cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Information Processing by RNA Polymerase: Recognition of Regulatory Signals during RNA Chain Elongation

The primary function of RNA polymerase (RNAP) is to produce RNA transcripts optimal for a given environmental or developmental state of a cell. RNAP accomplishes this selection by deciding whether or not to initiate transcription of a gene and then both how fast and how far to elongate the RNA chains. Because each decision depends on information input to RNAP and can produce results that influence subsequent decisions, RNAP’s function in the cell in many ways resembles an information processor. In this short review, we will (i) briefly summarize the transcription cycle from the perspective of RNAP as a cellular information processor, (ii) describe the structure of the transcription elongation complex (TEC) and the protein-nucleic acid contacts that function as intrinsic inputs to its regulatory decisions, and (iii) present a model of pausing and ρ-independent termination as an example of information processing by RNAP.
A genetic locus and gene expression patterns associated with the priming effect on lettuce seed germination at elevated temperatures

Seeds of most cultivated varieties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) fail to germinate at warm temperatures (i.e., above 25–30°C). Seed priming (controlled hydration followed by drying) alleviates this thermoinhibition by increasing the maximum germination temperature. We conducted a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of seed germination responses to priming using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between L. sativa cv. Salinas and L. serriola accession UC96US23. Priming significantly increased the maximum germination temperature of the RIL population, and a single major QTL was responsible for 47% of the phenotypic variation due to priming. This QTL collocated with Htg6.1, a major QTL from UC96US23 associated with high temperature germination capacity. Seeds of three near-isogenic lines (NILs) carrying an Htg6.1 introgression from UC96US23 in a Salinas genetic background exhibited synergistic increases in maximum germination temperature in response to priming. LsNCED4, a gene encoding a key enzyme (9-cis-epoxycarotinoid dioxygenase) in the abscisic acid biosynthetic pathway, maps precisely with Htg6.1. Expression of LsNCED4 after imbibition for 24 h at high temperature was greater in non-primed seeds of Salinas, of a second cultivar (Titan) and of NILs containing Htg6.1 compared to primed seeds of the same genotypes. In contrast, expression of genes encoding regulated enzymes in the gibberellin and ethylene biosynthetic pathways (LsGA3ox1 and LsACS1, respectively) was enhanced by priming and suppressed by imbibition at elevated temperatures. Developmental and temperature regulation of hormonal biosynthetic pathways is associated with seed priming effects on germination temperature sensitivity.
Engineering a New Society

In the ﬁelds of science and engineering you have to deal with what you have or what you can fabricate. Any math-ematical study that does not have some physical relevance is useless except as an object of calculational art–to be appreciated, but not used. As G. H. Hardy noted in A Mathematician’s Apology, ‘‘ ‘Imaginary’ universes are so much more beautiful than this stupidly constructed ‘real’ one; and most of the ﬁnest products of an applied math-ematician’s fancy must be rejected, as soon as they have been created, for the brutal but sufﬁcient reason that they do not ﬁt the facts.’’ The principle in this mathematics example applies to the serious feasibility design study be-ing done to combine OSA and SPIE into a uniﬁed society. When trying to combine these two strong, vigorous soci-eties in the ﬁeld of optics, you cannot make the new or-ganization as streamlined as you might want. You have to deal with the history and current status of our societies. You have work with what’s available.
Automatic support for irregular computations in a high-level language

The problem of writing high performance parallel applications becomes even more challenging when irregular, sparse or adaptive methods are employed. In this paper we introduce compiler and runtime support for programs with indirect array accesses into Titanium, a high-level language that combines an explicit SPMD parallelism model with implicit communication through a global shared address space. By combining the well-known inspector-executor technique with high level multi-dimensional array constructs, compiler analysis and performance modeling, we demonstrate optimizations that are entirely hidden from the programmer. The global address space makes the programs easier to write than in message passing, with remote array accesses used in place of explicit messages with data packing and unpacking. The programs are also faster than message passing programs: using sparse matrix-vector multiplication programs, we show that the Titanium code is an average of 21% faster across several matrices and machines, with the best case speedup more than a factor of 2x. The performance advantages are due to both the lightweight RDMA (remote direct memory access) communication model that underlies the Titanium implementation and automatic optimization selection that adapts the communication to the machine and workload, in some cases using different communication models for different processors within a single computation.
A review and synthesis of bird and rodent damage estimates to select California crops

A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the magnitude of bird and rodent damage to 19 economically important crops in California. Interviews with agriculture experts provided additional information about damages. Monte Carlo simulations were used to derive summary estimates of damages to each crop. A meta-analysis indicated that summary damage estimates from expert interviews were higher than estimates from field studies and surveys. It was also found that there has been a downward trend over time in damages to almonds and grapes. The results of our study indicate that damages from bird and rodents remain high for many crops and are likely to be economically significant within the state of California. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Holistic verification of handwritten phrases

In this paper, we describe a system for rapid verification of unconstrained off-line handwritten phrases using perceptual holistic features of the handwritten phrase image. The system is used to verify handwritten street names automatically extracted from live US mail against recognition results of analytical classifiers. Presented with a binary image of a street name and an ASCII street name, holistic features (reference lines, large gaps and local contour extrema) of the street name hypothesis are "predicted" from the expected features of the constituent characters using heuristic rules. A dynamic programming algorithm is used to match the predicted features with the extracted image features. Classes of holistic features are matched sequentially in increasing order of cost, allowing an ACCEPT/REJECT decision to be arrived at in a time-efficient manner. The system rejects errors with 98 percent accuracy at the 30 percent accept level, while consuming approximately 20/msec per image on the average on a 150 MHz SPARC 10.
Praveen Swami. India, Pakistan and the Secret Jihad

The order of importance may vary, but as the common adage goes, nothing moves in Pakistan without the triple A's of its politics: Allah, Army, and America. The latest book on the Kashmir conflict b...
Transport of an Antifungal Trypsin Inhibitor Isolated from Corn across the Blood-Brain Barrier

We determined whether an antifungal 14-kDa protein trypsin inhibitor isolated from corn is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. We found that it completely crossed the blood-brain barrier by means of a saturable mechanism at a rate of 0.153 microl/g. min, with about 0.082% of the intravenously injected dose being taken up per gram of brain.
Cadherin-based adhesion molecules for classification of melanoma with aqua technology.

Cadherin and catenin-family proteins regulate adhesion in malignant melanoma. Using AQUA (Automated Quantitative Analysis) to quantitate the levels of alphacatenin, beta-catenin, p120-catenin, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and P-cadherin in melanoma on tissue microarrays (TMA’s), we classified 513 patients by protein expression using hierarchical clustering and regression analysis. The dendrogram supported positive correlations seen upon Spearman rho analysis of P-cadherin and beta-catenin (r=0.5238, p<0.0001) and negative, weak association of N-cadherin with other markers. Patients with high expression of N-cadherin had the highest 20-year survival rate (p=0.0003). Our adherens protein molecular classification of melanoma defines at least two distinctive sub-populations of melanoma patients, those with high expression of Ncadherin and those with low expression who have decreased survival. These findings extend previous cDNA array-based findings of an epithelioid class and neural crest class of melanomas.
Minimum time length link scheduling under blockage and interference in 60GHz networks

In this paper we tackle the problem of minimum time length link scheduling in 60GHz wireless networks, under both traffic demand and Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR) constraints. A constrained Binary Integer Programming (BIP) problem is formulated by incorporating a flexible interference model for directional transmissions and a Markov chain based blockage model. We then propose two effective solution algorithms, including a Greedy Algorithm (GA) that finds the maximum instant throughput for each time slot, and a Column Generation based algorithm (CG) that iteratively improves the current link schedule. The performance of the proposed algorithms is validated with simulations.
Small Molecule that Reverses Dexamethasone Resistance in T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL).

Glucocorticoids are one of the most utilized and effective therapies in treating T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, patients often develop resistance to glucocorticoids, rendering these therapies ineffective. We screened 9517 compounds, selected for their lead-like properties, chosen from among 3 372 615 compounds, against a dexamethasone-resistant T-ALL cell line to identify small molecules that reverse glucocorticoid resistance. We synthesized analogues of the most effective compound, termed J9, from the screen in order to define the scaffold’s structure–activity relationship. Active compounds restored sensitivity to glucocorticoids through upregulation of the glucocorticoid receptor. This compound and mechanism may provide a strategy for overcoming glucocorticoid resistance in patients with T-ALL.
Sexual Dimorphism in the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)

To assess sexual dimorphism in the greater one-horned rhinoceros ( Rhinoceros unicornis ), morphometric data were collected from 50 free-ranging individuals in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Twenty-two mensural and 16 nonmensural characters from 43 anesthetized individuals and seven carcasses, representing 4% of the entire wild population, provided the basis for this analysis. Adult males and females differed significantly in only a few of the mensural characters. Adult males developed significantly longer mandibular incisors and significantly greater neck musculature than females. Long incisors (rather than horns), powerful neck and shoulder musculature, and extensive neck and shoulder skin folds figured prominently in fights and displays between breeding-age males. Males born in zoos often are >25-cm taller at the shoulder and considerably larger in mass than females. Reduced size dimorphism in free-ranging animals, as observed in this study, may be explained by greater stress on males and poor nutrition during the long nonbreeding interval when young adults are harassed by dominant males and are excluded from prime grazing areas.
Qualitative Measures of Wildlife Value Orientations with a Diverse Population in New York City

ABSTRACTThis article reports on the development and implementation of a qualitative methodology to measure wildlife value orientations (WVOs) in a focus group setting, with the ultimate goal of developing a technique to help with cross-cultural assessments of WVOs. Information provided by such assessments can assist conservation organizations in understanding and meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse population. The technique was administered to Latino and Chinese-American audiences in New York City. Focus group participants were shown a series of photographs depicting wildlife and human–wildlife interactions, and asked to individually evaluate each photograph and discuss their reactions. Results revealed this methodology to be effective in eliciting WVOs. Four WVO types recognized from previous literature were identified across the groups based on participant comments. This article concludes with suggestions on how to improve this methodology for future use and adapt it for applications in other s...
Muscle immobilization activates mitophagy and disrupts mitochondrial dynamics in mice

AIM Skeletal muscle atrophy following prolonged immobilization (IM) is a catabolic state characterized by increased proteolysis and functional deterioration. Previous research indicates that discord of mitochondrial homoeostasis plays a critical role in muscle atrophy. We hypothesized that muscle IM would activate the ubiquitin-proteolysis, autophagy-lysosome (mitophagy) pathway, mitochondrial dynamics remodelling and apoptosis partially controlled by the FoxO signalling pathway. METHODS Female FVB/N mice were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8 each): control (CON), IM with banding of one of the hindlimbs for 1, 2 and 3 weeks (1w-, 2w- and 3w-IM) and 2w-IM followed by 1 week of remobilization (RM). RESULTS Mitochondrial density and DNA copies in tibialis anterior (TA) muscle were reduced by approx. 80% (P < 0.05 for 2w-IM; P < 0.01 for 3w-IM), along with activation of FoxO3a, atrogin-1 and MuRF1 following 2w- and 3w-IM (P < 0.01). Protein markers of autophagy/mitophagy, such as beclin 1 (approx. 2.7-fold; P < 0.01), LC3, ubiquitin-binding adaptor (approx. 1.47-fold; P < 0.01), Rheb (approx. 1.9-fold; P < 0.05) and parkin (approx. 70%; P < 0.05), were all increased by IM and remained activated after RM, whereas BNIP3 and PINK1 levels were decreased by IM (P < 0.05), but elevated upon RM (P < 0.01). IM decreased Mfn2 expression (approx. 50%; P < 0.01) and increased Fis-1 expression (approx. 2.4-fold; P < 0.05). Muscle apoptosis indicator Bax/Bcl2 ratio was elevated at 2w- to 3w-IM (approx. 3.7-fold; P < 0.01), whereas caspase-3 activity was five- to sixfold higher (P < 0.01) and remained threefold higher above CON (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Our data indicate that IM-induced mitochondrial deterioration is associated with altered protein expressions in the autophagic/mitophagic pathway, more fragmented mitochondrial network and activation of apoptosis partly under the influence of FoxO3 activation.
Vilca in Andean Culture History: Psychotropic Associations in the Urubamba and Beyond

Vilca (Anadenanthera colubrina) is a small leguminous tree occurring as a species component of the dry tropical forest of the Urubamba and other Andean valleys. The powerful psychotropic properties of its seeds account for the long and important place of this plant in Andean culture history. Archaeological evidence from painted pots, snuff tubes, bone pipes and clyster tubes indicate its diverse modes of past use. Wari and Inca artifacts, as well as the reconstruction of Inca history from early colonial documents, suggest the role of vilca in shamanic-style religion and medicine. When understood that the tryptomines in vilca trigger a characteristic three-stage hallucinogenic experience, new interpretations emerge of several aspects of the Andean past. Vilca uses can be implicated as a feature of oracle shrines at pre-Columbian religious sites as well as the behavior of the Chanka people, enemies of the Incas. After the Conquest, vilca was the substance behind the drug-induced manifestations of the so-called Taqui Onccoy movement. Strong Spanish opposition to vilca which was viewed as a diabolical intervention of Satan, had much to do with the competition it was perceived to pose to Catholic conversion.
Studies on a nucleoprotein prepared from rat liver polysomes by digestion with T1 ribonuclease.

1. Treatment of rat liver polysomes in a buffer containing 2·5mm-magnesium chloride with T1 ribonuclease at a concentration of 330units/ml. of reaction medium at 37° for 2hr. leads to the production of an insoluble nucleoprotein. 2. On the bases of analysis for protein and RNA and of u.v.-absorption spectra the nucleoprotein appears to have lost approx. 60% of the structural RNA originally present in the ribosome. Degradation of 3H-labelled polysomes (structural RNA labelled with orotic acid) with T1 ribonuclease leads to nucleoprotein preparations retaining approx. 30% of the radioactivity originally present in the polysomes. By means of sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation it is shown that the nucleoprotein preparations are free of single 73s ribosomes and ribosomal subunits. No evidence for the presence of 28s and 18s structural RNA was obtained on examination of extracted nucleoprotein-particle RNA by means of sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. 3. Digestion of washed polysomes carrying 14C-labelled nascent peptide chains with T1 ribonuclease gives a nucleoprotein particle that retains approx. 70% of the original labelled chains. Treatment of labelled nucleoprotein particles with 1mm-puromycin in the absence of transfer factors releases 20% of the labelled chains. Addition of GTP (0·48μmole) increases this release to 37%. 4. Treatment of nucleoprotein particles carrying 14C-labelled peptide chains with either EDTA (50mm) or ammonium chloride (0·5m) brings about a small release of labelled material (approx. 15%). 5. Disruption of nucleoprotein particles carrying 14C-labelled peptide chains with either sodium dodecyl sulphate or 2m-lithium chloride, followed by addition of transfer RNA as marker and chromatography on Sephadex G-200, show in both cases that considerable amounts of labelled peptide material move well ahead of the added transfer RNA marker. Further, if nucleoprotein particles carrying labelled peptide chains are treated with 0·3m-potassium hydroxide at 20° for 24 hr., neutralized to pH7·6, and then chromatographed on Sephadex G-200, the labelled peptide material moves much closer to the added transfer RNA marker. These results suggest that a proportion of the nascent 14C-labelled peptides on the nucleoprotein are attached to transfer RNA or large fragments of transfer RNA. 6. [3H]Polyuridylic acid binds to nucleoprotein particles in 1mm-magnesium chloride. The rate of binding is rapid when measured at 20°.
Qualitative Directions in Human–Animal Companion Research

Researcher inquiries into topics such as animal welfare, animal affect, and human experiences of the human–animal bond have historically been rooted in positivist epistemologies and reliant on quantitative measures and experiments, rather than naturalistic observations and individual experiences (Fraser, 2009). In this chapter, I target several topic areas within human–animal and animal research to explore the existence and benefits of qualitative research approaches. I begin with an overview of qualitative research with humans, including the benefits of using qualitative research to explore topics such as understanding perspectives on animal abuse and neglect, human–animal companionship, grief and loss issues, and the benefits of animal-assisted therapy. Following this, I explore qualitative research endeavors into the subjective experiences of animals (e.g., Minero, Tosi, Canali, & Wemelsfelder, 2009), as well as methodological relations between quantitative behavioral observations and qualitative categories of animal affect, welfare, and experience (e.g., Wemelsfelder, Hunter, Mendl, & Lawrence, 2001). I conclude with an overview of the challenges to using qualitative methods, evaluative criteria specific to qualitative research on human–animal connections, and ethical considerations for both animal and human–animal qualitative inquiry.
Cause-Specific Mortality Trends Following Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Background While studies have demonstrated that mortality after total hip (THA) and total knee (TKA) arthroplasty is better than the general population, the causes of death are not well established. We evaluated cause-specific mortality after THA and TKA. Methods The study included population-based cohorts of patients who underwent THA ( N = 2019) and TKA ( N = 2259) between 1969 and 2008. Causes of death were classified using the International Classification of Diseases 9th and 10th editions. Cause-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by comparing observed and expected mortality. Expected mortality was derived from mortality rates in the United States white population of similar calendar year, age, and sex characteristics. Results All-cause mortality was lower than expected following both THA and TKA. However, there was excess mortality due to mental diseases such as dementia following both THA (SMR 1.40, 95% CI 1.08, 1.80) and TKA (SMR 1.49, 95% CI 1.19, 1.85). There was also excess mortality from inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases in THA (SMR 3.50, 95% CI 2.11, 5.46) and TKA (SMR 4.85, 95% CI 3.29, 6.88). When the cohorts were restricted to patients with osteoarthritis as the surgical indication, the excess risk of death from mental diseases still persisted in THA (SMR 1.36, 95% CI 1.02, 1.78) and TKA (SMR 1.52, 95% CI 1.20, 1.91). Conclusion THA and TKA patients experience a higher risk of death from mental and inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases. These findings warrant further research to identify drivers of mortality and prevention strategies in arthroplasty patients.
Impacts of road deicing salts on the early-life growth and development of a stream salmonid: Salt type matters.

Abstract The use of road deicing salts in regions that experience cold winters is increasing the salinity of freshwater ecosystems, which threatens freshwater resources. Yet, the impacts of environmentally relevant road salt concentrations on freshwater organisms are not well understood, particularly in stream ecosystems where salinization is most severe. We tested the impacts of deicing salts—sodium chloride (NaCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl 2 ), and calcium chloride (CaCl 2 )—on the growth and development of newly hatched rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). We exposed rainbow trout to a wide range of environmentally relevant chloride concentrations (25, 230, 860, 1500, and 3000 mg Cl − L −1 ) over an ecologically relevant time period (25 d). We found that the deicing salts studied had distinct effects. MgCl 2 did not affect rainbow trout growth at any concentration. NaCl had no effects at the lowest three concentrations, but rainbow trout length was reduced by 9% and mass by 27% at 3000 mg Cl − L −1 . CaCl 2 affected rainbow trout growth at 860 mg Cl − L −1 (5% reduced length; 16% reduced mass) and these effects became larger at higher concentrations (11% reduced length; 31% reduced mass). None of the deicing salts affected rainbow trout development. At sub-lethal and environmentally relevant concentrations, our results do not support the paradigm that MgCl 2 is the most toxic deicing salt to fish, perhaps due to hydration effects on the Mg 2+ cation. Our results do suggest different pathways for lethal and sub-lethal effects of road salts. Scaled to the population level, the reduced growth caused by NaCl and CaCl 2 at critical early-life stages has the potential to negatively affect salmonid recruitment and population dynamics. Our findings have implications for environmental policy and management strategies that aim to reduce the impacts of salinization on freshwater organisms.
Sensitivity of ACL volume and T2∗ relaxation time to magnetic resonance imaging scan conditions.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) volume and T2∗ relaxation times from magnetic resonance (MR) images have been previously shown to predict the structural properties of healing ligaments. We investigated whether MR imaging scan resolution and condition (in vivo, in situ, or ex vivo) affected ACL volume and T2∗ relaxation times in intact ligaments. ACLs of 14 pigs were imaged using a 3 T scanner and a six-channel flexcoil using at least two of four possible scan conditions: (1) in vivo moderate resolution (n = 14); (2) in vivo high resolution (n = 7); (3) in situ high resolution acquired within 60 minutes of euthanasia (n = 6); and (4) ex vivo high resolution following hind limb disarticulation and one freeze-thaw cycle (n = 7). T2∗ relaxation times were mapped to the ACL voxels. The total ACL volume was then divided into four sub-volumes (Vol1–4) based on predetermined increasing ranges of T2∗ times. ACL T2∗ statistics (first quartile, median, and standard deviation (SD)) were computed. Scan resolution had no effect on the total ACL volume, but Vol1 and first quartile T2∗ times decreased with high resolution and in situ/ex vivo scan conditions. The most dramatic differences in T2∗ summary statistics were between in vivo moderate and ex vivo high resolution scan conditions that included a freeze-thaw cycle: ACL T2∗ SD increased by over 50% in 9 animals, and more than 90% in 4 animals. Our results indicated that T2∗-based prediction models to quantify in vivo structural properties of healing ligaments should be based on high resolution in vivo MR scan conditions.
Pediatric neurocritical care

Pediatric Neurocritical Care is an emerging multidisciplinary field of clinical and experimental medicine. While there are challenges to implementing specialized units for pediatric neurologic critical care, and limited evidence on which to base clinical practice, several models now exist for pediatric neurocritical care programs in centers that are contributing to the development of treatment guidelines and protocols; including multimodal neuromonitoring [1, 2]. Recent multi-center studies investigating pediatric brain injury in stroke, status epilepticus, and hypothermia after cardiac arrest and traumatic brain injury have served to promote the feasibility of accomplishing brain-directed research in children [3–7]. Several organizations, such as the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) and the Pediatric Neurocritical Care Research Group (PNCRG) are working on advancing care in highly specialized training programs across the United States. Pediatric neurocritical care exists thanks to technological advances in pediatric critical care, neurology, neurosurgery, and anesthesiology. The main goal of pediatric neurocritical care is to improve outcomes in infants and children with life-threatening neurologic injuries, and to prevent the development of secondary neurologic and non-neurologic injuries. This chapter briefly covers some of the most common neurologic conditions encountered in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
Cold Hardiness of Landscape Pear Taxa

Abstract The cold hardiness of ten landscape pear cultivars and two pear species was evaluated in container- and field-grown plants during the dormant periods of 1991 through 1994. Timing and extent of acclimation by containerized plants overwintered in a temperature-moderated greenhouse was similar to that of plants growing in the field, indicating that containerized stock can be used for determining the hardiness of taxa lacking sufficient hardiness to survive outdoors in USDA Zone 4a. Among P. calleryana cultivars, ‘Autumn Blaze’ exhibited the best overall cold tolerance and greatest mid-winter hardiness [−34°C (−29°F)]. ‘Bradford’ was consistently the least hardy P. calleryana cultivar. All P. calleryana cultivars acclimated too slowly in the fall and or lacked sufficient mid-winter to survive in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. Both P. salicifolia ‘Silver Frost’ and P. fauriei were hardier than the P. Calleryana cultivars on most sampling dates. P. ussuriensis was the hardiest taxon on all sampling dates and ...
S100A10 identified in a genome-wide gene × cannabis dependence interaction analysis of risky sexual behaviours.

Background We conducted a genome-wide gene × environment interaction analysis to identify genetic variants that interact with cannabis dependence (CaD) in influencing risky sexual behaviours (RSB). Methods Our sample included cannabis-exposed and sexually experienced African-American and European-American participants. A DSM-IV CaD diagnosis and RSB were evaluated using the Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism. We analyzed RSBs as a score that takes into account experiences of unprotected sex and multiple sexual partners. Results A total of 3350 people participated in our study; 43% had a CaD diagnosis, 56% were African-American and 33% were women. We identified a genome-wide significant locus in African-American participants (S100A10 rs72993629, p = 2.73 × 10-8) and a potential transpopulation signal in women (CLTC rs12944716, p = 5.27 × 10-8). A resting-state fMRI follow-up analysis of S100A10 rs72993629 conducted in an independent cohort showed 2 significant associations: reduced power of the left paracentral lobule in amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) analysis (p = 7.8 × 10-3) and reduced power of the right pallidum in fractional ALFF analysis (p = 4.6 × 10-3). The activity of these brain regions is known to be involved in sexual functions and behaviours. The S100A10 result functionally recapitulated our S100B finding observed in our previous genome-wide association study of CaD. The probability of identifying 2 S100 genes in 2 independent genome-wide investigations by chance is approximately 1 in 1.1 million. Limitations We were not able to identify any African-American cohort with appropriate sample size, and phenotypic assessment is available to replicate our findings. Conclusion The S100A10 and S100B genes, which are located on different chromosomes, encode specialized calcium-binding proteins. These data support a role for calcium homeostasis in individuals with CaD and its induced behaviours.
Retail Consumption Taxes: A Look at Some Economic and Ethical Issues

The retail consumption tax has several advantages over the income tax. From a utilitarian standpoint, it is more efficient and causes less distortion to the economy, at least in cases where the tax is low. However, there are some ethical problems with retail consumption taxes. The author discusses the relative advantages of a retail consumption tax and some ethical problems inherent in the tax.
Role identity salience and boundary permeability preferences: An examination of enactment and protection effects

Abstract We examined two boundary management phenomena—the preferred enactment of a highly salient role across different domains through increased boundary permeability, which we call the enactment effect, and the preferred protection of a highly salient role from extra-role intrusions through decreased boundary permeability, which we call the protection effect. This study examined how role identity salience relates to boundary permeability preferences in the context of three salient roles: work, home, and military reserve. By incorporating three roles, we were able to determine whether the enactment and protection effects generalize to multiple domains. Based on a sample of 1758 surveys completed by Marine reservists, we found consistent support for enactment preference of a highly salient third role across multiple roles, protection preference of highly salient roles against permeations from a third role, and the dominance of the enactment effect as compared to the protection effect. We suggest that co-activation of roles explains why the enactment effect dominates the protection effect. Additionally, exploratory cluster analysis identified five role identity salience profiles that were consistent with the dominance of the enactment effect and also revealed the protection effect to have differential preferences for extra-role intrusions.
Baltimore Uprising: Empowering Pedagogy for Change

The Baltimore Uprising was in response to the death of Freddie Gray, who was fatally injured in April 2015 while in police custody in Baltimore City. The first evening of the Uprising, we were home...
Abstract 201: Mice Lacking the Gene for Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) Had an Attenuated ER Stress in the Heart in Response to Ang II Infusion

Inflammatory molecule plays an important role in the pathophysiology of hypertension. Recently we showed that TLR4 inhibition in the brain attenuates hypertension. In this study we demonstrate that ANGII induced ER stress in the heart is attenuated in mice lacking the gene for TLR4. In addition, we show that ANGII induced cardiac hypertrophy is blocked by ER stress inhibitor. Method: TLR4 knock-out (KO) mice and wild type (WT) controls were implanted with telemetry probes for mean arterial pressure (MAP) measurements. After collecting baseline MAP and left ventricular function using echocardiography, osmotic minipump containing ANGII (200ng/kg/min) or vehicle (saline) was implanted for 14 days. In another group, C57BL6 mice were injected with ER stress inhibitor 4-PBA (150mg/kg bw) given intraperitoneally with and without ANGII. At the end of the study, mice were sacrificed the LV tissue removed and analyzed for gene of interest using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results are tabulated. The real-time PCR values are shown as αCT values (18S - the gene of interest). Conclusions: 1) ANGII infusion induces cardiac hypertrophy and ER stress. 2) Mice lacking the gene for TLR4 had attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and ER stress in response to ANGII. 3) ER stress inhibitor protect against ANGII induces cardiac hypertrophy. 4) TLR4 at least in part contributes to ANG II induced cardiac hypertrophy and ER stress.
Magnetic induced heating of gold-iron oxide nanoparticles

This study investigates the heating characteristics of aqueous solutions of nanoparticles (NPs) through a magnetically induced field. Through simulation and experimental studies, key parameters that affect the temperature profiles of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are identified. Specifically, the influence of magnetic field strength, MNPs concentration, MNPs composition, and coil size was explored as a way to understand the correlation between the NPs structure and the magnetic induced heating process.
Experimental and theoretical study of water and solute transport mechanisms in organic-rich carbonate mudrocks

Physicochemical processes behind transport mechanisms of water and solute in shales have been extensively studied for over fifty years. In hydraulic fracturing or low-salinity waterflooding operations, fresh water with a relatively small concentration of ions is injected into the formation through the use of large hydraulic heads from the surface. For both techniques, the fluid travels through the various scales of artificial and natural fractures until it reaches the matrix of the rock. At that point, the fluid interacts with the rock surfaces amongst the micro-scale fractures and the matrix. Water-to-rock surface interaction has therefore become a critical matter for the economic development of source rocks. The objective of this research study is to investigate the fundamental physics that dominate physicochemical-dependent water and solute transport phenomena in organic-rich source rocks and the interactions between completion/EOR fluids and the rock surfaces. The microscopic composition and fabric of the rock and the existing relationships between mineralogy, organic matter, porosity and strength are studied, along with the implication of these relationships for fluid-rock rheology. In addition, the stress dependence of permeability for organic-rich mudrocks using various experimental methods is measured at reservoir conditions. In order to address the fundamental questions with regard to physicochemical transport phenomena of water and solute, a set of long-term osmosis tests (up to 120 days) were also completed, showing the transmission of pressure through the matrix due to osmosis. In addition to these experiments, a novel conceptual approach to transport phenomena is presented. This model pays attention to the fundamentals of water and solute transport. Empirical interpretations were compared against the existing theory on the transport mechanisms on clay-rich, low-permeability rocks, revealing that pressure behavior could not be explained accurately with the current theory. The approach is based on two fundamental modifications of prior work: previously, the rock was assumed to be a semi-permeable membrane, while its thickness is much larger than a membrane. In addition, osmotic pressure was considered the imbibing force, even though it is not, because osmotic pressure is the consequence of the selective molecular transport by the solvent. The model captures these modifications and treats solute and solvent flow entirely as diffusive transport.
Underlying mechanisms of mistreatment in the surgical learning environment: A thematic analysis of medical student perceptions.

Abstract Background Medical students experience more psychological distress than the general population. One contributing factor is mistreatment. This study aims to understand the mechanisms of mistreatment as perceived by medical students. Methods Students completed anonymous surveys during the first and last didactic session of their surgery clerkship in which they defined and gave examples of mistreatment. Team-based thematic analysis was performed on responses. Results Between January 2014 and June 2016, 240 students participated in the surgery clerkship. Eighty-nine percent of students completed a survey. Themes observed included (1) Obstruction of Students' Learning, (2) Exploitation of Student Vulnerability, (3) Exclusion from the Medical Team, and (4) Contextual Amplifiers of Mistreatment Severity. Conclusion The themes observed in this study improve our understanding of the students' perspective on mistreatment as it relates to their role in the clinical learning context, which can serve as a starting point for interventions that ultimately improve students' experiences in the clinical setting.
Towards a unified model of semantic memory: validation and theoretical implications of the conceptual feature rating space

ABSTRACTThe representation of abstract and concrete concepts has long been a debated question in the literature. In previous work, we created a semantic space which was able to model abstract and concrete concepts in a single multidimensional space. In this study, we tested the validity of our semantic space by comparing it with Latent Semantic Analysis in a word relatedness task during eyetracking. We measured reaction time, gaze measures, and pupil dilation. The results of our study revealed that the newly created space was valid and not just a product of our data. Our ability to simulate a high dimensional semantic space represents a step forward in our understanding of the representation of concepts.
Beamforming using chip-scale atomic clocks in a controlled environment

Recently developed low-power Chip-Scale Atomic Clocks (CSACs) hold promise for underwater acoustics applications because they enable time-coherent processing, critical for estimating the directionality of the sound field, when acoustic array elements cannot share a timing reference. Controlled, tank-based experiments with a small acoustic array (N = 4) featuring CSAC-equipped elements show that optimal disciplining is important for continued array coherence. Clock drift equivalent to a 10% wavelength error at 0.3, 1, and 10 kHz was reached at approximately 25, 10, and 3 days, respectively. Within application-specific limits, this technology brings enhanced capabilities to acoustic thermometry, geoacoustic, biological, and under-ice acoustic oceanography.
Effect of ASXL1 on the stemness of colorectal cancer initiating cells.

683Background: Impaired cellular differentiation causes uncontrolled proliferation of stem cells and can be a cause of oncogenesis. The epigenome regulates the expression of genes that are essentia...
Decompressive craniectomy in pediatric traumatic brain injury: a review of the literature.

Background Pediatric traumatic brain injury accounts for approximately 37,000 hospitalizations and 2,685 deaths in the United State annually. The 2003 guidelines consolidated and summarized the body of literature on this subject. Among the material covered was the role of surgical management of elevated intracranial pressure. Here we review the guideline recommendations, recent literature on the topic, and important recent results in the adult population. Methods A Medline literature review was performed to identify studies published since 2000 addressing decompressive craniectomy in the pediatric and adult populations. Important articles included in the 2003 guidelines were also reviewed. All references were reviewed to identify additional relevant studies. Results There is little new data that addresses the key issues for investigation proposed in the 2003 pediatric guidelines. The only randomized trial in the pediatric population remains a 2001 study, which demonstrated a benefit of decompressive craniectomy. One recent randomized trial in adults demonstrated no benefit of the procedure and an additional randomized trial in adults is underway. No pediatric randomized trial is planned. Smaller, non-randomized series appear to support the practice. Conclusion Based on the only randomized trial in children and the abundance of smaller studies, it is our belief that decompressive craniectomy does provide a benefit in terms of the management of intracranial hypertension and overall outcome in children.
Statistical Power to Detect Cardiovascular Signals in First-in-Human Trials: Is It Really Small?

It is widely accepted that, due to the small size of first-in-human (FIH) trials, safety signals are difficult to detect. The chances of detecting early signals in cardiovascular safety, including heart rate, blood pressure, QT prolongation, etc., have long been considered to be remote. However, much of this belief is based on an analysis involving pair-wise comparisons of very small cohorts. When dose is considered as a continuous variable, dose–response becomes the main focus and power can be significantly improved with appropriate testing procedures. In this research, we try to quantify through simulations the power in this setting and demonstrate that cardiovascular safety signals in general have reasonable statistical power for early detection when using a dose–response analysis. The simulations account for different magnitudes of effects and various scenarios including linear, log-linear, and Emax relationships between dose and safety signal, together with multiple parametric and nonparametric tests.
THE ANTIRACHITIC EFFECTIVENESS OF VITAMIN D FROM VARIOUS SOURCES

The proper evaluation of antirachitic agents for human use as well as for animals of economic importance is a problem of immediate concern to all interested in rational therapeutics. Chemical assays are as yet out of the question and animal assays reveal a species variation in the degree of reaction to different forms of vitamin D which does not parallel that of the human. Unfortunately as only the vitamin D produced from ergosterol is known in pure form, the difficulties of proper evaluation of an antirachitic agent may be complicated by the presence of unknown forms of vitamin D, the presence of synergistic substances, or the presence of both. It is accordingly important to know how many forms of vitamin D must be recognized, to what extent each occurs in nature or is produced artificially by irradiation, what factors influence the activity of each, and how each may be evaluated properly by laboratory assays with animals. That irradiated ergosterol was not identical with the vitamin D of cod liver oil was indicated by the work of Massengale and Nussmeier (1) who found that on the same rat unit basis irradiated ergosterol had less antirachitic effect than cod liver oil when tested on chickens. Steenbock and coworkers (2), recognizing the possible synergistic action of other substances in cod liver oil, fed irradiated ergosterol with small amounts of cod liver oil and carotene and obtained no better results than with ergosterol alone. They concluded in consequence that the vitamin D produced by irradiating ergosterol is different from that found in cod liver oil.
The Concept of Alienation Revisited

In reconsidering the concept of alienation, my aim is not to revive it nor to suggest new meanings and uses for it, but rather to throw a few more clods of earth on its coffin. The concept has tended to pass out of contemporary discourse largely as a result of its excessive use in the 1950s and 1960s when it became popular and soon acquired a vague and shapeless character, serving as a sort of verbal talisman connoting virtually any state of psychological discomfort or malaise. Yet the very popularity of the term depended on its suggesting something more than mere personal discontent, which is, after all, a pretty commonplace condition. ‘Alienation’ was meant to convey either a sense of metaphysical melancholy about the human condition or a socio-political diagnosis of, and protest against, the failures and limitations of the social order.
Synaptic Reorganization Response in the Cochlear Nucleus Following Intense Noise Exposure.

Abstract The cochlear nucleus, located in the brainstem, receives its afferent auditory input exclusively from the auditory nerve fibers of the ipsilateral cochlea. Noise-induced neurodegenerative changes occurring in the auditory nerve stimulate a cascade of neuroplastic changes in the cochlear nucleus resulting in major changes in synaptic structure and function. To identify some of the key molecular mechanisms mediating this synaptic reorganization, we unilaterally exposed rats to a high-intensity noise that caused significant hearing loss and then measured the resulting changes in a synaptic plasticity gene array targeting neurogenesis and synaptic reorganization. We compared the gene expression patterns in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) and ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) on the noise-exposed side versus the unexposed side using a PCR gene array at 2 d (early) and 28 d (late) post-exposure. We discovered a number of differentially expressed genes, particularly those related to synaptogenesis and regeneration. Significant gene expression changes occurred more frequently in the VCN than the DCN and more changes were seen at 28 d versus 2 d post-exposure. We confirmed the PCR findings by in situ hybridization for Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), Homer-1, as well as the glutamate NMDA receptor Grin1, all involved in neurogenesis and plasticity. These results suggest that Bdnf, Homer-1 and Grin1 play important roles in synaptic remodeling and homeostasis in the cochlear nucleus following severe noise-induced afferent degeneration.
A new model of pairing for innovation in management higher education: implications for the management field

This article presents the explication of a novel conceptual model, supported by the innovation literature, that comprises three main sequential phases of pairing, categorised as basic, intermediate and complex, during specific weeks of the three to four months of the academic semester for application in management postsecondary education environments. In the phases of this model, single intrinsic factors in pairing for innovation refer to pairing individuals based on a single internal factor, such as a particular demographic or personality trait. Conversely, single extrinsic factors in the model signify a single external influence on pairing for innovation, such as postsecondary instructor guidance of pairs. The primary objective of the pairing for innovation model in this article is to guide management higher education instructors and faculty members in their pairing of students for generation of innovation to solve problems within and advance the management field.