cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduced lethality from ethanol or ethanol plus pentobarbital in mice exposed to 1 or 12 atmospheres absolute helium-oxygen.

The present experiments investigated the effects of 1 and 12 atmospheres absolute (ATA) helium-oxygen on potentially lethal doses of ethanol given alone or in combination with pentobarbital. Drug-naive, male C57BL/6J mice were injected IP with 5.4–6.5 g/kg ethanol, 4.5–6.9 g/kg ethanol plus 20 mg/kg pentobarbital, or 50–110 mg/kg pentobarbital plus 2.5 g/kg ethanol. Following injection, the mice were placed into chambers and exposed to environments of 1 ATA air, 1 ATA helium-oxygen, or 12 ATA helium-oxygen. Exposure to 1 or 12 ATA helium-oxygen significantly reduced the lethal effect (percent mortality at given doses and LD50) of ethanol given alone or with 20 mg/kg pentobarbital when compared to animals exposed to 1 ATA air. The pattern and degree of reduction in lethality for the 1 and 12 ATA helium-oxygen treatments were similar, suggesting that the antagonism resulted from increased helium or decreased nitrogen and not from increased atmospheric pressure. Exposure to these environments did not reduce lethality in mice given 2.5 g/kg ethanol in combination with relatively high doses (50–110 mg/kg) of pentobarbital. These findings suggest that helium-oxygen breathing mixtures may be useful in the treatment of some overdose patients.
Using histories to implement atomic objects

In this paper we describe an approach to implementing atomicity. Atomicity requires that computations appear to be all-or-nothing and executed in a serialization order. The approach we describe has three characteristics. First, it utilizes the semantics of an application to improve concurrency. Second, it reduces the complexity of application-dependent synchronization code by analyzing the process of writing it. Third, our approach hides the protocol used to arrive at a serialization order from the applications. As a result, different protocols can be used without affecting the applications. Our approach uses a history abstraction. The history captures the ordering relationship among concurrent computations. By determining what types of computations exist in the history and their parameters, a computation can determine whether it can proceed.
Damage isolation via strategic self-destruction: A case study in 2D random networks

We study the nucleation, spreading, and control of irreversible diffusive damage in a 2D fixed-radius random network. The control is achieved via strategic self-destruction. Our studies suggest that rapidly activated aggressive and encompassing self-destruction may provide optimum long-term survival of the network. When the damaged area is sufficiently small, strategic self-destruction may be too dependent on local geometry and the details of the dynamics and hence non-trivial to estimate. Our results reveal broad insights into how it may be possible to combat and control the spreading of problematic effects across fixed-radius random networks.
Invariant natural killer T cells in the response to bacteria: the advent of specific antigens

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a unique subset of T lymphocytes that have been implicated in diverse immune reactions, ranging from self-tolerance and development of autoimmunity to responses to pathogens and tumors. Although some degree of autoreactivity of iNKT cells has been shown, it remained controversial whether the T-cell antigen receptor expressed by these cells could recognize microbial antigens, hampering the investigation of their physiological role during tolerance and immunity. Several recent publications have now defined natural antigens for the majority of iNKT cells in some Proteobacteria and in Borrelia burgdorferi, demonstrating specificity of these cells for microbes in addition to self-reactivity. The characterization of natural antigens from bacteria, and the iNKT cell response to bacteria containing them, are decisive steps toward the clarification of the natural role of iNKT cells in host defense against pathogens, and will likely spur numerous findings in the near future.
Pigmented Mammary Paget Disease Mimicking Superficial Spreading Melanoma in an Elderly African-American Female.

BackgroundPigmented mammary Paget disease (PMPD) is a rare disease that may mimic cutaneous melanoma both in clinical presentation and on histology.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to discuss th...
Glioma oncoprotein Bcl2L12 inhibits the p53 tumor suppressor

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal brain tumor characterized by intense apoptosis resistance and extensive necrosis. Bcl2L12 (for Bcl2-like 12) is a cytoplasmic and nuclear protein that is overexpressed in primary GBM and functions to inhibit post-mitochondrial apoptosis signaling. Here, we show that nuclear Bcl2L12 physically and functionally interacts with the p53 tumor suppressor, as evidenced by the capacity of Bcl2L12 to (1) enable bypass of replicative senescence without concomitant loss of p53 or p19 (Arf), (2) inhibit p53-dependent DNA damage-induced apoptosis, (3) impede the capacity of p53 to bind some of its target gene promoters, and (4) attenuate endogenous p53-directed transcriptomic changes following genotoxic stress. Correspondingly, The Cancer Genome Atlas profile and tissue protein analyses of human GBM specimens show significantly lower Bcl2L12 expression in the setting of genetic p53 pathway inactivation. Thus, Bcl2L12 is a multifunctional protein that contributes to intense therapeutic resistance of GBM through its ability to operate on two key nodes of cytoplasmic and nuclear signaling cascades.
Childhood Risky Family Environments and Romantic Relationship Functioning Among Young Adult Dating Couples

This study evaluated associations between dating partners’ risky family backgrounds in childhood and current romantic relationship functioning. One hundred young adult dating couples (N = 200) self-reported childhood risky family environments (e.g., conflict, nonnurturing behavior, neglect) and current relationship satisfaction. Partners also engaged in laboratory-based conflict, which was subsequently coded for positive and negative interaction qualities. Results revealed a positive linkage between males’ and females’ risky family backgrounds. Actor–Partner Interdependence Modeling, which accommodated dyadic data and controlled for neuroticism levels, indicated that males’ riskier family backgrounds were associated with their female partners’ greater observed negative interaction qualities (e.g., conflict) and with their partners’ lower observed positive interaction (e.g., support, communication skills). Experiencing interparental divorce during childhood moderated the results, with riskier family backgr...
Production of the 14 kDa trypsin inhibitor protein is important for maize resistance against Aspergillus flavus infection/aflatoxin accumulation

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the major crops susceptible to Aspergillus flavus Link ex. Fries infection and subsequent aflatoxin contamination. Previous studies found the production of an antifungal 14 kDa trypsin inhibitor (TI) was associated with maize aflatoxin resistance. To further investigate whether the TI plays any direct role in resistance, a TI gene silencing vector was constructed and transformed into maize. Mature kernels were produced from 66 transgenic lines representing 18 independent events. A final total of twelve lines representing four independent events were confirmed positive for transformation, five of which showed significant reduction (63 to 88%) in TI transcript abundance in seedling leaf tissue and seven of which showed significant TI protein reduction (39-85%) in mature kernels. Six of the seven silenced transgenic lines supported higher levels of aflatoxin production compared to negative controls. To further confirm the role of TI in field resistance to aflatoxin accumulation,...
Characteristics of singular entities of simple cell mappings

For a given simple cell mapping C(z) there is a cell mapping increment function F(z, C K ) associated with the mapping C K (z). In Chapter 5 we have considered the singular entities of such cell functions. These include non-degenerate and degenerate singular k-multiplets m k , k ∈ N + 1, and cores of singular multiplets. We recall here that for dynamical systems governed by ordinary differential equations (Coddington and Levinson [1955], Arnold [1973]) and for point mapping dynamical systems (Hsu [1977], Bernussou [1977]), the singular points of the vector fields governing the systems can be further classified according to their stability character. In this spirit one may wish to classify singular entities of cell functions according to their “stability” character and to see how they influence the local and global behavior of the cell mapping systems. On this question a special feature of cell mappings immediately stands out. Since a cell function maps an N-tuple of integers into an N-tuple of integers, the customary continuity and differentiability arguments of the classical analysis cannot be used, at least not directly. Evidently, a new framework is needed in order to delineate various mapping properties of the singular entities of cell functions.
Experimental evaluation of hypercube-based range analysis tools

Parallel range segmentation tools are analyzed in terms of a general model for distributed-memory algorithms using n-cube topologies. The model explicitly relates the concepts of speedup, efficiency and load balancing and provides criteria for optimum assignment of nodes. Low-level computer vision functions are classified as either local or global. Experimental results are given showing that the efficiency of local operators is determined by load balancing, while the efficiency of global operators is more dependent on communication overhead. >
Clonotype Patterns of Antibodies Released by Single Lymph Nodes

Experimental primary, secondary and teritiary stimulation with streptococcal vaccine of isolated lymph nodes in vivo in the sheep model induces largely persistence of anti-group polysaccharide antibody clonotype patterns with the rure occurrence of additional clonotypes demonstrable after secondary stimulation persisting during the tertiary stimulus. It is not clear whether these additional clonotypes are the products of mutants or whether they pre-existed and were demonstrable only after a secondary stimulus, because of threshold concentrations required for identification. Further, isolated contralateral popliteal and prescapular lymph nodes of individual sheep share completely overlapping clonotype patterns during experimental primary anti-polysaccharide antibody responses indicating an identical repertoire of specific clonotypes under this condition of responsiveness.
One atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma (OAUGDP) reactor for plasma chemical vapor deposition (PCVD) of thin films

Summary form only given. Plasma chemical vapor deposition (PCVD) can economically form thin films, and films that cannot be created in any other way. As a result, the production of PCVD coatings for microelectronics, optics, food packaging, metallurgy, and other applications has been gaining importance over the past 20 years. During this time, efforts have been made to understand the chemical and physical processes responsible for PCVD, and to improve the technology for producing thin films by PCVD. PCVD has become an established commercial technique for depositing thin films of silicon nitride and SiO/sub x/, for insulating or barrier coatings. To date, all published work on PCVD of thin films by glow discharge plasmas was done in vacuum. If PCVD is done at atmospheric pressure, expensive vacuum systems will not be needed, batch processing will be avoided, and the production cost of PCVD thin films will be significantly reduced. In this paper, we will describe the physical and operational characteristics of a PCVD reactor based on the one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma (OAUGDP). This reactor is intended for the in-line, roll-to-roll deposition of SiO/sub x/ on polymeric and plastic webs.
Randomized evaluation of a single semester transitional mentoring program for first year middle school students: a cautionary result for brief, school‐based mentoring programs

School-based youth mentoring is popular in the United States. There are reasons to believe that school-based mentoring might be beneficial, but research has found primarily small effects and some negative effects. This study describes a formal evaluation of a single semester mentoring program that was implemented within the context of a school-university-community partnership. Middle school students were randomly assigned to a school-based mentoring program (n=60) or a control group (n=60) during the first semester of middle school. Results suggest that random assignment to the mentoring program designed to ease the transition to middle school was associated with statistically significant decreases in reading grades and null effects on other measures, including school and teacher connectedness. These results reinforce the need to evaluate mentoring programs on a case-by-case basis and continue to innovate in the area of school-based mentoring until robust, replicable evidence-based procedures are identified. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantifying Predation Risk for Refuging Animals: A Case Study with Golden Marmots

Although a variety of behaviors expose animals to some risk of predation, there is no accepted way to compare their relative risk. For animals that retreat to refugia when alarmed by predators, the proportion of time devoted to each out-of-refuge behavior multiplied by the total time required to return to a refuge can be used to compare a behavior's relative predation risk. Total time to return to a refuge is a function of both response time - the time required to respond to an increased risk of predation — and travel time — the time required to flee to a refuge once alarmed. Quantifying these components can illustrate how animals minimize exposure to predators. Golden marmots (Marmota caudata aurea) were a refuging prey species used to examine the utility of this measure and to understand how marmots minimized their risk of exposure to predation. Golden marmots devoted different amounts of time to looking, foraging, self-grooming, and playing. To estimate the behavior-specific time required to return to refugia, the location of different activities was noted and a behavior-specific travel time was calculated. Alarm calls were played back to marmots engaged in different behaviors to determine, in a standardized manner, if there were behavior-specific response times. Marmots appeared to minimize their predation risk by performing most behaviors close to refugia. Results suggest that foraging was the riskiest behavior, largely because marmots foraged far from refugia and spent about 30% of their time foraging. While sample sizes were small, results also suggested that play, a rare adult behavior, exposed animals to predation because of a relatively long response time.
Peripheral blood immunophenotypic analysis as a diagnostic tool for large granular lymphocyte leukemia

We read with great interest the recently published article of Watters et al. on large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia [1]. The authors dissect LGL leukemia pathogenesis, discuss the diagnosis an...
THE SOLUBILITIES OF l-PROLINE AND l-HYDROXYPROLINE IN WATER, THE CALCULATED HEATS OF SOLUTION, AND THE PARTIAL MOLAL VOLUME OF l-HYDROXYPROLINE.

The present work is a continuation of the previously reported studies on the solubilities of various amino acids in water and their thermodynamic properties (1). No precise solubility determinations on l-proline and/-hydroxyproline appear to have been carried out previously. Due to the high solubility of l-proline and l-hydroxyproline, it was not feasible to carry out solubility determinations over as great a temperature range as in the previously reported studies. There is a tendency for these amino acids, especially hydroxyproline, to darken at higher temperatures. I t was necessary to modify somewhat the previously reported technique for the determination of solubility and partial molal volumes. A micro pipette of about 100 c.mm. capacity was used. I t possessed a uniform capillary stem whose diameter was about 0.3 ram.; 1 ram. of the capillary corresponded to about 0.07 c.mm. The volume of the pipette was calibrated with the aid of mercury. The amount of amino acid solution which was contained in the pipette was estimated by measuring the distance on the stem which was not filled with the solution. For the estimation of density, the pipette was filled to a certain point on the stem and the tip of the pipette was wiped with wet cotton. The pipette was left in the balance room at 25 ° for 15 to 30 minutes, after which it was weighed on a Kuhlmann micro balance. The capillary stem and the tip of the pipette were so
Promoting Student Understanding of the Ecological Impacts & Management of Invasive Species: A Collaborative Scenario-Driven Activity

Abstract Invasive species are an issue of global concern because they can have large impacts on ecosystems and are challenging to manage. We present an activity aimed at improving undergraduate students' understanding of the ecological impacts and management of invasive species. Students work collaboratively in teams to examine the impacts of a particular invasive species on an ecosystem (a fictional national park). The teams then propose policies that would assist their park in minimizing the introduction and impacts of the invasive species, and discuss potential limitations of these proposed policies. Finally, the teams present their proposals in class, which allows for class discussions and opportunities for collaborative learning. By engaging in this activity, students can develop a more concrete understanding and appreciation of both the impacts of invasive species and the challenges involved in managing them.
Two distinct caveolin-1 domains mediate the functional interaction of caveolin-1 with protein kinase A

Numerous components of the cAMP-based signaling cascade, namely G-proteins and G- protein coupled receptors, adenylyl cyclase, and protein kinase A (PKA) have been localized to caveolae and shown to be regulated by the caveolar marker proteins, the caveolins. In order to gain mechanistic insights into these processes in vivo, we have assessed the functional interaction of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) with PKA using mutational analysis. As two regions of Cav-1 had previously been implicated in PKA signaling in vitro, we constructed Cav-1 molecules with mutations/deletions in one or both of these domains. Examination of these mutants shows that Cav-1 requires the presence of either the scaffolding domain or the COOH-terminal domain (but not both) to functionally interact with and inhibit PKA. Interestingly, in contrast to the wild-type protein, these Cav-1 mutants are not localized to caveolae microdomains. However, upon coexpression with wild-type Cav-1, a substantial amount of the mutants was recruited to the caveolae membrane fraction. Using the Cav-1 double mutant with both disrupted scaffolding and COOH-terminal domains, we show that wild-type Cav-1's inhibition of PKA signaling can be partially abrogated in a dose-responsive manner; i.e., the mutant acts in a dominant-negative fashion. Thus, this dominant-negative caveolin-1 mutant will be extremely valuable for assessing the functional role of endogenous caveolin-1 in regulating a variety of other signaling cascades.
GPS: Navigation: Mapping the Use of Trusts in S Corporations

As we celebrate the golden anniversary of the S corporation, it is an appropriate time to check our "GPS" to provide a roadmap of trusts eligible to hold S corporation shares in 2008 and the potential "potholes" that are associated with these entities. This article examines the use of grantor trusts in S corporations with a detailed discussion of IDGTs and GRATs. It discusses and demonstrates potential planning opportunities using IDGTs and GRATs. It discusses the use of grantor charitable lead trusts and through a detailed example demonstrates how this strategy may achieve a shareholders philanthropic goals. A discussion of the issues with voting trusts and estates as shareholders. Finally a detailed discussion of QSSTs and ESBTs. The advantages and disadvantages of each. The use of a nongrantor charitable lead trust with an ESBT. It has been fifty years since the enactment of Subchapter S. Numerous S corporations have been created and to some extent are still the entity of choice to family controlled businesses. Creative planning for the shareholders almost always involves the use of trusts. While we have come a long way in fifty years, we still have many "potholes" to avoid when using trusts in an S corporation. The consequences of a trust not being an eligible shareholder can be significant. Not only will the trust be ineligible to hold S stock but the corporation's S election will terminate. Therefore, it is important for the tax advisor to turn on his "GPS" and navigate the road map of trusts as part of the planning process.
Silicic Acid Chromatography of Lipids of Whole Human Blood.

SummaryChromatography on silicic acid is a powerful tool for separation of blood lipids. In one experiment, about 20 different lipids may be detected; some of these remain unidentified.
Transformation Crystallography and Plasticity of the δ→α′ Transformation in Plutonium Alloys

In delta phase Pu-Ga alloys, the transformation from the ductile face-centered cubic (fcc) δ phase that is retained at room temperature to the brittle low-temperature monoclinic alpha-prime phase is a thermally activated diffusionless transformation with double-c kinetics. Accurate modeling of the phase transformation requires detailed understanding of the role of plastic flow during the transformation and of the crystallographic transformation path. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we find a significant increase in dislocation density in δ near the α' plates, which suggests that plastic deformation contributes to the accommodation of the 20% reduction in volume during the transformation. Analysis of a series of optical micrographs of partially transformed alloys suggests that the α' habit plane is usually nearly perpendicular to δ. However, a small number of TEM observations support a habit plane near or , in agreement with earlier work.
Joint pain in children: When is it serious?

Diagnosis of the cause of joint pain in children depends on the physician's ability to distinguish benign from more serious joint conditions. Benign conditions include trauma, overuse syndromes, hypermobility syndrome, chondromalacia patellae, benign recurrent limb pains, and psychogenic rheumatism. Conditions that require further evaluation and ongoing therapy include Lyme disease, rheumatic fever, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, neoplastic disease, various orthopedic conditions, infection, seronegative spondyloarthropathies, and the rarer connective tissue diseases. If diagnosed early and treated appropriately, most joint problems of childhood have a very good prognosis.
Assessment of pharmacists' self-reported preparedness to provide pharmacotherapy services to individuals with psychiatric disorders

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare pharmacists' level of training and/or experience in psychiatric pharmacy to (1) their self-perceived preparedness to provide pharmaco...
Forty years of coastal zone management (1975–2014): Evolving theory, policy and practice as reflected in scientific research publications

Abstract Since its implementation as public law in the United States in 1972, the theoretical foundation of coastal management has moved forward in diverse directions. Given the time elapsed since the passage of this influential legislation and the growing number of disciplines and scientific papers published on the topic, this work employed bibliometric and social network analysis methods to quantitatively and qualitatively assess coastal management literature published during the period from 1975-2014. The results indicate that coastal management research has increased significantly over time. The emergence of the topic in scholarly work coincides with passage of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (US Public Law 92–583), and increases in productivity can often be tied to the passage of important legislation or the publication of major policy documents for action on coastal issues. Social network analyses (SNA) indicate loosely connected networks of researchers and institutions, with highly collaborative subgroups that have a significant impact on the field. SNA results also highlight the importance of federal governments and international organizations in driving research and encouraging integrated management. The results indicate that the discipline is evolving to focus more on cross-boundary management strategies, systems perspectives, and consideration of both marine and terrestrial environments.
Manometric uncertainties in connection with reports of high phosphorus to oxygen ratios.

The generally accepted maximal values for P:O ratios of mitochondria oxidizing cu-ketoglutarate, other diphosphopyridine nucleotide-dependent substrates, and succinate are 4, 3, and 2, respectively (1). In addition, the demonstration of three crossover points (2) in the electron transfer sequence has bolstered the concept of three sites of energy conservation in oxidative phosphorylation. Recently, however, Boyer (3) has suggested that P:O ratios greater than 3 are possible both on thermodynamic and on mechanistic grounds if the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate were linked to a 1-elect,ron transfer through each coupling site. Bieber (4, 5) has suggested a mechanism involving such a l-electron transfer, by which P:O ratios of 6 might be attained. Several authors have published P:O ratios exceeding the generally accepted values (6-11) ; recently Smith and Hansen (12) in this laboratory reported P:O ratios approaching 6 for heavy beef heart mitochondria with pyruvate-malate as substrate, and approaching 4 with succinate as substrate. P:O ratios greater than 3 were also reported by Smith and Hansen (12) for phosphorylating submitochondrial particles (13) with DPNH as substrate. Lynn and Brown (14) have observed high P:O ratios with rat liver mitochondria.’ In the manometric assays the experimental conditions used by the various authors were different, and the increased efficiency of phosphorylation was attributed to various factors; significantly, in most cases short incubation times were used and small amounts of oxygen were consumed (7, 8, 12).l An exception to the short assay periods and small amounts of oxygen consumed was the report of Beyer and Kennison (11) that gave P :0 ratios greater than 2 for the oxidation of succinate by liver mitochondria from vitamin K-deficient chicks. These authors suggested that such preparations might oxidize malate formed from the oxidation of succinate, leading to the formation of DPNH, the oxidation of which would result in P:O ratios greater than 2. In another report experimental details were not provided (6). We have undertaken a systematic study to determine which conditions
Bodies, Spaces, and Transitions in Alberto Rodríguez’s Grupo 7 (2012) and La isla mínima (2014)

Alberto Rodriguez’s La isla minima (2014) and Grupo 7 (2012) can be characterized by their similar visual style, a temporal setting of the recent Spanish past, and the problematic relationship between two policemen with conflicting points of view who must work through their personal and interpersonal issues while solving cases in very different macro-spaces, that is, Seville in Grupo 7, and the marshlands of the Guadalquivir in La isla minima. The author studies how Rodriguez negotiates the thematics of gender within the spatial geographies of both films, and poses the idea that the director’s historicizing aesthetic, and the linkage between the spatial and the individual, encourages re-readings of the Spanish Transition and its implications for contemporary Spain.
The geometric preference subtype in ASD: identifying a consistent, early-emerging phenomenon through eye tracking

The wide range of ability and disability in ASD creates a need for tools that parse the phenotypic heterogeneity into meaningful subtypes. Using eye tracking, our past studies revealed that when presented with social and geometric images, a subset of ASD toddlers preferred viewing geometric images, and these toddlers also had greater symptom severity than ASD toddlers with greater social attention. This study tests whether this “GeoPref test” effect would generalize across different social stimuli. Two hundred and twenty-seven toddlers (76 ASD) watched a 90-s video, the Complex Social GeoPref test, of dynamic geometric images paired with social images of children interacting and moving. Proportion of visual fixation time and number of saccades per second to both images were calculated. To allow for cross-paradigm comparisons, a subset of 126 toddlers also participated in the original GeoPref test. Measures of cognitive and social functioning (MSEL, ADOS, VABS) were collected and related to eye tracking data. To examine utility as a diagnostic indicator to detect ASD toddlers, validation statistics (e.g., sensitivity, specificity, ROC, AUC) were calculated for the Complex Social GeoPref test alone and when combined with the original GeoPref test. ASD toddlers spent a significantly greater amount of time viewing geometric images than any other diagnostic group. Fixation patterns from ASD toddlers who participated in both tests revealed a significant correlation, supporting the idea that these tests identify a phenotypically meaningful ASD subgroup. Combined use of both original and Complex Social GeoPref tests identified a subgroup of about 1 in 3 ASD toddlers from the “GeoPref” subtype (sensitivity 35%, specificity 94%, AUC 0.75.) Replicating our previous studies, more time looking at geometric images was associated with significantly greater ADOS symptom severity. Regardless of the complexity of the social images used (low in the original GeoPref test vs high in the new Complex Social GeoPref test), eye tracking of toddlers can accurately identify a specific ASD “GeoPref” subtype with elevated symptom severity. The GeoPref tests are predictive of ASD at the individual subject level and thus potentially useful for various clinical applications (e.g., early identification, prognosis, or development of subtype-specific treatments).
Conspiracies Online: User Discussions in a Conspiracy Community Following Dramatic Events

Online communities play a crucial role in disseminating conspiracy theories. New theories often emerge in the aftermath of catastrophic events. Despite evidence of their widespread appeal, surprisingly little is known about who participates in these event-specific conspiratorial discussions or how do these discussions evolve over time. We study r/conspiracy, an active Reddit community of more than 200,000 users dedicated to conspiratorial discussions. By focusing on four tragic events and 10 years of discussions, we find three distinct user cohorts: joiners, who never participated in Reddit but joined r/conspiracy only after the event; converts who were active Reddit users but joined r/conspiracy only after the event; and veterans, who are longstanding r/conspiracy members. While joiners and converts have a shorter lifespan in the community in comparison to the veterans, joiners are more active during their shorter tenure, becoming increasingly engaged over time. Finally, to investigate how these events affect users’ conspiratorial discussions, we adopted a causal inference approach to analyze user comments around the time of the events. We find that discussions happening after the event exhibit signs of emotional shock, increased language complexity, and simultaneous expressions of certainty and doubtfulness. Our work provides insight on how online communities may detect new conspiracy theories that emerge ensuing dramatic events, and in the process stop them before they spread.
A General Ocean Circulation Model Determined in a Simultaneous Solution with the Earth’s Gravity Field

Over the past several years, determination of the sea surface topography using satellite altimetry has been greatly improved due to the implementation of a technique which simultaneously solves for the sea surface topography, the gravity field of the Earth, and the satellite orbit [Tapley et al.,1988; Marsh et al., 1989; Nerem,1989; Engelis and Knudsen; 1989]. The sea surface topography, ζ, is defined as the deviation of the ocean surface from the geoid due to the geostrophic component of the ocean currents.
Causes and Control of Microbially Induced Souring

Abstract Petroleum reservoirs are harsh environments, but are not devoid of life. Rather, they are functional ecosystems with diverse, and metabolically active microorganisms. Thus, there is the potential for microbial sulfide production in the reservoir when environmental conditions permit. Some oil field operations may change the environmental conditions in the reservoir and inadvertently stimulate sulfide production. Waterflooding with brines high in sulfate can supply the oxidized sulfur needed for microbial sulfide production. Many oil field chemicals can be metabolized by the anaerobic populations present in the reservoir, and thus, stimulate sulfide production. One approach to control microbially induced souring is to shift the electron-accepting reaction from sulfate reduction to nitrate reduction. The ability of a sulfide-resistant strain of Thiobacillus denitrificans (strain F) to reduce sulfide levels was tested in an experimental system using cores and formation water from a gas storage facility. The addition of nitrate alone (40 mM) decreased concentrations of effluent sulfide from 170 μM to 110 μM. After inoculation with strain F, effluent sulfide concentrations decreased to between 3 and 20 μM. A large scale test of the efficacy of nitrate treatment in controlling souring was conducted in the Southeast Vassar Vertz Sand Unit, Payne Co., OK. The injection of 2.6 metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate resulted in a 56% decrease in sulfide concentrations in coproduced brine from three adjacent wells. These studies indicated that nitrate additions may be effective in controlling souring during actual field operations.
In Vivo Molecular Imaging Using Low-Boiling-Point Phase-Change Contrast Agents: A Proof of Concept Study

Sub-micron phase-change contrast agents (PCCAs) have been proposed as a tool for ultrasound molecular imaging based on their potential to extravasate and target extravascular markers and also because of the potential to image these contrast agents with a high contrast-to-tissue ratio. We compare in vivo ultrasound molecular imaging with targeted low-boiling-point PCCAs and targeted microbubble contrast agents. Both agents were targeted to the intravascular (endothelial) integrin αvs3via a cyclic RGD peptide (cyclo-Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Tyr-Cys) mechanism and imaged in vivo in a rodent fibrosarcoma model, which exhibits angiogenic microvasculature. Signal intensity was measured using two different techniques, conventional contrast-specific imaging (amplitude/phase modulation) and a droplet vaporization imaging sequence, which detects the unique signature of vaporizing PCCAs. Data indicate that PCCA-specific imaging is more sensitive to small numbers of bound agents than conventional contrast imaging. However, data also revealed that contrast from targeted microbubbles was greater than that provided by PCCAs. Both control and targeted PCCAs were observed to be retained in tissue post-vaporization, which was expected for targeted agents but not expected for control agents. The exact mechanism underlying this observation remains unknown.
Aerodynamic inverse design using multifidelity models and manifold mapping

Abstract Aerodynamic inverse design is proposed using multifidelity models and the manifold mapping (MM) technique. Aerodynamic inverse design aims at achieving a target performance characteristic, such as a pressure coefficient distribution of an airfoil or local lift distribution of a wing. Due to the high computational cost of accurate aerodynamic models and the large number of design variables, the overall cost of inverse design can be prohibitive. The MM-based optimization algorithm leverages the speed of the low-fidelity model to accelerate the optimization process, but refers back to the high-fidelity model to ensure an accurate solution. In this work, the MM technique is applied to the characteristic distribution under consideration in each application. In particular, the pressure coefficient distribution is modeled with the MM technique in the case of airfoil inverse design, and the sectional lift distribution in the case of wing design. The proposed method is tested and evaluated on six airfoil inverse design cases and one rectangular wing inverse design case. In the two-dimensional cases, parameterized with eight design variables, direct aerodynamic inverse design using pattern search required 700 to 1200 high-fidelity model evaluations, which took 300 to 700 hours in total. The MM-based design algorithm required less than 20 high-fidelity simulations and 1000 to 2000 low-fidelity evaluations, which took 30 to 90 hours. In the three-dimensional case, parameterized with three design variables, direct aerodynamic inverse design took around 50 hours, whereas the MM-based design needed around six hours.
A CB2-Selective Cannabinoid Suppresses T-Cell Activities and Increases Tregs and IL-10

We have previously shown that agonists selective for the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), including O-1966, inhibit the Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction (MLR), an in vitro correlate of organ graft rejection, predominantly through effects on T-cells. Current studies explored the mechanism of this immunosuppression by O-1966 using mouse spleen cells. Treatment with O-1966 dose-relatedly decreased levels of the active nuclear forms of the transcription factors NF-κB and NFAT in wild-type T-cells, but not T-cells from CB2 knockout (CB2R k/o) mice. Additionally, a gene expression profile of purified T-cells from MLR cultures generated using a PCR T-cell activation array showed that O-1966 decreased mRNA expression of CD40 ligand and CyclinD3, and increased mRNA expression of Src-like-adaptor 2 (SLA2), Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 5 (SOCS5), and IL-10. The increase in IL-10 was confirmed by measuring IL-10 protein levels in MLR culture supernatants. Further, an increase in the percentage of regulatory T-cells (Tregs) was observed in MLR cultures. Pretreatment with anti-IL-10 resulted in a partial reversal of the inhibition of proliferation and blocked the increase of Tregs. Additionally, O-1966 treatment caused a dose-related decrease in the expression of CD4 in MLR cultures from wild-type, but not CB2R k/o, mice. These data support the potential of CB2-selective agonists as useful therapeutic agents to prolong graft survival in transplant patients, and strengthens their potential as a new class of immunosuppressive agents with broader applicability.
A novel family of microporous uranyl germanates: Framework topology and complexity of the crystal structures

Abstract Five novel microporous uranyl germanates, Cs[(UO2)2(HGe2O7)] (1), Co2[(UO2)8(HGe2O7)4](H2O)6 (2), Ba2[(UO2)8(HGe2O7)4](H2O)3 (3), K4[(UO2)8(HGe2O7)4](H2O)2 (4), and Rb4[(UO2)8(HGe2O7)4](H2O)2 (5), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Single-crystal X-ray analyses indicate that 1 has an orthorhombic structure, space group Cmcm, while compounds 2–5 are isomorphous and have a tetragonal structure, space group I4/mcm. All compounds consist of heteropolyhedral frameworks that are based on chains of UO7 pentagonal bipyramids that share edges with GeO4 tetrahedra. These chains are either assembled into sheets (1) or nanotubules (2–5) to form a microporous framework characterized by the presence of [HGe2O7]5- dimers. The framework of 1 contains a channel with an effective channel dimension of 2.55 × 2.55 A, and occupied by Cs atoms, whereas the unprecedented framework of 2–5 contains two channels of different dimensionality (1.88 × 1.88 and 3.82 × 5.59 A of effective channel dimension) extending along the c crystallographic axis. In addition to water molecules, these channels accommodate mono- and divalent cations, with ionic radii ranging from 0.745 A ([6]Co2+) to 1.61 A ([8]Rb+). An extended structural comparison is provided between these compounds and similar compounds, as well as a discussion concerning the topology and the complexity of the uranyl germanates with framework-type structures.
Standalone interferometry-based calibration of convex lens-induced confinement microscopy with nanoscale accuracy.

Strongly confined environments (confined dimensions between 1-100 nm) represent unique challenges and opportunities for understanding and manipulating molecular behavior due to the significant effects of electric double layers, high surface-area to volume ratios, and other phenomena at the nanoscale. Convex Lens-induced Confinement (CLiC) can be used to analyze the dynamics of individual molecules or particles confined in a planar slit geometry with continuously varying gap thickness. We describe an interferometry-based method for precise measurement of the slit pore geometry. Specifically, this approach permitted accurate characterization of separation distances as small as 5 nm, with 1 nm precision, without a priori knowledge or assumptions about the contact geometry, as well as a greatly simplified experimental setup that required only a lens, coverslip, and inverted microscope. The interferometry-based measurement of gap height offered a distinct advantage over conventional fluorescent dye-based methods; e.g., accurate interferometric height measurements were made at low gap heights regardless of solution conditions, while the concentration of fluorescent dye was significantly impacted by solution conditions such as ionic strength or pH. The accuracy of the interferometric measurements was demonstrated by comparing the experimentally measured concentration of a charged fluorescent dye as a function of gap thickness with dye concentration profiles calculated using Debye-Huckel theory. Accurate characterization of nanoscale gap thickness will enable researchers to study a variety of practical and biologically relevant systems within the CLiC geometry.
Preparation of 2,3-diamino acids: Stereocontrolled synthesis of an aminated analog of the taxol side chain

Abstract A method for the preparation of 2,3-diamino acids is presented, and applied to the synthesis of a β-benzoylamino-phenylalanine (2b), an analog of the taxol side chain. Differentially protected erythro and threo diamines were prepared from a common, optically active, precursor.
Impact of teledermatology on the accessibility and efficiency of dermatology care in an urban safety-net hospital: A pre-post analysis

Background Teledermatology enables dermatologists to remotely triage and evaluate dermatology patients, but previous studies have questioned whether teledermatology is clinically efficient. Objective To determine whether implementation of a teledermatology system at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center has improved the accessibility and efficiency of dermatology care delivery. Methods Retrospective, pre-post analysis of a pre-teledermatology cohort (June 2014-December 2014) compared with a post-teledermatology cohort (June 2017-December 2017). Results Our analysis captured 11,586 patients. After implementation of teledermatology, waiting times for new patients decreased significantly (84.6 days vs 6.7 days; P Limitations We were unable to control for changes in demand for dermatology evaluations between the 2 periods and did not have a control group with which to compare our results. Conclusion The dermatology service was more accessible and more efficient after implementation of teledermatology, suggesting that capitated health care settings can benefit from implementation of a teledermatology system.
Insecticide Baseline Sensitivity in Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Populations From Orchards Under Different Management Practices

Abstract The codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), is a key “fruit-feeding” pest of apples and is known for developing resistance to various insecticidal products applied i...
Lung type II alveolar epithelial cells collaborate with CCR2+ inflammatory monocytes in host defense against an acute vaccinia infection in the lungs

SUMMARY The pulmonary immune system consists of a network of tissue-resident cells as well as immune cells that are recruited to the lungs during infection and/or inflammation. How the two immune components cross-talk during an acute viral infection is not well understood. Intranasal infection of mice with vaccinia virus causes lethal pneumonia and systemic dissemination. Here we report that vaccinia host range protein C7 is a critical virulence factor. Vaccinia virus with deletion of C7 (VACVΔC7L) is non-pathogenic in wild-type C57BL/6J mice, but it gains virulence in mice lacking STAT2, or IFNAR1, or MDA5/STING. We provide evidence that lung type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) provide first-line of defense against VACVΔC7L infection by inducing IFN-β and IFN-stimulated genes via the activation of the MDA5 and STING-mediated nucleic acid-sensing pathways. This leads to recruitment of CCR2+ inflammatory monocytes into the lungs to fight against viral dissemination.
High performance Zn-diffused planar mid-wavelength infrared type-II InAs/InAs1−xSbx superlattice photodetector by MOCVD

We report a Zn-diffused planar mid-wavelength infrared photodetector based on type-II InAs/InAs1−xSbx superlattices. Both the superlattice growth and Zn diffusion were performed in a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition system. At 77 K, the photodetector exhibits a peak responsivity of 0.70 A/W at 3.65 μm, corresponding to a quantum efficiency of 24% at zero bias without anti-reflection coating, with a 50% cutoff wavelength of 4.28 μm. With an R0A value of 3.2 × 105 Ω cm2 and a dark current density of 9.6 × 10−8 A/cm2 under an applied bias of −20 mV at 77 K, the photodetector exhibits a specific detectivity of 2.9 × 1012 cm Hz1/2/W. At 150 K, the photodetector exhibits a dark current density of 9.1 × 10−6 A/cm2 and a quantum efficiency of 25%, resulting in a detectivity of 3.4 × 1011 cm Hz1/2/W.
Chapter 28 – Thermal Pollution

Publisher Summary Organisms and ecosystems survive within a finite range of environmental conditions. One of the key factors in these conditions is the temperature range. From a waste management perspective, heat is both a friend and foe. When properly designed and operated, incinerators and other thermal technologies reduce municipal and industrial wastes in volume and change their physical and chemical properties to make these wastes less toxic and more easily manageable. However, if not operated properly, these same technologies can form very toxic chemical compounds. Thermal pollutants can affect the environment in every phase and environmental media. Heat may be a water pollutant if its addition directly or indirectly harms the biota living in surface wards. Complete destruction of a toxic compound versus the release of even more toxic compounds in an incinerator can be determined by a relatively small temperature range. Adding heat to a stream or other ecosystem can completely alter its biological integrity. Food chains and the health of human populations are affected by direct heating or by the indirect effects of added heat. Thus, waste management must always devote attention to these and other possible impacts from heat in the design and operation of systems.