cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcription factor Spi-B binds unique sequences present in the tandem repeat promoter/enhancer of JC virus and supports viral activity

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an often fatal demyelinating disease caused by lytic infection of oligodendrocytes with JC virus (JCV). The development of PML in non-immunosuppressed individuals is a growing concern with reports of mortality in patients treated with mAb therapies. JCV can persist in the kidneys, lymphoid tissue and bone marrow. JCV gene expression is restricted by non-coding viral regulatory region sequence variation and cellular transcription factors. Because JCV latency has been associated with cells undergoing haematopoietic development, transcription factors previously reported as lymphoid specific may regulate JCV gene expression. This study demonstrates that one such transcription factor, Spi-B, binds to sequences present in the JCV promoter/enhancer and may affect early virus gene expression in cells obtained from human brain tissue. We identified four potential Spi-B-binding sites present in the promoter/enhancer elements of JCV sequences from PML variants and the non-pathogenic archetype. Spi-B sites present in the promoter/enhancers of PML variants alone bound protein expressed in JCV susceptible brain and lymphoid-derived cell lines by electromobility shift assays. Expression of exogenous Spi-B in semi- and non-permissive cells increased early viral gene expression. Strikingly, mutation of the Spi-B core in a binding site unique to the Mad-4 variant was sufficient to abrogate viral activity in progenitor-derived astrocytes. These results suggest that Spi-B could regulate JCV gene expression in susceptible cells, and may play an important role in JCV activity in the immune and nervous systems.
The MeDICi Integration Framework: A Platform for High Performance Data Streaming Applications

Building high performance analytical applications for data streams generated from sensors is a challenging software engineering problem. Such applications typically comprise a complex pipeline of processing components that capture, transform and analyze the incoming data stream. In addition, applications must provide high throughput, be scalable and easily modifiable so that new analytical components can be added with minimum effort. In this paper we describe the MeDICi integration framework (MIF), which is a middleware platform we have created to address these challenges. The MIF extends an open source messaging platform with a component-based API for integrating components into analytical pipelines. We describe the features and capabilities of the MIF, and show how it has been used to build a production analytical application for detecting cyber security attacks. The application was composed from multiple independently developed components using several different programming languages. The resulting application was able to process network sensor traffic in real time and provide insightful feedback to network analysts as soon as potential attacks were recognized.
ADDED NERINEOID GASTROPOD EVIDENCE FOR A WARM TURONIAN SEA IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Nerineoids, so typical of the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous in Europe, are usually rare and lacking in diversity in North America north of Mexico. This is especially true of the Pacific slope faunas. Only three species of nerineoid gastropods have previously been reported from the Cretaceous of California (Saul and Squires, 1998). The oldest of these species, Aphanoptyxis andersoni Saul and Squires, 1998, is from the Early Cretaceous (Hauterivian) in northern California. The other two species are Late Cretaceous (Turonian): Aphanoptyxis californica Saul and Squires, 1998, is from northern California, and Nerinella santana Saul and Squires, 1998, is from a locality and strata in southern California near the occurrence of Nerinella califae n. sp. The description of N. califae n. sp. gives California the greatest diversity of Turonian northeastern Pacific slope nerineoids, namely, Aphanoptyxis californica and two species of Nerinella . These Turonian nerineoids are also, thus far, the geologically youngest North American Pacific slope nerineoids. Aphanoptyxis californica was described from the Hornbrook Formation in Siskiyou County and the Redding Formation in Shasta County, northern California. This northern nerineoid is from east of the San Andreas Fault. Nerinella santana and N. califae , on the other hand, are from the Santa Ana Mountains, which are west of the San Andreas Fault. The Santa Ana Mountains have been moved relatively northward, and they are now several hundred kilometers nearer northern California than they were during the Cretaceous (Fry et al., 1985). Nerineoids are commonly an important element of Mesozoic carbonate faunas and form part of the subtropical to tropical Tethyan-rudist-coral assemblages (Sohl, 1987; Barker, 1990). Limestones are rare in California Cretaceous deposits, and the two Californian Turonian species are from nearshore arenaceous sediments rather than carbonate deposits. These two species are not as yet known …
The Kinetics of Cell Proliferation in Cultures of Human Peripheral Blood

The kinetics of growth of peripheral blood cells in tissue culture are described. There was a rapid increase of cells in DNA synthesis beginning at 24 hours and by 72 hours 40-45 per cent of the cells were in DNA synthesis. Mitotic rates of ∼ 1 per cent/hour were seen after 72 hours in cultures. Studies with tritiated thymidine and colchicine indicated that these cells represent transformed lymphocytes and do not arise from the cells in DNA synthesis at time zero or from any other small population of cells.
Dominant pole assignment in linear uncertain systems

A state feedback controller maximizing the uncertain parameters for closed loop pole perturbations in a set of desired dominant regions is the subject of this paper. Norm bounded uncertainty is investigated through the robust pole assignement algorithm. For structured real parameter variations, the performance index maximizing the uncertainties is expressed in terms of a set of nonzero variables. These variables determine the closed loop eigenvectors as a linear combination of the known basis vectors spanning each achievable eigenvector corresponding to the desired eigenvalues ( centers of dominant circular regions, when there are no uncertainties ). Two examples are considered for illustration. It is shown that both normalization and near orthogonality constraints on closed loop eigenvectors may lead to a conservative design. Nomenclature Eigenvalue spectrum for the matrix (.) Nominal matrix with sp( A)=(\i • • • Xn) Perturbed matrix with sp(A+E)— (/xi • • • /un) Matrix E for small uncertain parameters (Mi Ai ) Distance of from Xj, ie., \IM — Xj\ Circular region in complex plane with center at c and radius r {D(a ,Ti) ,i = 1 , 2 • • • n such that X>(ci,r;)n V(cj,rj) is empty for all i / j (disjointed neighborhoods) } Radii of circular regions T)(\j,Rj) £ H such that for a small e> Q T>(\j,Rj) n Rk + e) is nonempty for some k ^ j sp(.) A
Volume component analysis for feature extraction in LiDAR point cloud objects

This approach describes a method for using adapted Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in order to extract a set of reduced dimensionality features for use in classification of a 3D object, represented by a LiDAR point cloud.
PHASE CONDUCTOR CONFIGURATION AND POWER FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC ENVIRONMENT OF UHV TRANSMISSION LINES IN CHINA

The strategy and measures for solving the power frequency electromagnetic environment problems in developing their UHV transmission lines in former USSR, Japan and the US are briefly introduced and analyzed. Based on the construction and operation experiences gained from 500kV transmission lines in China a new phase conductor configuration scheme (compact line with verse triangle configuration of phase conductors) is proposed. Distributions of power frequency electric field and magnetic field for the above mentioned three types of UHV transmission lines abroad and that of the proposed scheme to be developed are calculated under the same control condition. The obtained results should be helpful in choosing and determining the phase conductor configuration and the type of tower of the first UHV lines in China.
Irreconcilable Differences in Tests of Hotelling's Theory of Exhaustible Resources

Empirical tests of the theory of exhaustible resources have provided mixed results regarding empirical validity of the theory. This paper considers differences in the primary testing methodologies and alternative measures of the in situ resource price. We demonstrate that in situ price measures common in the literature are theoretically equivalent for the vertically integrated firm. We also show that empirical shadow price test methodologies imply the same restricted econometric model, while the unrestricted models diverge. We find that the Halvorsen and Smith (1991) test methodology is relatively efficient, and, using data on natural gas wells, reject the unrestricted transition equation of traditional methodology. We conclude that discrepant empirical test results may be an artifact of the econometric testing methodologies rather than a reflection on the validity of the theory.
The impact of cancer pain education on family caregivers of elderly patients.

Purpose/objectives To examine the impact of pain education on family members providing home care to elderly patients with cancer. Design Quasiexperimental. Setting Homes of selected patients from two California medical centers. Sample Fifty family caregivers of patients experiencing cancer-related pain. Methods The pain education program included three components: pain assessment, pharmacologic interventions, and nonpharmacologic interventions. Patients and their family caregivers were evaluated prior to initiation of the program and at one and three weeks following the interventions. Main research variables Quality of life (QOL); knowledge and attitudes about pain; and caregiver burden. Findings Findings based on measures of QOL and caregiver burden demonstrated the physical and psychological impact of family caregiving and pain management. Comparison between elderly patients with cancer and family caregivers revealed the pain experience's significant impact on family members caring for a loved one in pain. Conclusions The pain education program was effective in improving knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management. Implications for nursing practice Pain management is a priority for nurses, and use of interventions such as structured pain education improves QOL outcomes for elderly patients and their family caregivers.
Zika virus Therapeutics: Drug Targets and Repurposing Medicine from the Human Genome

Zika viral infection is caused by an emerging mosquito borne virus the Zika virus ZIKV and threatens to become a global pandemic While not life threatening the Zika Virus Disease ZVD is suspected to be associated with severe neurological disorders including Guillain Barr eacute syndrome and microcephaly Currently no known cure or diagnostic tests for ZVD are available The host cell molecular targets are unknown for ZIKV The ZIKV is related to various other mosquito borne viruses including the Chikungunya Dengue Japanese encephalitis Spondweni Yellow fever and West Nile viruses The host cell targets are known for most of these viruses All of these viruses harbor common protein motifs and domains raising the possibility of shared molecular targets in the host genome To facilitate target s discovery for the ZIKV therapy the disease and protein knowledge databases were datamined for Zika related viruses An initial database of genes was established Additional filtering using variants associated with the Zika related viruses and neurological disease phenotypes identified putative candidate ZIKV targets These encompass druggable proteins including adhesion molecules chemokines enzymes interleukins receptors and transporters Genes linked to Guillain Barr eacute syndrome and microcephaly was among the Zika candidate genes The protein expression of the candidate genes was detected in diverse body fluids Drug bank datamining of these candidate targets identified seventy nine FDA approved drugs of the class antineoplastics anti diabetic anti inflammatory antivirals antibiotics statins and neutraceuticals The database of genes from the study provides a framework for diagnosis and therapy of the ZVD The FDA approved list of drugs if verified may offer a repurposing use for the treatment of the ZVD
Hexaphenylbenzene and hexabenzocoronene-based porous polymers for the adsorption of volatile organic compounds

Toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene and toluene that are emitted from industrial chemical processes and outdoor or indoor chemical applications are harmful to the environment and threaten human health. Porous organic polymers (POPs), which have attracted much interest during the last decade as materials for gas adsorption and separation, have only recently gained attention for the adsorption of VOCs. We synthesised two POPs based on hexaphenylbenzene (HEX-POP-93) and hexabenzocoronene (HBC-POP-98) and studied the adsorption of organic vapours. Interestingly, while both POPs have moderate BET surface areas (687 and 548 m2 g−1 respectively), they both show an excellent affinity for organic vapours over water, with a high benzene adsorption capacity of 99.9 wt% for HEX-POP-93.
Gaussian Processes and Brownian Motion

Covariance and independence, rotational symmetry, isonormal Gaussian process, independent increments, Brownian motion and bridge, scaling and inversion, Gaussian Markov processes, quadratic variation, path irregularity, strong Markov and reflection properties, Bessel processes, maximum process, arcsine and uniform laws, laws of the iterated logarithm, Wiener integral, spectral and moving-average representations, Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, multiple Wiener–Ito integrals, chaos expansion of variables and processes.
Crowded Conditions: Coming to an ER Near You.

A review of some of the reasons for recent emergency department crowding and the consequences that has on quality of care and the ability to handle large crises, such as a bioterrorist attack or influenza pandemic. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Multi-scenario optimization approach for assessing the impacts of advanced traffic information under realistic stochastic capacity distributions

Abstract In this study, to incorporate realistic discrete stochastic capacity distribution over a large number of sampling days or scenarios (say 30–100 days), we propose a multi-scenario based optimization model with different types of traveler knowledge in an advanced traveler information provision environment. The proposed method categorizes commuters into two classes: (1) those with access to perfect traffic information every day, and (2) those with knowledge of the expected traffic conditions (and related reliability measure) across a large number of different sampling days. Using a gap function framework or describing the mixed user equilibrium under different information availability over a long-term steady state, a nonlinear programming model is formulated to describe the route choice behavior of the perfect information (PI) and expected travel time (ETT) user classes under stochastic day-dependent travel time. Driven by a computationally efficient algorithm suitable for large-scale networks, the model was implemented in a standard optimization solver and an open-source simulation package and further applied to medium-scale networks to examine the effectiveness of dynamic traveler information under realistic stochastic capacity conditions.
A MICROCOMPUTER CRT CONTROLLER

A microcomputer controller is described for the control of a CRT data display device. The controller relies on the Direct Memory Access (DMA) capabilities of the microcomputer to provide common use of the system data and address buses for both system memory and CRT screen refresh data accesses. Features include the ability of the controller to provide both alphanumeric and graphic data display capabilities. A detailed analysis of each major subsection of the controller is made.
The ω-3 fatty acid α-linolenic acid extends Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan via NHR-49/PPARα and oxidation to oxylipins

Summary The dietary intake of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has been linked to a reduction in the incidence of aging-associated disease including cardiovascular disease and stroke. Additionally, long-lived Caenorhabditis elegans glp-1 germ line-less mutant animals show a number of changes in lipid metabolism including the increased production of the ω-3 fatty acid, α-linolenic acid (ALA). Here, we show that the treatment of C. elegans with ALA produces a dose-dependent increase in lifespan. The increased longevity of the glp-1 mutant animals is known to be dependent on both the NHR-49/PPARα and SKN-1/Nrf2 transcription factors, although the mechanisms involved are incompletely understood. We find that ALA treatment increased the lifespan of wild-type worms and that these effects required both of these transcription factors. Specifically, NHR-49 was activated by ALA to promote the expression of genes involved in the β-oxidation of lipids, whereas SKN-1 is not directly activated by ALA, but instead, the exposure of ALA to air results in the oxidation of ALA to a group of compounds termed oxylipins. At least one of the oxylipins activates SKN-1 and enhances the increased longevity resulting from ALA treatment. The results show that ω-3 fatty acids inhibit aging and that these effects could reflect the combined effects of the ω-3 fatty acid and the oxylipin metabolites. The benefits of ω-3 fatty acid consumption on human health may similarly involve the production of oxylipins, and differences in oxylipin conversion could account for at least part of the variability found between observational vs. interventional clinical trials.
Educating the Academe- How Academic Homogeneity Stifles Racial Diversity

Although there is a wealth of research to support the notion that the American professoriate is not as racially and ethnically diverse as it could and should be, very little research has focused on the particular academic backgrounds of Higher Education faculty members in American universities. The purpose of the study is to examine the academic backgrounds of higher education administration faculty members (all ranks of professors, lecturers, and clinical staff; n = 119) employed at America’s top 10 universities for Higher Education Administration according to the 2016 list compiled by U.S. News & World Report. Findings suggest that Liberal Arts (62% of Bachelor’s degrees) produce the most faculty members, while Education (5%) produces nearly the fewest amounts. Findings also suggest that Psychology, Sociology, Economics, and English are the most common undergraduate academic fields producing higher education faculty members, yet these are academic pathways that Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino undergraduates rarely take, possibly contributing to the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the higher education professoriate and other related fields. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are addressed.
Will risk compensation accompany pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV?

As evidence for the success of new HIV prevention interventions increases, there is concern that users of these interventions may increase risky sexual behaviors.
Introduction to Copper Metabolism and Wilson Disease

Copper is an essential trace element that is important for proper growth and development and plays a role in many normal metabolic processes. Copper deficiency leads to failure of many of these processes, while excess copper can lead to oxidative stress and cellular injury by impairing protein and mitochondrial function and modifying expression of genes. Maintaining appropriate homeostasis for copper levels requires a balance between the absorption of this essential element from our diet by the small intestine and elimination of excess copper by excretion from the liver into bile for elimination in stool. ATP7B is an important transport protein in liver cells that assists in transporting copper to bile and also in incorporating copper into the protein ceruloplasmin that is secreted by liver cells into the circulation. Ceruloplasmin is an important protein that is mostly involved in iron metabolism. Wilson disease (WD) is a genetic disorder that results from absence or altered function of the ATP7B protein that causes copper accumulation in the liver and later in other organs. Copper accumulation leads to cell injury, causing a chronic inflammatory state that can ultimately lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver, and injury to the brain that causes neurologic and psychiatric symptoms. Current therapies for WD aim to block absorption of dietary copper or enhance elimination of copper from the sites in the body to prevent further injury and restore normal cellular function.
Why Pakistani Software Companies don't use Best Practices for Requirement Engineering Processes

Requirement engineering (RE) is initial and critical phase of software engineering. The success of software project is based on good requirement engineering practices. The purpose of requirement engineering practices is to elicit all intended user needs and document them for clarity of understanding and for future reference. In developing countries like Pakistan best RE practices are not fully used in software industry. In this study, major reasons for not using best RE practices are identified based on literature review of research work done related to RE in different countries. Literature review revealed that lack of knowledge of requirement engineering processes, lack of cost, lack of time are major factors behind not using RE practices in software development. A survey was conducted to base on factors identified to highlight major obstacles in way of using best requirement engineering practices in Pakistan. Survey results depicted the main issues are lack of budget, lack of time, lack of dedicated team and communication difficulties.
Public Good Provision Games on Networks with Resource Pooling

We consider the interaction of strategic agents and their decision-making process toward the provision of a public good. In this interaction, each user exerts a certain level of effort to improve his own utility. At the same time, the agents are interdependent and the utility of each agent depends not only on his own effort but also on the other agents’ effort level. As the agents have a limited budget and can exert limited effort, question arises as to whether there is advantage to agents pooling their resources. In this study, we show that resource pooling may or may not improve the agents’ utility when they are driven by self-interest. We identify some scenarios where resource pooling does lead to social welfare improvement as compared to without resource pooling. We also propose a taxation–subsidy mechanism that can effectively incentivize the agents to exert socially optimal effort under resource pooling.
MagSLAM: Aerial simultaneous localization and mapping using Earth's magnetic anomaly field

Instances of spoofing and jamming of global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) have emphasized the need for alternative navigation methods. Aerial navigation by magnetic map matching has been demonstrated as a viable GNSS-alternative navigation technique. Flight test demonstrations have achieved accuracies of tens of meters over hour-long flights, but these flights required accurate magnetic maps which are not always available.Magneticmap availability and resolution vary widely around the globe. Removing the dependency on prior survey maps extends the benefits of aerial magnetic navigation methods to small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) at lower altitudes where magnetic maps are especially undersampled or unavailable. In this paper, a simultaneous localization andmapping (SLAM) algorithm known as FastSLAM was modified to use scalar magnetic measurements to constrain a drifting inertial navigation system (INS). The algorithm was then demonstrated on real magnetic navigation flight test data. Similar in performance to the map-based approach, MagSLAM achieved tens of meters accuracy in a 100-minute flight without the use of a prior magnetic map. Aerial SLAM using Earth's magnetic anomaly field provides a GNSS-alternative navigation method that is globally persistent, impervious to jamming or spoofing, stealthy, and locally accurate to tens of meters without the need for a magnetic map.
Ethical Decision Making and the Avengers: Lessons from the Screen to the Classroom

Captain America: Civil War takes place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where enhanced individuals battle to protect the world. In Civil War, a conflict divides the members of the Avengers, a grou...
Collaborating with Sovereign Tribal Nations to Legally Prepare for Public Health Emergencies

Public health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters, are issues faced by every community. To address these threats, it is critical for all jurisdictions to understand how law can be used to enhance public health preparedness, as well as improve coordination and collaboration across jurisdictions. As sovereign entities, Tribal governments have the authority to create their own laws and take the necessary steps to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies. Legal preparedness is a key component of public health preparedness. This article first explains legal preparedness and Tribal sovereignty and then describes the relationship between Tribal Nations, the US government, and states. Specific Tribal concerns with respect to emergency preparedness and the importance of coordination and collaboration across jurisdictions for emergency preparedness are discussed. Examples of collaborative efforts between Tribal and other governments to enhance legal preparedness are described.
The (Ir)relevance of Positivist Arguments for Originalism

In a series of recent Articles William Baude and Stephen Sachs argue that as a matter of positive law — that is, as a matter of our convergent social practices — a form of originalism is in fact our law. Having provided an account of the content of the law they presume to also have provided an account of sound adjudication. But I argue that this inference requires showing that an account of the content of the law is explanatorily prior to an account of sound adjudication, and I argue that we need not accept this assumption. Indeed, if the positivist view endorsed Baude and Sachs is true, this assumption will turn out to be false. I then provide an account of how the contingent social practices that constitute positive law bear on the further question of how a judge ought to decide a case. And I argue that properly understood the normative relevance of these social practices cannot ground anything like a general duty to apply positive law. Thus, I argue that Baude and Sachs’s positivist arguments have no bearing on the concerns that animate most normative constitutional theorizing — a concern to provide a theory of sound adjudication. Authors who have been concerned about the normative merits of different constitutional theories can safely ignore the positive turn.
MECHANISM OF IMPROVED HUMAN HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL ENGRAFTMENT IN NON-CONDITIONED NSGW41 MICE

Humanized mouse models enable the study of human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function in vivo. However, human HSC engraftment and self-renewal are still hampered in xenotransplantation settings restricting the study of mechanisms regulating human HSC function. Further, irradiation conditioning limits the study of interactions between human HSCs and niche cells. We previously described NOD/SCID Il2rg-/- KitW41/W41 (NSGW41) mice, which combine an impaired endogenous HSC compartment, due to a loss-of-function KIT receptor, with immunodeficiency and support stable long-term engraftment of human HSCs without the need for preconditioning. By transplanting titrated numbers of human HSCs in primary and secondary recipients, we could show enhanced pick-up, maintenance and expansion of human HSCs in vivo compared to KIT-proficient NSG mice. Thus, human HSCs efficiently engraft in NSGW41 mice whereupon their self-renewal capacity und functionality are conserved. We hypothesized that human KIT-proficient HSCs have a competitive advantage over murine KIT-deficient HSCs and thus can stably engraft in NSGW41 mice. In fact, the endogenous HSC pool is significantly decreased in NSGW41 mice after engraftment of human HSCs, indicating that endogenous HSCs are replaced from their niche. The remaining murine KitW41/W41 HSCs express wildtype levels of KIT receptor, suggesting competition between endogenous and human donor HSCs for the KIT-ligand stem cell factor (SCF). Importantly, analysis of the murine bone marrow niche revealed a significant expansion of CD51+ PDGFRα+ mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) upon engraftment of human cells. The transcriptional profile of murine MSCs is significantly altered after humanization. We suggest that human HSCs actively modify the murine bone marrow niche after xenotransplantation and that MSCs provide part of the niche for human HSCs in mice.
The importance and potential of community partnerships in urban schools in an era of high-stakes accountability:

In today’s era of increased accountability and standards-based reforms within the United States educational system, Community Partner Organizations (CPOs) can offer essential support to teachers, s...
CONCURSO NACIONAL DE IDEAS. PROYECTO URBANO COSTERO/ CORRIENTES CAPITAL. PRIMER PREMIO

El presente articulo desarrolla los aspectos principales del proyecto urbano costero que obtuvo el primer premio del Concurso Nacional de Ideas Proyecto Urbano Costero para la ciudad de Corrientes, Argentina. El mismo fue concebido desde un paradigma que pretende transformar a la ciudad en una referencia regional, donde la naturaleza es inspiradora de un espacio de encuentro masivo y de gran valor e impacto para la calidad de vida ciudadana
Does Birth Trigger Cell Death in the Developing Brain

Developmental cell death eliminates half of the neurons initially generated in the mammalian brain, and occurs perinatally in many species. It is possible that the timing of neuronal cell death is developmentally programmed, and only coincidentally associated with birth. Alternatively, birth may play a role in shaping cell death. To test these competing hypotheses, we experimentally advanced or delayed birth by 1 d in mice (within the normal range of gestation for the species) and examined effects on the temporal pattern and magnitude (amount) of neuronal cell death, using immunohistochemical detection of activated caspase-3 as a cell death marker. In order to detect effects of subtle changes in birth timing, we focused on brain areas that exhibit sharp postnatal peaks in cell death. We find that advancing birth advances peak cell death, supporting the hypothesis that birth triggers cell death. However, a delay of birth does not delay cell death. Thus, birth can advance cell death, but if postponed, a developmental program governs. Advancing or delaying birth also caused region-specific changes in the overall magnitude of cell death. Our findings shed light on the long-standing question of what controls the timing and magnitude of developmental neuronal cell death, and position birth as an orchestrator of brain development. Because humans across the world now routinely alter birth timing, these findings may have implications for current obstetric practices.
On Adapting Nuclear Deterrence to Reduce Nuclear Risk

Since the end of the Cold War, changes to the practice of nuclear deterrence by the United States have been pursued as part of a comprehensive approach aimed at reducing nuclear risks. These change...
Simulations of shallow water surface waves and comparison with water table experiments

The hyperbolic systems of equations describing the shallow water surface waves are solved numerically using finite difference schemes and an explicit time integration procedure. The equations are similar to isentropic Euler equations (with γ = 2) and can be simplified using a potential flow model. The results of isentropic Euler, potential model, transonic small disturbance, and full Euler equations are compared for typical flows around pointed and blunt bodies for several Mach numbers. On the other hand, water table experiments are described and the flow over obstacles is studied. Using the theory of hydraulic analogy, the relations between compressible flows and shallow water surface waves are discussed. Flow patterns, including formation of shock waves and expansion fans are presented. It is demonstrated that the water table can be an inexpensive educational tool for demonstration of transonic and supersonic flow phenomena.
ImpediBands: Body Coupled Bio-Impedance Patches for Physiological Sensing Proof of Concept

Continuous and robust monitoring of physiological signals is essential in improving the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The state-of-the-art systems for monitoring vital signs such as heart rate, heart rate variability, respiration rate, and other hemodynamic and respiratory parameters use often bulky and obtrusive systems or depend on wearables with limited sensing methods based on repetitive properties of the signals rather than the morphology. Moreover, multiple devices and modalities are typically needed for capturing various vital signs simultaneously. In this paper, we introduce ImpediBands: small-sized distributed smart bio-impedance (Bio-Z) patches, where the communication between the patches is established through the human body, eliminating the need for electrical wires that would create a common potential point between sensors. We use ImpediBands to collect instantaneous measurements from multiple locations over the chest at the same time. We propose a blind source separation (BSS) technique based on the second-order blind identification (SOBI) followed by signal reconstruction to extract heart and lung activities from the Bio-Z signals. Using the separated source signals, we demonstrate the performance of our system via providing strong confidence in the estimation of heart and respiration rates with low RMSE (HRRMSE = 0.579 beats per minute, RRRMSE = 0.285 breaths per minute), and high correlation coefficients ( rHR = 0.948, r RR = 0.921).
Prevalence of Dental Caries in Adult South Indian Population in Association with Dietary Pattern: A Comparative Study.

Background: Dental caries is considered to be one of the most prevalent dental diseases among humans. It involves cycles of demineralization and remineralization. The etiology and pathogenesis of dental caries are multifactorial. The role of diet plays an important aspect in occurrence and progression of dental caries. Indians have differing dietary habits due to various religious and personal reasons. A substantial number of Indians are vegetarian by choice. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vegetarian and mixed diet over the prevalence of dental caries. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted among 104 individuals. Healthy subjects who were 20–40 years of age, with no systemic disease, and not on any medications were included in this study. A thorough dental examination was performed by a single investigator with the help of mouth mirror and probe. The examination of patients involved the sequential assessment of teeth starting from 1 to 32. All the exposed and accessible surfaces of the teeth were examined for dental caries, and the data were recorded. Statistical Analysis: The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 11.0, and the results were tabulated. Univariate analysis was performed to find an association between caries and diet. Results: Distribution of the respondents according to dietary practices revealed 51% of the population consuming mixed diet and 49% consuming vegetarian diet. Oral hygiene was measured in terms of frequency of brushing tooth. Among the enrolled subjects, 57% brushed their teeth once a day and 42% brushed twice a day. No significant association was found between vegetarian and mixed dietary habits and dental caries. Two-sample independent t test was carried out to find the mean age. The mean age of caries group was 30.93 ± 12.27 and in without caries group, 27.83 ± 11.58, which is statistically not significant (P = 0.218). Conclusion: The study did not show any significant association between dietary habits and prevalence of dental caries.
Condition of resident fish communities in the Eighteenmile Creek Area of Concern, New York

Abstract The lower 3.5 km of Eighteenmile Creek, a tributary to Lake Ontario in New York, was designated as an Area of Concern (AOC) in 1985 under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement due to extensive contamination of bed sediments by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other toxicants. Five beneficial use impairments (BUIs) have been identified in this AOC, including degraded fish and wildlife populations. We surveyed fish communities in the Eighteenmile Creek AOC and in a comparable section of a nearby reference stream (Oak Orchard Creek) during June 2019 to infer whether legacy contaminants are currently impairing fish communities in the AOC to an extent that they differ from the regional reference condition. Estimates of community abundance, biomass, diversity, and fish condition from each system were compared using a noninferiority testing framework. Biomass, diversity, and fish condition in the Eighteenmile Creek AOC were similar or superior to that in Oak Orchard Creek, while abundance was 20% lower in the AOC. These findings and those of a 2007 sampling effort suggest that fish communities in the Eighteenmile Creek AOC are not impaired despite recent studies indicating that PCBs are bioaccumulating in fish tissues at 1–2 orders of magnitude above background levels. Future assessments in the Eighteenmile Creek AOC might focus on the condition of benthic macroinvertebrate communities and potential toxicity of local contaminants to piscivorous wildlife in order to fully address the remaining aspects of the fish and wildlife populations beneficial use impairment.
Time-dependent observables in heavy ion collisions. Part II. In search of pressure isotropization in the φ4 theory

To understand the dynamics of thermalization in heavy ion collisions in the perturbative framework it is essential to first find corrections to the free-streaming classical gluon fields of the McLerran-Venugopalan model. The corrections that lead to deviations from free streaming (and that dominate at late proper time) would provide evidence for the onset of isotropization (and, possibly, thermalization) of the produced medium. To find such corrections we calculate the late-time two-point Green function and the energy-momentum tensor due to a single 2 → 2 scattering process involving two classical fields. To make the calculation tractable we employ the scalar φ4 theory instead of QCD. We compare our exact diagrammatic results for these quantities to those in kinetic theory and find disagreement between the two. The disagreement is in the dependence on the proper time τ and, for the case of the two-point function, is also in the dependence on the space-time rapidity η: the exact diagrammatic calculation is, in fact, consistent with the free streaming scenario. Kinetic theory predicts a build-up of longitudinal pressure, which, however, is not observed in the exact calculation. We conclude that we find no evidence for the beginning of the transition from the free-streaming classical fields to the kinetic theory description of the produced matter after a single 2 → 2 rescattering.
Bestandsaufnahme zum Thema Gesundheit im Vorbereitungsdienst der Sportlehrerbildung

Dieser Beitrag widmet sich der Frage, welche gesundheitsthematischen Lehrkompetenzen zu welchen Gesundheitsthemen mit welchen Methoden in der zweiten Phase der Sportlehrerbildung vermittelt werden (sollen). Um diese zu beantworten, wurden eine Dokumentenanalyse sowie Interviews und Unterrichtsbeobachtungen mit Seminarlehrkraften durchgefuhrt und darauf basierend Passungen und Differenzen zu sportdidaktischen und bildungswissenschaftlichen Anspruchen analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine grose Bandbreite angesprochener Ziele und Inhalte der Sportlehrerbildung sowie ein umfassendes Gesundheitsverstandnis und vielfaltige Methoden, die insgesamt in Passung zum formulierten Anspruch sind. Es zeigen sich aber auch deutliche Differenzen, vor allem bei Inhalten und Zielen des Sportunterrichts als Inhalt der Sportlehrerbildung: hier liegt ein deutlicher Schwerpunkt auf objektiven Gesundheitsaspekten, wahrend insbesondere subjektive und erweiternde Gesundheitsaspekte kaum und wenig differenziert dargestellt werden.
TestMC: testing model counters using differential and metamorphic testing

Model counting is the problem for finding the number of solutions to a formula over a bounded universe. This is a classic problem in computer science that has seen many recent advances in techniques and tools that tackle it. These advances have led to applications of model counting in many domains, e.g., quantitative program analysis, reliability, and security. Given the sheer complexity of the underlying problem, today's model counters employ sophisticated algorithms and heuristics, which result in complex tools that must be heavily optimized. Therefore, establishing the correctness of implementations of model counters necessitates rigorous testing. This experience paper presents an empirical study on testing industrial strength model counters by applying the principles of differential and metamorphic testing together with bounded exhaustive input generation and input minimization. We embody these principles in the TestMC framework, and apply it to test four model counters, including three state-of-the-art model counters from three different classes. Specifically, we test the exact model counters projMC and dSharp, the probabilistic exact model counter Ganak, and the probabilistic approximate model counter ApproxMC. As subjects, we use three complementary test suites of input formulas. One suite consists of larger formulas that are derived from a wide range of real-world software design problems. The second suite consists of a bounded exhaustive set of small formulas that TestMC generated. The third suite consists of formulas generated using an off-the-shelf CNF fuzzer. TestMC found bugs in three of the four subject model counters. The bugs led to crashes, segmentation faults, incorrect model counts, and resource exhaustion by the solvers. Two of the tools were corrected subsequent to the bug reports we submitted based on our study, whereas the bugs we reported in the third tool were deemed by the tool authors to not require a fix.
Pharmacogenomic-Guided Therapy in Colorectal Cancer.

Approximately twenty drugs have been shown to be effective for the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). These drugs are from several classes of agents and include cytotoxic drugs, therapeutics that target cell signaling pathways at the extracellular and/or intracellular levels, and combination therapies that contain multiple targeted agents and/or cytotoxic compounds. Targeted therapeutics can include monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, and small molecule drugs. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was first introduced into clinical use in the late 1950s and remains the foundation for most CRC treatments in both adjuvant therapy and in advanced (metastatic) treatment regimens. As with other cancers, the consideration of biomarkers has the potential to improve CRC therapy through patient stratification. The biomarkers can include germline genetic markers, tumor-specific genetic markers, immune markers, and other biomarkers that can predict antitumor efficacy or the likelihood of toxicity prior to administration of a specific drug. Consistent with the benefit of considering biomarkers in treatment, many newer targeted therapies are developed and approved simultaneously with a companion diagnostic test to determine efficacy. This review will focus on biomarkers that have demonstrated clinical utility in CRC treatment; however, it is noted that many additional biomarkers have been theorized to contribute to drug response and/or toxicity based on known biological pathways but thus far have not attained widespread use in the clinic. The importance of pre-treatment biomarker testing is expected to increase as future drug development will likely continue to focus on the concurrent development of companion diagnostics.
Experiential education for the deaf or hard of hearing learner in a pharmacy curriculum.

INTRODUCTION Pharmacy educators are responsible for providing appropriate resources for students of all abilities to eliminate barriers to accessible learning. This commentary focuses on the need for schools of pharmacy to provide equally accessible learning for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, including within the area of experiential education, while highlighting the potential challenges and areas for opportunity. COMMENTARY Experiential education settings present unique challenges for students who are deaf/hard of hearing and their pharmacy educators due to the variety of educational settings and different learning logistics associated with experiential education in contrast to the learning environment of the classroom. Pandemic conditions have brought additional challenges since masks have limited the ability for students to lip read. The team has identified several resources to assist in the experiential setting. IMPLICATIONS In order to provide equally accessible experiential education for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, it is imperative that pharmacy educators work together with other stakeholders such as disability resource centers, experiential site preceptors, and information technology departments to address associated challenges. Lack of literature concerning students with disabilities and experiential education programs in the health sciences shows that this is an area in need of further research and study in order to advance understanding and provide accessible learning for students with diverse needs.
Influence of Information Sources on Farmers’ Knowledge of Poultry Drugs in Delta State, Nigeria: Implications for Rural Community Development

The study determined the institutional characteristics of poultry farmers, analyzed their access to information sources, and awareness and knowledge of poultry drugs. It determined the relationships between variables with a view to making deductions. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to select 100 poultry farmers with the use of structured interview schedule and questionnaire. Frequency counts, percentages, mean and Chi-square were used to analyze data. The findings showed that majority (67%) of the respondents had never led a group, while 62% had contact with extension agents and were members of poultry drug associations. It was observed that 60% of the farmers were aware of and had access to avian charge, 48.8% had access to happy hen treat drug. Others are: petamine (45.0%) and tricero (32.5%). Among the various information sources identified, only neighbour (mean = 2.58) recorded high level of accessibility among the farmers and the implication of this is that rate of development of poultry enterprise in such a community will be slow. At 0.01 significant level, Chi-square results showed campaign (r = 0.762), exhibition (r = 0.528), and workshop/seminar (r = 2.607) were the only information sources that significantly correlated with the knowledge of poultry drugs. Based on the study findings, farmers should be exposed to other information sources that will facilitate community development.