cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hyperpolarizabilities for Hartree-Fock Atoms

A fully coupled Hartree-Fock variational method is used to calculate the hyperpolarizability of the He, Be, Ne, and Ar atoms. In these calculations the hyperpolarizability is inferred from the electric moment induced in the atoms for various finite values of the external static electric field. A formulation of the problem and the justification for the methods used is given. The nonlinear parameters of all the wave functions used in these calculations are presented along with a convergence test for the wave function of the helium atom. The nuclear dipole shielding factor, polarizability, and hyperpolarizability are tabulated for these atoms and the results are discussed and compared with previous theoretical and experimental results.
Zone content classification and its performance evaluation

We present an improved zone content classification method and its performance evaluation. We added two new features to the feature vector from one previously published method (Sivaramakrishnan et al., 1995). We assumed different independence relationships in two zone sets. We used an optimized binary decision tree to estimate the maximum zone content class probability in one set while using the Viterbi algorithm to find the optimal solution for a zone sequence in the other set. The training, pruning and testing data set for the algorithm include 1,600 images drawn from the UWCDROM III document image database. The classifier is able to classify each given scientific and technical document zone into one of the nine classes, 2 text classes (of font size 4 - 18pt and font size 19 - 32 pt), math, table, halftone, map/drawing, ruling, logo, and others. Compared with our previous work (Wang et al., 2000), it raised the accuracy rate to 98.52% from 97.53% and reduced the mean false alarm rate to 0.53% from 1.26%.
Pegylated Alpha Interferon Is an Effective Treatment for Virulent Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus and Has Profound Effects on the Host Immune Response to Infection

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a highly infectious alphavirus endemic in parts of Central and South America. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, and the natural reservoir is the small rodent population, with epidemics occurring in horses and occasionally humans. Following infection, VEEV replicates in lymphoid tissues prior to invasion of the central nervous system. Treatment of VEEV-infected BALB/c mice with polyethylene glycol-conjugated alpha interferon (PEG IFN-α) results in a greatly enhanced survival from either a subcutaneous or an aerosol infection. Virus is undetectable within PEG IFN-α-treated individuals by day 30 postinfection (p.i.). Treatment results in a number of changes to the immune response characteristics normally associated with VEEV infection. Increased macrophage activation occurs in PEG IFN-α-treated BALB/c mice infected with VEEV. The rapid activation of splenic CD4, CD8, and B cells by day 2 p.i. normally associated with VEEV infection is absent in PEG IFN-α-treated mice. The high tumor necrosis factor alpha production by macrophages from untreated mice is greatly diminished in PEG IFN-α-treated mice. These results suggest key immunological mechanisms targeted by this lethal alphavirus that can be modulated by prolonged exposure to IFN-α.
Struct2Net: a web service to predict protein–protein interactions using a structure-based approach

Struct2Net is a web server for predicting interactions between arbitrary protein pairs using a structure-based approach. Prediction of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) is a central area of interest and successful prediction would provide leads for experiments and drug design; however, the experimental coverage of the PPI interactome remains inadequate. We believe that Struct2Net is the first community-wide resource to provide structure-based PPI predictions that go beyond homology modeling. Also, most web-resources for predicting PPIs currently rely on functional genomic data (e.g. GO annotation, gene expression, cellular localization, etc.). Our structure-based approach is independent of such methods and only requires the sequence information of the proteins being queried. The web service allows multiple querying options, aimed at maximizing flexibility. For the most commonly studied organisms (fly, human and yeast), predictions have been pre-computed and can be retrieved almost instantaneously. For proteins from other species, users have the option of getting a quick-but-approximate result (using orthology over pre-computed results) or having a full-blown computation performed. The web service is freely available at http://struct2net.csail.mit.edu.
Label-free multi-photon imaging of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus.

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a metaplastic disorder where dysplastic and early cancerous changes are invisible to the naked eye and where the practice of blind biopsy is hampered by large sampling errors. Multi-photon microscopy (MPM) has emerged as an alternative solution for fast and label-free diagnostic capability for identifying the histological features with sub-micron accuracy. We developed a compact, inexpensive MPM system by using a handheld mode-locked fiber laser operating at 1560nm to study mucosal biopsies of BE. The combination of back-scattered THG, back-reflected forward THG and SHG signals generate images of cell nuclei and collagen, leading to label-free diagnosis in Barrett’s.
Preparing for a Post-Kyoto World: Framing Climate Change in 2009

With the treaty to replace the soon-to-expire Kyoto Protocol expected to be adopted in Copenhagen in December 2009, and climate legislation expected to be considered in the U.S., various actors are vying to frame the issue of climate change for the American public at the end of 2009. This paper examines New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Associated Press coverage of climate change in the last four months of 2009, describing the frames presented, analyzing the actors promoting the frames, and assessing the prevalence of those frames. This paper will be useful in understanding the political struggle taking place over whether to address the issue of climate change, and what should be done, in light of the upcoming decision points on the issue.
Arguments over Intuitions

Deutsch 2010 (The Review of Philosophy and Psychology 1: 447–460) claims that hypothetical scenarios are evaluated using arguments, not intuitions, and therefore experiments on intuitions are philosophically inconsequential. Using the Gettier case as an example, he identifies three arguments that are supposed to point to the right response to the case. In the paper, I present the results of studies ran on Polish, Indian, Spanish, and American participants that suggest that there’s no deep difference between evaluating the Gettier case with intuitions and evaluating it with Deutsch’s arguments. Specifically, I argue that one would find these arguments persuasive if and only if one is already disposed to exhibit the relevant intuition.
Placing memories in context: Hippocampal representations promote retrieval of appropriate memories

Returning to a familiar context triggers retrieval of relevant memories, making memories from other contexts less likely to intrude and cause interference. We investigated the physiology that underlies the use of context to prevent interference by recording hippocampal neurons while rats learned two conflicting sets of discrimination problems, either in the same context or in two distinct contexts. Rats that learned the conflicting problem sets in the same context maintained similar neural representations, and performed poorly because conflicting memories interfered with new learning. In contrast, rats that learned in different contexts formed distinct ensemble representations and performed significantly better. We also measured trial-to-trial variation in representations and found that hippocampal activity was directly linked with performance: on trials where an old representation was active, rats were far more likely to make errors. These results show that the formation of distinct hippocampal representations is critical for contextually appropriate memory retrieval. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Maternal phthalate exposure during pregnancy is associated with DNA methylation of LINE-1 and Alu repetitive elements in Mexican-American children

Abstract Phthalates are frequently used in personal care products and plasticizers and phthalate exposure is ubiquitous in the US population. Exposure to phthalates during critical periods in utero has been associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes but the biological mechanisms linking these exposures with disease are not well characterized. In this study, we examined the relationship of in utero phthalate exposure with repetitive element DNA methylation, an epigenetic marker of genome instability, in children from the longitudinal birth cohort CHAMACOS. Methylation of Alu and long interspersed nucleotide elements ( LINE-1 ) was determined using pyrosequencing of bisulfite-treated DNA isolated from whole blood samples collected from newborns and 9 year old children (n=355). Concentrations of eleven phthalate metabolites were measured in urine collected from pregnant mothers at 13 and 26 weeks gestation. We found a consistent inverse association between prenatal concentrations of monoethyl phthalate, the most frequently detected urinary metabolite, with cord blood methylation of Alu repeats (β(95%CI): −0.14 (−0.28,0.00) and −0.16 (−0.31, −0.02)) for early and late pregnancy, respectively, and a similar but weaker association with LINE-1 methylation. Additionally, increases in urinary concentrations of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate metabolites during late pregnancy were associated with lower levels of methylation of Alu repeats in 9 year old blood (significant p -values ranged from 0.003 to 0.03). Our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to some phthalates may influence differences in repetitive element methylation, highlighting epigenetics as a plausible biological mechanism through which phthalates may affect health.
An Integrated Introduction to Engineering Mechanics: A Continuum Approach

The essence of continuum mechanics, the internal response of materials to external loading, is often obscured by the complex mathematics of its formulation. Rather than introducing solid and fluid behavior as two distinct fields and waiting for an advanced course to demonstrate the mathematical connections between them, we have developed an integrated introduction to both fields. We will discuss the eight-year history of this course at Harvey Mudd and Lafayette Colleges, and the course materials we have developed. This one semester course covers material typically spread over several courses, including statics, strength of materials, and introductory fluid mechanics. We posit a spectrum of material behavior that has Hookean solids at one extreme, and Newtonian fluids at the other, with many interesting combinations (e.g. biomaterials, viscoelastic materials) in between. By building progressively from one-dimensional to higher dimension formulations, we are able to make continuum concepts such as the Cartesian stress tensor accessible to early undergraduate students. From this gradual development of ideas, with many illustrative case studies interspersed, students develop both physical intuition for how engineering materials behave, and the mathematical techniques needed to describe this behavior. We will discuss the rewards and challenges of introducing continuum mechanics early in the curriculum.© 2008 ASME
The heart rate response to atropine in uremic patients, obese subjects before and during fasting, and patients with other chronic illnesses.

SummaryAtropine sensitivity was tested in uremic patients by measuring the heart rate response to four 0.24 mg doses given intravenously at 3-min intervals following a control period. Four groups were studied: 7 healthy volunteers, 8 obese patients before and during starvation, 8 uremics, and 7 chronically ill nonuremic patients. The uremic patients had a flat dose-response curve. Their lack of bradycardia following low dosage and decreased acceleration following large dosage suggest that either vagal function is impaired or that their pacemaker cells have decreased sensitivity to acetylcholine.
Comparison of Rank-Order and Paired-Comparison Methods for Measuring Value Systems:

This study compared the rank-order and paired-comparison methods of measuring terminal and instrumental values. It was hypothesized that the paired-comparison method would yield higher test-retest reliabilities than the rank-order method. 30 undergraduates were given a paired-comparison scale for 18 terminal and 18 instrumental values, and retested 5 wk. later. The results showed that the paired-comparison method yielded a higher reliability only for the terminal values.
Simulation Analysis on Evolution History of Haizi and Groundwater in the Sand Beach Area of Jingbian

The article is based on analysis of the use of water from1957 to 2008 in the studied area,according to the studied result,make a numerical simulation of the evolution history of Haizi and Groundwater,we found directly the exploitation of water resources and climate factors that influence the local residences and ecological environment.Because of over-used groundwater resources,the vegetation is death,land desertification,residence lives we can know the evolutionary history of the Hai Zi and the groundwater in the study area which can clarify the environmental effects caused by exploring the water and climate change.
Analysis of farm tourism feasibility in Pu'er,City——Leisure and sightseeing agriculture taking tea culture as the dominating mode

The advantages,problems and countermeasures in developing farm tourism in Pu'er,Yunnan are elaborated,and it is concluded that it belongs to the leisure and sightseeing agriculture taking tea culture trip as the dominating mode.
Based on the Breeding Aim of Waxy Maize to Discuss the Breeding of Waxy Maize Inbred Lines

Based on the demands of market and variety authorizations for waxy maize,analyzes about breeding aim was given in this article.According to different breeding aim,methods of improving inbred waxy maize were discussed "integrated improvement of planting method" is to improve quality of waxy maize and "backcross method of improvement" is to improve the yield.New ways of breeding varieties of multi-used are also advanced.
Trends for Spine Surgery for the Elderly: Implications for Access to Healthcare in North America.

The proportion of the population over age 65 in the United States continues to increase over time, from 12% in 2000 to a projected 20% by 2030. There is an associated rise in the prevalence of degenerative spinal disorders with this aging population. This will lead to an increase in demand for both nonsurgical and surgical treatment for these disabling conditions, which will stress an already overburdened healthcare system. Utilization of spinal procedures and services has grown considerably. Comparing 1999 to 2009, lumbar epidural steroid injections have increased by nearly 900 000 procedures performed per year, while physical therapy evaluations have increased by nearly 1.4 million visits per year. We review the literature regarding the cost-effectiveness of spinal surgery compared to conservative treatment. Decompressive lumbar spinal surgery has been shown to be cost-effective in several studies, while adult spinal deformity surgery has higher total cost per quality-adjusted life year gained in the short term. With an aging population and unsustainable healthcare costs, we may be faced with a shortfall of beneficial spine care as demand for spinal surgery in our elderly population continues to rise. QALY, quality-adjusted life year
Physicians’ role in the debate on polarizing medical topics

The debate over the rights of the unborn has been part of the medical community since the beginning of the medical profession (Markel 2004). With the evolution of customs, morals, and culture, the ...
The Profitability of slavery as a system

What was the impact of slavery on the southern economy as a whole? Did it retard the growth of towns? What was the level of industrialization in the South? If low, can it be blamed on the slave institution? How important was the South's slave economy to America's economic growth during the antebellum period? Were abolitionists correct in their charge that slavery retarded not just the South but America generally? This chapter considers these larger questions, which speak to the profitability of slavery as a system, in detail. Industrialization and urbanization Relative to agricultural cotton production, industry and urban areas were always of secondary importance to the Old South. They were, as one historian has rightly pointed out, exceptions to the southern rule (Parish, 1989). Southern cities, after all, were few and far between and only 13 southern towns had a population of 10,000 or more inhabitants on the eve of the Civil War, with most of these in the border states and around the coast. Peripheral, industrial, and urban growth in the Old South have attracted considerable attention because analyses of industrialization and urbanization during slavery help answer some important questions: Were the exceptions to the norms of the slave South signs of flexibility, adaptability, and potential for growth and development – or at least useful safety valves for a tension-ridden society – or did they constitute a series of threats to both the efficiency and the stability of the system? In other words, were they a sign of weakness or a source of strength? (Parish, 1989, p. 98)
Strain Echocardiography and Functional Capacity in Asymptomatic Primary Mitral Regurgitation With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Abstract Background The potential additive utility of baseline resting left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and exercise stress testing in risk stratification of patients with significant mitral regurgitation (MR) has not been studied. Objectives The goal of this study was to determine whether resting LV-GLS and exercise testing provide incremental prognostic utility in asymptomatic patients with ≥3+ primary MR and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Methods Between 2000 and 2011, resting and exercise echocardiography data, Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) scores, and death were recorded in 737 patients (mean age 58 ± 13 years; 68% men). Results Coronary artery disease and flail leaflet were seen in 10% and 28% of patients, respectively. STS score, resting left ventricular ejection fraction, mitral effective regurgitant orifice, resting right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), exercise metabolic equivalents (METs), and percentage of age-/sex-predicted METs were 1.5 ± 1%, 62 ± 2%, 0.45 ± 0.2 cm2, 31 ± 12 mm Hg, 9.8 ± 3, and 115 ± 27, respectively. Median LV-GLS was –21.7%. Within 3 months (interquartile range: 1 to 15 months), 65% underwent mitral valve surgery. At 8.3 ± 3 years, 64 (9%) patients died (0% 30-day post-operative deaths). On multivariable Cox survival analysis, higher STS score (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.14), more abnormal resting LV-GLS (HR: 1.60), higher baseline RVSP (HR: 1.35), and lower percentage of age-/sex-predicted METs (HR: 1.13) were associated with higher mortality, whereas mitral valve surgery (HR: 0.82) was associated with improved survival (all p Conclusions Reduced exercise capacity and worsening resting LV-GLS were associated with mortality, providing additive prognostic utility.
Membrane-Initiated Effects of Estrogen in the Central Nervous System

It is well known that many of the actions of estrogen in the central nervous system are mediated via intracellular receptor/transcription factors that interact with steroid response elements on target genes. However, there now exists compelling evidence for membrane steroid receptors for estrogen in hypothalamic and other brain neurons. But, it is not well understood how estrogen signals via membrane receptors, and how these signals impact not only membrane excitability but also gene transcription in neurons. Indeed, it has been known for sometime that estrogen can rapidly alter neuronal activity within seconds, indicating that some cellular effects can occur via membrane delimited events. In addition, estrogen can affect second messenger systems, including calcium mobilization and a plethora of kinases to alter cell signaling. Therefore, this chapter considers our current knowledge of rapid membrane-initiated and intracellular signaling by estrogen in the brain, the nature of receptors involved, and how they contribute to homeostatic functions.
Integrating Emerging Data Into Clinical Practice: A Case-Based Approach for Multiple Myeloma.

Selected Patient Cases From the APSHO Regional Lecture SeriesINTRODUCTION As the official publication of the Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology (APSHO), JADPRO is pleased to offer Part 2 of an accredited educational activity based on the recently concluded APSHO Regional Lecture Series. Hosted in collaboration with major cancer centers around the country, the APSHO Regional Lecture Series brought case-based didactic presentations and skills workshops to advanced practitioners. In the spirit of JADPRO, three accredited Grand Rounds articles by Beth Eaby-Sandy, MSN, CRNP, OCN® (non-small cell lung cancer) and Sandra Kurtin, PhDc, ANP-C, AOCN® (multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia)-program chairs for the regional lecture series-offer the same practice-changing information and strategies for advanced practitioners. In this Grand Rounds article, program chair Sandra Kurtin gives a comprehensive overview of the most recent developments in multiple myeloma research from the 2016 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and clinical insight in the management of patients with this disease. You can read Part 1 in the March 2017 issue of JADPRO or online at advancedpractitioner.com, and be sure to keep an eye out for Part 3 in a future issue of JADPRO. Check out apsho.org/lectures for information on registering for upcoming JADPRO Regional Lectures this year at a location near you.
Neurointerfaces: Learning by Genetic Algorithms

ABSTRACT This article aims at showing how Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Vector Quantization (VQ) can be applied to the training of neurointerfaces. The GA in combination with a vector-quantized neuron model are used to train a neurointerface that helps a human operator to back up a scale model truck connected in a single-trailer configuration
Comparing appropriateness and equivalence of email interviews to phone interviews in qualitative research on reproductive decisions

Abstract Background Despite an increasing use of qualitative email interviews by nurse researchers, there is little understanding about the appropriateness and equivalence of email interviews to other qualitative data collection methods, especially on sensitive topics research. Purpose The purpose is to describe our procedures for completing asynchronous, email interviews and to evaluate the appropriateness and equivalency of email interviews to phone interviews in two qualitative research studies that examined reproductive decisions. Methods Content analysis guided the methodological appraisal of appropriateness and equivalency of in-depth, asynchronous email interviews to single phone interviews. Appropriateness was determined by: (a) participants' willingness to engage in email or phone interviews, (b) completing data collection in a timely period, and (c) participants' satisfaction with the interview. Equivalency was evaluated by: (a) completeness of the interview data, and (b) insight obtained from the data. Results Of the combined sample in the two studies (N = 71), 31% of participants chose to participate via an email interview over a phone interview. The time needed to complete the email interviews averaged 27 to 28 days and the number of investigator probe-participant response interchanges was 4 to 5 cycles on average. In contrast, the phone interviews averaged 59 to 61 min in duration. Most participants in both the email and phone interviews reported they were satisfied or very satisfied with their ability to express their true feelings throughout the interview. Regarding equivalence, 100% of the email and phone interviews provided insight into decision processes. Although insightful, two of the email and one phone interview had short answers or, at times, underdeveloped responses. Participants' quotes and behaviors cited within four published articles, a novel evaluation of equivalency, revealed that 20% to 37.5% of the citations about decision processes were from email participants, which is consistent with the percent of email participants. Conclusions In-depth, asynchronous email interviews were appropriate and garnered rich, insightful data that augmented the phone interviews. Awareness of the procedures, appropriateness, and nuances when carrying out email interviews on sensitive topics may provide nurse researchers with the ability to obtain thick, rich data that can best advance clinical practice and direct future research.
A comparison of anticonvulsant efficacy and action mechanism of Mannitol vs Phenytoin in adult rat neocortical slices

Abstract We show that, in adult rat neocortical slices, an anticonvulsant effect comparable to that of Phenytoin can be obtained through a Mannitol-induced increase in extracellular osmolarity of only 30 mOsm/L. The anticonvulsant action of extracellular hyperosmolarity has been known for decades but has not found a feasible therapeutic application, yet. A 30 mOsm/L increase in extracellular osmolarity is already utilized in neurocritical care though not as an anticonvulsant agent: the data suggest a possible effective anticonvulsant use, too, in this setting. We used multiple electrode arrays to characterize and compare the anticonvulsant mechanisms of Mannitol and Phenytoin. Phenytoin decreased the voltage, duration and spatial spread of rhythmic repetitive, ictal-like activity. In contrast, Mannitol did not significantly affect voltage, duration and spatial spread of rhythmic repetitive, ictal-like activity but rather it inhibited the rate of epileptiform discharges.
ICESat-derived lithospheric flexure as caused by an endorheic lake’s expansion on the Tibetan Plateau and the comparison to modeled flexural responses

Abstract A substantial and rapid expansion beginning in the late 1990s of Siling Co, the largest endorheic lake on the central Tibetan Plateau (TP), has caused a measurable lithospheric deflection in the region adjacent to the lake. Current broad-scale measuring of this flexural response is mainly derived from InSAR processing techniques or time-consuming field campaigns. The rheological constraints of the lithosphere from the underlying lithospheric response to large lake loads in this region are not well understood. This paper highlights a more efficient spaceborne LiDAR remote sensing technique to measure the deflection in the vicinity of Siling Co and to investigate the mechanisms of the observed lithospheric response in order to garner a better understanding of the local rheology. A lake-adjacent deflection rate and Siling Co water load variations are calculated utilizing the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) onboard NASA’s Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) and the joint NASA/USGS Landsat series of Earth observing satellites. A downward deflection rate of ∼5.6 mm/yr for the first 4 km of lake-adjacent land is calculated from the GLAS instrument, and this response is compared to the flexural outputs from a spherically symmetric, non-rotating, elastic, and isotropic (SNREI) Earth model in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the lithospheric response to the rapid increase of Siling Co loads. The modeled elastic response is ∼6.9 times lower than the GLAS derived flexure, thereby providing further evidence that a purely elastic lithospheric response cannot explain the deflection in this region. The relationship between the modeled elastic response and the GLAS derived flexure is applied to a long-term lake load change dataset to create the longest-running flexural response curve as caused by the last ∼40 years of Siling Co load variations, and these results show an accumulated lake-adjacent flexure of ∼12.6 cm from an overall lake load increase of 25.9 Gt. Our findings help to provide a better understanding of the lithospheric response to the recent expansion of Siling Co by introducing a new spaceborne laser altimeter derived technique to measure surface deformation caused by an extreme case of hydrologic loading.
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: Justice Behind Propaganda

This chapter is the first of four case studies into the post-war judicial ramifications of the Arajs Kommando’s crimes. A great volume of reliable data was accumulated by the investigations, conducted by the Soviets between 1944 and 1967, of some 356 captured men of the Kommando. However, in public, a related but partly falsified official history was substituted and periodically adjusted by the Communist Party for purposes of political utility according to the times, alternately minimizing or amplifying Latvian collaboration in the interest of domestic cohesion or anti-Western agitprop. Thus, paradoxically, while responsible for investigating and punishing the greatest number of Arajs Kommando perpetrators, the USSR also did the most to distort the historical truth of the Holocaust in Latvia.
Linking Natural Oil Seeps from the Gulf of Mexico to Their Origin by Use of Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

We report chemical characterization of natural oil seeps from the Gulf of Mexico by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and Gas Chromatography/Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (GC/APCI-MS), to highlight how FT-ICR MS can also be employed as a means to determine petroleum connectivity, in addition to traditional GC/MS techniques. The source of petroleum is the Green Canyon (GC) 600 lease block in the Gulf of Mexico. Within GC600, two natural oil seepage zones, Mega Plume and Birthday Candles, continuously release hydrocarbons and develop persistent oil slicks at the sea surface above them. We chemically trace the petroleum from the surface oil slicks to the Mega Plume seep itself, and further to a petroleum reservoir 5 km away in lease block GC645 (Holstein Reservoir). We establish the connectivity between oil samples and confirm a common geological origin for the oil slicks, oil seep, and reservoir oil. The ratios of seven common petroleum biom...
Nitrogen-rich compounds constitute an increasing proportion of organic matter with depth in Oi-Oe-Oa-A horizons of temperate forests

Abstract Soil organic matter (SOM) in O horizons of temperate forests forms a natural gradient of increasing decomposition, as operationally separated into the Oi (leaf litter), Oe (partially decomposed), and Oa (highly decomposed) sub-horizons. This study determines the contribution of extractable nitrogen (N)-rich biomolecules and characterizes changes in SOM composition within O horizon decomposition gradients and in underlying A horizons of three temperate forest stands. Four biomolecules were chosen for this investigation: chlorophyll, protein, DNA, and chitin; combined, they represent the majority of identifiable N-rich organic compound classes present in soils. Selective chemical extractions and purification methods provide estimates of concentrations of each distinct biomolecule class, while short-term respiration measurements provide insight into possible relationships with microbial activity. Changes in the molecular character of SOM are probed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Carbon K-edge X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (C-XANES) spectroscopies. Differences in biomolecule concentrations and respiration by horizon reveal two contrasting trends with increasing decomposition and depth: chlorophyll and respiration decrease, whereas protein, DNA and chitin increase. Increasing contribution of these three extractable N-rich biomolecules with progressive decomposition and depth at all sites correspond to decreasing concentrations of C and N and to increases in C:N ratio. These trends are consistent with FTIR spectral results, which indicate a relative increase of N H bending and aromatic C N vibrations, and with C-XANES spectral results, which show a relative increase of aromatic C N transitions. These multiple lines of evidence demonstrate that extractable N-rich biomolecules constitute a growing proportion of the organic C and N content within an organic matter decomposition gradient and that this trend continues into the underlying mineral soil. We posit that the persistence of these intact N-containing biomolecules represents a growing contribution from the microbial biomass pool, but also from non-specific interactions among biomolecules in the Oe and Oa horizons and from biomolecule-mineral interactions in mineral soils. The results of this investigation (increases in the proportion of extractable N-rich biomolecules) also provide valuable insight into the potential bioavailability and biochemical structure of SOM in relation to degree of decomposition.
The Search for Self-Esteem:

The discussion centers on the problem of attaining a consistently stable and healthy self-esteem as essential to psychological integrity. Opposing healthy self-esteem is the need for self-deificati...
Significance Testing for Allelic Heterogeneity

It is useful to detect allelic heterogeneity (AH), i.e., the presence of multiple causal SNPs in a locus, which, for example, may guide the development of new methods for fine mapping and determine how to interpret an appearing epistasis. In contrast to Mendelian traits, the existence and extent of AH for complex traits had been largely unknown until Hormozdiari et al. proposed a Bayesian method, called causal variants identification in associated regions (CAVIAR), and uncovered widespread AH in complex traits. However, there are several limitations with CAVIAR. First, it assumes a maximum number of causal SNPs in a locus, typically up to six, to save computing time; this assumption, as will be shown, may influence the outcome. Second, its computational time can be too demanding to be feasible since it examines all possible combinations of causal SNPs (under the assumed upper bound). Finally, it outputs a posterior probability of AH, which may be difficult to calibrate with a commonly used nominal significance level. Here, we introduce an intersection-union test (IUT) based on a joint/conditional regression model with all the SNPs in a locus to infer AH. We also propose two sequential IUT-based testing procedures to estimate the number of causal SNPs. Our proposed methods are applicable to not only individual-level genotypic and phenotypic data, but also genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. We provide numerical examples based on both simulated and real data, including large-scale schizophrenia (SCZ) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) GWAS summary data sets, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new methods. In particular, for both the SCZ and HDL data, our proposed IUT not only was faster, but also detected more AH loci than CAVIAR. Our proposed methods are expected to be useful in further uncovering the extent of AH in complex traits.
Kashiwara’s Operators in Rank 1

16.1.1. In this chapter we fix i ∈ I. Besides the category C i (see 5.1.1), we shall consider another category D i which shares some of the properties of C i
Deep Crustal Drilling, Texas Gulf Coast, United States of America

The Gulf Coast province provides an array of scientific dilemmas ranging from the origin of the Gulf itself to the causes and effects of long-lasting circulation of thermobaric waters throughout the thick sedimentary section. The Gulf Coast is a “passive margin”, and plate tectonics theory indicates that the Gulf originated by rifting. From the little available information concerning deep structure and lithology, this theory is appropriate but not conclusively demonstrated. The nature of the underlying crust and superjacent sediments and their contained waters; the precise timing of rifting; diagenesis and early depositional history of the sedimentary sequence; fluid dynamics; geochemistry; hydrocarbon generation and migration; thermal history including unusually high thermal gradient; and the fluid pressure regime in the deep sedimentary section are too poorly understood to permit quantitative analysis of processes that are of enormous scientific and practical importance.
Isolation and characterization of the principal ATPase of transitional elements of the endoplasmic reticulum of rat liver

Cell -free transfer of radiolabeled membrane protein from part-rough, part-smooth transitional elements of the endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus requires ATP (Balch et al.,1986). One ATP — dependent step is that of the budding of the transition vesicles involved in membrane transport (Paulik et al., 1988).
Free As the Air to Common Use: First Amendment Constraints on Enclosure of the Public Domain

We are in the midst of an enclosure movement in our information environment. Property rights in information are increasing everywhere, and the prevailing baseline assumption is that this expansion is both efficient and just. In this article I rely on the first amendment to uncover the normative cost of embracing enclosure instead of the once dominant baseline conception that information ought to be "free as the air to common use" and subject to exclusive rights only under special circumstances. First, the article explains why, analytically, recognizing property rights in information imposes on users the same kind of constraint that media regulation laws impose on the owners of media. I suggest that just as media regulation is permissible subject to careful first amendment scrutiny, so too enforcing property rights in information is permissible, but only if the government can persuade the courts that it has very good reasons to impose the restrictions on access to and use of information necessary to effectuate these property rights. Next, I offer a modification of the standard economic explanation of the effects of intellectual property that sheds light on the effects of enforcing intellectual property rules on the way in which information production is organized. I conclude that increases in the scope of property rights increase production by large-scale commercial organizations that integrate new production with ownership of large existing-information inventories. This increase comes at the expense of smaller producers -- commercial or noncommercial -- and of noncommercial producers generally. Normatively, these effects parallel the effects generally discussed in the critique of media concentration, and pose the same threats to the values of robust political discourse and personal autonomy central to our commitment to the first amendment. Finally, I evaluate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the enforcement of mass-market shrinkwrap licenses and database protection legislation in light of the normative framework developed in the article.
It’s Not Just Counting that Counts: a Reply to Gilbert, Viaña, and Ineichen

Gilbert et al. argue that discussions of self-related changes in patients undergoing DBS are overblown. They show that there is little evidence that these changes occur frequently and make recommendations for further research. We point out that their framing of the issue, their methodology, and their recommendations do not attend to other important questions about these changes.
Astrocyte HIF-2α supports learning in a passive avoidance paradigm under hypoxic stress

Background The brain is extensively vascularized, useŝ20% of the body's oxygen, and is highly sensitive to changes in oxygen. While synaptic plasticity and memory are impaired in healthy individuals by exposure to mild hypoxia, aged individuals appear to be even more sensitive. Aging is associated with progressive failure in pulmonary and cardiovascular systems, exposing the aged to both chronic and superimposed acute hypoxia. The HIF proteins, the "master regulators" of the cellular response to hypoxia, are robustly expressed in neurons and astrocytes. Astrocytes support neurons and synaptic plasticity via complex metabolic and trophic mechanisms. The activity of HIF proteins in the brain is diminished with aging, and the increased exposure to chronic and acute hypoxia with aging combined with diminished HIF activity may impair synaptic plasticity. Purpose Herein, we test the hypothesis that astrocyte HIF supports synaptic plasticity and learning upon hypoxia. Materials and methods An Astrocyte-specific HIF loss-of-function model was employed, where knock-out of HIF-1α or HIF-2α in GFAP expressing cells was accomplished by cre-mediated recombination. Animals were tested for behavioral (open field and rotarod), learning (passive avoidance paradigm), and electrophysiological (long term potentiation) responses to mild hypoxic challenge. Results In an astrocyte-specific HIF loss-of-function model followed by mild hypoxia, we identified that the depletion of HIF-2α resulted in an impaired passive avoidance learning performance. This was accompanied by an attenuated response to induction in long-term potentiation (LTP), suggesting that the hippocampal circuitry was perturbed upon hypoxic exposure following HIF-2α loss in astrocytes, and not due to hippocampal cell death. We investigated HIF-regulated trophic and metabolic target genes and found that they were not regulated by HIF-2α, suggesting that these specific targets may not be involved in mediating the phenotypes observed. Conclusion Together, these results point to a role for HIF-2α in the astrocyte's regulatory role in synaptic plasticity and learning under hypoxia and suggest that even mild, acute hypoxic challenges can impair cognitive performance in the aged population who harbor impaired HIF function.
Adjusting for baseline information in comparing the efficacy of treatments using bivariate varying-coefficient models

ABSTRACTIn biomedical studies, patients' reaction to the treatment can be different depending on their health condition at baseline. In this paper, we develop a bivariate varying-coefficient regres...
Letermovir for the Management of Cytomegalovirus-associated Uveitis

Purpose: To investigate the use of letermovir 480 mg daily for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated uveitis (AU).Methods: Retrospective case series of CMV-AU patients on letermovir.Res...
Tissue and Cell-Free DNA-Based Epigenomic Approaches for Cancer Detection

Background: Over 9 million people die of cancer each year worldwide, reflecting the unmet need for effective biomarkers for both cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Cancer diagnosis is complex because the majority of malignant tumors present with long periods of latency and lack of clinical presentation at early stages. During carcinogenesis, premalignant cells experience changes in their epigenetic landscapes, such as differential DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning, and higher orders of chromatin changes that confer growth advantage and contribute to determining the biologic phenotype of human cancers. Content: Recent progress in microarray platforms and next-generation sequencing approaches has allowed the characterization of abnormal epigenetic patterns genome wide in a large number of cancer cases. The sizable amount of processed data also comes with challenges regarding data management and assessment for effective biomarker exploration to be further applied in prospective clinical trials. Epigenetics-based single or panel tests of genes are being explored for clinical management to fulfill unmet needs in oncology. The advance of these tests to the clinical routine will depend on rigorous, extensive, and independent validation in well-annotated cohort of patients and commercial development of clinical routine–friendly and adequate procedures. Summary: In this review we discuss the analytic validation of tissue and cell-free DNA-based epigenomic approaches for early cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring and the clinical utility of candidate epigenetic alterations applied to colorectal, glioblastoma, breast, prostate, bladder, and lung cancer management.
Estimating the impact of a residential microgrid on distribution transformer

Due to the increment of electricity load, aged electric infrastructure, and a competitive environment, state-of-the-art solutions are essential by electrical system operators to increase the exploitation of network assets such as transformer that is cost-intensive. Transformers are usually a costly asset in a distribution network. Their high operation efficiency is significant with the purpose of receiving a reasonable return on investment (ROI) and delay future investment. A microgrid can reduce the loading of the transformer., which implies a reduction of winding temperature and core losses and, subsequently, increases the lifespan of the transformer. In this preliminary study, it has been demonstrated that residential microgrid can reduce the time of transformer loading and increase the life of the transformer.
Bridging dynamic regimes of segmental relaxation and center-of-mass diffusion in associative protein hydrogels

The authors use neutron spin-echo spectroscopy and forced Rayleigh scattering to study the interplay between conformational fluctuations and transient binding in associative protein hydrogels.
Neutrophils and Macrophages as Targets for Development of Nanotherapeutics in Inflammatory Diseases

Neutrophils and macrophages are major components of innate systems, playing central roles in inflammation responses to infections and tissue injury. If they are out of control, inflammation responses can cause the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases, such as inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. Precisely regulating the functions of neutrophils and macrophages in vivo is a potential strategy to develop immunotherapies to treat inflammatory diseases. Advances in nanotechnology have enabled us to design nanoparticles capable of targeting neutrophils or macrophages in vivo. This review discusses the current status of how nanoparticles specifically target neutrophils or macrophages and how they manipulate leukocyte functions to inhibit their activation for inflammation resolution or to restore their defense ability for pathogen clearance. Finally, we present a novel concept of hijacking leukocytes to deliver nanotherapeutics across the blood vessel barrier. This review highlights the challenges and opportunities in developing nanotherapeutics to target leukocytes for improved treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Orel – the Catholic physical education association : foreign relations up to 1929

This paper looks at the history of Orel, the Catholic physical education association, and its foreign relations up to 1929. The origins of the Orel movement in the Czech region of Austria-Hungary go back to the turn of the 20th century when the first local Orel associations were established. These associations were strongly connected with Czech political Catholicism. Shortly after being formed, their functionaries began to establish their first contacts with existing foreign organizations. Most of these organizations were from the area of contemporary Slovenia. Their number rose significantly after the First World War when the newly independent Czechoslovakian Orel became a member of the Catholic physical education union – UIOCEP. The members of this organization were all around the world. The number of foreign contacts it had established was also on the increase. The first international physical educational festival, which helped Czechoslovak Orel with its development, was organized in Brno in 1922. But the Czechoslovakian Orel had planned a second big festival of physical education for 1929, hoping to further extend its number of foreign friends. The second physical educational festival was also successful. It helped Czechoslovak Orel to increase its influence in UIOCEP where it became the second-largest organization.