cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Active surveillance in phenotypically heterogeneous early-stage prostate cancer.

5083 Background: Active surveillance (AS) in prostate cancer (PC) is predicated on slow, stepwise disease (Dz) progression. Patient (Pt) selection, although not standardized in prospective AS trials, is based on clinical stage, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and phenotypic characteristics of tumors on biopsy (BX). Changes on repeat BXs often trigger intervention. In a single-institution prospective cohort study, pts with early stage PC were stratified to AS group (GR) I (favorable risk), II (pt’s choice), or III (competing comorbidities prevent local therapy [TX]). We describe early results for GR II, use of confirmatory and subsequent BX, and reclassification and TX rates. Methods: Enrolled 2006-2012 were 191 men into GR I, 369 into GR II, and 14 into GR III. GR I required a single core of Gleason score (GS) 3+3 10 years (yr) selecting AS were considered GR II. Pts had mandatory confirmatory BX at registration or within 6 months (mo)...
A pilot “big data” education modular curriculum for engineering graduate education: Development and implementation

Engineering higher education increasingly produces data in the volume, variety, velocity, and need for veracity such that the output of the research is considered “Big Data”. While engineering faculty members do conceive of and direct the research producing this data, there may be gaps in faculty members' knowledge in training graduate and undergraduate research assistants in the management of Big Data. The project described herein details the development of a Big Data education module for a group of graduate researchers and undergraduate research assistants in Electrical and Computer Engineering. This project has the following objectives: to document and describe current data management practices; to identify gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed in order for research assistants to successfully manage Big Data; and to create curricular interventions to address these gaps. This paper details the motivation, relevant literature, research methodology, curricular intervention, and pilot presentation of the module. Results indicate that, generally, students involved in Big Data projects need comprehensive introduction to the topic, which will be most effective when contextualized to the work that they are performing in the research or classroom environment.
Examining non-LTR retrotransposons in the context of the evolving primate brain

Researchers have long sought to understand the genetic basis of the cognitive differences between primates, with particular focus on the human brain. Although all mutational types have worked in concert with evolutionary forces to generate the current human brain, in this review we will explore the impact of mobile elements, specifically non-LTR retrotransposons. Non-LTR retrotransposons have contributed coding and regulatory sequences to the genome throughout evolution. During primate evolution there have been multiple waves of LINE retrotransposition as well as the birth of new mobile elements such as the SINEs Alu and SVA and we will explore what kinds of impacts these may have had on the evolving human brain.
Selective Recruitment or Voter Neglect? Race, Place, and Voter Mobilization in 2016

This paper takes up the question of who asks racial-ethnic minority voters to vote, relative to white voters? We examine more closely the targeted mobilization strategies in the 2016 Presidential election cycle and highlight the roles of race, demographic context, and mobilization source on patterns of reported mobilization. Utilizing the 2016 Collaborative Multi-Racial Post-Election Survey we model the impact of demographic profiles on the probability of mobilization by white mobilizers and compare that to mobilization by minorities. Our analysis suggests that even when controlling for battleground context and likely voter characteristics, minority voters are neglected, but this is contingent on the racial demographics of those doing the mobilizing. These findings shed light on the discrepancy of turnout across racial and ethnic groups in the United States
Disulfide bond formation in prokaryotes

Interest in protein disulfide bond formation has recently increased because of the prominent role of disulfide bonds in bacterial virulence and survival. The first discovered pathway that introduces disulfide bonds into cell envelope proteins consists of Escherichia coli enzymes DsbA and DsbB. Since its discovery, variations on the DsbAB pathway have been found in bacteria and archaea, probably reflecting specific requirements for survival in their ecological niches. One variation found amongst Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria is the replacement of DsbB by a homologue of human vitamin K epoxide reductase. Many Gram-positive bacteria express enzymes involved in disulfide bond formation that are similar, but non-homologous, to DsbAB. While bacterial pathways promote disulfide bond formation in the bacterial cell envelope, some archaeal extremophiles express proteins with disulfide bonds both in the cytoplasm and in the extra-cytoplasmic space, possibly to stabilize proteins in the face of extreme conditions, such as growth at high temperatures. Here, we summarize the diversity of disulfide-bond-catalysing systems across prokaryotic lineages, discuss examples for understanding the biological basis of such systems, and present perspectives on how such systems are enabling advances in biomedical engineering and drug development.
Mediators of two selective prevention interventions targeting both obesity and eating disorders.

The present study tested hypothesized mechanisms underlying the effects of two selective prevention interventions targeting both obesity and eating disorders (Healthy Weight and the newly developed Project Health), relative to video control. Tests examined mediation for the significant weight gain prevention and eating disorder symptom prevention effects previously reported. College students (N = 364; 72% women) with weight concerns were randomized to condition and assessed for 2-years post-intervention. Project Health participants had significant improvements in 2 of the 7 proposed mediators relative to comparisons (i.e., cognitive dissonance, the unhealthy Western dietary pattern) but change in these variables did not mediate its effect on long-term BMI change. Two variables emerged as full mediators of the eating disorder prevention effects for both experimental interventions: body dissatisfaction and negative affect. Analyses failed to support the exploratory hypothesis that change in eating disorder symptoms mediated the effects of condition on BMI gain. This report is the among the first to examine mediation for programs aimed at preventing both weight gain and eating disorders, particularly in mixed-gender groups. Mediational analyses are essential in identifying the mechanism of intervention action, which can inform improvements to prevention programs.
Experiential Intelligent Tutoring: Using the Environment to Contextualize the Didactic

With advancements in mobile computing technologies, extending training and education opportunities outside of traditional classroom environments is more feasible than ever. In this paper, we discuss the application of Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) technologies to drive self-regulated educational experiences that incorporate physical elements of an environment to contextualize the concepts being instructed. This supports an experiential learning model that blends structured didactic instruction with interactions and assessments that utilize the physical environment.
Vibrational frequencies, structures, and energetics of the highly challenging alkali metal trifluorides MF3 (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs)

Many experimental studies have been reported on alkali metal trifluorides MF3 (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs), and several controversies remain. In the present research, we systematically study the MF3 systems using both coupled-cluster and multireference methods. New predictions and explanations are provided for some known experimental and theoretical challenges, including identification of the true MF3 minima and global minima, the unclear existence of light alkali metal trifluorides MF3 (M = Li and Na), and assignment of the F–F–F symmetric stretch frequencies for the heavier alkali metal trifluorides MF3 (M = K, Rb, and Cs). With several new structures located, we predict a preference of Cs minima for MF3 (M = Li and Na) and C2v minima for MF3 (M = K, Rb, and Cs). For the species where multiple minima were located, near degeneracies of those minima can be found in most cases. The endothermicities (∼3–4 kcal mol−1) for the favored MF3 → MF + F2 fragmentations suggest that MF3 (M = Li and Na) are weakly bonded complexes. The existence of those species at low temperatures cannot be ruled out, and vibrational frequencies are reported to guide future experiments. Most importantly, significant differences between the coupled-cluster and multireference results were found in predicting the F–F–F symmetric stretch frequencies (νs) of the C2v MF3 (M = K, Rb, and Cs) structures, although both methods show good performance in predicting most structures and antisymmetric stretch frequencies (νas). The coupled-cluster [CCSD(T), CCSDT, and CCSDT(Q)] results agree with the recent experimental assignment of Redeker, Beckers, and Riedel [389 cm−1, RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 106568] to the νs fundamental of CsF3. In contrast, the multireference (CASPT2, CASPT3, and MRCISD+Q) results support the original experimental assignment of Ault and Andrews [461 cm−1, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1976, 98, 1591; Inorg. Chem., 1977, 16, 2024]. The F–F–F symmetric stretch frequencies for the MF3 molecules (M = K, Rb, and Cs) continue to provide a great challenge to theory and experiment.
Permutations and Regression Models

A class of exponential-family models on the set of permutations of k objects or items is described. The null or uniform model gives probability 1/k! to each of the k! possible permutations. The first-order inversion model has as sufficient statistic the k × k matrix listing the number of times that each pair of candidates was ranked in that order, i.e. the number of times that candidate a was preferred over candidate b for all ordered pairs a and b. In the second-order inversion model the sufficient statistic is a similar listing for each ordered triplet of three candidates. Interesting sub-models are identified and used to help in the analysis of the APA election data.
Measurement of Liquid Crystal Orientational Statistics by Raman Scattering

Polarized Raman spectra have been used to obtain measures of P2 = 2−1 and P4 = 8−1 of different liquid crystals. The experimental results disagree with existing theoretical predictions regarding the orientational statistics of nematic liquid crystals.
The Application of Convex Hull in Industrial X-Ray Computerized Tomography

In some x-ray CT situations, the x-ray data of the object are available only in a limited angular range. Limited-angle imaging occurs, for example, when scanning in an angular range is obstructed by other physical objects, or when the x-ray is attenuated too much in a particular angular range to serve any useful purpose. These situations are illustrated in Fig. 1. Under such circumstances limited-angle image reconstruction techniques could be employed to reconstruct the object from the x-ray data and other information about the object, such as (1) exterior boundary of the object; (2) upper bound of the object density; (3) lower bound of the object density. It has been shown that by using this information in addition to the limited-angle x-ray data, the object can be reconstructed uniquely [1]. The limited-angle reconstruction algorithm developed in the above reference is shown in Fig. 2; the image is transformed back and forth between the object space by filtered backprojection, and the projection space by projection, with corrections by the a priori information in the object space and the limited-angle known projections in the projection space.
Teaching Crime Fiction Criticism

This chapter addresses how crime fiction criticism can be taught at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, offering teaching strategies, specific assignments, and suggestions for effective pedagogy. Course contexts include online and in-person delivery, courses dedicated to crime fiction, and classes that incorporate crime fiction as one part of thematic or period-based literary study. Examples are drawn from English, American, and Scandinavian crime fiction. The chapter begins with an overview of the field’s development and current status, presents teaching strategies and results, suggests potential resources, and closes with a case study of a postgraduate seminar in American crime fiction.
Guide to Starting a Law School Clinic to Serve Entrepreneurs (with Forms)

In this book, we provide an introductory guide to help enhance the effectiveness of a manager or administrator who seeks to establish and operate a transactional legal clinic in a university setting. We identify systems and legal management approaches that would enable a manager or administrator to run such a university based program. The systems and legal management approaches identified include infrastructure, student volunteers, internal marketing, external community outreach, legal certifications, student assignments, client management, business and legal resources, business planning questionnaire, and sample evaluation forms. Furthermore, we provide systems and ideas regarding lawyer interviewing and counseling of clients.
Cap-independent mRNA translation is upregulated in long-lived endocrine mutant mice

It has been hypothesized that transcriptional changes associated with lower mTORC1 activity in mice with reduced levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 are responsible for the longer healthy lifespan of these mutant mice. Cell lines and tissues from these mice show alterations in the levels of many proteins that cannot be explained by corresponding changes in mRNAs. Such post-transcriptional modulation may be the result of preferential mRNA translation by the cap-independent translation of mRNA bearing the N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A) modification. The long-lived endocrine mutants - Snell dwarf, growth hormone receptor deletion and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A knockout - all show increases in the N6-adenosine-methyltransferases (METTL3/14) that catalyze 6-methylation of adenosine (m6A) in the 5' UTR region of select mRNAs. In addition, these mice have elevated levels of YTH domain-containing protein 1 (YTHDF1), which recognizes m6A and promotes translation by a cap-independent mechanism. Consistently, multiple proteins that can be translated by the cap-independent mechanism are found to increase in these mice, including DNA repair and mitochondrial stress response proteins, without changes in corresponding mRNA levels. Lastly, a drug that augments cap-independent translation by inhibition of cap-dependent pathways (4EGI-1) was found to elevate levels of the same set of proteins and able to render cells resistant to several forms of in vitro stress. Augmented translation by cap-independent pathways facilitated by m6A modifications may contribute to the stress resistance and increased healthy longevity of mice with diminished GH and IGF-1 signals.
Experimental and numerical study of the domestic hot water production with PV panels and a heat pump

This article presents an experimental and modelling work which uses a compact domestic hot water heat pump (DHW-HP) that is simultaneously powered from photovoltaic panels (PV) and from the grid. Results from more than 240 days of experimental works have been used in order to develop and to validate the computer model of the system. The program, implemented in MATLAB, is computationally ‘light’ enough to allow mid-term simulations yet also detailed enough to accurately and coherently portray stratification within thermal storage tanks. Finally, as an example of the model capabilities, it has been used to simulate a domestic hot water tapping cycle from the European Standard EN 16147.
Median Nerve: Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome

Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome is a rare form of median nerve compression. Along with pronator syndrome, it comprises a small percentage of compression neuropathies in the upper extremity. Symptomatically, these disorders can encompass a range of symptoms from disruptions of normal sensation through profound weakness of the forearm musculature innervated by the anterior interosseous nerve. Initial treatment is nonsurgical with good results from activity modification and muscle stretching. When nonoperative treatment fails, both open and endoscopic surgery may be considered. In general, an endoscopic approach offers decreased morbidity and quicker return to sport. The endoscopic approach is technically demanding, and surgeons should be comfortable with soft tissue endoscopy techniques before approaching release of the AIN in this manner. Good results can be expected from either approach with proper selection of surgical candidates. Patients can be anticipated to make a full return to sports.
SOME ASPECTS OF THE COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HIGH PRESSURE NEUROLOGIC SYNDROME

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses several aspects of the comparative physiology of the high pressure neurologic syndrome. The high pressure nervous syndrome (HPNS)—like sequence observed among invertebrates—reveals a number of interesting features that are not encountered among vertebrates. In the first place, there is a preseizure stage of enhanced motor activity. While the physiological significance of this stage is as yet not understood, there are frequent resemblances of behavior during this stage to the escape reactions characteristic of the different species. A second characteristic of the high pressure response in crustaceans is that it is subject to acclimatization. However, this acclimatization appears confined to the convulsion stage of the crustacean HPNS: neither the activation nor the immobilization stages of gammarids show anything comparable to the increased pressure tolerance of the abyssal species for high pressure convulsions.
Introduction to Animal Neuroethics: What and Why?

The emergence and development of neuroethics over the last two decades has occurred in parallel with progress and advancement in several separate sciences, including various neurosciences, comparative psychology, comparative cognition, and ethology. The rapid growth of knowledge about animal brains, minds, intelligence, culture, behaviors, and capacities made by these sciences continues to be integrated into the philosophical discourse on animal ethics, but has thus far had little impact on animal research regulations. Our aim is to bend what have heretofore been more or less parallel tracks into convergence and intersection, and examine the implications of neuroscientific research for our understanding of the minds of other animals, the moral status of these animals, and our moral obligations to them. We challenge neuroethics to adopt a less anthropocentric focus and explore how growing knowledge of nonhuman minds challenges human supremacy.
The Effects of Racial/Ethnic Minority Status on Sleep, Mood Disturbance, and Depression in People with Fibromyalgia.

Purpose Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder that is characterized by persistent and widespread pain. FMS has been associated with sleep disturbance, mood disorders and depression. Racial/ethnic minorities are less likely to receive a diagnosis of FMS than White individuals. Although mood disorders and depression are prevalent among racial/ethnic minority groups, researchers have not examined whether there are differences between racial/ethnic minorities and White individuals with FMS. Participants and Methods The participants were 600 people who were 18 years of age or older and who had a physician's diagnosis of FMS, which was confirmed using the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria. Most participants were female (95.5%) and White (85.0%). Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), mood disturbance was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and depression was assessed via the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results Racial/ethnic minorities reported significantly greater levels of sleep disturbance, significantly greater levels of mood disturbance, and had significantly greater levels of depression than White participants. However, racial/ethnic minorities had significantly greater reductions in mood disturbance over the one-year period than White participants. Conclusion Overall, the findings from the present study indicated that racial/ethnic minorities had "worse" physical and psychological outcomes than White participants.
Transport mechanism of the neuronal excitatory amino acid transporter

Abstract Human excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (hEAAT3) mediates glutamate uptake in neurons, intestine, and kidney. Here, we report Cryo-EM structures of hEAAT3 in several functional states where the transporter is empty, bound to coupled sodium ions only, or fully loaded with three sodium ions, a proton, and the substrate aspartate. The structures suggest that hEAAT3 operates by an elevator mechanism involving three functionally independent subunits. When the substrate-binding site is near the cytoplasm, it has a remarkably low affinity for the substrate, perhaps facilitating its release and allowing for the rapid transport turnover. The mechanism of the coupled uptake of the sodium ions and the substrate is conserved across evolutionarily distant families and is augmented by coupling to protons in EAATs. The structures further suggest a mechanism by which conserved glutamate mediates proton symport.
Lung cancer mortality associated with protracted low‐dose occupational radiation exposures and smoking behaviors in U.S. radiologic technologists, 1983‐2012

In the Japanese atomic bomb survivors, risk of lung cancer has been shown to increase with greater acute exposure to ionizing radiation. Although similar findings have been observed in populations exposed to low-dose, protracted radiation, such studies lack information on cigarette smoking history, a potential confounder. In a cohort of 106 068 U.S. radiologic technologists, we examined the association between estimated cumulative lung absorbed dose from occupational radiation exposure and lung cancer mortality. Poisson regression models, adjusted for attained age, sex, birth cohort, pack-years smoked and years since quitting smoking, were used to calculate linear excess relative risks (ERR) per 100 mGy, using time-dependent cumulative lung absorbed dose, lagged 10 years. Mean cumulative absorbed dose to the lung was 25 mGy (range: 0-810 mGy). During the 1983 to 2012 follow-up, 1090 participants died from lung cancer. Greater occupational radiation lung dose was not associated with lung cancer mortality overall (ERR per 100 mGy: -0.02, 95% CI: <0-0.13). However, significant dose-response relationships were observed for some subgroups, which might be false-positive results given the number of statistical tests performed. As observed in other studies of radiation and smoking, the interaction between radiation and smoking appeared to be sub-multiplicative with an ERR per 100 mGy of 0.41 (95% CI: 0.01-1.15) for those who smoked <20 pack-years and -0.03 (95% CI: <0-0.15) for those who smoked ≥20 pack-years. Our study provides some evidence that greater protracted radiation exposure in the low-dose range is positively associated with lung cancer mortality.
Numerical simulation of dynamic characteristics of bituminite-fired boiler after mixing lignite for combustion

If the lignite is mixed for combustion in the bituminous-fired boilers in a power plant, less primary air volume is required to avoid burner nozzle coking due to the high volatility of lignite. Stimulate the boiler's dynamic field under the design conditions after reducing primary air rate using the Fluent software, and analyze the diameter of the tangent circle in the furnace and the process of primary air's stiffness attenuation. The result shows that as the primary wind rate and speed decrease, the dynamic field in the furnace changes greatly, while the speed of the adherent wind increases, and the wall brushing phenomenon occurs. In order to ensure a dynamic field in the furnace, it is necessary to place a central cross partition to increase the rigidity of the primary air, and to prevent the primary air from decaying too quickly or deflecting towards the wall. The result can be used as a reference for the design and modification of the same type of boiler burner.
The Cape Lopez Africans at Maranhão: Geo-political literacy, British consuls, and the demise of the transatlantic slave trade to Brazil

In early November 1845, sailors from H.M.S. Alert boarded an unnamed vessel off Cape Lopez, Gabon, Africa. Inside its hold they found fifty-eight shackled Africans. Placing a prize crew on the slav...
Public opinion on government funding of the arts in the United States: demographic and political factors

I examine associations between demographic and political factors and attitudes regarding government funding of the arts in the United States. I also generate dynamic, state-level estimates of publi...
Local immunoglobulin production in nasal tissues: A key to pathogenesis in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Abstract Objective Local activation of B cells and antibody production are important for protective and pathogenic immune responses. Furthermore, there is evidence that local activation of B cells and antibody production are important for pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and a severe subset of CRSwNP, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). This review summarizes these findings and the potential role of B cells and antibodies in disease pathogenesis. Data Sources Published literature from PubMed searches. Study Selections Studies relevant to B cell development and the roles of B cells and antibodies in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP and AERD. Results Formation of tertiary lymphoid structures plays a key role in the local activation of B cells and antibody production. This process is important for fighting infections, but it also contributes to autoimmune disease. Furthermore, there is evidence to support a role for local B cell activation and antibody production in a variety of allergic diseases. Nasal polyp tissues from patients with CRSwNP and AERD have elevated levels of activated B cell subsets and locally produced antibodies. These locally produced antibodies may contribute to disease pathogenesis in a variety of ways, including activation of innate effector cells, whereas locally activated B cells may contribute to pathogenesis through the activation of T cells. Conclusion More studies are needed to determine the role of B cells and antibodies in driving disease in these patients. However, targeting the processes that drive local B cell activation and antibody production may provide new therapeutic approaches and could help to reduce chronic inflammation.
New models for the rapid evolution of the central star of the Stingray Nebula

We present stellar evolution calculations from the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) to the Planetary Nebula (PN) phase for models of initial mass 1.2 M\odot and 2.0 M\odot that experience a Late Thermal Pulse (LTP), a helium shell flash that occurs following the AGB and causes a rapid looping evolution between the AGB and PN phase. We use these models to make comparisons to the central star of the Stingray Nebula, V839 Ara (SAO 244567). The central star has been observed to be rapidly evolving (heating) over the last 50 to 60 years and rapidly dimming over the past 20 - 30 years. It has been reported to belong to the youngest known planetary nebula, now rapidly fading in brightness. In this paper we show that the observed timescales, sudden dimming, and increasing Log(g), can all be explained by LTP models of a specific variety. We provide a possible explanation for the nebular ionization, the 1980s sudden mass loss episode, the sudden decline in mass loss, and the nebular recombination and fading.
Energy Management Strategy of Energy Local Network Based on Energy Storage Virtual Queue

In order to improve the level of renewable energy consumption and reduce the simulation error caused by the model prediction, aiming at the problem of synergetic utilization of energy local network including electric vehicles and high penetration photovoltaic grid connected, a virtual energy storage queue based on Lyapunov optimization technology is proposed. Taking electric vehicle load as an example, the time coupling constraint in energy management problem is transformed into queue stability problem for flexible load which does not need to be satisfied immediately. Through the formation of Lyapunov drift penalty function, the energy management problem is simplified. And the control decision is determined according to the real-time operation status, so as to achieve the goal of reducing the operation cost. Simulation and experimental results show that the method improves the utilization of renewable energy, and verifies the effectiveness of the algorithm in reducing operating costs.
The Weighted Fuzzy Expected Value as an Activation Function for the Parallel Distributed Processing Models

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an alternate method for viewing the firing rules of neural network models or parallel distributed processing models or (PDPs). The inputs to the processing unit are considered to be elements of a fuzzy set and the firing rule is viewed as an attempt to find a typical value among the inputs. Two such fuzzy measures are also analyzed—namely, (1) the fuzzy expected value (FEV), and (2) the weighted fuzzy expected value (WFEV). The WFEV is shown to compare favorably with the usual weighted sum firing rule when inputs are quasi-orthogonal and the WFEV surpasses the latter when the mean orthogonality of the input patterns decreases. Neural network modeling comprises the study of the emergent properties of collections of neuron-like units. These processing units operate asynchronously and in parallel and are bound generally, but not strictly, by neurophysiological principles. From studies of brain damage it can be concluded that no part of the brain acts as a central processor or homonculus. The processing is distributed across a number of cells.
Oxytocin’s role in salt appetite revealed by PEP7 blockade of angiotensin II action (683.1)

The paradoxical mechanism by which angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates saline intake and simultaneously releases oxytocin (OT), which profoundly inhibits Ang II-induced saline intake, is not known. ...
Application of a data‐assimilative regional ocean modeling system for assessing California Current System ocean conditions, krill, and juvenile rockfish interannual variability

To be robust and informative, marine ecosystem models and assessments require parameterized biophysical relationships that rely on realistic water column characteristics at appropriate spatial and temporal scales. We examine how hydrographic properties off California from 1990 through 2010 during late winter and spring correspond to krill and juvenile rockfish (Sebastes spp.) abundances. We evaluated coherence among temperature, salinity, depth of 26.0 potential density isopycnal, and stratification strength at regionally and monthly time scales derived from shipboard and mooring observations, and a data-assimilative Regional Ocean Model System reanalysis. The reanalysis captures spatiotemporal physical variability of coastal ocean conditions in winter and spring months and elucidates mechanisms connecting the spatial and temporal upwelling and transport dynamics on observed krill and rockfish abundances in spring. This provides evidence for a mechanistic connection between the phenology of upwelling in the California Current System and seasonal development of the shelf ecosystem.
ABACUS: a distributed middleware for privacy preserving data sharing across private data warehouses

Recent trends in the global economy force competitive enterprises to collaborate with each other to analyze markets in a better way and make decisions based on that. Therefore, they might want to share their data with each other to run data mining algorithms over the union of their data to get more accurate and representative results. During this process they do not want to reveal their data to each other due to the legal issues and competition. However, current systems do not consider privacy preservation in data sharing across private data sources. To satisfy this requirement, we propose a distributed middleware, ABACUS, to perform intersection, join, and aggregation queries over multiple private data warehouses in a privacy preserving manner. Our analytical evaluations show that ABACUS is efficient and scalable.
Trypanosoma Cruzi: Pattern of Rna Synthesis Following Infection of Vertebrate Cells

SYNOPSIS. the pattern of RNA synthesis of intracellular Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes, immediately following infection of Lesch-Nyhan human fibroblasts, was studied by autoradiography. Amastigote RNA synthesis, determined by [3H]guanine incorporation, was not detected until 2 h after infection. At 8 h postinfection more than 90% of intracellular amastigotes were labeled. It was verified that extracellular trypomastigotes also synthesized RNA. Therefore it was concluded that, if RNA is required for trypomastigote-to-amastigote transformation, this nucleic acid is already present in the trypomastigotes before infection of the vertebrate cell. It is probable that the RNA synthesized by amastigotes during the prereplicative lag period (the period between initial infection and the onset of DNA synthesis) is required for intracellular growth and reproduction.
Patriot, Privacy, and Politics

Much of the controversy about terrorist enforcement in the early stages focused on USA PATRIOT for political reasons. PATRIOT was almost a smokescreen because the vast bulk of it would be subject to only mild debate, were it not that the administration made it the focal point of its domestic “war on terror,” thus making it also the lightning rod for critics. In a sense, PATRIOT came to stand for other policies such as military detention and domestic wiretapping. There are many elements in approaches to terrorism that need to be addressed, but this article merely explores which issues are about the law and which are issues of enforcement by focusing on USA PATRIOT.
Finite Element Modeling of Coastal Circulation

Abstract : The long-term goal is to develop finite element procedures for nearshore and shelf-scale operations using unstructured grids which can be adapted in a real-time data assimilative manner. Initial application is to the Yellow Sea, with technology transfer from parallel efforts in the Gulf of Maine. Objectives are to: 1) Develop a realistic circulation model for the Yellow Sea. Processes must include tides and tidal rectification, wind, remote forcing, and baroclinicity. 2) Develop and archive climatological circulation for the Yellow Sea, in 6 bimonthly seasons. 3) Develop data-assimilative methods for shipboard limited-area nowcasting and forecasting using inverse methods and the above results as prior estimates.
Gauge Symmetry and the Theta Vacuum

Abstractly, a symmetry of a structure is an automorphism – a transformation that maps the elements of an object back onto themselves so as to preserve the structure of that object.
hERG potassium channel gating is mediated by N- and C-terminal region interactions.

Human ether-a-go-go–related gene (hERG) potassium channels have voltage-dependent closing (deactivation) kinetics that are unusually slow. A Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain in the cytoplasmic N-terminal region of hERG regulates slow deactivation by making a direct interaction with another part of the hERG channel. The mechanism for slow deactivation is unclear, however, because the other regions of the channel that participate in regulation of deactivation are not known. To identify other functional determinants of slow deactivation, we generated hERG channels with deletions of the cytoplasmic C-terminal regions. We report that hERG channels with deletions of the cyclic nucleotide–binding domain (CNBD) had accelerated deactivation kinetics that were similar to those seen in hERG channels lacking the PAS domain. Channels with dual deletions of the PAS domain and the CNBD did not show further acceleration in deactivation, indicating that the PAS domain and the CNBD regulate deactivation by a convergent mechanism. A recombinant PAS domain that we previously showed could directly regulate PAS domain–deleted channels did not regulate channels with dual deletions of the PAS domain and CNBD, suggesting that the PAS domain did not interact with CNBD-deleted channels. Biochemical protein interaction assays showed that glutathione S-transferase (GST)–PAS (but not GST) bound to a CNBD-containing fusion protein. Coexpression of PAS domain–deleted subunits (with intact C-terminal regions) and CNBD-deleted subunits (with intact N-terminal regions) resulted in channels with partially restored slow deactivation kinetics, suggesting regulatory intersubunit interactions between PAS domains and CNBDs. Together, these data suggest that the mechanism for regulation of slow deactivation in hERG channels is an interaction between the N-terminal PAS domain and the C-terminal CNBD.
Cajal's debt to Golgi.

We are accustomed to thinking of Camillo Golgi and Santiago Ramon y Cajal as contemporary scientists at war over the neuron doctrine. This is certainly how Cajal in his biography and later writings portrayed their relationship and Golgi did not help matters by his most unfortunate Nobel acceptance speech of 1906 (Golgi 1907) in which he emphasized in a contentious way his continuing belief in an outmoded view of the nervous system. Cajal's speech (Cajal, 1907), by contrast, was of a kind typical of that of any modern neuroscientist in which he outlined his past achievements in neurohistology and then proceeded to describe his ongoing experiments in nerve regeneration. The contrast between the two speeches is a reflection of the fact that Golgi's work on the organization of
Effect of zinc and cadmium treatment on hydrogen peroxide-induced mortality and expression of glutathione and metallothionein in a teleost hepatoma cell line

Abstract Cellular thiols such as glutathione (GSH) and metallothioneins (MTs) have been shown to protect cells from metal toxicity by nature of their ability to sequester metals. Thiols are also scavengers of reactive oxygen species and protect against oxidative stress. Few studies have examined the role of thiols in protection from oxidative stress in aquatic species. To examine the role of MT and GSH in oxidative stress in fish, Poeciliopsis hepatoma cells (PLHC-1) were treated with 0.1, 1.0 and 10 mM of the oxidant, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), for 24 h. When cells were pretreated with 10 μM ZnSO 4 for 24 h prior to H 2 O 2 treatment, survival was not significantly different than controls at the 0.1 mM H 2 O 2 concentration. However, 10 μM ZnSO 4 provided no protection at the 1.0 and 10 mM H 2 O 2 concentrations. When cells were pretreated with 10 μM CdCl 2 24 h prior to H 2 O 2 , significant protection was afforded at the 0.1 and 1.0 mM H 2 O 2 concentrations. Low-molecular weight 109 Cd-binding proteins (indicative of (MTs)) were measured in each group of cells 24 h after 0.1, 1.0 and 10 μM ZnSO 4 or CdCl 2 treatments and was significantly induced by CdCl 2 at the 1 and 10 μM concentrations. Significant induction of MT-like proteins were only observed at the 10 μM ZnSO 4 concentration and H 2 O 2 failed to induce MT-like proteins in the cells. Cellular GSH was also measured following metal and H 2 O 2 treatments. Treatment of cells with 10 μM CdCl 2 led to significant increases in GSH, whereas ZnSO 4 failed to change GSH content. H 2 O 2 treatments of 1 and 10 mM led to a reduction of GSH. These data indicate differential protection afforded by the two metals and suggests that metal-induced GSH and MT may provide better protection against oxidative damage than induction of MT alone.
Event-related brain correlates of associative learning without awareness.

Abstract Controversy exists about whether associative learning occurs without awareness. In an earlier study using subthreshold (subliminal) stimuli, we reported evidence that such learning could occur as measured by event-related brain potentials [ERP; Cons. Cognit. 6 (1997) 519]. In the present study, we extend these findings by changing several aspects of the methodology in order to provide a more stringent test of this effect and to examine its generality. We used two matched words (murder and cancer) as conditional stimuli (CS); a 100 dB white noise blast as unconditional stimulus (US); a CS–US interval of 3 s; and a full-factorial design with CSs counterbalanced. The conditioning-acquisition phase occurred when the CSs were perceptually unconscious, as confirmed by a subsequent behavioral task. The conditioning-acquisition and postconditioning-extinction phases were examined for ERP evidence of associative learning. The clearest and strongest evidence for associative learning without awareness was observed in the ERP component measures (up to 1 s, poststimulus) in the postconditioning-extinction phase. The CS+ was significantly more positive than the CS− in the P3b-LP component region, which is highly consistent with the results of our earlier study. Differences also were observed in the P1–P2 components. In an unexpected finding, we observed a significant positive slow potential shift for the CS+ in the region between 1 and 3 s poststimulus. We discuss these results and their implications for our understanding of associative learning and awareness.
Comparison of the salivary glands and salivary electrolytes in man and marmoset.

Abstract Comparative studies of the salivary glands and salivary electrolytes of man and marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus ) show that: (1) Marmoset salivary glands differ from human salivary glands both in the relative size of the parotid and submandibular and in the histologic structure of the submandibular and sublingual. (2) Marmoset saliva differs significantly from human saliva in flow rate, pH, buffer capacity and in sodium, bicarbonate, calcium and phosphate concentration. (3) Interspecies differences in the chemical characteristics of pilocarpine stimulated human and marmoset saliva are much more pronounced than intraspecies differences between paraffin and pilocarpine activated human saliva. (4) In both man and marmoset there is a significant relationship between flow rate and saliva sodium level and between buffer capacity and saliva bicarbonate concentration.
In-vitro clonogenic assay for predicting response of ovarian cancer to chemotherapy

95 clinical trials of anticancer drugs were done in 40 patients with advanced ovarian cancer who had undergone an in-vitro soft-agar human tumour stem-cell assay for drug sensitivity. In the 95 clinical trials, 13 of 21 patients responded clinically to drugs predicted to be effective in vitro, while in 73 of 74 instances in which drug resistance had been predicted in vitro there was no response to treatment. 2 patients achieved a complete remission of 1 and 12+ months and 11 had partial remissions lasting a median of four months. Prediction of in-vitro resistance was 99% accurate. The 62% complete or partial remission rate to agents with proven in-vitro efficacy was achieved in extensively pretreated ovarian cancer patients who were unlikely to respond to empirically chosen secondary agents. The human tumour stem-cell assay, in which ovarian tumour colony-forming units are grown in a two-layer agar-culture system incorporating tests for drug sensitivity or resistance, can be effectively used to plan a suitable chemotherapy regimen for ovarian cancer patients.
A Grading Method That Promotes Competency and Values Broadly Talented Students

This paper reports the results of a recent experiment in student performance evaluation. A criterion-referenced, rather than the typical norm-referenced scheme, was supplemented with a reward system designed to value students with a diverse set of academic talents. For example, the ability to solve “traditional looking” engineering analysis problems and the ability to thoroughly explain how phenomena occur (independent of the ability to work to a final “answer”) were equally valued. Value was measured by the course grade. The goals of the experiment were: (1) to ensure that all students who succeeded in the class possessed a baseline competence in the subject matter; (2) to value (in the form of high grades) a diverse set of talents; and (3) to encourage students to develop good learning habits. The experiment was implemented by teaching a sophomore core engineering course with a team of two faculty members and two graduate teaching assistants handling 187 students. One faculty member was responsible for the classroom teaching activities while the other focused exclusively on developing and implementing the evaluation instruments. The instruments consisted of four types of examinations, each designed for a specific purpose and administered at distinct times during the semester. Quantitative results, including associated statistical analyses, are given. We conclude that it is possible to establish criterion-referenced schemes that value student skill diversity while encouraging good study and learning habits. The assessment instruments, however, are psychologically stressful to many students who are unaccustomed to them.
Design and testing of 'genome-proxy' microarrays to profile marine microbial communities.

Summary Microarrays are useful tools for detecting and quan- tifying specific functional and phylogenetic genes in natural microbial communities. In order to track uncultivated microbial genotypes and their close relatives in an environmental context, we designed and implemented a 'genome-proxy' microarray that targets microbial genome fragments recovered directly from the environment. Fragments consisted of sequenced clones from large-insert genomic librar- ies from microbial communities in Monterey Bay, the Hawaii Ocean Time-series station ALOHA, and Antarctic coastal waters. In a prototype array, we designed probe sets to 13 of the sequenced genome fragments and to genomic regions of the cultivated cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus MED4. Each probe set consisted of multiple 70-mers, each targeting an individual open reading frame, and distributed along each ~40-160 kbp contiguous genomic region. The targeted organisms or clones, and close relatives, were hybridized to the array both as pure DNA mix- tures and as additions of cells to a background of coastal seawater. This prototype array correctly iden- tified the presence or absence of the target organisms and their relatives in laboratory mixes, with negligible cross-hybridization to organisms having ~75% genomic identity. In addition, the array correctly iden- tified target cells added to a background of environ- mental DNA, with a limit of detection of ~0.1% of the community, corresponding to ~10 3 cells ml -1 in these samples. Signal correlated to cell concentration with an R 2 of 1.0 across six orders of magnitude. In addition, the array could track a related strain (at 86% genomic identity to that targeted) with a linearity of R 2 = 0.9999 and a limit of detection of ~1% of the community. Closely related genotypes were distin- guishable by differing hybridization patterns across each probe set. This array's multiple-probe, 'genome- proxy' approach and consequent ability to track both target genotypes and their close relatives is important for the array's environmental application given the recent discoveries of considerable intrapopulation diversity within marine microbial communities.