaminated with multiple chemical stressors, tied to potential trade-offs in the absence of contaminants. Specifically, the population derived from the contaminated environment had a reduced risk of mortality and greater larval growth and in the contaminated environment, relative to offspring from the naive population. Further, while survival in the uncontaminated environment was not compromised in offspring from the contaminant-exposed population, they did show delayed development and reduced growth rates over larval development, relative to the naive population. We found no evidence of reduced additive genetic variation in the contaminant-exposed population, suggesting long-term selection in a novel environment has not reduced the evolutionary potential of that population. We also saw little evidence that past selection in the ASH environment had reduced trait plasticity in the resident population. Maternal effects were prominent in early development, but we did not detect any trends suggesting these effects were associated with the maternal transfer of toxic trace elements. Our results demonstrate the potential for adaptation to multiple contaminants in a wild amphibian population, which may have facilitated long-term persistence in a heavily impacted environment.
Associations Between Parental Psychopathic Traits, Parenting, and Adolescent Callous-Unemotional Traits.

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits (i.e., callousness, low empathy, shallow affect) have been conceptualized as a downward extension of the interpersonal and affective components of adult psychopathy and are associated with stable and severe antisocial behavior. Research suggests that CU traits are moderately heritable, but also influenced by environmental factors, particularly parenting. We examined associations among mother and father psychopathic traits, parenting practices, and offspring CU traits in a community sample of 550 adolescent twins (Mean age = 13.99 years; SD 2.37; 56.4% male), incorporating multiple informants (mothers, fathers, child). Parental interpersonal-affective psychopathic traits were associated with adolescent CU traits and negative parenting (increased harshness, reduced warmth). Moreover, increased parental harshness and reduced warmth partially explained associations between parental interpersonal-affective traits and adolescent CU traits. There was also a significant direct effect specifically between mother interpersonal-affective traits and adolescent CU traits. Finally, using a twin difference design, we confirmed that adolescent CU traits were significantly impacted by non-shared environmental parenting influences (increased harshness, reduced warmth). These results suggest that mother and father interpersonal-affective traits appear to impact parenting practices and serve as risk factors for adolescent CU traits. However, many of the findings did not replicate when using cross-informant reports and were only present within single informant models, highlighting a role for shared informant variance as well. The results suggest the importance of accounting for parent personality in the development of effective parenting interventions for CU traits.
COVID-19, cardiovascular diseases and cardiac troponins.

There has been strong evidence of myocardial injury in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with significantly elevated serum cardiac troponin (cTn). While the exact mechanism of injury is unclear, possible suggested pathological mechanisms of injury are discussed. These include increased susceptibility of the myocardium and endothelium to viral invasion, underlying hyperinflammatory state and subsequent cytokine storm, a hypercoagulable and prothrombotic state, and indirect myocardial injury due to hypoxemia. As a result of these pathological mechanisms in COVID-19 patients, cTn may be elevated largely due to myocarditis, microangiopathy or myocardial infarction. The utility of cTn as a biomarker for measuring myocardial injury in these patients and assessing its ability as a prognostic factor for clinical outcome is also discussed.
Opposite effects of cytomegalovirus UL54 exonuclease domain mutations on acyclovir and cidofovir susceptibility.

Abstract Acyclovir has weak activity against human cytomegalovirus (CMV). Despite some efficacy as prophylaxis, more potent anti-CMV drugs are preferred. Acyclovir resistance of CMV has been little studied. The viral UL97 kinase phosphorylates acyclovir, and cross-resistance of ganciclovir-resistant mutants is documented. However, UL54 exonuclease domain mutants may confer ganciclovir and cidofovir resistance by a mechanism that does not apply to acyclovir as an obligate chain terminator. To test for differential susceptibilities, 11 exonuclease domain mutants were tested for their 50% inhibitory concentrations (EC50s) of acyclovir in comparison with cidofovir. The 5 mutants with the highest cidofovir EC50s (>10-fold increased over wild type) all had acyclovir EC50s less than 20% of wild type. The relatively common N408K mutant had an acyclovir EC50 of 6 μM, comparable to that reported for wild type varicella-zoster virus. Several foscarnet-resistant UL54 mutants outside the exonuclease domains, some with low-grade ganciclovir/cidofovir cross-resistance, showed various degrees of acyclovir resistance. Based on these in vitro data, acyclovir may become a therapeutic option when a highly cidofovir-resistant exonuclease mutation is present without a simultaneous mutation in UL97.
Russian Industry Adaptability Index, Q2 2018: Normalization

In Q2 2018, the Russian industrial sector managed to recover to a normal state of operation from the failed start early this year. The percentage of enterprises assessing their state as “normal standing” neared an all-time high by mid-2018 (77% compared to 78% in H2 2017).
All Bundled Up: Bringing the GE/Honeywell Merger in from the Cold

In July 2001, European competition authorities did something once thought largely impossible: They blocked a merger between two U.S.-based companies, even though U.S. regulators had already approved the deal. General Electric and Honeywell saw their goal of an integrated industrial conglomerate dashed by regulators in Brussels who claimed that the merger would adversely impact competition in the European Common Market. This decision represented the culmination of over a decade of growth, development, and change in European competition policy and shows that the Europeans are increasingly committed to being major players on the global antitrust stage. In this article, I explore the strikingly different policies that underlie competition policy in the U.S. and EU, especially as they relate to the analysis of a merger's impact on market competition (the U.S. focus) versus a merger's impact on competitors operating in the market (the EU focus). Two previous mergers - those of Boeing/McDonnell Douglas and AOL/Time Warner - are briefly discussed to help flesh out the framework into which GE/Honeywell was ultimately unable to fit. Turning to the GE/Honeywell merger itself, careful attention is paid to the theories of market harm advanced by European regulators in their opposition to the merger. Especially prominent is an economic analysis of the bundling or product tying theory of competitive harm on which European regulators placed so much emphasis. Interestingly, this is the same theory that held sway in U.S. courts in the 1960s, only to be repudiated by advances in economic analysis of competitive forces. This section also explores how the Cournot Model may be an inappropriate metric for analyzing the relatively unique industries involved in the GE/Honeywell merger. The article concludes with some thoughts on the future challenges facing national antitrust policies operating on a global scale. A discussion of the role the new International Competition Network (ICN) can play in law harmonization is prominent. The focus here is on a significantly more robust ICN that can arbitrate divergent outcomes between competition authorities, like GE/Honeywell, with the goal of reaching a binding and economically defensible outcome based on best practices developed by competition authorities around the world. While this may sound like a radical threat to sovereignty, it may actually be significantly easier to implement, and for competition authorities to accept, than at first glance.
Genetic screening in the workplace: Legislative and ethical implications

This paper discusses legal and ethical issues related to genetic screening. It is argued that persons identified with actual or perceived deleterious genetic markers are protected by the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Civil Rights Act of 1991, if members of a protected group, regardless of whether or not they are currently ill. However, legislation may not protect all employees in all scenarios, in which case, ethical principles should guide decision-making. In doing so a model of preventive ethics is proposed to better understand the multiple levels on which this issue resides.
Relationship between hyaline membrane disease and intraventricular hemorrhage as cause of death in low birth weight infants

Abstract Autopsy studies on 608 low birth weight infants revealed hyaline membrane disease, intraventricular hemorrhage, or a combination of the two, as primary cause of death in 281 or 46 per cent of the cases. Infants dying of hyaline membrane disease alone were mostly male, Caucasian, mean birth weight of 1,477 grams, while those infants dying of intraventricular hemorrhage alone were mostly Negro, mean birth of 996 grams, and showed an increased incidence of low 1 minute Apgar Scores. The group of infants dying with both hyaline membrane disease and intraventricular hemorrhage present at autopsy had characteristics similar to those infants dying with hyaline membrane disease alone.
Precipitation phenomena of heavy metal soaps in aqueous solutions: III. Metal laurates

Abstract Precipitation phenomena of calcium, chromium, lanthanum, and thallium laurates in aqueous media as functions of the concentrations of the components, pH, and time are described. Light scattering was employed to establish the precipitation domains of the different metal soaps. The morphologies of the colloidal calcium and chromium laurates were ascertained by electron microscopy. While simple precipitation processes were observed with calcium laurate, other metal ions showed more complicated behavior. Some of the systems formed soluble complexes at high laurate concentrations.
Frequency Dependence of Mud Volcano Response to Earthquakes

[1] Distant earthquakes can trigger the eruption of mud volcanoes. We document the response of the Davis-Schrimpf mud volcanoes, California, to two earthquakes and non-response to four additional events. We show that the Davis-Schrimpf mud volcanoes are more sensitive to long period seismic waves than to shorter period waves of the same amplitude. Our observations are consistent with models for dislodging bubbles and particles by time varying flows produced by seismic waves. Mobilizing trapped bubbles or particles increases permeability or fluid mobility, increasing discharge.
Stability and structure of stretched vortices

The linear stability of the symmetric Burgers vortex to a class of two-dimensional perturbations is demonstrated. The linear stability of the axially symmetric Burgers vortex to two-dimensional low-Reynolds number disturbances is first discussed. The analysis describes the connection of the normal modes with a classical set of special functions. An expansion in Reynolds number gives the variation of the temporal eigenvalues of the normal modes. Then, Burgers-type solutions are sought where the radially inward-straining field is not axially symmetric. A rational perturbation procedure is used to obtain a new class of nonsymmetric Burgers vortices valid when the Reynolds number and the asymmetry in the external strain are small. Finally, the perturbation solutions are numerically extended to larger values of the parameters.
Exponentially harmonic maps, exponential stress energy and stability

We study the exponential stress energy associated to an exponentially harmonic map between Riemannian manifolds. We prove three equivalent statements for a horizontally weakly conformal exponentially harmonic map between Riemannian manifolds. We also investigate the stability of exponentially harmonic maps.
Fuel cell vehicles: opportunities and challenges

One of the major goals of the automotive industry is to improve vehicular fuel efficiency and performance with much lesser percentages of harmful tailpipe emissions. One of the major technologies includes fuel cell vehicles (FCV). Various advantages of fuel cells including reliability, simplicity, quietness of operation, and low pollution have made them an attractive potential candidate for providing automotive power. This work aims at discussing the basic possible topologies of fuel cell vehicles and the major issues that need to be overcome in order to make them practically viable. In addition, critical comparative factors between the FCV option and its closest competitor, the hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) option, are presented. Finally, This work provides a summary of various fuel cell demonstration vehicles wherein various social and cost related issues are addressed.
The use of bacteriophages for treatment and prevention of bacterial disease in animals and animal models of human infection

A brief history of the use of lytic bacteriophages in bacterial disease therapy is presented. After early disillusionment with the idea following poor experimental work, control of phages and field trials, studies were set up in the 1980's in the UK to study their use in farm animal infections. Work with E. coli septicaemia and diarrhoea has shown that phages can be highly effective prophylactically and therapeutically and more effective than antibiotics. There is considerable potential for their use in a limited number of infection types in both man and animals.
Vehicle lateral control using a double integrator control strategy

In this paper, a bang-bang control algorithm developed for double integrator systems is applied to the problem of automated vehicle steering control. This research is part of an on-going project on vehicle control using scale-model vehicle simulator. The controller uses pre-determined, piecewise constant control signals to shape the lateral position and yaw angle responses. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed control algorithm maintains acceptable performance despite the unmodeled dynamics.
Grazing of ciliates on blue–green algae: Effects of light shock on the grazing relation and on the algal population

Experiments on the grazing of the ciliate Colpoda steinii on the blue–green alga Anacystis nidulans showed, among other things, that declines of the algal population initiated by grazing often continued for several days after grazing pressure had been released. In addition, long lags were observed when this alga was inoculated into sterile culture medium. Evidence presented in this study indicates that both phenomena were due to cellular damage caused by exposure of algal cells to a sudden increase of light intensity (“light shock”). The occurrence of light shock appeared to exert a destabilizing influence on the grazing relation between Colpoda and Anacystis.