cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short communication: estimates of genetic variation of milk fatty acids in US Holstein cows.

Abstract Interest in changing the milk fatty acid profile is growing. However, little is known about the genetic variability of milk fatty acids in the US Holstein population. Therefore, genetic parameters for milk fatty acids were estimated using a single-trait, mixed, linear animal model on 592 individual milk samples from 233 daughters of 53 sires in a cow herd genetically representative of the US Holstein population. Heritability (h 2 ) and repeatability (r) estimates±standard errors for yields of individual fatty acids ranged from 0.00±0.08 (C4:0) to 0.43±0.13 (C12:0) for heritabilities and from 0.21±0.05 (C18:1) to 0.43±0.05 (C12:0) for repeatabilities. Saturated (h 2 =0.23±0.12; r=0.36±0.05) and de novo synthesized fatty acids (C6:0 to C14:0; h 2 =0.30±0.13; r=0.40±0.05) had numerically higher estimates than did monounsaturated (h 2 =0.09±0.09; r=0.22±0.05) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (h 2 =0.08±0.09; r=0.27±0.05). For relative proportions of individual fatty acids, the greatest heritability and repeatability estimates were obtained for C8:0 (h 2 =0.18±0.12; r=0.36±0.05), C10:0 (h 2 =0.22±0.13; r=0.46±0.05), C12:0 (h 2 =0.18±0.12; r=0.46±0.05), C16:0 (h 2 =0.09±0.12; r=0.48±0.05), C16:1 (h 2 =0.49±0.13; r=0.49±0.05), and C18:0 (h 2 =0.24±0.11; r=0.39±0.05). Our results suggest the existence of genetic variability of milk fatty acids, in particular of medium-and long-chain fatty acids (C8:0 to C18:0), which could be used to improve the nutritional and textural properties of milk fat by selective breeding.
Induction of Ethylene Biosynthesis in Nicotiana tabacum by a Trichoderma viride Xylanase Is Correlated to the Accumulation of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid (ACC) Synthase and ACC Oxidase Transcripts

Xylanase (EIX) from the fungus Trichoderma viride elicits ethylene biosynthesis in leaf tissues of Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi but not in cv Hicks. The increase in ethylene biosynthesis is accompanied by an accumulation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), an increase in extractable ACC synthase activity, and increases in ACC synthase and ACC oxidase transcripts. Priming of leaves with ethylene (120 [mu]L/L, 14 h) sensitizes the tissue, resulting in an enhanced response to EIX and increases in both the in vivo ACC oxidase activity and ACC oxidase transcript level. EIX and ethylene independently induce ACC oxidase. Inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis by aminoethoxyvinylglycine is not accompanied by a reduction in ACC oxidase transcript level, indicating that ethylene biosynthesis is not required. In contrast to the differential induction of ethylene biosynthesis by EIX in Xanthi versus Hicks cultivars, both cultivars respond to a chemical stress (induced by CuSO4) by enhancing ethylene production. This induction is accompanied by an increase in ACC synthase transcript but not in that of ACC oxidase.
Analysis of the affect measurement conundrum in exercise psychology: IV. A conceptual case for the affect circumplex

Abstract Background and purpose: In previous articles in this 4-part series, we presented an analysis of some of the main problems surrounding the measurement of affect in exercise psychology. The purpose of the present paper is to integrate this experience into a proposed solution by presenting arguments in support of the circumplex model of affect. Methods: The circumplex model is considered a suitable solution because (a) it targets the broadest concept in the affective hierarchy, namely basic affect, (b) as a dimensional model, it offers unparalleled breadth of scope and parsimony, (c) it is domain-general, thus not likely to produce assessments that are biased against or in favor of a certain treatment, and (d) it is based on specific conceptual postulates, thus allowing a deductive approach to measurement. The basic assumptions of the circumplex model are discussed, the available circumplex-based self-report measures are reviewed, and a series of applied studies in the context of acute exercise are summarized. Results and conclusions: Two important caveats are emphasized: (a) the measurement of the circumplex dimensions presents certain unique challenges which advances in statistical modeling should soon address and (b) the circumplex should not be seen as a panacea for all types of research contexts as its strength lies mainly in its parsimony, not its specificity. Provided that these points are taken into consideration, the circumplex model can offer a useful framework for conceptualizing and assessing the effects of acute exercise on the affective domain.
Transduction noise induced by 4-hydroxy retinals in rod photoreceptors

New visual pigments were formed with 4-hydroxy retinals in isolated vertebrate rod photoreceptors by exposing bleached rods from the tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum, to lipid vesicles containing the analogues. Formation of physiologically active pigment was demonstrated by the restoration of sensitivity and by a shift of approximately 50 nm in the peak of both the visual pigment absorptance spectrum and rod spectral sensitivity spectrum from approximately 520 to approximately 470 nm for 11-cis 4-hydroxy retinal. Membrane current recordings from the inner segments of isolated rods revealed excess fluctuations in membrane current after formation of the new pigment in bleached cells or after exposure of unbleached cells to flashes in the presence of the analogue. The excess current fluctuations are similar to the fluctuations elicited by steady light producing a few discrete responses per second, a rate approximately 100 times greater than the normal rate of spontaneous events in darkness. These results suggest that analogues of retinal can produce alterations in the frequency of production of discrete responses in darkness in rod photoreceptors.
Laboratory Testing for Clostridium difficile Infection

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is changing as evidenced by increasing virulence, rising incidence, unresponsiveness to metronidazole therapy, and worse outcomes. Thus, it is critical that CDI diagnosis be accurate so ongoing epidemiology, disease prevention, and treatment remain satisfactory. We tested 10 diagnostic assays, including 1 commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) test for the laboratory detection of toxigenic C difficile on 1,000 stool samples. Sensitive culture for toxigenic C difficile using 2 types of media with broth enrichment defined the reference standard. For the study, 1,000 tests were performed on samples from 919 patients. Of the samples, 146 contained evidence for toxigenic C difficile and represented the true-positive results. Only the US Food and Drug Administration–cleared qPCR assay (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ) and 1 glutamate dehydrogenase test (TechLab, Blacksburg, VA) were not statistically inferior to culture in sensitivity. The common enzyme immunoassay tests all had sensitivity values less than 50%. Clinical laboratory professionals need to seriously consider their diagnostic testing and use the assays that perform best for the detection of CDI.
Crystal structures of three (trichloromethyl)(carbamoyl)disulfanes.

The present paper reports crystallographic studies on three related compounds that were of inter­est as precursors for synthetic and mechanistic work in organosulfur chemistry, as well as to model nitro­gen-protecting groups: (N-methyl­carbamo­yl)(tri­chloro­meth­yl)disulfane, C3H4Cl3NOS2, (1), (N-benzyl­carbamo­yl)(tri­chloro­meth­yl)disulfane, C9H8Cl3NOS2, (2), and (N-methyl-N-phenyl­carbamo­yl)(tri­chloro­meth­yl)disulfane, C9H8Cl3NOS2, (3). Their mol­ecular structures, with similar bond lengths and angles for the CCl3SS(C=O)N moieties, are confirmed. Compounds (1) and (3) both crystallized with two independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. Classical hydrogen bonding, as well as chlorine-dense regions, are evident in the crystal packing for (1) and (2). In the crystal of (1), mol­ecules are linked via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds forming chains along [110], which are linked by short Cl⋯Cl and S⋯O contacts forming sheets parallel to (001). In the crystal of (2), mol­ecules are linked via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds forming chains along [001], which in turn are linked by pairs of short O⋯Cl contacts forming ribbons along the c-axis direction. In the crystal of (3), there are no classical hydrogen bonds present and the chlorine-dense regions observed in (1) and (2) are lacking.
‘Nobody Gives a Damn About the Gypsies': The Limits of Westphalian Models for Change

Intra-, supra-, and transnational legal mechanisms have diffused a Western-styled human rights regime, under which fundamental, inviolable rights — enforceable in international fora — are ceded to individuals regardless of their status or group affiliation. To operationalize these rights, various strands of the international human rights project have emerged to strengthen the protection international law affords to specific vulnerable groups: minorities, indigenous peoples, refugees, et cetera. Notwithstanding their vulnerability, the various groups that have been denominated as "Gypsies" or Roma escape this supplementary protection. They are minorities who are not “minorities”; indigenous peoples who are not “indigenous”; refugees who are not “refugees.” In exploring how the ostensibly extensive protections available to other groups fail to capture Roma peoples, this essay argues that the operational tools of human rights target the precipitate abuses not the antecedents. Like other facets of international and supranational law, the primary concern of human rights law is that certain preemptory, first principles cannot be entrusted to states. But, its operational tools do not constrain the power of states to define the confines of their nations and choose insiders to enjoy the benefits of membership therein. Instead, they render intractable the problems associated with the culture of dominance by permitting states to define who enjoys protection and simultaneously appear to be constrained by preemptory norms. Moreover, such operational tools, dependent on state-determined definitions, encourage the altruistic pathologizing of subaltern groups and reify the notion that the protection afforded by human rights is a limited resource over which outwith groups must compete. Despite their achievements, the operational mechanisms of the human rights regime are Westphalian tools that cannot solve the problems associated with a Westphalian international order.
Induction motor emulation for variable frequency drives testing

This paper presents a method employing a simple three-phase transformer connected to a three-phase AC variable load for emulating a standard three phase AC induction motor. Such an emulator could be used for variable frequency drive testing but eliminates any moving parts for higher reliability, reduces audible noise, and eliminates high-cost dynamometers. The method utilizes the concept of assuming that the induction machine is a "rotating transformer." To validate the emulator behavior, a simulation for a line-fed machine and a line fed three-phase transformer with a three-phase variable load is performed. Experimental verification of the inverter-fed machine and transformer are also presented and show excellent emulation capabilities of motor behavior at various slip values.
A Quick Staining Method for Myeloperoxidase

A staining method using 3-amino-9-ethylcarbozole for staining blood and bone marrow granulocytes for myeloperoxidase (MPX) is described. Former methods for staining for MPX with benzidine compounds have had to be discarded, as (with few exceptions) benzidine is no longer desirable nor available because of its carcinogenic properties. The staining method described herein depends on the principle that peroxidase catalizes the oxidation of 3-amino-9-ethylcarbozole by hydrogen peroxide, giving an insoluble red product.1 The method is rapid, requiring only 30 s for fixation, 2 1/2 minutes for incubation, and 5 minutes for counterstaining with hematoxylin.
Insect Growth Regulator Effects on Colonies of the Imported Fire Ant

Insect growth regulators (IGR) fed via soybean oil to small colonies of Solenopsis invicta Buren resulted in an immediate drop in pupal numbers due to cannibalism by the workers and a gradual decline in the number of eggs in the colony. No effects on larvae were observed until pupation. In all colonies treated with an IGR, female reproductive caste pupae were observed in the colony 20–30 days after exposure. Death of colonies of imported fire ants occurred at doses of 5 mg or greater per colony. Contact and fumigation routes of exposure were more effective than feeding. Formulation of the IGR in a carbohydrate or protein food source had no effect on its activity.
Designment and Development of An embedded Real-Time system basing Hardware

Almost all of the existed embedded Real-Time system are based on RTOS(Real Time Operating System).This paper pro-poses an embedded Real-Time system,which is designed and developed facing hardware directly.The embedded Real-Time system can realize the main characters of the embedded RTOS without RTOS.This paper also analyzes the embedded Real-Time system concretely according to the needs of the domestic electrical facilities,and proposes the method adopted to realize the embedded Real-Time system.
Hyperoxemic reperfusion does not increase myocardial infarct size.

We tested the hypothesis that arterial hyperoxia during myocardial reperfusion increases reperfusion injury and infarct size. The anterolateral marginal coronary artery of 35 anesthetized rabbits w...
Can Staggered Boards Improve Value? Evidence from the Massachusetts Natural Experiment

We study the effect of staggered boards on long-run firm value, using a natural experiment: a 1990 law that imposed a staggered board on all firms incorporated in Massachusetts. We find a significant and positive average increase in Tobin's Q among the Massachusetts treated firms, suggesting that staggered boards can be beneficial for early-life-cycle firms, which exhibit greater information asymmetries between insiders and investors. These results are validated using a larger sample of firms from the Investor Responsibility Research Center. In exploring possible channels for these effects, we find that the effects are stronger among innovating Massachusetts firms, particularly those facing greater Wall Street scrutiny. The evidence is consistent with staggered boards improving managers' incentives to make long-term investments.
Do Gene-by-Environment Interactions Offer Potential Intervention Strategies in Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders in youth are frequent, impairing, long-lasting, and recurring. The neural circuits underlying fear learning and fear extinction are relatively well understood. Cognitive Bias Modification, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors are all effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders in youth and are thought to act through different pathways. Therefore, this may be a particularly appropriate group of disorders in which to understand how specific gene effects, environments, and gene-by-environment effects may lead to personalized medicine approaches to the treatment of these disorders. Candidate gene-based approaches have examined serotonin transporter polymorphisms, BDNF, and COMT, for gene and gene-by-environment effects in anxiety disorders with mixed results. It is likely that GWAS-based approaches with large samples will be necessary to go from genes and gene-by-environment interactions to better treatment.
Legacy Media as Twitter Referee: Reframing Reaction to Sebastien De La Cruz's Anthem Singing at the 2013 NBA Finals

Twitter exploded with controversy when child charro singer Sebastian De La Cruz performed the national anthem at the 2013 NBA finals. Across the United States and Mexico, print, TV, and radio covered the range of vitriolic and supportive Twitter reaction. This study found English- and Spanish-language legacy media acted as Twitter referee: disseminating, recasting, and rejecting negative tweets that framed De La Cruz and Latinos as illegitimate anthem interpreters. The author argues that this reframing is in keeping with an abiding ethic of American journalism to avoid stereotyping.
Inhibition of autophagy initiation potentiates chemosensitivity in mesothelioma.

The benefits of inhibiting autophagy in cancer are still controversial, with differences in outcome based on the type of tumor, the context and the particular stage of inhibition. Here, we investigated the impact of inhibiting autophagy at different stages on chemosensitivity using 3-dimensional (3D) models of mesothelioma, including ex vivo human tumor fragment spheroids. As shown by LC3B accumulation, we successfully inhibited autophagy using either an early stage ULK1/2 inhibitor (MRT 68921) or a late stage inhibitor (hydroxychloroquine). We found that inhibition of autophagy at the early stage, but not at late stage, potentiated chemosensitivity. This effect was seen only in those spheroids with high autophagy and active initiation at steady state. Inhibition of autophagy alone, at either early or late stage, did not cause cell death, showing that the inhibitors were non-toxic and that mesothelioma did not depend on autophagy at baseline, at least over 24 h. Using ATG13 puncta analysis, we found that autophagy initiation identified tumors that are more chemosensitive at baseline and after autophagy inhibition. Our results highlight a potential role of autophagy initiation in supporting mesothelioma cells during chemotherapy. Our work also highlights the importance of testing the inhibition of different stages in order to uncover the role of autophagy and the potential of its modulation in the treatment of cancer. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Hybrid Genetic Programming for the Development of Metamaterials Designs With Improved Characteristics

The expansion of a hybrid genetic program's (HGP) functionality to allow for the development of broadband two-dimensional metamaterials designs with advanced characteristics is presented. Artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) ground planes and a tunable terahertz absorber generated by the HGP are compared with designs available in the literature. The HGP is shown to produce human-competitive results. The AMC ground planes synthesized by the HGP were found to produce improved results including wider bandwidths and larger reflection coefficient magnitudes than that of the human designs. For one of the designed AMCs, the HGP's bandwidth is 73.3% larger and the minimum reflection magnitude is 1.0% larger than the reference AMC. Similarly, the absorber synthesized by the HGP has larger bandwidths than that of a recently published absorber optimized by random hill climbing. Three bias voltages were tested with the tunable absorber. The bandwidths of the HGP absorber are 23.1%, 37.6%, and 400% larger than the reference absorber, for biases of 4, 2, and 0.5 V/nm, respectively. Four example designs are discussed together with comparative results to illustrate the advantages of the developed HGP-enabled design method.
Murray Rosenblatt’s Contributions to Strong Mixing

Murray Rosenblatt’s research has contributed much to the field of “strong mixing conditions,” (i) by providing many results of his own in that field, and (ii) by inspiring a vast amount of research in that field by other people. This note will give just a small snapshot of (i) and an even smaller snapshot of (ii).
Mixing and Large-Scale Ocean Dynamics

Abstract We summarize various connections between small-scale ocean mixing and larger scale motions, with particular attention to potential vorticity dynamics. The driving of larger scale circulation by buoyancy flux is described, emphasizing three-dimensional signals driven by localized mixing, in addition to the classic one-dimensional estimation of vertical velocity driven by quasi-uniform vertical mixing. For the sake of understanding the general circulation, improved knowledge of mixing processes is particularly needed at the mixed layer base, in boundary currents and at great depths. Coupling of horizontal and vertical diffusion processes by velocity shear is an essential part of ocean mixing. The small values of vertical diffusivity implied by microstructure measurements continue to disagree with inference from large-scale tracer balance. Yet, our knowledge of the mid-depth and deep circulation is sufficiently poor that reliable mid-ocean density and vorticity balances have not yet been calculated.
Bogomolov’s Inequality and Applications

Our main goal in this chapter will be to give a proof of the following: Theorem 1 (Bogomolov). Let X be an algebraic surface and let H be an ample divisor on X. Suppose that V is an H-stable rank 2 vector bundle on X. Then c 1 2 (V) ≤ 4c2(V). Equivalently, p1(ad V) ≤ 0.
Metis as Embodied, Technofeminist Intervention: Rhetorically Listening to Periods for Pence

Abstract Metis and listening are both inherently feminist rhetorical tactics for collaboration and intervention that have been generally overlooked in rhetoric and composition scholarship. I argue that to place them in conversation with one another is to illuminate connections between bodies, cultures, and rhetorical resources—connections especially useful when examining protests in digital spaces. Periods for Pence, a Spring 2016 protest, articulates how protesters might embrace the so-called weaknesses of feminine bodies through amplifying their lived experiences through Facebook and Twitter. In this article, I describe how rhetors fostered a culture of listening by drawing upon their bodily identifications through digital tools. I conclude with a call for recognizing metis as an inherently feminist tactic for activist work, one that benefits from listening to and making space for all bodies, not just those that fall within established Western, patriarchal norms.
Travel and energy implications of ridesourcing service in Austin, Texas

Abstract This paper identifies major aspects of ridesourcing services provided by Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) which influence vehicles miles traveled (VMT) and energy use. Using detailed data on approximately 1.5 million individual rides provided by RideAustin in Austin Texas, we quantify the additional miles TNC drivers travel: before beginning and after ending their shifts, to reach a passenger once a ride has been requested, and between consecutive rides (all of which is referred to as deadheading); and the relative fuel efficiency of the vehicles that RideAustin drivers use compared to the average vehicle registered in Austin. We conservatively estimate that TNC drivers commute to and from their service areas accounts for 19% of the total ridesourcing VMT. In addition, we estimate that TNC drivers drove 55% more miles between ride requests within 60 min of each other, accounting for 26% of total ridesourcing VMT. Vehicles used for ridesourcing are on average two miles per gallon more fuel efficient than comparable light-duty vehicles registered in Austin, with twice as many are hybrid-electric vehicles. New generation battery electric vehicles with 200 miles of range would be able to fulfill 90% of full-time drivers’ shifts on a single charge. We estimate that the net effect of ridesourcing on energy use is a 41–90% increase compared to baseline, pre-TNC, personal travel.
Emergent properties of organic matter decomposition by soil enzymes

Plant residues and soil organic matter are predominantly decomposed by exoenzymes. Many soil carbon models now represent enzymatic decomposition, but the mathematical formulation of this process has been debated over the last 15 years. Some models apply the traditional “forward” Michaelis-Menten equation to represent enzyme kinetics, whereas others apply the “reverse” Michaelis-Menten equation, which assumes that kinetic rates saturate at high enzyme concentrations. Recently the equilibrium chemistry approximation (ECA) has been proposed as an alternative to both Michaelis-Menten formulations. However, because of methodological limitations, in-situ enzyme kinetics—especially in the context of soil system heterogeneity—have been difficult to verify experimentally. Therefore, the overarching goal of our study was to evaluate different enzyme kinetic formulations using model-based evidence at microbial to ecosystem scales. We used a spatially explicit individual- and trait-based microbial model, DEMENT, to circumvent methodological challenges. Although DEMENT assumes forward Michaelis-Menten kinetics at local scales, at the grid scale we found saturating relationships between degradation rate and both substrate concentrations and enzyme concentrations that fit the forward and reverse Michaelis-Menten equations, respectively, at specific successional stages during decomposition. Although forward and reverse Michaelis-Menten equations emerged under some conditions, only the ECA adequately represented decay rates emerging from the spatial-temporal variation in substrate and enzyme concentrations throughout the decomposition process. Our results support a more widespread adoption of the ECA equation in soil biogeochemical modelling at ecosystem scales.
Assessing diagnostic error in cerebral venous thrombosis via detailed chart review.

Background Diagnostic error in cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has been understudied despite the harm associated with misdiagnosis of other cerebrovascular diseases as well as the known challenges of evaluating non-specific neurological symptoms in clinical practice. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of CVT patients hospitalized at a single center. Two independent reviewers used a medical record review tool, the Safer Dx Instrument, to identify diagnostic errors. Demographic and clinical factors were abstracted. We compared subjects with and without a diagnostic error using the t-test for continuous variables and the chi-square (χ2) test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables; an alpha of 0.05 was the cutoff for significance. Results A total of 72 CVT patients initially met study inclusion criteria; 19 were excluded due to incomplete medical records. Of the 53 patients included in the final analysis, the mean age was 48 years and 32 (60.4%) were women. Diagnostic error occurred in 11 cases [20.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 11.8-33.6%]. Subjects with diagnostic errors were younger (42 vs. 49 years, p = 0.13), more often women (81.8% vs. 54.8%, p = 0.17), and were significantly more likely to have a past medical history of a headache disorder prior to the index CVT visit (7.1% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.03). Conclusions Nearly one in five patients with complete medical records experienced a diagnostic error. Prior history of headache was the only evaluated clinical factor that was more common among those with an error in diagnosis. Future work on distinguishing primary from secondary headaches to improve diagnostic accuracy in acute neurological disease is warranted.
Enzyme replacement therapy desensitization in a child with infantile onset Pompe disease.

BACKGROUND Enzyme replacement therapy significantly reduces morbidity and mortality in patients with Pompe disease. Development of hypersensitivity reactions to enzyme replacement therapy is common and can adversely affect disease outcomes when treatment is halted or delayed. OBJECTIVE Our institution reports a case of successful alglucosidase alfa enzyme replacement therapy desensitisation in a 9-year-old girl with infantile onset Pompe disease. METHODS A desensitisation protocol was tailored to our patient with the help of a multidisciplinary team including the allergist, geneticist, nurses and pharmacists. RESULTS For our patient, desensitisation was successful using a multi-step three-fold dose escalation protocol. CONCLUSION Desensitisation is possible in individuals with hypersensitivity reactions to enzyme replacement. Desensitisation protocols need to be tailored according to the patient's needs and responses to find a protocol that is safe, effective and simple.
Gene and cell based therapies for the prevention and treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias

Abstract Current interventions available to the cardiac electrophysiologist are lacking in efficacy, and only offer the prospect of reduction in disease state to the patients they are practiced upon. Recent advances in gene transfer and genome editing technologies have created room for innovation in this space. This chapter examines these new technologies from both a basic science and translational perspective. Tools such as viral vectors, optogenetics, cell therapy, CRISPR/Cas9, in vivo electroporation and gene painting are explained, followed by in depth analysis of their use in the context of supraventricular arrhythmias.
“Either a Killer or a Suicide”: White Culture, anti-Cultural Preaching, and Cultural Suicide

In Marie Vieux-Chauvet’s Love, Anger, Madness: A Haitian Triptych, she portrays a fictional account of the complexity, rawness, and brutality of life in mid-twentieth century Haiti resulting from t...
Smartphone-Based Medical Diagnostics, 1st ed.

This reviewer has an interest in the use of smartphones for various tasks, such as documentation of device failures (photography), inspection of parts (use of borescopes), thermal imaging (attachments for infrared imaging), personal health monitoring (step counting, heart rate monitoring, stress monitoring), and the like. This text was chosen for review as the title purported to cover the overall field of medical diagnostics that might be replaced by point-of-care smartphone assisted analysis.
Use of N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (nBCA) for preoperative tumor embolization.

N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (nBCA) is a fast-acting liquid adhesive that polymerizes when it comes in contact with blood anions. We present the principles of nBCA preparation and delivery for tumor embolization of a right convexity meningioma in a patient who presented with a 6-month history of word-finding difficulty and memory loss video 1 Angiography of the middle meningeal artery showed a hairpin turn that was not negotiable with a number of different microwires, including the Synchro-2, Chikai 014 and Balt hybrid 008 wire. Due to the tortuous hairpin turn, the microcatheter position was distal to the tumor blush for the convexity meningioma. Given the distal microcatheter position, we opted for nBCA as the liquid embolic of choice for tumor embolization. The time of polymerization for nBCA may be delayed using glacial acetic acid, which makes nBCA ideal when the microcatheter is in a distal position relative to the target location for embolization. The patient underwent successful embolization using nBCA and was taken for a right frontal craniotomy for resection of the meningioma the next day. The intraoperative blood loss was 100 mL and the postoperative MRI showed gross total resection. The patient had an uncomplicated hospital course and was discharged home on post-procedure day 3.neurintsurg;neurintsurg-2021-017400v1/V1F1V1Video 1.
Advances in SUMO-based regulation of homologous recombination

Homologous Recombination (HR) is a critical DNA repair mechanism for a range of genome lesions. HR is responsible for mending DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) using intact template DNA. In addition, many HR proteins help cope with DNA lesions generated from DNA replication and telomere deficiency. The functions of HR proteins are often regulated by protein modifications that can quickly and reversibly adjust substrate proteins' attributes. Sumoylation is one of the prevalent modifications that affects all steps of the HR processes and exerts diverse regulation on substrates. This review aims to summarize the most recent advances in our understanding of SUMO-based HR regulation and highlight some key questions that remain to be elucidated.
Magnetism and x-rays: a vision of the future (abstract only)

In this talk I will give my personal view of important areas in magnetism research where x-rays have the ability to make key contributions. The selected areas deal with the manipulation of magnetization on the nanoscale with unprecedented speeds, i.e. on the picosecond and even femtosecond timescale. This development is driven by the need of information technology to store information more efficiently and process it faster. Implementation of this goal requires concepts that deviate from the classical concepts of switching the magnetization with Oersted fields created by current flow through wires or coils. The new concepts are based on the generation of spin-polarized electrons and spin states with a finite lifetime. For example, the generation of entangled spin states holds promise for futuristic concepts such as quantum computing, while spin-polarized currents can be used to switch the magnetization in nanostructures through the strong short-range quantum mechanical exchange interaction. I will demonstrate how such phenomena can be studied by means of advanced x-ray techniques that provide high spatial resolution, through real and reciprocal space imaging, in conjunction with ultra-short pulses. The envisioned x-ray studies utilize existing synchrotron radiation sources and, in the future, soft x-ray free-electron lasers.
TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION REVISITED: AFRICAN AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVE

African American children are victimized by poverty, discrimination, and even adoption policies which keep them in foster care and in institutions. Transracial adoption, one avenue to alleviate the problem, is burdened with controversy that need to be resolved. This article explores the opinions of African American college students on transracial adoption. It was found that transracial adoption was preferred to foster care or institutionalization, and that children need a permanent home regardless of the adoptive parent's race.
A statistical reasoning system for medication prompting

We describe our experience building and using a reasoning system for providing context-based prompts to elders to take their medication. We describe the process of specification, design, implementation and use of our system. We chose a simple Dynamic Bayesian Network as our representation. We analyze the design space for the model in some detail. A key challenge in using the model was the overhead of labeling the data. We analyze the impact of a variety of options to ease labeling, and highlight in particular the utility of simple clustering before labeling. A key choice in the design of such reasoning systems is that between statistical and deterministic rule-based approaches. We evaluate a simple rule-based system on our data and discuss some of its pros and cons when compared to the statistical (Bayesian) approach in a practical setting. We discuss challenges to reasoning arising from failures of data collection procedures and calibration drift. The system was deployed among 6 subjects over a period of 12 weeks, and resulted in adherence improving from 56% on average with no prompting to 63% with state of the art context-unaware prompts to 74% with our context-aware prompts.
The internal rotation of the Sun.

The internal rotation rate of the Sun has been calculated by Duvall, et al from the solar oscillation data of Duvall and Harvey. The origin and implications of this result are reviewed and compared with those of an earlier, less reliable determination.
Hypergranular promyelocytic leukemia (APL): cytogenetic and ultrastructural specificity

Cytogenetic and ultrastructural findings were important diagnostic indicators of hypergranular promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in a patient whose bone marrow morphology appeared, by light microscopy, to be similar to that in acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) with maturation. Peripheral blood smears and bone marrow specimens examined by light microscopy showed few cells with the numerous coarse, azurophilic granules typical of APL. Cytogenetic analyses, with several banding techniques, of cells from bone marrow and unstimulated peripheral blood revealed the 15;17 translocation, which has been observed only in APL. A reinterpretation of the reciprocal translocation, based on R banding, suggests that the breakpoints are distal to q24 in No. 15 and at or near the junction of q21 and q22 in No. 17. In addition, the patient had disseminated intravascular coagulation. The characteristic morphology of granules seen in APL was observed in this case only when transmission electron microscopy was used, since the granules were quite small. Since treatment for AML differs from that for APL, identification of the 15;17 translocation and ultrastructural evidence of granules represent valuable diagnostic aids for APL.
The lactic dehydrogenases of yeast. II. The identification of the L-lactic dehydrogenase of "petite" yeast as cytochrome b2.

The respiratory deficient “petite” mutants of yeast are noted for the absence of most of the cytochromes present in normal cells, including cytochromes of the b type. Thus the oxidation of l(+) lactate by such cells could not be readily ascribed to the operation of the hemoflavoprotein cytochrome b2. In order to decide whether the enzyme responsible is cytochrome b2 or another dehydrogenase not present in the wild strain, the enzyme was isolated from “petite” cells. On the basis of the comparison of their absorption spectra, catalytic properties, and other characteristics, the l(+) lactic dehydrogenases isolated from normal and “petite” cells have been shown to be identical. The reason why its presence had escaped detection by spectroscopic methods is that its concentration in the mutants is below the limit of the sensitivity of the techniques previously employed.
Proteomic and bioinformatic analysis of epithelial tight junction reveals an unexpected cluster of synaptic molecules

Background Zonula occludens, also known as the tight junction, is a specialized cell-cell interaction characterized by membrane "kisses" between epithelial cells. A cytoplasmic plaque of ~100 nm corresponding to a meshwork of densely packed proteins underlies the tight junction membrane domain. Due to its enormous size and difficulties in obtaining a biochemically pure fraction, the molecular composition of the tight junction remains largely unknown.
Marine Transducing Bacteriophage Attacking a Luminous Bacterium

The isolation and partial characterization of a marine bacteriophage attacking a strain of luminous bacteria is described, including some physical, biological, and genetic properties. It is a DNA phage of density of 1.52 with a long flexible tail and an apparently icosohedral head. With respect to stability in suspension, it has a rather specific requirement for the sodium ion in high concentration; it is further stabilized by the addition of calcium and magnesium ions. These same ions are likewise all required for both good plating efficiency and plaque uniformity. Although it goes through a typical lytic growth cycle (about 45 min), with a burst size of 100, and no stable lysogens have been isolated, it is nevertheless a transducing phage specifically for the tryptophan region, transducing several, but not all, independently isolated Trp(-) auxotrophs to protrophy. No other auxotrophs of a variety of amino acids were transduced by this phage to prototrophy. Phage infection does not change the normal expression of the luminescent system, and light remains at near normal levels until cell lysis occurs.
Effects of Polyamines on the Structure and Reactivity of tRNA

Publisher Summary This chapter describes that many of the recent data on polyamines and tRNA are consistent with the hypothesis that polyamines have specific effects on tRNA conformation. The chemical and physicochemical studies of the effects of polyamines on tRNA suggest that the polyamines are binding in the vicinity of the dihydrouridine arm and perhaps stabilizing the region of tRNA. It have also been reported that tRNA in vitro binds spermine and/or spermidine in preference to Mg 2+ , and that this differential binding may reflect what is occurring within a cell. However, based on the observations made in the study that spermidine and Mg 2+ have similar effects in most systems, a cooperative role for the two cations in the activation or alteration of tRNA structure and conformation should be considered. Such a cooperative type of binding, however, does not rule out the possibility that there are unique sites for the cations to bind to tRNA.. The chapter discusses a recent NMR study that showed that there is indeed a unique binding site for ethidium bromide in yeast tRNA Phe located at the base of the amino acid acceptor arm, near the postulated site for spermidine binding.
Neurally Inspired Models of Psychological Processes

Computational models provide a way to quantitatively explore theories about how brains give rise to cognition and behavior. This chapter introduces some basic approaches to modeling psychological phenomena, focusing on connectionist simulations of perception and memory. First, a rationale for developing computer models of behavior and brain function is presented, along with a brief description of basic computational properties of artificial neural networks. This is followed by a series of illustrative models of object recognition, perceptual learning, episodic memory, and age-related cognitive deficits. Collectively, these modeling efforts demonstrate the utility of emulating neural mechanisms in attempts to understand both observed actions and inferred mental processes. Although much work remains before the gaps between brain and behavior are bridged, the results of computational modeling efforts so far suggest that computer simulations provide a powerful tool that ultimately may help to span this divide. Keywords: connectionist models; computational neuroscience; neural networks; neurocomputing
Genetic Map Position of the pdxH Gene in Escherichia coli

The gene for pyridoxine phosphate oxidase, pdxH, is located 1.2 min beyond aroD, proximal to trp.
Predictors of long-term survival after resection of esophageal carcinoma with nonregional nodal metastases.

Background Patients with esophageal carcinoma and celiac, cervical, or other nonregional nodal metastases generally have a poor prognosis after surgical resection. Factors predicting long-term survival are unclear. The goal of this study was to analyze factors predicting long-term survival in this subset of patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective database over a 20-year period to identify patients with resected esophageal carcinoma with nonregional lymph node metastases. Medical records were reviewed and risk factors were analyzed. Results Sixty-seven patients underwent esophagectomy for M1a or M1b disease from 1987 to 2007. Esophagectomy was transthoracic in 62 patients and transhiatal in 5. The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 36. Sites of nodal metastases were the following: recurrent nodal chain in 42 patients, celiac in 20, both recurrent and celiac in 4, and paratracheal in 1. Median length of follow-up was 66 months. The 5-year overall survival for the entire cohort was 25%. The 5-year overall survival was significantly higher with earlier T-status, (pathologic tumor [pT]1/T2 vs pT3/T4; 62% vs 15%, p = 0.006). Thirteen patients who had nonregional nodal metastases without involvement of regional nodes (pN0) had a significant improvement in 5-year survival (67% vs 15%; p Conclusions Surgical resection for patients with esophageal cancer associated with nonregional nodal metastases results in 25% survival at five years. Squamous histology, earlier T status, and perioperative chemotherapy are independent positive predictors of long-term survival.
The wittig synthesis of allylic organosilicon compounds

Abstract The reactions of β-silylalkylidenetriphenylphosphoranes (prepared by the action of alkylidenetriphenylphosphoranes on iodomethylsilicon compounds, followed by deprotonation of the resulting β-silylalkyltriphenylphosphonium iodides) with aldehydes and ketones provide a useful route to allylic silicon compounds. The β-silyl Wittig reagents prepared and utilized in this study include Pha3P=CHCH2SiMe3, Ph3P=C(CH3)CH2,SiMe3, Ph3P=C(C6H5)CH2SiMe3, Ph3P=CHCH2SiMe2H, Ph3P=CHCH2SiMe2OSiMe3 and Ph3P=CHCH2SiMe-(OSiMe3)2.
It's all in the delivery! An analysis of instructional strategies from effective health education curricula.

BACKGROUND: This study explores the relationship between instructional strategies and effective health education curricula. METHODS: A content analysis of 10 health education curricula was conducted to determine if they include common instructional strategies for actively engaging students in acquisition of health skills. To be included, the curricula had to (1) be research-based and proven via empirical testing to positively influence the health behaviors and (2) address 1 of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 6 priority health risk behaviors. RESULTS: Content analysis revealed 5 active learning strategies incorporated to involve students in acquiring health skills. Role play, group cooperation, and small group discussion were found in all 10 curricula. To a lesser extent, interactive technology and team games were also included. CONCLUSION: When combined with previous research regarding the characteristics of effective teachers, it becomes clear that effective health education is delivered by teachers who employ a wide repertoire of active learning strategies while devoting substantial instructional time to those specific strategies that involve students in skills practice.
Effects of proteasomal inhibitors on the maturation of the insulin proreceptor: an anatomical paradox.

Abstract Inhibitors of proteasomal functions Carbobenzoxy- l -leucyl- l -leucyl- l -leucinal (MG132) and Carbobenzoxy- l -isoleucyl-gamma- t -butyl- l -alanyl- l -leucinal (PSI) were found to inhibit the conversion of the Insulin proreceptor to its mature alpha and beta subunits. By contrast no effect of these inhibitors was found on 125 -I insulin binding, internalization and degradation. Since the insulin proreceptor is an integral membrane protein that is compartmentally separated from the cytoplasmic 26S proteasome, the inhibition of the normal biosynthetic processing of the insulin proreceptor presents an anatomical paradox.
Fermions and bosons interacting with arbitrarily strong external fields

The question, “What happens to the electron orbitals as the charge of the nucleus is increased without bounds?” has inspired much of the interest in the description of particles bound strongly by external fields. Interest in this problem and in the related Klein paradox extends back nearly to the beginnings of relativistic quantum mechanics. However, the correct interpretation of the theory for overcritical potentials, where the parts of the complete set of single particle solutions associated with particles and antiparticles are no longer distinct, was given only recently. The understanding of the spectrum of the Dirac and Klein-Gordon equations is essential in order to obtain an appropriate physical description with quantum field theory. The strong binding by more than twice the rest mass of the particles in overcritical external potentials leads to qualitatively new effects. In the case of fermions we find spontaneous positron emission accompanied by creation of a charged lowest energy state, i.e. a charged vacuum. The number of positrons produced spontaneously is limited by the Pauli exclusion principle. For bosons we find that depending on the character of the external potential, either neutral or charged Bose condensates develop. While the questions associated with the meson fields seem academic at the moment, the effects attributed to the fermion field stand a good chance of being tested in an experiment in the near future. It is expected that in heavy ion collisions such as uranium on uranium near the Coulomb barrier overcritical electromagnetic fields will be created.