cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large-scale assessment of the utility of low-resolution protein structures for biochemical function assignment

Motivation: Several protein function prediction methods employ structural features captured in three-dimensional (3D) descriptors of biologically relevant sites. These methods are successful when applied to high-resolution structures, but their detection ability in lower resolution predicted structures has only been tested for a few cases. Results: A method that automatically generates a library of 3D functional descriptors for the structure-based prediction of enzyme active sites (automated functional templates, 593 in total for 162 different enzymes), based on functional and structural information automatically extracted from public databases, has been developed and evaluated using decoy structures. The applicability to predicted structures was investigated by analyzing decoys of varying quality, derived from enzyme native structures. For 35% of decoy structures, our method identifies the active site in models having 3--4 A coordinate root mean square deviation from the native structure, a quality that is reachable using state of the art protein structure prediction algorithms. Availability: See http://www.bioinformatics.buffalo.edu/resources/aft/
Polarization orientation estimation and applications: a review

We review estimation algorithms and applications of polarization orientation angle shifts induced by terrain slopes. We develop a unified analysis of estimation algorithms based on circular polarization covariance matrix. The effect of radar frequency, scattering media, and polarimetric calibration will also be discussed. Applications to DEM generation, polarimetric SAR data compensation and ocean surface feature characterization will be mentioned. SIR-C, and JPL AIRSAR L-band and P-band polarimetric SAR images are used for demonstration.
AFM and STM characterization of thiol and thiophene functionalized SWNTs: pitfalls in the use of chemical markers to determine the extent of sidewall functionalization in SWNTs

Thiol- and thiophene-functionalized SWNTs prepared via the reaction of a substituted amine with fluoronanotubes show similar levels of sidewall functionalization, however, the use of Au nanoparticles as chemical markers for AFM gives misleading results for substituent distribution since STM shows the thiol substituents grouped in bands while the thiophene substituents uniformly distributed along the SWNTs.
Mesohaem substitution reveals how haem electronic properties can influence the kinetic and catalytic parameters of neuronal NO synthase

NOSs (NO synthases, EC 1.14.13.39) are haem-thiolate enzymes that catalyse a two-step oxidation of L-arginine to generate NO. The structural and electronic features that regulate their NO synthesis activity are incompletely understood. To investigate how haem electronics govern the catalytic properties of NOS, we utilized a bacterial haem transporter protein to overexpress a mesohaem-containing nNOS (neuronal NOS) and characterized the enzyme using a variety of techniques. Mesohaem-nNOS catalysed NO synthesis and retained a coupled NADPH consumption much like the wild-type enzyme. However, mesohaem-nNOS had a decreased rate of Fe(III) haem reduction and had increased rates for haem–dioxy transformation, Fe(III) haem–NO dissociation and Fe(II) haem–NO reaction with O2. These changes are largely related to the 48 mV decrease in haem midpoint potential that we measured for the bound mesohaem cofactor. Mesohaem nNOS displayed a significantly lower V max and K mO2 value for its NO synthesis activity compared with wild-type nNOS. Computer simulation showed that these altered catalytic behaviours of mesohaem-nNOS are consistent with the changes in the kinetic parameters. Taken together, the results of the present study reveal that several key kinetic parameters are sensitive to changes in haem electronics in nNOS, and show how these changes combine to alter its catalytic behaviour. Abbreviations: BH4, tetrahydrobiopterin; CaM, calmodulin; DTT, dithiothreitol; EPPS, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinepropanesulfonic acid; L-Arg, L-arginine; NOHA, Nω-hydroxy-L-Arg; NOS, NO synthase; nNOS, neuronal NOS; nNOSoxy, nNOS oxygenase domain; TFA, trifluoroacetic acid
Dosing of valproate in an elderly population with dementia: Evaluation of discontinuations and dose reductions

It is estimated that more than half of elderly patients with dementia will develop some degree of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). BPSD is associated with significant morbidity, rapid functional decline, and psychiatric hospitalization, and there are currently no medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its treatment. One treatment option that has been evaluated is the antiepileptic drug valproate. This retrospective medical record review evaluated the tolerability of valproate in elderly patients with dementia. A total of 62 patients met inclusion criteria for this review, which sought to determine whether there was an association either between the initial valproate dose and discontinuation or dose reduction (DCDR) or the maximum valproate dose achieved and DCDR. Both the total daily dose and total daily dose in mg/kg were assessed. For both the maximum daily dose (OR 1.0; 95% CI 0.99, 1.01) and maximum daily mg/kg dose (OR =1.15; 95% CI 0.92, 1.49) the...
Influence of systemic blood pressure on blood flow and microcirculation of ischemic cerebral cortex: a failure of autoregulation.

Publisher Summary Cortical pallor, either focal or generalized, was the earliest definite sign of cortical ischemia. Once pallor was established, spontaneous recolorization of the cortex rarely occurred. Constriction or “spasm” of superficial cortical arteries and arterioles frequently accompanied ischemia. Ischemic changes occurring in the superficial cortical microvasculature and microcirculation after occlusion of the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery probably were representative of the process of cerebral infarction. In the studies made, ischemic changes occurred regularly after arterial occlusion, even though systemic blood pressure remained at normotensive levels. Systemic hypotension, spontaneous or produced by drugs or the removal of blood, speeds the development and increases the severity of ischemic changes in the microcirculation, but does not alter the character of such changes. Hypotension after arterial occlusion results in a further reduction of cortical blood flow which appears to be passive, indicating a failure of autoregulation of flow. Autoregulation may fail because of tissue damage or because there is a maximal response to ischemia. Systemic hypertension, spontaneous or produced by drugs, does not influence ischemic changes in the microcirculation, except for the fact that when platelet thrombi are present in veins, venous hemorrhage often occurs. An increase in systemic blood pressure does not produce an increase in blood flow through the ischemic cortex, except when hypotension previously has been present. In the latter instance, blood in veins may become redder, also indicating a failure of autoregulation of cortical blood flow.
Abstract #4438: Regulation of the bi-directional promoter of human BRCA2/ZAR2 genes by folate-dependent DNA methylation

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO Human BRCA2 gene expression is tightly regulated. The level of BRCA2 protein in the cell must commensurate with the need of the cells to avoid detrimental consequences in cellular physiology. Here we provide evidence that BRCA2 gene promoter has bi-directional activity, transcribing BRCA2 and a novel ZAR1 -like gene (we named ZAR2 ). The reverse activity of the BRCA2 gene promoter is 7-9 folds higher than the forward activity in the G0/G1 phase of breast cells and is down regulated in the S/G2 phase. ZAR2 protein is predominantly located in the nucleus at the G0/G1 phase but stays in the cytoplasm at the S/G2 phase of the cells. BRCA2/ZAR2 gene bi-directional promoter is regulated by CpG methylation and consequently by folate limitations in the cell. Since folate is involved in in vivo DNA methylation process, we created folate deficiency by ablating the expression of folate transporter hRFC1. DNA immuno- precipitation analysis data revealed hypomethylation of CpG units at the BRCA2/ZAR2 promoter in folate deficiency. ChIP analysis revealed a decrease in the recruitment of HDAC1 and increased acetylations of histone H3 and H4 at the BRCA2/ZAR2 promoter DNA as a consequence of hypomethylation of its CpG units. These data suggest that CpG methylation of BRCA2/ZAR2 promoter DNA, assisted by folate, regulates the expressions of BRCA2/ZAR2 in human breast cells by chromatin remodeling. Supported by the DOD-CDMRP IDEA Grant# W81XWH-06-1-0466 and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation grant# BCTR0707627 to GC. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 4438.
Expanding Our Understanding of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Incontinence in Adults with Pompe Disease

Objective: To study the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and incontinence in late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD)
Expanding the Limits of Thermoacidophily in the Archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus by Adaptive Evolution

Extremely thermoacidophilic Crenarchaeota belonging to the order Sulfolobales flourish in hot acidic habitats that are strongly oxidizing. The pH extremes of these habitats, however, often exceed the acid tolerance of type species and strains. Here, adaptive laboratory evolution was used over a 3-year period to test whether such organisms harbor additional thermoacidophilic capacity. Three distinct cell lines derived from a single type species were subjected to high-temperature serial passage while culture acidity was gradually increased. A 178-fold increase in thermoacidophily was achieved after 29 increments of shifted culture pH resulting in growth at pH 0.8 and 80°C. These strains were named super-acid-resistant Crenarchaeota (SARC). Mathematical modeling using growth parameters predicted the limits of acid resistance, while genome resequencing and transcriptome resequencing were conducted for insight into mechanisms responsible for the evolved trait. Among the mutations that were detected, a set of eight nonsynonymous changes may explain the heritability of increased acid resistance despite an unexpected lack of transposition. Four multigene components of the SARC transcriptome implicated oxidative stress as a primary challenge accompanying growth at acid extremes. These components included accelerated membrane biogenesis, induction of the mer operon, and an increased capacity for the generation of energy and reductant.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of RF Drying

The Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method has been used by our group to simulate a wide variety of Radio Frequency (RF) and induction-drying processes and realistic, microwave-sintering experiments. Many results were presented and some guidelines towards the effective use of the microwave and RF heating technologies of ceramic ware were developed. In this paper we describe an experimental effort which was used to validate the FDTD simulation results. Specifically an experimental RF dryer, Thermax Model No. T3GB operating at 25 MHz, was used to dry ceramic ware of various materials, sizes, and shapes and the temperature distribution pattern was monitored using six fiber-optic temperature probes. The measured heating patterns were then compared with the FDTD simulation results. Many of the guidelines developed using the numerical simulations were confirmed experimentally. Results from various comparisons between simulation and experimental data will be presented. Additional results from the simulation efforts illustrating possible procedures for improving the efficiency and the uniformity of RF drying will also be described
Polymorphic, Porous, and Host–Guest Nanostructures Directed by Monolayer–Substrate Interactions: Epitaxial Self-Assembly Study of Cyclic Trinuclear Au(I) Complexes on HOPG at the Solution–Solid Interface

Synthesis, crystallographic characterization, and molecular self-assembly of two novel cyclotrimeric gold(I) complexes, Au3[3,5-(COOEt)2Pz]3 (Au3Pz3) and Au3[(n-Pr–O)C═N(Me)]3 (Au3Cb3) was studied. Single crystal X-ray crystallography data reveal that both gold(I) complexes have one-dimensional stacking patterns caused by intermolecular Au(I)···Au(I) aurophilic interactions. The Au3Pz3 trimer units stack with two alternate and symmetrical Au(I)···Au(I) interactions while the Au3Cb3 units have three alternating and nonsymmetrical Au(I)···Au(I) interactions. Molecular self-assembly of the gold(I) complexes on the 1-phenyloctane/highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) (0001) solution–solid interface is studied with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The gold(I) cyclotrimers form epitaxial nanostructures on the HOPG surface. At a concentration of ∼1 × 10–4 M, Au3Pz3 complexes exhibit a single morphology, while Au3Cb3 complexes exhibit polymorphology. Two polymorphs, one nonporous and the other porous, are ...
Refining Stimulus Parameters in Assessing Infant Speech Perception Using Visual Reinforcement Infant Speech Discrimination: Sensation Level.

Background: Speech perception measures have long been considered an integral piece of the audiological assessment battery. Currently, a prelinguistic, standardized measure of speech perception is missing in the clinical assessment battery for infants and young toddlers. Such a measure would allow systematic assessment of speech perception abilities of infants as well as the potential to investigate the impact early identification of hearing loss and early fitting of amplification have on the auditory pathways. Purpose: To investigate the impact of sensation level (SL) on the ability of infants with normal hearing (NH) to discriminate /a-i/ and /ba-da/ and to determine if performance on the two contrasts are significantly different in predicting the discrimination criterion. Research Design: The design was based on a survival analysis model for event occurrence and a repeated measures logistic model for binary outcomes. The outcome for survival analysis was the minimum SL for criterion and the outcome for the logistic regression model was the presence/absence of achieving the criterion. Criterion achievement was designated when an infant’s proportion correct score was >0.75 on the discrimination performance task. Study Sample: Twenty-two infants with NH sensitivity participated in this study. There were 9 males and 13 females, aged 6–14 mo. Data Collection and Analysis: Testing took place over two to three sessions. The first session consisted of a hearing test, threshold assessment of the two speech sounds (/a/ and /i/), and if time and attention allowed, visual reinforcement infant speech discrimination (VRISD). The second session consisted of VRISD assessment for the two test contrasts (/a-i/ and /ba-da/). The presentation level started at 50 dBA. If the infant was unable to successfully achieve criterion (>0.75) at 50 dBA, the presentation level was increased to 70 dBA followed by 60 dBA. Data examination included an event analysis, which provided the probability of criterion distribution across SL. The second stage of the analysis was a repeated measures logistic regression where SL and contrast were used to predict the likelihood of speech discrimination criterion. Results: Infants were able to reach criterion for the /a-i/ contrast at statistically lower SLs when compared to /ba-da/. There were six infants who never reached criterion for /ba-da/ and one never reached criterion for /a-i/. The conditional probability of not reaching criterion by 70 dB SL was 0% for /a-i/ and 21% for /ba-da/. The predictive logistic regression model showed that children were more likely to discriminate the /a-i/ even when controlling for SL. Conclusions: Nearly all normal-hearing infants can demonstrate discrimination criterion of a vowel contrast at 60 dB SL, while a level of ≥70 dB SL may be needed to allow all infants to demonstrate discrimination criterion of a difficult consonant contrast.
Selection for a Single Self-Assembled Macrocycle from a Hybrid Metal-Ligand Hydrogen-Bonded (MLHB) Ligand Subunit.

To expand the interface between self-assembled metal–ligand and hydrogen-bonded architectures, here we report the preparation, self-assembly, and metal–ligand binding of a pyridyl quinolone ligand (5-PYQ). The 5-PYQ ligand self-associates through quinolone hydrogen bonding, and it binds to metal centers through the pyridine ligand component. As a first step toward investigating more-complex hybrid metal–ligand hydrogen-bonded (MLHB) architectures, we report investigations of 5-PYQ with mono- and bis-platinated anthracene precursors. These results demonstrate that the 5-PYQ ligand maintains hydrogen bonding interactions while binding to square-planar platinum centers, but that generation of coordination compounds with closed topology erodes the hydrogen bonding fidelity to favor ambidentate coordination modes of the 5-PYQ ligand.
Expression of c-met and WT-1.

Protooncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes are two types of genes associated with cancer development.
Explaining Occupational Gender Inequality: Hours Regulation and Statistical Discrimination

Women shoulder a heavier burden of family work than men in modern society, preventing them from matching male success in the external labor market. At least hypothetically, limiting working hours is a plausible way to level the playing field by creating the possibility of less gendered roles for both sexes. We find, however, the opposite has occurred: the greater the restrictions on working hours, the fewer the women who make it to the top of their professions. We explain this result with reference to statistical discrimination: As long as women are more likely than men to interrupt their careers for family considerations, firms will avoid hiring and promoting women to leadership positions that require long hours and continuous commitment. Where the absence of hours restrictions allow some women to signal their willingness to relinquish family responsibilities by working extraordinarily long hours at the office, women have a significantly higher chance of rising to managerial positions. We also note, however, that the absence of hours restrictions and other labor protections correspond with larger gender wage gaps lower on the occupational ladder because of the absence of wage compression. Moreover, the women who rise to managerial positions in liberal market economies remain outliers. The ability of outlier women to signal commitment to a long term career will not eliminate statistical discrimination itself until employers can expect the average man and woman to take equal amounts of time for family work.
Prediction of progressive fatigue damage and failure behavior of IM7/977-3 composites using the reduced-order multiple space-time homogenization approach:

This manuscript presents the blind prediction of fatigue life performance in three laminated carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite layups using a reduced-order space-time homogenization model. ...
Brain Tumors in the Neonate.

Abstract Brain tumors can develop in the prenatal and neonatal time periods. Neuroimaging studies are crucial for the early detection of prenatal and neonatal brain tumors. Imaging allows for characterization of morphology, as well as the detection of hydrocephalus, local invasion, and distant spread. The imaging features of the more common neonatal brain tumors, including teratomas, choroid plexus tumors, ATRTs, and neoplasm mimics are described.
Controlling Rayleigh-Taylor Instabilities in Magnetically Driven Solid Metal Shells by Means of a Dynamic Screw Pinch.

Magnetically driven implosions of solid metal shells are an effective vehicle to compress materials to extreme pressures and densities. Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities (RTI) are ubiquitous, yet typically undesired features in all such experiments where solid materials are rapidly accelerated to high velocities. In cylindrical shells (``liners''), the magnetic field driving the implosion can exacerbate the RTI. We suggest an approach to implode solid metal liners enabling a remarkable reduction in the growth of magnetized RTI (MRTI) by employing a magnetic drive with a tilted, dynamic polarization, forming a dynamic screw pinch. Our calculations, based on a self-consistent analytic framework, demonstrate that the cumulative growth of the most deleterious MRTI modes may be reduced by as much as 1 to 2 orders of magnitude. One key application of this technique is to generate increasingly stable, higher-performance implosions of solid metal liners to achieve fusion [M. R. Gomez et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 155003 (2014)]. We weigh the potentially dramatic benefits of the solid liner dynamic screw pinch against the experimental tradeoffs required to achieve the desired drive field history and identify promising designs for future experimental and computational studies.
The reliability of spinal motion palpation determination of the location of the stiffest spinal site is influenced by confidence ratings: a secondary analysis of three studies

This is a secondary analysis of three previous studies on the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines. It uses continuous analysis of the stiffest spinal site rather than more typical level-by-level analysis to assess interexaminer reliability, and the impacts of examiner confidence and spinal region. The primary goal was secondary analysis of the combined data; secondary goal was de novo analysis of combined data emphasizing absolute indices of examiner agreement; and tertiary goal was analysis of actual vs. simulated data to determine to what degree the information provided by motion palpation impacted interexaminer reliability. This study emphasized Median Absolute Examiner Differences and Bland-Altman Limits of Agreement to calculate examiner differences, which are immune to subject homogeneity, and de-emphasized intraclass correlation, which is not. It calculated Median Absolute Deviation to determine data dispersion. The study analyzed the entire n = 113 combined dataset, as well as subgroups stratified by examiner confidence and spinal region. Simulations were run using a random number generator to provide chance data for examiners' findings of the stiffest spinal site, the analysis of which was compared with that of the actual data. Median Absolute Examiner Differences for the combined dataset were 0.7 of one vertebral level, suggesting examiners usually agreed on the stiffest spinal site or the motion segment including it. When both examiners were confident in their findings (53.4%), the median examiner difference decreased to 0.6 levels, increasing to 1.0 levels when one lacked confidence and to 1.8 levels when both lacked confidence. Reliability was greater in the cervical and lumbar spines (each 0.6 vertebral levels examiner differences) than in the thoracic spine (1.1 levels examiner differences). The actual information provided by motion palpation compared to simulated data improved interexaminer reliability by a factor ranging from 1.8 times to 4.7 times, depending on the regional subset analyzed. Examiner decisions regarding the location of the stiffest spinal site were deemed adequately reliable, especially when the examiners were confident. Researchers and clinicians alike might best design their study protocols and practice methods using the stiffest segment protocol as an alternative to level-by-level spinal analysis.
Finite element modeling and parametric analysis of viscoelastic and nonlinear pavement responses under dynamic FWD loading

Abstract Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) is the common non-destructive testing method for in-situ evaluation of pavement condition. This paper aims to develop finite element (FE) models that can simulate FWD loading on pavement system and capture the complexity in material properties, layer interface, and boundary conditions. Parametric analysis was conducted considering the effects of dynamic analysis, temperature gradient, bedrock depth, asphalt layer delamination, viscoelasticity, and unbound material nonlinearity on pavement surface deflections and critical strain responses. Although the parametric analysis findings vary depending on the specific pavement response, the study results illustrate the appropriate selection of analysis type, constitutive models of pavement material, and layer boundary conditions on the accuracy of FE modeling results. In particular, the analysis findings show that delamination in asphalt layers induces the greater strain responses; while neglecting bedrock effect overestimates surface deflections. The developed FE models can directly benefit the use of FWD testing for in-situ pavement condition evaluation, such as pavement performance prediction and/or backcalculation of layer moduli.
Optimal Configuration of Distributed Generation on Jeju Island Power Grid Using Genetic Algorithm: A Case Study

With the rapid development of wind turbine, photovoltaic and battery technologies, renewable energy resources such as wind and solar become the most common distributed generations (DG) that are being integrated into microgrids. One key impediment is to determine the sizes and placements of DGs within which the microgrid can achieve its maximum potential benefits. The objective of the paper is to study and propose an approach to find the optimal sizes and placements of DGs in a microgrid. The authors propose a comprehensive objective function with practical constraints which take all the important factors that will impact the reliability of the power grid into account. To solve the optimization problem, genetic algorithm (GA) is used and compared with a mathematical optimization method nonlinear programming. The proposed model is tested on a real microgrid, i.e. Jeju Island, to evaluate and validate the performances of the approach. The simulation results present the optimal configuration of DGs for Jeju Island power grid. The analysis on results shows that GA maintains a delicate balance between performance and complexity. It is concluded that GA performs better not only in accuracy, stability, but also in computation time.
A computational model of the flight dynamics and aerodynamics of a jellyfish-like flying machine

We explore theoretically the aerodynamics of a recently fabricated jellyfish-like flying machine (Ristroph & Childress, J. R. Soc. Interface, vol. 11 (92), 2014, 20130992). This experimental device achieves flight and hovering by opening and closing opposing sets of wings. It displays orientational or postural flight stability without additional control surfaces or feedback control. Our model ‘machine’ consists of two mirror-symmetric massless flapping wings connected to a volumeless body with mass and moment of inertia. A vortex sheet shedding and wake model is used for the flow simulation. Use of the fast multipole method allows us to simulate for long times and resolve complex wakes. We use our model to explore the design parameters that maintain body hovering and ascent, and investigate the performance of steady ascent states. We find that ascent speed and efficiency increase as the wings are brought closer, due to a mirror-image ‘ground-effect’ between the wings. Steady ascent is approached exponentially in time, which suggests a linear relationship between the aerodynamic force and ascent speed. We investigate the orientational stability of hovering and ascent states by examining the flyer’s free response to perturbation from a transitory external torque. Our results show that bottom-heavy flyers (centre of mass below the geometric centre) are capable of recovering from large tilts, whereas the orientation of the top-heavy flyers diverges. These results are consistent with the experimental observations in Ristroph & Childress (J. R. Soc. Interface, vol. 11 (92), 2014, 20130992), and shed light upon future designs of flapping-wing micro aerial vehicles that use jet-based mechanisms.
Surgical Management of Perforated Inferior Vena Cava Filters.

Background Management of complicated indwelling inferior vena cava (IVC) filters has increased due to low retrieval rates. Filter migration and perforation are infrequent complications and require explantation of the filter. We report our recent experience with endovascular retrieval and surgical explantation of IVC filters after caval perforation. Methods This is a retrospective review of patients who had IVC filter explantation between 2014 and 2015. Patient demographics, indication for filter placement, clinical presentation, surgical indication and technique, and outcomes were noted. Results Five cases of IVC filter removal due to caval perforation were identified. Four patients were female, and the median age was 50. Four IVC filters were of the retrievable type and had an average indwelling time of 4 years. One filter was permanent with an indwelling time of 9 years. The most common presentation was abdominal pain. Four patients had an open operation: 2 performed via laparotomy and 2 with retroperitoneal exposure of the IVC. One patient required median sternotomy and explantation of device fragments that migrated to the right ventricle. One patient had endovascular retrieval, with filter indwelling time of 0.8 years. No mortality occurred related to device removal. All patients had resolution of pain at their postoperative visit. Conclusions Patients presenting with abdominal pain and history of IVC filter placement should cause concern for possible caval strut perforation. Endovascular retrieval or surgical explantation are required for removal and can be accomplished with minimal risk to the patient.
Teaching Comic Narratives

This chapter examines the challenges and rewards peculiar to teaching comic narrative. Readers frequently respond to humor as trivial, so students who expect readings in university courses to be ‘important’ often fail to recognize when a text is also funny. Instead, they find these texts confusing: why do the characters behave so illogically and say such contradictory things? Recognizing humor can be even more difficult when a text’s comic elements depend on unfamiliar references, or when the subject matter is shocking. But jokes often provide the focal point for a text’s thematic components, and are often where apparently contradictory ideas are brought into productive conflict. Using examples from Tom Stoppard, Sterling Brown and Virginia Woolf, and drawing on theories of humor from Plato to Bergson, this chapter will examine ways to help students see how comic narratives construct substantive philosophical and political arguments.
Distribution of 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione (DMO) in intraocular fluids. V. Effect of plasma level, probenecid, and dichlorphenamide on time course.

The kinetics of penetration of DMO into intraocular fluids at different plasma levels or after the administration of probenecid or dichlorphenamide have been studied. Many similarities were found to other systems which have been studied. The data provided further evidence for the probability that DMO is secreted out of the eye and that this mechanism is inhibited by probenecid and dichlorphenamide. D, MO penetrates most of the tissues studied by a diffusional process. 1 ' - Although DMO should be in excess in the anterior intraocular fluids of the rabbit because the pH of these fluids is alkaline relative to that of plasma, an excess is seen only when the plasma level is high or the animal has been treated with probenecid or dichlorphenamide. 3 ' l It was of interest to conduct time-course studies under these various conditions to obtain further information concerning the mechanisms of the penetration of DMO into intraocular fluids. Methods
The Dynamics of Evolutionary Stable Strategies

We use the so-called G-function to determine the number of coexisting species with evolutionary stable strategies (ESS). We show that a simple model, with a single resource (carrying capacity) can result in an ESS with more than one (and potentially many) coexisting species. We also show how the adaptive landscape (the shape of the G-function) changes in the pursuit of the evolutionary stable strategy. Next, we use a populations model with a random mating system, and trace the strategy dynamics to ESS from arbitrary initial conditions. We show that with appropriate parameter values, the dynamics lead to chaotic trajectories of the species populations and their evolutionary stable strategies. This indicates that under appropriate conditions, ESS are not necessarily fixed; to be ESS, they must vary (chaotically) with time. The approach we take relies on the fundamental definitions of ESS, and simulation models. This allows applications of ESS analysis to moderately complex models.
Strategically Aligning Capital Improvement Prioritization to Performance Goals

In complying with federal reporting requirements, state transportation agencies will need to demonstrate progress toward achieveing national performance targets in their next long-range transportat...
Social Identity and the Use of Ideological Categorization in Political Evaluation

In this research, we address a longstanding question concerning how individuals evaluate social and political issues. We focus on the role that political self-identification plays when individuals evaluate policy statements. In a laboratory setting, participants completed a task facilitation procedure, in which they made paired sets of judgments about a series of policy statements. Relative to a control task, ideological categorization of policy statements as liberal or conservative influenced the ease of evaluation. On experimental trials that began with ideological categorization, policy evaluations that were consistent with the participant’s own ideology were made more quickly than responses that were ideologically inconsistent and more quickly than responses following a control judgment. In three experiments, we show that this effect is stronger for individuals with more accessible ideological identification (Experiment 1) and more extreme ideological identification (Experiment 2), and that it holds when examining partisan instead of ideological identification (Experiment 3). The findings suggest that the use of ideological category information can facilitate and interfere with evaluative judgments of political issues, and that the use of such categories varies as a function of individual differences in the strength of political identification.
Contrasting Roles of Transcription Factors Spineless and EcR in the Highly Dynamic Chromatin Landscape of Butterfly Wing Metamorphosis

Summary Development requires highly coordinated changes in chromatin accessibility in order for proper gene regulation to occur. Here, we identify factors associated with major, discrete changes in chromatin accessibility during butterfly wing metamorphosis. By combining mRNA sequencing (mRNA-seq), assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq), and machine learning analysis of motifs, we show that distinct sets of transcription factors are predictive of chromatin opening at different developmental stages. Our data suggest an important role for nuclear hormone receptors early in metamorphosis, whereas PAS-domain transcription factors are strongly associated with later chromatin opening. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) validation of select candidate factors showed spineless binding to be a major predictor of opening chromatin. Surprisingly, binding of ecdysone receptor (EcR), a candidate accessibility factor in Drosophila, was not predictive of opening but instead marked persistent sites. This work characterizes the chromatin dynamics of insect wing metamorphosis, identifies candidate chromatin remodeling factors in insects, and presents a genome assembly of the model butterfly Junonia coenia.
Molecular and Genetic Strategies for Enhanced Production of Heterologous Lignocellulosic Enzymes

A desire to move away from fossil fuels toward more sustainable, renewable, or carbon-neutral sources has motivated the search for alternative feedstocks. Lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive option due to its abundance, low cost, and high sugar content. In nature, the breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass is a sequential process involving the collective contribution of numerous microorganisms and enzymes. In biorefineries, however, the high cost and limited availability of the enzyme cocktails required for efficient biomass deconstruction are significant barriers to the adoption of lignocellulosic biomass as a feedstock to produce biofuels and other value-added products. Filamentous fungi have an astounding capacity to secrete digestive enzymes into their extracellular environment through the presence of efficient systems for the transcription, translation, folding, posttranslational modification, and secretion of polypeptides. These features have led filamentous fungi to be exploited for the manufacturing of homologous and heterologous proteins for the chemical, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries. Total homologous (native) enzyme expression can reach about 10–100 g/L, but heterologous enzyme production is hampered by much lower concentration. Efficient heterologous protein production often requires multilevel optimization strategies for both the protein and the expression host as factors limiting production are often protein-specific and bottlenecks can exist at any stage from transcription and translation to folding and secretion. Here, we review the molecular and genetic strategies used for the particularly challenging case of heterologous enzyme production in filamentous fungi, with an emphasis on the enzymes involved in the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass. The development of efficient expression systems and hosts to identify, characterize, and enhance the expression levels, yields, and activities of heterologous lignocellulosic enzymes is critical to the successful adoption of lignocellulosic biomass into the new bio-economy.
Evaluation of created wetlands as amphibian habitat on a reforested surface mine

Abstract Wetlands created within disturbed landscapes may be an important key to restoring lost ecosystem functions. Reclaimed mines provide an opportunity to create wetlands and restore natural features within a disturbed landscape while benefiting amphibians, a taxa affected by habitat loss. A large-scale restoration effort within the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, USA has resulted in the creation of over 1400 small wetlands. We sampled 39 of these wetlands among four ages (2, 4, 6, and 8 years) to: 1) characterize differences in wetland habitat, 2) estimate amphibian occupancy and abundance, 3) identify wetland characteristics most important for amphibian utilization of wetlands. Mean wetland size, percent canopy cover, percent vegetation cover, distance to the nearest stream, and distance to the nearest forest varied significantly among wetland age classes. Water quality was within normal parameters for natural and created wetlands within our study region. Amphibian occupancy and abundance varied by species, with occupancy predicted by wetland age (Green Frog, Lithobates clamitans) and lower percent vegetation cover (Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, L. clamitans) while abundance was predicted by wetland age (A. maculatum), higher percent vegetation cover (Eastern Newt, Notophthalmus viridescens), larger wetland surface area (A. maculatum, N. viridescens), and shorter distance to forest (N. viridescens). Our results indicate, with adequate site preparation, created wetlands on reforested surface mines provide suitable breeding habitat for pond breeding amphibians.
Approximate Dynamic Programming for the Military Aeromedical Evacuation Dispatching, Preemption-Rerouting, and Redeployment Problem

Abstract Military medical planners must consider how aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC) assets will be utilized when preparing for and supporting combat operations. This research examines the MEDEVAC dispatching, preemption-rerouting, and redeployment (DPR) problem. The intent of this research is to determine high-quality DPR policies that improve the performance of United States Army MEDEVAC systems and ultimately increase the combat casualty survivability rate. A discounted, infinite-horizon Markov decision process (MDP) model of the MEDEVAC DPR problem is formulated and solved via an approximate dynamic programming (ADP) strategy that utilizes a support vector regression value function approximation scheme within an approximate policy iteration algorithmic framework. The objective is to maximize the expected total discounted reward attained by the system. The applicability of the MDP model is examined via a notional, representative planning scenario based on high-intensity combat operations to defend Azerbaijan against a notional aggressor. Computational experimentation is performed to determine how selected problem features and algorithmic features affect the quality of solutions attained by the ADP-generated DPR policies and to assess the efficacy of the proposed solution methodology. The results from the computational experiments indicate the ADP-generated policies significantly outperform the two benchmark policies considered. Moreover, the results reveal that the average service time of high-precedence, time-sensitive requests decreases when an ADP policy is adopted during high-intensity conflicts. As the rate at which requests enter the MEDEVAC system increases, the performance gap between the ADP policy and the first benchmark policy (i.e., the currently practiced, closest-available dispatching policy) increases substantially. Conversely, as the rate at which requests enter the system decreases, the ADP performance improvement over both benchmark policies decreases, indicating the ADP policy provides little-to-no benefit over a myopic approach (e.g., as utilized in the benchmark policies) when the intensity of a conflict is low. Ultimately, this research informs the development and implementation of future tactics, techniques, and procedures for military MEDEVAC operations.
Leading Lutheran Higher Education in a Secular Age: Religious Identity, Mission, and Vocation at ELCA Colleges and Universities, by Brian Beckstrom: Lanham, MD: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2020, 193 pp., $95 (Hardcover).

The author of this roughhewn book, Brian Beckstrom, is dean of spiritual life and campus pastor at Warburg College in Iowa. I call it roughhewn because it is an unruly array of data, leadership the...
Quantitative EEG During Critical Illness Correlates With Patterns of Long-Term Cognitive Impairment.

ObjectiveMany intensive care unit (ICU) survivors suffer disabling long-term cognitive impairment (LTCI) after critical illness. We compared EEG characteristics during critical illness with patient...
Job satisfaction and employee turnover determinants in Fortune 50 companies: Insights from employee reviews from Indeed.com

Abstract An important aspect of human resource management is understanding employees' values, motivations, and factors of satisfaction. Relationships between employee satisfaction, values, positivity and negativity, employee retention, and industry allow human resource managers to make decisions on employee recruitment techniques and budgets, employee retention efforts, and even company image initiatives. Traditional methods for identifying employee values, job satisfaction, and linkages to important company outcomes are through employee entrance/exit surveys, annual evaluations, and informal interactions. In recent years, companies and researchers have begun to take advantage of the increasing ubiquity of online reviews, including unstructured text responses. In this paper we explore 682,176 employee reviews of Fortune 50 companies from Indeed.com using Structural Topic Modeling (STM) to identify salient aspects in employee reviews and automatically infer latent topics that are salient factors related to employee satisfaction. We compare these topics with the five facets of the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) that are traditionally used to measure job satisfaction among human resource experts. We conduct further analysis comparing comments of current vs. former employees. Results suggests that management may be an important salient factor in employee satisfaction and turnover, as it is consistently mentioned by current and former employees in both positive and the negative comments. Similarly, monetary benefits are mentioned as a negative by former employees, but as a positive for current employees. Furthermore, we examine topic differences by industry sector and find that retail employees frequently mention Pay and Benefits and Length of Breaks, whereas technology sector employees were more concerned with Work-Life Balance. Our results can be used to support company behavioral management decision makers to conceive and evaluate initiatives intended to enhance employee satisfaction. Furthermore, our techniques, including the visualization of topic composition and quality, are generalizable to any setting that uses topic discovery from unstructured text, such as customer reviews, social media posts, and critic reviews, especially when comparing topics across entities.
Curating and translating the evidence about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 for frontline public health and clinical care: The Novel Coronavirus Research Compendium (NCRC)

The public health crisis created by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has spurred a deluge of scientific research aimed at informing public health and medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, those working in frontline public health and clinical care had insufficient time to parse the rapidly evolving evidence and use it for decision making. Academics in public health and medicine were well-placed to translate the evidence for use by frontline clinicians and public health practitioners. The Novel Coronavirus Research Compendium (NCRC), a group of >50 faculty and trainees, began in March 2020 with the goal to quickly triage and review the large volume of preprints and peer-reviewed publications on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, and to summarize the most important, novel evidence to inform pandemic response. From April 6, 2020 through January 1, 2021, 54,192 papers and preprints were screened by NCRC teams and 527 were selected for review and uploaded to the NCRC website for public consumption. The majority of papers reviewed were peer-reviewed publications (n=395, 75%), published in 102 journals; 25% (n=132) of papers reviewed were of preprints. The NCRC is a successful model of how academics can support practitioners by translating scientific knowledge into action and help to build capacity among students for this work. This approach could be used for health problems beyond COVID-19, but the effort is resource intensive and may not be sustainable over the long term.