cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
piRNA Biogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

The PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) pathway is a conserved defense system that protects the genome integrity of the animal germline from deleterious transposable elements. Targets of silencing are recognized by small noncoding piRNAs that are processed from long precursor molecules. Although piRNAs and other classes of small noncoding RNAs, such as miRNAs and small interfering (si)RNAs, interact with members of the same family of Argonaute (Ago) proteins and their function in target repression is similar, the biogenesis of piRNAs differs from those of the other two small RNAs. Recently, many aspects of piRNA biogenesis have been revealed in Drosophila melanogaster. In this review, we elaborate on piRNA biogenesis in Drosophila somatic and germline cells. We focus on the mechanisms by which piRNA precursor transcription is regulated and highlight recent work that has advanced our understanding of piRNA precursor processing to mature piRNAs. We finish by discussing current models to the still unresolved question of how piRNA precursors are selected and channeled into the processing machinery.
Studies on barley yellow dwarf virus in west-central Morocco

The PAV, MAV, and RPV strains of barley yellow dwarf virus have been identified in west-central Morocco. The PAV strain occurred most commonly (56%) followed by the MAV (35%) and the RPV (9%) strains. The disease can reach epiphytotic conditions as illustrated by the 1986-87 growing season. Disease incidence was greatest during spring, and the virus and vectors oversummered•in maize and cereal volunteer plants. The aphid vector Rhopalosiphum padi was constantly present. Other aphid species were generally initially detected in February and could be detected as late as May. Evaluation of 16 grass species collected in the field and 17 species planted from seed showed that 16 and 15 of those tested were susceptible, respectively. Some of the susceptible gasses remained symptomless after inoculation.
Pore Formation During Solidification of Aluminum: Reconciliation of Experimental Observations, Modeling Assumptions, and Classical Nucleation Theory

An in-depth discussion of pore formation is presented in this paper by first reinterpreting in situ observations reported in the literature as well as assumptions commonly made to model pore formation in aluminum castings. The physics of pore formation is reviewed through theoretical fracture pressure calculations based on classical nucleation theory for homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation, with and without dissolved gas, i.e., hydrogen. Based on the fracture pressure for aluminum, critical pore size and the corresponding probability of vacancies clustering to form that size have been calculated using thermodynamic data reported in the literature. Calculations show that it is impossible for a pore to nucleate either homogeneously or heterogeneously in aluminum, even with dissolved hydrogen. The formation of pores in aluminum castings can only be explained by inflation of entrained surface oxide films (bifilms) under reduced pressure and/or with dissolved gas, which involves only growth, avoiding any nucleation problem. This mechanism is consistent with the reinterpretations of in situ observations as well as the assumptions made in the literature to model pore formation.
Power ≠ Power: Against the Mix-Up of Nietzsche and Spinoza:

The reception of Nietzsche’s philosophy is still predominated by a widespread “hermeneutics of innocence” (Losurdo) that dissimulates Nietzsche’s elitist perspectives. This article challenges a cor...
DOCUMENT RETRIEVAL USING A PROBABILISTIC KNOWLEDGE MODEL

We are interested in enhancing information retrieval methods by incorporating domain knowledge. In this paper, we present a new document retrieval framework that learns a probabilistic knowledge model and exploits this model to improve document retrieval. The knowledge model is represented by a network of associations among concepts defining key domain entities and is extracted from a corpus of documents or from a curated domain knowledge base. This knowledge model is then used to perform concept-related probabilistic inferences using link analysis methods and applied to the task of document retrieval. We evaluate this new framework on two biomedical datasets and show that this novel knowledge-based approach outperforms the state-of-art Lemur/Indri document retrieval method.
Re-Evaluation of Markers for the Patch-Matrix Organization of the Rat Striatum

To determine the degree of coincidence of patch-matrix boundaries in the rat striatum identified by several markers, we performed immunocytochemistry on adjacent 40 µm sections, using antibodies to the mu opiate receptor (MOR), somatostatin-28 and calbindin D28k. Superimposed camera lucida drawings revealed close correspondence between MOR-rich regions and regions poor in calbindin and somatostatin fibers. However, this correspondence was evident only in the ventral 2/3 of the rostral caudate-putamen (CPu) and core of the nucleus accumbens (AcbC). In the dorsal CPu at rostral levels, the shell of the accumbens (AcbSh), the olfactory tubercle, and the entire CPu caudal to the posterior limb of the anterior commissure, there was no obvious relationship among these three markers. These results suggest that the entire striatum can be divided into a core and a shell. The core is found in the rostral-ventral region, where there is close correspondence among several patch-matrix markers. The surrounding shell consists of the AcbSh, olfactory tubercle, and an extensive region of the CPu dorsal and caudal to the core, where the patch-matrix markers do_ not coincide.
Singlet Oxygen in the Environment

Singlet oxygen (1O2) is produced in the environment almost exclusively by photochemical pathways. Although it can be detected in many environmental compartments, its potential roles in chemical reactions under environmental conditions are not completely understood. For example, in the atmosphere, it is formed at lower elevations (<40km) by photolysis of ozone and by energy transfer to ground-state oxygen from photoexcited donor species. In the ionosphere, 1O2 participates in emission processes that contribute to the airglow, but in the stratosphere and troposphere its importance appears to be negligible. In natural surface waters, it is formed with about 1% efficiency from dissolved humic materials, but its deactivation by water molecules is so rapid that very few chemical reactions are able to compete. Its steady-state concentrations in most natural waters appear to center around 10-13 M. In water bodies polluted by light-absorbing chemicals such as dyestuffs, it is possible that it might be somewhat more important. In hydrophobic environments such as aquatic surface layers, especially those containing aromatic petroleum derivatives, lO2 might play a quite significant role due to its increased concentration and lifetime. Some solid phases, such as plant, soil, and mineral surfaces, could be sites where lO2 is formed, but little is known about its importance; and similar statements could be made about 1O2 in living cells, despite many decades of investigation of the mechanisms of “photodynamic toxicity.”
Symmetry and Symmetry-Breaking in Thermodynamic and Epistemic Engines: A Coupling of First and Second Laws

Science traditionally models interactions at the same scale treating systems as isolated first and then as interacting second. This approach has well-recognized limitations. It imputes an original symmetric state space to a system followed by symmetry-breaking operations until systems of a desired order of complexity are reached. Once a level of order is reached they converge back onto their original symmetric state space. This sequential alternation of conservative and nonconservative strategies is tantamount to the assumption that first principles (the First and Second Laws) are so weakly coupled that system dynamics are reversible; hence it assumes the laws operate essentially at the same scale. For systems with complex interiors, where much symmetry-breaking is needed, it is impossible to prevent anomalous modes of organization from arising that inflate the dimensionality of the system—an acknowledged but unavoidable curse of open systems analysis when all parameters are distributed at the same scale (i.e., over the same state space). To prevent this unwelcome outcome, ad hoc algebraic filters or post hoc (super) selection rules must be added to same-scaletheories—a violation of both the parsimony and integrity of the putative first principles. Same-scaletheorists so far have been unable to show how such ad hoc or post hoc provisos may either be avoided, used to formulate new first principles, or to reformulate the old ones. An alternative strategy is to assume that the first principles are coupled nonlinearly rather than linked linearly. The nonlinear strategy assumes that the smallest unit of analysis for explaining complex system dynamics is the nonlinear law-coupleitself, which applies irreversibly across macro-and micro-scales and reversibly across modes at the same scale. Thus symmetry-preserving and symmetry-breaking strategies are treated as a single strategy with no need to postulate theoretically unredeemable provisos. Evidence for the nonlinear coupling of the two laws is found across micro- and macro scales with respect to ascending orders of organization—spaces coupled by geometries, geometries coupled by fields, fields by engines, and engines by systems. These issues are discussed in terms of open complex systems examples (e.g., nest-building by termites, craniofacial growth, perceptual illusions) to illustrate the need for applying the same nonlinearly coupled first principles across the scales of physical, biological, and psychological modes.
A molecular investigation into the genetic networks that respond to the mechanical characteristics of the microgravity environment experienced by A. thaliana during spaceflight.

Plants respond to stresses related to microgravity. Calcium (Ca 2+ ) and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) have been shown to be involved in the signaling of rapid systemic response (figures 2 and 3; Gilroy et al., 2016 and Steinhorst et al., 2013). RNAseq has been used to identify genes affected by point mutations within the touch responsive gene CML24 ( TCH2 in figure 1) identifying genes that are involved in the tch2 signaling pathway. By using bioinformatics, network analysis has been performed (figure 1) to help determine the role that the gene CP1 (AT5G49480.1) plays in touch response and calcium signaling. New phenotyping protocols have been developed to analyze the effect of mechanical stimulation through vibrations producing a standardized way in which the effects of vibrations on plants are measured and tested to determine whether the effects can be mitigated or enhanced through mutations. This work is funded by NASA and WSGC.
A super-Gaussian Poisson–Boltzmann model for electrostatic free energy calculation: smooth dielectric distribution for protein cavities and in both water and vacuum states

Calculations of electrostatic potential and solvation free energy of macromolecules are essential for understanding the mechanism of many biological processes. In the classical implicit solvent Poisson–Boltzmann (PB) model, the macromolecule and water are modeled as two-dielectric media with a sharp border. However, the dielectric property of interior cavities and ion-channels is difficult to model realistically in a two-dielectric setting. In fact, the detection of water molecules in a protein cavity remains to be an experimental challenge. This introduces an uncertainty, which affects the subsequent solvation free energy calculation. In order to compensate this uncertainty, a novel super-Gaussian dielectric PB model is introduced in this work, which devices an inhomogeneous dielectric distribution to represent the compactness of atoms and characterizes empty cavities via a gap dielectric value. Moreover, the minimal molecular surface level set function is adopted so that the dielectric profile remains to be smooth when the protein is transferred from water phase to vacuum. An important feature of this new model is that as the order of super-Gaussian function approaches the infinity, the dielectric distribution reduces to a piecewise constant of the two-dielectric model. Mathematically, an effective dielectric constant analysis is introduced in this work to benchmark the dielectric model and select optimal parameter values. Computationally, a pseudo-time alternative direction implicit (ADI) algorithm is utilized for solving the super-Gaussian PB equation, which is found to be unconditionally stable in a smooth dielectric setting. Solvation free energy calculation of a Kirkwood sphere and various proteins is carried out to validate the super-Gaussian model and ADI algorithm. One macromolecule with both water filled and empty cavities is employed to demonstrate how the cavity uncertainty in protein structure can be bypassed through dielectric modeling in biomolecular electrostatic analysis.
Whole-animal connectomes of both Caenorhabditis elegans sexes

Knowledge of connectivity in the nervous system is essential to understanding its function. Here we describe connectomes for both adult sexes of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, an important model organism for neuroscience research. We present quantitative connectivity matrices that encompass all connections from sensory input to end-organ output across the entire animal, information that is necessary to model behaviour. Serial electron microscopy reconstructions that are based on the analysis of both new and previously published electron micrographs update previous results and include data on the male head. The nervous system differs between sexes at multiple levels. Several sex-shared neurons that function in circuits for sexual behaviour are sexually dimorphic in structure and connectivity. Inputs from sex-specific circuitry to central circuitry reveal points at which sexual and non-sexual pathways converge. In sex-shared central pathways, a substantial number of connections differ in strength between the sexes. Quantitative connectomes that include all connections serve as the basis for understanding how complex, adaptive behavior is generated.
Bipolar pulse conductometric monitoring of ion-selective electrodes: Part 1. Method development with a calcium-selective electrode and elucidation of the basic principles involved

Abstract The potential generated by a plastic-membrane calcium ion-selective electrode (i.s.e.) is shown to be indirectly measurable by a non-zero current method based on bipolar pulse conductance. Linear current—voltage curves are obtained using 0–5-V pulses; the current axis intercept is related to the i.s.e. potential. A simple electrical contact (e.g., platinum or stainless steel) can be used instead of a poised reference electrode as the counter electrode in this two-electrode system. Long-term exposure of the i.s.e. to calcium solutions causes an upward drift in the measured current. This drift is minimized by avoiding long exposure times to solution, rinsing the electrode between measurements, and constructing current—voltage curves for determination of the current axis intercepts. Voltage pulses lasting 100 μs are optimum for this method. Shorter pulses are subject to error from capacitive charging currents, and longer pulses yield poorer precision, and degrade the electrode through faradaic reactions. The measured signal is dependent upon Ca 2+ concentration (rather than activity), making ionic strength adjustment unnecessary. The concentration dependence is induced by application of voltage pulses greater than ~ 15 mV in amplitude. Selectivities of the potentiometric and conductometric methods are shown to be comparable for a variety of interfering monovalent and divalent cations. The conductometric method yields a fast i.s.e. response because of induced migration of Ca 2+ into the membrane. Response time decreases as the pulse height increases. Pulses greater than 2 V in magnitude yield response times limited by the solution mixing time rather than by the electrode.
Automated sounding for concrete bridge deck inspection through a multi-channel, continuously moving platform

Abstract A new multi-channel, automated, air-coupled, impact-echo sounding device was designed, constructed, and demonstrated in this work. The apparatus includes seven replicated impactor and recording units, a moving trailer platform, a distance measurement instrument, and signal processing modules. A series of computer algorithms is used to determine the presence of delamination on concrete bridge decks based on the bandlimited acoustic energy value computed from the acoustic response associated with each impact. Compared to traditional sounding methods, this device significantly decreases the required inspection time, eliminates subjectivity, and increases safety by substantially reducing the exposure of inspectors to live traffic.
Nocturnal cognitive arousal is associated with objective sleep disturbance and indicators of physiologic hyperarousal in good sleepers and individuals with insomnia disorder.

Abstract Background Cognitive arousal is central to models of sleep disturbance and insomnia, but findings remain mixed regarding whether cognitive arousal is associated with objective sleep disturbance and physiologic hyperarousal. This study explored associations of objective nocturnal wakefulness and indicators of physiologic hyperarousal with cognitive arousal in healthy sleepers and individuals with insomnia. Methods In sum, 52 adults (51.9% women; 18 with insomnia disorder, 34 healthy sleepers) underwent two overnight polysomnography (PSG) studies (adaptation + baseline nights) and a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). Baseline depression was assessed and presleep cognitive arousal and somatic arousal were recorded for each night. Multivariate regression was used to evaluate associations of PSG sleep parameters with insomnia, cognitive arousal, and somatic arousal. Results Analyses showed that high levels of nocturnal cognitive arousal were associated with prolonged sleep latency, lower sleep efficiency, and shorter total sleep time by PSG on both nights. An association between nocturnal cognitive arousal and wake after sleep onset was observed on night one only. Moreover, greater nocturnal cognitive arousal was associated with greater likelihood of obtaining short sleep and with longer MSLT sleep latencies. Insomnia diagnosis, depression, and somatic arousal were not associated with PSG sleep parameters or MSLT latency. Conclusions Heightened cognitive arousal at night is linked to objective sleep disturbances and indicators of physiologic hyperarousal at night and during the day. For patients with insomnia, cognitive arousal may contribute to the 24-hr physiologic hyperarousal. Cognitive arousal may be a critical therapeutic target for severe or treatment-resistant sleep disturbance.
Horses and Zebras: Probabilities, Uncertainty and Cognitive Bias in Clinical Diagnosis

Medical diagnosis is typically an iterative process guided by integration and synthesis of data into a model of disease. However, facts are not the only inputs into this process. A case of medical mis-diagnosis is presented, in which systematic cognitive bias is considered to have played a role in generating error. Specific cognitive biases are cited, and measures that can be taken to minimize their negative impact are reviewed.
Right Heart Failure in Pulmonary Hypertension

Right heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pulmonary hypertension. Its pathophysiology is complex and involves both adaptive and maladaptive patterns of right ventricular change. In addition to the gold standard of right heart catheterization, noninvasive imaging such as echocardiography is useful in diagnosis and risk assessment. Management focuses on optimizing preload, reducing afterload, and supporting the function of the right ventricle with vasopressors and inotropes, if necessary. If required, mechanical support is increasingly used to facilitate recovery or as a bridge to transplant.
A new approach towards the synthesis of bielschowskysin: Synthesis and photochemistry of an advanced macrocyclic enedione intermediate

Abstract A novel approach towards bielschowskysin is reported based on an attempted stepwise cyclobutane formation. Synthesis of the key strained framework, containing the tricyclic ring system and all requisite carbons has been developed. While photochemical studies did not result in a late-stage Norrish–Yang cyclization, the observed isomerization could provide important insights into the synthesis of other furanocembranoids.
Shallow lake management enhanced habitat and attracted waterbirds during fall migration

Lake water levels can be managed in shallow lakes in order to improve water quality and promote aquatic vegetation that presumably benefits waterbirds. We aimed to understand whether waterbird abundance and species richness during fall migrations were positively influenced by managed lake water levels at 32 shallow lakes over 10 years. We conducted annual waterbird surveys that counted 6 million birds and repeatedly measured several in-lake habitat variables. Lakes with water level management had lower water depths, greater water quality and clarity, more submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), and more wild rice (Zizania palustris L.) compared to unmanaged lakes. Redundancy analysis and regressions revealed that the waterbird community and several waterbird species were positively correlated to water level management and SAV; however, waterbirds were apparently responding principally to abundant SAV regardless of water depth or management. Two presented case studies of turbid-state lakes also highlighted that water level management rehabilitated lake habitat and waterbird use for a few years. We concluded that water level management can be an effective tool for increasing SAV and migrating waterbirds, but noted that large bird communities can also occur on unmanaged, deeper wetlands with existing SAV coverage of > 80%.
Friends Don’t Lie: Monitoring and Communication With Risky Investments

Venture capital (VC) investors have been criticized for lax monitoring and for be- ing too “founder-friendly.” We identify an overlooked benefit of such behavior: entrepreneurs lie less to friendly VCs. The entrepreneur is privately informed about project success, enjoys private benefits of control, and recommends a project to the VC. The VC chooses the project and can intervene in the interim. The equilibrium features a “monitoring trap”: possible intervention leads the entrepreneur to lie, which prompts further intervention. However, both are better off if the VC commits to intervene less. We characterize implications for information acquisition, control rights, outside directors, and stage financing.
MSE bounds for estimators of matrix functions

Abstract We establish bounds for Schatten norms of mean squared errors of plug-in estimators of matrix functions that are dimension-independent and optimal with respect to key parameters. We also obtain similar bounds for bias approximation errors that significantly sharpen existing bounds and extend their range of applicability. When applied to estimators of covariance matrix functions, our bounds reduce dimensional dependence of the sample size that ensures smallness of the estimation errors.
When Should We Let Colorectal Cancer Screening Get Personal

ABSTRACT Although screening reduces colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and related mortality, national CRC screening rates remain suboptimal. Identifying strategies to improve screening rates remains an area of intense focus, and previous literature supports an association between the perceived risk of CRC and a likelihood or intent to complete screening. However, risk estimation alone through the validated National Cancer Institute Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment Tool does not improve screening uptake compared with general education. Future studies should couple risk estimation with patient navigation and decision support aids to build upon our existing armamentarium of effective interventions.
Giving Priority to Social Good and Public Benefit with Meaningful Accountability Thereto: 'Differentiated Social Good' and the Social Primacy Company

There is a heightened lack of clarity and understanding about the new U.S. business forms both in terms of theory and practice, especially with regard to relative priorities of social good (or the absence thereof), decision-making, and meaningful accountability thereto (or the lack thereof). As a likely result, investors, entrepreneurs, and their respective advisors are not using the forms, or they too often are using the forms for the wrong purposes. Moreover, policymakers risk incentivizing something other than what they intend while punishing those they do not intend to punish. In addition, capital is not flowing to businesses that pursue and prioritize social good as had been hoped. Contributing to the complexity and consequences are efforts to re-characterize businesses as “social” and investing as “impact” any or all businesses or investments that have even a smidge of social good. As a result, too often, too many people feel good about what they believe they are doing without realizing that they are not doing what they believe. An intentional framework for decision-making and evaluation can help inhibit these results. This article presents a framework grounded in understanding commitment to social good, desired connections between efforts/resources and social results, and approaches to social good that are distinct from those of traditional approaches – i.e., “differentiated social good.” It also juxtaposes the proposed “social primacy company” as an example of what a form that actually does what too many mistakenly believe traditional and the still new hybrid forms purportedly do. Investors, entrepreneurs, their legal and other advisors, policymakers, journalists, academics, researchers, and others would benefit from such clear understandings, framework, and considerations of differentiated social good.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Aneurysms of the ascending aorta are often due to annuloaortic ectasia in the setting of Marfan disease or can be secondary to aortic stenosis, which may be seen in patients with congenital bicuspid valve. Atherosclerotic aneurysms more often involve the aortic arch and descending aorta. Mycotic aneurysms are often saccular in morphology and should be correlated to medical history.
Associations between physical activity and functional limitations in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander middle-aged and older adults in the United States.

Physical activity (PA) can help individuals maintain physical function and independence. The association between PA and functional limitations (FL) has not been explored in the Native Hawaiian and ...
Household income and loss of control eating in adolescence: Examining the role of food insecurity

Abstract Loss of control (LOC) eating is prevalent among adolescents and has been related to significant mental and physical health concerns. A growing body of research suggests that youth from lower income households are at risk for LOC eating. Food insecurity is an understudied contextual factor that may compound the risk for LOC eating in adolescents from low-income backgrounds. The present study sought to: 1) clarify the association between food insecurity and LOC eating among adolescents; and 2) examine whether household food insecurity moderated the association between income-to-needs and LOC eating. As part of a laboratory-based study, adolescents ages 12–17 (N = 60; 33% from low-income households; 53.3% female) completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire to measure LOC eating. Parents reported the household food insecurity status and household income, used to calculate income-to-needs ratio. Higher household food insecurity was positively associated with adolescent LOC eating (b = 0.662, t(59) = 5.09, p
Endogenous Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) siRNA Transcription May Interfere with Exogenous FeLV Infection.

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are increasingly recognized for biological impacts on host cell function and susceptibility to infectious agents, particularly in relation to interactions with exogenous retroviral progenitors (XRVs). ERVs can simultaneously promote and restrict XRV infections using mechanisms that are virus and host specific. The majority of endogenous-exogenous retroviral interactions have been evaluated in experimental mouse or chicken systems, which are limited in their ability to extend findings to naturally infected outbred animals. Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) has a relatively well-characterized endogenous retrovirus with a coexisting virulent exogenous counterpart and is endemic worldwide in domestic cats. We have previously documented an association between endogenous FeLV (enFeLV) long terminal repeat (LTR) copy number and abrogated exogenous FeLV in naturally infected cats and experimental infections in tissue culture. Analyses described here examine limited FeLV replication in experimentally infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which correlates with higher enFeLV transcripts in these cells compared to fibroblasts. We further examine NCBI Sequence Read Archive RNA transcripts to evaluate enFeLV transcripts and RNA interference (RNAi) precursors. We find that lymphoid-derived tissues, which are experimentally less permissive to exogenous FeLV infection, transcribe higher levels of enFeLV under basal conditions. Transcription of enFeLV-LTR segments is significantly greater than that of other enFeLV genes. We documented transcription of a 21-nucleotide (nt) microRNA (miRNA) just 3' to the enFeLV 5'-LTR in the feline miRNAome of all data sets evaluated (n = 27). Our findings point to important biological functions of enFeLV transcription linked to solo LTRs distributed within the domestic cat genome, with potential impacts on domestic cat exogenous FeLV susceptibility and pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are increasingly implicated in host cellular processes and susceptibility to infectious agents, specifically regarding interactions with exogenous retroviral progenitors (XRVs). Exogenous feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and its endogenous counterpart (enFeLV) represent a well-characterized, naturally occurring XRV-ERV dyad. We have previously documented an abrogated FeLV infection in both naturally infected cats and experimental fibroblast infections that harbor higher enFeLV proviral loads. Using an in silico approach, we provide evidence of miRNA transcription that is produced in tissues that are most important for FeLV infection, replication, and transmission. Our findings point to important biological functions of enFeLV transcription linked to solo-LTRs distributed within the feline genome, with potential impacts on domestic cat exogenous FeLV susceptibility and pathogenesis. This body of work provides additional evidence of RNA interference (RNAi) as a mechanism of viral interference and is a demonstration of ERV exaptation by the host to defend against related XRVs.
Management and outcome of extreme pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract Objectives Classify post-adenotonsillectomy (AT) respiratory support, identify variables that predict these interventions, and evaluate outcomes in children with extreme obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods Retrospective chart analysis was performed on patients found to have apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) > 100 events/h. Patients with chronic diseases other than obesity were excluded. Results Forty-one subjects were studied, average age of 11.4 ± 4.3 years, majority (73.1%) were Hispanic, with a mean total AHI (TAHI) of 128.1 ± 22.9/h. Twenty-eight (68.3%) patients underwent AT. Lower age (P 5 events/h, but there was a significant improvement in TAHI (P Conclusion Our findings confirm the need for postoperative observation in a controlled setting for patients with extreme OSA undergoing AT. Although at higher risk of needing respiratory support, those patients undergoing AT for extreme OSA did not require re-intubation post-operatively or suffer serious harm. Barring contraindications to AT, surgery may still be a first-line therapy for some children with extreme OSA.
A genome-scale nutrient minimization forecast algorithm for controlling essential amino acid levels in CHO cell cultures

Mammalian cell culture processes rely heavily on empirical knowledge in which process control remains a challenge due to the limited characterization/understanding of cell metabolism and inability to predict the cell behaviors. This study facilitates control of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) processes through a forecast-based feeding approach that predicts multiple essential amino acids levels in the culture from easily acquired viable cell density data. Multiple cell growth behavior forecast extrapolation approaches are considered with logistic curve fitting found to be the most effective. Next, the nutrient-minimized CHO genome-scale model is combined with the growth forecast model to generate essential amino acid forecast profiles of multiple CHO batch cultures. Comparison of the forecast with the measurements suggests that this algorithm can accurately predict the concentration of most essential amino acids from cell density measurement with error mitigated by incorporating off-line amino acids concentration measurements. Finally, the forecast algorithm is applied to CHO fed-batch cultures to support amino acid feeding control in order to control the concentration of essential amino acids below 1 to 2 mM for lysine, leucine, and valine as a model over a 9-day fed batch culture while maintaining comparable growth behavior to an empirical-based culture. In turn, glycine production was elevated, alanine reduced and lactate production slightly lower in control cultures due to metabolic shifts in branched-chain amino acid degradation. With the advantage of requiring minimal measurement inputs while providing valuable and in-advance information of the system based on growth measurements, this genome model-based amino acid forecast algorithm represent a powerful and cost-effective tool to facilitate enhanced control over CHO and other mammalian cell-based bioprocesses. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Industrial powerhouse optimization in the deregulated electricity marketplace

ABSTRACT The State of Delaware deregulated the retail sale of electricity in 2002, enabling buyers to procure power on a real-time price schedule and sell excess generated power to the grid. This initiative has prompted industrial sites, especially those with on-site generation capability, to evaluate the benefits and risks of the deregulated market. Deregulation can offer significant potential savings to industrial customers. However, with this opportunity comes exposure to turbulent fluctuations in electricity prices, which can sometimes reach $1,000/MW-hr. If a customer is unprepared for high electricity prices, an entire year of electricity cost savings can quickly be erased. This paper describes how one industrial site evaluated the risks and benefits of electricity deregulation and implemented real-time optimization of the electricity make-buy decision.
An introduction to difference equations

This work combines both analytic and geometric (topological) approaches to studying difference equations. It integrates both classical and modern treatments of the subject, offering material stability, z-transform, discrete control theory and symptotic theory. The book contains a set of applications in a variety of disciplines including neural networks, feedback control, Markov chains, trade models, heat transfer, propagation of plants, and so forth. Each section of the text end with a set of selected exercises.
Microvascular Disease: Syndrome X, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, and Arterial Hypertension

Several conditions can be clustered together in the syndrome of microvascular disease, characterized by normal coronary arteries and reduction in coronary flow reserve, in the absence of epicardial coronary artery vasospasm [1]. They include syndrome X, arterial hypertension (with normal coronary arteries, with or without left ventricular hypertrophy), idiopathic or secondary left ventricular hypertrophy (see Table 1), and acute rejection of transplanted heart (see Chap. 30).
Concepts in Surgery of the Small Intestine and Appendix

Multiple surgical diseases involve the small intestine or appendix and require knowledge relating to operations on the small bowel. This chapter introduces the concepts necessary to operate on the small bowel and appendix safely by discussing the operations in the context of common pathologic entities.
Aortic Aneurysm and Pseudoaneurysm Assessment

Although contrast angiography is still considered the “gold standard” for evaluation of the aorta and its major branches, Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) has quickly gained popularity as an imaging tool for the assessment of the entire aorta. MRA serves as an alternative imaging modality that can be utilized in patients with impaired renal function and with allergies to iodinated contrast medium (iodinated contrast medium is required in contrast angiography and computed tomography, CT). The purpose of this unit is to present fundamental MRA techniques useful in the evaluation of the thoracic and abdominal aorta based on experience on a 1.5 T GE LX scanner.
A Bio‐Social‐Cultural Approach to Early Cognitive Development: Entering the Community of Minds

Important cognitive changes take place during the preschool years in addition to the acquisition of a first language. A bio-social-cultural (BSC) theory is needed to explicate the relation between language and cognition during this period of development. The foundations of the BSC approach in evolutionary and developmental systems theory are noted and applied to the emergence of autobiographical memory and the understanding of one's own and other minds within the general conception of “entering the community of minds” a conceptual framework for the social-cultural components of this approach. The need for further theoretical and empirical research including neurological change during this period is indicated. Keywords: cognition; cognitive development; language acquisition; preschool children; community of minds; culture; social-cultural; memory; theory of mind; self
A New Window to the Early Universe

Small temperature variations in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the radiation left over from the big bang, have shed much light on the early universe. According to predictions, the CMB should also be polarized, providing a better test for early-universe theories than temperature alone. In their Perspective, Hivon and Kamionkowski highlight the recent detection of the CMB polarization. The new results end a 34-year quest to verify the predictions, but are only the first of many upcoming studies of the CMB polarization.
Differential Activation of the Caudate Nucleus in Primates Performing Spatial and Nonspatial Working Memory Tasks

The caudate nucleus is part of an anatomical network subserving functions associated with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the metabolic activity in the striatum reflects specific changes in working memory tasks, which are known to be dependent on the DLPFC, and whether these changes reflect the topographic ordering of prefrontal connections within the striatum. Local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) rates were assessed in the striatum by the 14C-2-deoxyglucose method in monkeys that performed a spatial (delayed spatial alternation), a nonspatial (delayed object alternation) visual working memory task, or tasks that did not involve working memory, i.e., a visual pattern discrimination or sensorimotor paradigm. The results show a topographic segregation of activation related to spatial and nonspatial working memory, respectively. The delayed spatial alternation task increases LCGU rates bilaterally by 33–43% in the head of the caudate nucleus, where efferents from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex project most densely. The delayed object alternation task enhances LCGU rates bilaterally by 32–37% in the body of the caudate nucleus, which is innervated by the temporal cortex. The visual pattern discrimination task similarly activated the body of the caudate, but in a smaller region and only in the right hemisphere. These findings provide the first evidence for metabolic activation of the caudate nuclei in working memory, supporting the role of this nucleus as a node in a neural network mediating DLPFC-dependent working memory processes. The double dissociation of activation observed suggests an anatomical and functional segregation of cortico-striatal circuits subserving spatial and nonspatial cognitive operations.
A refinement method for Java programs

We present a refinement method for Java programs which is motivated by the challenge of verifying security protocol implementations. The method can be used for stepwise refinement of abstract specifications down to the level of code running in the real application. The approach is based on a calculus for the verification of Java programs for the concrete level and Abstract State Machines for the abstract level. In this paper we illustrate our method by the verification of a M-Commerce application for buying movie tickets using a mobile phone written in J2ME. For verification we use KIV, our interactive theorem prover [1].
A fluorometric assay for detection of lysyl oxidase enzyme activity in biological samples.

Abstract Lysyl oxidase catalyzes the final known enzymatic step required for collagen and elastin cross-linking in the biosynthesis of normal mature functional insoluble extracellular matrices. In addition, lysyl oxidase has been identified as a possible tumor suppressor. Lysyl oxidase activity in biological samples is traditionally and most reliably assessed by tritium release end-point assays using radiolabeled collagen or elastin substrates involving laborious vacuum distillation of the released tritiated water. In addition, a less sensitive fluorometric method exists that employs nonpeptidyl amine lysyl oxidase substrates and measures hydrogen peroxide production with horseradish peroxidase coupled to homovanillate oxidation. The present study describes a more sensitive fluorescent assay for lysyl oxidase activity that utilizes 1,5-diaminopentane as substrate, and released hydrogen peroxide is detected using Amplex red in horseradish peroxidase-coupled reactions. This method allows the detection of 40 ng of enzyme per 2 ml assay at 37°C and is 7.5 times more sensitive than the currently available fluorometric assay for enzyme activity. This method eliminates the interference that occurs in some biological samples and can be successfully used to detect lysyl oxidase activity in cell culture experiments.
Non-Abelian Cherenkov radiation of pions from a fast nucleon

Abstract A nucleon moving at high velocity through nuclear matter can radiate pions in a manner similar to that of ordinary Cherenkov radiation of photons by a charged particle. However, because the pion field is coupled to the nucleon isospin, the charge of successively emitted pions alternates; this restriction on the charge states of the pions is what makes the Cherenkov radiation “non-Abelian”. We make use of diagrammatic techniques introduced by Keldysh for non-equilibrium systems, and we calculate the pion production rate. We find essential corrections to the simple linear response answer (which is , in contrast, correct for ordinary photon Cherenkov radiation).
Solid solution strengthening in ternary B2 iron aluminides containing 3d transition elements

Abstract The room temperature yield strengths of extruded ternary iron aluminides with the composition Fe-45Al-5X-0.2B-0.1Zr (at%), where X stands for Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni or Cu, were measured. With the exception of the Mn-containing alloy, all alloys showed solid solution strengthening following a 1 week/673 K vacancy removal anneal. Densities, lattice parameters and elastic constants were measured to determine vacancy concentrations as well as atomic size and modulus misfits. Although the strengthening could not be well described by established theories for dilute binary alloys, it could be reasonably well correlated with the magnitude of the atomic size misfit of the ternary alloying additions.
B-vitamin levels in the blood of young dairy calves fed a milk replacement diet with and without aureomycin.

Summary The blood levels of thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, niacin, and vitamin B 12 activity were determined for ten male and ten female Holstein calves at 4 days of age. No significant differences between sexes were observed. Eight Holstein calves at 4 days of age were placed on a milk replacement diet and were assigned to two comparable groups, one of which received aureomycin orally (40mg. daily per calf for 7 weeks, 80mg. daily per calf from 8 to 12 weeks) while the other served as a control. Venous blood samples drawn at the beginning of the experiment and at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks thereafter were analyzed for thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B 12 . No significant differences in the blood levels of these vitamins were found between the two groups of animals. Moreover, no apparent differences were observed between male and female calves. Certain trends in the B-vitamin blood levels with age are evident.
Cadmium accumulation in eurasian watermilfoil plants

The aquatic vascular plant Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) was investigated for its potential to take up Cd from nutrient-rich water in a short-term growth and harvest regime. Eurasian watermilfoil plants were grown in and harvested weekly from 0.10M Hoagland nutrient solutions containing concentrations of Cd from 0.04 to 7.63μg Cd mL−1. Dry weights of plants significantly decreas4ed when exposed to 7.63μg Cd mL−1. For both 0.04 and 1.03μg Cd mL−1 treatment the greatest concentration of Cd in plants occurred during the first two weeks. The greatest Cd concentration of Cd in plants for the 7.63μg Cd ML−1 treatment occurred during week one and decreased through week 2. Tissue P concentration in control plants increased over time but did not increase significantly over time when plants were exposed to 0.04 and 1.03μg Cd mL−1 levels. Tissue P concentration decreased over time when plants were exposed to 7.63μg Cd mL−1. Stem length, root dry weights, and root number significantly increased over time in control plants and in those exposed to the 0.04 and 1.03μg Cd mL−1 treatments. Plants treated with 7.63μg Cd mL−1 did not grow. These results suggest that Eurasian watermilfoil would be useful for absorbing Cd from nutrient-rich water when the solution concentration was in the range of 0.04 to 7.63μg Cd mL−1. However, in solutions having the highest concentration of Cd, the harvest regime would have to sustain plant vigor, avoid tissue Cd loss, and realize maximum uptake of Cd from solution.
The Small RNA Gene Activator Protein, SphI Postoctamer Homology-binding Factor/Selenocysteine tRNA Gene Transcription Activating Factor, Stimulates Transcription of the Human Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 Gene

Many small nuclear RNA gene promoters are activated by SphI postoctamer homology (SPH)-binding factor/selenocysteine tRNA gene transcription activating factor (SBF/Staf). Whereas this transcription factor was initially identified by its ability to bind to SPH elements in such promoters, it was more recently shown to have the capacity to activate transcription of a synthetic mRNA gene promoter through a distinct activation domain. Here, we show that the human interferon regulatory factor-3 (IRF-3) gene promoter contains a functional SPH element that is bound by SBF/Staf in vitro and in transfected cells.