cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurement of Diporeia respiration rate for Lake Superior

Abstract The freshwater amphipod Diporeia is a dominant macroinvertebrate species in Lake Superior’s benthic community and an important prey item for many fish. A capacity to predict growth and production rates of Diporeia using a bioenergetics model requires information on physiological processes of the species. The objective of this study is to quantify oxygen consumption of Lake Superior Diporeia and to determine if respiration rate changes with body length. Diporeia were collected from Lake Superior and kept over natural sediment maintained at 4 °C. Dissolved oxygen levels for groups of immature (2 mm), juvenile (4 mm), and adult (6 mm) Diporeia in 20 ml microcosms were measured using a polarographic microelectrode. Mass-specific respiration rates for Lake Superior Diporeia ranged from 32.0 to 44.7 mg O 2 g DW − 1 day −1 . A significant relationship between body length and mass-specific respiration rate (p > 0.1) was not found. The estimate of Diporeia respiration presented here is significantly higher (p Diporeia and compares findings to studies for other connecting Great Lakes.
Polymorphisms and diversity of T-cell receptor-γ proteins expressed in mouse spleen.

Bulk populations of T-cell receptor (Tcr) γδ-expressing splenocytes from different inbred strains of mice were examined for the diversity of Tcr γδ proteins. Immunoprecipitations with anti-Cγ1/2, anti-Cγ4, and anti-Vγ1 sera demonstrated that splenocytes from B10.BR, C57BL/6, and C57L strains of mice expressed the same array of Tcrγ proteins, namely Vγ1-Cγ2, Vγ1-Cγ4, and Vγ2-Cγ1, although the Tcr γδ heterodimers observed for each of these strains were biochemically distinct. Examination of bulk splenic Tcr γδ heterodimers from several other inbred strains of mice demonstrated that each of the strains could be categorized into one of three basic phenotypes. For several reasons, the differences observed between the strains appeared to be solely dependent on polymorphisms of the Tcrg loci. First, F1 mice co-expressed both parental Tcr γδ phenotypes. Second, the distinguishing polymorphism between mice of phenotype 1 and phenotypes 2 or 3 was due to the presence of an N-linked glycosylation site within the Tcrg-C1 gene segment, previously described for BALB.B and C57BL/6 Tcrg-C1 genes. Finally, the Vγ1-Cγ4 polymorphism between mice of phenotype 3 and phenotypes 1 or 2 was due to differences in core protein size. Furthermore, the three defined Tcrγ chains were expressed independently of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype. Although no striking qualitative differences in Tcr γδ heterodimers were observed between strains (including those with autoimmune disorders), a quantitative difference in the relative amount of Cγ4-encoded proteins was observed on Tcr γδ splenocytes from both newborn euthymic and adult athymic mice when compared to adult Tcr γδ splenocytes from euthymic mice. These results demonstrate that genetic polymorphisms exist among different mouse strains and suggest that selective developmental pressures may govern Tcr γδ expression.
Probing single-molecule orientations in confined sample regions with near-field scanning optical microscopy

Near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) is utilized to study the 3D orientation of fluorescent probe molecules doped into thin polymer films and lipid monolayers. A simplified model of the fields near the NSOM tip aperture is used to simulate the single molecule near-field fluorescence features and extract the orientation of the probe molecules in the films. These measurements are particular useful for semi-ordered systems such as lipid monolayers that are often utilized as models of biological membranes. These single molecule measurements can reveal new features and provide details previously hidden in bulk methods that average over large ensembles of molecules.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Beam filamentation and its control in high-power semiconductor lasers

We experimentally measure the first-order spatio-temporal characteristics of filamentation and discover effects of the stripe width. We use an analytic theory to explain and reproduce these results through an expression for the filament gain, in which contributions of various mechanisms can clearly be seen. Through this model and computer simulations, we determine the stability boundaries of the material parameters for which the device will not exhibit filamentary tendencies. We then propose a new method of controlling filamentation using below-bandgap semiconductor nonlinearities. With simulations, we determine under what conditions this imposed nonlinearity can counteract the carrier-induced self-focusing inside the active region.
Structure of the essential Plasmodium host cell traversal protein SPECT1.

Host cell traversal by Plasmodium, the protozoan cause of malaria, is an essential part of this parasite's virulence. In this process, the parasite enters a host cell through a parasite-induced pore, traverses the host cell, and then exits the host cell. Two P. berghei proteins, SPECT1 and SPECT2, are required for host cell traversal by the sporozoite form of the parasite. In the absence of either, no pore formation is observed. While SPECT2 has sequence homology to pore-forming proteins, SPECT1 has no homology to proteins of known structure or function. Here we present the 2.75 A resolution structure of a slightly truncated version of P. berghei SPECT1. The structure reveals that the protein forms a four-helix bundle, with the rare feature of having all of these helices in parallel or antiparallel alignment. Also notable is the presence of a large, conserved, hydrophobic internal cavity in the protein, which may constitute a ligand-binding site or be indicative of partial instability in SPECT1, or both. The structure of SPECT1 will make possible targeted mutagenesis experiments aimed at understanding its mechanism of action in host cell traversal.
Annealing textures in zircaloy tubing

Abstract The annealing textures in Zircaloy tubing are more complex than those reported for rolled and annealed zirconium or titanium sheet. Different features of annealing textures can develop, depending on whether the tubing is hot extruded, rocked, or drawn and on the relative reductions in wall thickness and diameter before annealing. The differences are the result of variation in deformation temperature, degree in deformation, and deformation method. Furthermore, the development of annealing textures is influenced by the effects of alloying additions and impurities.
Theory Of The Cartographic Line Revisited/ Implications For Automated Generalization

‘The Theory of a Cartographic Line’ (Peucker 1975) describes width as being the essential characteristic of a cartographic line. Digital representations have tended to ignore this basic attribute and in the context of generalization the oversight is detrimental. The theory claims that a set of enclosing bands captures the cartographic character of width and supports generalization. The Douglas algorithm, still one of the most commonly used algorithms for generalizing digital representations, uses this model. Work of a Polish mathematician Perkal, provides the basis for another model of cartographic line width and a different generalization technique. This paper examines how effectively both models capture cartographic line width and succeed in producing generalized results, particularly for larger scale reductions. The two techniques are assessed by their ability to satisfy two objectives: capturing the essential and recognizable characteristics of geographic features and creating representations which ca...
Partial color screening by classical Yang-Mills fields

Abstract Non-coulombic axially (but not spherically) symmetrical static solutions to the classical Yang-Mills equations in the presence of an external point source are numerically found.
Going deep to cut the link: cortical disconnection syndrome caused by a thalamic lesion.

Conduction aphasia occupies an interesting place in neurology. It was a predicted entity before case reports within the Wernicke–Lichtheim language model disconnecting the “area of word images” from word expression, later thought to be referable to lesions in the arcuate fasciculus.1 However, imaging studies do not always show sole arcuate fasciculus lesions and instead show a variety of perisylvian cortical lesions.3 In one study, a dominant arcuate fasciculus surgical resection did not result in conduction aphasia, whereas stimulation of the posterior superior temporal cortical gyrus did.3 Nevertheless, conduction aphasia is generally thought to result from cortical–cortical disconnection between posterior and anterior language areas. Cortical functions are contingent on thalamic functions. Although the precise role of the thalamus in normal cortical function is controversial,4-7⇓⇓⇓ numerous case reports show that thalamic lesions can mimic classic cortical syndromes. For example, dominant thalamic …
Novel structural protein in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus encoded by an alternative ORF5 present in all arteriviruses

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an arterivirus that emerged in the late 1980s in both Europe and North America as the causative agent of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), now the most important disease of swine worldwide. Despite extensive characterization of PRRSV proteins by direct analysis and comparison with other arteriviruses, determinants of virulence, pathogenesis and protective immune recognition remain poorly understood. Thus, we hypothesized that additional ORFs are present in the PRRSV genome that may contribute to its biological properties, and so we screened highly purified virions of strain VR2332, the prototype type 2 PRRSV, for evidence of novel polypeptides. A 51 aa polypeptide was discovered that is encoded by an alternative ORF of the subgenomic mRNA encoding the major envelope glycoprotein, GP5, and which is incorporated into virions. The protein, referred to as ORF5a protein, is expressed in infected cells, and pigs infected with PRRSV express anti-ORF5a protein antibodies. A similar ORF is present as an alternative reading frame in all PRRSV subgenomic RNA5 genes and in all other arteriviruses, suggesting that this ORF5a protein plays a significant role in arterivirology. Its discovery also provides a new potential target for immunological and pharmacological intervention in PRRS.
A Constructionist Review of Morality and Emotions No Evidence for Specific Links Between Moral Content and Discrete Emotions

Morality and emotions are linked, but what is the nature of their correspondence? Many “whole number” accounts posit specific correspondences between moral content and discrete emotions, such that harm is linked to anger, and purity is linked to disgust. A review of the literature provides little support for these specific morality–emotion links. Moreover, any apparent specificity may arise from global features shared between morality and emotion, such as affect and conceptual content. These findings are consistent with a constructionist perspective of the mind, which argues against a whole number of discrete and domain-specific mental mechanisms underlying morality and emotion. Instead, constructionism emphasizes the flexible combination of basic and domain-general ingredients such as core affect and conceptualization in creating the experience of moral judgments and discrete emotions. The implications of constructionism in moral psychology are discussed, and we propose an experimental framework for rigorously testing morality–emotion links.
Evidence for primacy of alliteration in Old English metre

The study of Old English metre has a long and illustrious history, yet it seems fair to say that the work of many respected scholars over the past hundred years has not produced unanimity. One reason for this is that objective and unequivocal evidence about the metre of Old English poetry is very difficult to discover. That is, before evidence is considered, or even collected, a substantial amount of interpretation and analysis has usually taken place. In the following pages, however, I shall present some previously unnoticed and quite unequivocal evidence about Old English metre that does not depend upon any particular metrical theory or upon unsupported assumptions, but rather upon the uncontroversial and universally accepted fact that Old English poetry requires a minimum of two alliterating stresses, one in each verse (or half-line), and allows two alliterations on the same sound only in the a verse.
Biological Decontamination Using an Atmospheric Pressure Resistive Barrier Plasma Discharge

The following paper discusses the observations of the surface plasma treatment conducted on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens (5RL), and Wild type standard Lambdaphage. The tests were aimed to determine the sterilization efficiency of the dc steady state atmospheric pressure with a water cooled resistive barrier discharge apparatus. The results achieved were encouraging and 100% decontamination was observed within the first ten minutes of plasma exposure. The decontamination efficiency was however raised significantly through the introduction of hydrogen peroxide in tandem with the plasma treatment. The combination resulted in a 100% kill rate of E. coli in under a minute and Lambdaphage in less than five minutes. Further tests involving electrostatic filters and nitrogen gas were conducted to isolate and probe the effects of ozone and charged ingredients in the decontamination process. Some interesting preliminary plasma treatment test data were also obtained on spores (Bacillus stearothermophilus).
Ego-affirming Evangelicalism: How a Hollywood Church Appropriates Religion for Workers in the Creative Class

The "creative class" is a growing stratum of American labor consisting of nomadic workers who master self-promotion for economic survival. Using ethnographic and interview data from a Los Angeles church with a majority of attenders working in the entertainment industry, the paper demonstrates how a congregation oriented around a softer form of Word of Faith/Prosperity theology provides moral guidance for creative class believers. Their personal pursuit of fame and fortune is viewed as a veneer for the real self who not only lives by God's standards but also interacts with broader society in solidarity with others in their moral community with the goal of fulfilling religious aspirations. The resulting ego-affirming evangelicalism suggests that congregations that accommodate individual "greatness" within a cohesive community will be embraced by creative class workers who seek both inspiration for daily work and consolation for the isolation and fatigue experienced through their occupational challenges.
Infection dynamics of pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in a two-site swine herd.

Summary Influenza A viruses are common causes of respiratory disease in pigs and can be transmitted among multiple host species, including humans. The current lack of published information on infection dynamics of influenza viruses within swine herds hinders the ability to make informed animal health, biosecurity and surveillance programme decisions. The objectives of this serial cross-sectional study were to describe the infection dynamics of influenza virus in a two-site swine system by estimating the prevalence of influenza virus in animal subpopulations at the swine breeding herd and describing the temporal pattern of infection in a selected cohort of growing pigs weaned from the breeding herd. Nasal swab and blood samples were collected at approximately 30-day intervals from the swine breeding herd (Site 1) known to be infected with pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Sows, gilts and neonatal pigs were sampled at each sampling event, and samples were tested for influenza virus genome using matrix gene RRT-PCR. Influenza virus was detected in neonatal pigs, but was not detected in sow or gilt populations via RRT-PCR. A virus genetically similar to that detected in the neonatal pig population at Site 1 was also detected at the wean-to-finish site (Site 2), presumably following transportation of infected weaned pigs. Longitudinal sampling of nasal swabs and oral fluids revealed that influenza virus persisted in the growing pigs at Site 2 for at least 69 days. The occurrence of influenza virus in neonatal pigs, but not breeding females, at Site 1 emphasizes the potential for virus maintenance in this dynamic subpopulation, the importance of including this subpopulation in surveillance programmes and the potential transport of influenza virus between sites via the movement of weaned pigs.
On the design of low-cost fluorescent protein biosensors.

Proteins are the cell’s workhorses as they are involved in essentially all cellular activities. From the birth of a daughter cell until its death during apoptosis, proteins perform various functions as needed. Such versatility can be attributed to the seemingly infinite ways that the amino acids are sequenced in a polypeptide. The polypeptide backbone and each amino acid functional group contribute unique intermolecular interactions that determine the protein’s shape and size. However, more importantly, these interactions determine protein function, that is, its ability to interact with the external environment. For the same reasons, proteins make ideal biorecognition elements for sensors (see below and Fig. 1). Protein enzymes and receptors developed unmatched sensitivity and selectivity for their substrates through millions of years of natural selection. In contrast, chemically synthesized artificial receptors seldom approach the same level of sophistication in ligand selectivity, sensitivity range and ease of production. In addition, there is available to the sensor researcher an ever expanding library of proteins for various ligands important in all manner of application such as disease biomarkers, toxins, contaminants, drugs, etc. Using tools of genetic engineering, researchers can even go beyond known existing wild type proteins by introducing useful functional groups thereby tuning or even altering protein sensitivity and selectivity. This can be done by mutagenesis and directed evolution or by incorporation of unnatural amino acids during translation. Additionally, genes for the protein of interest can be inserted in vectors predesigned with handles for affinity purification or immobilization on a surface. Recombinant proteins can then be produced in large amounts in appropriate cellular hosts with very high reproducibility. In addition, chemical reactions involving the amino acids have become standard protocols. Thus, there are thousands of dyes, magnetic beads, nanoparticles or quantum dots designed to form covalent bonds with amino groups, sulfhydryl groups, carboxylic groups and other reactive functionalities in amino acids. It is not uncommon to conduct combinations of techniques, for example, the introduction of fluorescent labels or probes to proteins require in many cases, site-directed mutagenesis followed by covalent bonding of the fluorescent dye. Accordingly, two or more proteins can be combined to create hybrid or fusion proteins with multiple or altered functions. Indeed, research involving the green fluorescent protein and fluorescent proteins of a variety of colors has expanded by leaps and bounds in the last decade. Because these fluorescent proteins can be genetically encoded in cells, it is possible to observe various cellular processes in vivo. However, this topic has been reviewed extensively in the literature and, thus, will not be expounded on in this chapter.
Bayesian model parameter estimation of systems subject to random input and output measurement error

A method, based on Bayesian statistics, for estimating the parameters of a general multiple-input single-output model subject to random input and output measurement error of any distributional form is proposed. First, the method for Bayesian parameter estimation is given. An estimate and a probability region for the estimate of the parameters is found. Then, the necessary extensions to allow for a measurement error in the input are formulated. An application of this to the general linear model with measurement error in both the input and output is given. Finally, the parameters of the junction depletion capacitance model of a diode are estimated, and probability regions for these parameters are found. >
An analysis of the effects of jitter in data acquisition on synchronous averaging

A synchronously averaged signal, acquired in real time using an A/D converter, a package of service routines and a computer, can be corrupted if precautions are not taken to minimize imprecise timing (jitter). The effects of jitter on the recovery of a signal from noise by averaging is discussed. Two cases are examined. In the first case, the jitter is the result of frequency mismatch between the acquisition repetition frequency and the signal frequency. In the second case, the jitter is due to a random phase shift present in each of the acquired waveforms. Both cases result in a reduction in magnitude and a variation in latency. A detailed analysis is given deriving several statistical descriptors. It is established that these descriptors are closely related to the characteristic function of jitter. Special cases where jitter obeys the Gaussian and uniform distributions are examined. A simple technique for determining the mean and standard deviation of the jitter is also given by example. >
Isolation of Developmentally Regulated Genes from Toxoplasma gondii by a Gene Trap with the Positive and Negative Selectable Marker Hypoxanthine-Xanthine-Guanine Phosphoribosyltransferase

Within its intermediate host, Toxoplasma gondii switches between two forms: a rapidly replicating tachyzoite and an encysted bradyzoite. Bradyzoites persist within the host throughout its life, hidden from antimicrobial agents and the immune system. The signals that mediate switching are poorly understood. A gene trap was employed to isolate genes whose expression is up-regulated early in the switching of bradyzoites via the negative and positive selectable marker hypoxanthine-xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HXGPRT). T. gondii was transfected with promoterless HXGPRT and negatively selected with 6-thioxanthine to inhibit the growth of tachyzoites expressing HXGPRT. The surviving tachyzoites were then induced for in vitro bradyzoite formation and treated with mycophenolic acid and xanthine to positively select for parasites in which the construct had integrated downstream of a bradyzoite-specific gene. Strains were checked for their ability to differentiate by using Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (a bradyzoite-specific lectin) and a monoclonal antibody against P36 (a bradyzoite-specific surface antigen). After differentiation, all gene-trapped clones had Dolichos immunofluorescence and all but one expressed P36. The sequences flanking the insertion site of this P36-negative strain were homologous to the Toxoplasma family of surface antigens, strongly suggesting that P36 is encoded by the disruptive gene. Genetic mapping and complementation of the P36-negative strain further indicated that the disrupted gene is P36. Reverse transcriptase PCR and S1 nuclease digestion were used to compare mRNA levels during the tachyzoite and bradyzoite stages. The presumptive P36 gene does not appear to regulate its mRNA levels between the two stages, indicating a posttranscriptional mechanism of regulation for early bradyzoite-specific genes.
Greedy quasigroups and greedy algebras with applications to combinatorial games

Greedy quasigroups and Wythoff Quasigroups arose out of a desire to better understand certain combinatorial games. Greedy and Wythoff quasigroups have remarkable algebraic properties. In particular, I will investigate the existence of subquasigroups and isomorphism classes. Natural generalizations of greedy quasigroups are also investigated and it is shown that the “greedy” property extends nicely to conjugates. Since Wythoff quasigroups have more structure than ordinary quasigroups, it is natural to ask whether they are an example of a variety of quasigroups. This question is investigated by introducing the idea of tri-quasigroups. Tri-quasigroups are investigated and some remarkable identities are proven. Finally, in the spirit of Conway, a greedy ring is investigated. The construction and characterization are given.
Characterization of Portland cement concrete microstructure using the scanning acoustic microscope

The scanning acoustic microscope has been applied to investigate several aspects of Portland cement concrete microstructure. This method uses ultrasound to image the local impedance at each point of a material. The impedance image highlights microstructural features that are difficult to observe with other imaging techniques. The topics investigated so far include the influence of aggregate composition on the development of the cement paste-aggregate interface, the nature of interfacial transition zone, and ettringite formation. Several types of gels have been observed, and these can be classified by their characteristic impedance values. Future work includes quantification of impedance values by first arrival times and the identification of Portland cement concrete phases by ultrasonic impedance spectroscopy.
It's too quick to blame myself-the effects of fast and slow rates of change on credit assignment during object lifting.

Although there have been substantial research efforts examining the effect of various rates of change in reaching movements, there has been little to no research devoted to this issue during object manipulation tasks. In force-field and visuomotor adaptation studies, two parallel processes have been identified: First, a fast process that adapts and de-adapts quickly is thought to enable the actor to deal with potentially transient perturbations. Second, a slower, but longer lasting process adapts if these initial perturbations persist over time. In a largely separate body of research, the role of credit assignment has been examined in terms of allotting the cause of errors to changes in the body vs. changes in the outside world. Of course, these two processes are usually linked within the real world, with short lasting perturbations most often being linked to external causes and longer lasting perturbations being linked to internal causes. Here, we demonstrate that the increases in load forces associated with a gradual increase in object weight during a natural object lifting task are transferred when lifting a novel object, whereas a sudden increase in object weight is not. We speculate that gradual rates of change in the weight of the object being lifted are attributed to the self, whereas fast rates of change are more likely to be attributed to the external environment. This study extends our knowledge of the multiple timescales involved in motor learning to a more natural object manipulation scenario, while concurrently providing support for the hypothesis that the multiple time scales involved in motor learning are tuned for different learning contexts.
Charged nucleobases and their potential for RNA catalysis

Catalysis in living cells is carried out by both proteins and RNA. Protein enzymes have been known for over 200 years, but RNA enzymes, or “ribozymes”, were discovered only 30 years ago. Developing insight into RNA enzyme mechanisms is invaluable for better understanding both extant biological catalysis as well as the primitive catalysis envisioned in an early RNA-catalyzed life. Natural ribozymes include large RNAs such as the group I and II introns; small RNAs such as the hepatitis delta virus and the hairpin, hammerhead, VS, and glmS ribozymes; and the RNA portion of the ribosome and spliceosome. RNA enzymes use many of the same catalytic strategies as protein enzymes, but do so with much simpler side chains. Among these strategies are metal ion, general acid–base, and electrostatic catalysis. In this Account, we examine evidence for participation of charged nucleobases in RNA catalysis. Our overall approach is to integrate direct measurements on catalytic RNAs with thermodynamic studies on oligonucleo...
Biomechanical mechanism for transitions in phase and frequency of arm and leg swing during walking

As humans increase walking speed, there are concurrent transitions in the frequency ratio between arm and leg movements from 2:1 to 1:1 and in the phase relationship between the movements of the two arms from in-phase to out-of-phase. Superharmonic resonance of a pendulum with monofrequency excitation had been proposed as a potential model for this phenomenon. In this study, an alternative model of paired pendulums with multiple-frequency excitations is explored. It was predicted that the occurrence of the concurrent transitions was a function of (1) changes in the magnitude ratio of shoulder accelerations at step and stride frequencies that accompany changes in walking speed and (2) proximity of these frequencies to the natural resonance frequencies of the arms modeled as a pair of passive pendulums. Model predictions were compared with data collected from 14 healthy young subjects who were instructed to walk on a treadmill. Walking speeds were manipulated between 0.18 and 1.52 m/s in steps of 0.22 m/s. Kinematic data for the arms and shoulders were collected using a 3D motion analysis system, and simulations were conducted in which the movements of a double-pendulum system excited by the accelerations at the suspension point were analyzed to determine the extent to which the arms acted as passive pendulums. It was confirmed that the acceleration waveforms at the shoulder are composed primarily of stride and step frequency components. Between the shoulders, the stride frequency components were out-of-phase, while the step frequency components were in-phase. The amplitude ratio of the acceleration waveform components at the step and stride frequencies changed as a function of walking speed and were associated with the occurrence of the transitions. Simulation results using these summed components as excitatory inputs to the double-pendulum system were in agreement with actual transitions in 80% of the cases. The potential role of state-dependent active muscle contraction at shoulder joints on the occurrence of the transitions was discussed. Due to the tendency of arm movements to stay in the vicinity of their primary resonance frequency, these active muscle forces were hypothesized to function as escapements that created limit cycle oscillations at the shoulder’s resonant frequency.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Severe Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Stenosis Undergoing Redo Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Background —With improved event-free survival of patients undergoing primary bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement (AVR), reoperation to relieve severe prosthetic aortic stenosis (PAS) is increasing. We sought to a) identify of the characteristics of patients with severe bioprosthetic PAS undergoing redo AVR, and b) assess the outcomes of these patients, along with factors associated with adverse outcomes. Methods and Results —We studied 276 patients with severe bioprosthetic PAS (64±16 years, 58% men) that underwent redo-AVR between 2000-12 (excluding mechanical PAS, severe other valve disease and transcatheter AVR). Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was calculated. Severe PAS was defined as AV area 2 , mean AV gradient ≥40 mm Hg and/or dimensionless index II+ aortic regurgitation (AR). Only 39% had an isolated redo AVR, the rest were combination surgeries (coronary bypass and/or aortic surgeries). At 4.2±3 years, 64 (23%) patients met the composite endpoint (48 deaths and 19 CHF admissions, 2.5% 30-day deaths). On multivariable Cox survival analysis, higher STS score (HR 1.35), higher grades of AR (HR 1.29) and higher right ventricular systolic pressure or RVSP (HR 1.3) were associated with worse longer-term outcomes (all p<0.01). Conclusions —At an experienced center, in patients with severe bioprosthetic PAS undergoing redo AVR, the majority undergo combination surgeries but have excellent outcomes.
The Roles of Ca2+Dependent Membrane-Binding Proteins in the Regulation and Mechanism of Exocytosis

Exocytosis is the process of release of A. stored secretory product from A. cell by fusion of the membrane of the storage organelle (secretory vesicle) with the surface membrane of the cell. This process appears to have been almost universally adopted as the method for secretion of products that are stored and then suddenly released upon stimulation of the cell. For example, it is the basis for the release of neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and acetylcholine (ACH); hormones, such as insulin or other polypeptide hormones; and digestive enzymes, such as amylase and trypsin. Therefore, this is one of the most important membrane fusion events that occurs in mature, differentiated cells. Furthermore, some aspects of this process may provide A. model for other intracellular membrane fusion events that occur during regeneration of the plasma membrane, movement of secretory material between the stacks of the Golgi apparatus, fusion of phagosomes with lysosomes, or, in general, any intracellular transport process that involves membrane fusion.
Understanding the Lives of Mothers after Incarceration: Moving Beyond Socially Constructed Definitions of Motherhood

In the wake of mass incarceration, an increasing number of women are going through the penal system. A fair number of these women are mothers, yet the intersection of motherhood and prison may contradict conceptions of femininity and challenge traditional views of appropriate mothering. The contradiction between notions of criminality and femininity contributes to stigmatized perceptions of formerly incarcerated mothers, which drastically shapes their ability to reintegrate into society post-incarceration. While reentry efforts tackle gender differences through the implementation of gender-responsive programs that cater to women's needs, failure to adequately account for unique maternal experiences may hinder attempts to address obstacles faced by mothers in particular, such as regaining child custody and paying for day care. This article argues for special attention to the post-incarceration experiences of mothers without imposing socially constructed definitions of motherhood like having custody and living with children, which may not coincide with the realities mothers face after imprisonment. Ideas are also discussed for the inclusive consideration of formerly incarcerated mothers and their post-incarceration experiences.
Health Promotion and Problem Prevention in Pediatric Psychology

Pediatric psychologists have long been concerned with the healthy development of children in both physical and psychological growth. In practice, most professional attention has been given to the treatment of existing physical and psychological problems so that children can regain the normal developmental pathways. However, throughout its existence pediatric psychology has maintained a basic orientation toward enhancing the status of healthy children, taking action to avoid the development of problems, and identifying problems early enough to minimize their potential negative outcomes (Peterson & Roberts, in press; Roberts & Peterson, 1984a). These concepts are generally labeledpromotion andprevention.
Why Teach Molality in General Chemistry

We question the usefulness of presenting molality in general chemistry. This unit creates confusion and has little application beyond molar mass calculations based on freezing point depression. To investigate which concentration units research chemists use, we tallied the units used in a single issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. Molarity based units were used most frequently, with 591 usages. Molality did not appear. The academic community should reconsider having molality within the general chemistry curriculum.
The biology of Stat4 and Stat6.

IL-4 and IL-12 are cytokines that are important regulators of the proliferation, differentiation and functional capacity of lymphocytes. STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription) are transcription factors that provide a direct link between the cytokine receptors and cytokine induced gene transcription. Stat6 and Stat4 are two STAT family members that specifically mediate signals that emanate from the IL-4 and IL-12 receptors, respectively. Recently a great deal of progress has been made in understanding the specific roles that Stat6 and Stat4 play in lymphocyte function through in vitro as well as in vivo studies using Stat6 and Stat4-deficient mice. This report will summarize and describe the recent advances made in understanding the activation and regulation of Stat6 and Stat4 as well as their roles in the development of an immune response.
Human placenta processed for encapsulation contains modest concentrations of 14 trace minerals and elements

Maternal placentophagy has recently emerged as a rare but increasingly popular practice among women in industrialized countries who often ingest the placenta as a processed, encapsulated supplement, seeking its many purported postpartum health benefits. Little scientific research, however, has evaluated these claims, and concentrations of trace micronutrients/elements in encapsulated placenta have never been examined. Because the placenta retains beneficial micronutrients and potentially harmful toxic elements at parturition, we hypothesized that dehydrated placenta would contain detectable concentrations of these elements. To address this hypothesis, we analyzed 28 placenta samples processed for encapsulation to evaluate the concentration of 14 trace minerals/elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Analysis revealed detectable concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, rubidium, selenium, strontium, uranium, and zinc. Based on one recommended daily intake of placenta capsules (3300 mg/d), a daily dose of placenta supplements contains approximately 0.018 ± 0.004 mg copper, 2.19 ± 0.533 mg iron, 0.005 ± 0.000 mg selenium, and 0.180 ± 0.018 mg zinc. Based on the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for lactating women, the recommended daily intake of placenta capsules would provide, on average, 24% RDA for iron, 7.1% RDA for selenium, 1.5% RDA for zinc, and 1.4% RDA for copper. The mean concentrations of potentially harmful elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, uranium) were well below established toxicity thresholds. These results indicate that the recommended daily intake of encapsulated placenta may provide only a modest source of some trace micronutrients and a minimal source of toxic elements.
Supervised Learning Models

The main objective of this chapter is to discuss various supervised learning models in detail. The supervised learning models provide parametrized mapping that projects a data domain into a response set, and thus helps extract knowledge (known) from data (unknown). These learning models, in simple form, can be grouped into predictive models and classification models. Firstly, the predictive models, such as the standard regression, ridge regression, lasso regression, and elastic-net regression are discussed in detail with their mathematical and visual interpretations using simple examples. Secondly, the classification models are discussed and grouped into three models: mathematical models, hierarchical models, and layered models. Also discussed are the mathematical models, such as the logistic regression and support vector machine; the hierarchical models, like the decision tree and the random forest; and the layered models, like the deep learning. They are discussed only from the modeling point of view, and they will be discussed in detail together as the modeling and algorithms in separate chapters later in the book.
Abstract 3487: Alcohol programs the pituitary to produce aggressive prolactin-producing tumors

Chronic alcohol consumption is known to increase prolactin levels in blood and cell proliferation in pituitary prolactin-producing cells known as lactotropes, resulting in hyperprolactinemia in human and animals. We have recently shown that alcohol abuse during pregnancy result in fetal programming that alters lactotropic cell production of prolactin in the offspring during the adulthood. We determined whether fetal alcohol exposure increases the susceptibility to estrogen-induced pituitary prolactin-secreting tumors (prolactinomas). Pregnant Fischer 344 rats were fed between gestational days 7 and 21 with a liquid diet containing alcohol (AF), pair-fed with isocaloric liquid diet (PF), or fed ad libitum with rat chow (AD). At 90 days of age, female offspring rats were ovariectomized and received a subcutaneous estradiol implant. These rats were sacrificed at 3 moths after the estradiol implants. At the time of sacrifice, pituitaries of these animals were inspected for tumor and whole body were inspected for any tumor metastasis. Estradiol treatment increased pituitary weight about 5-folds in AD and PF treated groups and increased about 30-folds in the AF treated group. Most tumors in the AF group were hemorrhagic. About 30% AF rats had some tumors in the non-pituitary sites. AD and PF rats did not show any non-pituitary site tumor. Histopathological evaluation revealed that tumors in AF group were more densely packed cells as compare to the PF and AD groups who showed uniform cells with abundant cytoplasm. Pituitary tumor from AF animals showed strong nuclear p53, Ki67 and prolactin immunoreactivity. When AF rat pituitaries were grown in cultures, cells rapidly grew and formed colonies. Colony formation and rapid growth rate were not observed in cells of the pituitary from PF and AD rats. When pituitary tumor cells of AF-treated pituitary, but not AD- or PF-treated pituitaries were grown in ultra-low attachment plate, spheres developed. These spheres expressed genes and proteins related to multipotency (OCT4, NANOG, KLF4, SOX2, Nestin, CD34 and CD133). Differentiated cells from pituitary tumorspheres of AF animals successfully induce tumor in scid mice after three weeks from cells transplantation. In addition, pituitary tumor from AF animals showed strong immunoreactivity for N-cadherin and Snail, two epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) factors. Furthermore, RNA-seq of genes in tumor pituitaries of AF and AD rats revealed 8782 genes are significantly changed in AF compared to AD P Citation Format: Shaima Jabbar, Jinhee Park, William Belden, Dipak K. Sarkar. Alcohol programs the pituitary to produce aggressive prolactin-producing tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 3487.
A 10×10 all-organic passive pixel sensor array

We demonstrate a 10×10 monolithically integrated organic passive pixel sensor array, and discuss methods to fabricate large scale organic focal plane arrays on hemispherical surfaces to realize a new generation of simple, low noise and high bandwidth imaging systems.
Sampling-based min-max uncertainty path planning

We propose a new sampling-based path planning algorithm, the Min-Max Rapidly Exploring Random Tree (MM-RRT*), for robot path planning under localization uncertainty. The projected growth of error in a robot's state estimate is curbed by minimizing the maximum state estimate uncertainty encountered on a path. The algorithm builds and maintains a tree that is shared in state space and belief space, with a single belief per robot state. Due to the fact that many states will share the same maximum uncertainty, resulting from a shared parent node, the algorithm uses secondary objective functions to break ties among neighboring nodes with identical maximum uncertainty. The algorithm offers a compelling alternative to sampling-based algorithms with additive cost representations of uncertainty, which will penalize high-precision navigation routes that are longer in duration.
Small-scale density variations in the lunar crust revealed by GRAIL

Abstract Data from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission have revealed that ∼98% of the power of the gravity signal of the Moon at high spherical harmonic degrees correlates with the topography. The remaining 2% of the signal, which cannot be explained by topography, contains information about density variations within the crust. These high-degree Bouguer gravity anomalies are likely caused by small-scale (10′s of km) shallow density variations. Here we use gravity inversions to model the small-scale three-dimensional variations in the density of the lunar crust. Inversion results from three non-descript areas yield shallow density variations in the range of 100–200 kg/m 3 . Three end-member scenarios of variations in porosity, intrusions into the crust, and variations in bulk crustal composition were tested as possible sources of the density variations. We find that the density anomalies can be caused entirely by changes in porosity. Characteristics of density anomalies in the South Pole-Aitken basin also support porosity as a primary source of these variations. Mafic intrusions into the crust could explain many, but not all of the anomalies. Additionally, variations in crustal composition revealed by spectral data could only explain a small fraction of the density anomalies. Nevertheless, all three sources of density variations likely contribute. Collectively, results from this study of GRAIL gravity data, combined with other studies of remote sensing data and lunar samples, show that the lunar crust exhibits variations in density by ± 10% over scales ranging from centimeters to 100′s of kilometers.
Amplified Late Pliocene terrestrial warmth in northern high latitudes from greater radiative forcing and closed Arctic Ocean gateways

Abstract Proxy reconstructions of the mid-Piacenzian warm period (mPWP, between 3.264 and 3.025 Ma) suggest terrestrial temperatures were much warmer in the northern high latitudes (55°–90°N, referred to as NHL) than present-day. Climate models participating in the Pliocene Model Intercomparison Project Phase 1 (PlioMIP1) tend to underestimate this warmth. For instance, the underestimate is ∼10 °C on average across NHL and up to 17 °C in the Canadian Arctic region in the Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4). Here, we explore potential mPWP climate forcings that might contribute to this mPWP mismatch. We carry out seven experiments to assess terrestrial temperature responses to Pliocene Arctic gateway closure, variations in CO 2 level, and orbital forcing at millennial time scale. To better compare the full range of simulated terrestrial temperatures with sparse proxy data, we introduce a pattern recognition technique that simplifies the model surface temperatures to a few representative patterns that can be validate with the limited terrestrial proxy data. The pattern recognition technique reveals two prominent features of simulated Pliocene surface temperature responses. First, distinctive patterns of amplified warming occur in the NHL, which can be explained by lowered surface elevation of Greenland, pattern and amount of Arctic sea ice loss, and changing strength of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. Second, patterns of surface temperature response are similar among experiments with different forcing mechanisms. This similarity is due to strong feedbacks from responses in surface albedo and troposphere water vapor content to sea ice changes, which overwhelm distinctions in forcings from changes in insolation, CO 2 forcing, and Arctic gateway closure. By comparing CCSM4 simulations with proxy records, we demonstrate that both model and proxy records show similar patterns of mPWP NHL terrestrial warmth, but the model underestimates the magnitude. High insolation, greater CO 2 forcing, and Arctic gateways closure each contributes to reduce the underestimate by enhancing the Arctic warmth of 1–2 °C. These results highlight the importance of considering proxy NHL warmth in the context of Pliocene Arctic gateway changes, and variations in insolation and CO 2 forcing.