cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling Wetland Blackbird Populations as a Function of Waterfowl Abundance in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States and Canada

Blackbirds share wetland habitat with many waterfowl species in Bird Conservation Region 11 (BCR 11), the prairie potholes. Because of similar habitat preferences, there may be associations between blackbird populations and populations of one or more species of waterfowl in BCR11. This study models populations of red-winged blackbirds and yellow-headed blackbirds as a function of multiple waterfowl species using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey within BCR11. For each blackbird species, we created a global model with blackbird abundance modeled as a function of 11 waterfowl species; nuisance effects (year, route, and observer) also were included in the model. Hierarchical Poisson regression models were fit using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods in WinBUGS 1.4.1. Waterfowl abundances were weakly associated with blackbird numbers, and no single waterfowl species showed a strong correlation with any blackbird species. These findings suggest waterfowl abundance from a single species is not lik...
Chemical dynamics simulations of energy transfer, surface-induced dissociation, soft-landing, and reactive-landing in collisions of protonated peptide ions with organic surfaces

There are two components to the review presented here regarding simulations of collisions of protonated peptide ions peptide-H(+) with organic surfaces. One is a detailed description of the classical trajectory chemical dynamics simulation methodology. Different simulation approaches are used, and identified as MM, QM + MM, and QM/MM dependent on the potential energy surface used to represent the peptide-H(+) + surface collision. The second are representative examples of the information that may be obtained from the simulations regarding energy transfer and peptide-H(+) surface-induced dissociation, soft-landing, and reactive-landing for the peptide-H(+) + surface collisions. Good agreement with experiment is obtained for each of these four collision properties. The simulations provide atomistic interpretations of the peptide-H(+) + surface collision dynamics.
Decade in review—renal transplantation: A spectrum of advances in renal transplantation

Although the first 50 years of renal transplantation were marked by great advances in immunosuppressive therapies, the past decade has been marked by an unprecedented increase in technology. This progress has spurred investigators to challenge old paradigms and investigate how best to utilize these technologies to further improve patient care.
Taphonomy of a living fossil; the lingulide brachiopod Glottidia palmeri Dall from Baja California, Mexico

Glottidia palmeri Dall, a Recent lingulide brachiopod, inhabits intertidal flats of the Colorado Delta plain in Baja California, Mexico. Live lingulides occur in patches across the intertidal zone. Patches are dominated by single cohorts with unimodal size-frequency distributions. The oldest cohorts appear to be between four and five years old. Dead specimens of G. palmeri occur in three modes: (1) In situ shells remaining after death in their burrows. These undergo decay and maceration, and blacken, soften, and eventually disintegrate. They persist up to at least a year and represent a slightly time-averaged, but strictly in place record of a single patch: (2) Surface shells removed from their burrows be-. fore or soon after death. These are deposited on the surface as single valves and undergo quick mechanical disintegration. They disappear within days, or at most weeks, and are a synchronous but spatially mixed record of different patches coexisting on the flat: (3) Beach shells represented by dried shells with mummified soft bodies. These specimens are washed out by storms and deposited on supratidal beach ridges. They disappear within weeks to months and are a synchronous, but spatially mixed record of different patches. This study offers criteria for the recognition and interpretation of preservation modes in fossil lingulides. Moreover, it confirms previous notions that Recent lingulide brachiopods have a very low fossilization potential and suggestions that high to catastrophic sedimentation rates are needed to preserve them. Thus, large-scale aspects of lingulide history (e.g., global taxonomic diversity, stratigraphic ranges) must be poorly recorded in the fossil record. At the same time, extensive time-averaging or significant transport of lingulide shells are highly unlikely. Therefore, on those rare occasions when lingulide shells are preserved, they record outcropscale, short-term aspects of their history with high fidelity. The literature on the Paleozoic lingulides suggests that they had a higher fossilization potential than their post-Paleozoic relatives. Thus, this study is most applicable to Mesozoic and Cenozoic lingulides. Most importantly, this study suggests that the fossil record of the lingulides may be affected by a taphonomic megabias-their decrease in diversity and ecologic importance after the Paleozoic may be, in part, a taphonomic artifact.
Photosynthesis and successional status of Costa Rican rain forest trees.

Seven tree species from three different light environments in the wet lowland forests of Costa Rica were grown under controlled environment conditions to assess light related photosynthetic potentials. Light saturated photosynthesis rates were clearly related to light levels of the field environments. Mean saturated, net photosynthetic rates ranged from 6.8 to 11.3 to 27.7 μmol m−2 sec−1 for plants from heavy shade, canopy light gaps and man-made clearings respectively. Light saturation of plants from clearings occurred at photosynthetic photon flux densities greater than 1000 μmol m−2 sec−1 whereas plants from heavy shade environments became light saturated near 500 μmol m−2 sec−1. Plants that normally occur in intermediate light environments were intermediate in light saturation levels. Mean maximum stomatal conductances ranged from 1.0 to 7.3 mm sec−1 and followed a pattern similar to photosynthetic rates.
Death and the Research Imperative

For several years, there has been an awareness of the often harmful power of the “technological imperative” in the care of dying patients — that is, the compulsive use of technology to maintain life when palliative care would be more appropriate. There is another imperative that now deserves more attention in assessing the care of dying patients: the research imperative. It stems from the view that medicine has an almost sacred duty to combat all the known causes of death. Underlying this view is the assumption, usually tacit, that death is the principal evil of human life. At the heart . . .
Latex rubber capsule for producing hypertension in rats by perinephritis.

SummaryEnclosing both kidneys in molded latex rubber capsules to produce perinephritis can be recommended for its simplicity and effectiveness, particularly when large numbers of hypertensive rats are required.
Trends in the Prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease in the U.S.: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2012.

Introduction This study evaluated recent trends in the prevalence of coronary heart disease in the U.S. population aged ≥40 years. Methods A total of 21,472 adults aged ≥40 years from the 2001–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in the analysis. The analysis was conducted in 2015. Coronary heart disease included myocardial infarction, angina, and any other type of coronary heart disease, which were defined as a history of medical diagnosis of these specific conditions. Angina was also defined as currently taking anti-angina medication or having Rose Angina Questionnaire responses that scored with a Grade ≥1. Trends from 2001 to 2012 were analyzed overall, within demographic subgroups, and by major coronary heart disease risk factors. Results Between 2001 and 2012, the overall prevalence of coronary heart disease significantly decreased from 10.3% to 8.0% ( p -trend p -trend 60 years, non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, adults who did not complete high school, adults with more than a high school education, and adults who had health insurance ( p -trend Conclusions The overall prevalence of coronary heart disease including angina and myocardial infarction decreased significantly over the 12-year survey period. However, this reduction was seen mainly among persons without established coronary heart disease risk factors. There was no change in coronary heart disease prevalence among those with specific coronary heart disease risk factors.
320 ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ACCULTURATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS IN US IMMIGRANTS.: Table

Background Immigrants are the fastest growing segment of the US population. Although differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors between immigrants and US born have been previously examined, the effect of acculturation on CVD risk factors in immigrants has been less well studied. We examined the association between acculturation (duration of stay in the US) and CVD risk factors among US immigrants. Methods We used data from the nationally representative 2002 National Health interview Survey. We analyzed data on 5,328 adult immigrants. We identified 6 cardiovascular disease risk factors: overweight/obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and physical inactivity. Diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were based on self-report. Overweight/obesity was defined as body mass index of 25+; physical inactivity was defined as no moderate/vigorous activity per week; and smoking was defined as currently smoking. We created 3 categories for duration of stay in US ( Conclusions Duration of stay is incrementally associated with development of CVD risk factors among US immigrants. It appears that acculturation to living in the US may be an independent predictor for CVD risk factors among US immigrants.
Mechanisms and energetics for N-glycosidic bond cleavage of protonated adenine nucleosides: N3 protonation induces base rotation and enhances N-glycosidic bond stability

Our previous gas-phase infrared multiple photon dissociation action spectroscopy study of protonated 2′-deoxyadenosine and adenosine, [dAdo+H]+ and [Ado+H]+, found that both N3 and N1 protonated conformers are populated with the N3 protonated ground-state conformers predominant in the experiments. Therefore, N-glycosidic bond dissociation mechanisms of N3 and N1 protonated [dAdo+H]+ and [Ado+H]+ and the associated quantitative thermochemical values are investigated here using both experimental and theoretical approaches. Threshold collision-induced dissociation (TCID) of [dAdo+H]+ and [Ado+H]+ with Xe is studied using guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry techniques. For both systems, N-glycosidic bond cleavage reactions are observed as the major dissociation pathways resulting in production of protonated adenine or elimination of neutral adenine. Electronic structure calculations are performed at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory to probe the potential energy surfaces (PESs) for N-glycosidic bond cleavage of [dAdo+H]+ and [Ado+H]+. Relative energetics of the reactants, transition states, intermediates and products along the PESs for N-glycosidic bond cleavage are determined at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,2p), B3LYP-GD3BJ/6-311+G(2d,2p), and MP2(full)/6-311+G(2d,2p) levels of theory. The predicted N-glycosidic bond dissociation mechanisms for the N3 and N1 protonated species differ. Base rotation of the adenine residue enables formation of a strong N3H+⋯O5′ hydrogen-bonding interaction that stabilizes the N3 protonated species and its glycosidic bond. Comparison between experiment and theory indicates that the N3 protonated species determine the threshold energies, as excellent agreement between the measured and B3LYP computed activation energies (AEs) and reaction enthalpies (ΔHrxns) for N-glycosidic bond cleavage of the N3 protonated species is found.
Apparent Effect of Ascorbic Acid Medication on Semen Metal Levels

The apparent effect of ascorbic acid therapy for nonspecific spermagglutination on semen levels of ascorbic acid as well as macro- and micrometals was determined in 20 men (ages 25 to 38). Pretreatment diagnosis was based on infertility and relatively low ratings in sperm density, motility, motility index, and semen volume, and were associated with large numbers of abnormal sperm, sperm precursors, and leukocytes. The pretreatment levels of ascorbic acid, sodium, iron, potassium, zinc, manganese, lead, magnesium, and copper were measured in each patient's semen and compared with levels following 60 days of dietary vitamin C supplementation (1.0 gm/day). Analysis of the vitamin C preparation prescribed revealed that each subject was given an impure ascorbic acid medication to supplement a normal diet. Therefore, the significant increases in levels of ascorbic acid and metals in semen following therapy could not be attributed to ascorbic acid alone, nor, similarly, the improved physical parameters of each subject's semen following therapy; no apparent spermagglutination and restored fertility may be due to the interaction of ascorbic acid with cations found in semen.
Evolving Therapeutic Strategies in Mucosal Melanoma Have Not Improved Survival Over Five Decades

Mucosal melanoma represents a distinct minority of disease sites and portends a worse outcome. The ideal treatment and role of adjuvant therapy remains unknown at this time. We hypothesized that a combination of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies would improve survival in these aggressive melanomas. Our large, prospectively maintained melanoma database was queried for all patients diagnosed with mucosal melanoma. Over the past five decades, 227 patients were treated for mucosal melanoma. There were 82 patients with anorectal, 75 with sinonasal, and 70 with urogenital melanoma. Five-year overall survival and melanoma-specific survival for the entire cohort were 32.8 and 37.5 per cent, respectively, with median overall survival of 38.7 months. One hundred forty-two patients (63.8%) underwent adjuvant therapy and 15 were treated neoadjuvantly (6.6%). There was no survival difference by therapy type or timing, disease site, or decade of diagnosis. There was improved survival in patients undergoing multiple surgeries (Hazard Ratio [HR] 0.55, P = 0.0005). Patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy had significantly worse survival outcomes (HR 2.49, P = 0.013). Over the past five decades, improvements have not been seen in outcomes for mucosal melanoma. Although multiple surgical interventions portend a better outcome in patients with mucosal melanoma, adjuvant treatment decisions must be individualized.
Finding the perfect job.

The article will help family physicians figure out which practice (or other career option) is right for them and will offer tips for finding a new job.
Cone cavity flow at M = 8.2 with injection of air and helium

An experimental investigation of cone cavity flow at M = 8.2 with injection of air and helium has been performed in the Cranfield University gun tunnel. The cone used had a 10° semi-angle and incorporated an annular cavity. The boundary layer ahead of the cavity was laminar. The study concentrated on the effects of increasing the mass injected into the cavity. With no injection the external flow bridged the cavity. A shock wave and a pressure peak occurred at the rear face corner. By injecting gas, this pressure peak was decreased in intensity and a shock wave was formed at the front face corner. As the mass injected was increased, the shocks initially formed at the front and rear face corners were shifted upstream from their initial positions and boundary layer separation occurred ahead of the cavity. For the highest mass flow rate injected, the pressure peak at the rear face corner was very small. The cavity flow was never more than mildly unsteady
Creativity for Deliberate Harm: Malevolent Creativity and Social Information Processing Theory

Both popular press and academic research laud the benefits of creativity. Malevolent creativity, however, is the application of creativity to intentionally harm others. This study examines predictors of malevolent creativity, considering both contextual and individual difference influences. Social information processing theory suggests that situational cues might be more influential in shaping malevolent creativity. Two experimental laboratory studies test the effects of both formal and informal situational cues and find that these factors are predictive of malevolent creativity components above and beyond individual differences such as personality and cognitive ability. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.
New Roadmap for the Journey From Internist to Rheumatologist

Objective Measurement is necessary to gauge improvement. US training programs have not previously used shared standards to assess trainees’ mastery of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to practice rheumatology competently. In 2014, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Next Accreditation System began requiring semiannual evaluation of all medicine subspecialty fellows on 23 internal medicine subspecialty reporting milestones. Since these reporting milestones are not subspecialty specific, rheumatology curricular milestones were needed to guide rheumatology fellowship training programs and fellows on the training journey from internist to rheumatologist. Methods Rheumatology curricular milestones were collaboratively composed by expanding the internal medicine reporting milestones to delineate the specific targets of rheumatology fellowship training within 6 ACGME core competencies. The 2006 American College of Rheumatology core curriculum for rheumatology training programs was updated. Results A total of 80 rheumatology curricular milestones were created, defining progressive learning through training; most focus on patient care and medical knowledge. The core curriculum update incorporates the new curricular milestones and rheumatology entrustable professional activities. Conclusion Rheumatology curricular milestones are now available for implementation by rheumatology fellowship training programs, providing a clear roadmap for specific training goals and a guide to track each fellow's achievement over a 2-year training period. The comprehensive core curriculum delineates the essential breadth of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that define rheumatology, and provides a guide for educational activities during fellowship training. These guiding documents are now used to train and assess fellows as they prepare for independent rheumatology practice as the next generation of rheumatologists.
Good Samaritans vs. Hardliners: the Role of Credible Signalling in Greek Bailout Negotiations

In this paper, we model the interactions between Greece and its creditors as a costly signalling game. The main argument is that a costly exchange of information can improve the recipient's incentives to comply with conditionality. If creditors can credibly signal that suspending financial assistance is a viable option, they will be able to extract concessions from the recipient. Conversely, if the feasibility of the outside option is in doubt, threats to withhold financial support will be toothless. Our contribution is to highlight the role of information exchanges during crisis bargaining. Such signalling mechanisms are central to understanding the outcomes of the Greek debt drama, but are absent from existing accounts.
Conformational Dynamics of Cas9 during DNA Binding

Cas9 is an RNA-guided endonuclease that cleaves double-stranded DNA using two conserved nuclease domains, RuvC and HNH, as part of CRISPR-Cas bacterial adaptive immune systems. Together with single-guide RNAs, Cas9 is also widely utilized as a programmable genome editing tool. DNA cleavage activity is controlled directly by the conformational state of the HNH nuclease domain, but Cas9 conformational dynamics during DNA binding remain poorly characterized. Using single-molecule FRET assays, we identified a long-lived intermediate state of S. pyogenes Cas9. Upon DNA binding, the HNH nuclease reversibly transitions between RNA-bound, DNA-bound and docked conformations, before it docks irreversibly into its catalytically active conformation for DNA cleavage. Docking of HNH to its active state requires divalent cation, and HNH remains in the docked state after cleavage of a complementary target. Increasing the number of mutations in the target region distal to the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) prevents transitions from intermediate to the docked conformation. The results provide a structural explanation for the lack of DNA cleavage activity when Cas9 binds to off-target sites.
An Induced Chromosomal Translocation in Soybean Disrupts a KASI Ortholog and Is Associated with a High-Sucrose and Low-Oil Seed Phenotype

Mutagenesis is a useful tool in many crop species to induce heritable genetic variability for trait improvement and gene discovery. In this study, forward screening of a soybean fast neutron (FN) mutant population identified an individual that produced seed with nearly twice the amount of sucrose (8.1% on dry matter basis) and less than half the amount of oil (8.5% on dry matter basis) as compared to wild type. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA), comparative genomic hybridization, and genome resequencing were used to associate the seed composition phenotype with a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 8 and 13. In a backcross population, the translocation perfectly cosegregated with the seed composition phenotype and exhibited non-Mendelian segregation patterns. We hypothesize that the translocation is responsible for the altered seed composition by disrupting a β-ketoacyl-[acyl carrier protein] synthase 1 (KASI) ortholog. KASI is a core fatty acid synthesis enzyme that is involved in the conversion of sucrose into oil in developing seeds. This finding may lead to new research directions for developing soybean cultivars with modified carbohydrate and oil seed composition.
Computational Diversions: The Game of HullGrams

This installment of the computational diversions column introduces a new game (at least I think it’s new, and original–I haven’t seen it anywhere before). The game is called HullGrams, which is intended to suggest a blend of the classic mathematical pastime of tangrams with the geometric notion of a convex hull. By way of preface–before we get to the rules of HullGrams–let’s begin with its inspiration in the puzzle of tangrams. Many readers will be familiar with tangrams; but for those who have never seen the puzzle, books such as (Crawford, 2002) and (Read, 1965) are recommended. Martin Gardner, in his Scientific American column, discussed the pastime and researched its history (Gardner (1988), chapters 3–4); that history, by the way, is resolutely less romantic than the fable originally spun by the larger-than-life American ‘‘puzzle king’’ Sam Loyd, who did not invent tangrams but popularized it early in the twentieth century. Briefly, the basic idea of the tangram puzzle is that we are provided with a set of seven geometric pieces: five of these are isosceles right triangles (two large, two small, and one medium-sized), one is a square, and one a parallelogram, and all angles within the shapes are multiples of 45 degrees. By placing the seven shapes flat on a plane in different arrangements, we can create an astonishing range of composite shapes. The essential idea of the tangram puzzle is conveyed in Fig. 1, which shows at left a photograph of my own set of plastic pieces, arranged to form a square. A typical tangram puzzle will begin with a solid black silhouette (think of this as the ‘‘goal shape’’), and the job of the player is to arrange the pieces so that their overall silhouette matches the goal shape. In Fig. 1, then, the simple black square shown at right would thus be the goal shape for the arrangement at left. I could spend much more time on tangrams, but there is already an extensive literature; and my hope is that by now you’ve gotten the idea, even if this is your first encounter with the puzzle. For those who have spent time with tangrams, you will probably have observed that in fact most goal shapes are pretty easy to match. The truly tough puzzles are the ones with relatively simple silhouettes, like the square in Fig. 1; but most goal shapes are more challenging in their original composition than they are in their solution. That is, it’s hard to
Towards better code snippets: Exploring how code snippet recall differs with programming experience

Programmers of all experience levels attempt to leverage code snippets with varying success, often as reminders or to learn new skills. To date, little work has explored the specific elements within code snippets that are challenging for novices. Comparing how novices and experts recall code snippets may expose what code elements programmers focus on and inform new approaches for improving examples for inexperienced programmers. We conducted a study, inspired by past novice-expert studies, in which we asked everyday, occasional, and non-programmers to study and then recall code snippets. The key distinctions and similarities in the types and locations of recalled tokens provide insight for a set of recommendations that could improve the presentation of code snippets.
Multiple Scattering in a Random Continuum

The statistics of multiple-scattering contributiona to the electric field received at a point beyond a layer containing a forward-scattering random dielectric continuum are investigated. Specific Statistics such as first and second moments of the field are derived via high-frequency approximations in all terms of the Born series, thus circumventing controversial derivations from an approximated wave equation. The results and their range of validity are compared to those predicted by Rytov't approximation.
A New Fault Location Technique in Smart Distribution Networks Using Synchronized/Nonsynchronized Measurements

This paper proposes a new impedance-based technique to locate all fault types in distribution networks with/without distributed generators. A new procedure to form an impedance matrix using only series impedances of the distribution lines is introduced. The impedance matrix along with the prefault and during-fault voltage phasors at few buses is used to estimate the injection fault current via the least-squares technique. Linear least-squares estimator is utilized if microphasor measurement units ${({\mu} \rm{PMUs)}}$ are installed along the network. However, a nonlinear least-squares problem solved by the trust-region-reflective algorithm is used when only the voltage magnitudes are provided by smart meters. The operation of the standard protective devices in the distribution networks is used to reduce the computational burden of the proposed method. Also, a generalized measurement placement algorithm is studied using the discovered features of the impedance matrix. In addition, the Sobol's sensitivity analysis is conducted to quantify the importance of different input factors on the fault location accuracy. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated on a real 134-bus, 13.8 kV distribution network under several fault scenarios and noisy measurements.
Measurement of radial thermal conductivity of a cylinder using a time-varying heat flux method

Abstract Despite a variety of techniques available for thermal conductivity measurement, there is a lack of methods to directly measure the radial thermal conductivity of a cylinder. This presents a critical gap in heat transfer metrology, particularly in presence of anisotropic thermal conduction, such as in a Li-ion cell, where radial thermal conductivity plays a key role in determining performance and safety. This paper reports a technique for measurement of radial thermal conductivity of a cylinder by accounting for variable heat flux into the cylinder when heated on the outside. It is shown that heat flux into the cylinder from a thin heater wrapped around its surface varies significantly with time. This variation, which was neglected in past work, is accounted for by developing a variable heat flux model for experimental data analysis. For two different materials, measurements of radial thermal conductivity using this approach are shown to be in close agreement with standard thermal conductivity measurement using the transient plane source method. Radial thermal conductivity of a 26650 Li-ion cell is measured to be 0.39 W/mK. Besides contributing a new approach for thermal metrology in cylindrical systems, this work also improves the understanding of thermal phenomena in Li-ion cells.
Do We Have Duties to Future Generations

Environmenetal advocates typically argue that we have a duty to protect the environment for future generations. But moral philosophers have raised questions about whether we can have duties to future generations. This chapter discusses some of those questions, including the Nonidentity Problem. It also explores two important policy questions involving duties to future generations: setting the discount rate in climate policy and managing global population growth.
Multiple myeloma and normal pregnancy. Report of a case.

Pregnancy of a patient with multiple myeloma and the subsequent uncomplicated delivery of a viable normal infant apparently is the first such case reported. The child is developing normally. The mother died almost 9 months after delivery. Serum electrophoretic and immunoelectrophoretic data are documented. The primary protein abnormality in the mother was the excessive production of a γA globulin.
Biased Positional Games

Two players play a game on the complete graph with n vertices. Each move of the first player consists of claiming k previously unclaimed edges, each move of the second player consists of claiming one previously unclaimed edge. The second player's goal is to claim all the edges of some tree on the n vertices, the first player's goal is to prevent the second from doing that. If k is sufficiently large (resp. small) with respect to n then the first (resp. second) player has a win. We prove that the breaking point comes around k = n/log n. In addition, we consider several other games of this kind.
Validation of a novel human antibody targeting prostate cancer

1702 Objectives We have identified a novel human antibody (H3) that targets CD166, a validated marker for prostate tumor over-expressed in over 86% of prostate cancer cases. The objective is to evaluate in vitro the potential of tumor targeting and compare with the PSMA targeting J591 antibody. Methods The two whole antibodies, H3 and J591 were radiolabeled with I125 under identical conditions. The cell binding affinity was evaluated in vitro against a panel of prostate cancer cell lines: PC3, DU145 and LNCap. To compare the maximum binding sites, the two labeled IgGs were incubated with LNCaP prostate tumor cells for up to 48 h. The numbers of cell associated antibody per cell were calculated. Results The binding affinity (Kd) of H3 to DU145, PC3 and LNCap cells are 0.5nM, 0.3nM and 0.4nM respectively while J591 showed Kd at about 6.5nM. The total cell-associated H3 increased from 100k/cell at 1h to 210k/cell at 48h, while J591 from 50k/cell at 1h to 151k/cell at 6h and then declined to 130k/cell at 48h. H3 showed very fast cell binding as evidenced by the significant higher accumulation in tumor cells than J590 at the 1h time point. The J591 peaked at 6h then declined in later time points, reflecting a shift in the net balance of endocytosis and exocytosis. Conclusions This study showed that H3 has higher affinity than J591 and comparable target density on the cell surface to that for J591 from our lab and others. H3 antibody is a promising targeting vector for developing therapeutics and diagnostics for prostate cancer. Research Support This work is partially supported by NIH/NCI R01CA 135358-01 and Grant #IRG-97-150-10 from the American Cancer Society
Connective stability of discontinuous dynamic systems

Connective stability is defined for interconnected systems under discontinuous structural perturbations. Stability conditions are established using Lipschitz and C1-type Lyapunov functions. A considerable flexibility of the conditions is achieved by assuming the functions to be parameter dependent. For efficient testing, the obtained stability conditions are converted to convex optimization problems via the theory of M-matrices.
Trithorax Genes in the Control of Keratinocyte Differentiation

Developmental processes involved in the initial morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis, and repair of skin require precisely controlled levels of gene expression at specific times and locations. This balance is accomplished through the concerted and antagonistic efforts of tissue-specific transcriptional regulators interacting with the chromatin landscape, epigenetic-modifying enzymes, and noncoding RNAs. While activating Trithorax and repressing Polycomb complexes represent a classic example of antagonistic epigenetic regulation during early development, their roles in gene regulation extend beyond this capacity. Since the divergence of flies and mammals, the Trithorax family of SET enzymes has expanded greatly, taking on new and largely non-redundant roles, creating a complex regulatory milieu that can integrate diverse sets of signals into a single transcriptional program in each cell type. In contrast to Polycomb complex members, the Trithorax complex is highly expressed across the differentiation stages of epidermal keratinocytes. The specificity of epigenetic targeting is accomplished through interactions of chromatin modifying complexes with lineage specific transcription factors such as GRHL3, leading to selective activation of the proper gene expression program at each stage of differentiation. Additionally, evidence from studies in the epidermis suggests that these enzymes can also act independently of Polycomb to activate gene expression in the absence of repressive chromatin.
Pediatric Brain Tumors: Viewpoint—Chemotherapy

Pediatric brain tumors encompass a heterogeneous group of diseases. For many tumors, such as low-grade glioma and standard-risk medulloblastoma, the long-term survival rate is high. Clinical investigation for these diseases in recent decades has focused on addressing late effects of therapy, in particular the neurocognitive effects of cranial radiation. Chemotherapy has been used effectively in many settings to delay radiation, to reduce radiation dose and volume, or to replace cranial irradiation entirely. For other tumors, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma most notoriously, prognosis remains abysmal and currently available treatments are primarily palliative. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has advantages over other therapeutic modalities in certain settings and has a role in the management pediatric brain tumors. That role is limited, however, by the propensity of pediatric neural tumors to disseminate along cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways or to infiltrate surrounding brain.
Blood Outgrowth Endothelial Cells (BOEC) Contribute to Tumor Vascularization and Can Be Used for Delivery of Cancer Gene Therapy.

Continuous and adequate levels of angiogenesis inhibitors at the site of tumor vasculature may be necessary to obtain optimal antitumor effect. Following recent observations that circulating in blood endothelial cells enhance tumor vasculogenesis we have designed grown from peripheral blood endothelial cells to deliver anti-angiogenic antitumor therapy. BOEC, after several-fold expansion, expressed endothelial markers: VE-cadherin, CD31, von Willebrand factor, and P1H12 and responded to functional endothelial assays: uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein, and vascular tube formation. BOEC were also found in functional vessels in vivo, when NOD-SCID mice implanted subcutaneously with Lewis lung carcinoma or H226 lung cancer, were injected via tail vein with 5x10 5 BOEC. Staining for CD31 on tumor sections of BOEC injected mice demonstrated increased blood vessel density (BOEC 1982±1281, sham 328±229 (P 3 versus sham 0.802±0.431cm 3 (p=0.102)). This early data suggest that BOEC have the potential for tumor-specific delivery of cancer gene therapy.
Young women’s sexual assault experiences: exploring conservative socialisation experiences as an important contextual factor

This study explored the connections between gender socialisation, cultural programming related to sexuality, and the sexual assault experiences of young women. We examined how young women’s sexual ...
The Use of Yoga as a Group Intervention for Pediatric Chronic Pain Rehabilitation: Exploring Qualitative and Quantitative Outcomes.

Purpose: With the increase in opioid use over the last decade, mind–body approaches to pediatric pain management have been trending. To date, there is limited research regarding the use of yoga with pediatric chronic pain. This study aims to gauge the effectiveness of group yoga as part of chronic pain rehabilitation and one's ability to continue practicing independently by exploring qualitative and quantitative information. Methods: A single therapist used yoga as a group physical therapy intervention once a week for 60 minutes. Yoga education, iyengar yoga components, relaxation, and stretching were incorporated into the therapeutic yoga session. Qualitative and quantitative information was collected. Results: Qualitative outcomes provided valuable data about distractions and benefits. Quantitative outcomes showed that there were significant improvements in areas such as mental tension, emotional tension, muscle tension, and pain (all P
Metal contamination of river otters in North Carolina

Aquatic apex predators are vulnerable to environmental contaminants due to biomagnification. North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) populations should be closely monitored across their range due to point and nonpoint pollution sources. Nonetheless, no information exists on environmental contaminants in the North Carolina otter population. Metals and metalloids occur naturally across the landscape, are essential for cellular function, and become toxic when concentrated unnaturally. We conducted our study across the three Furbearer Management Units (FMU) and 14 river basins of North Carolina. We determined the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, calcium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, selenium, thallium, and zinc in liver and kidney samples from 317 otters harvested from 2009 to 2016. Arsenic, lead, and thallium samples were tested at levels below the limit of detection. With the exception of cadmium, we detected all other elements at higher levels in the liver compared with the kidney. Specifically, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, and zinc levels differed by tissue type analyzed. Most element concentrations remained stable or increased with otter age. We detected higher levels of mercury and selenium in the Lower Pee Dee and Cape Fear river basins. River basins within the Mountain FMU were higher in cadmium, copper, iron, lead, and zinc, whereas the Coastal Plain FMU was lower in cobalt and manganese. None of the elements occurred at toxic levels. Our research establishes baseline concentration levels for North Carolina, which will benefit future monitoring efforts and provide insight into future changes in the otter population.
On Being Orang Suku Laut in the Malay World

Southeast Asia is a region steeped in long-established maritime traditions, and sea nomadism has prevailed within its waters for centuries. Until today, widely scattered communities of sea nomads can be found across the region. This chapter traces the story of historically changing commitments of power holders in the region’s macro-politics and the stakes they held in forging the rise and decline of the sea nomads. Presently, the wider society sees them as a backward and unprogressive people. In the name of modernization and development, policymakers have tried to forcibly settle and assimilate them. Yet, their continued widespread distribution in Southeast Asia bears testament to their proficiencies to strike- and pushback against state intrusions. An examination of their relationship with space, their adoption of Christianity and Chinese religion as resources to establish modernity as well as their practices of not doing or undoing provide but just a few ethnographic glimpses into their wide-ranging strategies to ward off the State.
Placental mitochondrial dysfunction with metabolic diseases: Therapeutic approaches

Both obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) lead to poor maternal and fetal outcomes, including pregnancy complications, fetal growth issues, stillbirth, and developmental programming of adult-onset disease in the offspring. Increased placental oxidative/nitrative stress and reduced placental (trophoblast) mitochondrial respiration occur in association with the altered maternal metabolic milieu of obesity and GDM. The effect is particularly evident when the fetus is male, suggesting a sexually dimorphic influence on the placenta. In addition, obesity and GDM are associated with inflexibility in trophoblast, limiting the ability to switch between usage of glucose, fatty acids, and glutamine as substrates for oxidative phosphorylation, again in a sexually dimorphic manner. Here we review mechanisms underlying placental mitochondrial dysfunction: its relationship to maternal and fetal outcomes and the influence of fetal sex. Prevention of placental oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction may improve pregnancy outcomes. We outline pathways to ameliorate deficient mitochondrial respiration, particularly the benefits and pitfalls of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants.
Increased P450 aromatase levels in post-menopausal women after acute ischemic stroke

Sex differences in stroke have been attributed to the neuroprotective effects of estrogen, yet most clinical trials of estrogen supplementation for stroke prevention have failed. The contribution of sex hormones to stroke outcome remains a subject of debate. Aromatization of testosterone to estradiol in neural tissue leads to sexual differentiation. Emerging data suggests aromatase activity increases in response to brain injury, and increased aromatase expression is seen in the ischemic penumbra in animal models. The objective of this study was to examine the levels of endogenous sex steroids after acute ischemic stroke and determine if levels of sex steroids were associated with acute stroke outcomes. Peripheral blood from ischemic stroke patients and controls was collected under an approved IRB within 24 h of symptom onset. 17β-estradiol, testosterone, and aromatase levels were measured in the serum of both men and women using ELISA. Hormone levels were compared in men vs. women in stroke and control groups and correlated with outcomes (NIHSS and change in the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), defined as the difference of premorbid and discharge mRS) using multivariate regression. We found no significant difference in estradiol levels 24 h after stroke in men (p = 0.86) or women (p = 0.10). In men, testosterone significantly decreased after stroke as compared with controls (1.83 ± 0.12 vs. 2.86 ± 0.65, p = 0.01). Aromatase levels were significantly increased in women after stroke as compared with controls (2.27 ± 0.22 vs. 0.97 ± 0.22, p = 0.002), but not in men (p = 0.84). Estradiol levels positively correlated with change in mRS in both women (r = 0.38, p = 0.02) and men (r = 0.3, p = 0.04). Estradiol levels correlated with functional outcomes (change in mRS) in both men and women, at least in the acute phase (24 h) of stroke. However, no significant difference in estradiol levels is seen 24 h post-stroke in men or women. Testosterone levels decrease at 24 h after stroke in men. As seen in animal models, aromatase levels increase after acute ischemic stroke, but this was only true for women. These indicate an active aromatization process in post-menopausal women after acute ischemic stroke.
Predator Performance and Fitness Is Dictated by Herbivore Prey Type Plus Indirect Effects of their Host Plant

Animals, including herbivores and predators, use diet-mixing to balance their macro- and micronutrient intake. Recent work demonstrated that lady beetles fed only pea aphids from fava beans had reduced fitness caused by a deficiency of dietary sterols. However, beetles redressed this deficit by eating fava bean leaves. In the current study we used Coccinella septempunctata as a model to test the hypotheses that pea aphids are a poor sterol resource independent of their host plant, and that fava beans produce low quality prey regardless of aphid species. Additionally, we tested the reproductive rescue capacity of alfalfa and barley foliage compared to fava, and profiled the sterols of phloem exudates, foliage, and aphids reared on these different hosts. Beetle fecundity and egg viability was significantly better when provided pea aphids reared on alfalfa (compared to fava beans) and green peach aphids reared on fava plants. Alfalfa and barley leaves were not consumed by beetles and did not support beetle reproduction. The sterol profile of aphids largely reflected their host plant phloem. However, green peach aphids from fava acquired 125-times more sterol than pea aphids from fava. Our findings show how the sterol content of different host-plants can affect the third trophic level. Our results suggest that 1) prey quality varies depending on prey species, even when they occur on the same plant, 2) plant species can mediate prey quality, 3) host plant-mediated effects on prey quality partially drive omnivory, and 4) diet-mixing benefits growth and reproduction by redressing micronutrient deficits.
Building a Framework for a Next‐Generation English Language Proficiency Assessment System

Currently, states are moving forward with developing or adopting new English language proficiency (ELP) assessments aligned with the new academic standards in order to meet accountability requirements. In this transition, it is essential to identify areas of improvement for current ELP assessment practices and discuss ways to implement effective ELP assessments in order to better serve the needs of English language learner (ELL) students. This article offers a conceptual framework and guiding principles to consider in designing and developing next-generation ELP assessment systems for K–12 ELL students. In particular, the article calls for a need to create an ELP assessment system where the standards, a set of coherent assessments, and instruction are all systematically linked to maximize assessment results and thus aid in ELL students' academic success. The importance of defining an overarching construct to govern various assessments and the use of evidence-centered-design principles for the development of an assessment system are also discussed.
Intelligence: The Eye, the Brain, and the Computer

This book presents a view of intelligence, both human and machine. It provides an understanding of the concept of intelligence, the nature of the cognitive and perceptual capabilities of people and computers and the representations and algorithms used to attain intelligent behavior