cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural studies of a membrane-bound acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica

Abstract Membranes prepared from Torpedo californica electroplax containing acctylcholine receptors have been studied by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction data suggest that acetylcholine receptor molecules traverse the endplate membrane, extending 15 ± 5 A on one side of the bilayer and some 55 ± 5 A on the other, with an overall length normal to the membrane of 110 A. Lattices of acetylcholine receptor have the symmetry of the crystallographic plane group p 1, with one molecule per unit cell. A low-resolution projection of the surface structure of receptor arrays was determined by reconstruction of images from electron micrographs. The resolution of the image is ~ 20 A in the plane of the membrane. The electron density profile through the membrane, derived from X-ray diffraction of vesicle dispersions and of oriented membranes, has been analyzed to resolutions of 20 and 13 A, respectively. The high-angle X-ray scattering pattern was observed to a resolution of 1.7 A. Maxima in the scattering pattern were analyzed in terms of the state of the lipids and secondary structure in the membranes. Sharp maxima in the scattering pattern indicate that long stretches of secondary structure are present in the receptor-containing membranes. The receptor membranes contain repeating structural units of length 80 A (5.2 A repeat) oriented perpendicular to the membrane plane, and uninterpreted components greater than 90 A in length with a basic repeat of 6.3 A.
Model-free H ∞ stochastic optimal design for unknown linear networked control system zero-sum games via Q-learning

In this paper, stochastic optimal strategy for unknown linear networked control system (NCS) quadratic zero-sum games related to H ∞ optimal control in the presence of random delays and packet losses is solved in forward-in-time manner. This approach does not require the knowledge of the system matrices since it uses Q-learning. The proposed stochastic optimal control approach, referred as adaptive dynamic programming (ADP), involves solving the action dependent Q-function Q(z,u, d) of the zero-sum game instead of solving the state dependent value function J (z) which satisfies a corresponding Game Theoretic Riccati equation (GRE). An adaptive estimator (AE) is proposed to learn the Q-function online and value and policy iterations are not needed unlike in traditional ADP schemes. Update laws for tuning the unknown parameters of adaptive estimator (AE) are derived. Lyapunov theory is used to show that all signals are asymptotic stable (AS) and that the approximated control and disturbance signals converge to optimal control and disturbance inputs. Simulation results are included to show the effectiveness of the scheme.
Skull base cerebrospinal fluid fistula: a novel detection method based on two-dimensional electrophoresis.

Background. The detection of the presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in nasal secretions contaminated with blood and mucus remains a challenging clinical problem. Methods. A prospective study was conducted from No- vember 1998 to February 2002, including 42 patients. Samples (250 AL) of nasal secretions were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Plasma, mucus, and CSF were identified by specific proteins markers corresponding to characteristic trains of spots. Intrathecal injection of fluorescein followed by the detection of fluorescein on endoscopic examination of the nasal cavities was considered a positive reference for CSF rhinorrhea. Results. In all cases of positive fluorescein test, we un- ambiguously observed the presence of several specific CSF markers onto the 2-DE gels. Conversely, all negative fluorescein tests were associated with the absence of CSF-specific spots. Conclusions. Two-dimensional electrophoresis analyses of biologic fluids of nasal origin should be considered as a reliable diagnostic tool in case of suspicion of CSF leak. B 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 26: 464-469, 2004
FREEWAY SAFETY AS A FUNCTION OF TRAFFIC FLOW

In this paper, we present evidence of strong relationships between traffic flow conditions and the likelihood of traffic accidents (crashes), by type of crash. Traffic flow variables are measured using standard monitoring devices such as single inductive loop detectors. The key traffic flow elements that affect safety are found to be mean volume and median speed, and temporal variations in volume and speed, where variations need to be distinguished by freeway lane. We demonstrate how these relationships can form the basis for a tool that monitors the real-time safety level of traffic flow on an urban freeway. Such a safety performance monitoring tool can also be used in cost-benefit evaluations of projects aimed at mitigating congestion, by comparing the levels of safety of traffic flows patterns before and after project implementation.
Family correlates of children's social and physical aggression with peers: Negative interparental conflict strategies and parenting styles:

This investigation examines whether negative interparental conflict strategies (stonewalling, triangulation, verbal aggression, and physical aggression) and parenting styles are related to social and physical aggression with peers for children followed longitudinally from age 9 to 10 (N = 256). Parents reported on negative conflict strategies and parenting styles at the beginning of the study and teachers rated children's social and physical aggression with peers when children were in the 3rd and 4th grades. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that, for girls, mothers' negative interparental conflict strategies were positively associated with both social and physical aggression with peers. Mothers' negative conflict strategies were not related to boys' social and physical aggression at school, fathers' negative conflict strategies were not related to aggression for either gender, and no relations emerged for parenting styles. These results offer partial support for a same-gender modeling hypothesis ...
Pressure–temperature evolution and thermal regimes in the Barrovian zones, Scotland

Abstract: We constrain the P – T evolution of the Barrovian metamorphic zones from the southwestern to the northeastern coasts of Scotland using thermobarometry and pseudosection analysis based on mineral composition data, garnet zoning profiles and 2D garnet maps. Twenty-five samples were investigated from the garnet to the sillimanite zones. In the western half of the field area there was relatively high- P metamorphism (0.9–1.1 GPa) followed by near-isothermal decompression. In and around the Barrovian type area of Glen Clova maximum pressures were also high ( c . 0.8–0.9 GPa); however, peak- T conditions were driven by a brief (of the order of 1 Ma or less) thermal pulse or pulses during exhumation at c . 0.6 GPa. Pressures at peak- T conditions along the eastern coast were the lowest observed, c . 0.4–0.5 GPa. These rocks were probably affected by the same thermal pulse activity evident around Glen Clova. All three regions initially developed during regional metamorphism associated with thermal relaxation of tectonically overthickened crust. The eastern part of the sequence, including Glen Clova, is fundamentally different from the western part because it required additional advective heat input to achieve peak thermal conditions. This heat was probably supplied by synorogenic magmas (e.g. Newer Gabbros) and the associated elevated crustal heat flow. Supplementary material: Electron microprobe methods, mineral and rock analyses, mineral activity–composition relations, criteria for identifying prograde mineral compositions, pseudosection and diffusion modelling methods, and profiles of X Alm and X Prp from garnets in Figures 7,8,9,10 are available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18491.
Onset of the Thermic Effect of Feeding (TEF): A Randomized Cross-Over Trial

Background The purpose of this investigation was to identify the onset of the thermic effect of feeding (TEF) after ingestion of a high carbohydrate (CHO) and a high protein (PRO) 1255 kJ (300 kcal) drink.
Imaging preoperatively for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignancy which is increasing in incidence and mortality. The fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., pancreatic cancer is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer death by 2020. Patients with pancreatic cancer have an abysmal 5-year survival of 6%, and 90% of these patients eventually die from the disease. This is in large part due to the commonly advanced stage of disease at the time of diagnosis. Currently, the only potentially curative therapy for pancreatic carcinoma is complete surgical resection. Patients who undergo incomplete resection with residual disease have similar survival rates to those patients with metastatic disease and should be spared this relatively morbid surgery. Thus, the key to impacting prognosis is the detection of smaller and earlier stage lesions, and the key to optimal management is accurately determining which patients have potentially resectable surgery and which patients would not benefit from surgery. Cross-sectional imaging plays an essential role in both the diagnosis and appropriate staging of pancreatic carcinoma. The diagnosis and staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is performed with cross-sectional imaging. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is the most commonly used, best-validated imaging modality for the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. Modern contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been demonstrated to be equivalent to MDCT in detection and staging of pancreatic cancer. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is very sensitive for detecting pancreatic masses; however, due to limitations in adequate overall abdominal staging, it is generally used in addition to or after MDCT. Transabdominal ultrasound and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) have limited roles in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. Preoperative imaging is used to characterize patients as having resectable disease, borderline resectable disease, locally advanced disease (unresectable) and metastatic disease (unresectable). As the definitions of borderline resectable and unresectable may vary from institution to institution and within institutions, it is essential to accurately assess and describe the factors relevant to staging including: local extent of tumor, vascular involvement, lymph node involvement and distant metastatic disease. To facilitate this, standardized reporting templates for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma have been created and published. Structured reporting for pancreatic cancer has been reported to provide superior evaluation of pancreatic cancer, facilitate surgical planning, and increase surgeons’ confidence about tumor resectability.
The impact of gender and age on voice related quality of life in children: normative data.

Summary Objectives Although several instruments are available to measure voice quality in children, their application to a normal population and major demographic subgroups has not been described. It is hypothesized that there is no measurable difference in self-reported voice related quality of life between gender and age groups within a population of normal children as measured by the Pediatric Voice-Related Quality of Life (PVRQOL) instrument. Methods The PVRQOL instrument was used to prospectively survey a cohort of children in series at the Wisconsin State Fair. PVRQOL scores may range from 0 (complete dysfunction) to 100 (no dysfunction). Comparisons were made between age and gender groups in order to test the null hypothesis. Results Of the 100 surveys completed by parents of children, 93 were performed correctly and had evaluable data (age range 2–17 years, mean 9.8). The mean PVRQOL score was 97.0 ± 5.6. There was no difference between females and males (97.5 ± 5.83 versus 96.5 ± 5.3, p > 0.05, unpaired t-test); however, within the pre-pubescent school age subjects, a diminished PVRQOL was reported for boys (95.5 ± 6.37) as compared to girls (98.5 ± 3.10, p 0.05) between age groups or gender. Conclusions Amongst a random group of children without voice complaints queried outside of a medical center, self-reported PVRQOL showed no significant dysfunction. This is the first report of gender and age-specific normative PVRQOL data in children. A score of 86 or greater on the PVRQOL instrument represents a normal voice related quality of life.
The prosthodontic concept of crown-to-root ratio: A review of the literature

Crown-to-root ratio is intended to serve as an aid in predicting the prognosis of teeth. However, controversy persists as to its impact on diagnosis and treatment planning. This article critically reviews the available literature on the crown-to-root ratio assessment and criteria for evaluation of abutment use of periodontally compromised teeth. A Medline search was completed for the time period from 1966 to 2003, along with a manual search, to locate relevant peer-reviewed articles and textbooks published in English. Key words used were "crown-to-root ratio," "periodontal compromised dentition," "mobility," and "biomechanics." There was a dearth of evidence-based research on the topic. Although the use of the crown-to-root ratio in addition to other clinical indices may offer the best clinical predictors, no definitive recommendations could be ascertained.
Rating the importance of nursing home residents' quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: To assess how various stakeholders involved with nursing home care rate the importance of various quality-of-life (QoL) items for hypothetical residents with varying types of impairment. DESIGN: A community-based exploratory description of a convenience sample. SETTING: Eleven nursing homes in Florida, New Jersey, and Minnesota. PARTICIPANTS: Samples of registered and licensed nurses (RNs and LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), activities personnel, social workers, physicians, residents, and family members. MEASUREMENTS: Using a magnitude estimation approach, 17 QoL items were rated in order of importance on each of three hypothetical types of nursing home residents. RESULTS: Overall, there was little variation in the ratings for individual items. Ratings for persons with cognitive impairment were consistently lower. RNs’/LPNs’ and CNAs’ ratings were generally higher than the others, and physicians’ ratings were generally lower. Residents’ and families’ ratings were generally lower than nurses’ ratings. CONCLUSION: All stakeholders considered QoL to be important and felt that it deserves more attention in practice and regulation. A summary QoL score need not be weighted. Respondents (who were not cognitively impaired) considered QoL less important for residents with cognitive impairment. Value differences between those involved in nursing home care deserve more exploration. J Am Geriatr Soc 53:2076–2082, 2005.
Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence Associated with Carbohydrate Intake and Tissue Expression of IGFI Receptor

Background: The insulin-like growth factor-I (IGFI) receptor is a potential target for breast cancer treatment and may be influenced by dietary intake. Methods: Nested, case–control study of 265 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors; primary breast cancer tissue was stained to determine IGFI receptor status. Change in carbohydrate intake from baseline to year 1 of study was estimated from 24-hour dietary recalls. Breast cancer recurrence cases (91) were matched to two controls ( n = 174) on disease and study characteristics and counter matched on change in carbohydrate intake. Weighted conditional logistic regression models fit the risk of recurrence on IGFI receptor status and dietary change. Results: Half of the tumors were IGFI receptor positive. Increased risk of recurrence was associated with IGFI receptor–positive status [HR 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2–2.5] and, separately, with a stable/increased intake of carbohydrates (HR 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3–5.0). There was a borderline significant interaction between those two variables ( P = 0.11). Specifically, carbohydrate intake had no significant impact on risk of recurrence among women who were receptor negative, yet increased the risk of recurrence by more than 5-fold among women who were receptor positive (HR 5.5; 95% CI, 1.8–16.3). Conclusions: Among women whose tumor tissue is positive for the IGFI receptor, reducing carbohydrate intake after diagnosis could reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. These findings need replication in a larger sample. Impact: This is the first study to suggest that it may be possible to personalize dietary recommendations for breast cancer survivors based on molecular characteristics of their primary tumor tissue. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(7); 1273–9. ©2014 AACR .
Atrial but Not Ventricular Fibrosis in Mice Expressing a Mutant Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Transgene in the Heart

Increased transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) activity has been observed during pathologic cardiac remodeling in a variety of animal models. In an effort to establish a causal role of TGF-beta(1) in this process, transgenic mice with elevated levels of active myocardial TGF-beta(1) were generated. The cardiac-restricted alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter was used to target expression of a mutant TGF-beta(1) cDNA harboring a cysteine-to-serine substitution at amino acid residue 33. This alteration blocks covalent tethering of the TGF-beta(1) latent complex to the extracellular matrix, thereby rendering a large proportion (>60%) of the transgene-encoded TGF-beta(1) constitutively active. Although similar levels of active TGF-beta(1) were present in the transgenic atria and ventricles, overt fibrosis was observed only in the atria. Surprisingly, increased active TGF-beta(1) levels inhibited ventricular fibroblast DNA synthesis in uninjured hearts and delayed wound healing after myocardial injury. These data suggest that increased TGF-beta(1) activity by itself is insufficient to promote ventricular fibrosis in the adult mouse ventricle.
Improved Model of Fluorescence Recovery Expands the Application of Multiphoton Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching in Vivo

Multiphoton fluorescence recovery after photobleaching is a well-established microscopy technique used to measure the diffusion of macromolecules in biological systems. We have developed an improved model of the fluorescence recovery that includes the effects of convective flows within a system. We demonstrate the validity of this two-component diffusion-convection model through in vitro experimentation in systems with known diffusion coefficients and known flow speeds, and show that the diffusion-convection model broadens the applicability of the multiphoton fluorescence recovery after photobleaching technique by enabling accurate determination of the diffusion coefficient, even when significant flows are present. Additionally, we find that this model allows for simultaneous measurement of the flow speed in certain regimes. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the diffusion-convection model in vivo by measuring the diffusion coefficient and flow speed within tumor vessels of 4T1 murine mammary adenocarcinomas implanted in the dorsal skinfold chamber.
Psychoanalysis and the maltreatment of children.

This essay presents some of the ideas derived from 30 years of observing and treating abused children and those who abuse them. Although most of these patients have not been in what could be called classical analysis, psychoanalytic principles have been crucially important in understanding their behavior and psychodynamics. I also believe that the study of their life histories can often enhance and sometimes broaden many of our psychoanalytic concepts, especially of ego and superego development and expression. Language: en
Conventional fluorescence microscopy below the diffraction limit with simultaneous capture of two fluorophores in DNA origami

A conventional fluorescence microscope was previously constructed for simultaneous imaging of two colors to gain sub-diffraction localization. The system is predicated on color separation of overlapping Airy discs, construction of matrices of Cartesian coordinates to determine locations as well as centers of the point spread functions of fluorophores. Quantum dots that are separated by as little as 10 nm were resolved in the x-y coordinates. Inter-fluorophore distances that vary by 10 nm could also be distinguished. Quantum dots are bright point light source emitters that excite with a single laser and can serve as a label for many biomolecules. Here, alterations in the method are described to test the ability to resolve Atto 488 and Atto 647 dyes attached to DNA origami at ~40 nm spacing intervals. Dual laser excitation is used in tandem with multi-wavelength bandpass filters. Notwithstanding challenges from reduced intensity in Atto labeled DNA origami helical bundles compared to quantum dots, preliminary data show a mean inter-fluorophore distance of 56 nm with a range (14-148 nm). The range closely matches published results with DNA origami with other methods of subdiffraction microscopy. Sub-diffraction simultaneous two-color imaging fluorescence microscopy acronymically christened (SSTIFM) is a simple, readily accessible, technique for measurement of inter-fluorophore distances in compartments less than 40 nm. Preliminary results with so called nanorulers are encouraging for use with other biomolecules.
Introduction: The Story of Law and American Racial Consciousness - Building a Canon One Case at a Time

This introduction explains the difficulties of consolidating a race law canon due to our nation’s general ambivalence about the significance of race. There is a tendency to treat racial injustice as an aberration or an accident in an otherwise democratic system. Transgressions are relegated to the past and sharply contrasted with the contemporary practice of rendering race a biological irrelevancy. These ideological commitments make it hard to conceive of race law in anything but an ephemeral way. That is, once upon a time, there was an anti-canon of race comprised of deplorable decisions like Dred Scott v. Sandford and Plessy v. Ferguson, then there were canonical cases like Brown v. Board of Education and Loving v. Virginia that countered these injustices, but now corrective justice has been done and these concerns are largely the stuff of history. As the introduction makes clear, Race Law Cases rejects these assumptions and invites a dialogue about how to build a race law canon one case at a time. The process begins by recognizing that the collective narrative of law and American racial consciousness is decidedly multiracial, plays itself out across a number of doctrinal contexts, and reflects moments of both inequality and equality. This narrative is inextricably linked to the nation-building process as well as to the lives of individuals, many of whom were pushing back against racial injustices in particular historical moments. To understand these dynamics in the richly textured way necessary to build a canon, context is critical, the kind of context that comes from telling the stories behind both famous cases and hidden gems. The hope is that these stories will help in rethinking assumptions about the role of race in public and private conversations about equality, liberty, and national identity. At the same time, the accounts will pay homage to the contributions of individuals, whether lionized or little-known, who brought these issues to life by daring to question the conventional wisdom about America’s commitment to its most fundamental democratic values.
Empirical Properties, Information Flow, and Trading Strategies of China's Soybean Crush Spread

This study examines the empirical properties of soybean, soymeal, and soyoil futures prices at China's Dalian Commodity Exchange. We find that the three series are cointegrated, and that the cointegration relationship is characterized by significant seasonality and consistent time trends. Further, employing a new trivariate VAR-GARCH model, we find evidence of one-way information flow from the soymeal and soyoil markets to the soybean market, but bidirectional information flow and volatility spillover between the soymeal and soyoil markets. Trading simulations based on the mean-reverting tendencies of the cointegration relationship and 5-day averages of the commonly-used spread both generate positive returns. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Mediates Adverse Effects on Placental andFetal development by Impairing Trophoblast Differentiation and VascularTransformation

The article, “Dual mechanisms of ethanol-impaired placentation: experimental model”, by Drs.Gundogan et al. [1] utilized a robust experimental model of gestation alcohol exposures in rats to examine effects on placentation and fetal development. Dr. Gundogan et al. have pioneered a new field demonstrating the contributions of alcohol-induced impairments in placental growth and development to the pathogenesis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Abstract 207: PTEN contributes to p53 activation during skin transformation

Our previous studies have shown that the tumor suppressor p53 is activated and translocates to the nucleus, as well as, mitochondria during skin carcinogenesis. However, how p53, a short-lived protein is stabilized, and whether it works with other tumor suppressors remains unclear. We hypothesize that PTEN contributes to TPA-induced p53 activation in the early stages of skin carcinogenesis. Following TPA treatment, PTEN expression in the whole cell lysate was reduced; however, nuclear PTEN expression was increased, and the p53-PTEN interaction was detected via immunoprecipitation in murine skin epidermal JB6 P+ cells, an effect accompanied by an increase in the proapoptotic protein and p53 transcriptional target, Bax. In cell transfection experiments, knocking down PTEN expression via siRNA was sufficient to suppress p53 transcriptional activity as evidenced by decreased Bax expression. Similar effects were seen when p53 transcriptional activity was blocked by pifithrin-α, a specific p53 inhibitor that blocks p53 nuclear translocation. In addition, TPA-induced PTEN expression was significantly reduced in cells that were pre-treated with pifithrin-α. Our results indicate that the tumor suppressor, PTEN, promotes p53 activation in the early stages of TPA-mediated skin tumorigenesis to regulate the expression and transcriptional activity of p53. Therefore modulators of the PTEN- p53 complex can be therapeutically useful in the treatment of skin carcinogenesis and early-stage tumor promotion. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 207. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-207
Investigation on the status of occupational health and personal protective equipment use of gas station staff in Jiangxi province

Objective To understand the status of occupational health and personal protective equipment use of gas station workers in Jiangxi province. Methods Cluster random sampling was performed in 444 Sinopec gas stations of Jiangxi Province,and questionnaire investigation was performed for 1 ~ 2 workers on their health related condition in each gas station. Results The proportion of workers wearing protection overalls,gloves,galoshes and masks were 95.69%, 40.72%,50.94% and 11.58%,respectively. The proportion of those completely and properly wearing personal protection overalls was only 10.39%. The top five clinical symptoms were xeroderma( 27. 22%),dreaminess( 23. 20%),insomnia( 18. 78%),xerostomia( 15. 61%),cephalalgia( 12.03%),The rate difference of symptoms between different genders were statistically significant( P0.05). Conclusions Continuous exposure to low concentration of gasoline and benzene( series-) products,and low rate of personal protection equipment use among gas station workers may lead to health damage at different degrees. Measures should be taken to change the workers' unhealthy working behavior,and occupational health surveillance should be further strengthened.
Platelet surface collagen receptor polymorphisms: variable receptor expression and thrombotic/hemorrhagic risk.

T WO ARTICLES in this issue focus attention on the α2β1 integrin, a platelet surface collagen receptor. The articles address the potential contributions of varying α2β1 integrin expression to the manifestation of hemorrhagic or thrombotic disease. For some years, fibrillar collagens have been
Population dynamics of purine and pyrimidine analog sensitive and resistant mammalian cells grown in culture.

The population dynamics of purine analog resistance have been studied. Two types of reconstruction experiments were performed: cloning numbers of azaguanine resistant, BUdR resistant, and sensitive cells were plated in the presence of a large number of the opposite genotype, which were made to act as a feeder layer by inactivating them with either the appropriate analog or the reverse selective HAT medium. These experiments demonstrate that there is no significant metabolic cooperation between drug resistant and drug sensitive cells, with the exception of BUdR sensitive cells, which at high densities inhibit the cloning ability of BUdR resistant cells in the presence of the drug. Thus the purine analog resistance system can be used for obtaining quantitative data concerning such parameters as mutation and selection, while at high cell densities the pyrimidine analog system appears to be unsatisfactory.——A second series of experiments indicates that, in artificial mixtures of sensitive and resistant cells grown in standard medium, the resistant cells are at a selective disadvantage and will be reduced eventually to the frequency which is observed in wild type populations.
Coupling microbial fuel cells with a membrane photobioreactor for wastewater treatment and bioenergy production

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and membrane photobioreactors are two emerging technologies for simultaneous wastewater treatment and bioenergy production. In this study, those two technologies were coupled to form an integrated treatment system, whose performance was examined under different operating conditions. The coupled system could achieve 92–97 % removal of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) and nearly 100 % removal of ammonia. Extending the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of the membrane photobioreactor to 3.0 days improved the production of algal biomass from 44.4 ± 23.8 to 133.7 ± 12.9 mg L−1 (based on the volume of the treated water). When the MFCs were operated in a loop mode, their effluent (which was the influent to the algal reactor) contained nitrate and had a high pH, leading to the decreased algal production in the membrane photobioreactor. Energy analysis showed that the energy consumption was mainly due to the recirculation of the anolyte and the catholyte in the MFCs and that decreasing the recirculation rates could significantly reduce energy consumption. The energy production was dominated by indirect electricity generation from algal biomass. The highest energy production of 0.205 kWh m−3 was obtained with the highest algal biomass production, resulting in a theoretically positive energy balance of 0.033 kWh m−3. Those results have demonstrated that the coupled system could be an alternative approach for energy-efficient wastewater treatment and using wastewater effluent for algal production.
Lack of lignin degradation by glucose oxidase-negative mutants of Phanerochaetechrysosporium

Abstract Glucose oxidase-negative ( gox − mutants of Phanerochaete chrysosporium were isolated after exposing conidia to UV irradiation. The gox − mutants exhibited little or no ability to degrade lignin (2-(14C)-synthetic lignin to 14CO2); however, they retained other secondary metabolic features such as the ability to conidiate and produce veratryl alchol, suggesting that they are not pleiotropic for secondary metabolism. Lignin degradation activity was restored in gox + revertants. These results, in support of earlier evidence, indicate that glucose oxidase activity plays an important role in lignin degradation by P. chrysosporium .
Materia prima e historia en Muñecas

El presente articulo muestra como confluyen la historia del extractivismo cauchero y la del holocausto en Munecas (2008) de Ariel Magnus. En un primer momento se situa a la novela en su doble trayectoria de narrativa del caucho y del trauma. A continuacion se especula que un deseo de control absoluto define la relacion de los humanos con el caucho; a su vez, ese deseo influiria en el lenguaje literario que representa y eventualmente repara tal relacion. Por ultimo, se propone una interpretacion transcultural del rol de la asi llamada materia “prima” en el materialismo historico.
Impaired utilization of membrane potential by complex II-energized mitochondria of obese, diabetic mice assessed using ADP recycling methodology

Recently, we used an ADP recycling approach to examine mouse skeletal muscle (SkM) mitochondrial function over respiratory states intermittent between state 3 and 4. We showed that respiration ener...
Platform Variability and Flake Morphology: A Comparison of Experimental and Archaeological Data and Implications for Interpreting Prehistoric Lithic Technological Strategies

(1997). Platform Variability and Flake Morphology: A Comparison of Experimental and Archaeological Data and Implications for Interpreting Prehistoric Lithic Technological Strategies. Lithic Technology: Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 150-170.
Reflections on “Fundamentality and Complexity”

It seems fitting that the impetus for the sketchy considerations presented here came from many luncheon conversations in Iowa City, where both Joseph Jauch and the author spent many pleasant and productive years.
Content Analysis of a Live CDC Twitter Chat During the 2014 Ebola Outbreak

A public response to a looming health threat may be marked with misinformation and panic. However, providing the public with accurate information and updates may be an effective way to prevent widespread fear. In response to the 2014 Ebola panic in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated a Twitter conversation with the public to alleviate concerns and provide accurate information about the disease. This study conducted a content analysis of 512 randomly selected tweets by the general public directed to the CDC. The major themes identified included the etiology of Ebola, policy, the environment, spread and scope of the disease, fear and anxiety from the public, and misinformation. Practical implications of these findings include encouraging government and emergency health response organizations to prepare educational messages and materials in advance that detail responses to common questions, such as transmission and symptoms.
4-(Dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) as an Acid-Modulated Donor Ligand for PAH Dearomatization

The dearomatization of naphthalene and anthracene is explored by their η2 coordination to {TpMo(NO)(MeIm)} and {TpMo(NO)(DMAP)} (where Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate, MeIm = 1-methylimidazole, and DMAP = 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine). The DMAP and MeIm complexes have nearly identical redox properties and abilities to bind these polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but unlike MeIm, the DMAP ligand can be protonated at N while remaining bound to the metal. This action enhances the π-acidic properties of DMAP, resulting in greater stability of the molybdenum toward oxidation by acid. Utilizing this feature of the DMAP ligand, several new 1,2-dihydronaphthalenes and 1,2-dihydroanthracenes were prepared. Furthermore, it was found that acetals and Michael acceptors could function as electrophiles for the PAHs using the DMAP system, resulting in several new mono- and 1,4-dialkylated products.
Scalable-Application Design for the IoT

The Internet of Things envisions a web-connected infrastructure of sensing and actuation devices. However, the current state of the art presents another reality: monolithic end-to-end applications tightly coupled to a limited set of sensors and actuators. Growing such applications with new devices or behaviors, or extending the existing infrastructure with new applications, involves redesign and deployment. A proposed approach breaks these applications up into an equivalent set of functional units called context engines, whose I/O transformations are driven by general-purpose machine learning. This approach decreases computational redundancy and complexity with a minimal impact on accuracy. Researchers evaluated this approach's scalability--how the context engines' overhead grows as the input data and number of computational nodes increase. In a large-scale case study of residential smart-grid control, this approach provided better accuracy and scaling than the state-of-the-art single-stage approach.
Tunable Light-Emitting Diodes Utilizing Quantum-Confined Layered Perovskite Emitters

Organic–inorganic perovskites have been shown to have excellent optoelectronic properties. Further, layered perovskites have been demonstrated, utilizing quantum confinement to achieve emission blue-shifted from the bulk band gap. Here, we tune this blue-shift to build LEDs that span the visible spectrum. We demonstrate that electroluminescence from red-shifted layers dominates emission from mixed-thickness devices and that the addition of excess ligand is necessary to drive emission toward blue-shifted layers. By tuning the thickness of the layers, we build LEDs with blue emission utilizing the lead bromide system and orange emission utilizing the lead iodide system. Finally, we demonstrate that these materials suffer reversible degradation under an applied electric field. The spectrally narrow emission, combined with the favorable electronic properties of perovskite materials and access to shorter emission wavelengths through quantum confinement, demonstrates the promise of these materials as a new plat...
Calibration of Land Subsidence Model Using the EnKF

Land subsidence modeling has been developed for reliable modeling and prediction in the last several decades. Calibration of hydraulic properties such as transmissivity and elastic and inelastic specific storages using observation data is a challenge because of the strong nonlinearity of groundwater flow equation especially when it accounted for the interbed drainage process. The ensemble Kalman filter is applied to calibrate hydraulic properties in a synthetic land subsidence model. The characterization of transmissivity and specific storages and prediction of land subsidence are improved after the drawdown and subsidence observation data are conditioned.
Kaposi Sarcoma Mimicking Acute Flare of Ulcerative Colitis.

Besides an AIDS-defining illness, Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is also seen in individuals on long-term immunosuppressant therapy. We report KS in a 70-year-old immunocompetent man, which initially mimicked acute flare of ulcerative colitis (UC). He was hospitalized multiple times for complaints of watery diarrhea and tenesmus. Despite treatment with mesalamine, short courses of methylprednisolone, and one dose of infliximab, his symptoms improved only partially. He underwent colonoscopy, which revealed mild active colitis and a mass in the ascending colon. After treatment of acute flare with methylprednisone and mesalamine, he underwent total colectomy with end ileostomy. The histopathology confirmed stage I adenocarcinoma of colon. He continued to experience watery diarrhea, which was attributed to intractable UC, and he underwent protectomy several weeks later. The histopathology of rectum revealed KS. After surgery, watery diarrhea resolved completely. Review of literature suggests KS has been rarely reported ...
Second-messenger signaling in lung capillaries

In the lung, several endothelial cell (EC) processes are regulated by an increase in EC cytosolic Ca2+. However, the role of EC cytosolic Ca2+ in mediating capillary proinflammatory processes is not clear. Mainly, it is not clear to what extent EC cytosolic Ca2+ increases activate other second messengers, which in turn might play a direct role in initiating proinflammatory responses. We determined this in intact lung capillaries using videomicroscopy and image analysis. We subjected the lungs to stressors including increased vascular pressure and tumor necrosis factor α. Our studies indicate that the primary response to these lung stresses is an increase in EC cytosolic Ca2+. These stresses induce proinflammatory responses in these capillaries, as indicated by the increase in P-selectin expression. However, determination of the signaling pathways underlying the Ca2+-induced P-selectin expression indicates a role for mitochondrial mechanisms. The lung stressors induce cytosolic Ca2+-dependent increases in mitochondrial Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species, which in turn regulate exocytosis of P-selectin. Hence, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species act as signaling intermediates in Ca2+-induced P-selectin exocytosis in lung capillaries. Thus, second messengers Ca2+ and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species are critical in the regulation of lung proinflammatory responses.
Polyacetylene and its analogs: Synthesis and physical properties

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the synthesis, processing, and potential applications of polyacetylene (PA). A critical review of its history and evolution reveals that synthetic methods can be used to improve the processability of PA but at a cost in the electrical conductivity. A number of novel applications that are specific to other conducting polymers can potentially be extended to PA. Because conducting polymers will change volume depending on their oxidation state, it is possible to convert electrical energy into mechanical works. Thus, electromechanical devices can be made with PA as an integral component. Although polyacetylene and its analogs exhibit a wide range of useful properties, none of these polymers is widely used in commercial applications. This observation suggests that the chemistry and physics of PA and PA analogs are likely to continue to be a heavily researched topic for many more years to come.
Leveraging Herd Behavior in Foreign Exchange Markets

We examine the relationship between equity and foreign exchange markets at, and around, the WM/Reuters benchmark exchange rate known as the the 'Fix'. Execution at the Fix is a service offered by brokers provided they obtain the trade order before 4pm GMT. We have three main goals with this paper: (i) to show a connection between equities and foreign exchange markets via this window; (ii) to leverage this connection using an algorithmic trading strategy; and (iii) to rank various statistical techniques used to make predictions for trading. We are successful in all three endeavors with the best technique producing an out-of-sample annual cumulative return of 4.02% with an annualized Sharpe ratio of 3.43.
Evaluation of extended antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing indicated non-cosmetic panniculectomy at the time of gynecologic surgery.

Background Panniculectomy at time of gynecologic surgery is used to improve visualization and prevent major complications in morbidly obese patients. We examine the role of extended antibiotic prophylaxis in prevention of surgical site infections (SSI), specifically based on patient risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, smoking). Methods A prospective cohort study of all women who underwent panniculectomy at the time of gynecologic surgery from September 2014 to March 2016 at a university-affiliated hospital. The EAP cohort received standard antibiotics (cefazolin, 2 g) and continued oral antibiotic (doxycycline) for 10 days afterwards. Patients in this cohort were compared to historical controls from the same institution from 1990 to 2014. Specific attention was paid to the reduction of SSIs in patients with hypertension, diabetes, and a history of smoking. Results The mean age was 56.0 ± 12.6 years, and mean body mass index 44.5 ± 9.3 kg/m2 (range 31-63.4 kg/m2 ). The EAP cohort experienced fewer surgical-site infections overall, however these results were not significantly decreased from the historical controls, (13/56 [23.2%] vs 94/300 [31.3%]; P = 0.469). Conclusion Though initially promising, extended antibiotic prophylaxis did not reduce surgical site infections in the obese women after indicated non-cosmetic panniculectomy at the time of gynecologic surgery.
Augmented Reality Technology for Highway Construction Project Delivery

Highway systems in the US are integrated with various dynamic components and parameters as part of current transportation and infrastructure systems. The transportation system involves a huge investment in all over the country which is currently a hot topic. In highway projects, there are various phases as design, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and demolition. Integration of these activities is important for successful project delivery. In between these phases, there is a need to support all these activities through the integration of new technology such as Augmented Reality. Complex processes such as quality assurance issues, communications among project participants and management of highway infrastructure assets will be easier to complete and manipulate with implementation of Augmented Reality. Augmented Reality has a potential to reduce the construction cost, improve the delivery time, and assist with overall management of a construction project. In the present paper, implementation of Augmented Reality is given for bridge construction as a part of transportation systems. The research utilizes the Virtual and Augmented Reality laboratory at Eastern Michigan University. A representative bridge was modelled with Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality model was created for the representative model. The bridge model shows an effective implementation of Augmented Reality in highway construction project delivery.
Mind the Gap(s): Holly Sykes’s Life, the ‘Invisible’ War, and the History of the Future in The Bone Clocks

David Mitchell’s The Bone Clocks (2014) features a complex temporal scheme. Critics have discussed the novel as an allegory of mortality and in terms of labyrinthine time and reincarnation time. I herein discuss it in terms of elided time, examining the ellipses or breaks in temporal continuity that the novel so prominently highlights. Although what we might arguably call the main narrative covers Holly Sykes’s lifetime, most of that span is not narrated. Drawing on current discussions of the Anthropocene and climate change, I explore how The Bone Clocks, through its narrative ellipses, spurs readers to link past causes and future effects and to pay attention to the attritional environmental destruction that is taking place across a vast time-scale. Mitchell writes a history of the future that cautions us to mind the gaps.
Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) Repair (with Video)

The minimally invasive approach to inguinal hernia repair originated with Ger and colleagues in the 1980s. Total extraperitoneal repair (TEP) depends upon the establishment of and dissection within the retrorectal space. This technique was first popularized by McKernon and Laws in 1993. The decision to proceed with TEP ultimately is multifactorial and must be individualized, with close attention to the complexity and size of the hernia, the patient’s comorbidities, and the patient’s surgical history. This chapter explores the indications and contraindications of TEP as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this approach, with a brief literature overview. We conclude with a description of the procedure, including relevant clinical pearls and common pitfalls.