cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the pH titration shifts of ribonuclease A by one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Abstract One- and two-dimensional 1 H NMR experiments were used to determine the chemical shifts of resonances arising from 29 residues of RNase A in H 2 O at 17 pH values ranging from 1.2 to 7.9. Nearly all resonances displaying pH-induced changes in chemical shift greater than 0.1 ppm were monitored. Individual plots of the chemical shift as a function of pH were fit by nonlinear least squares methods to Henderson–Hasselbalch models yielding pK a values which were then analyzed using a set of criteria to determine their reliability. The criteria included statistics from the curve fitting analysis as well as the distance of the reporter proton to ionizing groups. Only the most reliable pK a values were assigned to specific ionizing groups within RNase A based upon the proximity of the reporter proton to the ionizing group as determined from the X-ray crystal structure. Only 2 of the 15 groups expected to undergo ionization within the pH range investigated could not be assigned pK a values within the highest two levels of reliability. Of the 11 carboxylate groups, 5 have pK a values less than 3.0. Many of the low pK a values can be interpreted as resulting from favorable hydrogen bonds between the carboxylate group and other moieties within the protein. The pK a values for the four histidine residues are similar to earlier literature reports. Two resonances underwent particularly large pH-induced shifts of approximately 2.3 ppm and corresponded to nitrogen-bound protons involved in hydrogen bonds with carboxylate groups.
Modeling and prediction of subject accrual and event times in clinical trials: a systematic review.

BackgroundModeling and prediction of subject accrual and event times in clinical trials has been a topic of considerable interest for important practical reasons. It has implications not only at th...
Autonomous face navigation of a continuous mining machine

The tasks involved in the autonomous face navigation for a continuous mining machine and the navigational information necessary to perform these tasks are discussed. The proposed solution is presented, including the use of a mobile control structure (MCS) to serve as a reference in the face area of laser-based optical scanning units and retroreflective targets to determine the machine's position relative to the reference, and the use of gyroscope to maintain a short-term knowledge of the heading of the machine. An algorithm for fusion of the laser system's data is outlined. Future work on the navigational control software is discussed, and the status of the project is given. >
Gaucher disease: transcriptome analyses using microarray or mRNA sequencing in a Gba1 mutant mouse model treated with velaglucerase alfa or imiglucerase

Gaucher disease type 1, an inherited lysosomal storage disorder, is caused by mutations in GBA1 leading to defective glucocerebrosidase (GCase) function and consequent excess accumulation of glucosylceramide/glucosylsphingosine in visceral organs. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with the biosimilars, imiglucerase (imig) or velaglucerase alfa (vela) improves/reverses the visceral disease. Comparative transcriptomic effects (microarray and mRNA-Seq) of no ERT and ERT (imig or vela) were done with liver, lung, and spleen from mice having Gba1 mutant alleles, termed D409V/null. Disease-related molecular effects, dynamic ranges, and sensitivities were compared between mRNA-Seq and microarrays and their respective analytic tools, i.e. Mixed Model ANOVA (microarray), and DESeq and edgeR (mRNA-Seq). While similar gene expression patterns were observed with both platforms, mRNA-Seq identified more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (∼3-fold) than the microarrays. Among the three analytic tools, DESeq identified the maximum number of DEGs for all tissues and treatments. DESeq and edgeR comparisons revealed differences in DEGs identified. In 9V/null liver, spleen and lung, post-therapy transcriptomes approximated WT, were partially reverted, and had little change, respectively, and were concordant with the corresponding histological and biochemical findings. DEG overlaps were only 8–20% between mRNA-Seq and microarray, but the biological pathways were similar. Cell growth and proliferation, cell cycle, heme metabolism, and mitochondrial dysfunction were most altered with the Gaucher disease process. Imig and vela differentially affected specific disease pathways. Differential molecular responses were observed in direct transcriptome comparisons from imig- and vela-treated tissues. These results provide cross-validation for the mRNA-Seq and microarray platforms, and show differences between the molecular effects of two highly structurally similar ERT biopharmaceuticals.
STAM and Hrs Down-Regulate Ciliary TRP Receptors

Cilia are endowed with membrane receptors, channels, and signaling components whose localization and function must be tightly controlled. In primary cilia of mammalian kidney epithelia and sensory cilia of Caenorhabditis elegans neurons, polycystin-1 (PC1) and transient receptor polycystin-2 channel (TRPP2 or PC2), function together as a mechanosensory receptor-channel complex. Despite the importance of the polycystins in sensory transduction, the mechanisms that regulate polycystin activity and localization, or ciliary membrane receptors in general, remain poorly understood. We demonstrate that signal transduction adaptor molecule STAM-1A interacts with C. elegans LOV-1 (PC1), and that STAM functions with hepatocyte growth factor–regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs) on early endosomes to direct the LOV-1-PKD-2 complex for lysosomal degradation. In a stam-1 mutant, both LOV-1 and PKD-2 improperly accumulate at the ciliary base. Conversely, overexpression of STAM or Hrs promotes the removal of PKD-2 from cilia, culminating in sensory behavioral defects. These data reveal that the STAM-Hrs complex, which down-regulates ligand-activated growth factor receptors from the cell surface of yeast and mammalian cells, also regulates the localization and signaling of a ciliary PC1 receptor-TRPP2 complex.
A Global Comparison of Insider Trading Regulations

As the business world continues to expand in global markets, trading of shares, bonds, derivatives and other instruments continues to increase. One form of trading that has received considerable interest in recent years is insider trading. Insider trading occurs when individuals with potential access to non-public information about a corporation buy or sell stock of that corporation. When the information is material and non-public, such trading is illegal. However, if the trading is done in a manner that does not take advantage of non-public information, it is often permissible. This study compares insider trading laws, penalties, and convictions in countries represented by the 14 largest securities markets throughout the world and provides data indicating that there are important differences.
Linguistic Fuzzy-Logic Social Game of Cooperation

I develop a new game-theoretic approach based, not on conventional Boolean two-valued logic, but instead on linguistic fuzzy logic which admits linguistic truth values. A linguistic fuzzy game is defined with linguistic fuzzy strategies, linguistic fuzzy preferences, and the rules of reasoning and inferences of the game operate according to linguistic fuzzy logic, not Boolean logic. This leads to the introduction of a new notion of fuzzy domination and Nash equilibrium which is based not on the usual ‘greater than’ relation ordering but rather on a more general form of relation termed linguistic fuzzy relation. Each agent models others as linguistic fuzzy rational agents and tries to find a linguistic fuzzy Nash equilibrium that will achieve the highest linguistic fuzzy payoff. If the linguistic fuzzy relation is simplified into a crisp two-valued logic, the linguistic fuzzy game reduces to the conventional game. In this article I apply the new approach to situations of non-cooperative twoplayer games suc...
Commentary: Nonspecific Protein Binding versus Membrane Partitioning: It Is Not Just Semantics

Nonspecific binding or sequestration results in differences between free and total drug concentrations, both in vitro and in vivo. Membrane partitioning and not protein binding is the primary mechanism of drug sequestration. Therefore, physicochemical properties, e.g., LogP can be used to predict drug sequestration in membrane and cell-based assays. The concentration of drug in a membrane is determined by the both the rate in and out of the membrane. In contrast, membrane permeability is a function of the rate in only. This commentary discusses the origins of membrane partitioning and permeability and their impact on cellular disposition.
Isovariant Dynamics Expand and Buffer the Responses of Complex Systems: The Diverse Plant Actin Gene Family

Most plant and animal genes are members of gene families that are differentially expressed and may encode diverse protein isovariants. With the recent explosion of information in plant genomics, researchers have become acutely aware that the gene families in plants are at least as diverse as their
The first two years of school: Teacher-child relationships and deflections in children's classroom adjustment

Teacher reports of children's competence and problem behaviors are an important source of information on psychopathology. The school context is also an agent of developmental change. This study examines teacherchild relationships and deflections in child adjustment over the school-entry to grade 2 period in 436 children. The Student-Teacher Relationship Scale (STRS) was related to two indices of deflections in predicted child adjustment: (a) residual scores obtained from regressing teacher reports from grade 1 on kindergarten teacher reports, and (b) false positive predictions of retention or referral for special education in the K-l period.Children with whom kindergarten teachers reported a positive relationship were rated in spring of grade I as better adjusted than was predicted on the basis of identical ratings from the fall of the kindergarten year; the converse was also true. False-positive retention/referral predictions had more positive relationships with kindergarten teachers than did true positives. A second set of analyses examined second grade teacher ratings of child adjustment and child-teacher relationships in two groups of children with different child-teacher relationship histories in kindergarten. Children with warm, close, communicative relationships with kindergarten teachers were better adjusted and had more positive child-teacher relationships in second grade than those with angry, dependent child-teacher relationships in kindergarten. Results supported the view that children's relationships with teachers are an important component of adaptation in school, and that they can play a role in deflecting the course of development in the school context.
Canonical forms for nonlinear discrete time control systems

In this paper we provide a canonical form for discrete-time control systems whose linear approximation around an equilibrium is controllable and prove that two systems are feedback equivalent if and only if their canonical forms coincide. This is a nice generalization of results obtained for continuous time control systems. We also compute the homogeneous invariants under the action of a homogeneous feedback group. Consequently, as for the continuous systems, we deduce that the discrete time systems in consideration do not admit nontrivial symmetries, i.e., a map preserving the dynamics.
Identification of conserved RNA secondary structures at influenza B and C splice sites reveals similarities and differences between influenza A, B, and C.

Influenza B and C are single-stranded RNA viruses that cause yearly epidemics and infections. Knowledge of RNA secondary structure generated by influenza B and C will be helpful in further understanding the role of RNA structure in the progression of influenza infection. All available protein-coding sequences for influenza B and C were analyzed for regions with high potential for functional RNA secondary structure. On the basis of conserved RNA secondary structure with predicted high thermodynamic stability, putative structures were identified that contain splice sites in segment 8 of influenza B and segments 6 and 7 of influenza C. The sequence in segment 6 also contains three unused AUG start codon sites that are sequestered within a hairpin structure. When added to previous studies on influenza A, the results suggest that influenza splicing may share common structural strategies for regulation of splicing. In particular, influenza 3′ splice sites are predicted to form secondary structures that can switch conformation to regulate splicing. Thus, these RNA structures present attractive targets for therapeutics aimed at targeting one or the other conformation.
Electric stress and laser surface damage

Small craters are formed when a self-focused laser filament reaches an end surface of a glass sample. These may be formed by the electric surface stress. The normal pressure is typically 107N.m-2(1500 lbf/in2) at threshold pulse energies for a track radius of 2.5 μm.
Calculating the offshore wind power resource: Robust assessment methods applied to the U.S. Atlantic Coast

This article describes improved techniques to calculate the wind power resource of an offshore area. The method uses publicly available oceanic, environmental and socio-economic data to identify areas less suitable for development due to physical or technical constraints, safety or other hazards, environmental concerns, or competing uses. Using wind speed data from meteorological buoys, annual energy output is calculated for a representative offshore wind turbine. The average power resource is determined by dividing the total available area by a wind regime and the turbine-specific effective turbine footprint, yielding the maximum number of turbines, and then derating the output to account for wake effects and operational availability. These techniques are applied to quantify the previously undocumented offshore wind resource off the coast of Maryland, a U.S. Atlantic coastal state. We consider only the open-ocean Atlantic and not Maryland’s substantial estuary, the Chesapeake Bay. We find that the wind field is fairly uniform, but exclusions of ocean areas due to competing use may be substantial, reducing the energy resource estimate significantly. Nevertheless, we find that even excluding these areas Maryland’s offshore wind resource could supply an annual average of 14,087 Megawatts (MW a), or 123,400 GWh of energy per year. This is equal to 189% of the state’s annual electricity consumption. Further restricting to only shallower-water foundation technology (monopiles), average power output would still be 70% of electricity demand. We conclude with a discussion of policy options for coastal states.
Aluminium and bone disease in chronic renal failure

Aluminium is absorbed by the intestines and is rapidly transported into bone, where it disrupts mineralization and bone cell growth and activity. Its toxicities result in or exacerbate painful forms of renal osteodystrophy, most notably adynamic bone disease and osteomalacia, but also other forms of the disease. Because aluminium is sequestered in bone for long periods, its toxic effects are cumulative. As a result, even intermittent or low-dose use of aluminium-based phosphate binders adds to the total load of this toxin in the bone; thus, aluminium use is inadvisable, even for a 'rescue indication'. Aluminium blood levels are not a reliable marker of aluminium absorption or organ load in dialysis patients: only stainable aluminium at the mineralization front reflects the histopathological changes observed in bone. Therefore, bone biopsies remain the only approach for definitive diagnosis of aluminium-related bone disease. Most importantly, lack of correlation between overall organ concentrations of a toxin, such as aluminium, and pathological changes does not rule out toxicity. Thus, the specific localization of the toxin is more important than overall organ concentration. What has been observed with aluminium during 25 years of research might be reproduced with other metals that are absorbed, transported and accumulated in bone. What we have learned about the toxicity of aluminium should inform our interpretation of data from studies of other metal-based therapeutics for renal patients. This calls for careful evaluation of any newly introduced therapeutic agents for bone disease in patients lacking excretory kidney function.
The psychological role of pay systems in choosing to work more hours

Abstract Psychological and economic perspectives are blended to model aspects of pay systems that dispose employees to work more hours beyond what would be predicted by economically rational exchange alone. Three pay-system triggers and their respective paths to more work are expounded: 1) pay equated to units of time, 2) pay contingent on subjective performance standards, and 3) pay growth determined by tournament pay structures. The effects are conceived as self-reinforcing due to loss aversion stemming from endowment of income and sunk cost bias. Also considered are implications for human capital, a posed curvilinear relationship that holds practical relevance for organizational sustainability—i.e., maintenance of the firm's human capital over the long term.
Transient groundwater dynamics in a coastal aquifer: The effects of tides, the lunar cycle, and the beach profile

[1] Detailed field measurements are combined with a numerical modeling to characterize the groundwater dynamics beneath the discharge zone at Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts. Groundwater salinity values revealed a saline circulation cell that overlaid the discharging freshwater and grew and disappeared with the lunar cycle. The cell was initiated by a greater bay water infiltration during the new moon when high tides overtopped the mean high-tide mark, flooding the flatter beach berm and inundating a larger area of the beach. The dynamics of this cell were further characterized by a tracer test and by constructing a density-dependent flow model constrained to salinity and head data. The numerical model captured the growing and diminishing behavior of the circulation cell and provided the estimates of freshwater and saline water fluxes and travel times. Furthermore, the model enabled quantification of the relationship between the characteristics of the observed tidal cycle (maximum, minimum, and mean tidal elevations) and the different components of the groundwater circulation (freshwater discharge, intertidal saline cycling, and deep saline cycling). We found that (1) recharge to the intertidal saline cell is largely controlled by the high-tide elevation; (2) freshwater discharge is positively correlated to the low-tide elevation, whereas deep saline discharge from below the discharging freshwater is negatively correlated to the low-tide elevation. So, when the low-tide elevation is relatively high, more freshwater discharges and less deep saltwater discharges. In contrast when low tides are very low, less freshwater discharges and more deep salt water discharges; (3) offshore inflow of saline water is largely insensitive to tides and the lunar cycle.
Drug-drug interactions mediated through P-glycoprotein: clinical relevance and in vitro-in vivo correlation using digoxin as a probe drug.

The clinical pharmacokinetics and in vitro inhibition of digoxin were examined to predict the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) component of drug-drug interactions. Coadministered drugs (co-meds) in clinical trials (N = 123) resulted in a small, 0.1 is predictive of clinical digoxin interactions (AUC and C(max)).
RESTRUCTURING MARKETS, REORGANIZING NATURE: AN EXAMINATION OF JAPANESE STRATEGIES FOR ACCESS TO RAW MATERIALS

Theorists of hegemony combine a concern with the causes of war and peace with questions of dominant trade regimes. While this combination addresses issues of central importance for studies of international relations, it may somewhat confound the role of hegemony studies within a world systems perspective. The power of the world systems perspective lies in the consideration of entire worlds, not simply as the appropriate unit of analysis, but as integrated units of production and exchange. Hierarchy within this system reflects not simply politically enforced relations of unequal exchange, but the subordination of production in different parts of the world to regimes constructed and manipulated by core powers to their own economic and political advantage. The processes that create the power of the core and the processes by which the core subordinates the periphery constitute the critical questions within this perspective. Part, but only part, of the answer lies in the superior productive capacity and efficiency of the core, and resulting ability to dominate trade. Another part, and we believe this is primary, lies in the ways that, in order to become so productive and so efficient, economies rising to core status must organize other economies and international transport systems to assure the increasing, secure, cheap supplies of the raw materials that support productive efficiency and economic growth.
Domain Adaptation for Parsing

We compare two different methods in domain adaptation applied to constituent parsing: parser combination and cotraining, each used to transfer information from the source domain of news to the target domain of natural dialogs, in a setting without annotated data. Both methods outperform the baselines and reach similar results. Parser combination profits most from the large amounts of training data combined with a robust probability model. Co-training, in contrast, relies on a small set of higher quality data.
Accident and Seismic Containment Reliability

An integrated reliability study of the containment vessel of a nuclear power plant is presented. The focus is on features of the seismic and accident behavior that may affect adversely the containment safety role. The behavior is described probabilistically under a range of accident and seismic conditions extending far beyond design levels. The individual effects of seismic and accident events are analyzed, as well as the coupling of those effects for the various possible timings of the causative events. Reliability estimates are obtained by combining probabilistically described damage with a probabilistic description of the causative events. A large number of uncertainties are included, and the final reliability estimates reflect the total uncertainty—including the statistical component—faced by the safety analyst.
Myo-inositol and betaine transporters regulated by tonicity are basolateral in MDCK cells

Myo-inositol and glycinebetaine are compatible osmolytes accumulated in the renal medulla and in MDCK cells cultured in hypertonic media. Both osmolytes are taken up by MDCK cells on Na-coupled transporters. The maximal velocity (Vmax) of both cotransporters is increased by culture in hypertonic medium. When hypertonic MDCK cells are shifted to isotonic medium there is a large transient efflux of osmolytes. To determine the polarity of the cotransporters and the transient efflux, we grew MDCK cells on a porous support to assay transport separately at their apical and basolateral surfaces. In hypertonic cells, basolateral uptake of both osmolytes was 1) more than 10-fold apical uptake, 2) greater than 96% Na dependent, 3) 25- (myo-inositol) and 16-fold (glycinebetaine) uptake in isotonic cells, reaching a maximum 24 h after the switch to hypertonic medium. When medium osmolarity was decreased from hypertonic to isotonic, myo-inositol uptake reversed to the isotonic level within 1 day; glycinebetaine uptake decreased more slowly. When medium osmolarity was decreased from hypertonic to isotonic, there was a large transient increase in basolateral efflux of both osmolytes.
Formalism for information transfer in dynamical network

In this paper, we discover a novel approach for defining information transfer in a linear network dynamical system. We provide entropy based characterization of the information transfer where the information transfer from state x to state y is measured by the amount of entropy/uncertainty that is transferred from state x to y over one time step. Our proposed definition of information transfer is based on three axioms. The first axiom has to do with zero information transfer, which says that if state x is not connected (or appears) in the dynamics of y then information transfer from x → y is zero. The second axiom captures the asymmetric nature of information transfer i.e., x is not connected to the dynamics of y but y is connected to the dynamics of x then information transfer from x → y is zero but the transfer from y → x is not zero. The third axiom is on information conservation. Information conservation axiom says that if y space can be split into two subspace, y1 and y2, then the information transfer from x → y will be equal to the sum of the information transfers from x → y1 and x → y2 provided y1 and y2 are “dynamical independent”. Similar conservation property also applies for the case where x is split into two parts x1 and x2 with y intact. We provide an analytical expression for information transfer satisfying these three axioms. Preliminary results are provided for identifying information-based most influential nodes and clusters in network system with small world network topology.
Agreement Between Institutional Measurements and Treatment Planning System Calculations for Basic Dosimetric Parameters as Measured by the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core-Houston

Purpose To compare radiation machine measurement data collected by the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core at Houston (IROC-H) with institutional treatment planning system (TPS) values, to identify parameters with large differences in agreement; the findings will help institutions focus their efforts to improve the accuracy of their TPS models. Methods and Materials Between 2000 and 2014, IROC-H visited more than 250 institutions and conducted independent measurements of machine dosimetric data points, including percentage depth dose, output factors, off-axis factors, multileaf collimator small fields, and wedge data. We compared these data with the institutional TPS values for the same points by energy, class, and parameter to identify differences and similarities using criteria involving both the medians and standard deviations for Varian linear accelerators. Distributions of differences between machine measurements and institutional TPS values were generated for basic dosimetric parameters. Results On average, intensity modulated radiation therapy–style and stereotactic body radiation therapy–style output factors and upper physical wedge output factors were the most problematic. Percentage depth dose, jaw output factors, and enhanced dynamic wedge output factors agreed best between the IROC-H measurements and the TPS values. Although small differences were shown between 2 common TPS systems, neither was superior to the other. Parameter agreement was constant over time from 2000 to 2014. Conclusions Differences in basic dosimetric parameters between machine measurements and TPS values vary widely depending on the parameter, although agreement does not seem to vary by TPS and has not changed over time. Intensity modulated radiation therapy–style output factors, stereotactic body radiation therapy–style output factors, and upper physical wedge output factors had the largest disagreement and should be carefully modeled to ensure accuracy.
Impact of Flue Gas Contaminants on Monoethanolamine Thermal Degradation

The buildup of flue gas contaminants in amine-based postcombustion CO2 capture processes is an important concern due to its potential impact on solvent degradation and reclaiming. In this research, in order to explore the impact of flue gas contaminants on solvent thermal degradation, sodium nitrite, fly ash, sodium sulfate, and sodium thiosulfate were each added into carbon-loaded 5.0 M monoethanolamine (MEA) solution and the solutions were exposed to high-temperature degradation conditions. MEA degrades significantly more in the presence of nitrite (5000 ppm) than MEA alone at the same amine mole concentration. The MEA degradation activation energy of MEA–nitrite solution is calculated and found to be approximately one-seventh of that of MEA solution without nitrite. Addition of nitrite not only enhanced generation of several MEA thermal degradation products but also induced formation of diethanolamine (DEA) and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-3-one (HEPO), which have been known to form during MEA oxidative...
Morphological and Chemical Analyses of Manganese Dioxide Accretions on Mexican Ceramics

Microscopic analysis of West Mexican ceramics (dating between in the collection of the Department of the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has established five different morphological types of manganese dioxide (MnO2) accretions. The accretions result mostly from a combination of bacterial and weathering activity in post-depositional contexts. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (SEM-EDS) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) were successful; whereas microchemical spot tests, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy proved inconclusive in the identification and differentiation of the five morphologies. Accretion morphology and substrate characteristics, together, suggest scenarios for the mechanism of formation and offer a qualitative tool for authentication. Accretions were documented using photomicrography, categorized based on empirical observations; sampled and analyzed using SEM-EDS and ND-XRF.
Mid-IR molecular dispersion spectroscopy with quantum cascade lasers

This paper provides an overview of recent molecular dispersion sensing techniques. New capabilities of chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy (CLaDS) and differential optical dispersion spectroscopy (DODiS) implemented with externally- and directly-modulated quantum cascade lasers are discussed. Article not available.
Biologic strategies to improve nerve regeneration after peripheral nerve Repair

Background Peripheral nerve injuries remain a challenging problem for microsurgeons. Direct repair is the gold standard, but often the surgeon is left with a gap that prevents tension-free repair. The use of empty tubes/conduits/allograft has resulted in regeneration of some sensory and motor function, but the results remain suboptimal compared with autograft. However, the use of nerve autograft has associated donor site morbidity and limited availability. Methods A review of the literature was performed to determine current biologic strategies to improve nerve regeneration after nerve repair. Results Nerve conduits, various neurotrophic factors, and stem cells are currently being studied as alternatives to the use of nerve autograft. Conclusions Sensory and motor recovery after peripheral nerve regeneration remains suboptimal, especially in cases where primary nerve repair is not possible. Current strategies to augment nerve regeneration have focused on modulating the presence and activity of Schwann cells, either through direct implantation or by stimulating stem cells to differentiate toward Schwann cells, and through the use of neurotrophic factors to enhance the speed and quality of axon growth. Clinical studies will be necessary to determine the benefit of these strategies.
CRABS OF THE FAMILY HOMOLODROMIIDAE, III. FIRST RECORD OF THE LARVAE

A B S T R A C T The first known larval stage of a species of the crab family Homolodromiidae is described from advanced embryos of a preserved Dicranodromia felderi Martin. The larvae are in some ways similar to those few larvae known for the other two dromiacean families, Dromiidae and Dynomenidae, and therefore are similar to anomuran and thalassinidean larvae in general, but differ in lacking a hairlike second telson process. The larvae are embryologically advanced in that the pereiopods and maxillipeds are well developed and the abdomen has large pleopods on somites 2 through 5. Despite this apparently advanced developmental state at eclosion, the larvae do not possess uropods, a marked difference between them and all other known latestage larvae of the Dromiacea, perhaps slightly closing the gap between anomuran and brachyuran larval morphology.
Asynchronous Multimodal Communications about Shared Images: A Comparison between Microsoft's Powerpoint and CWS'S Pointntalk for Creating and using Directional Instructions

Ten West Point cadets between the ages of 18 and 24 were tested in their ability to build a complex structure using directions provided by either PointnTalk, a purpose built asynchronous multimodal communications tool developed by Collaborative Work Systems (CWS), Inc., or the well known Microsoft program PowerPoint. Cadets then used the opposite system, PointnTalk or PowerPoint respectively, to create their own presentation of an instructional dialogue directing someone how to complete the same complex structure. The results showed that PointnTalk instructions took longer to administer, but that the tool proved to be better at communicating higher level processes and produced superior performance in successful task completion of the participant built instructions. Results support multimodal communication theories and natural language communication strategies for effective asynchronous communication.
Analysis on Several Key Technologies Applied in System Commissioning of Lingbao Back-to-Back HVDC Project

Lingbao back-to-back(BTB) HVDC project interconnecting Northwest China Power Gird with Central China Power Gird is a pilot project of localization of HVDC manufactures in China.Relied on domestic technical personnel,it is the first time to commission whole domestically manufactured equipments.In this paper the analysis and solution of following key technical problems are presented: the drafting of commissioning scheme;the selection of the position in AC power grid where single-phase earth fault occurs while there is only one AC feeder at both sides of converter station and corresponding test method,the principle and disposal of the last circuit breaker trip-out function and the perfection of both software and hardware for it;the perfection of control and protection function of frequency converter for cooling of valves.The solution of these key technical problems ensures the completion of system commissioning and successful putting into operation of the pilot project.
On the inauspicious incentives of the scholar-level h-index: an economist’s take on collusive and coercive citation

ABSTRACTFaculty renewal, promotion, tenure, merit and awards are typically tied to scholarship performance, which is often measured in several ways, among them citation-based metrics like the scholar-level h-index. With the relatively recent developments of ‘one-touch’ Google Scholar citation tracking and Harzing’s Publish or Perish Software, it is simple to monitor and potentially game one’s personal h-index. This article explores this possibility by assessing the incentives embedded in the scholar-level h-index through the lens of cartels, uncertainty, insurance and game-theoretic best response.
Oxidative products from alcohol metabolism differentially modulate pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes

Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a vital role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic steatohepatitis. The present study was to determine the role of alcohol-induced oxidative stress in modulating cytokine production. A rat model of alcohol consumption was used to determine alcohol-induced hepatic cytokine expression. Chronic alcohol exposure caused lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the livers of Wistar rats. The role of oxidative stress in regulating cell type-specific cytokine production was further dissected in vitro. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) dose-dependently upregulated TNF-α, MIP-1α, MCP-1, and CINC-1 in Kupffer cells-SV40, whereas TNF-α dose-dependently induced CINC-1, IP-10, and MIP-2 expression in H4IIEC3 hepatoma cells. An additive effect on cytokine production was observed in both Kupffer cells-SV40 and hepatocytes when combined hydrogen peroxide with LPS or TNF-α, respectively, which was associated with NF-κB activation and histone H3 hyper-acetylation. Unexpectedly, an inhibitory effect of 4-hydroxynonenal on cytokine production was revealed in LPS-treated Kupffer cells-SV40. Mechanistic study showed that 4-hydroxynonenal significantly enhanced mRNA degradation of TNF-α, MCP-1, and MIP-1α, and decreased the protein levels of MCP-1 in LPS-stimulated Kupffer cells-SV40 through reducing the phosphorylation of mRNA binding proteins. This study suggests that Kupffer cells and hepatocytes express distinct pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in response to alcohol intoxication, and oxidative products (4-hydroxynonenal) differentially modulate pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production via NF-κB signaling, histone acetylation, and mRNA stability.
Susceptibility of burned black spruce (Picea mariana) forests to non-native plant invasions in interior Alaska

As climate rapidly warms at high-latitudes, the boreal forest faces the simultaneous threats of increasing invasive plant abundances and increasing area burned by wildfire. Highly flammable and widespread black spruce (Picea mariana) forest represents a boreal habitat that may be increasingly susceptible to non-native plant invasion. This study assess the role of burn severity, site moisture and time elapsed since burning in determining the invisibility of black spruce forests. We conducted field surveys for presence of non-native plants at 99 burned black spruce forest sites burned in 2004 in three regions of interior Alaska that spanned a gradient of burn severities and site moisture levels, and a chronosequence of sites in a single region that had burned in 1987, 1994, and 1999. We also conducted a greenhouse experiment where we grew invasive plants in vegetation and soil cores taken from a subset of these sites. In both our field survey and the greenhouse experiment, regional differences in soils and vegetation between burn complexes outweighed local burn severity or site moisture in determining the invasibility of burned black spruce sites. In the greenhouse experiments using cores from the 2004 burns, we found that the invasive focal species grew better in cores with soil and vegetation properties characteristic of low severity burns. Invasive plant growth in the greenhouse was greater in cores from the chronosequence burns with higher soil water holding capacity or lower native vascular biomass. We concluded that there are differences in susceptibility to non-native plant invasions between different regions of boreal Alaska based on native species regeneration. Re-establishment of native ground cover vegetation, including rapidly colonizing bryophytes, appear to offer burned areas a level of resistance to invasive plant establishment.
Chemical and Biological Processes of Evaporation Ponds

Evaporation ponds were growers’ stopgap measures to continue production when the Kesterson Reservoir no longer accepted tile drainages from irrigated croplands in the west side of San Joaquin Valley. At its peak, there were 3,000 ha of evaporation ponds serving. The pond operation had to comply with federal and state hazardous wastes disposal regulations and prevent selenium build up. As the spent water flowed through evaporation ponds, it underwent continued changes in temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen levels, and dissolved organic carbon contents triggering complex chemical reactions. The evapo-concentrating processes resulted in precipitation of minerals primarily halite, thenardite, mirabilite and other evaporates, and elevated concentration of trace elements in water including arsenic, boron, molybdenum, uranium, and vanadium. The pond supported a thriving aquatic eco community in which selenium bioaccumulated through the food chain. Invertebrate brine shrimps occupy a critical middle link and aid in trophic transfer of selenium. The flow of selenium along the aquatic food chain might be interrupted by harvesting brine shrimps preventing the mass of accumulated selenium from reach the higher trophic organisms.
Quantitative Measurement of Cholesterol in Cell Populations Using Flow Cytometry and Fluorescent Perfringolysin O

Methods to quantify intracellular cholesterol are valuable for the study of its trafficking and storage in normal cells and in lysosomal storage disorders. Traditionally, cholesterol has been tracked using the small molecule, filipin. Filipin can be difficult to visualize and visualization can be cytotoxic as it requires UV illumination. Here we describe a method to measure cholesterol using a fluorescently labeled, mutant form of Perfringolysin O, a soluble protein toxin that binds cholesterol specifically. This approach has been used to measure the impact of NPC1 deficiency on lysosomal cholesterol levels and monitor the rescue of cholesterol export under conditions that reduce the thickness of the lysosomal glycocalyx.
Patient-provider discordance between global assessments of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: a comprehensive clinical evaluation.

Discordance between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their rheumatology health care providers is a common and important problem. The objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive clinical evaluation of patient-provider discordance in RA. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted of consecutive RA patients in a regional practice with an absolute difference of ≥ 25 points between patient and provider global assessments (possible points, 0–100). Data were collected for disease activity measures, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and medications. In a prospective substudy, participants completed patient-reported outcome measures and underwent ultrasonographic assessment of synovial inflammation. Differences between the discordant and concordant groups were tested using χ2 and rank sum tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop a clinical model of discordance. Patient-provider discordance affected 114 (32.5%) of 350 consecutive patients. Of the total population, 103 patients (29.5%) rated disease activity higher than their providers (i.e., ‘positive’ discordance); only 11 (3.1%) rated disease activity lower than their providers and were excluded from further analysis. Positive discordance correlated with negative rheumatoid factor and anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, lack of joint erosions, presence of comorbid fibromyalgia or depression, and use of opioids, antidepressants, or anxiolytics, or fibromyalgia medications. In the prospective study, the group with positive discordance was distinguished by higher pain intensity, neuropathic type pain, chronic widespread pain and associated polysymptomatic distress, and limited functional health status. Depression was found to be an important mediator of positive discordance in low disease activity whereas the widespread pain index was an important mediator of positive discordance in moderate-to-high disease activity states. Ultrasonography scores did not reveal significant differences in synovial inflammation between discordant and concordant groups. The findings provide a deeper understanding of patient-provider discordance than previously known. New insights from this study include the evidence that positive discordance is not associated with unrecognized joint inflammation by ultrasonography and that depression and fibromyalgia appear to play distinct roles in determining positive discordance. Further work is necessary to develop a comprehensive framework for patient-centered evaluation and management of RA and associated comorbidities in patients in the scenario of patient-provider discordance.
Democracy and Goodness: A Historicist Political Theory

Citizens, political leaders, and scholars invoke the term 'democracy' to describe present-day states without grasping its roots or prospects in theory or practice. This book clarifies the political discourse about democracy by identifying that its primary focus is human activity, not consent. It points out how democracy is neither self-legitimating nor self-justifying and so requires critical, ethical discourse to address its ongoing problems, such as inequality and exclusion. Wallach pinpoints how democracy has historically depended on notions of goodness to ratify its power. The book analyses pivotal concepts of democratic ethics such as 'virtue', 'representation', 'civil rightness', 'legitimacy', and 'human rights' and looks at them as practical versions of goodness that have adapted democracy to new constellations of power in history. Wallach notes how democratic ethics should never be reduced to power or moral ideals. Historical understanding needs to come first to highlight the potentials and prospects of democratic citizenship.
Public Health Nutrition, Religion, and Spirituality

This chapter reviews theories and empirical evidence on religion and spirituality (R/S) as factors relevant to public health nutrition, the field of concentration of about 3% of public health students nationwide. We discuss R/S-health evidence pertaining to fruit, vegetable, and fat intake, overweight status, eating disorders , and fasting and cholesterol.
Transport in the Environment

In this section various solution techniques for the convection-diffusion equation are reviewed, which is generally defined as the mass transport equation with diffusive terms. These techniques will be applied to chemical transport solutions in sediments. There are also a number of applications to chemical transport in biofilms. There are many other applications of the convection-diffusion equation, but they require more background with regard to the physics of mixing processes, which will be addressed in later sections of the volume.
Regulation of APP Metabolism by Protein Phosphorylation

A hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) is the build-up of an amyloid protein (Aβ) (Glenner and Wong, 1984, Masters et al., 1985) in the brain parenchyma and in the cere-brovasculature (Tomlinson and Corsellis, 1984). Aβ is derived from a large transmembrane precursor, the amyloid protein precursor (APP) (Goldgaber et al., 1987, Kang et al., 1987, Kitaguchi et al., 1988, Ponte et al., 1988, Robakis et al., 1987, Tanzi et al., 1987, Tanzi et al., 1988). For a variety of reasons, many researchers believe that the build-up of Aβ in the brain causes the synaptic loss and associated dementia which occurs in AD. These reasons include the observation that one of the several mutations (hereafter referred to as the Swedish mutation, Mullan et al., 1992) in APP which cosegregate with AD is associated with abnormally high production of Aβ (Cai et al., 1993, Citron et al., 1992). It therefore seems plausible to argue that increased production of Aβ might underlie the symptoms of AD in individuals bearing this mutation. More recently it has been shown that an allele of apolipoprotein E (ApoE(4)) is associated with forms of AD (Corder et al., 1993, Strittmatter et al., 1993). This allele of ApoE is especially prone to inducing the aggregation and precipitation of Aβ in vitro. In the case of individuals with ApoE(4) it is possible that there is an associated increase in Aβ deposition (Schmechel et al., 1993) which again might underlie the symptoms of AD. Thus, there is evidence to suggest that both increased Aβ production and decreased Aβ clearance may contribute to AD. From these findings it is a small jump to argue that decreasing Aβ formation and/or increasing Aβ clearance might slow the progression of AD.