cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pneumatocysts provide buoyancy with minimal effect on drag for kelp in wave-driven flow

Abstract Many seaweeds have buoyant gas-filled bladders (pneumatocysts) that hold fronds upright in the water column and enhance their access to light for photosynthesis. However, ambient water currents bend flexible seaweeds, pushing fronds closer to the substratum where light is lower, so the hydrodynamic drag on pneumatocysts may counteract their buoyancy in flowing water. The effects of pneumatocysts on frond hydrodynamic drag were investigated in this study, as well as how the positions of pneumatocysts along fronds affect their motion and height in wave-driven water flow. The kelp Egregia menziesii was used as a model organism because it is abundant on wave-swept rocky shores and because our field surveys revealed that this species shows great variation in pneumatocyst size, number, and location on fronds. In laboratory towing-tank studies, it was found that drag on pneumatocysts was reduced when they were bent over by flowing water. The drag due to pneumatocysts was small compared to the drag on a whole frond. At flow speeds up to 0.58 m s − 1 , the buoyant force exerted by a pneumatocyst was greater than the drag it experienced. In wave-tank experiments using models of fronds with pneumatocysts at different positions, the pneumatocysts were most effective at lifting fronds high in the water column when they were located at the distal tips of the fronds, both in small and large waves. However, if fronds had pneumatocysts that were not at the tip, an increase in the peak velocities of waves led to an increase in the heights of the fronds in the water column. In the field, pneumatocysts did not affect the back-and-forth horizontal motion of E. menziesii exposed to waves, but fronds with pneumatocysts were higher in the water column than fronds with no pneumatocysts, even when the number of pneumatocysts on a frond was low. Our results indicate that pneumatocysts can exhibit great variability in size, number, and location with only a small effect on hydrodynamic forces on a kelp, that pneumatocysts at frond tips are most effective at holding kelp high in the water column, but that only a few pneumatocysts at any location along a frond can enhance the frond's height in waves.
Importance of surgeon-performed ultrasound in the preoperative nodal assessment of patients with potential thyroid malignancy.

Introduction A comprehensive cervical ultrasound evaluation is essential in the operative planning of patients with thyroid disease. Reliance on radiographic reports alone may result in incomplete operative management as pathologic lymph nodes are often not palpable and evaluation of the lateral neck is not routine. This study examined the role of surgeon-performed ultrasound in the evaluation of patients who underwent lateral neck dissection for thyroid cancer. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent therapeutic lymph node dissection for thyroid cancer between 2001 and 2016 at our tertiary referral center. All patients had surgeon-performed ultrasound preoperatively by 1 of 7 endocrine surgeons. These findings were compared with prereferral imaging studies to determine the value of surgeon-performed ultrasound to their overall treatment. Results Of 92 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with lateral neck dissection, 97% had prereferral imaging of the neck (ultrasonography, computed tomography, positron emission tomography). Of these patients, nodal disease was suggested by computed tomography scanning in 70.8% and by ultrasonography in 54%. Of all patients, 45% had positive lateral neck nodes detected only on surgeon-performed ultrasound despite prior neck imaging. Nodal disease was identified in 50% of patients with only 1 study and 50% of patients with greater than 1 study before surgeon-performed ultrasound. Of patients with nodes detected by surgeon-performed ultrasound, only 67% had a prereferral diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that reliance on standard preoperative imaging alone would have led to an incorrect initial operation in 45% of our patients. Awareness of the limitations of prereferral imaging is important for surgeons treating patients with thyroid and parathyroid disease. Surgeon-performed ultrasound is a useful tool in the diagnosis and accurate staging of patients.
New Mechanisms of Resistance to MEK Inhibitors in Melanoma Revealed by Intravital Imaging

Targeted therapeutics that are initially effective in cancer patients nearly invariably engender resistance at some stage, an inherent challenge in the use of any molecular targeted drug in cancer settings. In this study, we evaluated resistance mechanisms arising in metastatic melanoma to MAPK pathway kinase inhibitors, as a strategy to identify candidate strategies to limit risks of resistance. To investigate longitudinal responses, we developed an intravital serial imaging approach that can directly visualize drug response in an inducible RAF-driven, autochthonous murine model of melanoma incorporating a fluorescent reporter allele (tdTomatoLSL). Using this system, we visualized formation and progression of tumors in situ starting from the single cell level longitudinally over time. Reliable reporting of the status of primary murine tumors treated with the selective MEK1/2 inhibitor (MEKi) trametinib illustrated a time-course of initial drug response and persistence followed by the development of drug resistance. We found that tumor cells adjacent to bundled collagen had a preferential persistence in response to MEKi. Unbiased transcriptional and kinome reprogramming analyses from selected treatment time points suggested increased c-Kit and PI3K/AKT pathway activation in resistant tumors, along with enhanced expression of epithelial genes and EMT downregulation signatures with development of MEKi resistance. Similar trends were observed following simultaneous treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors aligned to standard of care combination therapy, suggesting these re-programming events were not specific to MEKi alone. Overall, our results illuminate the integration of tumor-stroma dynamics with tissue plasticity in melanoma progression and provide new insights into the basis for drug response, persistence and resistance.
Oxidation of a [Cu2S] complex by N2O and CO2: insights into a role of tetranuclearity in the CuZ site of nitrous oxide reductase

Oxidation of a [Cu2(μ-S)] complex by N2O or CO2 generated a [Cu2(μ-SO4)] product. In the presence of a sulfur trap, a [Cu2(μ-O)] species also formed from N2O. A [Cu2(μ-CS3)] species derived from CS2 modeled initial reaction intermediates. These observations indicate that one role of tetranuclearity in the CuZ catalytic site of nitrous oxide reductase is to protect the crucial S2− ligand from oxidation.
MajorCool: A Web Interface to Majordomo

Majordomo is a popular mailing list manager and auto-responder that is administered via embedded e-mail commands. The mail-based command structure and side-effects introduced by the behavior of certain mail agents can sometimes cause problems for novice users. By its very design, Majordomo has always lacked a GUI tool to help simplify its usage for non-power users. However, with the World Wide Web providing the perfect foundation, it may be an appropriate time for just such an application. MajorCool is a CGI application that provides Majordomo mailing list configuration and subscriber management via WWW. Unlike other Web-to-mailinglist interfaces currently available, MajorCool is uniquely different. It supports administrative as well as end-user functions, and, rather than simply generating e-mail requests, interacts directly with Majordomo files wherever possible. Developed for Majordomo 1.93, MajorCool was written in Perl 4.036 and has been successfully implemented under NCSA httpd 1.4 and 1.5.
Legal Systems, Corporate Governance, and Firm Performance in the Czech Republic: The Case of Sellier and Bellot

In 1993, Sellier and Bellot (S&B) went public as part of Czech voucher privatization. Legal and regulatory system deficiencies, weak capital markets, and exogenously imposed diffuse ownership contributed to poor S&B performance between 1993 and 1998. In 1999, one blockholder with access to private capital acquired control. New management was hired, monitoring and incentives were improved, debt was reduced, and currency hedging was adopted. Company performance soared. This study documents the interaction of legal systems, corporate governance, and firm performance in the Czech Republic, drawing on the experience of S&B between 1993 and 2002. Results are consistent with the view that concentrated ownership is optimal in economies with weak legal systems and less developed capital markets.
Predictors of Mental Health Stigma among Police Officers: the Role of Trauma and PTSD

Police officers are both at risk of exposure to trauma and experiencing PTSD and are more likely to come into contact with people with mental illness than community members. As a result, the extent and predictors of mental health stigma is an issue of concern among police officers; however, little prior research on stigma has focused on police officers. The present study examined the predictors of mental health stigma among police officers, including the experience of trauma and PTSD symptoms. Active duty police officers (N = 296) were recruited through an online survey and completed measures of trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and a number of dimensions of stigma (negative stereotypes, attributions, intended behavior, and attitudes toward seeking help). Findings supported that police officers experience high rates of trauma exposure and higher rates of current PTSD than the general population. Endorsement of negative stereotypes about people with mental illness was higher among police officers than the general population. Contrary to what was expected, officers meeting criteria for current PTSD endorsed more stigma about mental illness, even when controlling for common demographic predictors of stigma, including gender and knowing someone with a mental illness. Findings have important implications for the training of police officers regarding mental illness.
The“response” in behavior theory

The term“response” is a basic one in behavior theory, particularly reflex theory, but its definition is not clear. The origin of the term in the common vocabulary has affected its later extensions in the analysis of behavior. Some contemporary theorists accept the existence of two“types” of response, coordinating one with the Pavlovian conditioning procedure, the other with the operant conditioning procedure of the so-called“contingent” variety. Reservations are expressed here about such distinctions between response classes and conditioning paradigms, emphasizing the difficulties that arise from certain conventions and inadequacies in current definitions and conceptions of“response.” The critical nature of the problem for behavior theory is illustrated once again by the recent laboratory finding that a familiar and accepted conditional reflex, that of the“conditioned cardiac CR,” can be fractionated into“parts” and is therefore perhaps no longer to be treated as a single unitary“response.”
Dispersed hard particle strengthening of metals

A review is presented of the various methods utilized to strengthen metals and alloys for high temperature service by a suitable dispersion of finely divided hard particles. Alloys such as SAP, produced by powder metallurgy, and other sintered aluminum powders, molybdenum containing small quantities of refractory oxides and magnesium containing a dispersed intermetallic, are considered. Internal oxidation and other methods of achieving a hard particle dispersion are discussed. New data on the high temperature strength and stability of the alloy systems Cu-Al2O3, Ni-Al2O3 and Be-Be2C are shown. The theoretical aspects of the hardening and strengthening mechanism are presented and consideration is given to the problems associated with the powder metallurgy of the various processes.
Cigarette smoking and sperm density: a meta-analysis *

Objective To quantify, through meta-analysis techniques, the association between cigarette smoking and sperm density. Methods The logarithm of the ratio of mean sperm density for smokers to that for nonsmokers for the studies included in this meta-analysis was regressed against a constant, an indicator of study population source (infertility clinic patients or normal men), minimum number of cigarettes smoked per day among smokers ( Results Results of the meta-analysis indicate that smokers' sperm density is on average 13% to 17% (95% confidence interval=8.0, 21.5) lower than that of nonsmokers. No other factors besides cigarette smoking were found to be independent predictors of sperm density. No clear dose-response relationships between the numbers of cigarettes smoked per day and sperm density emerged. Research conducted by the authors supports the findings of the meta-analysis. Conclusion Cigarette smoking is associated with lowered sperm density. The inconsistency in the literature with regard to this conclusion appears to be the result of small sample sizes in most studies.
Intraneural perineurioma: A clonal neoplasm associated with abnormalities of chromosome 22

The nature of perineurioma, variably termed "localized hypertrophic neuropathy," "intraneural neurofibroma," and "hypertrophic interstitial neuritis" has long been an issue of contention. Most authors consider it a neoplasm, but some a reactive process. Eight clinically and morphologically typical perineuriomas were studied by histologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural methods. One perineurioma was subject to tissue culture and cytogenetic study and another to fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. The patients, 3 males and 5 females, ranged in age from 11 to 38 years. All tumors were intraneural, and involved extremities (2 sciatic, 1 median, 1 femoral, 1 peroneal, 1 brachial plexus, 1 ulnar, and 1 radial). Neurologic symptoms, motor in all cases and sensory in 4, were present from 1 month to 7 years (mean 1.2 years). Fusiform, segmental nerve enlargement was clinically apparent in only two patients, but was evident on MRI in five of eight patients. Lesion length ranged from 3.5 to 30 cm, the largest involving the sciatic nerve from the obturator foramen to the knee. One lesion involved two nerve roots, but no association with a phakomatosis was noted. Treatment consisted of biopsy in six cases and resection in two cases. Histologically, pseudo-onion bulbs composed of epithelial membrane antigen-reactive, S-100 protein-negative perineurial cells surrounded myelinated or nonmyelinated nerve fibers. Many were accompanied by their S-100 protein-positive Schwann sheaths. Some whorls lacked a central axon. A single mitosis was noted in one case. The MIB-1 antigen labelling index ranged from 4% to 17%. Staining for p53 antigen in six cases showed no (2 of 6), rare (2 of 6), or scattered (2 of 6) immunoreactive nuclei. Cytogenetic analysis in one case demonstrated a chromosomally abnormal clone. Each of 16 metaphases was abnormal; the tumor cells appeared to be homozygously deficient for the region 22q11.2qter. In another case, 53% of interphase nuclei showed three FISH signals with a chromosome 14/22 probe, thus suggesting either monosomy for the centromere of chromosome 14 or that of chromosome 22.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Statistical modeling of optical neural transduction

This paper presents the Cochlear Laser Transduction Model for photon absorption due to laser stimulation of the spiral ganglion cells in the basilar membrane of the inner ear. The work presented here is an extension of the Wang plane parallel model and provides enhanced fidelity resulting from the more realistic modeling of curved multilayers. The model tracks the path and energy deposition of a single photon as it scatters, reflects, transmits, and is absorbed through the various slab layers. A large number of photons were run through the slab model. The absorption and path of each photon was tracked in three dimensions and then averaged to determine the three dimensional expected value for photon absorption and path (Monte Carlo technique). In this fashion, a three dimensional Green's function of absorption was obtained for the tissue. In this paper, we convolve that Green's function with a pulsed laser diode profile to obtain the predicted tissue absorption response and compare the analytic results to the experimental results presented in Izzo [1].
Giordano Bruno: Small crater populations––Implications for self-secondary cratering

Abstract Giordano Bruno is a lunar farside Copernican-age crater. The relatively few superposed impact craters on its floor and ejecta blanket and extensive bright rays indicate its youth. High-resolution Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera images reveal that the frequency and the characteristics of the cumulative size-frequency distributions of the small-diameter impact craters and their morphology vary across the clastic ejecta and impact melt covered surfaces. Crater frequencies (N(10) defined as ≥10 m km−2) vary by a factor of 10 s–100 s (N(10) 2–700) across the ejecta blanket, and between the ejecta and the melt deposits. Numerous craters on the ejecta blanket are degraded and buried by debris and impact melt, indicating that these partially buried craters formed during the deposition of the ejecta and prior to or during the emplacement of the impact melt. From geologic relations and crater statistics we conclude that a significant fraction of the craters observed on the ejecta blanket and the melt were formed during the cratering process itself and represent "self-secondaries." Further, we conclude that these craters do not represent an extra-lunar primary impact production population. Self-secondary craters are formed by material launched into near-vertical trajectories and having velocities such that their flight time is sufficiently long that the bulk of the clastic ejecta and impact melt are deposited before that material impacts the surface. The presence of a significant number of self-secondary craters on the ejecta makes the determination of relative and absolute age dates problematic. Crater counts would indicate an inappropriately old age. Using data for craters on the melt surfaces and for small-diameter bright ejecta craters, an absolute model age of 1 Ma is estimated. This age is considerably younger than that estimated by other studies and probably represents a maximum age.
Percutaneous Gastrostomy Placement for Decompression of the Excluded Gastric Remnant following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Purpose To evaluate the feasibility and safety of percutaneous gastrostomy for decompression of the excluded stomach in patients’ status post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Materials and Methods Between January 2001 and August 2017, 10 consecutive RYGB patients who underwent placement of a decompressive gastrostomy of the excluded stomach were identified in an institutional database. Technical success was defined as successful gastrostomy catheter placement in the bypassed stomach using fluoroscopy and/or ultrasound guidance. Clinical success was established if dilation of the excluded stomach improved after gastrostomy with resolution of associated symptoms. Charts were reviewed for treatment-related adverse events post-procedure. Results The cohort was predominantly female (9/10), with an average age of 54 ± 14 years. Median follow-up was 35.2 months (range: 0.6–115). Indications for decompressive gastrostomy placement included small bowel obstruction (6/10) or afferent limb obstruction at the jejunojejunal anastomosis (4/10). The most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain, distension, and vomiting. All patients had successful gastrostomy placement in the excluded remnant, using ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance, with no procedural complications. The 12 to 16F Cope loop catheters was used in this cohort, and gastropexy sutures were used in two cases. All 10 patients demonstrated clinical resolution of symptoms after gastrostomy placement. Two patients developed minor complications of tube site leakage and poor tube function requiring gastrostomy exchange within 1 week of the procedure. Conclusion Fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided percutaneous gastrostomy catheter placement is a safe, effective, and feasible approach to treating dilation of the excluded gastric remnant in RYGB patients.
[2-(Dimethylsulfonio)-1-hydroxy-1-phosphonoethyl]phosphonate monohydrate

In the title crystal structure, C4H12O7P2S·H2O, the sulfonium groups have a pyramidal geometry and bridging water mol­ecules form a complex three-dimensional hydrogen-bond network involving neighboring phospho­nate groups.
Spatial-temporal patterning of Ca2+ signals by the subcellular distribution of IP3 and IP3 receptors

The patterning of cytosolic Ca2+ signals in space and time underlies their ubiquitous ability to specifically regulate numerous cellular processes. Signals mediated by liberation of Ca2+ sequestered in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) channels constitute a hierarchy of events; ranging from openings of individual IP3 channels, through the concerted openings of several clustered IP3Rs to generate local Ca2+ puffs, to global Ca2+ waves and oscillations that engulf the entire cell. Here, we review recent progress in elucidating how this hierarchy is shaped by an interplay between the functional gating properties of IP3Rs and their spatial distribution within the cell. We focus in particular on the subset of IP3Rs that are organized in stationary clusters and are endowed with the ability to preferentially liberate Ca2+.
Dietary intake and prostate cancer, continued pursuit for evidence

The potential for diet to impact the risk and/or progression of prostate cancer (PCa) has inspired many research studies. Preclinical and human studies have examined the effect on PCa of nutrients and dietary factors including fat, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Specific foods such as pomegranate, green tea, tomatoes and dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean and low carbohydrate ketogenic diets have also been examined in limited studies. Overall, some have shown a potential effect, however, most lack the confirmation by randomized controlled trials (RCT) in humans and thus the findings remain inconclusive (1).
Pharmacological Approach to the Prevention and Treatment of Stress Ulcers

The mortality associated with bleeding stress ulcers in patients in intensive care units exceeds 50%. Iden tification of patients at risk and use of early and effec tive prophylaxis are necessary i...
Correlation-based sequence alignment models for detecting masquerades in cloud computing

Despite the important benefits that cloud computing could offer, security remains one of the major concern that is hindering the development of this paradigm. Masquerades attacks and malicious insiders are often listed among the most dangerous challenges faced by cloud computing. The detection of masquerade attacks in cloud systems has to integrate host and network detection by correlating the user's behaviours in several virtual machines. The author has introduced two approaches that use sequences of events from the operating system and data from the network environment. Then, he integrated these approaches through a neural network that also considers information about the active session. Both approaches use his DDSGA method, a data-driven semi-global alignment approach for detecting masquerade attacks based on the alignment technique. He evaluated the efficiency and accuracy of the approaches through the Cloud Intrusion Detection Dataset. He also shows that the integrated approach results in the best accuracy and the proposed approaches outperform a recent masquerade detection framework that works in the cloud computing systems called the Sliding Window-based Anomaly Detection using Maximum Mean Discrepancy.
Pre-harvest glyphosate application and effects on wheat starch chemistry: Analysis from application to harvest

The objective of this study was to determine if the pre-harvest glyphosate application time affects the chemistry of wheat starch. Glyphosate was sprayed at the ripe stage (recommended) and the soft dough stage (early application) of hard red spring wheat. Wheat kernel samples were collected before application and every 3 days until harvest, after which different starch characteristics were analyzed. The results indicate that glyphosate timing does not impact the spatial distribution or morphology of starch granules, as well as the percentage or molecular weight of amylose and amylopectin. However, thermal characteristics of wheat starch, especially when glyphosate was applied at the soft dough stage, showed significant differences. A decrease in the average amylopectin chain length and differences in the proportion of short-, medium-, and long-chain amylopectin was also observed. Overall, this study shows that the pre-harvest application of glyphosate can affect wheat starch chemistry, especially if applied earlier than recommended. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Glyphosate is the most commonly used herbicide in the world, and it is sometimes used pre-harvest during wheat cultivation. The recommended time of application is 7 days prior to harvest when the crops are in the ripe stage of physiological maturity. However, some crops may not be at this stage during application due to non-uniform maturation in the field. The goal of this work was to determine the effect of glyphosate application time (recommended/ripe stage vs. early/soft dough stage) on wheat starch chemistry. The results show that the starch chain length characteristics and thermal behavior are impacted, especially if applied early. Thus, this study shows the importance of timely application to avoid effects on starch chemical properties, which in return could impact starch functionality in food systems. This information is critical in the field of agriculture and to our knowledge this study is one of the first in this area.
The Importance of Being Discovered: The Werner Von Boltenstern Shanghai Photograph and Negative Collection

The Werner von Boltenstern Shanghai Photograph and Negative Collection, housed in Loyola Marymount University’s William H. Hannon Library, is a series of photographs of 1930s–1940s Shanghai taken by Werner von Boltenstern. The images capture a time and place at a crossroads of culture and history. World War II and the Second Sino-Japanese War were raging and the city, a trade center populated by numerous peoples, including Chinese citizens, British, French, and American nationals, Sephardic and Russian Jews, and the occupying Japanese military, was receiving an influx of European Jews fleeing Nazi Europe. The rediscovery of this collection (it sat unused for many years) led to its digitization, a successful crowdsourcing effort to gather more metadata, and the incorporation of the collection into an LMU Literature of the Holocaust class digital project. Through these endeavors, the library has increased its understanding of the collection’s historical value, in particular as it relates to Holocaust studies and Jewish studies more broadly.
Constancy and Change in the 5’UTR of Yellow Fever Virus

Abstract The nucleotide composition of the 5’UTR of the yellow fever virus (YFV) has been reported to be the most constant sequence in the viral genome, but a comprehensive analysis of this constancy has not been presented. The current report is an analysis of the 5’UTRs from 48 sequences deposited in GenBank representing the seven described genotypes, five in Africa and two in the Americas. The YFV 5’UTRs consist of 118-120 nucleotides, 92% (110/119) of which are constant in all sequences. The constancy is impressive and suggests that many participate in significant viral functions. Remarkably, analysis of the non-constant nucleotides revealed that in some instances the non-constant nucleotide changes persisted in one or a restricted number of related genotypes and were from sequences isolated over a considerable span of years. This constant feature of non-constant nucleotides is consistent with the concept that the changes were in response to different environmental features such as changes in mosquito hosts or animal reservoirs, particularly as a consequence of spread of YFV from Africa to the New World. Constancy of 5’UTR in general may be helpful in distinction of viral species. Lastly, the presence of sequences of constant nucleotides greater than 19 nucleotides suggests regions of the 5’UTR that may be exploited for use as non-codon RNA as treatment and diagnostic agents in a variety of viral diseases. Importance The 5’UTR is arguably the most neglected portion of the viral genome. It is frequently incomplete in the sequences deposited as otherwise complete sequences in GenBank. The current report is an analysis of complete 5’UTR sequences selected from those deposited in GenBank and indicates that the 5’UTR is 92% conserved confirming that it is a highly conserved portion of the viral genome and suggesting that each conserved nucleotide may be functionally significant. Repeated occurrences of even non-constant nucleotides belong to a restricted number of genotypes raising the possibility that adaptation to new mosquito hosts and animal reservoirs such as those that accompanied spread of yellow fever virus from Africa to the Western Hemisphere are relevant. Knowledge of prolonged strings of invariable nucleotides in the 5’UTR has been used in designing a method for detecting YFV and may also be relevant for designing sequences for viral control of a variety of viruses.
Chronic but not acute pharmacological activation of SERCA induces behavioral and neurochemical effects in male and female mice.

Intracellular calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis is a vital process to nerve cell survival and function with an intricate regulatory network. It is well established that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a major intraneuronal Ca2+ storage and that the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) calcium (Ca2+)-ATPase (SERCA) pump is a key regulator of cytosolic Ca2+ levels. SERCA pumps play a critical role in brain pathophysiology, thus SERCA comprises an emerging pharmacological target for the treatment of brain diseases. Interestingly, preclinical studies in rodents suggest that chronic pharmacological activation of SERCA2 by the quinoline derivative CDN1163 comprises a potential pharmacotherapeutic target in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. As little is known about the behavioral and neurochemical consequences of CDN1163 administration, in the current study we investigated the potential effects of acute (i.e., at 1 h) and chronic (i.e., 17 days) CDN1163 administration (i.e., 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) on locomotor activity and relevant affective behaviors, as well as on monoaminergic neurotransmission in naive C57BL/6J mice of both sexes. Interestingly, chronic, but not acute, CDN1163 administration induced anxiogenic and depressive-like behavioral effects in mice, as assessed in the open field (OF) test and the forced swim test (FST), respectively. In addition, chronic CDN1163 administration induced sustained sex- and brain region-dependent noradrenergic and serotonergic neurochemical effects ex vivo. Taken together, present findings support the critical role of SERCA-dependent Ca2+ handling in regulating behavior and neurochemical activity, and further highlight the need to consider sex in the development of SERCA-targeting pharmacotherapies for the treatment of debilitating brain disorders.
Re-Evaluation Curriculum and Implementation: Case Study in MTsS PTP-VI Berangir

This study aims to evaluation of implementation the 2013 Curriculum in MTsS PTP-VI Berangir which includes (1) readiness for implementation; (2) learning process and learning evaluation, (3) results of implementation; and (4) level of successful implementation. The method used in this study is the method of evaluating the Countenan Stake model which divides the curriculum components in the observation matrix and the consideration matrix including the antecedent, process (transaction), and results (outcomes) stages. The study was conducted at MTsS PTP-VI Berangir, North Labuhanbatu Regency, North Sumatra Province which is a private school. The results showed that the preliminary stage or readiness for implementation included the readiness of teachers, books, infrastructure, and lesson plans very well (90%), the stage of the process which included learning activities and learning evaluation was very good (97%), and the results of implementation which included responses students and learning outcomes are also very good (95%). The implementation of the 2013 Curriculum in MTsS PTP-VI Berangir can run very well with the support of meeting national education standards and teachers who have good motivation, creativity and performance.
Probing configurational disorder in ZnGeN 2 using cluster-based Monte Carlo

${\mathrm{ZnGeN}}_{2}$ is sought as a semiconductor with comparable lattice constant to GaN and tunable band gap for integration in optoelectronic devices. Configurational disorder on the cation sublattice of ${\mathrm{ZnGeN}}_{2}$ can strongly modify the electronic structure compared to the ordered material, and both ordered and disordered forms of ${\mathrm{ZnGeN}}_{2}$ are candidates for light-emitting diodes and other emitters. The nonisovalent character of the disordered species (${\mathrm{Zn}}^{2+}$ and ${\mathrm{Ge}}^{4+}$) subjects the cation ordering to strong short-range order effects. To model these effects, we use Monte Carlo (MC) simulations utilizing a cluster expansion to approximate formation enthalpy. Representative disordered configurations in 1024-atom supercells are relaxed in density functional theory calculations. From the MC structures, we extract a short-range order parameter (the N-cation coordination motif), and two long-range order parameters (Bragg-Williams and stretching parameters), and examine their correlations. We perform a thermodynamic integration to determine the mixing entropy and free energy. ${\mathrm{ZnGeN}}_{2}$ exhibits a first-order phase transition with pronounced discontinuities in enthalpy and entropy, as well as in the structural order parameters. We discuss the relationship between the effective temperature used in the MC simulation and the growth temperatures in experiment in relation to the crossover from the nonequilibrium to the equilibrium growth regime. This work expands on current models of site disorder in ${\mathrm{ZnGeN}}_{2}$ and provides atomic structure models with a systematic variation of the degree of cation disorder.
The Depression Sensitivity Index: Initial Development and Tests of Convergent and Construct Validity.

Abstract Background : Depression and suicide are prominent and increasing U.S. public health issues, which suggests novel assessment and treatment approaches are needed. Reiss’ Expectancy Model of Fear, Anxiety, and Panic states that fear is based on two classes of variables, expectations and sensitivities, which has led to much research on anxiety sensitivity as a significant risk factor for later anxiety psychopathology. Major depressive disorder also includes biased expectations and sensitivities; however, a depression sensitivity rooted in Expectancy Theory has never been formalized. Uncovering depression-related sensitivities may lead to earlier risk detection and prevention before mood disorders develop. Method : The goal of the paper was to create a Depression Sensitivity Index using exploratory factor analysis and item response theory and then conduct tests of convergent and construct validity using structural equation modeling using three independent samples. Results : indicated two lower order factors: 1) physical and cognitive concerns (DSPCC) and 2) social concerns (DSSC). Factors showed incremental associations with depression (DSPCC), social anxiety (both) and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (DSPCC), above and beyond anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns. Both factors together predicted depressive disorder diagnoses Limitations : Mostly self-report data, large percentage of non-Hispanic White participants in Study 1. Conclusions : The results offer initial evidence that expectancy theory applies beyond “fear, anxiety, and panic” and that with further development depression sensitivity could be an important intervention target for prevention of major depressive disorder and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Decoding Neuronal Activity Using a Deep Neural Network to Predict Knob Supination Success

Intracortical microelectrode arrays enable the acquisition of signals generated from individual neurons, offering a level of specificity and granularity that is highly useful in many applications. For example, these signals can be used as input to decoding algorithms which aim to estimate intent during volitional motor tasks in order to provide control signals for neuroprostheses. Previous studies have used a variety of linear and nonlinear decoding algorithms to predict fine movement of the upper extremity using cortical activity recorded from nonhuman primates and humans. Other studies have utilized muscle activity to decode wrist flexion and extension in the same animal models, however, the use of cortical signals to decode wrist supination has not been well explored and may hold clinical significance. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of decoding neuronal activity recorded from the motor cortex of rats to predict success during a knob supination task, i.e. wrist rotation past a 60° threshold. A deep neural network was trained using the firing rate of individual neurons during forelimb supination and was able to predict the outcome of individual trials with high accuracy. This algorithm was specific to each rat, meaning its prediction capacity was not generalizable across all subjects. These results suggest that the rat model is a viable means of developing and testing brain-machine applications for skilled motor tasks.
Marriage outcomes of displaced women

Abstract To learn more about the long-term consequences of displacement on women, we examine the marriage market outcomes of forcibly displaced women. Using data from 12 representative surveys in 7 countries, we document that women who are adolescents at the time of displacement are more likely to be married. This pattern is robust to choice of comparison group and across countries. We do not find this pattern for displaced adolescent men. We provide additional evidence on this relationship by using unique features of the partition of India in 1947, an event which resulted in large-scale bilateral displacement between India and newly formed Pakistan. Specifically, we use the plausibly exogenous timing and the arbitrary nature of the border drawing to motivate a difference-in-difference design. Using a representative household survey collected in 1973, we find that women who were adolescents when they were displaced by partition were significantly more likely to marry earlier, in line with the descriptive cross country evidence. These women were less likely to continue their education and had more children overall, but do not appear to have married spouses with worse observable characteristics.
Blocking IAg7 class II major histocompatibility complex by drug-like small molecules alleviated Sjögren's syndrome in NOD mice.

Abstract Background Sjogren's syndrome (SjS) is an autoimmune disease with a strong genetic association. To date, no vaccine or therapeutic agent exists to cure SjS, and patients must rely on lifelong therapies to treat symptoms. Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are primary susceptibility loci that form the genetic basis for many autoimmune diseases, including SjS. In this study, we sought to determine whether blocking MHC class II I Ag7 antigen presentation in the NOD mouse would alleviate SjS by preventing the recognition of autoantigens by pathogenic T cells. Methods Mapping of the antigenic epitopes of Ro60 autoantigen to I Ag7 of the NOD mice was performed using structural modeling and in-vitro stimulation. Tetraazatricyclo-dodecane (TATD) and 8-Azaguanine (8-Aza) were previously identified as potential binders to I Ag7 of the NOD mice using in silico drug screening. Mice were treated with 20mgs/kg via IP every day five days/week for 23 weeks. Disease profiling was conducted. Findings Specific peptides of Ro60 autoantigen were identified to bind to I Ag7 and stimulated splenocytes of the NOD mice. Treating NOD mice with TATD or 8-Azaguanine alleviated SjS symptoms by improving salivary and lacrimal gland secretory function, decreasing the levels of autoantibodies, and reducing the severity of lymphocytic infiltration in the salivary and lacrimal glands. Interpretation This study presents a novel therapeutic approach for SjS by identifying small molecules capable of inhibiting T cell response via antigen-specific presentation. Funding CQN is supported financially in part by PHS grants AI130561, DE026450, and DE028544 from the National Institutes of Health.
Estimation of sound speed profiles in deep water using perturbative inversion

A method to invert for the local sound speed profile (SSP) using only acoustic wavenumbers is proposed. Ocean sounds can be treated as acoustic energy trapped as discrete modes within the water column. Using estimated Eigenvalues (wavenumbers) from one or more modes, a method to numerically invert for the SSP can be posed as a linear Fredholm integral equation of the first kind. Therefore, the vertical SSP can be estimated with a well-placed, sufficiently long, array at one or more frequencies. Though this inversion can be unstable and non-unique, recent improvements in sparse inversions can lead to robust estimates even without an accurate starting SSP. Using the perturbative difference between the estimated wavenumbers and those calculated from the acoustic kernel, both the SSP and kernel are updated each iteration. Careful consideration must be made of the acoustic frequency, number of modes, a priori environmental information (e.g., water depth), and array length. The method will be first demonstrated on simulated recordings based on the LIDDEX data set. [Work supported by ONR.]
Human leukemic cells. Fractionation and characterization of ribonucleic acids.

Abstract RNA extracted from log-phase human lymphocytic cells in large-scale cultures was purified and subjected to long (2.5 × 300 cm) exclusion chromatography (Sephadex G-100 columns) by a novel method which provided greater separation of the four main fractions, as well as separation of lower molecular weight species of RNA with a high degree of resolution. The molecular weights of each fraction were determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Similar chromatographic patterns were obtained with RNA isolated from lymphocytic cells derived from patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia or infectious mononucleosis, and from normal healthy donors. Although these overall RNA patterns appeared to be similar, some quantitative differences in percentage distribution of individual RNA fractions were evident, in particular: the lower yield of higher molecular weight RNA (Peak I); and the higher yield of lower molecular weight species of RNA from human leukemic cells. In addition, nucleotide analyses revealed a higher ratio of A + U G + C in the 5.5S RNA Peak II fraction isolated from human leukemic (CCRF-CEM) cells as compared with that of lymphocytic cells derived from patients with infectious mononucleosis, or from normal donors. Despite these minor differences, the rather extensive homology between the same RNA species obtained from cells deriving from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or infectious mononucleosis, and normal donors may be of biological significance. Nonetheless, more detailed studies should be undertaken to further characterize the RNA species characteristic of such human lymphocytic cells.
Conversation, Structure of

Conversations emerge as people use dialogue to coordinate on joint activities they engage in. People proceed turn by turn as they reach local agreements on the course of each section and subsection, including the opening and closing of the conversation itself. Keywords: dialogue; speech; language; common ground; joint activities
Influences of authoritarianism and portrayals of race on Caucasian viewers’ responses to reality‐based crime dramas

An experiment was conducted to examine the roles of authoritarianism and portrayals of race in Caucasian viewers’ responses to reality‐based crime dramas. Subjects viewed a segment from a reality‐based program that varied the race of the criminal suspect (African‐American, Caucasian). Subsequently, subjects indicated their enjoyment of the segment as well as their perceptions of the characters portrayed. Authoritarianism was associated with greater enjoyment of the crime video and more negative evaluations of the criminal suspects, but only if the criminal suspects were African‐American rather than Caucasian. Authoritarianism was also associated with more favorable evaluations of police officers.
Synthesis of the C13–C29 fragment of leiodolide A: allylic asymmetric induction on the stereochemical course of iodolactonization

Abstract A stereocontrolled synthesis of the C13–C29 segment of leiodolide A is described. This natural product was isolated from the deep-water marine sponge Leiodermatium. A highly selective Stille cross-coupling was employed to assemble the (Z,E)-diene bearing the C15 allylic alcohol, which was followed by iodolactonization to introduce C16–C17 vicinal stereocenters. The stereochemical course of iodolactonization that is based on the solid mechanistic underpinnings arising from allylic asymmetric induction is also discussed.
O MÉTODO FENOMENOLÓGICO E A UNIVERSALIDADE DE ESSÊNCIAS - UMA ABORDAGEM ACERCA DA PERCEPÇÃO DOS JUÍZES NO CAMPO DA EFETIVAÇÃO DO DIREITO AO MÍNIMO EXISTENCIAL.

A experiencia, que viabiliza tao somente o contingente e o singular, nao fornece a ciencia o principio universal e necessario de uma afirmacao semelhante. O empirismo nao pode ser compreendido pelo empirismo. O pensar fenomenologico e, antes de metodo, um estilo de vida orientado a viabilizar a compreensao da universalidade de essencias e a relacao entre subjetividade e intersubjetividade, justamente para que se possa perceber o Eu no Outro e o Outro que reside no Eu. O retorno as coisas mesmas constitui etapa fundamental para a construcao de solucoes mais adequadas aos problemas que afligem a sociedade, sobretudo nas questoes que envolvem os direitos sociais e o minimo existencial. No embate entre necessidade e poder, o retorno a essencia mesma das coisas permite ao juiz encontrar os fundamentos necessarios para encontrar a solucao mais adequada a solucao dos conflitos sociais.
Generalization of Social Skills through Self-Monitoring by Adults with Mild Mental Retardation

The effects of self-monitoring on generalization and maintenance of social skills were investigated. Participants were one female and two male adults with mild mental retardation. A multiple-baseline-across-subjects design with five phases was employed. After an initial baseline condition, the subjects were trained in individualized social skills. Following return to baseline, subjects were taught to self-monitor their behavior, in both training and natural settings. Finally, the use of the self-monitoring device was faded, and all intervention contingencies were withdrawn for the maintenance phase. Data were collected in the analogue and generalization settings throughout all phases of the study. Self-monitoring assisted in generalization of trained social skills across settings and people; however, maintenance results were variable.