cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life-Cycle Thinking and the LEED Rating System: Global Perspective on Building Energy Use and Environmental Impacts

This research investigates the relationship between energy use, geographic location, life cycle environmental impacts, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The researchers studied worldwide variations in building energy use and associated life cycle impacts in relation to the LEED rating systems. A Building Information Modeling (BIM) of a reference 43,000 ft(2) office building was developed and situated in 400 locations worldwide while making relevant changes to the energy model to meet reference codes, such as ASHRAE 90.1. Then life cycle environmental and human health impacts from the buildings' energy consumption were calculated. The results revealed considerable variations between sites in the U.S. and international locations (ranging from 394 ton CO2 equiv to 911 ton CO2 equiv, respectively). The variations indicate that location specific results, when paired with life cycle assessment, can be an effective means to achieve a better understanding of possible adverse environmental impacts as a result of building energy consumption in the context of green building rating systems. Looking at these factors in combination and using a systems approach may allow rating systems like LEED to continue to drive market transformation toward sustainable development, while taking into consideration both energy sources and building efficiency.
Validation of the Three-color Flow Cytometry Method for Scoring of Micronucleus in Mouse Peripheral Blood

A study was performed to validate the three-color flow cytometry-based technique(FCM) for enumerating micronucleus(MN) in mouse peripheral blood and to evaluate the degree of correspondence between FCM and conventional microscopy-based method.For these studies,groups of ten mice received a single dose of solvent(normal saline or 0.5% CMC-Na),benzo[a]pyrene,fluorouracil,methotrexate,mitomycin C,methyl methanesulfonate,colchicine,vincristine sulfate,new compound A or new compound B.Micronucleated reticulocyte frequencies were measured by FCM [20 000 reticulocytes(RET) per sample] while micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes were scored by conventional microscopy-based analysis [2 000 polychromatic erythrocytes(PCE) per sample].Parallel analysis of micronucleus induction in peripheral blood by FCM and bone marrow using conventional microscopybased method showed concordant results(r=0.913).The flow cytometric assessment of MN-RETs in mouse peripheral blood was a sensitive,fast and objective automatic analysis of micronuclei,which could be an acceptable alternative to microscopy-based analysis in mouse bone marrow micronucleus test in vivo.
HYPERGRAPH MODELS OF PLAYLIST DIALECTS

Playlist generation is an important task in music information retrieval. While previous work has treated a playlist collection as an undifferentiated whole, we propose to build playlist models which are tuned to specific categories or dialects of playlists. Toward this end, we develop a general class of flexible and scalable playlist models based upon hypergraph random walks. To evaluate the proposed models, we present a large corpus of categorically annotated, user-generated playlists. Experimental results indicate that category-specific models can provide substantial improvements in accuracy over global playlist models.
Protective vascular effect of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)

To determine the mechanism of protective vascular effect of angiotensin receptor blocker(ARB), the effect of candesartan on blood pressure(BP), ultrasonographically assessed carotid intima-media thickness(IMT), plasma superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), and lipid peroxides(LPO) were measured, and compared with the effects of diuretics in 20 patients with essential hypertension. Candesartan significantly reduced BP similarly with diuretics. However, IMT was significantly reduced by candesartan, but not by diuretics. Also, candesartan increased SOD, and decreased LPO. There were significant relationship between changes in IMT and SOD, and LPO. These results suggest that protective vascular effect of ARB may be through its effect on angiotensin induced oxidative stress independent of BP reduction.
Benefit-risk Assessment Using Number Needed to Treat and Number Needed to Harm for Time-to-Event Endpoints

ABSTRACTNumber needed to treat (NNT) is a useful measure to meaningfully translate the therapeutic effect of a drug to clinical practice. Time-to-event endpoints are commonly used in clinical trials. NNT has been extended to time-to-event endpoints, but these extensions have some limitations. In addition, NNT and number needed to harm (NNH) can be applied to provide useful information in support of benefit–risk assessment of a drug. In this article, we will first propose a hazard-based NNT using an additive hazards model. Estimation and inference procedures will be provided. Graphical methods and formal statistical tests will be proposed to evaluate the assumption of additivity. We will also discuss using NNT and NNH to facilitate benefit–risk decision making. Inference on the NNH and NNT ratio will be explored as well. The proposed methods will be illustrated with a real clinical trial dataset.
Enzyme Catalysis in Unusual Environments

Although enzymes possess many unique catalytic properties, combining substrate and reaction specificity and high activity at ambient temperatures and pressures, they have not been widely applied in industrial chemical processes. Enzymes generally require an aqueous environment to function and thus cannot be used effectively to synthesize organic chemicals which have limited solubility in water. They may also be inhibited by reaction substrates or products, and in some cases production of the desired product requires the enzyme to operate in the “reverse” direction. Recently enzymes have been shown to function in selected organic solvents, to a large extent overcoming these obstacles. Several examples of enzyme reactions under conditions of low water content will be discussed.
Atypical Tumoral Presentation of Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease

Case: A 55-year-old man presented with a history of forefoot pain and swelling. Radiographs revealed a mass with internal calcifications and osseous erosion of the fifth metatarsophalangeal bone. The mass was isointense to muscle on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and hyperintense on T2-weighted MRI. A biopsy was performed, and intraoperatively, the lesion appeared as chalky white material, which under polarized light microscopy was composed of weakly positively birefringent rhomboid crystals, leading to a diagnosis of tophaceous pseudogout. Conclusion: Tophaceus pseudogout should be included in the differential diagnosis of neoplastic-appearing lesions in the foot, and polarized light microscopy should be used when examining biopsy specimens.
Forest Disturbance History from ‘Legacy’ Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) at the New River Gorge, West Virginia

ABSTRACT: The mesosphytic forests of eastern North America represent a forest region characterized by dramatic 20th century changes in disturbance regimes, notably the exclusion of fire. Tree-ring reconstructions of forest disturbance can inform restoration and management plans by placing these changes into a historical context. This study examined forest disturbance with regard to land use change and drought in the New River Gorge region of West Virginia. I developed a 182-year pitch pine (Pinus rigida) growth chronology (1833–2014) using samples collected from 33 trees along 2 km of southand southwest-facing slopes at Babcock State Park. Samples cut from fire-scarred pitch and Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) were used to generate a fire chronology for the site. Temporal trends in pitch pine growth variability were assessed using regime shift and growth release detection methods. There was no change in pitch pine growth during the transition from the early settlement to industrial era (ca. 1885), while ...
Interactions between Extractant Molecules: Organic-Phase Thermodynamics of TALSPEAK–MME

To reduce the cost and complexity of separations for closed nuclear fuel cycles, solvent extraction processes based on combined solvating and cation exchange extractants are being considered. One s...
Improving Wind-Ramp Forecasts in the Stable Boundary Layer

The viability of wind-energy generation is dependent on highly accurate numerical wind forecasts, which are impeded by inaccuracies in model representation of boundary-layer processes. This study revisits the basic theory of the Mellor, Yamada, Nakanishi, and Niino (MYNN) planetary boundary-layer parametrization scheme, focusing on the onset of wind-ramp events related to nocturnal low-level jets. Modifications to the MYNN scheme include: (1) calculation of new closure parameters that determine the relative effects of turbulent energy production, dissipation, and redistribution; (2) enhanced mixing in the stable boundary layer when the mean wind speed exceeds a specified threshold; (3) explicit accounting of turbulent potential energy in the energy budget. A mesoscale model is used to generate short-term (24 h) wind forecasts for a set of 15 cases from both the U.S.A. and Germany. Results show that the new set of closure parameters provides a marked forecast improvement only when used in conjunction with the new mixing length formulation and only for cases that are originally under- or over-forecast (10 of the 15 cases). For these cases, the mean absolute error (MAE) of wind forecasts at turbine-hub height is reduced on average by 17%. A reduction in MAE values on average by 26% is realized for these same cases when accounting for the turbulent potential energy together with the new mixing length. This last method results in an average reduction by at least 13% in MAE values across all 15 cases.
Immigrant inviability promotes reproductive isolation among host‐associated populations of the gall wasp Belonocnema treatae

Ecological speciation describes the evolutionary process whereby divergent natural selection between environments generates reproductive isolation. Studying the magnitude of sequential reproductive barriers between ecologically divergent populations improves our understanding of the way these barriers evolve and how each contributes to the speciation process. Immigrant inviability describes the lower fitness of immigrants in non‐native environments and is an important, but long underexplored, reproductive barrier. In this study, we test the role of immigrant inviability among host‐associated populations of the gall wasp Belonocnema treataeMayr (Hymenoptera: Cynipini: Cynipidae) by measuring the ability of gall wasps to initiate and complete gall formation, while avoiding host immune responses, on closely related native and non‐native live oaks, Quercus virginianaMill., Quercus fusiformisSmall, and Quercus geminataSmall (Fagaceae). In general, we found evidence for immigrant inviability when B. treatae populations colonized non‐native host species. However, patterns were variable among years, suggesting that episodic events may play an important role in connecting ecologically divergent populations.
Preliminary Results of a Phase I Study of Pharmacological Ascorbate (P-AscH–) with Gemcitabine Chemoradiotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer

P-AscH– radiosensitizes pancreatic cancer (PDAC) in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this Phase I trial is to determine the safety and tolerability of P-AscH- when combined with gemcitabine and radiation. Patients with locally advanced PDAC who were to undergo gemcitabine and radiotherapy were enrolled (Clinical Trials.gov NCT0152890). Patients were given P-AscH– (50-100 g/daily), 5 days/week and Gemcitabine as prescribed per standard of care guidelines. Intensity modulated radiation therapy was also administered at either 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions or 50 Gy in 25 fractions. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability of P-AscH– other co-primary endpoints were dose-limiting toxicity and maximum tolerated dose. Since June, 2014, 14 patients have enrolled and 11 have completed therapy. Both 75 gram and 100 gram infusions achieved plasma ascorbate levels of 20 mM. The adverse event most commonly attributable to P-AscH– was dry mouth during infusion. No other adverse events were observed to be greater in intensity or frequency than with gemcitabine and radiation alone. Grade 3 or greater adverse events were hematologic in nature which occurred in all patients to varying severity. One P-AscH–-related toxicity was reported with non-cardiac chest pain which did not alter ongoing treatment. Common grade 1 and 2 adverse events included chills, abdominal pain, dry mouth, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and thrombocytopenia, all in similar frequency and intensity to chemoradiotherapy alone. Progression Free and overall survival is 10.8 months and 13.1 months, respectively, compared to 6.0 months and 11.1 months, for historical controls. Our preliminary results demonstrate that P-AscH– in combination with gemcitabine/radiation is safe and tolerable.
Paleoecology and paleoceanography of the Athel silicilyte, Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary, Sultanate of Oman.

The Athel silicilyte is an enigmatic, hundreds of meters thick, finely laminated quartz deposit, in which silica precipitated in deep water (>~100-200 m) at the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary in the South Oman Salt Basin. In contrast, Meso-Neoproterozoic sinks for marine silica were dominantly restricted to peritidal settings. The silicilyte is known to contain sterane biomarkers for demosponges, which today are benthic, obligately aerobic organisms. However, the basin has previously been described as permanently sulfidic and time-equivalent shallow-water carbonate platform and evaporitic facies lack silica. The Athel silicilyte thus represents a unique and poorly understood depositional system with implications for late Ediacaran marine chemistry and paleoecology. To address these issues, we made petrographic observations, analyzed biomarkers in the solvent-extractable bitumen, and measured whole-rock iron speciation and oxygen and silicon isotopes. These data indicate that the silicilyte is a distinct rock type both in its sedimentology and geochemistry and in the original biology present as compared to other facies from the same time period in Oman. The depositional environment of the silicilyte, as compared to the bounding shales, appears to have been more reducing at depth in sediments and possibly bottom waters with a significantly different biological community contributing to the preserved biomarkers. We propose a conceptual model for this system in which deeper, nutrient-rich waters mixed with surface seawater via episodic mixing, which stimulated primary production. The silica nucleated on this organic matter and then sank to the seafloor, forming the silicilyte in a sediment-starved system. We propose that the silicilyte may represent a type of environment that existed elsewhere during the Neoproterozoic. These environments may have represented an important locus for silica removal from the oceans.
Manifestations of Birth Trauma at the Forensic Pediatric Autopsy

Despite a greatly decreasing incidence of birth injuries over the past several decades with birth trauma currently accounting for less than 2% of neonatal deaths, birth trauma continues to be a sig...
The phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5-kinase inhibitor apilimod blocks filoviral entry and infection.

Phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5-kinase (PIKfyve) is a lipid kinase involved in endosome maturation that emerged from a haploid genetic screen as being required for Ebola virus (EBOV) infection. Here we analyzed the effects of apilimod, a PIKfyve inhibitor that was reported to be well tolerated in humans in phase 2 clinical trials, for its effects on entry and infection of EBOV and Marburg virus (MARV). We first found that apilimod blocks infections by EBOV and MARV in Huh 7, Vero E6 and primary human macrophage cells, with notable potency in the macrophages (IC50, 10 nM). We next observed that similar doses of apilimod block EBOV-glycoprotein-virus like particle (VLP) entry and transcription-replication competent VLP infection, suggesting that the primary mode of action of apilimod is as an entry inhibitor, preventing release of the viral genome into the cytoplasm to initiate replication. After providing evidence that the anti-EBOV action of apilimod is via PIKfyve, we showed that it blocks trafficking of EBOV VLPs to endolysosomes containing Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1), the intracellular receptor for EBOV. Concurrently apilimod caused VLPs to accumulate in early endosome antigen 1-positive endosomes. We did not detect any effects of apilimod on bulk endosome acidification, on the activity of cathepsins B and L, or on cholesterol export from endolysosomes. Hence by antagonizing PIKfyve, apilimod appears to block EBOV trafficking to its site of fusion and entry into the cytoplasm. Given the drug’s observed anti-filoviral activity, relatively unexplored mechanism of entry inhibition, and reported tolerability in humans, we propose that apilimod be further explored as part of a therapeutic regimen to treat filoviral infections.
Collective vibrations in odd-mass thallium isotopes

Abstract The intermediate-coupling unified model is applied to the four odd-mass thallium isotopes 205Tl, 203Tl, 201Tl and 199Tl. All the single-hole states within the shell ending at 82 and the core states up to three photons are included in the model space. The spectra, the electromagnetic transition rates and the static moments are calculated, and a trend for the variations of the parameters passing from one isotope to the next is established. A satisfactory agreement with the experimental data is obtained.
Identification of economically important Spodoptera larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) : Scientific Note

The larvae of Spodoptera spp. are of varying economic importance in the spheres of agriculture and horticulture in southern Africa. They include the African armyworm, S. exempta (Walk.), the lesser armyworm, S. exigua (Hubn.), the lawn caterpillars, S. capicola H.-S. cilium Cuen.), and S. triturata (Walk.), and the cotton leaf worm, S. littoralis Boisd. It is well known that there are phase variations in the armyworms S. exempta and S. exigua (Faure, 1943a and I 943b), and one of the main reasons for constructing a key is to enable identification of the passive phase of S. exempta. The latter is very similar in colour and markings to the non-phasing species, particularly S. capicola and S. triturata.
A long-term study of male territoriality in the tarantula hawk wasp (Hemipepsis ustulata; Pompilidae) in Central Arizona

Abstract Males of the tarantula hawk wasp Hemipepsis ustulata defend individual trees and shrubs growing on ridges and peaks in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Territories occupied by males of this wasp species have been monitored in the Usery Mountains of central Arizona for nearly 4 decades. Although previous research indicated that males abandoned their territories by midday, in this study some territories continued to be occupied until as late as 1600h Mountain Standard Time (MST). Territories held into the afternoon included those that were taken early and late in the flight season and which were most-frequently occupied overall. Individual plants that were most likely to attract territorial males during five previous studies were also the most popular territories in 2016. Likewise, many other features of the territoriality of male tarantula hawks have usually been similar during most of the five previous studies of the wasps, including the tendency of larger males to occupy highly ranked territories ...
The benefits & challenges of learning from contrasting video cases

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of analyzing contrasting video cases on pre-service teachers' conceptual understanding of educational psychology concepts and subsequent transfer of that understanding in a new context. Analyzing contrasting cases increases the ability of students to discern and differentiate specific features related to certain psychological concepts (Schwartz and Bransford (1998). This well-differentiated knowledge prepares students to learn from a lecture or a book chapter. Gentner, Loewnstein, & Thompson (2003) demonstrated how comparing similar examples can facilitate understanding of underlying structures and subsequent transfer to novel problems. However, previous research demonstrating the benefits of contrasting cases and multiple examples have been limited to paper stimuli. We extend this work to video, which is more complex than typical stimuli used in these studies.
Geometric Models Of Decision Making Under Uncertainty

This paper uses the tools of differential geometry to classify models of individual behavior under uncertainty.
Dynamics and Stabilization of an Elastic Tape Moving Axially Between Two Sets of Rollers

We consider a thin elastic tape moving axially between two sets of rollers with speed c > 0 and subject to a positive tension. We derive linear and nonlinear equations of motion and demonstrate instability of the nominal equilibrium state for c sufficiently large in the case of the linear model. We then proceed to show that such instability can be overcome with active boundary control synthesized via feedback on boundary data. Well-posedness of the uncontrolled system and the closed loop controlled system are both demonstrated.
Progress and Prospects of Plasma-Based Accelerators and Their Applications

The field of acceleration of charged particles using plasma density waves moving at the speed of light began in the late1970s when it was realized that the longitudinal electric fields of such waves could be orders of magnitude larger than those found in conventional accelerators and that such waves could be driven by intense lasers of charged particle beams. This opened up the prospects of building compact particle accelerators for a myriad of industrial and scientific applications and for e-e+ colliders for particle physics.
The effect of eyebrow stenting on the measurement of levator excursion in normal and ptotic eyelids.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Levator function is classically estimated by measuring upper eyelid excursion (ULE) with digital brow stenting. The purpose of this study is to compare ULE with and without br...
Testing Extract-Transform-Load Process in Data Warehouse Systems

Enterprises use data warehouses to accumulate data from multiple sources for analysis and research. A data warehouse is populated using the Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) process that (1) extracts data from various sources, (2) integrates, cleans, and transforms it into a common form, and (3) loads it into the data warehouse. Faults in the ETL implementation and execution can lead to incorrect data in the data warehouse, which renders it useless irrespective of the quality of the applications accessing it and the quality of the source data. Thus, ETL processes must be thoroughly tested to validate the correctness of the ETL implementation. This project develops and evaluates two types of functional testing approaches, namely data quality, and balancing tests. Data quality tests validate the data in the target data warehouse in isolation and balancing tests check for discrepancies between the source and target data. This paper describes the proposed approach, the work accomplished to date, and the expected contributions of this research.
On discretely entropy stable weight-adjusted discontinuous Galerkin methods: curvilinear meshes

Abstract We construct entropy conservative and entropy stable discontinuous Galerkin (DG) discretizations for time-dependent nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws on curvilinear meshes. The resulting schemes preserve a semi-discrete quadrature approximation of a continuous global entropy inequality. The proof requires the satisfaction of a discrete geometric conservation law, which we enforce through an appropriate polynomial approximation. We extend the construction of entropy conservative and entropy stable DG schemes to the case when high order curvilinear mass matrices are approximated using low-storage weight-adjusted approximations, and describe how to retain global conservation properties under such an approximation. For certain types of curvilinear meshes, these weight-adjusted approximations deliver optimal rates of convergence. Finally, the high order accuracy, local conservation, and discrete conservation or dissipation of entropy for under-resolved solutions are verified through numerical experiments for the compressible Euler equations on triangular and tetrahedral meshes.
Democratization, party systems, and the endogenous roots of Ghanaian clientelism

Ghana provides an interesting case of a democratic developing country in which clientelism is pervasive yet vote buying is rare. Drawing on fieldwork and recent scholarship, and situated within the...
Suppressors of YpsA-mediated cell division inhibition in Bacillus subtilis

Although many bacterial cell division factors have been uncovered over the years, evidence from recent studies points to the existence of yet to be discovered factors involved in cell division regulation. Thus, it is important to identify factors and conditions that regulate cell division to obtain a better understanding of this fundamental biological process. We recently reported that in the Gram-positive organisms Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, increased production of YpsA resulted in cell division inhibition. In this study, we isolated spontaneous suppressor mutations to uncover critical residues of YpsA and the pathways through which YpsA may exert its function. Using this technique, we were able to isolate four unique intragenic suppressor mutations in ypsA (E55D, P79L, R111P, G132E) that rendered the mutated YpsA non-toxic upon overproduction. We also isolated an extragenic suppressor mutation in yfhS, a gene that encodes a protein of unknown function. Subsequent analysis confirmed that cells lacking yfhS were unable to undergo filamentation in response to YpsA overproduction. We also serendipitously discovered that YfhS may play a role in cell size regulation. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=193 SRC="FIGDIR/small/946632v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (29K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@68c223org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a19667org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1995570org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b86967_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG ABBREVIATED SUMMARYIn Bacillus subtilis, we discovered that increased expression of ypsA results in cell division inhibition and impairment of colony formation on solid medium. Colonies that do arise possess compensatory suppressor mutations. Analysis of one such suppressor mutation led us to a protein of unknown function, YfhS, which appears to play a role in regulating cell length and cell width.
Interest in Orthopedic Surgery Residency: A Google Trends Analysis

Google Trends, a powerful online search tool, was used to evaluate the association between the United States applicant pool for orthopedic surgery residency and Internet queries for orthopedic residency and orthopedic salary. From 2006 to 2015, searches for orthopedic salary and orthopedic residency were conducted by Google Trends. Data from the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) in the same time period was plotted and subsequently compared to the Google Trends results. From 2006 to 2015, Google Trends demonstrated an increase in orthopedic residency queries with the largest increase between 2008 and 2010. Orthopedic salary searches increased over the study period, with the sharpest increase from 2008 to 2009. NRMP demonstrated an increase over the study period in U.S. medical school orthopedic surgery applicants and positions filled. The Google Trends analysis mirrored the data from the NRMP, suggesting that online search tools could be of important predictive value for medical students' interest in orthopedic surgery residency. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(2):98-101, 2018).
Utilizing antibiotics to prevent Clostridioides difficile infection: does exposure to a risk factor decrease risk? A systematic review

Background Antibiotic use is a major risk factor for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). However, antibiotics recommended for CDI treatment are being utilized in clinical practice as prophylactic agents. Objectives To comprehensively summarize and critically evaluate the published literature investigating the effectiveness of antibiotic CDI prophylaxis. Methods A systematic search for relevant literature was conducted in PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov. Two investigators independently screened each article for inclusion, and the references of the included articles were studied to identify additional relevant articles. Data extraction and an assessment of risk of bias was completed for all included studies. Unadjusted risk ratios and 95% CI were calculated for each study, with CDI being the outcome variable and prophylaxis (prophylaxis versus control) representing the exposure. Results In total, 13 articles were identified in PubMed and 9 ongoing or unpublished trials were identified in ClinicalTrials.gov. The effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on CDI rates varied between studies; however, most favoured the use of antibiotic prophylaxis. Conclusions The authors of this review conclude that the current literature carries a high risk of bias and the results should be interpreted with caution.
Berberine represses β-catenin translation involving 4E-BPs in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin axis occurs in several gastrointestinal malignancies due to inactivating mutations of adenomatous polyposis coli (in colorectal cancer) or activating mutations of β-catenin itself [in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)]. These lead to β-catenin stabilization, increase in β-catenin/T-cell factor (TCF)-mediated transcriptional activation, and target gene expression, many of which are involved in tumor progression. While studying pharmaceutical agents that can target β-catenin in cancer cells, we observed that the plant compound berberine (BBR), a potent activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), can reduce β-catenin expression and downstream signaling in HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. More in-depth analyses to understand the mechanism revealed that BBR-induced reduction of β-catenin occurs independently of AMPK activation and does not involve transcriptional or post-translational mechanisms. Pretreatment with protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide antagonized BBR-induced β-catenin reduction, suggesting that BBR affects β-catenin translation. BBR treatment also antagonized mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity and was associated with increased recruitment of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein (4E-BP) 1 in the translational complex, which was revealed by 7-methyl-cap-binding assays, suggesting inhibition of cap-dependent translation. Interestingly, knocking down 4E-BP1 and 4E-BP2 significantly attenuated BBR-induced reduction of β-catenin levels and expression of its downstream target genes. Moreover, cells with 4E-BP knockdown were resistant to BBR-induced cell death and were resensitized to BBR after pharmacological inhibition of β-catenin. Our findings indicate that BBR antagonizes β-catenin pathway by inhibiting β-catenin translation and mTOR activity and thereby reduces HCC cell survival. These also suggest that BBR could be used for targeting HCCs that express mutated/activated β-catenin variants that are currently undruggable. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: β-catenin signaling is aberrantly activated in different gastrointestinal cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, which is currently undruggable. In this study we describe a novel mechanism of targeting β-catenin translation via utilizing a plant compound, berberine. Our findings provide a new avenue of targeting β-catenin axis in cancer, which can be utilized toward the designing of effective therapeutic strategies to combat β-catenin-dependent cancers.
Networks of regulatory agencies as regional public goods: Improving infrastructure performance

Networks of sectoral regulatory agencies provide regional public goods (RPGs). In developed and developing countries, the telecommunications, energy, and water sectors have been re-structured (frequently liberalized) and reformed over the past two decades. Often with seed money from international organizations and donor countries, regulatory leaders at newly created commissions sought to learn from neighboring countries. Regional networks provided vehicles for sharing data and best-practice techniques, developing studies, providing training, distributing regulatory materials, and organizing meetings. Three properties of publicness of RPGs influence the provision of RPGs: non-rivalry of benefits, non-excludability of non-payers, and the aggregation technology. External donor funding and the mix of characteristics have influenced the pattern of network activities.
Enhancing Wellbeing for Older Adults With Serious Mental Illnesses: Co-Producing a Positive Psychology Course With Certified Older Adult Peer Specialists

Compared to peers in the general population, persons aging with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) face physical health disparities, increased isolation, and decreased subjective experiences of quality of life and wellbeing. To date, limited intervention research focuses on addressing specific needs of persons aging with SMIs and no interventions targeted for that population are informed by the theory and science of positive psychology. With the aim of co-producing a positive-psychology-based program to enhance wellbeing for older adults with SMIs, the author held a series of focus groups and individual interviews with six certified older adult peer specialists. Analysis of the data developed in-depth insights into helpful processes, values, and priorities of individuals aging with SMIs, as well as the creation of a wellbeing-enhancing course curriculum.
Transient Kinetic Proofreading

We propose a 2-dimensional Markov chain model to understand and efficiently compute the transient behavior of the kinetic proofreading mechanism in a single T-cell. We show that a stochastic version of absolute ligand discrimination is a direct consequence of the finite number of receptors on the cell surface; thus, pointing to number control as being important for absolute ligand discrimination. We also develop 1-dimensional approximations for several limiting regimes that significantly decrease the computational time. We present results of numerical experiments that explore the behavior of the new model for a wide range of parameters, and its robustness to parameter errors.
Snow melt timing acts independently and in conjunction with temperature accumulation to drive subalpine plant phenology

Organisms use environmental cues to align their phenology-the timing of life events-with sets of abiotic and biotic conditions that favor the successful completion of their life cycle. Climate change has altered the environmental cues organisms use to track climate, leading to shifts in phenology with the potential to affect a variety of ecological processes. Understanding the drivers of phenological shifts is critical to predicting future responses, but disentangling the effects of temperature from precipitation on phenology is often challenging because they tend to covary. We addressed this knowledge gap in a high-elevation environment where phenological shifts are associated with both the timing of spring snow melt and temperature. We factorially crossed early snow melt and passive warming treatments to (1) disentangle the effects of snow melt timing and warming on the phenology of flowering and fruiting and reproductive success in three subalpine plant species (Delphinium nuttallianum, Valeriana edulis, and Potentilla pulcherrima); and (2) assess whether snow melt acts via temperature accumulation or some other aspect of the environment (e.g., soil moisture) to affect phenological events. Both the timing and duration of flowering and fruiting responded to the climate treatments, but the effect of snow melt timing and warming varied among species and phenological stages. The combined effects of the treatments on phenology were always additive, and the snow melt treatment often affected phenology even when the warming treatment did not. Despite marked responses of phenology to climate manipulations, the species showed little change in reproductive success, with only one species producing fewer seeds in response to warming (Delphinium, -56%). We also found that snow melt timing can act both through temperature accumulation and as a distinct cue for phenology, and these effects are not mutually exclusive. Our results show that one environmental cue, here snow melt timing, may act through multiple mechanisms to shift phenology.
Utility of quantitative magnetic resonance angiography and non-invasive optimal vessel analysis for identification of complications and long-term hemodynamic changes in post-pipeline embolization patients.

Introduction Quantitative magnetic resonance angiography and non-invasive optimal vessel analysis serve as powerful tools to collect and analyze hemodynamic data from pipeline embolization patients. At our institution, patients receive post-embolization quantitative magnetic resonance angiography within 24 h of treatment and within 6 months for follow-up to evaluate pipeline patency. Here, we aim to elucidate the long-term hemodynamic changes following pipeline embolization device placement and report two cases in which in-stent stenosis was detected. Methods Medical records of patients who underwent pipeline embolization device placement for an internal carotid artery aneurysm between 2017 and 2019 were reviewed. Patients who received post-procedure NOVA and follow-up NOVA were included in the study (n = 32). Location and size of aneurysm, number of pipeline embolization device deployed, and complications were collected along with the non-invasive optimal vessel analysis report (flow volume rate (ml/min), mean, systolic, and diastolic flow velocities (cm/s), and vessel diameter (mm)). Internal carotid artery vessel flow rate was measured proximal to the pipeline embolization device. Derivations of hemodynamic parameters (pulsatility index, Lindegaard ratio, and wall shear stress) were calculated. Results The middle cerebral artery mean and diastolic flow velocities were significantly lower on the follow-up NOVA compared to the post-procedure NOVA. Moreover, follow-up NOVA demonstrated lower middle cerebral artery wall shear stress on the side with flow diversion compared to the post-procedure NOVA. In-stent stenosis, requiring intervention, was detected in two patients on follow-up NOVA. One patient had a successful balloon angioplasty of the stented internal carotid artery that resolved her stenosis. However, the second patient developed progressive stenosis and expired despite intervention. Conclusion Long-term hemodynamic adaptations post-pipeline embolization device demonstrate decreased wall shear stress and decreased mean and diastolic flow velocities in the distal middle cerebral artery, which suggest decreasing velocity of blood flow with endothelialization of the device. Furthermore, follow-up NOVA is a useful tool for detecting potential flow-related complications such as in-stent stenosis.
AI and Business Model Innovation: Leverage the AI feedback loop

The article analyzes the effects of AI on Business Model Innovation. It shows that AI enables key strategic feedback loops that constitute the core structure of a business model. The article provides a framework and discusses implications for managers and entrepreneurs who seek to leverage the AI feedback loop.
Comparative analysis between a brief nutrition screening survey and validated food frequency questionnaire among physically active college students.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the agreement between a 61-item Nutrition Screening Survey (NSS) and 127-item validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). PARTICIPANTS Forty-seven college students (male, n = 29; female, n = 18), age 21.7 ± 0.4 years, BMI of 23.5 ± 0.4 kg/m2. METHODS Participants completed the NSS, Block FFQ, and anthropometric measurements. Pearson's correlation, paired sample t test, and Bland-Altman plot evaluated agreement between the assessments. RESULTS Moderate to strong associations between assessments (0.61-0.89, p < 0.001) were identified for meals/day, snacks/day, calories, carbohydrate, fiber, grains, non-starchy vegetables, potatoes, legumes, fruit, yogurt, cheese, and eggs. Mean daily meals/day, calories, fat, fiber, grains, fruit, milk, and eggs did not significantly differ between surveys. The Bland-Altman plot analyses indicated no proportional bias for calories, fat, fiber, grains, fruit, milk, and eggs. CONCLUSIONS The NSS and Block FFQ display reasonable agreement, supporting use of the NSS for evaluating a range of dietary components among physically active college students.
Allergic Encephalomyelitis OXIDATION AND CLEAVAGE OF THE SINGLE TRYPTOPHAN RESIDUE OF THE A1 PROTEIN FROM BOVINE AND HUMAN MYELIN

Abstract The single tryptophan residue of the basic A1 protein from bovine and human central nervous system myelin was selectively modified to the oxindole derivative with a mild oxidizing reagent BNPS-skatole, a bromine adduct of 2-(2-nitrophenylsulfenyl)-3-methylindole. Quantitative oxidation of the tryptophan residue was shown by several methods. Following reduction, no other residue appeared to be modified. The oxidized A1 protein showed the same encephalitogenic activity, antigenic specificity, and delayed-type skin reactivity as the unmodified A1 protein, thus demonstrating that position 2 of the indole ring is not critical for induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in guinea pigs. Under stronger conditions, BNPS-skatole cleaved the COOH-tryptophanyl bond, giving two peptides (L and T) in 38% yield. Although Peptides L and T were comparatively nonencephalitogenic (1 to 2% of the A1 protein), Peptide L retained nearly full reactivity against sheep antibody to the A1 protein in the passive hemagglutination inhibition test. Peptide T, the 54-residue COOH-terminal segment of the A1 protein, was considered unreactive. It was concluded that the portion of the A1 molecule which contains the antigenic determinants for humoral antibody, the 116 residues of the NH2-terminal region, is distinct from the major encephalitogenic site (9-residue tryptophan region). Both Peptides L and T, in nonencephalitogenic doses, induce the formation of sensitized cells, as shown by positive reactions in the delayed-type skin test in guinea pigs. It appears, therefore, that no strict correlation exists between the encephalitogenic and delayed hypersensitive responses to certain peptide regions of the A1 protein.
Interlayer conductivity in the superconductor Tl 2 Ba 2 CuO 6 + δ : Energetics and energy scales

We report on infrared studies of the c-axis electrodynamics of ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{CuO}}_{6+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ crystals. A sum-rule analysis reveals spectral weight shifts that can be interpreted as a kinetic energy change at the superconducting transition. In optimally doped crystals, showing an incoherent normal-state response, the kinetic energy is lowered at $Tl{T}_{c},$ but no significant change is found in the overdoped samples, which have more coherent conductivity at $Tg{T}_{c}.$
The infection of leafhoppers by Western X-disease virus. IV. Pathology in the alimentary tract.

Abstract Fourteen days after last-instar nymphs of the leafhopper Colladonus monlanus (Van Duzee) were transferred to celery infected with the peach Western X-disease virus (WXV), lesions could be detected in the epithelium of the first and second ventriculus. After 21–28 days, cytopathological changes could be detected in the filter complex and in the Malpighian tubules, and the lesions in first and second ventriculus were enlarged and more numerous. Cytopathologies in the epithelial cells of the first and second ventriculus became less acute after 4–6 weeks, but Malpighian tubule pathology was more severe and apparently irreversible. The observed pathologies in the first and second ventriculus and in the filter complex involved an insufficient number of cells to suggest a significant role in the lethal effect of the virus on its vector. Adult leafhoppers injected as last-instar nymphs with WXV developed cytopathological symptoms in the Malpighian tubules, but not in other parts of the alimentary tract. However, general deterioration of the first and second ventriculus 30–48 days after injection of WXV resembled effects noted much less frequently in nonviruliferous adults. Crystals accumulated in the lumen of the ventriculus of C. montanus and Fieberiella florii Stal after feeding on celery infected with WXV and in C. montanus upon exposure to plantain infected with aster yellows virus. The occurrence of such crystals was possibly associated with the sloughing of epithelial cells and the production of secretory globules. Effects of starvation, molting, bacterial infection, and host transfer upon the alimentary tract were noted and found to be distinct from the effects of viral infection.
Substructuring, dimension reduction and applications: an introduction

There are a variety of reasons to go for substructuring and dimension reduction in scientific computations and applications. Substructuring makes it possible to solve large and seemingly intractable computational problems solvable in today technology by some kind of Divide-and-Conquer technique; Substructuring offers a general methodology to do parallelization; And substructuring allows one to design algorithms to preserve substructures at a very fine level of underlying problems of interest, which usually go unnoticed by more general purposed methods. Often if done right, payoff will be significant. Dimension reduction is a rather broader concept referring to techniques that achieve significant reductions of problem sizes so as to make intractable numerical simulations tractable. Successful examples are abundant, including reduced order modelling from dynamical systems and circuit design, cluster text data analysis, and data mining. This minisymposium presents currently active researches in substructuring strategies, model reduction and applications, and domain decompositions, among others.
A stand-still cerebral arteriogram secondary to heart block. A case report with discussion of its mechanism.

We have reported a most unusual serial carotid arteriogram in which there was nothing but the arterial phase on 11 films throughout an 8 sec exposure. No previous reports of this phenomenon could be found in the literature. We believe this stand-still arteriogram resulted from a momentary cardiac arrest or heart block which might have been induced by the injection of the contrast media in an arteriosclerotic individual possibly associated with cardioinhibitory carotid sinus reaction. The patients subclinical myocardial ischemia might have been a predisposing factor.