cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic Studies on Mammalian DNA Methyltransferases

Cytosine methylation at the C5-position, generating 5-methylcytosine (5mC), is a DNA modification found in many eukaryotic organisms, including fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates, albeit its levels vary greatly in different organisms. In mammals, cytosine methylation occurs predominantly in the context of CpG dinucleotides, with the majority (60–80 %) of CpG sites in their genomes being methylated. DNA methylation plays crucial roles in the regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression and is essential for mammalian development. Aberrant changes in DNA methylation levels and patterns are associated with various human diseases, including cancer and developmental disorders. DNA methylation is mediated by three active DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), namely, Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b, in mammals. Over the last two decades, genetic manipulations of these enzymes, as well as their regulators, in mice have greatly contributed to our understanding of the biological functions of DNA methylation in mammals. In this chapter, we discuss genetic studies on mammalian Dnmts, focusing on their roles in embryogenesis, cellular differentiation, genomic imprinting, and X-chromosome inactivation.
Executive Stock and Option Valuation in a Two State-Variable Framework: Allowing Optimal Investment of Outside Wealth in the Riskfree Asset and the Market Portfolio

We provide a two state-variable discrete-time executive option valuation model that allows optimal investment of executive's outside wealth in the riskfree asset and the market portfolio. Our model adopts Rubinstein (1994) rainbow option pricing grid and leads to several improvements over the existing one state-variable models that allow outside investment only in the riskfree asset. First, our model is consistent with portfolio theory and the capital asset pricing model. Second, it produces executive option values that are always lower than risk-neutral values. Third, it implies less subjective values as it gives significantly lower sensitivities of option values to the unobservable expected market risk premium, executive's risk aversion, and the executive's diversification level. Fourth, we show that for common parameter values the executive values in our model are significantly lower than in the one state-variable model, but the company costs are not much lower. This suggests that options are an even more inefficient form of executive compensation than previously documented. Fifth, we show that our methodology can be easily applied to the valuation of American-style indexed strike price executive options.
Emerging Cytokine Biosensors with Optical Detection Modalities and Nanomaterial-Enabled Signal Enhancement

Protein biomarkers, especially cytokines, play a pivotal role in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases. Therefore, a critical need for advanced cytokine sensors has been rapidly growing and will continue to expand to promote clinical testing, new biomarker development, and disease studies. In particular, sensors employing transduction principles of various optical modalities have emerged as the most common means of detection. In typical cytokine assays which are based on the binding affinities between the analytes of cytokines and their specific antibodies, optical schemes represent the most widely used mechanisms, with some serving as the gold standard against which all existing and new sensors are benchmarked. With recent advancements in nanoscience and nanotechnology, many of the recently emerging technologies for cytokine detection exploit various forms of nanomaterials for improved sensing capabilities. Nanomaterials have been demonstrated to exhibit exceptional optical properties unique to their reduced dimensionality. Novel sensing approaches based on the newly identified properties of nanomaterials have shown drastically improved performances in both the qualitative and quantitative analyses of cytokines. This article brings together the fundamentals in the literature that are central to different optical modalities developed for cytokine detection. Recent advancements in the applications of novel technologies are also discussed in terms of those that enable highly sensitive and multiplexed cytokine quantification spanning a wide dynamic range. For each highlighted optical technique, its current detection capabilities as well as associated challenges are discussed. Lastly, an outlook for nanomaterial-based cytokine sensors is provided from the perspective of optimizing the technologies for sensitivity and multiplexity as well as promoting widespread adaptations of the emerging optical techniques by lowering high thresholds currently present in the new approaches.
Frequency domain non-contact photoacoustic microscopy

We present a non-contact “frequency domain photoacoustic microscope” (Fd-PAM) in which photoacoustic signal is generated by an amplitude modulated continuous-wave (CW) laser and detected at the sample surface using two wave mixing (interferometer) in a photorefractive crystal (PRC). The optical detection eliminates the need for a coupling medium, thus making the probe contactless and mitigates loss in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) resulting from attenuation associated with wave propagation from the sample to the sensor. The single frequency excitation enables the use of extremely narrow band detection techniques like a lock-in amplifier for noise suppression. Our approach also can image multi-layered specimen and directly produce an image that is equivalent to the maximum-intensity projection of the 3D image volume.
Autoimmune disease in pregnancy: Systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome

Autoimmune diseases occur most commonly in women of childbearing age. Over 70% of individuals with autoimmune diseases are women, though some conditions (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis) are more common in men. Many authorities have focused on sex hormones as an explanation for the relatively high proportion of females affected by autoimmune diseases. This article covers systemic lupus erythematosus, the prototypical autoimmune disease, and antiphospholipid syndrome, which is associated particularly with pregnancy loss.
Fractures of the talus: Current concepts and new developments

Fractures of the talus are challenging to manage, with historically poor outcomes and a high rate of complications. The rare nature of this injury limits the number of studies available to guide treatment. Fortunately, a number of advancements have been made in the last decade. There is increased recognition regarding the importance of anatomic reconstruction of the osseous injury. Advanced imaging is used to assess the subtalar joint, where even slight displacement may predispose to arthritis. Increasing use of dual anteromedial and anterolateral approaches, along with plate fixation, has improved our ability to accurately restore the anatomy of the talus. Modification of the original Hawkins classification can both guide treatment and allow us to better predict which patients will develop avascular necrosis. Lastly, improved reconstructive techniques help address the most common complications after talus fracture, including arthritis, avascular necrosis, and malunion.
Survival of Listeria monocytogenes strain H7762 and resistance to simulated gastric fluid following exposure to frankfurter exudate.

Listeria monocytogenes strain H7762, a frankfurter isolate, was tested to determine whether it was able to survive at 4°C in frankfurter pack fluid (exudate) and to determine whether food exposure affects its acid sensitivity. Cultures were sampled and tested for acid sensitivity by challenge with simulated gastric fluid (SGF). SGF challenges performed immediately after inoculation revealed that between 20 and 26% of the cells survived the full 30 min of SGF challenge regardless of whether the cells were inoculated into brain heart infusion broth (BHI) or exudate. After 2 days of incubation, cells exposed to both exudate and BHI had significantly decreased SGF resistance; however, the cells exposed to exudate were significantly more SGF resistant than cells exposed to BHI (after 15 min of SGF treatment, 33% of the exudate-exposed cells survived and 12% of the BHI-exposed cells survived). L. monocytogenes exposed to exudate had greater SGF resistance at all challenge times compared with BHI-exposed cells from day 2 through day 4. From days 8 to 15, exudate-exposed cells continued to have greater SGF resistance than BHI-exposed cells up to 10 min of SGF challenge but were as sensitive as the BHI-exposed cells at 20 to 30 min of challenge. By day 25, cells exposed to exudate were significantly more sensitive to SGF challenge than BHI-exposed cells. The survivor data generated from SGF challenges were modeled by a nonlinear regression analysis to calculate the underlying distribution of SGF resistance found in the challenged populations. These analyses indicated that L. monocytogenes exposed to exudate at 4°C had a broader distribution of resistance to SGF compared with cells exposed to BHI at 4°C. In addition, the mean time of death during SGF treatment was greater after exposure to exudate, indicating that cells exposed to exudate were more resistant to killing by SGF. These data suggest that exposure to frankfurter exudate might render L. monocytogenes more able to survive the stomach environment during the initial stages of infection.
Activity Engagement Among Older Adult Spousal Caregivers.

Objective Spousal caregiving can have strong implications for health and wellbeing given the strain and burden associated with the role. Maintaining activity engagement is important for late-life health and wellbeing, and may be a possible contributing mechanism to caregiver health and wellbeing. This paper examined longitudinal changes in activity engagement and asks how spousal caregiving status and caregiver age related to longitudinal activity engagement in a sample of older adults. Method Data from four waves of the Health and Retirement study were used to model associations between periods of being a spousal caregiver, age, and engagement in physical, social, self-care, passive, and novel information processing activities over a 6-year period. Results Caregiving status was associated with declines in physical activity engagement over time. Older age was associated with fewer physical and more self-care and passive activities. Discussion Caregivers' declines in participation in physical activities may be an important indicator for preservation of health and management of caregiving stress.
It's Not Whether You Win or Lose, It's How You Play the Game

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a microethnographic analysis of a game played by a teacher and three of her students during the first week of school. The students and the teacher act differently in the classroom depending upon the situation they are engaged in. The three students who participated in the game were different in terms of their social identity at that point in the year. Given the teacher's negative evaluation of Angie, the aim was to show what it was about Angle's behavior that might lead the teacher to evaluate Angie the way she did. The short length of the segment under analysis precludes the formulation of any broad generalizations about the nature of classroom interaction. The kind of information provided by this type of research can be beneficial to teachers. The teacher in the classroom reports that she has gained a better understanding of the patterns of interaction between students and teachers from the findings of this and other work on her classroom and from interaction with the research team.
Tyrants: A History of Power, Injustice, & Terror

Academics and general readers alike have long deserved a new history of tyranny. Waller Newell’s latest work, Tyrants: A History of Power, Injustice, & Terror nearly fits the bill: it is rich with ...
Uterine Sarcoma: Modern Treatment Paradigms

The purpose of this review is to inform readers of the most current management strategies for women with uterine sarcoma. Surgery is the standard of care in the management of all soft-tissue sarcomas, including uterine sarcoma. However, there are malignancies that can be challenging to diagnose preoperatively and can mimic the appearance of benign uterine leiomyomas. Because of aggressive tumor biology and relative chemotherapy and radiotherapy resistance, efficacious therapies to achieve prolonged survival or cure in those with both early- and advanced-stage uterine sarcomas have been elusive. The strongest determinant of survival remains the stage at diagnosis, though prediction models may provide a more accurate prognosis. An increase in the use of both adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy more recently has led to a small survival advantage in these tumors. Uterine sarcomas are a rare form of uterine cancer; however, they contribute disproportionately to a large number of uterine cancer deaths. Both the rarity of this disease and the inability to confirm a preoperative diagnosis make it difficult to study women with uterine sarcoma. Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated a limited response to traditional cytotoxic therapy, highlighting the importance of novel treatment strategies. This review provides a critical appraisal of the literature regarding the contemporary management of uterine sarcoma, the role of targeted therapies, and potential future directions for research.
Ostwald ripening changes the pore habit and spatial variability of clathrate hydrate

Abstract Clathrate hydrate is a solid crystalline compound that consists of water cages with trapped gas molecules. Methane hydrate in permafrost and marine sediments is estimated to contain 2 × 103 to 4 × 106 Gt of carbon, which makes it both a potential energy source and a liability to global warming. The transport and mechanical properties of hydrate bearing sediments (HBS), and therefore hydrate dissociation through depressurization, thermal stimulation, or CO2 injection, depend on hydrate pore habit and spatial distribution in sediments. However, the evolution of hydrate pore habit and spatial distribution in HBS are not well understood yet. Here we show experimental evidence of Ostwald ripening of gas hydrate crystals in pores and porous media. We find that (1) hydrate growth rate (under nearly isothermal conditions) versus the degree of overpressurization fits an Arrhenius-type equation, and (2) Ostwald ripening gradually changes hydrate pore habit from grain-attaching to pore-filling and increases hydrate saturation heterogeneity at both pore and core scales. The latter ultimately creates significant spatial variations of permeability and sediment strength. Our results provide insights into kinetics and pore-scale physics that determine the geophysical signature from HBS at various scales. Based on our findings of hydrate occurrence in both gas and gas-water interface, we argue that hydrate growth in natural HBS is not limited to the water liquid phase. Our observation of hydrate pore habit alteration by Ostwald ripening explains patchy saturation and heterogeneous distribution of hydrate in natural HBS, which gives physical insight to improve geophysical hydrate models in porous media.
RetSynth: Solving all optimal retrosynthesis solutions using dynamically constrained integer linear programming

Motivation: Naive determination of all the optimal pathways to production of a target chemical on an arbitrarily defined chassis organism is computationally intractable. Methods like linear integer programming can provide a singular solution to this problem, but fail to provide all optimal pathways. Results: Here we present RetSynth, an algorithm for determining all optimal biological retrosynthesis solutions, given a starting biological chassis and target chemical. By dynamically scaling constraints, additional pathway search scales relative to the number of fully independent branches in the optimal pathways, and not relative to the number of reactions in the database or size of the metabolic network. This feature allows all optimal pathways to be determined for a very large number of chemicals and for a large corpus of potential chassis organisms. Availability: This algorithm is distributed as part of the RetSynth software package, under a BSD 2-clause license at https://www.github.com/sandialabs/RetSynth/
Evaluation of the Compromised Neonatal Airway

Differentiating upper- from lower-airway compromise in the neonate may be difficult. Knowledge of the multiple problems that affect the airway and an organized approach to assessment aid in determining the site(s) of respiratory compromise. Although endoscopy provides information about the status of the upper airway, the length of time elapsed from extubation may affect the predictive value of observations made at endoscopy. The otolaryngologist should avoid recommending surgical intervention for relief of upper-airway compromise when the major cause of respiratory insufficiency is in the lower airway. Conversely, appropriate surgical intervention at the appropriate time may obviate the need for a tracheotomy. Lastly, if the prognosis is such that continued intubation is necessary and may lead to laryngeal or subglottic damage, a tracheotomy should be performed.
Freeze-Fracture (-Etch) Electron Microscopy

Freeze-fracture electron microscopy (FEM) is a unique and powerful research technique that provides a triad of major advantages for the microbiologist interested in ultrastructure. First, because FEM is a replicating technique, it can provide both face-on as well as cross-sectional views of cellular components exposed by the fracturing of frozen cells. Thus, the investigator can visualize the morphology and distribution of specific components both within the plane and on both surfaces of membranes. In addition, it is often possible to perceive three-dimensional relationships that would require tedious reconstruction if studied in thin-section transmission electron microscopy. Second, even when chemical pretreatment is used during processing of samples, FEM provides an alternate method of subsequent processing and thus allows comparative analysis of thin- section electron microscopy data and FEM data. Third, when coupled with a purely physical specimen fixation method (i.e., cryofixation), FEM can completely eliminate the need for chemical fixation and is thus extremely valuable for the identification of artifactual structures in electron microscopy (EM) images. Furthermore, because of the rapid rate at which all cellular activities can be halted by cryofixation, FEM can be used to investigate rapid cellular processes that cannot be preserved in chemically fixed samples. From the start, FEM has offered the promise of an “artifact-free” glimpse at the ultrastructure of cells. Even if the ultimate goal is not a routine achievement, FEM has been and remains an important research tool in biology in general, and in microbiology in particular.
Enhanced selectivity of polymer adsorption

A major limitation in developing successful selective flocculation schemes is the difficulty encountered in adsorbing the polymeric flocculant only on the desired substrate. In this paper, a correlation between selectivity of flocculant adsorption and separation efficiency is outlined, and a potential technique to achieve selective adsorption of flocculants is discussed.
Modern Marketing Research Techniques and Policymaking in Wyoming’s State Budgeting: An Abstract

Like the energy-based economies of Alaska and North Dakota, Wyoming’s economy entered a recession in 2016 due to low energy prices. This thrust the state into a budget crisis that remains unresolved. In May 2016, researchers deployed state-of-the-art marketing research methods to shed light on how Wyoming citizens feel about budget options for the state legislature in the current times of economic recession in the state. These researchers used a discrete-choice modeling approach to better understand relative preferences among budgeting options facing the state legislature. Their findings suggest that Wyomingites generally align with actions of the state legislature taken in February 2016 with the exception of the legislature’s decision to not accept federal funding for expanding Medicaid to all Wyoming residents. The study’s success suggests that other levels of government (such as cities, counties, public utility commissions, as well as the federal government) can gain collective intelligence by accessing citizen preferences in a timely manner for their own policymaking efforts.
Continental paleoclimates from δD and δ18O of secondary silica in paleokarst chert lags

Approximate continental paleotemperatures can be inferred from oxygen and hydrogen isotopic analyses of authigenic silica that precipitated within chert lags on paleokarst surfaces. Data for two Proterozoic examples suggest continental weathering temperatures that ranged from 30 to 43 °C. Quantitative results appear possible for rocks at least as old as 1.1 Ga.
Superior Outcome in Elderly AML Patients Receiving Adjuvant Serotonin-Reuptake-Inhibitors during Induction

Background: Acute myelogenous leukemia [AML] in elderly patients has a poor prognosis. Age is a unique adverse predictor. However, the higher incidence of complex karyotype, secondary AML, and other unfavorable European-Leukemia-Network -2017 [ELN-2017] features are common. Induction failure is frequent and associated with chemotherapy resistance. These factors highlight an urgent need for “novel” therapy development. In recent years, in vitro, anti-tumor activity of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors [SSRIs], such as Sertraline, have been demonstrated. Increased apoptosis, autophagy activation, and favorable modulation of P-glycoprotein and multidrug-resistance-associated-proteins are proposed mechanisms of anti-tumor effect. In this study, our primary aim was to detect “early [day 14] blast reduction” among patients [pt] receiving adjuvant SSRIs in combination with induction therapy as compared to patients who do not receive SSRIs. Additionally, we evaluated overall survival [OS] and relapse free survival [RFS] patients with and without exposure to SSRIs. Methods: With prior IRB approval, 176 pt diagnosed with AML from 1995 to 2017 at Baylor College of Medicine institutions [Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center] were analyzed. We identified older (age>65) pts who received or did not receive SSRI for at least 6 months prior to induction therapy. “Early blast reduction” was evaluated by bone marrow (BM) exam on day 14. OS and RFS were evaluated by the Kaplan Meier method using PRISM 5. Independent variables with potential effect on OS and RFS [Mann-Whitney P= 65 y receiving induction who were exposed to SSRI. Our preliminary data supports the feasibility of combining adjuvant SSRIs with induction therapy for the treatment of elderly AML pt. Download : Download high-res image (55KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
EPICARDIAL PASSIVE FIXATION DEFIBRILLATION COIL USING A DURATA LEAD: A UNIQUE APPROACH TO OVERCOMING HIGH DEFIBRILLATION THRESHOLD

Unsuccessful implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) defibrillation due to high defibrillation threshold (DFT) is rare and can be difficult to manage when traditional methods such as azygous vein or epicardial defibrillation fail to provide adequate DFT or long-term durability. A 59-year-old
Digital Signal Processing: Principles and Applications

Combining clear explanations of elementary principles, advanced topics and applications with step-by-step mathematical derivations, this textbook provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to digital signal processing. All the key topics are covered, including discrete-time Fourier transform, z-transform, discrete Fourier transform and FFT, A/D conversion, and FIR and IIR filtering algorithms, as well as more advanced topics such as multirate systems, the discrete cosine transform and spectral signal processing. Over 600 full-color illustrations, 200 fully worked examples, hundreds of end-of-chapter homework problems and detailed computational examples of DSP algorithms implemented in MATLAB® and C aid understanding, and help put knowledge into practice. A wealth of supplementary material accompanies the book online, including interactive programs for instructors, a full set of solutions and MATLAB® laboratory exercises, making this the ideal text for senior undergraduate and graduate courses on digital signal processing.
A Line-Fault Cause Analysis Method for Distribution Network Based on Decision-Making Tree and Machine Learning

Line fault is the most important factor which affects the reliability of power supply in distribution network. After failure, it is needed to find fault cause quickly and accurately, which will eliminate potential safety hazard for grid operation from the source and reduce fault probability effectively. At present, analysis for fault cause always depends on human experience, which is lack of scientific quantitative basis and poor in time effectiveness. This paper mines out the gradational structure and space-lime distribution law of fault cause from fault historical records and proposes a line-fault cause analysis method based on decision-making tree. For the decision tree analysis, according to line type, time segment, territorial area, external environment and cause analysis level related with a fault, a modeling method based on machine learning for larger-/subcategory fault cause analysis is proposed and then a multi-level model library for line fault cause analysis is established. Based on fault historical records, the proposed method builds models offline and makes decisions on-line, which improves analysis speed. And the hierarchical analysis process of decision-making tree makes fault cause conclusion more detailed and accurate. Finally, a case is given to illustrate application of the method in detail.
Microwave based Glucose Concentration Determination using Machine Learning

Non-invasive blood sugar measurement attracts more and more attention in recent years, given the increase in diabetes-related complications and inconvenience in the traditional ways using blood droplets. In this paper, we present a study on the use of machine learning algorithms to determine glucose concentration based on the microwave scattering parameters (S 11 ) measured on the glucose solution with various concentrations. Dielectric parameters were extracted appropriately based on the modified Debye dielectric dispersion model from the measured broadband S 11 , and utilized as the features to create a large dataset by adding various Gaussian noises. Machine learning algorithms were then used to classify glucose concentrations ranging from pure water to 1000 mg/dL. A perfect 100% glucose concentration classification accuracy has been achieved. The study suggests a proposing way to develop the non-invasive glucose detection method using big data machine learning.
1 Decreasing time to goal enteral feeds in children with medical complexity with feeding intolerance

Background One third of children with medical complexity (CMC) fed by gastrojejunostomy (GJ) or gastrostomy tube (GT) admitted to our institution experience feeding intolerance, or inability to achieve target enteral intake combined with symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction or underlying illness. Despite its prevalence, feeding intolerance management is variable and can lead to delayed achievement of goal nutrition and unnecessarily long hospital stays. Objectives Decrease median time from enteral feed initiation to goal feeds from 3.5 days to 2.5 days in CMC fed via GJ or GT admitted for feeding intolerance. Methods A multi-disciplinary team of nurses, nurse practitioners, pediatric residents, hospitalist and gastroenterology physicians, parents, and a dietitian conducted this local quality improvement project. Key drivers included: standardized approach to feeding intolerance management, consistent assessment of parental feeding goals, high provider buy-in, timely and accurate bedside formula delivery, and clear communication of the feeding plan. Plan-do-study-act cycles included formulation and implementation of a feeding intolerance management algorithm, provider education and reminders to use the new algorithm, and provider feedback emails. A run chart tracked the effect of interventions on median time to goal enteral feeds and followed established run chart rules for special cause for analysis. Length of stay was measured pre and post intervention. Results Median time to goal enteral feeds for CMC fed via GJ or GT decreased from 3.5 days to 2 days (figure 1). There was no change in length of stay. Conclusions Through creation and implementation of an algorithm to standardize feeding intolerance management for hospitalized CMC, we decreased time to goal enteral feeds but did not change length of stay. Future work will include incorporating the algorithm into electronic health record order sets and studying the impact of the algorithm on patient nutritional outcomes.
Effects of pictorial warning label message framing and standardized packaging on cigarette packaging appeal among young adult smokers.

Abstract Introduction: Pictorial warning labels and standardized “plain” packaging are policy interventions to reduce smoking, in part, by making cigarette packs and smoking less appealing. To inform potential policy decisions, this study examined the relative effects of message text framing (gain vs. loss) and cigarette packaging (standardized vs. branded) on appeal in a sample of young adult cigarette smokers. Methods: Cigarette smokers (N = 339) ages 18–30 completed two within-subjects experimental tasks. Tasks assessed the effects of message text framing (gain vs. loss) and packaging (standardized vs. branded) on cigarette packaging appeal. Task 1 was a 2 × 2 discrete choice experiment, where participants chose between each experimental pack and a standard branded cigarette pack without a pictorial warning label. Task 2 was a ranking task where participants ranked all packs on measures of appeal. Results: In Task 1, there were no significant differences in measures of appeal between packs displaying gain- vs. loss-framed message text, but all packs with pictorial warning labels significantly decreased appeal relative to standard branded packs without pictorial warning labels. Standardized packs with pictorial warning labels significantly reduced appeal relative to branded packs with pictorial warning labels and standard branded packs without pictorial warning labels. Task 2 pack rankings showed similar effects of pictorial warning labels and standardized packaging on appeal. Conclusions: Pictorial warning labels with gain- and loss-framed text were equally powerful at reducing appeal of cigarette packs in young adult smokers relative to branded packs without pictorial warning labels, especially when combined with standardized packaging.
Eyewitness Identification Speed: Slow Identifications From Highly Confident Eyewitnesses Hurt Perceptions of Their Testimony

How persuasive is eyewitness confidence? Are highly confident eyewitnesses so persuasive that their testimony overshadows other countervailing evidence? To answer these questions, participants evaluated a highly confident eyewitness’s lineup identification. Participants learned that an eyewitness either quickly identified the suspect (e.g., “I’m sure it’s him. I identified him instantly.”), slowly identified the suspect (e.g., “I’m sure it’s him. I identified him after a while.”) or they learned nothing about the eyewitness’s identification time (e.g., “I’m sure it’s him.”). Highly confident eyewitnesses who make a relatively slow identification are perceived as less accurate and suspects are regarded as less likely to be guilty as compared to when eyewitnesses make a fast identification or even when no information is provided about identification speed. Identification speed appears to be one of the few variables that can cause people to regard with skepticism the testimony of highly confident eyewitnesses.
2020-2021 APSA eJobs Report: the Political Science Job Market

Data show that 99% of political science or government departments overall reported moving classes exclusively online in Spring 2020; while August 2020 marked the start of hybrid and in-person learning throughout the US. Like 2019-2020, in 2020-2021 job postings declined across the country, down about 2% from 2019-2020 and about 20% from 2018-2019. The sharpest downturns were in April and May, but an increase of job postings in June and July could mark the beginning of an upward trend. Positions for three major subfields, for Comparative Politics, American Government and Politics, and International Relations continued to decline, while the proportion of “Other” and “Open” positions advertised increased. For 2020-2021 most (48.2%) job postings were (junior) Non-Tenure Track positions, and there were increases in the proportion of international positions, and in positions in the West, the South, and the Northeast in the United States.
Unbiased Range-Preserving Estimators

An estimator is said to be range-preserving if its values are confined to the range of what it is to estimate. The property of being range-preserving Is an essential property of an estimator, a sine qua non. Other properties, such as unbiasedness, may be desirable in some situations, but an unbiased estimator that Is not range-preserving should be ruled out as an estimator. (We are not speaking of uses of estimators for purposes other than estimation, for example, as test statistics.)
A novel approach to the design of controllers in an automotive cruise-control system

A complete stabilizing PID set is developed without the need for an identified analytical model, for an automotive cruise-control system from its frequency response. The resulting set serves as a framework and is used to determine the PID gains satisfying certain performance indices. These performance measures are derived from the need for efficient tracking and disturbance rejection. This ensures that the controller is tuned with the most appropriate PID gains, yielding the desired closed-loop response. Also, this serves as a viable alternative to the iterative method of estimating stabilizing PID gains.
A Review of “Can You Ever Forgive Me? Memoirs of a Literary Forger”

This slender “memoir” tells the story of the author's crime spree as a forger and thief of letters written by celebrities. Israel, a freelance writer given to producing biographies of such figures ...
Synthesis and optimization of wide pore superficially porous particles by a one-step coating process for separation of proteins and monoclonal antibodies

Abstract Superficially porous particles (SPPs) with pore size ranging from 90 A to 120 A have been a great success for the fast separation of small molecules over totally porous particles in recent years. However, for the separation of large biomolecules such as proteins, particles with large pore size (e.g. ≥ 300 A) are needed to allow unrestricted diffusion inside the pores. One early example is the commercial wide pore (300 A) SPPs in 5 μm size introduced in 2001. More recently, wide pore SPPs (200 A and 400 A) in smaller particle sizes (3.5–3.6 μm) have been developed to meet the need of increasing interest in doing faster analysis of larger therapeutic molecules by biopharmaceutical companies. Those SSPs in the market are mostly synthesized by the laborious layer-by-layer (LBL) method. A one step coating approach would be highly advantageous, offering potential benefits on process time, easier quality control, materials cost, and process simplicity for facile scale-up. A unique one-step coating process for the synthesis of SPPs called the “coacervation method” was developed by Chen and Wei as an improved and optimized process, and has been successfully applied to synthesis of a commercial product, Poroshell 120 particles, for small molecule separation. In this report, we would like to report on the most recent development of the one step coating coacervation method for the synthesis of a series of wide pore SPPs of different particle size, pore size, and shell thickness. The one step coating coacervation method was proven to be a universal method to synthesize SPPs of any particle size and pore size. The effects of pore size (300 A vs. 450 A), shell thickness (0.25 μm vs. 0.50 μm), and particle size (2.7 μm and 3.5 μm) on the separation of large proteins, intact and fragmented monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were studied. Van Deemter studies using proteins were also conducted to compare the mass transfer properties of these particles. It was found that the larger pore size actually had more impact on the performance of mAbs than particle size and shell thickness. The SPPs with larger 3.5 μm particle size and larger 450 A pore size showed the best resolution of mAbs and the lowest back pressure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest pore size made on SPPs. These results led to the optimal particle design with a particle size of 3.5 μm, a thin shell of 0.25 μm and a larger pore size of 450 A.
A Quantitative Procedure for the Determination of Nitrofurantoin in Whole Blood and Plasma

A rapid, quantitative procedure for the determination of nitrofurantoin in 0.5 ml. of whole blood and plasma is presented. The method has a sensitivity of 2 mg./L., with recoveries of 95-100%. The absorbance-concentration curve is linear to 60 mg./L.
A high-molecular-weight fraction of smooth lipopolysaccharide in Klebsiella serotype O1:K20 contains a unique O-antigen epitope and determines resistance to nonspecific serum killing

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigen side chains of Klebsiella serotype O1 have been studied by using mutants selected by resistance to a Klebsiella bacteriophage designated O1-A. Two classes of LPS mutants were identified. The major group (90%) synthesized rough LPS. The remaining 10% of the mutants produced a novel LPS profile that lacked the highest-molecular-weight O-substituted molecules (HMW-LPS) but still produced lower-molecular-weight O-substituted species (LMW-LPS). By using antisera raised against mutant Klebsiella strains and antiserum specific for Pasteurella haemolytica serotype 4, it was demonstrated that HMW-LPS and LMW-LPS contain shared epitopes. HMW-LPS also contained an epitope absent in LMW-LPS. This unique epitope was recognized by a monoclonal antibody (O1-52.6) and appears to be responsible for the serological cross-reaction between the O antigens of Klebsiella O1 and Escherichia coli O19. This HMW-LPS epitope was present in eight other Klebsiella O1 isolates which were examined. Electron microscopy demonstrated that HMW-LPS excluded overlying capsular polysaccharide for a distance of 25 to 40 nm. The distance was reduced to 10 to 18 nm in strains which synthesized only LMW-LPS and to zero in rough LPS strains. The HMW-LPS of Klebsiella O1 was shown to be an important virulence determinant, since this molecule was responsible for the resistance of the bacterium to nonspecific, complement-mediated serum killing. Images
Evolution of pediatric thyroid surgery at a tertiary medical center

Background Thyroidectomy in the pediatric population is often avoided due to perceived risks in children. With growing subspecialization and establishment of high volume endocrine surgery centers, the indications for thyroid surgery and extent of resection continue to change. We examined the evolution of pediatric thyroid surgery at a high volume tertiary medical center.
On the prompt update of literature references in the Protein Data Bank.

One of annoying and potentially serious problems encountered during analysis of the macromolecular structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) is the difficulty of finding where the research that resulted in the creation of some of the deposits was published. Conversely, although release of the coordinates upon publication of the relevant papers is now the law of the land, it is often difficult for the PDB to know that publication has taken place, since they have to search the whole literature for a specific PDB code. Typically, if the title of the future publication indicated during coordinate deposition differs from the final one, PDB has no way to know that the relevant paper has been published. Thus, many structures are not immediately released upon publication if the authors themselves do not promptly notify the PDB that their paper is already out. I would like to make a simple suggestion that might help to rectify both problems. It should not be very difficult for a journal to generate a message to be sent to the PDB when a paper that refers to a newly deposited structure is actually published. ‘Publication’ would mean that any version of the paper becomes available to the readers, whether preliminary or final, depending on the editorial policy. If all journals that publish macromolecular structures would adhere to this recommendation, both problems mentioned above would become moot. Since the IUCr journals (mostly Acta Crystallographica Section D, Acta Crystallographica Section F and IUCrJ) publish a large fraction of papers that report new macromolecular structures, it would be particularly appropriate if they would spearhead such a policy.
The Morality of Bargaining: Insights from “Caritas in Veritate”

Pope Benedict XVI’s 2009 Encyclical-Letter “Caritas in Veritate,” (CV) breaks some new ground in the tradition of Catholic social teaching. I argue that explicitly this document makes a call for a new theory of economic exchange. Whereas, the traditional scholastic theory of the “just price” was focused on “the principle of the equivalence in value of exchanged goods” (CV 35), a new theory of exchange must focus instead on “a metaphysical understanding of the relations between persons” (CV 53). True, Thomas Aquinas pioneered this new approach to the morality of exchange when he argued that the Golden Rule must take precedence over the logic of the just price: the relation between persons must trump the relation between the goods exchanged. Caritas in Veritate argues further for a new theory of exchange that combines elements of mutual gain with elements of gift-giving. Here again we see a revision of traditional scholastic theory in which every transaction was defined exclusively either as a unilateral gift (subject to norms of distributive justice and charity) or as a bilateral exchange (subject to norms of commutative justice). Benedict, by contrast, calls for a vision of economic life in which gift-giving and exchange are mixed, so that bargains are “redolent with the spirit of gift” (CV 37) in a new “economy of gratuitousness” (CV 38). I propose to outline a new theory of exchange in which the elements of mutual gain and gift-giving are combined. To do so, I shall have to revise the traditional scholastic analysis of the just price, which was focused on the equality of the goods exchanged and instead focus on the moral equality of the parties to an exchange.
Rapid steps in the glmS ribozyme catalytic pathway: cation and ligand requirements.

The glmS ribozyme is a conserved riboswitch found in numerous Gram-positive bacteria and responds to the cellular concentrations of glucosamine 6-phosphate (GlcN6P). GlcN6P binding promotes site-specific self-cleavage in the 5' UTR of the glmS mRNA, resulting in downregulation of gene expression. The glmS ribozyme has previously been shown to lack strong cation specificity when the rate-limiting folding step of the cleavage reaction pathway is measured. This does not provide data regarding cation and ligand specificities of the glmS ribozyme during the rapid ligand binding chemical catalysis events. Prefolding of the ribozyme in Mg(2+)-containing buffers effectively isolates the rapid ligand binding and catalytic events (k(obs) > 60 min(-1)) from rate-limiting folding (k(obs) 4 min(-1). Our data show that the sole obligatory role for divalent cations, for which there is crystallographic evidence, is coordination of the phosphate moiety of GlcN6P in the ligand-binding pocket. In further support of this hypothesis, our data show that a nonphosphorylated analogue of GlcN6P, glucosamine, is unable to promote rapid ligand binding and catalysis in the presence of divalent cations. Folding of the ribozyme is, therefore, relatively independent of cation identity, but the rapid initiation of catalysis upon the addition of ligand is stricter.
Differential effectiveness of testosterone and its metabolites in the induction of male sexual behavior in two strains of albino mice

Abstract The present series of studies examined the relative effectiveness of the four naturally occurring androgens testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, and androstanedione to induce male sexual behavior in castrate CD-1 and Swiss-Webster (SW) mice. Testosterone treatment resulted in the display of sexual behavior in both strains, but it was clearly more effective in the SW strain in which a higher percentage of males displayed intromissions and ejaculations than in the CD-1 strain. Dihydrotestosterone had essentially no behavioral effects in the CD-1 strain, while it was only slightly less potent than testosterone in the SW strain. Although less potent than either dihydrotestosterone or testosterone, androstenedione treatment also resulted in the display of mating behavior in some of the SW males and in an even fewer number of the CD-1 males. Androstanedione treatment failed to induce mating behavior in either strain. Testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and androstenedione were all found to stimulate moderate seminal vesicle and penile growth whereas androstanedione was only weakly effective in these somatic measures. These results were compared and contrasted with earlier findings on the androgenic control of agonistic behavior in the mouse, sexual behavior in the rat, and perinatal neural sexual differentiation in both the rat and mouse. The results from all of these studies were interpreted to support the hypothesis that different androgen metabolites are differentially effective in different target tissues and in the induction of different behaviors. It was further pointed out that these effects are both strain and species dependent.
A fully-differential input amplifier with band-pass filter for biosensors

An on-chip teraohm resistance realization scheme using a switched-capacitor ladder is presented in this paper. Linear tuning of the resistance is realized by controlling the sampling frequency. Using this scheme, a band-pass filter with very low corner frequency (~ 0.3 Hz) was implemented in a fully differential amplifier for a small chip area in a standard CMOS process.
An isoperimetric problem for continuous systems: The aeolian vibration of a conductor span

Abstract The equations of motion for perfectly mechanical systems which are restricted to satisfy given constraints are derived through the Lagrangian formulation for continuous media. Hamilton's equations for this situation are derived, and the equations for the balance of energy and angular momentum are generated from fundamental principles. These equations are all specialized to the example of a conductor which is vibrating under Aeolian excitation. Various models for the Hamiltonian density and the constraint energy density due to the wind energy input are also discussed.
Some properties of hypohamiltonian graphs

We prove that every hypohamiltonian graph G possesses a 2-factor containing any given edge of G. This implies that hypohamiltonian graphs are semimagic. We also examine under what conditions hypohamiltonian graphs are magic.