cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Double-Strand Breaks in Heterochromatin Move Outside of a Dynamic HP1a Domain to Complete Recombinational Repair

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) in heterochromatic repetitive DNAs pose significant threats to genome integrity, but information about how such lesions are processed and repaired is sparse. We observe dramatic expansion and dynamic protrusions of the heterochromatin domain in response to ionizing radiation (IR) in Drosophila cells. We also find that heterochromatic DSBs are repaired by homologous recombination (HR) but with striking differences from euchromatin. Proteins involved in early HR events (resection) are rapidly recruited to DSBs within heterochromatin. In contrast, Rad51, which mediates strand invasion, only associates with DSBs that relocalize outside of the domain. Heterochromatin expansion and relocalization of foci require checkpoint and resection proteins. Finally, the Smc5/6 complex is enriched in heterochromatin and is required to exclude Rad51 from the domain and prevent abnormal recombination. We propose that the spatial and temporal control of DSB repair in heterochromatin safeguards genome stability by preventing aberrant exchanges between repeats.
Magnetization of superconducting lanthanum copper oxides.

Magnetization studies of the high-transition-temperature lanthanum-copper-oxide superconductors have been carried out to determine the electromagnetic and flux-pinning properties of these materials. Over much of the field-temperature plane the magnetization curves are highly reversible, which allows thermodynamic realtions to be used to obtain an estimate of the free energy. The material appears to have a granular character and very low flux pinning.
Kinetics of antimicrobial activity

Assessment of antimicrobial activity from standard in vitro minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentration determinations alone is incomplete. Rate of bacterial killing, effect of increasing concentration, sub-MIC effects, and degree of suppression of bacterial growth after limited exposure (post-antibiotic effect) more precisely describe the course of antimicrobial activity. Aminoglycoside antibiotics exhibit concentration-dependent bactericidal activity and a prolonged post-antibiotic effect. β -Lactam antibiotics demonstrate more time-dependent killing and lack post-antibiotic effects, except with staphylococci. Most bacteriostatic antimicrobial agents also produce post-antibiotic suppression of growth. Studies in different animal infection models with a variety of organisms suggest that β -lactams are more efficacious with continuous dosing, whereas the efficacy of aminoglycosides is relatively independent of dosing regimen, even when administered once daily. Knowledge of the kinetics of antimicrobial action is useful in predicting optimal dosage regimens.
One-step isolation of microbial ribulose-1,5-diphosphate carboxylase.

A simple one-step purification of several bacterial ribulose diphosphate carboxylases is described. Extracts ofHydrogenomonas eutropha, Chromatium D, andEctothiorhodospira halophila are each centrifuged into a 4-step 0.2–0.8 M sucrose density gradient for 20–24 h at 27000 RPM in a SW-27 rotor. Highly purified enzymes are recovered and have specific activities of 1.45, 1.50, and 1.34 μmoles CO2 fixed/min·mg protein, respectively. The general procedure is also effective in obtaining pure enzyme from species of blue-green and green algae. This procedure coupled as necessary with other simple fractionation steps should open the way to rapid purification of large (MW≅500000) microbial ribulose diphosphate carboxylases.
Comparison of solution and crystal properties of Co(II)-substituted human carbonic anhydrase II

Abstract The visible absorption of crystals of Co(II)–substituted human carbonic anhydrase II (Co(II)–HCA II) were measured over a pH range of 6.0–11.0 giving an estimate of p K a 8.4 for the ionization of the metal-bound water in the crystal. This is higher by about 1.2 p K a units than the p K a near 7.2 for Co(II)–CA II in solution. This effect is attributed to a nonspecific ionic strength effect of 1.4 M citrate in the precipitant solution used in the crystal growth. A p K a of 8.3 for the aqueous ligand of the cobalt was measured for Co(II)–HCA II in solution containing 0.8 M citrate. Citrate is not an inhibitor of the catalytic activity of Co(II)–HCA II and was not observed in crystal structures. The X-ray structures at 1.5–1.6 A resolution of Co(II)–HCA II were determined for crystals prepared at pH 6.0, 8.5 and 11.0 and revealed no conformational changes of amino-acid side chains as a result of the use of citrate. However, the studies of Co(II)–HCA II did reveal a change in metal coordination from tetrahedral at pH 11 to a coordination consistent with a mixed population of both tetrahedral and penta-coordinate at pH 8.5 to an octahedral geometry characteristic of the oxidized enzyme Co(III)–HCA II at pH 6.0.
Reduction of cytochrome c by thioglycolate: Participation of catalysts

Abstract The reduction of cytochrome c by thioglycolic acid was found to be extremely sensitive to metal catalysis. The rate of the uncatalyzed reaction was negligible and independent of pH, indicating that thioglycolic acid cannot reduce cytochrome c directly. Both copper and iron act as catalysts with copper being superior to iron. The metal-catalyzed reaction appears to be independent of pH and the presence of oxygen but is sensitive to the presence of chelating agents. The reduction of cytochrome c by thioglycolic acid is also catalyzed by impurities present in oxidized glutathione. The rate of this reaction is sensitive to changes in pH and oxygen concentration but insensitive to changes in ionic strength. Chelating agents have no effect on the rate of this reaction. The data, therefore, suggest that the reduction of cytochrome c by thioglycolic acid can proceed via distinct mechanisms which are dependent on the nature of the catalyst.
Premonsoon aerosol characterization and radiative effects over the Indo‐Gangetic Plains: Implications for regional climate warming

The Himalayas have a profound effect on the South Asian climate and the regional hydrological cycle, as it forms a barrier for the strong monsoon winds and serves as an elevated heat source, thus controlling the onset and distribution of precipitation during the Indian summer monsoon. Recent studies have suggested that radiative heating by absorbing aerosols, such as dust and black carbon over the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) and slopes of the Himalayas, may significantly accelerate the seasonal warming of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas-Tibetan Plateau (HKHT) and influence the subsequent evolution of the summer monsoon. This paper presents a detailed characterization of aerosols over the IGP and their radiative effects during the premonsoon season (April-May-June) when dust transport constitutes the bulk of the regional aerosol loading, using ground radiometric and spaceborne observations. During the dust-laden period, there is a strong response of surface shortwave flux to aerosol absorption indicated by the diurnally averaged forcing efficiency of -70 W/sq m per unit optical depth. The simulated aerosol single-scattering albedo, constrained by surface flux and aerosol measurements, is estimated to be 0.89+/- 0.01 (at approx.550 nm) with diurnal mean surface and top-of-atmosphere forcing values ranging from -11 to -79.8 W/sq m and +1.4 to +12 W/sq m, respectively, for the premonsoon period. The model-simulated solar heating rate profile peaks in the lower troposphere with enhanced heating penetrating into the middle troposphere (5-6 km), caused by vertically extended aerosols over the IGP with peak altitude of approx.5 km as indicated by spaceborne Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization observations. On a long-term climate scale, our analysis, on the basis of microwave satellite measurements of tropospheric temperatures from 1979 to 2007, indicates accelerated annual mean warming rates found over the Himalayan-Hindu Kush region (0.21 C/decade+/-0.08 C/decade) and underscores the potential role of enhanced aerosol solar absorption in the maximum warming localized over the western Himalayas (0.26 C/decade f 0.09 C/decade) that significantly exceed the entire HKHT and global warming rates. We believe the accelerated warming rates reported here are critical to both the South Asian summer monsoon and hydro-glaciological resource variability in the Himalayan-Hindu Kush snowpack and therefore to the densely populated downstream regions.
The Effect of Vitamin A from Prenatal Storage and from Ingestion of Colostrum on the Neonatal Calf

Summary The effect of vitamin A from prenatal storage and from ingestion of colostrum was studied from birth to 28 days of age in 28 dairy calves. One half of these calves were from dams receiving only a basal ration and one half were from dams receiving the same basal ration plus one million U.S.P. units of vitamin A daily for 30 days prior to the calculated date of parturition. At birth the calves from each of the maternal dietary groupings were subdivided into two groups, one receiving colostrum from dams fed only the basal ration and the other receiving colostrum from dams fed the basal ration plus the supplementary vitamin A. The data indicate that colostrum significantly increased the plasma vitamin A from birth to 5 days of age and liver vitamin A at 28 days of age. Prenatal storage elevated the blood plasma vitamin A level at birth significantly and contributed to greater liver storage of vitamin A at 28 days of age. The other criteria measured, hemoblobin, whole blood and plasma ascorbic acid, liveweight, fecal pH and dry matter and incidence of scours, were not affected significantly by treatment.
Dynamic key management in sensor networks

Numerous key management schemes have been proposed for sensor networks. The objective of key management is to dynamically establish and maintain secure channels among communicating nodes. Desired features of key management in sensor networks include energy awareness, localized impact of attacks, and scaling to a large number of nodes. A primary challenge is managing the trade-off between providing acceptable levels of security and conserving scarce resources, in particular energy, needed for network operations. Many schemes, referred to as static schemes, have adopted the principle of key predistribution with the underlying assumption of a relatively static short-lived network (node replenishments are rare, and keys outlive the network). An emerging class of schemes, dynamic key management schemes, assumes long-lived networks with more frequent addition of new nodes, thus requiring network rekeying for sustained security and survivability. In this article we present a classification of key management schemes in sensor networks delineating their similarities and differences. We also describe a novel dynamic key management scheme, localized combinatorial keying (LOCK), and compare its security and performance with a representative static key management scheme. Finally, we outline future research directions.
Orthography to phonology and meaning: Comparisons across and within writing systems ?

According to the Universal Writing System Constraint, all writing systems encode language, and thus reflect basic properties of the linguistic system they encode. According to a second universal, the Universal Phonological Principle, the activation of word pronunciations occurs for skilled readers across all writing systems. We review recent research that illustrates the implications of these two universal principles both across and within writing systems. Within the family of alphabetic systems, differences between Korean and English arise in the languages, rather than the orthographies, while the reverse appears to be true for German and English differences. Across writing systems, new Event Related Potentials (ERP) experiments show the robustness of phonology across Chinese and English systems and chart the time course of word reading in Chinese and English for Chinese bilinguals and for English speakers learning Chinese. The ERP results show differences between Chinese and English for both groups and suggest that the time course of word processes and the brain areas identified as sources for the ERP components differ both as a result of writing system and the skill of the reader. We propose the System Accommodation Hypothesis, that reading processes and the neural structures that support them accommodate to specific visual and structural features of a new writing system.
Gemfibrozil, stretching arms beyond lipid lowering

Gemfibrozil is long known for its ability to reduce the level of triglycerides in the blood circulation and to decrease the risk of hyperlipidemia. However, a number of recent studies reveal that apart from its lipid-lowering effects, gemfibrozil can also regulate many other signaling pathways responsible for inflammation, switching of T-helper cells, cell-to-cell contact, migration, and oxidative stress. In this review, we have made an honest attempt to analyze various biological activities of gemfibrozil and associated mechanisms that may help to consider this drug for different human disorders as primary or adjunct therapy.
Increased phase-matching bandwidth in GRENOUILLE measurements

Summary form only given. As ultrashort pulses have become broader in bandwidth, shorter in time, and more complicated, techniques for measuring them have kept pace, becoming more reliable, more sensitive, and simpler to build and use. While previously the simplest, reliable, intensity-and-phase measurement technique available was FROG (Trebino et al, 1997), the recent development of the GRENOUILLE pulse-measurement device has made pulse measurement even simpler, while building upon the same foundations that make FROG so reliable. This paper shows how a simple dithering of the lateral beam position can generate a sufficient range of angles to achieve phase-matching without measurement trade-offs. Furthermore, such a change can be made to existing GRENOUILLE setups without the need to change the existing optics.
Consumer decision making across product categories: The influence of task environment

This two-part investigation examines consumer choice behavior across a total of nineteen different nondurable product categories. Study I utilized a mail questionnaire to measure decision heuristics. In Study II, shoppers were intercepted at the point of purchase. Results of both studies reveal considerable variation in choice rules within subjects and across decision contexts. An attempt is made to assess the importance of task environment variables, including extent of price variation, number of brands available, presence of shelf tags, amount of product class advertising, and amount of shelf space. The findings provide tentative support for the impact of contingent factors on the use of consumer choice tactics.
Rapidly labeled nuclear and cytoplasmic renal RNA.

Much of the RNA in mouse kidneys is not recovered when they are extracted with phenol-SDS at 60°C. Better recovery is achieved by extracting in hypertonic buffer with phenol-SDS, chloroform, and isoamyl alcohol after treatment with DNase. 1. Among the polydisperse RNA in the renal nuclei are small amounts of 45S RNA and large amounts of 32S RNA; the latter first appear when 18S RNA is detectable in the cytoplasm 10 min after administration of undine-H3. 2. In the cytoplasm rapidly labeled 18S RNA is transported as part of a 45S particle to which mRNA is attached. 3. Compared to HeLa cells in culture, normal mouse kidney is poor in the polydisperse nuclear precursors of rRNA and rich in the cytoplasmic polydisperse RNA that sediments like mRNA.
A Cognitive-Behavioral versus Nondirective Group Treatment Program for Opioid-Addicted Persons: An Adjunct to Methadone Maintenance

Fourteen methadone maintenance individuals participated in a 10-week program comparing the relative effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral (CB) versus discussion-type (DISC) group in developing adaptive behavioral skills and self-evaluations. Posttreatment and follow-up results indicated that the CB group was significantly more successful than the DISC group in lowering reported levels of anxiety, depression, and situational non-assertiveness. These data are discussed in terms of a comprehensive, social rehabilitation program that involves multiple treatment techniques and measurement criteria.
A single intramuscular injection of recombinant plasmid DNA induces protective immunity and prevents Japanese encephalitis in mice.

Plasmid vectors containing Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) genes were constructed that expressed prM and E proteins under the control of a cytomegalovirus immediate-early gene promoter. COS-1 cells transformed with this plasmid vector (JE-4B clone) secreted JEV-specific extracellular particles (EPs) into the culture media. Groups of outbred ICR mice were given one or two doses of recombinant plasmid DNA or two doses of the commercial vaccine JEVAX. All mice that received one or two doses of DNA vaccine maintained JEV-specific antibodies 18 months after initial immunization. JEVAX induced 100% seroconversion in 3-week-old mice; however, none of the 3-day-old mice had enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers higher than 1:400. Female mice immunized with this DNA vaccine developed plaque reduction neutralization antibody titers of between 1:20 and 1:160 and provided 45 to 100% passive protection to their progeny following intraperitoneal challenge with 5,000 PFU of virulent JEV strain SA14. Seven-week-old adult mice that had received a single dose of JEV DNA vaccine when 3 days of age were completely protected from a 50,000-PFU JEV intraperitoneal challenge. These results demonstrate that a recombinant plasmid DNA which produced JEV EPs in vitro is an effective vaccine.
Blog commenting: A new political information space

Though still a small subsection of the internet, weblogs are becoming an increasingly prominent space for finding and discussing information - in particular political information. But because of their newness, the question remains as to what are the possible implications of political blogs on people's current information reality. As a way to better understand political blogs as a space for gaining political information and also discussing that information, a pilot study was developed whose main focus was to understand the nature of the comments posted to political blogs. There has been much speculation in the popular and scholarly press about the possible democratic implications of people writing blogs, with claims that the medium opens up a new space for deliberation and participation. However, little work has focused on blog commenters - the people who are reading blogs and responding based on what they have read. And yet, to understand the blogosphere as a new deliberative or political information space, it is critical to analyze those who are engaging in the discussion. Therefore, this study focuses not on the principal authors of popular blog sites but the readers who are inspired to post their responses.
Three-Phase Ac Buck Rectifier using Normally-On SiC JFETs at 150 kHz Switching Frequency

For many applications of high-performance three- phase AC converters, silicon carbide (SiC) switching devices promise breakthroughs in performance and power density. The SiC JFET technology is maturing, and will likely be the first SiC power switch available for applications requiring blocking voltages on the order of 1 kV. In this paper, a 2 kW three-phase buck rectifier with 150 kHz switching frequency is presented. The SiC buck rectifier uses prototype 1200 V SiC JFETs, as well as SiC Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs). The fast switching and low loss of the SiC JFET enables the achievement of a high switching frequency that is difficult to achieve with traditional silicon devices.
Female Estrogen-Related Factors and Incidence of Basal Cell Carcinoma in a Nationwide US Cohort

Purpose UV radiation exposure is the primary risk factor for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common human malignancy. Although the photosensitizing properties of estrogens have been recognized for decades, few studies have examined the relationship between reproductive factors or exogenous estrogen use and BCC. Methods Using data from the US Radiologic Technologists Study, a large, nationwide, prospective cohort, we assessed the relationship between reproductive factors, exogenous estrogen use, and first primary BCC while accounting for sun exposure, personal sun sensitivity, and lifestyle factors for geographically dispersed women exposed to a wide range of ambient UV radiation. Results Elevated risk of BCC was associated with late age at natural menopause (hazard ratio [HR] for ≥ 55 years v 50 to 54 years, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.04 to 2.17) and any use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT; HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.30; P for trend for duration = .001). BCC risk was most increased among women reporting nat...
Large-time behaviour of solutions of Burgers' equation

The large-time asymptotic behaviour of real-valued solutions of the pure initial-value problem for Burgers' equation ut + uuxuxx = 0, is studied. The initial data satisfy u0(x) ~ nx as |x| , where n R. There are two constants of the motion that affect the large-time behaviour: Hopf considered the case n = 0 (i.e. u0L1(R)), and the case sufficiently small was considered by Dix. Here we completely remove that smallness condition. When n < 1, we find an explicit function U(), depending only on and n, such that uniformly in . When n 1, there are two different functions U() that simultaneously attract the quantity t12u(t12, t), and each one wins in its own range of . Thus we give an asymptotic description of the solution in different regions and compute its decay rate in L. Sharp error estimates are proved.
Amniotic fluid derived mesenchymal stromal cells augment fetal lung growth in a nitrofen explant model

Abstract Purpose Recent experimental work suggests the therapeutic role of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) during lung morphogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential paracrine effects of amniotic fluid-derived MSCs (AF-MSCs) on fetal lung growth in a nitrofen explant model. Methods Pregnant Sprague–Dawley dams were gavage fed nitrofen on gestational day 9.5 (E9.5). E14.5 lung explants were subsequently harvested and cultured ex vivo for three days on filter membranes in conditioned media from rat AF-MSCs isolated from control ( AF - Ctr ) or nitrofen-exposed ( AF - Nitro ) dams. The lungs were analyzed morphometrically and by quantitative gene expression. Results Although there were no significant differences in total lung surface area among hypoplastic lungs, there were significant increases in terminal budding among E14.5+3 nitrofen explants exposed to AF - Ctr compared to explants exposed to medium alone (58.8±8.4 vs. 39.0±10.0 terminal buds, respectively; p AF - Nitro medium failed to augment terminal budding. Nitrofen explants exposed to AF - Ctr showed significant upregulation of surfactant protein C to levels observed in normal fetal lungs. Conclusions AF-MSCs can augment branching morphogenesis and lung epithelial maturation in a fetal explant model of pulmonary hypoplasia. Cell therapy using donor-derived AF-MSCs may represent a novel strategy for the treatment of fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
The Determinants of Wage Increases in New Manufacturing Plants in Rural Areas

The spatial trend of manufacturing industry toward smaller towns and rural areas, particularly in the South and West, appears to be continuing into the 1980s (Haren, 1980). Economic research has been undertaken to examine the reasons for this national shift (Haren, 1970; Beale; Lonsdale et al.), the influence of community decisions on the location process (Smith et al.; Klindt et al.; Kuehn et al.), and various facets of industrial impact on rural communities (Summers et al.; Reinschmiedt and Jones; Deaton and Landes).
Thrombelastography monitoring of resistance to enoxaparin anticoagulation in thrombophilic pregnancy patients

The anticoagulant effect of enoxaparin is readily observed by Thrombelastography (TEG), particularly on the reaction time (R) to form a clot, and is completely reversed by heparinase. In this study, recalcified citrated whole blood with heparinase (CNHR) and without (CNR), along with TEG R time, was used to derive a delta R (CNR-CNHR). This delta R (DeltaR) was then used to measure enoxaparin anticoagulation, which was correlated by linear regression (r(2)=0.806) with plasma anti-Xa in 48 thrombophilic pregnancy patients. In a follow up study whole blood from 15 thrombophilic and 15 normal pregnancy subjects was titrated ex vivo with enoxaparin and TEG DeltaR determined. Linear dose responses (all r(2)>0.9) of DeltaR versus plasma enoxaparin concentration were obtained for each subject. A large variation in slope was observed for both thrombophilic (>7 fold, 217 to 1,588 s DeltaR/unit anti-Xa) and normal (>3 fold, 788 to 2,758) pregnancy subjects. The average slope for the thrombophilic group (710 s DeltaR/unit anti-Xa) was significantly (P=0.002) lower than the normal pregnancy group (1,354 s), indicating resistance to enoxaparin anticoagulation in the thrombophilic group. This technique may help gauge the appropriate dose of enoxaparin for each individual, check for residual anticoagulation before invasive procedures, and perhaps help screen for thrombophilic subjects.
Square Wave Jerks in Friedreich's Ataxia

We observed a brother and sister with Friedreich's ataxia during steady fixation. They both had abnormal eye movements consisting of randomly occurring, small amplitude, conjugate horizontal saccades away from the fixation target. The saccades were followed by maintenance of this eccentric position for a brief period, and finally, a corrective saccade back to the original position. Electro-oculographic recordings showed these eye movements to be square wave jerks. They had an amplitude ranging from 1.5 to 10.7 degrees and a duration averaging less than 200 msec. Square wave jerks were also superimposed on pursuit movements in both patients. Square wave jerks are an additional ocular finding that may signify chronic cerebellar dysfunction. More specifically, they are an additional neuro-ophthalmological finding that may be observed in Friedreich's ataxia.
Using an Ontology for Improved Automated Content Scoring of Spontaneous Non-Native Speech

This paper presents an exploration into automated content scoring of non-native spontaneous speech using ontology-based information to enhance a vector space approach. We use content vector analysis as a baseline and evaluate the correlations between human rater proficiency scores and two cosine-similarity-based features, previously used in the context of automated essay scoring. We use two ontology-facilitated approaches to improve feature correlations by exploiting the semantic knowledge encoded in WordNet: (1) extending word vectors with semantic concepts from the WordNet ontology (synsets); and (2) using a reasoning approach for estimating the concept weights of concepts not present in the set of training responses by exploiting the hierarchical structure of WordNet. Furthermore, we compare features computed from human transcriptions of spoken responses with features based on output from an automatic speech recognizer. We find that (1) for one of the two features, both ontologically based approaches improve average feature correlations with human scores, and that (2) the correlations for both features decrease only marginally when moving from human speech transcriptions to speech recognizer output.
Cooperative breeding beyond kinship: why else do helpers help?

One of themost widely studied forms of cooperative behaviour is the phenomenon of cooperative breeding, where ‘helpers’ care for young that are not their own (Cockburn 1998; Pacheco et al. 2008). Cooperative systems are present in taxa as diverse as slime mould, eusocial insects and a broad-range of vertebrates, including mammals, fish, reptiles and birds (Queller and Strassmann 1998; Clutton-Brock 2002; Mehdiabadi et al. 2006). Fittingly, a large body of research has been devoted to understanding the causes and consequences of cooperative interactions (e.g. Cockburn 1998; Lehmann andKeller 2006), stemming back toDarwin himself who pondered if eusociality might be a fatal flaw in his theory of natural selection (Darwin 1859). Interest in this research question has not been lost over time; a recent article (Nowak et al. 2010) prompted a joint reply fromno less than137authors (Abbot et al. 2011)! These issues are relevant to Emu: Austral Ornithology as this region is ideally placed to contribute to the field, because of a disproportionately high prevalence of cooperative avifauna, particularly in South Africa and Australia (Cockburn 1998; Jetz and Rubenstein 2011). Famous Australian examples include the diverse mating systems of Maluridae fairy-wrens (Margraf and Cockburn 2013), distinctiveCorcoracidae societies built on longterm associations (Beck et al. 2008; Griesser et al. 2009), and the extraordinarily complex societies of Manorina honeyeaters (Dow and Whitmore 1990; Wright et al. 2010). In Africa, the Turdoides babblers have attracted considerable interest (Zahavi 1977; Ridley 2007) whereas Merops bee-eaters have long been a model system (Emlen and Wrege 1988). This extensive research effort has elucidated spectacular life histories, such as the identification of some of the world’s least faithful birds (Double et al. 1997; Durrant and Hughes 2005) and feats of extraordinary cooperative behaviour, such as broods of two to four Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) nestlings being fed by as many as 20 helpers (Poldmaa et al. 1995)! Despite this long history of research, few broad-scale factors that favour cooperative breeding have been uncovered, other than helpers tend to favour relatives. By contrast, there is comparatively little consensus on why cooperative breeding involving non-relatives has evolved (e.g. Clutton-Brock 2009). Although it is possible that there are no common drivers favouring cooperative breeding across taxa beyond kinship, I do not believe that present data allow us to definitively reach this conclusion. I therefore first investigate the evidence for any emerging consensus on cooperative breeding between non-relatives, before discussing suggestions as to how researchers might maximise the likelihood of uncovering, or at least refuting, non-kin based hypotheses for the evolution and maintenance of cooperative breeding.
Wave Trains Excited by Cross-Equatorial Passage of the Monsoon Annual Cycle

Abstract In this paper the authors illustrate wave trains that are excited during the equatorial passage of the annual cycle of monsoonal convection. Twice a year, during roughly the months of December–January and March–April, the annual cycle of monsoonal convection crosses the equator. A principle axis of annual cycle monsoon precipitation extends from the Java Sea to the eastern Himalayas. Monsoonal convection makes a north–south seesaw roughly along this axis each year. Near-equatorial convection provides a tropospheric heat source somewhat akin to that of El Nino over the equatorial Pacific Ocean. This equatorial passage of the monsoonal heat source excites a wave train, somewhat similar to the familiar Pacific–North American pattern. Monsoonal wave trains were extracted from a 9-yr dataset, and a composite geometry was constructed. This note also illustrates excitation of short-period wet and dry spells associated with excitation of this wave train. This is illustrated for several trough and ridge l...
The complete peach dehydrin family: characterization of three recently recognized genes

Three genes encoding dehydrins have been previously described from peach. In the course of searching the peach genome, three additional members of this stress-associated family were recognized, PpDhn4-6. PpDhn1 and 6 have no introns, whereas the remaining four genes have a single intron located near the 3′ end of the serine (S) tract. PpDHN2 was the only dehydrin with a predicted basic pI; pI predictions for the other dehydrins ranged from about 5.3 to about 6.3. None of the peach dehydrins have tryptophan residues, but, in contrast to most dehydrins, three (PpDHN1, 3, and 4) have one or more cysteine residues. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship between PpDhn1 and 6 and PpDhn3 and 4. Expression analysis under low temperature and dehydration confirmed that PpDhn2 is the major responder to drought, while both PpDhn1 and 6 respond exclusively to cold. Comparison of the first 500 base pairs upstream of the translation start site revealed the presence of cis-elements associated with low temperature and drought/osmotic/salt and hormone response regulation.
A Campus-Wide Investigation of Clicker Implementation: The Status of Peer Discussion in STEM Classes

At the University of Maine, middle and high school teachers observed more than 250 university science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes and collected information on the nature of instruction, including how clickers were being used. Comparisons of classes taught with (n = 80) and without (n = 184) clickers show that, while instructional behaviors differ, the use of clickers alone does not significantly impact the time instructors spend lecturing. One possible explanation stems from the observation of three distinct modes of clicker use: peer discussion, in which students had the opportunity to talk with one another during clicker questions; individual thinking, in which no peer discussion was observed; and alternative collaboration, in which students had time for discussion, but it was not paired with clicker questions. Investigation of these modes revealed differences in the range of behaviors, the amount of time instructors lecture, and how challenging the clicker questions were to answer. Because instructors can vary their instructional style from one clicker question to the next, we also explored differences in how individual instructors incorporated peer discussion during clicker questions. These findings provide new insights into the range of clicker implementation at a campus-wide level and how such findings can be used to inform targeted professional development for faculty.
Pilot Test of an Acceptance-Based Behavioral Intervention to Promote Physical Activity During Weight Loss Maintenance.

Behavioral interventions for obesity reliably facilitate short-term weight loss, but weight regain is normative. A high level of aerobic exercise may promote weight loss maintenance. However, adopting and maintaining a high level of exercise is challenging, and experiential acceptance may be important. The aim of this study was to pilot test the feasibility and efficacy of an acceptance-based behavioral treatment to promote moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among individuals who had recently lost weight. Adults (n = 16) who had recently lost ≥ 5% of weight were provided with a 12-week, group-based treatment. At 12 weeks, complete analyses indicated that participants had increased activity 69% (completing an average of 198.27 minutes/week of bouted MVPA, i.e., episodes of at least 10 minutes in duration). Medium-to-large effect sizes were observed for changes in process measures, including experiential acceptance. Future research to test this approach using an experimental design, a larger sample, and a longer period of observation is warranted.
Approximation Methods for Determining Optimal Allocations in Response Adaptive Clinical Trials

Clinical trials have traditionally followed a fixed randomized design, where patients are typically allocated once, at random, and usually equally to various treatments. Such designs provide a clean way of separating out the effects of alternate treatments. Response-adaptive designs, where assignment to treatments evolves as patient outcomes are observed, are gaining in popularity due to potential for improvements in both cost and efficiency over traditional designs. Such designs can be modeled as a Bayesian adaptive Markov decision process (BAMDP), essentially an MDP with unknown transition probabilities. Given the forward-looking nature of the underlying algorithms which solve BAMDP, the problem size grows as the trial becomes larger or more complex, often exponentially, making it computationally challenging to solve. In this study, we propose grid-based approximation as a way to reduce the problem dimensionality and the associated computationally burden. The proposed methods also open the possibility of implementing adaptive designs to large clinical trials. Further, we use numerical examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, including the effects of number of patient observations and the grid resolution.
Working across difference in the digital era: riding the waves to feminist solidarity

It would be inaccurate to say that the generational schism is the problem with feminism. The primary hurdles feminism faces are the enduring ones. (Susan Faludi 2010)The wave metaphor of the women’...
Influences of host plant identity and disturbance on spatial structure and community composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi in a northern Mississippi uplands ecosystem

Abstract We sought to characterize how abiotic and biotic factors, including identities of tree hosts, influence ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal composition on tree roots in mixed upland forests of northern Mississippi, where sites have been subject to restoration treatments through burning, manual and natural (tornado) thinning. We identified both plant and fungal components of root tips and collected data on abiotic factors that potentially drive variation in ECM fungal community composition. We found that plant host identity and measured abiotic factors explained less than 8% of variation in ECM fungal community composition. ECM fungal community composition did not differ significantly between control and burned/thinned plots; however, it did differ substantially at the tornado-damaged plot, which also exhibited significant spatial structure. These results suggest that much variation in ECM communities is unexplained by commonly measured biotic and abiotic variables and natural disturbance may play a role in both community and spatial structure of ECM fungi.
Career at a Crossroad: Packing Up

Akhil Patel is passionate about his business idea: an innovative green technology fuel cell. He wants to dive in and commit to his startup, but Roopa Rao, his fiancee, is much more risk averse, his parents don't approve of the startup, and Akhil has an enticing alternative offer from a prestigious consulting firm. Should Akhil follow his dream and become an entrepreneur? Or should he acquiesce to the other forces in his life and take the "safer" consulting job?Learning Objective:To acquaint students with the personal, market, and career windows of opportunity, and the tradeoffs for deciding when and if to start a new business.
"Let him speak:" a descriptive qualitative study of the roles and behaviors of family companions in primary care visits among older adults with cognitive impairment.

Objective Cognitive impairment poses communication challenges in primary care. Although family "companions" commonly attend primary care visits of older adults with cognitive impairment, little is known about how their involvement affects communication. Therefore, we sought to understand how companion involvement affects the quality of primary care visit communication for older adults with cognitive impairment. Methods Cross-sectional, descriptive qualitative study participants were as follows: (1) English-speaking adults age 65 or older with mild, moderate, or severe cognitive impairment; (2) family members or other unpaid companions who accompany older adults to primary care visits; and (3) primary care clinicians. Twenty semi-structured and in-depth qualitative interviews of older adults and their companions (N = 20 dyads) and two focus groups (N = 10 primary care clinicians) were conducted. Interviews and focus groups were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results Family companions commonly facilitate communication by advocating for patients, ensuring the accuracy of information exchange and understanding, and preserving rapport. Significant communication challenges were also identified, including patient and companion role ambiguity, competing visit agendas, and primary care clinician confusion regarding the most accurate source of information. Patients, companions, and clinicians each identified strategies to improve communication, chief among them being to identify, differentiate, and respect both patient and companion priorities and perspectives. Conclusions Family companions actively participate in primary care visits of older adults with cognitive impairment in ways that promote and inhibit effective communication. Findings suggest the need for strategies that more effectively and purposefully involve family in the care of primary care patients with cognitive impairment. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrolysis of the prodrug, 2',3',5'-triacetyl-6-azauridine

Purpose. The purposes were to study the kinetics of hydrolysis of 2′,3′,5′-triacetyl-6-azauridine ( 1 ) in aqueous solution (µ = 0.5) and to identify the main intermediates and products of the reaction. Methods. A stability indicating isocratic LC assay was used to study the rate of degradation of 1 A gradient LC assay was used to study the time courses of the degradants. The products of hydrolysis were isolated by preparative liquid chromatography and identified by 1H-NMR and CI-MS. The pKa value was obtained by potentiometric titration. Results. At 36.8°C, the pH-rate profile of 1 in water was adequately described by a four-term rate equation. The intermediates were identified as the primary and secondary di-acetates, and the primary and secondary mono-acetates. The final product was 6-azauridine. Conclusions. A simplified kinetic scheme could be used to describe the concentration-time profiles of 1, the intermediates and the final product.
Microplastic at nesting grounds used by the northern Gulf of Mexico loggerhead recovery unit.

Abstract Microplastics can impact key habitats used by endangered species, such as marine turtles. They impact the environment by transporting toxicants and altering sediment properties affecting temperature and sediment permeability. Our study determined the exposure of the ten most important nesting sites for the Northern Gulf of Mexico Loggerhead Recovery Unit to microplastic. Sand samples were obtained at each nesting site during the 2017 nesting season and analyzed for abundance and characteristics of microplastic. Microplastic was found at all sites, with an average abundance of 61.08 ± 34.61 pieces/m2, and 59.9% located at the dunes, where turtles primarily nest. A gradual decrease in microplastics abundance was observed from the most western nesting ground to the east. The results from this study indicate that microplastic accumulation on nesting sites for the Northern Gulf of Mexico may be of great concern, and could negatively affect the incubating environment for marine turtles.
Civilizar o campo: educação, saúde e iniciação profissional nos cursos de alfabetização da Professora Zilma Coelho Pinto, no Estado do Espírito Santo (1947-1963)

O presente estudo apresenta a historia de vida da professora Zilma Coelho Pinto e do seu planejamento pedagogico em favor da alfabetizacao, assistencia social e profissionalizacao, durante a primeira Campanha de Educacao de Adolescentes e Adultos (CEAA), criada pelo Ministerio da Educacao e Saude, no Brasil. Nos diversos textos da CEAA produzidos pelo Setor de Orientacao Pedagogica do Servico de Adultos do Ministerio, destinados as Secretarias de Educacao dos diversos Estados, aos professores, aos voluntarios e tambem aos jovens e adultos alunos da Campanha, a educacao foi apresentada, como a alavanca capaz de edificar uma nova sociedade, em tempos de redemocratizacao na decada de 1940. E a alfabetizacao passou a ser identificada como um campo de acao da organizacao sanitaria moderna por meio de um “ethos” de civilidade, agora na area de educacao de jovens e adultos. Desse modo, foi possivel encontrar uma nocao bem particular de “civilizacao” tomada pela CEAA e pelas professoras voluntarias, no caso especifico da professora Zilma, para atender aos pobres e analfabetos de seu municipio. Para isso, recorremos ao conceito de Processo Civilizador de Norbert Elias (1993, 1994, 1997) e aos estudos da historia da educacao brasileira que utilizam esse aporte teorico.
A genetic algorithm for simplifying the amino acid alphabet in bioinformatics applications

Simplifying the representation of protein sequences have been receiving considerable attention in recent years since having a simplified representation will potentially allow for the ability to tackle difficult problems such as the prediction of protein interaction. A central problem in creating simplified amino acid alphabets is narrowing down the massive number of possible simplifications. Since considering all possible simplifications is intractable, effectively creating simplified alphabets is essential. Genetic algorithms have been effective in providing near-optimal solutions for similar combinatorial problems with large solution spaces. This makes them a good candidate for creating simplified alphabets. Simplified amino acid alphabets could uncover hidden relationships in protein sequences, and in turn provide a valuable first step in solving protein-related microbiological problems. Simplifying amino acid alphabets may potentially reduce the degree of complexity for several difficult problems such as protein prediction interaction and protein structure prediction.
Marijuana Induced Myocarditis: A New Entity of Toxic Myocarditis.

Marijuana is the most common drug of abuse in the United States. Marijuana has more than 460 active chemical compounds including δ-9- tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It acts via the CB1 and CB2 receptors that are distributed in various tissues in the body. Marijuana is known to cause tachycardia, bradycardia, hypertension, to decrease time angina, myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest. Till date, four cases of myocarditis/perimyocarditis associated with marijuana use have been reported. In one such case, it led to the development of heart failure in a young male patient. It is not clear if marijuana in and of itself causes myocarditis/perimyocarditis or if the etio-pathogenesis is actually related to the contaminants in marijuana such as pesticides and heavy metals. We hereby present a young male who with myocarditis related to marijuana use. Clinicians should have suspicion for myocarditis or perimyocarditis in patients presenting with chest pain following marijuana use.
A dynasty of screams: Jamie Lee Curtis and the reinterpretation of the maternal voice in Scream Queens

This essay analyzes the FOX slasher horror series Scream Queens (2015–2017), particularly the eighth episode of the series’ first season, entitled “Mommie Dearest.” In this episode, star Jamie Lee ...
S···π Chalcogen Bonds between SF2 or SF4 and C-C Multiple Bonds.

SF2 and SF4 were each paired with a series of unsaturated hydrocarbons including ethene, ethyne, 1,3-butadiene, and benzene, in each case forming a chalcogen bond between the S atom and the carbon π-system. MP2 ab initio calculations reveal that the S atom is situated directly above one specific C═C bond, even when more than one are present. The binding energies range between 3.3 and 6.6 kcal/mol. SF2 engages in a stronger, and shorter, noncovalent bond than does SF4 for all systems with the exception of benzene, to which SF4 is more tightly bound. cis-Butadiene complexes contain the shortest chalcogen bond, even if not necessarily the strongest. The internal S–F covalent bonds elongate upon formation of each chalcogen bond. The molecules are held together largely by charge transfer forces, particularly from the C═C π-bonds to the σ*(SF) antibonding orbitals. In the case of SF2, a sulfur lone pair can transfer charge into the π* MOs of the alkene, a back-transfer which is more difficult for SF4.