cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ascorbate Transport by AtT20 Mouse Pituitary Corticotropic Tumor Cells: Uptake and Secretion Studies*

Ascorbate is an important cofactor in the biosynthesis of αamidated endocrine and neural peptides. Peptidylglycine αamidating monooxygenase (PAM) is the enzyme responsible for the generation of mature COOH-terminal aamidated peptides from COOH-terminal glycine-extended peptides, and this enzyme requires ascorbate for full activity in vitro. Also, cultured intermediate pituitary lobe cells contain PAM and require ascorbate for the COOH-terminal αamidation of aMSH. Since pituitary cells are not capable of synthesizing ascorbate, the ability of the cells to accumulate the cofactor must play an important role in the biosynthesis of αamidated peptides. The AtT20 corticotropic pituitary tumor cell line also contains PAM and a potential site for COOH-terminal αamidation of the pro-ACTH/endorphin-derived hinge peptide and was, thus, used for the study of cellular ascorbate transport. Radiolabeled L-[l-14C]ascorbate ([l-14C]ascorbate) was incubated with the cells under various conditions, and the accumulation of r...
Tunable narrow linewidth distributed Bragg reflector lasers

We present details of the fabrication and characterization of laser structures, including measurements of the laser emission linewidth and DBR tuning range. Similar results on long wavelength InGaAsP-InP DBR lasers with first-order gratings will be described.
Prader-Willi syndrome and the evolution of human childhood.

The kinship theory of genomic imprinting predicts that imprinted genes have effects on asymmetric kin (relatives with different degrees of matrilineal and patrilineal related- ness). The most important interaction with such a relative is a child's interaction with its mother. Therefore, the study of imprinted genes and their phenotypic effects promises to provide insights into the evolution of mother-child relations. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is caused by the absence of expression of genes at 15q11-q13 that are normally expressed only when paternally derived. The kinship theory predicts that children with PWS will fail to express behaviors that have increased mothers' costs of child-rearing. Our analysis focuses on aspects of the PWS phenotype that affect appetite and feeding. Immediately after birth, children with PWS have little appetite and are usually unable to suckle, but at some stage (usually within the first 2 years) they develop a voracious appetite and an obsession with food. We conjecture that this change in appetite reflects evolutionary forces associated with weaning. Immediately after birth, when a child is completely dependent on the breast, poor appetite reduced maternal costs. However, once a child was able to consume supplemental foods, maternal costs would have been reduced by children with increased, nonfastidious appetites. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:320-329, 2003. # 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Other Postsecondary Learners’ Retention of STEM Content With Tablet Computer-Based Notes

Four groups of postsecondary students, 25 who were deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH), 25 with a learning disability, 25 who were English language learners (ELLs), and 25 without an identified disability studied notes that included text and graphical information based on a physics or a marine biology lecture. The latter 3 groups were normally hearing. All groups had higher scores on post- than on pretests for each lecture, with each group showing generally similar gains in amount of material learned from the pretest to the posttest. For each lecture, the D/HH students scored lower on the pre- and posttests than the other 3 groups of participants. Results indicated that students acquired measurable amounts of information from studying these types of notes for relatively short periods and that the notes have equal potential to support the acquisition of information by each of these groups of students.
Sensor grating array demodulation using a passively mode-locked fiber laser

Proven compatibility with civil engineering applications and composite structures has spurred increasing interest in fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) for distributed optical fibre strain sensing. We demonstrate a fundamentally different demodulation scheme based on the high-energy, ultrafast, broadband pulses generated by a passively mode-locked erbium fiber laser as an alternative approach for high-speed interrogation of large grating arrays.
Editorial: Stress and development: Biological and psychological consequences

This Special Issue of Development and Psychopathology is devoted to the psychological and biological consequences of stress across the developmental course. Contributions in this Special Issue address topics that are central to elucidating the impact that stress exerts on developmental outcomes. These issues are investigated through examining a diverse array of populations, including rodent and nonhuman primate samples, as well as cohorts of maltreated children and adolescents with and without posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), children who were adopted from Romanian orphanages at differing points during infancy, aging Holocaust survivors and their offspring, children with depressive disorder, adolescents with schizotypal personality disorder, and adults with bipolar and unipolar mood disorders.
Localizing Prison Higher Education

This chapter describes methods for funding community programs in prison in the context of national and international political economy of mass incarceration.
The Role of the Middle Atmosphere in Simulations of the Troposphere during Northern Hemisphere Winter: Differences between High- and Low-Top Models

Abstract This paper compares present-day simulations made with two state-of-the-art climate models: a conventional model specifically designed to represent the tropospheric climate, which has a poorly resolved middle atmosphere, and a configuration that is built on the same physics and numerical algorithms but represents realistically the middle atmosphere and lower thermosphere. The atmospheric behavior is found to be different between the two model configurations, and it is shown that the differences in the two simulations can be attributed to differences in the behavior of the zonal mean state of the stratosphere, where reflection of quasi-stationary resolved planetary waves from the lid of the low-top model is prominent; the more realistic physics in the high-top model is not relevant. It is also shown that downward propagation of zonal wind anomalies during weak stratospheric vortex events is substantially different in the two model configurations. These findings extend earlier results that a poorly ...
Abundance-based Classifier for the Prediction of Mass Spectrometric Peptide Detectability Upon Enrichment (PPA)

The function of a large percentage of proteins is modulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs). Currently, mass spectrometry (MS) is the only proteome-wide technology that can identify PTMs. Unfortunately, the inability to detect a PTM by MS is not proof that the modification is not present. The detectability of peptides varies significantly making MS potentially blind to a large fraction of peptides. Learning from published algorithms that generally focus on predicting the most detectable peptides we developed a tool that incorporates protein abundance into the peptide prediction algorithm with the aim to determine the detectability of every peptide within a protein. We tested our tool, "Peptide Prediction with Abundance" (PPA), on in-house acquired as well as published data sets from other groups acquired on different instrument platforms. Incorporation of protein abundance into the prediction allows us to assess not only the detectability of all peptides but also whether a peptide of interest is likely to become detectable upon enrichment. We validated the ability of our tool to predict changes in protein detectability with a dilution series of 31 purified proteins at several different concentrations. PPA predicted the concentration dependent peptide detectability in 78% of the cases correctly, demonstrating its utility for predicting the protein enrichment needed to observe a peptide of interest in targeted experiments. This is especially important in the analysis of PTMs. PPA is available as a web-based or executable package that can work with generally applicable defaults or retrained from a pilot MS data set.
Photometric Light Curve for Nereid in 1998: A Prominent Opposition Surge

Abstract We present a well-sampled photometric time series (57 V magnitudes on 52 nights) of Nereid over a 128-day time span in 1998. The light curve shows an amplitude of 0.52 mag (from 19.11 to 19.63 mag) with a single peak (at JD 2451019±2) that is smooth and time symmetric. The date of the peak coincides with opposition (JD 2451018) and the entire 1998 light curve varies roughly linearly with the solar phase angle. This shows that the 1998 light curve is dominated by an extreme example of opposition surge. While a fraction of the photometric data from 1987–1997 agrees with this 1998 phase function, large and significant deviations were seen by all observers on time scales from hours to days to months during the years 1987–1997. Hence, there must be at least two mechanisms capable of making Nereid change in brightness, for which only the opposition surge was operating in 1998.
Nodal high-order discontinuous Galerkin methods for the spherical shallow water equations

We present a high-order discontinuous Galerkin method for the solution of the shallow water equations on the sphere. To overcome well-known problems with polar singularities, we consider the shallow water equations in Cartesian coordinates, augmented with a Lagrange multiplier to ensure that fluid particles are constrained to the spherical surface. The global solutions are represented by a collection of curvilinear quadrilaterals from an icosahedral grid. On each of these elements the local solutions are assumed to be well approximated by a high-order nodal Lagrange polynomial, constructed from a tensor-product of the Legendre-Gauss-Lobatto points, which also supplies a high-order quadrature. The shallow water equations are satisfied in a local discontinuous element fashion with solution continuity being enforced weakly. The numerical experiments, involving a comparison of weak and strong conservation forms and the impact of over-integration and filtering, confirm the expected high-order accuracy and the potential for using such highly parallel formulations in numerical weather prediction.
Variability in morphology, hygroscopicity, and optical properties of soot aerosols during atmospheric processing

The atmospheric effects of soot aerosols include interference with radiative transfer, visibility impairment, and alteration of cloud formation and are highly sensitive to the manner by which soot is internally mixed with other aerosol constituents. We present experimental studies to show that soot particles acquire a large mass fraction of sulfuric acid during atmospheric aging, considerably altering their properties. Soot particles exposed to subsaturated sulfuric acid vapor exhibit a marked change in morphology, characterized by a decreased mobility-based diameter but an increased fractal dimension and effective density. These particles experience large hygroscopic size and mass growth at subsaturated conditions (<90% relative humidity) and act efficiently as cloud-condensation nuclei. Coating with sulfuric acid and subsequent hygroscopic growth enhance the optical properties of soot aerosols, increasing scattering by ≈10-fold and absorption by nearly 2-fold at 80% relative humidity relative to fresh particles. In addition, condensation of sulfuric acid is shown to occur at a similar rate on ambient aerosols of various types of a given mobility size, regardless of their chemical compositions and microphysical structures. Representing an important mechanism of atmospheric aging, internal mixing of soot with sulfuric acid has profound implications on visibility, human health, and direct and indirect climate forcing.
Pregnancy Restores the Renal Vasodilator Response to Glycine in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats

To determine if pregnancy alters the impaired renal vasodilator responses in hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl S) rats, we measured glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow and calculated renal vascular resistance before, during, and after renal vasodilation with glycine (0.17 mmol/kg per minute IV). Conscious, midterm (day 11 to 14) pregnant and age-matched virgin Dahl S and Dahl salt-resistant (Dahl R) rats were fed an 8% NaCl diet for 4 weeks (n = 6 per group). Mean arterial pressure was elevated (P < .05) in Dahl S compared with Dahl R rats, with no significant difference between pregnant and virgin animals in either group. Pregnancy resulted in significant increases in plasma volume, baseline glomerular filtration rate, and renal plasma flow and a significant decrease in renal vascular resistance. The glycine-induced increase in filtration rate in virgin Dahl S rats (27 +/- 4%) was less (P < or = .01) than pregnant Dahl S (60 +/- 4%) and either group of Dahl R (virgin, 43 +/- 3%; pregnant, 45 +/- 5%) rats. Similarly, the 21 +/- 4% increase in renal plasma flow in virgin Dahl S rats was less (P < or = .01) than the pregnant Dahl S (45 +/- 4%) and either pregnant (45 +/- 5%) or virgin (45 +/- 5%) Dahl R rats. Glycine decreased renal vascular resistance only 12 +/- 2% in the virgin Dahl S compared with 31 +/- 3% in the pregnant Dahl S rats and 30 +/- 4% and 28 +/- 3% in pregnant and virgin Dahl R rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Symmetry, randomness, and process in the structure of branched channel networks

The branched structure of channel networks has a primary impact on the spatial distribution of elevation, water, and life across Earth's surface from the hillslope to the continental scale and is also observed on other planets. However, the link between this dendritic multiscale structure and the erosional processes that sculpt it has remained elusive for more than six decades. In fact, many topologic measures fail to distinguish natural networks from those generated by random walks. Here we show that a fundamental multiscale topologic symmetry is ingrained into the structure of these networks and reflects the equal elevation drop spanned by flows that split at the drainage divide and meet again downslope. We demonstrate that this symmetry distinguishes random-walk networks from natural ones, captures the temporal evolution of these networks, and divulges information about the processes that shape them.
Characterizing infant mortality in high volume manufacturing

Due to the large sample sizes required, certain reliability modeling parameters for infant mortality cannot be measured during technology development with desired confidence levels by engineering experiments. Among these reliability modeling parameters is thermal energy activation (Ea). Ea is used in the Arrhenius equation to calculate the burn-in time for integrated circuits. A small change in this parameter can have a great impact in burn-in time. In this work we have measured this parameter in high volume manufacturing (HVM) in 65 nm technology using naturally occurring data by applying novel new techniques at virtually no cost.
An analysis model for Health Information Technology adoption

Due to evolving technological and societal change, the United State healthcare delivery system is experiencing significant challenges. And Health Information Technology has been identified as a means to assist in adapting with those challenges. Health IT has been shown to be associated with improved care, reduced cost and better patient experience. The objective of this study is to provide a much needed analysis model for evaluating Health IT adoption. Currently there is a lack of specific framework for evaluating Health IT adoption. In this study we draw on Resource Based Theory to identify HIT adoption capabilities; Software Engineering to represent the entities and relationships in the adoption process; and System Dynamics to test spread of Health IT adoption. Our results show that integration of these three methods provides meaningful results, and a previously absent comprehensive framework for analysis of Health IT adoption.
Spectral RTL Test Generation for Microprocessors

We introduce a method of test generation for microprocessors at the RTL using spectral methods. Test vectors are generated for RTL faults, which are the stuck-at faults on inputs-outputs of the different modules/registers in the circuit, and the vectors are analyzed using Hadamard matrices for Walsh functions and the random noise level at each primary input. This information then helps generate vector sequences. At the gate-level, a fault simulator and an integer linear program (ILP) compact the test sequences. RTL test appraisal also helps reveal the hard-to-test parts of the circuit. An XOR observability tree was used to improve the testability of those parts. We give results for a simple accumulator-based processor named Parwan. The RTL spectral vectors produced higher coverage in shorter CPU times as compared to a gate-level ATPG
Bioinformatic Identification of Novel Elements Potentially Involved in Messenger RNA Fate Control During Spermatogenesis

In eukaryotic cells, 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of mRNA transcripts contain conserved sequence elements (motifs), which, once bound by RNA-binding proteins, can affect mRNA stability and translational efficacy. Despite abundant sequences contained within the 3′ UTRs, only a limited number of motifs are known to interact with RNA-binding proteins and have a role in mRNA fate control. Spermatogenesis represents an excellent in vivo model for studying posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression because numerous mRNAs are transcribed in late pachytene spermatocytes and/or round spermatids, but their translation will not occur until many hours or even days later, when they have developed into elongated spermatids, in which transcription has long been shut off because of the increasingly condensed chromatin. Translationally suppressed mRNAs are sequestered and confined to ribonuclear protein particles, and their loading onto the ribosomes marks their translation. By bioinformatic sequence analyses of the 3′ UTRs of translationally suppressed mRNAs during spermatogenesis, we identified numerous novel sequence elements overrepresented in the transcripts subject to posttranscriptional regulation than in the unregulated transcripts. These include AU(U/A)(U/A)UGAGU and (A/U)AUUA(U/C/G) for genes translationally upregulated in early spermiogenesis, and (G/A)GUACG(U/C/A)(A/U)(A/U) and UGUAGC for genes translationally upregulated in late spermiogenesis. The bioinformatic approach reported in this study can be adapted for rapid discovery of novel regulatory elements involved in mRNA fate control in a wide range of tissues or organs.
Air pollution and mortality : results from Santiago, Chile

Heavy outdoor pollution is found in developing country cities such as Jakarta, Katowice, Mexico City, and Santiago. But most epidemiological studies of dose-response relationships between particulate air pollution (PM10) and premature deaths are from Western industrial nations. This study of such relationships in developing countries by the authors fills an important gap. It is also one of the few based on monitored PM10 values, or small particles, which is likely to be a more relevant measure of exposure to air pollution than the more traditional measure of total suspended particulates. Over several years, daily measures of ambient PM10 were collected in Santiago. Data were collected for all deaths, as well as for deaths for all men, all women, and all people over 64. Deaths from respiratory and cardiovascular disease were recorded separately, and accidental deaths were excluded. Multiple regression analysis was used to explain mortality, with particular attention to the influence of season and temperature. The association persists after controlling for daily minimum temperature and binary variables indicating temperature extremes the day of the week, the month, and the year. Additional sensitivity analysis suggests robust relationships. A change equal to 10-microgram-per-cubic-meter in daily PM10 (about 9 percent) averaged over three days was associated with a 1.1 percent increase in mortality (95 percent confidence interval: 0.6 to 1.5 percent). Death from respiratory and cardiovascular disease was more responsive to changes in PM10 than total mortality was. The same holds for mortality among men and mortality among individuals older than 64. The results are surprising consistent with results from industrial countries.
Pharmacology of anticoagulants used in the treatment of venous thromboembolism

Anticoagulant drugs are the foundation of therapy for patients with VTE. While effective therapeutic agents, anticoagulants can also result in hemorrhage and other side effects. Thus, anticoagulant therapy selection should be guided by the risks, benefits and pharmacologic characteristics of each agent for each patient. Safe use of anticoagulants requires not only an in-depth knowledge of their pharmacologic properties but also a comprehensive approach to patient management and education. This paper will summarize the key pharmacologic properties of the anticoagulant agents used in the treatment of patients with VTE.
Mechanistic Insights into C–H Amination via Dicopper Nitrenes

We examine important reactivity pathways relevant to stoichiometric and catalytic C–H amination via isolable β-diketiminato dicopper alkylnitrene intermediates {[Cl2NN]Cu}2(μ-NR). Kinetic studies involving the stoichiometric amination of ethylbenzene by {[Cl2NN]Cu}2(μ-NtBu) (3) demonstrate that the terminal nitrene [Cl2NN]Cu═NtBu is the active intermediate in C–H amination. Initial rates exhibit saturation behavior at high ethylbenzene loadings and an inverse dependence on the copper species [Cl2NN]Cu, both consistent with dissociation of a [Cl2NN]Cu fragment from 3 prior to C–H amination. C–H amination experiments employing 1,4-dimethylcyclohexane and benzylic radical clock substrate support a stepwise H-atom abstraction/radical rebound pathway. Dicopper nitrenes [Cu]2(μ-NCHRR′) derived from 1° and 2° alkylazides are unstable toward tautomerization to copper(I) imine complexes [Cu](HN═CRR′), rendering 1° and 2° alkylnitrene complexes unsuitable for C–H amination.
Application of X-fluorescent energy spectrum apparatus to the measuring of thermal power plant

The analysis mechanism of X-fluorescent energy spectrum was introduced, and the conditions of collecting, processing spectrum and others during measuring the components of chemical compounds in fouling and ash sample was also discussed in the paper. The results were nearly accordance with the ones testing against the code of SD202-1986quick analysis method of fouling and corrosions, and using X-fluorescent energy spectrum apparatus could quickly measure the chemical contents of fouling and corrosions in thermal power plant, which made it possible to take measures to deal with it.
Graphene oxide functionalized polyethersulfone membrane to reduce organic fouling

Abstract Graphene-oxide can be used to modify a polymeric membrane surface to render the surface less susceptible to organic fouling. In this study, a three-step method is developed to covalently bind graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets onto a polyethersulfone (PES) support to create an ultrafiltration membrane that is resistant to organic fouling. First, amine functional groups are grafted onto a PES surface by UV-induced graft co-polymerization of allylamine monomer. Next, trimesoyl chloride (TMC, 0.2 wt% in hexane) and GO nanosheets (2, 4 and 6 wt% in anhydrous acetonitrile) are attached onto the polyallylamine modified membrane surface by spin coating, allowing covalent binding to take place between TMC and the amine functional group, and also between TMC and the hydroxyl or carboxylic functional groups of GO. Covalent bonding was confirmed by the emerging ester or anhydride peaks by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The GO membrane morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The molecular weight cut offs (MWCO) of the GO (2, 4 and 6 wt%) modified membranes were determined to be 380, 140, and 75 kDa respectively. The membrane with 4 wt% GO (PES-GO-4) was chosen for further study because it exhibited higher pure water flux and rejection than the other GO formulations. The PES-GO-4 membrane exhibited 2.6 times greater flux recovery than an unmodified PES-UF membrane of comparable MWCO. This method is a simple, effective way to create a robust, high flux UF membrane that is resistant to organic fouling. Such a membrane could be applied in water or wastewater treatment applications, such as pretreatment for reverse osmosis.
The Role of Sleep in the Relationship Between Victimization and Externalizing Problems in Adolescents

Victimization is linked to externalizing outcomes in adolescents and recent theorizing suggests that sleep plays a role in this relationship; however, there is little evidence examining sleep as a mediator. This study examines associations between victimization experiences and changes in aggression, delinquency, and drug use. Data were obtained from three waves of a school-based study with middle-school youth (n = 785; 55 % female; 20 % African American; M = 12.32, SD = .51 years at T1), and path analyses were used to test the key hypotheses. Analyses controlling for major life events, demographic factors, and school site revealed that victimization indirectly affected delinquency and drug use, but not aggression, through its relationship with sleep problems. Further, the effects of sleep problems on drug use were specific to females. These data suggest that intervening to address sleep problems resulting from victimization may serve to reduce some forms of externalizing behavior.
Differential expression of ORCC and CFTR induced by low temperature in CF airway epithelial cells

When nonepithelial cell types expressing the delta F508-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutation are grown at reduced temperatures, the mutant protein can be properly processed. The effect of low temperatures on Cl- channel activity in airway epithelial cells that endogenously express the delta F508-CFTR mutation has not been investigated. Therefore, we examined the effect of incubation temperature on both CFTR and outwardly rectifying Cl- channel (ORCC) activity in normal, in cystic fibrosis (CF)-affected, and in wild-type CFTR-complemented CF airway epithelia with use of a combination of inside-out and whole cell patch-clamp recording, 36Cl- efflux assays, and immunocytochemistry. We report that incubation of CF-affected airway epithelial cells at 25-27 degrees C is associated with the appearance of a protein kinase A-stimulated CFTR-like Cl- conductance. In addition to the appearance of CFTR Cl- channel activity, there is, however, a decrease in the number of active ORCC when cells are grown at 25-27 degrees C, suggesting that the decrease in incubation temperature may be associated with multiple alterations in ion channel expression and/or regulation in airway epithelial cells.
Values and Assumptions in Criminal Adjudication

This Response to Andrew Manuel Crespo's Systemic Facts: Toward Institutional Awareness in Criminal Courts proceeds in two Parts. In Part I, I argue that Crespo presents a compelling case for the importance of systemic factfinding to the task of criminal court judges. If, as a range of scholars has argued, criminal courts are increasingly serving a quasi-administrative function, then shouldn’t they at least be administrating accurately? Systemic Facts provides a novel account of how — with comparatively little institutional reform — courts might begin to serve as more effective administrators. However, in Part II, I also argue that Crespo’s account largely takes for granted the unmitigated benefit of more data and more information. I argue that Crespo’s account understates the indeterminacy of systemic facts and the ways in which data rely on interpreters and interpretations. To the extent our criminal justice system already suffers from the assumptions and biases of judges and other official actors, granting those same actors the ability to interpret a wealth of data or “facts” need not dictate a move toward greater justice or greater accuracy. Rather, it might allow the same actors to reach the same decisions, supported by the same underlying assumptions, but bolstered by a powerful new dataset. Ultimately, systemic factfinding might highlight the problems with criminal courts, but it would not necessarily provide a vehicle for reform or redress.
Use of plasma metabolomics at diagnosis to identify metabolic pathways associated with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) clearance: A pilot study

BackgroundKnowledge of metabolic pathways associated with clearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in TB disease may provide pathophysiologic insight and identify potential biomarkers. We used...
Exploring the Value of Information Delivered to Drivers

New IT functions have greatly increased the amount of in-car information delivered to drivers. Although valuable, that information can distract drivers when delivered during vehicle operation. By inferring driver state from sensor data, prior research has shown that it can accurately identify opportune moments to deliver information. Now that we know when to best deliver information, it raises the question: what information should we deliver at those interruptible moments? To answer this question, we conducted a series of surveys and interviews and compiled a list of representative in-car information items and context factors that affect the importance of these items. By combining and exploring those context factors, we identified driving situations when each of the in-car information items is highly valuable, and verified these situations through a large online survey of drivers. Lastly, we examined what technology is available for detecting these driving situations, and which situations require further advanced technologies for detection. Results from our study offer important insights for understanding the diversity of drivers’ experiences about the value of in-car information and the ability to determine situations in which this information is valuable to drivers. With these results, researchers can then build information delivery systems that can deliver information to drivers both when they are interruptible and when they find the information valuable.
Technologies of Seeing

Hatem N. Akil interrogates the use of visual difference as a false dichotomy between Islam and the West. Akil asks what happens when one “sees”? Is visual cognition a mental capacity that one uses to simply see whatever is in the field of vision? Or are there other faculties that are involved in the act of seeing? Akil attempts to tackle the question of whether we unconsciously revert to established cultural frames that tell us the meaning of what we perceive before we even see the thing. Are these frames embedded in optics or ideology? Do they tell us who we are? And who “Others” are? Akil proposes a theoretical framework to the understanding of how the perception of images actually functions within cross-cultural settings.
Prevalence of tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss in dentists.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate noise levels in dental offices and to estimate the risk and prevalence of tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in practicing dentists. Materials and Methods: First, measures were collected of sound pressure levels produced by dental handpieces and dental suction in the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) College of Dentistry. Second, a survey was distributed to members of the Oklahoma Dental Association (ODA). Results: Measurements made in the dental operatory revealed dangerous levels when high-volume suction was in use alone and in conjunction with a dental handpiece. Questionnaire results suggested that practicing dentists report sensorineural hearing loss at a rate broadly in line with national averages. However, dentists reported a higher prevalence of tinnitus symptoms than would be expected based on sample demographics. Conclusion: Results from sound level measurements and questionnaire responses indicate that dentists are a population that could be placing their hearing health at risk in a typical daily work environment.
Trans-kingdom small RNA transfer during host-pathogen interactions: The case of P. falciparum and erythrocytes.

This review focuses on the role of trans-kingdom movement of small RNA (sRNA) molecules between parasites, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, and their respective host cells. While the intercellul...
Computational Study of Oxidation of Guanine by Singlet Oxygen (1Δg) and Formation of Guanine:Lysine Cross‐Links

Oxidation of guanine in the presence of lysine can lead to guanine-lysine cross-links. The ratio of the C4, C5 and C8 crosslinks depends on the manner of oxidation. Type II photosensitizers such as Rose Bengal and methylene blue can generate singlet oxygen, which leads to a different ratio of products than oxidation by type I photosensitizers or by one electron oxidants. Modeling reactions of singlet oxygen can be quite challenging. Reactions have been explored using CASSCF, NEVPT2, DFT, CCSD(T), and BD(T) calculations with SMD implicit solvation. The spin contamination in open-shell calculations were corrected by Yamaguchi's approximate spin projection method. The addition of singlet oxygen to guanine to form guanine endo- peroxide proceeds step-wise via a zwitterionic peroxyl intermediate. The subsequent barrier for ring closure is smaller than the initial barrier for singlet oxygen addition. Ring opening of the endoperoxide by protonation at C4-O is followed by loss of a proton from C8 and dehydration to produce 8-oxoGox . The addition of lysine (modelled by methylamine) or water across the C5=N7 double bond of 8-oxoGox is followed by acyl migration to form the final spiro products. The barrier for methylamine addition is significantly lower than for water addition and should be the dominant reaction channel. These results are in good agreement with the experimental results for the formation of guanine-lysine cross-links by oxidation by type II photosensitizers.
Quantitating pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in KRAS-mutated versus nonmutated lung cancers.

7014 Background: Trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) have demonstrated that pathologic response correlates with downstaging and survival. There is controversy ...
Civil War & the Current International System

This essay sketches an explanation for the global spread of civil war up to the early 1990s and the partial recession since then, arguing that some of the decline is likely due to policy responses ...
Direct and boundary-only solutions of multilayer aquifer systems, Part B. Unsteady-state solution

Abstract In recent years, the boundary integral element method (BIEM) has been widely used in the area of groundwater modeling. This method which is based on the Green's theorem, has a variety of advantages over domain methods. The earlier applications of the BIEM to multilayer aquifer problems were made using iterative procedures. Iterative methods are usually slower than the direct solutions and are prone to errors due to their biased convergence criteria definitions. In the study presented here a noniterative boundary integral equation formulation (NIBIEM) for multilayer aquifer systems is developed. Further, this formulation is combined with the secondary reduction boundary element formulation (SR-BEM) to reduce the computation to a boundary only form. Numerical examples are included to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed formulation in application to classical multilayer aquifer problems.
Three Dimensional Stimulus Source for Pattern Electroretinography in Mid- and Far-peripheral Retina.

Purpose The pattern electroretinogram (pERG) response reflects, in part, ganglion cell function. However, probing retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function in the mid- and far peripheral retina is difficult with conventional flat-panel pERG stimulus sources. A pattern stimulus source is presented for probing the peripheral retina. Peripheral pERG (ppERG) responses were evaluated versus luminance, reversal rate, and field subtended, and were compared with conventional pERG in healthy eyes. Methods Eleven normally-sighted subjects were recruited. A hemispherical surface was used to present a reversing checkerboard pattern to the peripheral retina, from approximately 35° to 85° of visual field, in all directions. Responses to stimuli presented to peripheral field sectors (superior, nasal, inferior, temporal) were also recorded. Conventional pERG responses were recorded on the same day. Amplitudes and implicit times of waveform peaks were evaluated. Results Robust pERG responses from peripheral retina resemble conventional pERG responses but with shorter implicit times and reduced positive component. Responses to high-luminance patterns include high-frequency components resembling flash ERG oscillatory potentials. Negative response component amplitudes increased with increasing pattern luminance, and decreased with increasing reversal rate. Conclusions Peripheral-field pERG responses are robust and repeatable; the unique response properties reflect differences between central and peripheral retina. Field-sector response ratios can be used to probe for sectoral dysfunction associated with disease. Translational relevance The ppERG approach provides direct measurement of proximal retinal function beyond the fields probed by conventional perimetry and pERG, providing access to a relatively under studied part of the retina relevant to early stage glaucoma.
A Helping Hand: The Case for Volunteerism

Medical professionals are often regarded as influential community figures, yet their actual civic engagement may not match these expectations. Physicians certainly have a commitment to their own patients, but principles of medical ethics and professionalism suggest that physicians are also responsible for treating patients who lack access to care. Physician volunteerism is beneficial for entire communities, but can be particularly transformative for uninsured, underinsured, or geographically isolated patients. Volunteerism also yields countless benefits for physicians themselves, including professional development, skill building, and reduction of burnout. Despite evidence for the positive results of volunteerism, some physicians are discouraged by the time commitments, working conditions, and ethical controversies. Yet for interested physicians, diverse opportunities exist in medical and nonmedical activities and domestic and international areas.
Membrane Gas Separations—Why and How

Significant advances are being made in the areas of membrane fabrication and packaging, and as a result it is reasonable to expect an increasing number of commercial membrane gas separation processes will be available. Therefore process engineers need to have an understanding of this area. To this end, the subjects to be covered in this chapter are: (1). An analysis showing how the basic process variables of pressure difference across the membrane, pressure ratio across the membrane, and membrane thickness determine system performance. (2) A discussion of available types of membranes, and membrane packages. (3) An introduction to carrier transport membranes. This is a new class of membranes, not yet commercially available, which promises much high er performance than conventional polymeric membranes.
Replication strategies of the single stranded RNA viruses of eukaryotes.

Our knowledge of the molecular biology of virus replication has expanded dramatically in the last few years, especially with the advent of rapid techniques for obtaining the nucleotide sequence of viral genomes. Full or partial sequences of virus genomes are appearing monthly, and it seems appropriate at this time to review the subject of the strategies used for replication by RNA animal viruses in the hope of formulating a conceptual framework in which to organize the new sequence information. This chapter will be concerned with the single-stranded RNA viruses which replicate via RNA intermediates and will focus on the animal viruses, but selected plant viruses whose replication strategies are known will also be discussed. The primary topics will be RNA transcription (the production of virus-specific messages), RNA replication (synthesis of viral genomes), and mRNA translation (synthesis and processing of viral proteins).
What Is a Reference Source

ABSTRACTReference is the balance of employing a process to use materials to locate information. A key feature of teaching reference is to help students understand what a reference source is. This column introduces the dilemma of that seemingly easy task. It includes examples of course assignments to aid in that effort.
The association of IVC filter placement with the incidence of postoperative pulmonary embolism following laparoscopic bariatric surgery: an analysis of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Project.

Abstract Background Venous thromboembolism, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality after bariatric surgery. Inferior vena cava filters (IVCFs) have been used as a method to reduce the incidence of clinically significant PEs after bariatric surgery. Objectives To compare the incidence of postoperative PEs in patients with IVCFs with those in patients without IVCFs at the time of bariatric surgery. Setting American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. Methods All patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy from 2015 to 2016 were identified within the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program database. Patients with an IVCF present at the time of surgery were compared with those patients without an IVCF present at the time of surgery with respect to preoperative patient variables, operative variables, incidence of 30-day PE, deep venous thrombosis, and additional 30-day morbidity and mortality. Results A total of 286,704 patients met the inclusion criteria; 2512 (.9%) patients had an IVCF present at the time of surgical intervention, of which 1747 (69.5%) were placed within 30 days of bariatric surgery. Patients with an IVCF were higher-risk patients as determined by previously established risk factors for venous thromboembolism events. When a subgroup matched analysis using variables associated with the risk of venous thromboembolism events was performed looking at higher-risk patients only, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of PE based on the presence of an IVCF. Conclusion IVCFs are being selectively placed in higher-risk patients. Despite their selective use, IVCFs do not appear to have a protective benefit with respect to the incidence of postoperative PE events.
Orthogonal polynomial expansions for the Riemann xi function

We study infinite series expansions for the Riemann xi function $\Xi(t)$ in three specific families of orthogonal polynomials: (1) the Hermite polynomials; (2) the symmetric Meixner-Pollaczek polynomials $P_n^{(3/4)}(x;\pi/2)$; and (3) the continuous Hahn polynomials $p_n\left(x; \frac34,\frac34,\frac34,\frac34\right)$. The first expansion was discussed in earlier work by Turan, and the other two expansions are new. For each of the three expansions, we derive formulas for the coefficients, show that they appear with alternating signs, derive formulas for their asymptotic behavior, and derive additional interesting properties and relationships. We also apply some of the same techniques to prove a new asymptotic formula for the Taylor coefficients of the Riemann xi function. Our results continue and expand the program of research initiated in the 1950s by Turan, who proposed using the Hermite expansion of the Riemann xi function as a tool to gain insight into the location of the Riemann zeta zeros. We also uncover a connection between Turan's ideas and the separate program of research involving the so-called De Bruijn-Newman constant. Most significantly, the phenomena associated with the new expansions in the Meixner-Pollaczek and continuous Hahn polynomial families suggest that those expansions may be even more natural tools than the Hermite expansion for approaching the Riemann hypothesis and related questions.
Generation of Quiescent Cardiac Fibroblasts From Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for In Vitro Modeling of Cardiac Fibrosis.

Rationale: Activated fibroblasts are the major cell type that secretes excessive extracellular matrix in response to injury, contributing to pathological fibrosis and leading to organ failure. Effe...
Applications and Future Directions for Population Transcriptomics in Marine Invertebrates

RNA-sequencing has provided a new way to study transcriptomic population differences of non-model organisms such as marine invertebrates. Importantly, population transcriptomics can provide insight regarding the genetic mechanisms that allow some populations to tolerate various environmental stressors in this era of climate change. Such studies can help us predict future population dynamics and species survival for marine invertebrates of ecological and economic value. Here, I review practical considerations for marine invertebrate researchers using RNA-sequencing, recent applications of population transcriptomics in marine invertebrates, current limitations of this approach, and future areas of study. Recent marine invertebrate studies have examined population-specific responses to abiotic stressors including temperature, salinity, pH, and water quality. Populations tolerant of environmental stressors generally show high constitutive gene expression before stress exposure and a muted overall transcriptional response following stress exposure. Evidence for molecular signatures of selection on several genes including ATP synthase and aquaporins has been identified in marine invertebrate populations exposed to broad temperature regimes. At present, the genetic mechanisms underlying individual variation within a population and the transcriptome response to multiple environmental stressors remain poorly understood. Complete assessment of marine invertebrate population responses to climate change will require pairing RNA-sequencing approaches with complementary phenotype studies. Improvements in transcriptome annotation and future work investigating gene expression regulation will lead to an increased understanding of the genes responsible for population-level tolerance to environmental stressors.