cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1250: Inhibition of FAK and engagement of migration leads to similar changes in patterns of transcription factor activation in glioma cells

Malignant dispersion of glioma cells is a nemesis to clinical management, provoking the need for a better understanding of the underlying molecular drivers of invasion. The changes in signal transduction and consequent alterations in activation/de-activation of Transcription Factors (TFs) in glioma cells were investigated coincident to migration-engagement or impaired FAK kinase function by small molecule inhibition (PF-562,271). Earlier work showed that FAK and Pyk2 affect proliferation and migration in reciprocal ways in glioma cells (Lipinski CA, et al 2008; Loftus JC, et al 2009). The interaction of FAK and Pyk2 with specific downstream signaling effectors and the resultant activation of disparate signaling pathways is likely to script a signaling “signature” that will reveal to what extent glioma cell malignant behaviors are dependent on these kinases. Inhibition of FAK leads to diminution of signaling by pSrc, pJnk, and pNFkB, and variable activation of pAkt, and pp38. Of the 20 TFs assayed (Marligen, Inc.), the activation state of 7 TFs showed significant and consistent patterns of change across 6 primary GBM cell strains following FAK inhibition. Across a panel of 6 human GBM xenograft lines SP1, p53, E2F1-5, and NFκB evidenced strong activation (heightened nuclear localization), while AR (androgen receptor), Myc-Max, and CREB activation levels dropped by more than 2-fold following PF-562,271 treatment. Separate studies of established glioma cell lines under conditions of sparse plating (migration) and of dense crowded plating (migration-constrained), showed that p53, E2F1-5, and NFκB were standouts for activation accompanying migration, also associated by strong reduced activation of AR, Myc-Max, and CREB. (Because glioma cells following FAK knockdown or FAK inhibition show reduced entry into cell cycle, the signaling linkage between FAK and Myc-Max activation and also between FAK signaling and CREB activation suggest mechanistic ties to phenotype. E2F1 is a transcription factor that regulates genes involved in cell proliferation and cell survival and has even been suggested to fit a paradigm of oncogene addiction in glioma cells. Our findings demonstrate phenotypic responses in glioma cells downstream of FAK signaling linked to the activation or inactivation of specific transcription factors. If these patterns of TF activation state, and the signaling pathways upstream of that activation, associate (or account for) patterns of glioma cell invasion or proliferation in situ, they will suggest points of vulnerability in the underlying pathological processes of this disease. Supported by NIH NS042262 (Berens) and NIH CA103956 (Loftus). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1250.
S14.5 Treponema pallidum σ24 regulon and envelope stress response

Background During syphilis infection, the envelope of Treponema pallidum is constantly exposed to the host environment and, therefore, the most likely target of the host defences against the invading spirochaete. The mechanisms that maintain T pallidum envelope integrity and functionality, particularly in response to host-induced stresses, are however poorly understood, and their elucidation would likely help identify important pathogenesis-associated molecules, perhaps related to T pallidum9s ability to persist in the host despite a robust immune response. We hypothesised that in T pallidum , similarly to other Gram-negative pathogens, the transcription factor σ24 (σ24, encoded by the rpoE gene, TP0092) might be a key element in maintaining T pallidum envelope homeostasis. Putative σ24 binding motifs can be identified in silico upstream of several T pallidum genes that were experimentally shown to be involved in envelope stress response (ESR) in Escherichia coli . Furthermore, during early experimental syphilis σ24 is highly transcribed compared to other σ factors, and its expression increases even more as primary infection progresses. We therefore decided to investigate the possible role of σ24 in T pallidum ESR by identifying the components of the T pallidum σ24 regulon. Methods T pallidum cells grown in rabbits were fixed after harvest to crosslink DNA-binding proteins to their target sequences in the chromosome. DNA sequences recognised by σ24 in vivo were isolated using chromatin immunoprecipitation in combination with high-throughput DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) to identify bound DNA regions. Results Thirty-nine DNA fragments targeted by σ24 were identified in the T pallidum chromosome. Seven of these target genes (lon-1, greA, ftsZ, prfB, htrA, and rpoE) were previously reported to be induced in response to envelope stress in E coli , suggesting that the T pallidum σ24 regulon is likely to be similar to that of other bacteria. Other putative target genes encode transporters, cell division proteins and a subset of motility and chemotaxis proteins. Conclusions In T pallidum , σ24 seems to control genes involved in a variety of cellular processes, including maintenance of envelope homeostasis and barrier function. Additional putative σ24-dependent functions, apparently not directly involved in ESR, could as well be important in helping T pallidum adapt to the host environment during the infection.
Investigation on Vaccination Status of New Primary School Students in 2002 in Shandong

Objective To investigate the vaccination status of new primary school students in 2002 in Shandong Province Methods The immunization records of all first grade new students were surveyed in 5 primary schools including 889 students in Jinan, Taian and Heze 2 urban primary schools were selected in Jinan: 1 school in an area serving an established resident population (A school) and 1 school with large numbers of poor rural floating population (B school) In Taian, 2 rural schools were selected: 1 school in an area with good routine immunization services (C school) and 1 school in an area with average routine immunization services (D school) In Heze, 1 school that was located in an area with very poor routine immunization services was selected (E school) Results The system of checking the immunization status of all children entering primary school and offering them another opportunity for immunization were only set up in 2 urban primary schools of Jinan, but it is not implemented exactly 60 87% of 1 st grade children had immunization cards in their families in resident children, but only 38 32% in floating children, and 13 93% in E school The students' immunization records were founded in township hospitals whose immunization cards were not effered by families in C and D school The positive rarte of BCG scar in all new students was 84 93% The full-course coverage rates of BCG、OPV、DPT、MV were 90% or so in resident children, but the booster rates were lower (67%-88%), and in E school, the full-course coverage rates of hepatitis B vaccine was only 2 68% In floating children, the full-course coverage rates of above mentioned four vaccines were only 40% or so Conclusion The immunization records checking system should be established and implemented exactly in all schools Booster immunization of OPV, DPT and MV should be enhanced and immunization records should be registered, in addition, hepatitis B vaccination coverge should be improved in weak EPI rural areas
Relationship Between the Antioxidant Enzyme DT-Diaphorase and Tumor Response to Mitomycin C Treatment

The flavoprotein DT-diaphorase (NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase, EC 1.6.99.2) is an enzyme which has been described as catalyzing the two-electron reduction of quinoid compounds to their representative hydro-quinone forms.1 The enzymatic reduction of quinones to their respective hydroquinones may represent part of the cellular defense mechanism against quinone-induced toxicity, because fully reduced quinones are capable of being conjugated by sulfate, sugars and amino acids and subsequently excreted.2 Both chemically and in biological systems, however, it is easier to reduce quinones by one electron to their semiquinones than by two electrons to their hydroquinone forms. The formation of these semiquinone radicals can lead to alkylation reactions and/or reactions with molecular oxygen to form oxygen radicals, resulting in oxidative stress and quinone toxicity. This mechanism of toxicity has been suggested to be responsible for at least part of the mechanism of antineoplastic activity for some of the quinoid anticancer drugs such as Adriamycin (Adr) and mitomycin C (MMC).3,4 Because DT-diaphorase reduces quinones by two electrons and thereby circumvents the potentially toxic one-electron reduction reactions of these compounds, it is possible that tumor response to treatment by these compounds may be greatly influenced by the endogeneous DT-diaphorase activity in the tumors.
Semi-automated workflows for acquiring specimen data from label images in herbarium collections

Computational workflow environments are an active area of computer science and informatics research; they promise to be effective for automating biological information processing for increasing research efficiency and impact. In this project, semi-automated data processing workflows were developed to test the efficiency of computerizing information contained in herbarium plant specimen labels. Our test sample consisted of Mexican and Central American plant specimens held in the University of Michigan Herbarium (MICH). The initial data acquisition process consisted of two parts: (1) the capture of digital images of specimen labels and of full-specimen herbarium sheets, and (2) creation of a minimal field database, or "pre-catalog", of records that contain only information necessary to uniquely identify specimens. For entering "pre-catalog" data, two methods were tested: key-stroking the information (a) from the specimen labels directly, or (b) from digital images of specimen labels. In a second step, locality and latitude/longitude data fields were filled in if the values were present on the labels or images. If values were not available, geo-coordinates were assigned based on further analysis of the descriptive locality information on the label. Time and effort for the various steps were measured and recorded. Our analysis demonstrates a clear efficiency benefit of articulating a biological specimen data acquisition workflow into discrete steps, which in turn could be individually optimized. First, we separated the step of capturing data from the specimen from most keystroke data entry tasks. We did this by capturing a digital image of the specimen for the first step, and also by limiting initial key-stroking of data to create only a minimal "pre-catalog" database for the latter tasks. By doing this, specimen handling logistics were streamlined to minimize staff time and cost. Second, by then obtaining most of the specimen data from the label images, the more intellectually challenging task of label data interpretation could be moved electronically out of the herbarium to the location of more highly trained specialists for greater efficiency and accuracy. This project used experts in the plants' country of origin, Mexico, to verify localities, geography, and to derive geo-coordinates. Third, with careful choice of data fields for the "pre-catalog" database, specimen image files linked to the minimal tracking records could be sorted by collector and date of collection to minimize key-stroking of redundant data in a continuous series of labels, resulting in improved data entry efficiency and data quality.
Managing Personality Disorders in the Workplace

People with personality disorders wreak havoc in the workplace because they interfere with work getting done and because they extract so much energy from others and upset whatever harmony there is in the work environment. Three personality disorders are considered: narcissism, perfectionism, and passive aggression. Both healthy and unhealthy narcissim are considered, and tools for managing it in the workplace—praise and containment—are suggested. Perfectionists don’t delegate, give too much negative feedback, and rob the group of a sense of involvement. Remedies include understanding their effect on people and limiting negative feedback. Finally, passive–aggressive people excel in holding up progress by just not carrying out whatever their role is. Suggestions for management include assigned time lines and exposing their game to the group. Learning how to manage these people is a huge task because they exhaust the emotional resources of their coworkers and leaders.
Disparities in Provider Recommendation of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for U.S. Adolescents

Abstract Purpose To determine the prevalence of and examine factors associated with provider recommendation of human papillomavirus vaccination for U.S. adolescents. Methods Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed using data from the National Immunization Survey–Teen 2014 on 34,478 adolescents aged 13–17 years. Results Overall prevalence of vaccine recommendation was 72.6% for girls and 51.8% for boys. Lower rates were observed among girls aged 13 years, living below poverty line, adolescents of lesser educated mothers, and those residing in the South. Overall, girls had higher odds of vaccine recommendation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.35–2.82). Correlates of higher vaccine recommendation for girls were: older age—17 versus 13 (OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.20–1.89), living above versus below poverty line, and residing in Northeast (OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.21–1.73) and Midwest (OR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.11–1.50) versus South. For boys, correlates of higher vaccine recommendation were: non-Hispanic black (OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.07–1.58) and Hispanic (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.03–1.48) versus non-Hispanic white race and residing in Northeast (OR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.54–2.08) and West (OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.17–1.70) versus South. Other factors associated with vaccine recommendation were having a college-educated mother and frequent doctor visits in the past 12 months. Conclusions This study highlights significant disparities in provider recommendation of human papillomavirus vaccination for U.S. adolescents. Findings suggest possible areas for tailored interventions to bridge the gap in vaccine recommendation and uptake in high-risk populations.
The Shonto Junction Doghouse: A Weaver's Field House in the Klethla Valley

ABSTRACTA late Pueblo III pit house in the Klethla Valley of northeastern Arizona was about 2.5 m square and 2 m deep. Three sets of loom holes in the floor imply that it was a weaver's field house associated with nearby farm plots and a large masonry pueblo 1700 m to the south on the edge of Black Mesa. Houses near agricultural fields would be vital for floodwater fanning, and may reflect the craft specialities of the individual farmers. A ceramic colander and a ceramic bird were found on the floor, and two dogs were interred in the structure after some sand had accumulated on the floor but before the roof collapsed.
The gut in the brain: the effects of bariatric surgery on alcohol consumption

Obesity represents a major medical and public health problem worldwide. Efforts have been made to develop novel treatments, and among them bariatric surgery is used as an effective treatment to achieve significant, long-term weight loss and alleviate medical problems related to obesity. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is also a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent clinical studies have revealed a concern for bariatric surgery patients developing an increased risk for alcohol consumption, and for AUD. A better understanding of the relationship between bariatric surgery and potential later development of AUD is important, given the critical need of identifying patients at high risk for AUD. This paper reviews current clinical and basic science research and discusses potential underlying mechanisms. Special emphasis in this review is given to recent work suggesting that, alterations in alcohol metabolism/pharmacokinetics resulting from bariatric surgery are unlikely to be the primary or at least the only explanation for increased alcohol use and development of AUD, as changes in brain reward processing are also likely to play an important role. Additional studies are needed to clarify the potential role and mechanisms of how bariatric surgery may increase alcohol use and lead to AUD development.
R&D Subsidies and Climate Policy: Is There a

Because of the long-term nature of the climate problem, technological advances are often seen as an important component of any solution. However, when considering the potential for technology to help solve the climate problem, two market failures exist which lead to underinvestment in climate-friendly R&D: environmental externalities and the public goods nature of new knowledge. As a result, government subsidies to climate-friendly R&D projects are often proposed as part of a policy solution. Using the ENTICE model, I analyze the effectiveness of such subsidies, both with and without other climate policies, such as a carbon tax. While R&D subsidies do lead to significant increases in climate-friendly R&D, this R&D has little impact on the climate itself. Subsidies address the problem of knowledge as a public good, but they do not address the environmental externality, and thus offer no additional incentive to adopt new technologies. Moreover, high opportunity costs to R&D limit the potential role that subsidies can play. While R&D subsidies can improve efficiency, policies that directly affect the environmental externality have a much larger impact on both atmospheric temperature and economic welfare.
Sleep and Obesity

Abstract Obesity is an exceedingly prevalent condition that is multifactorial and complex in origin. It has been implicated most commonly in relation to sleep-related breathing disorders, notably obstructive sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome. Recent interest has been focused on the effect of restricted sleep or sleep deprivation on metabolic pathways that regulate body weight.
Divergent Human Cortical Regions for Processing Distinct Acoustic-Semantic Categories of Natural Sounds: Animal Action Sounds vs. Vocalizations

A major gap in our understanding of natural sound processing is knowledge of where or how in a cortical hierarchy differential processing leads to categorical perception at a semantic level. Here, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we sought to determine if and where cortical pathways in humans might diverge for processing action sounds vs. vocalizations as distinct acoustic-semantic categories of real-world sound when matched for duration and intensity. This was tested by using relatively less semantically complex natural sounds produced by non-conspecific animals rather than humans. Our results revealed a striking double-dissociation of activated networks bilaterally. This included a previously well described pathway preferential for processing vocalization signals directed laterally from functionally defined primary auditory cortices to the anterior superior temporal gyri, and a less well-described pathway preferential for processing animal action sounds directed medially to the posterior insulae. We additionally found that some of these regions and associated cortical networks showed parametric sensitivity to high-order quantifiable acoustic signal attributes and/or to perceptual features of the natural stimuli, such as the degree of perceived recognition or intentional understanding. Overall, these results supported a neurobiological theoretical framework for how the mammalian brain may be fundamentally organized to process acoustically and acoustic-semantically distinct categories of ethologically valid, real-world sounds.
Anisotropic transverse resonance in a symmetrically loaded rectangular cavity

Anisotropic media provide unique properties not available using isotropic media. These include a high refractive index reducing wavelength in the medium and relatively low magnetic losses. However, fundamental propagation concepts such as anisotropic transverse resonance are not well understood. We derive an anisotropic transverse resonance condition established between the walls of a rectangular cavity and an anisotropic medium to suppress high order resonances produced by a high refractive index. We then demonstrate how this directly translates to a novel tapered shape preserving the transverse resonance of the cavity.
MYH9 E1841K Mutation Augments Proteinuria and Podocyte Injury and Migration.

Intronic variants of the MYH9 gene that encodes the nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIA are associated with diabetic nephropathy in European Americans and with sickle cell disease-associated nephropathy. However, the causal functional variants of MYH9 have remained elusive. Rare missense mutations in MYH9 cause macrothrombocytopenia and are occasionally associated with development of nephropathy. The E1841K mutation is among the common MYH9 missense mutations and has been associated with nephropathy in some carriers. To determine the contribution of the E1841K mutation in kidney disease, we studied the effects of the E1841K mutation in mice subjected to high salt or angiotensin II (Ang II) as models of hypertension and in mice subjected to renal mass reduction as a model of CKD. Despite similar levels of BP among wild-type (MYH9+/+ ) mice and mice heterozygous (MYH9+/E1841K ) and homozygous (MYH9E1841K/E1841K ) for the mutation in each model, MYH9E1841K/E1841K mice exhibited mildly increased albuminuria in response to high salt; severe albuminuria, nephrinuria, FSGS, and podocyte foot effacement in Ang II-induced hypertension; and early mortality in the renal mass reduction model. Treatment with candesartan during Ang II-induced hypertension attenuated kidney disease development in MYH9E1841K/E1841K mice. In vitro, isolated primary podocytes from MYH9E1841K/E1841K mice exhibited increased lamellipodia formation and reorganization of F-actin stress fibers. Wound healing assays revealed that MYH9+/+ podocytes had the lowest migration rate, followed by MYH9+/E1841K then MYH9E1841K/E1841K podocytes. In conclusion, the MYH9 E1841K variant alters podocyte cytoskeletal structure and renders podocytes more susceptible to injury after a damaging stimulus.
Significance of Lignin S/G Ratio in Biomass Recalcitrance of Populus trichocarpa Variants for Bioethanol Production

Lignin S/G ratio has been investigated as an important factor in biomass recalcitrance to bioethanol production. Because of the complexity and variety of biomass, recalcitrance was also reportedly influenced by several other factors, such as total lignin content, degree of cellulose polymerization, etc. In addition, the effect of S/G ratio on biomass conversion is not uniform across plant species. Herein, 11 Populus trichocarpa natural variants grown under the same conditions with similar total lignin content were selected to minimize the effects of other factors. The lignin S/G ratio of the selected P. trichocarpa natural variants showed negative correlations with p-hydroxybenzoate (PB) and β–5 linkage contents, while it had positive ones with β-O-4 linkage, lignin molecular weight, and ethanol production. This study showed the importance of lignin S/G ratio as an independent recalcitrance factor that may aid future energy crop engineering and biomass conversion strategies.
Caveolins as Regulators of Stress Adaptation

Caveolins have been recognized over the past few decades as key regulators of cell physiology. They are ubiquitously expressed and regulate a number of processes that ultimately impact efficiency of cellular processes. Though not critical to life, they are central to stress adaptation in a number of organs. The following review will focus specifically on the role of caveolin in stress adaptation in the heart, brain, and eye, three organs that are susceptible to acute and chronic stress and that show as well declining function with age. In addition, we consider some novel molecular mechanisms that may account for this stress adaptation and also offer potential to drive the future of caveolin research.
Debugging open-ended designs: High school students’ perceptions of failure and success in an electronic textiles design activity

Abstract Research on productive failure has examined the dimensions which are most beneficial for students’ learning of well-defined canonical problems in math and science. But failure plays an equally important role in solving open-ended, or ill-defined, design problems that have become prominent in many STEM-oriented maker activities. In understanding the role of failure in open-ended design tasks, we draw on Kapur’s conceptualization of productive failure and connect it to research on the role of construction in learning. We report on findings from an eight-week long workshop with 16 high school freshmen (13–15 years) who engaged in an open-ended design task with electronic textile materials. In electronic textile design tasks, a small computer, sensors, and actuators are stitched together with conductive thread to create a circuit. Our analysis focused on students’ debriefing interviews addressing two questions: (1) What range of debugging challenges do youth report encountering when creating e-textiles? and (2) How do youth draw upon the available tools and materials to generate and implement solutions to these challenges? In the discussion, we address how our findings from examining open-ended e-textiles design challenges, students’ perceptions on failure, and their resolutions contribute to the growing work on productive failure as a learning design with applicability to open-ended design tasks.
Frajzyngier, Zygmunt (b. 1938)

Zygmunt Frajzyngier (b. 1938), a prolific scholar of African languages, was born in Poland and educated at the University of Warsaw under renowned Ethiopist Stefan Strelcyn. Frajzyngier has written complete grammatical descriptions of six Chadic languages (with more to come) and has published papers in every major subdiscipline of linguistics, drawing on data from Chadic, Slavic and other languages. In the 1990s he developed the Systems Interaction approach, a methodology for describing languages without relying on prototype-based or theory-internal assumptions about the nature and existence of language categories and functions.
On the nature and meaning of sinuosity in magnitude-estimation functions

Magnitude-estimation functions for single observers, derived from multiple judgments of closely spaced stimuli, exhibit a sinuous form in logarithmic coordinates, an observation frequently confirmed since first reported by Luce and Mo (1965). We propose that this can result from reliance on a restricted pool of responses, called “preferred numbers” by Baird and Noma (1975). We describe a model featuring a response band centered on an assumed power function, from which the observer selects from among preferred numbers with equal probability. In simulations, the expected values of these selections oscillate around the underlying power function with an appearance similar to that of Luce-Mo functions. The appearance of these functions depends on values assumed for the scale factor of the power function, the range of intensities considered, and the width of the band from which responses are drawn. We conclude that sinuosity in magnitude-estimation functions does not disconfirm the psychophysical power law.
18F-Mefway: Efficacy as a PET imaging agent for serotonin 5-HT1A receptors

553 Objectives Serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, implicated in CNS disorders, have been studied with 18F-trans-Mefway (18F-Mefway) in rodent and nonhuman primate studies. Following successful completion of rodent and nonhuman primate studies, we report comparative distribution of 18F-Mefway in humans. Methods Radiosynthesis of 18F-Mefway was carried out as previously reported. Human 18F-Mefway studies were carried out under an FDA approved IND. Both preclinical and clinical studies were carried out after an IV bolus injection of 18F-Mefway (~0.5 mCi for rat, 2-3 mCi for monkeys, 5 mCi for humans) with specific activity >2Ci/µmol. Isoflurane anesthesia (1.5-3%) was used for rodents and monkeys. Rodent, nonhuman primate and human studies were performed on an Inveon MicroPET/CT, MicroPET P4, and Siemen’s HR+ scanner, respectively. Using ASIPro and PMOD, analysis of 18F-Mefway binding to 5-HT1A receptor-rich regions was performed. Results Across various species rapid brain uptake of 18F-Mefway was observed in all brain regions. Cerebellum (CB) was used as a reference region in all studies across all species due to a lack of receptor specific binding. Distribution of 18F-Mefway in human brain regions was consistent with the known concentration of 5-HT1A receptors: mesial temporal cortex/ hippocampus (MTC/ HP)> insula (IN) > cingulate gyrus (CG) = dorsal raphe (DR). Human brain regions to cerebellum maximal ratios were found to be MTC/CB=7; IN/CB=5; CG/CB=3.8; DR/CB=3.5. 18F-Mefway brain uptake in humans was not hampered from bone uptake in the skull. Conclusions Ongoing PET studies in all models including humans have indicated 18F-Mefway to be efficacious as a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor imaging agent. 18F-Mefway therefore may be reliably used to quantify serotonin 5-HT1A receptor distribution in brain regions including small areas such as the DR for the study of various CNS disorders in animal models and human diseases. Research Support NIH/NIA R33AG030524
New Methods of Production

This chapter traces how the development of the automobile industry led to new methods of production. It analyzes how Henry Ford and a team of engineers at the Ford Motor Company developed the idea of Mass Production by combining the idea of interchangeable parts and the idea of the moving assembly line. The chapter also discusses how Fredrick Winslow Taylor’s idea of Scientific Management combined with Ford’s idea of Mass Production to create a new method of production based on scientific principles, such as time-and-motion studies and industrial psychology.
An Interactionist Approach to Cognition: Informal Overview

We saw in the last chapter that there is a paradox implicit in the interaction view of cognition. The paradox is in assigning reality the role of constraining our conceptual organizations, but denying it a mind-independent, preconceptual ontology and structure. (If reality is given a preconceptual ontology and structure, then this becomes the ‘universal’ knowledge structure, an idea that is expressly rejected by the interaction view.) We also saw that the theories of Goodman, Piaget and Lakoff & Johnson, each of whom approached interactionism by a different route, fail to resolve this paradox explicitly, though some of them come quite close to doing so. You might also recall, from Chapter 3, that resolving this paradox is necessary to give a satisfactory account of similarity-creating metaphors, and to address an analogous paradox raised by the phenomenon of creation of similarity.
PDZ Domains and the Formation of Protein Networks at the Plasma Membrane

Protein-protein associations are the basis of much of the macromolecular organization underlying cellular structure and function. Two general mechanisms exist to achieve binding specificity: “surface-surface” and “modular domain-peptide” associations. The former is based on interacting surface chemistry unique to each pair of binding partners, e.g., oligomerization of hemoglobin monomers. Surface-surface interactions provide for highly specific binding, but the complex nature of these associations has not provided evolution with the opportunity to generate binding diversity. In contrast, “modular domain-peptide” associations are based on conserved domains which recognize variations of simple peptide motifs. Both the modular domains and peptide targets are found as motifs within multidomain proteins of diverse function, e.g., enzymes, receptors, cytoskeletal proteins. Examples of these domains include the well characterized SH3, SH2 and PTB domains.
Enthalpies of formation of CdSxSe1-x solid solutions

The enthalpies of oxidative drop solution (ΔHds) for a series of CdSxSe1–x samples were obtained by calorimetry in molten 3Na2O·4MoO3 at 975 K. They become more exothermic linearly with increasing S content. The enthalpies of formation from the elements (ΔHf,el) depend linearly on molar ratio of S/(S + Se). This is the first report of thermodynamic properties of CdSxSe1–x solid solutions measured by any direct calorimetric method. The enthalpies of formation at 298 K from the binary chalcogenide end-members (ΔHf,CdM) (M = S, Se) for wurtzite CdSxSe1–x are found to be zero within experimental errors. These results strongly suggest that wurtzite CdS and CdSe form an ideal solid solution, despite a substantial difference in molar volume and anion radius. This implies that size difference affects thermodynamics less strongly when larger and more polarizable anions are mixed in chalcogenides than when cations are mixed in oxides.
Art Deco Delight

The Chrysler Building was analyzed for elements to be incorporated into the design. The distinctive crown of the building had many strong visual elements that could be translated into a garment. The notable elements were arches that repeated in diminishing sizes, the triangular windows inset into the arches, and the reflective surfaces. These were the selected elements.
Resurgence of Rayleigh’s curse in the presence of partial coherence

The two-point resolution of an optical system is the minimum distance between two point sources that can be estimated with a prescribed precision from measurement in the image plane. When the sources are incoherent, then direct measurement of the optical intensity provides resolution limited by Rayleigh’s curse, i.e., the precision diminishes to zero as the separation is reduced to zero. By using quantum Fisher information bounds on the precision, it was shown recently that estimates based on optimal quantum measurements of the optical field can break Rayleigh’s curse and provide estimates with finite precision even at very small separations. We show here that if the point sources are partially coherent with an unknown real degree of coherence, no matter how small it is, then the curse resurges. Since a Lambertian source is not strictly incoherent, having a correlation width of the order of a wavelength, and light gains coherence as it propagates, Rayleigh’s curse endures as a fundamental dictum.
Self-forgiveness and well-being: Does divine forgiveness matter?

A reliable association exists between self-forgiveness and well-being. But self-forgiveness and its correlates will not be fully understood without considering forgiveness by God or divine forgiven...
Pharmaceutical Industry Support of US Patient Advocacy Organizations: An International Context.

Objectives. To examine whether the share of pharmaceutical industry funds allocated to patient advocacy organizations (PAOs) is disproportionately large in the United States relative to other indus...
An Empirical Measure of Asset Liquidity

We develop an operational empirical measure of liquidity consistent with the definition first suggested by Keynes: An asset is more liquid if it is "more certainly realizable at short notice without loss." We define this loss as the difference between the value realizable from optimal sale (with no time constraint) and the value realizable from immediate sale. We estimate the former by treating optimal sale as a search problem: the seller faces a sequence of prices over time and must decide when to accept. Implications of our definition include (1) market efficiency implies perfect liquidity, 2) liquidity is forward-looking and depends on the expected future path of prices rather than current or past prices, (3) liquidity applies to buyers as well as sellers, and (4) any inference about the liquidity of an asset is necessarily model-dependent. We illustrate the use of our measure by applying it to Los Angeles real estate and to investment in Canadian dollars and in pounds sterling.
Social Norms and Smoking Risk in iTaukei Fijian Adolescent Women.

Objective To investigate the association of a variety of social smoking exposures with cigarette smoking among iTaukei adolescent women in Fiji. Methods Self-report data were collected in a representative sample of school-going iTaukei adolescent women (n=523). We fitted logistic regression models of current cigarette smoking with school, peer, media, and other social exposures to smoking as predictors. Results Current cigarette smoking was associated with exposure to close friend, peer, and routine social smoking as well as higher prevalence of school peer smoking, but not parent tobacco use and media smoking exposures-in our fully adjusted model. Conclusions Peer and school-based smoking exposures may increase cigarette smoking risk in school-going iTaukei adolescent women and may be strategic interventional targets to augment existing preventive approaches.
Technology to Support Transportation Needs Assessment, Training, and Pre-trip Planning by People with Intellectual Disability

Limited access to affordable, reliable, and integrated transportation options limits participation by people with developmental disabilities in virtually every aspect of day-to-day life, from employment to health care to participation in religious life. Transportation is often unavailable, too expensive, or too limited. Often, people with intellectual disability rely on friends and family to get where they want and need to go. Fixed-route bus systems are the most frequent options for public transportation, but can be complex to use. Technology can provide options to decrease barriers to using fixed-route bus systems. This paper was to examine the utility of technology tools called the Smart Travel Concierge System (STCS) that support pre-trip assessment, training, and planning activities to support people with intellectual disability to travel using fixed route public transportation more independently. This paper reports two pilot studies conducted with elements of the STCS providing pre-trip assessment and trip planning technology supports. Participants for both studies were people with intellectual disability. The pilot evaluation of the prototype of the STCS involved pre- and post-test evaluations of transportation support needs assessment, training, and pre-trip planning to use a fixed-route bus system using either paper/pencil or technology supports. Pilot field studies established the potential utility of these technology tools to enable people with intellectual disability to plan and prepare for trips using fixed-route bus systems. Technology supports like the STCS have potential to enable people with intellectual disability to use fixed-route bus systems and have greater access to their communities.
Changes in Trends in Thyroid Cancer Incidence in the United States, 1992 to 2016.

This study uses Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry data to describe trends in thyroid cancer incidence overall and by tumor size in the United States from 1992 to 2016.
Hemispheric Organization for Visual Object Recognition: A Theoretical Account and Empirical Evidence*:

AbstractDespite the similarity in structure, the hemispheres of the human brain have somewhat different functions. A traditional view of hemispheric organization asserts that there are independent ...
Acute pharmacological inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity during development restores perineuronal net formation and normalizes auditory processing in Fmr1 KO mice.

Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit cognitive impairments, social deficits, increased anxiety, and sensory hyperexcitability. Previously, we showed that elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) may contribute to abnormal development of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons and perineuronal nets (PNNs) in the developing auditory cortex (AC) of Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mice, which likely underlie auditory hypersensitivity. Thus, MMP-9 may serve as a potential target for treatment of auditory hypersensitivity in FXS. Here, we used the MMP-2/9 inhibitor, SB-3CT, to pharmacologically inhibit MMP-9 activity during a specific developmental period and to test whether inhibition of MMP-9 activity reverses neural oscillation deficits and behavioral impairments by enhancing PNN formation around PV cells in Fmr1 KO mice. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure resting state and sound-evoked electrocortical activity in auditory and frontal cortices of postnatal day (P)22-23 male mice before and one-day after treatment with SB-3CT (25 mg/kg) or vehicle. At P27-28, animal behaviors were tested to measure the effects of the treatment on anxiety and hyperactivity. Results show that acute inhibition of MMP-9 activity improved evoked synchronization to auditory stimuli and ameliorated mouse behavioral deficits. MMP-9 inhibition enhanced PNN formation, increased PV levels and TrkB phosphorylation yet reduced Akt phosphorylation in the AC of Fmr1 KO mice. Our results show that MMP-9 inhibition during early postnatal development is beneficial in reducing some auditory processing deficits in the FXS mouse model and may serve as a candidate therapeutic for reversing sensory hypersensitivity in FXS and possibly other ASDs.
Shape Dimensionality Metrics for Landmark Data

The primary goal of this paper is to examine and rationalize different integration metrics used in geometric morphometrics, in an attempt to arrive at a common basis for the characterization of phenotypic covariance in landmark data. We begin with a model system; two populations of Pleistocene dire wolves from Rancho La Brea that we examine from a data-analytic perspective to produce candidate models of integration. We then test these integration models using the appropriate statistics and extend this characterization to measures of whole-shape integration. We demonstrate that current measures of whole-shape integration fail to capture differences in the strength and pattern of integration. We trace this failure to the fact that current whole-shape integration metrics purport to measure only the pattern of inter-trait covariance, while ignoring the dimensionality across which trait variance is distributed. We suggest a modification to current metrics based on consideration of the Shannon, or information, entropy, and demonstrate that this metric successfully describes differences in whole shape integration patterns. Finally, the information entropy approach allows comparison of whole shape integration in a dense semilandmark environments, and we demonstrate that the metric introduced here allows comparison of shape spaces that differ arbitrarily in their dimensionality and landmark membership.
Theory choice, non-epistemic values, and machine learning

I use a theorem from machine learning, called the “No Free Lunch” theorem (NFL) to support the claim that non-epistemic values are essential to theory choice. I argue that NFL entails that predictive accuracy is insufficient to favor a given theory over others, and that NFL challenges our ability to give a purely epistemic justification for using other traditional epistemic virtues in theory choice. In addition, I argue that the natural way to overcome NFL’s challenge is to use non-epistemic values. If my argument holds, non-epistemic values are entangled in theory choice regardless of human limitations and regardless of the subject matter. Thereby, my argument overcomes objections to the main lines of argument revealing the role of values in theory choice. At the end of the paper, I argue that, contrary to common conception, the epistemic challenge arising from NFL is distinct from Hume’s problem of induction and other forms of underdetermination.
The marine gastropod Crepidula fornicata remains resilient to ocean acidification across two life history stages

Abstract Rising atmospheric CO2 reduces seawater pH causing ocean acidification (OA). Understanding how resilient marine organisms respond to OA may help predict how community dynamics will shift as CO2 continues rising. The common slipper shell snail Crepidula fornicata is a resilient marine gastropod native to eastern North America, which has been a successful invader along the western European coastline and elsewhere. To examine its potential resilience to OA, we conducted two controlled laboratory experiments. First, we examined several phenotypes and genome-wide gene expression of C. fornicata in response to pH treatments (7.5, 7.6, 8.0) throughout the larval stage and then tested how conditions experienced as larvae influenced juvenile stages (i.e. carryover effects). Second, we examined genome-wide gene expression patterns of C. fornicata larvae in response to acute (4, 10, 24 and 48 hours) pH treatment (7.5, 8.0). Both C. fornicata larvae and juveniles exhibited resilience to OA and gene expression responses highlight the role of transcriptome plasticity in OA resilience. Larvae did not exhibit reduced growth under OA until they were at least 4 days old. These phenotypic effects were preceded by broad transcriptomic changes, which likely serve as an acclimation mechanism for combating reduced pH conditions frequently experienced in littoral zones. Delayed metamorphosis was observed for larvae reared at reduced pH. Although juvenile size reflected larval rearing pH conditions, no carryover effects in juvenile growth rates were observed. Transcriptomic analyses suggest increased metabolism under OA, which may indicate compensation in reduced pH environments. Time course transcriptomic analyses suggest energetic burdens experienced under OA eventually dissipate, allowing C. fornicata to reduce metabolic demands and acclimate to reduced pH. This study highlights the importance of assessing the effects of OA across life history stages and demonstrates how transcriptomic plasticity can allow highly resilient organisms, like C. fornicata, acclimate to reduced pH environments.
Merger as Intermittent Accretion

The Self-Similar Secondary Infall Model (SSIM) is modified to simulate a merger event. The model encompass spherical versions of tidal stripping and dynamical friction that agrees with the Syer & White merger paradigm's behaviour. The SSIM shows robustness in absorbing even comparable mass perturbations and returning to its original state. It suggests the approach to be invertible and allows to consider accretion as smooth mass inflow merging and mergers as intermittent mass inflow accretion.
Abstract 12640: Energy Drinks Prolong Early Repolarization (J-T Peak ) Phase in a Healthy Population

Introduction: Energy drinks continue to be the fastest growing beverage market with sales expected to reach $60 billion in the next few years, yet have demonstrated adverse cardiovascular effects s...
"We're Moving in the Right Direction. Still a Long Way to Go": Experiences and Perceptions of the Climate for LGBTQ+ Employees at a Pediatric Hospital.

A positive LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/nonbinary, queer) workplace climate is critical for healthcare employee satisfaction, productivity, and patient care. The current study assess...
Enhancers navigate the three-dimensional genome to direct cell fate decisions

The activity and selectivity of transcriptional enhancers determine gene expression patterns that enable a zygote to become a complex organism. How enhancers convey regulatory information is a central conundrum in biology. Here, we discuss recent progress provided by rapidly evolving technologies in understanding enhancer-promoter interactions in the context of overall nuclear genome organization.