cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Site-specific cleavage of RNA by Fe(II).bleomycin.

Bleomycin is an antitumor agent whose activity has long been thought to derive from its ability to degrade DNA. Recent findings suggest that cellular RNA may be a therapeutically relevant locus. At micromolar concentrations, Fe(II)-bleomycin readily cleaved a Bacillus subtilis tRNAHis precursor in a highly selective fashion, but Escherichia coli tRNA(Tyr) precursor was largely unaffected even under more forcing conditions. Other substrates included an RNA transcript encoding a large segment of the reverse transcriptase from human immunodeficiency virus 1. RNA cleavage was oxidative, approximately 10-fold more selective than DNA cleavage, and largely unaffected by nonsubstrate RNAs. RNA sequence analysis suggested recognition of RNA tertiary structure, rather than recognition of specific sequences; subsets of nucleotides at the junction of single- and double-stranded regions were especially susceptible to cleavage. The ready accessibility of cellular RNAs to xenobiotic agents, the high selectivity of bleomycin action on RNAs, and the paucity of mechanisms for RNA repair suggest that RNA may be a therapeutically relevant target for bleomycin.
Selection for Neutralization Resistance of the Simian/Human Immunodeficiency Virus SHIVSF33A Variant In Vivo by Virtue of Sequence Changes in the Extracellular Envelope Glycoprotein That Modify N-Linked Glycosylation

We previously reported on the in vivo adaptation of an infectious molecular simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) clone, SHIVSF33, into a pathogenic biologic viral variant, designated SHIVSF33A. In the present study, we show that SHIVSF33A is resistant to neutralization by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and SHIV antisera. Multiple amino acid substitutions accumulated over time throughout the env gene of SHIVSF33A; some of them coincided with the acquisition of the neutralization resistance of the virus. Of interest are changes that resulted in the removal, repositioning, and addition of potential glycosylation sites within the V1, V2, and V3 regions of envelope gp120. To determine whether potential glycosylation changes within these principal neutralization domains of HIV type 1 formed the basis for the resistance to serum neutralization of SHIVSF33A, mutant viruses were generated on the backbone of parental SHIVSF33 and tested for their neutralization sensitivity. The mutations generated did not alter the in vitro replication kinetics or cytopathicity of the mutant viruses in T-cell lines. However, the removal of a potential glycosylation site in the V1 domain or the creation of such a site in the V3 domain did allow the virus to escape serum neutralization antibodies that recognized parental SHIVSF33. The combination of the V1 and V3 mutations conferred an additive effect on neutralization resistance over that of the single mutations. Taken together, these data suggest that (i) SHIV variants with changes in the Env SU can be selected in vivo primarily by virtue of their ability to escape neutralizing antibody recognition and (ii) carbohydrates play an important role in conferring neutralization escape, possibly by altering the structure of envelope gp120 or by shielding principal neutralization sites.
After the wrongdoing: What managers should know about whistleblowing

Abstract Most of us are likely at some point to observe wrongdoing in our organizations, and some of us will blow the whistle to someone with the authority to put a stop to the wrongdoing. Or we may be managers, inspectors, or auditors who serve as the official ‘complaint recipient’ when one of our colleagues wants to report wrongdoing in the organization. Whether we blow the whistle or are tasked with cleaning up after someone else does so, we are better off knowing in advance how the whistleblowing process usually plays out. In this article we discuss the pragmatic implications of 30 years of systematic research about whistleblowing: who does it and when, and why they choose to report the wrongdoing internally (within the organization) or externally (to outsiders). To avoid external whistleblowing, which entails all sorts of costs for the organization, we recommend that managers take clear steps: investigate the allegations, make the results of the investigation known to those affected, correct the problem if one is found, and avoid reprisal against whistleblowers. These actions can increase the chance that information about organizational wrongdoing stays inside the organization, where it may be remedied, instead of being made public.
An Outbreak of Type A H1N1 Influenza in A Middle School

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the outbreak of the type A H1N1 influenza in a middle school in Hongya and to provide scientific evidence for the control and prevention of similar outbreaks.Methods Epidemiology investigation was performed,and specimen was tested by RT-PCR.Data was entered and analyzed with Excel and Epi info.Results Totally 151 cases were detected in the outbreak,mainly with symptoms of fever,weak,chilly and headache,and the attack rate was 6.31%.The attack rate of grade 1 was the greatest(11.19%).The attack rate of the resident students(9.1%)took greater portion than that of nonresident students(2.83%).A total of 5 types of influenza A(H1N1) virus were detected in 25 swabs,with a positive rate of 20%.Conclusion It's an outbreak of the type A H1N1influenza.Bad accommodation and close contact among students were the risk factors.
Analysis on Epidemiological Characteristics of Varicella in Danyang City in 2011- 2012

Objective To investigate the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of varicella in Danyang city,and provide accurate evidence for the formulation of prevention and control plan and the assessment of its implementation effect. Method The data about varicella in Danyang city were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological method. Results The average annual incidence rate of varicella was 72. 14 /100, 000 in Danyang city from 2011 to 2012,with 130. 83 /100, 000 in urban areas and 47. 67 /100, 000 in rural areas,which were significantly different( χ2 = 385. 90,P 0. 01). The male to female ratio was 1. 22: 1. The incidence from April to June and from November to December and January was 27. 27% and 41. 39%,respectively. The incidence in students and preschool children accounted for 51. 50% and 22. 06%,showing the risk of specific occupation. The incidence of people aged 1 to 15 years accounted for 76. 15%. Conclusions The results suggest that varicella vaccine should be included into National Immunization Program( NIP). It is necessary to strengthen monitoring and early warning of varicella so as to effectively control the outbreak.
Changes of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α,Interleukin-8 and Effect of Interfering Therapy with Heparin in Children with Low Molecular Weight Henoch-Schonlein Purpura

Objective To observe the plasma level of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-8(IL-8) in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP)and the changes of above parameters after therapy with low molecular weight heparin.Methods Forty-three HSP patients,heparin group(n=28) and conventional therapy group(n=15) were studied.The plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were observed with ELISA assay in 7 days before and after therapy.Results The plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were ob-viously higher in HSP patients than those in control group(all P0.01).TNF-α and IL-8 in HSP patients were found remarkably decreasing after heparin therapy(all P0.01).Conclusions Abnormal cytokine may involve in the development of HSP and HSP nephritis.The plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-8 can be decreased after therapy with low molecular weight heparin.
P08.08 Expanding the macaque model of trichomonas vaginalis infection

Introduction The pigtailed macaque model for trichomonal infection was used to compare T. vaginalis (TV) detection technologies, to describe infection status in younger versus older populations, and to test whether TV reinfection after antibiotic clearance is possible in this model. Methods Thirty-six macaques received a single vaginal TV inoculation (ATCC 50148; ~6E5), followed by five weekly visits to document infection. Eighteen animals were 4–7 years old; eighteen were over 13 years old. Infection status was documented by culture (InPouchTV) and by NAAT (AptimaTV). Colposcopy was performed to assess tissue reaction to infection. Animals underwent antibiotic treatment (metronidazole) and test-of-cure. Five macaques from the younger cohort were later re-inoculated with the same TV strain and followed for three weeks to document reinfection. Results All but one (older) animal were successfully infected after the initial vaginal challenge. Among 295 matched samples (culture/NAAT), 22 did not share confirmatory results. In this experimental setting, with weekly vaginal swabs providing a timeline of trichomonal presence in each animal, we can infer infectious status for some discrepant samples. It is likely that 10–12 instances can be attributed to false culture readings, and 3–5 to false NAAT results. Self-limited infections were noted more frequently among younger macaques. Friable tissue was noted more frequently among older animals. Four of the five animals that were re-challenged with TV developed infection. Conclusions The NAAT gave fewer false results, when we had the luxury of a timeline of serial samples to refer to for determining test accuracy. Similar infection rates were observed in both age cohorts. Older animals had a greater incidence of cervicovaginal irritation evidenced primarily by friability in this study, and younger animals tended to self-clear T. vaginalis infection faster than older animals. Finally, TV re-infection is possible in the macaque model. Disclosure of interest statement This research was supported by NIH Contract Number HHSN266200700013C and by the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) of the National Institutes of Health through Grant Number P51 OD010425 Washington National Primate Research Centre. No pharmaceutical grants were received in the development of this study.
Role of prostaglandins and endothelium-derived relaxing factor on the renal response to acetylcholine

Acetylcholine (ACh) stimulates the endothelial release of prostacyclin and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). However, the relative participation of these substances in mediating the renal effects of ACh remains undefined. To elucidate this issue, we studied the modifications of renal responses to intra-renal ACh infusion (25 ng.kg-1.min-1) produced by blocking the synthesis of EDRF and/or prostaglandins (PG) in anesthetized dogs. ACh induced a significant increase in renal blood flow (RBF) (34%), urine volume (UV) (450%), and urinary sodium excretion (UNaV)(259%), which remained unaltered after blocking the synthesis of EDRF [NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (LNMMA), 50 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 intrarenal] or PG (meclofenamate, 5 mg/kg iv). However, the simultaneous administration of meclofenamate and LNMMA prevented the ACh-induced increase in RBF and UV but not in UNaV. The concomitant infusion of L-arginine but not D-arginine prevented these blocking effects of LNMMA. It was concluded that the ACh-induced increases in RBF and UV, but not UNaV, are mediated by both PG and EDRF. The hemodynamic and diuretic effect of either one of these mediators can be fully compensated during the blockade of the other.
Response to Robbins and Walkowitz

A three-way conversation in Interventions about the doors that Planetary Modernisms either opens or shuts for others presents a rare opportunity for meta-reflection on what’s at stake in an unconve...
Imitation, Intermodal Representation, and the Origins of Mind

Theories of early cognitive capacities impact theories of speech and language development. If we believe that the new-born’s cognitive world is an undifferentiated confusion, it is especially tempting to argue that the rapid mastering of the complexities of language is due to a powerful subsystem that stands apart from the (putatively) more impoverished cognitive system, On this view, there is little that those interested in language development could learn by studying the more general cognitive organization of infants.
The Changing Impact of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Clinical Practice: An Updated Study

Objectives:The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) database was utilized to understand evolving national trends in diagnosis and management of reflux.Methods:The NAMCS database was quer...
Power laws in cone production of longleaf pine across its native range in the United States

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests in the southeastern United States are considered endangered ecosystems, because of their dramatic decrease in area since European colonization and poor rates of recovery related to episodic natural regeneration. Sporadic seed production constrains restoration efforts and complicates sustainable management of this species. Previous studies of other tree species found invariant scaling properties in seed output. Here, using long-term monitoring data for cone production at seven sites across the native range of longleaf pine, we tested the possible presence of two types of power laws. Findings indicate that (i) the frequency distribution of cone production at seven sites, from 1958 to 2014, follows power law relationships with high level of significance; (ii) although there is no general trend in the dynamics of scaling exponents among all sites, there are dynamics of scaling exponents at each site, with sudden changes in scaling exponents generally corresponding to the years of higher or lower cone production; and (iii) Taylor’s power laws explain cone production at different locations, but the scaling exponents vary among these. Results from this computational approach provide new insight into the irregular cone production of longleaf pine at spatial and temporal scales. Integrated ecosystem monitoring will be necessary to more fully understand future changes in cone production.
Treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases based on trophic factors and cell transplantation techniques

Treatment strategies based on transfer of genes, molecules, or cells to the central nervous system are summarized. When neurons are already degenerated, functional compensation can be effected by grafts of syngeneic or allogenic tissue to the target area. This technique is undergoing clinical trials in Parkinson’s disease. Before degeneration has occurred, it may be possible to rescue “stressed” neurons, and stimulate terminal outgrowth using treatment with neurotrophic factors. Such approaches, with an emphasis on the NGF family of neurotrophins and their receptors, are reviewed. Finally, new molecular biology techniques may permit the transfer of genes directly into non-dividing cells of the central nervous system. These three approaches may have a more general applicability, and become important not only in neurodegenerative diseases, but also in other afflictions of the nervous system such as ischemia, stroke and injury.
Immobilization of glucose oxidase on mesoporous carbon for bio-electrodes

The objective of this work was to understand glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilization on mesoporous carbon (MC) and the electrochemical performance of a bio-anode fabricated from GOx-immobilized MC. GOx, MC, and NaCl concentrations significantly influenced GOx immobilization. The GOx enzyme adsorption on MC increased by 2.3 times when the total solute concentration was increased from 20.5 to 164 mg mL-1. With the addition of NaCl (1.2 M), enzyme adsorption increased by 1.3 times compared to the control group. The bio-anode fabricated by GOx-immobilized MC displayed direct and surface-controlled redox reactions with an electron transfer coefficient (α) of 0.57 in 0.1 M phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution (pH 7.0) with 10 mM glucose. GOx immobilization improved electron transfer between the electrolyte and the electrode surface with ΔEp shifting to 255 mV, compared to non-immobilized free enzymes on MC (ΔEp = 263 mV). The bio-electrode made by GOx-immobilized MC showed a current density of 227.37 μA cm-2.
Surveying the Landscape of Professional Development Research: Suggestions for New Perspectives in Design and Research

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) higher education is in need of improved teaching methods to increase learning for all students. Faculty professional development programs ar...
Maximization of the precipitation from tropical cyclones over atarget area through physically based storm transposition

Abstract. Certain methods of Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) estimation such as the generalized estimation method involve the transposition to the target area of intense storms that occurred in adjacent areas. This storm transposition step is based on the assumption that it is possible to delineate a meteorologically homogeneous region (World Meteorological Organization, 2009) surrounding the target area so that the precipitation field of a storm that occurred within this region may be transposed over the target area. Differences between conditions at the storm site and those at the project basin, such as differences in topography and in the proximity to the moisture source, are accounted for by transposition adjustments . In this article, a new method for the transposition of tropical cyclones (TCs) is presented. This method is fully physically based as it uses a regional atmospheric model (RAM) to reconstruct the intense precipitation field from a TC, thus crucially conserving the mass, momentum and energy in the system. In this transposition method, the initial vortex in the simulation initial conditions is first shifted spatially. More precisely, the TC at the simulation start date is first separated from its background environment, then shifted, and finally recombined with the background environment. Then, the RAM is run as usual to simulate the TC and its precipitation field. The new transposition method was applied to four hurricanes which spawned torrential precipitation in the United States, namely Hurricanes Floyd (1999), Frances (2004), Ivan (2004), and Isaac (2012), in order to maximize the 72-h accumulated precipitation depth over the drainage basin of the city of Asheville, N.C. It was observed that the precipitation fields changed in both structure and intensity after transposition. Besides, the tracks of the hurricanes were generally very sensitive to changes in the initial conditions, which is expected for a storm system whose dynamics is strongly nonlinear. In particular, a small change in the location of the initial vortex may result in a very different track, allowing the TC to go over the target area.
Joining thick section aluminum to steel with suppressed FeAl intermetallic formation via friction stir dovetailing

Abstract A new solid-phase technique called friction stir dovetailing (FSD) has been developed for joining thick section aluminum to steel. In FSD, mechanical interlocks are formed at the aluminum-steel interface and are reinforced by metallurgical bonds where intermetallic growth has been uniquely suppressed. Lap shear testing shows superior strength and extension at failure compared to friction stir approaches where metallurgical bonding is the only joining mechanism. High resolution microscopy revealed the presence of a 40–70 nm interlayer having a composition of 76.4 at.% Al, 18.4 at.% Fe, and 5.2 at.% Si, suggestive of limited FeAl 3 intermetallic formation.
Intron-mediated enhancement is not limited to introns

Certain introns strongly increase mRNA accumulation by a poorly understood mechanism known as Intron-Mediated Enhancement (IME). Introns that boost expression by IME have no effect when located upstream of or more than ~1 Kb downstream from the start of transcription. The sequence TTNGATYTG, which is over-represented in promoter-proximal introns in Arabidopsis thaliana, can convert a non-stimulating intron into one that strongly increases mRNA accumulation. We tested the ability of an intron containing this motif to stimulate expression from different locations and found that it had the same positional requirements as naturally occurring IME introns. The motif also stimulated gene expression from within the 59-UTR and coding sequences of an intronless construct. Furthermore, the 59-UTR of another gene increased expression when inserted into an otherwise non-stimulating intron in coding sequences. These results demonstrate that splicing is not required for intron-mediated enhancement, and suggest that other sequences downstream of the transcription start site in addition to introns may stimulate expression by a similar mechanism.
Reduction of Multivariate Mixtures and Its Applications

Abstract We consider fast deterministic algorithms to identify the “best” linearly independent terms in multivariate mixtures and use them to compute, up to a user-selected accuracy, an equivalent representation with fewer terms. Importantly, the multivariate mixtures do not have to be a separated representation of a function. One algorithm employs a pivoted Cholesky decomposition of the Gram matrix constructed from the terms of the mixture to select what we call skeleton terms and the other uses orthogonalization for the same purpose. Both algorithms require O ( r 2 N + p ( d ) r N ) operations, where N is the initial number of terms in the multivariate mixture, r is the number of selected linearly independent terms, and p ( d ) is the cost of computing the inner product between two terms of a mixture in d variables. For general Gaussian mixtures p ( d ) ∼ d 3 since we need to diagonalize a d × d matrix, whereas for separated representations p ( d ) ∼ d (there is no need for diagonalization). Due to conditioning issues, the resulting accuracy is limited to about one half of the available significant digits for both algorithms. We also describe an alternative algorithm that is capable of achieving higher accuracy but is only applicable in low dimensions or to multivariate mixtures in separated form. We describe a number of initial applications of these algorithms to solve partial differential and integral equations and to address several problems in data science. For data science applications in high dimensions, we consider the kernel density estimation (KDE) approach for constructing a probability density function (PDF) of a cloud of points, a far-field kernel summation method and the construction of equivalent sources for non-oscillatory kernels (used in both, computational physics and data science) and, finally, show how to use the new algorithm to produce seeds for subdividing a cloud of points into groups.
MODEL SIGNAL PEPTIDES: PROBES OF MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS DURING PROTEIN SECRETION

A signal peptide is required for the entry of a protein into the secretory pathway but how it functions in concert with the other transport components to achieve protein localization is not known. In Escherichia coli, SecA is a component of the transport machinery which may play a role in targeting the preprotein to membrane-bound translocation sites and then utilize the energy of ATP hydrolysis to initiate membrane insertion of the preprotein. This model requires that the signal peptide interact specifically with SecA and that features of the signal peptide promote binding. These issues were examined using a wild type synthetic signal sequence derived from E. coli alkaline phosphatase and several model signal peptides that differ in amino-terminal charge, core region hydrophobicity, and the ability to form an α-helical structure. Using a SecA/lipid ATPase assay as an indicator of binding, we observe maximum activity with the functional wild type peptide, 3K7L and 1K7L; these have very hydrophobic core regions and a high propensity for α-helix formation, while no significant reactions were noted for the non-functional peptides, 3K2L and 1K2L. Although peptides of intermediate hydrophobicity, 3K4L and 1K4L, both stimulated the SecA ATPase activity to an intermediate extent, the level of stimulation was more marked with the 3K4L peptide. This is consistent with in vivo analyses which indicate that for signal peptides of intermediate hydrophobicity, the amino terminal basic residues also play a key role in enhancing transport activity. The data suggest that signal peptide core region hydrophobicity, amino-terminal charge, and α-helicity contribute to the modulation of SecA/lipid ATPase activity by altering the binding affinity of the peptide for SecA. Separately, a competition binding assay was employed to establish that signal peptides also interact with SecA in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the interaction of functional signal peptides with SecA alters the SecA conformation sufficiently, for both soluble and membrane-associated forms, to cause a marked change in its V8 protease sensitivity.
Mechanical Significance of Structure

The genetic side of structural geology is concerned with working out the mechanical history of rock bodies from observable features of their structure. Two aspects of the mechanical history can be studied: the force history and the movement history. Both of these are important, but there has generally been more success in working out movement history than force history. What follows in this chapter is concerned mainly with movement history, but the same concepts apply to force history.
A Step in the Wrong Direction: The Ninth Circuit Requires Reasonable Suspicion for Forensic Examinations of Electronic Storage Devices During Border Searches in United States v. Cotterman

On March 8, 2013, in United States v. Cotterman, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit—sitting en banc—held that U.S. border agents must have a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity before conducting a forensic search of an electronic storage device at the border. In reaching this conclusion, the court narrowed existing federal appeals court precedents, which held that manual searches of electronic storage devices do not require any suspicion. This Comment argues that a reasonable suspicion requirement is illogical, harmful to national security, and administratively impractical. Instead, strengthening existing federal regulations is a better method to protect personal privacy interests.
Product, Process, and Service Innovation Cycles

Innovation is the most important part of the technological change process. While invention provides the spark for technological change, it is development of technology by innovation which provides the energy and allows the new technology to make a contribution. It is innovation which brings an invention into commercial use by converting it into a product, process, or service which can be used or applied and for which there is real demand. While ideas in terms of discoveries, inventions, or research results are necessary to start technological innovation, only ideas worthy of development will usually be subjected to innovation. In terms of investment, the large majority of expenditure in the development of new technology is spent for the innovation of the technology and not for research or discovery leading to the idea or invention. This ratio is usually 1 to 10 or higher.
Is the turing test good enough?: the fallacy of resource-unbounded intelligence

This goal of this paper is to defend the plausibility of the argument that passing the Turing test is a sufficient condition for the presence of intelligence. To this effect, we put forth new objections to two famous counter-arguments: Searle's "Chinese Room" and Block's "Aunt Bertha." We take Searle's argument to consist of two points: 1) intelligence is not merely an ability to manipulate formal symbols; it is also the ability of relating those symbols to a multi-sensory real-world experience; and 2) intelligence presupposes an internal capacity for generalization. On the first point, while we concede that multi-sensory real-world experience is not captured by the test, we show that intuitions about the relevance of this experience to intelligence are not clear-cut. Therefore, it is not obvious that the Turing test should be dismissed on this basis alone. On the second point, we strongly disagree with the notion that the test cannot distinguish a machine with internal capacity for generalization from a machine which has no such capacity. This view is best captured by Ned Block, who argues that a sufficiently large look-up table is capable of passing any Turing test of finite length. We claim that, contrary to Block's assumption, it is impossible to construct such a table, and show that it is possible to ensure that a machine relying solely on such table will fail an appropriately constructed Turing test
“Be Worried, be VERY Worried:” Preferences for and Impacts of Negative Emotional Climate Change Communication

While communication experts largely recommend avoiding climate change messages that create negative emotional states, little is known regarding how members of the public use emotions in their own communication about climate change. Given the important role individuals can play in addressing climate change via their interpersonal communication, it is important to understand preferences for using or avoiding communication framed with negative emotions, and their ultimate impact on taking action to address climate change. Further, social expectations about the use of emotions may influence whether individuals’ gender and political identity impacts their preference for using specific types of emotions. Three studies tested preferences for and impacts of three negative emotions common to climate change responses: fear, sadness, and anger, in comparison to messages framed without emotion. Findings indicate that people generally prefer messages framed without emotion, although in line with predictions, women and Democrats are more apt to prefer emotional messages than men and Republicans. Although participants say they prefer messages framed without emotion, climate change messages framed with negative emotions are more likely than messages framed without emotion to match participants’ feelings on climate change, while messages framed with specific types of negative emotions are more likely than messages framed without emotion to convey impressions of the speaker as rational, strong, and caring, which in turn predict greater preference for emotional over non-emotional messages. Further, results from a petition-signing study indicate that communicating with negative emotions does not promote nor hinder behavioral engagement.
Anglo-Latino differences in parental concerns and service inequities for children at risk of autism spectrum disorder:

In an evaluation of Anglo and Latina mothers and their children at risk of autism, this study compared mother-reported child behavioral concerns to staff-observed symptoms of autism. Within Latina ...
WHY DO (WHITE) EVANGELICALS NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER

This article explores the issues of race and the church in the United States today. Specifically, it examines why it is that Christians who represent the dominant racial category (i.e. white) have difficulty understanding the experiences of members of minority populations. As a Christian anthropologist, I explore this issue from three key anthropological concepts—culture, ethnocentrism, and cultural relativism. I then examine key theological issues related to Christianity and “otherness.” I conclude by bringing these two disciplines together as a way to address how they can lead to the renewing of the mind that Paul speaks of in Romans 12.
Spatial organization of cells and variable expression of autophagy, apoptosis, and neurodevelopmental genes might underlie selective brain region vulnerability in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Genetically influenced changes in brain organization occur over the course of development. Large-scale brain imaging studies by the ENIGMA Consortium identified structural changes associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is not clear why some brain regions are impaired and others spared by the etiological risks for ADHD. We hypothesized that spatial variation in brain cell organization and/or pathway expression levels contribute to selective brain region vulnerability (SBRV) in ADHD. In this study, we used the largest available collection of imaging results from the ADHD ENIGMA Consortium along with high-resolution postmortem brain microarray data from Allen Brain Atlas from 22 sub-cortical and cortical brain regions to investigate our selective brain region vulnerability (SBRV) hypothesis. We performed deconvolution of the bulk transcriptomic data to determine abundances of neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the brain. We then assessed the relationships between gene set expression levels, cell abundance, and standardized effect sizes representing regional changes in brain sizes in cases of ADHD. Our analysis yielded significant correlations between apoptosis, autophagy, and neurodevelopment genes with reductions in regional brain sizes in ADHD, along with associations to regional abundances of dopaminergic neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neural progenitor cells. This works provides novel mechanistic insights into SBRV in ADHD.
Impacts of Storm Track Variations on Wintertime Extreme Precipitation and Moisture Budgets over the Ohio Valley and Northwestern United States

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that variations in extratropical cyclone activity significantly affect the frequency of extreme precipitation events over the Ohio Valley and northwestern United...
The impact of salinity and dissolved oxygen regimes on transcriptomic immune responses to oil in early life stage Fundulus grandis.

Abstract Understanding the effects of oil exposure on early life stage fish species is critical to fully assessing the environmental impacts of oil spills. Oil released from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill reached habitats where estuarine fish routinely spawn. In addition, estuaries are highly dynamic environments, therefore, fish in these areas are routinely exposed to varying salinity and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, each of which are known to modulate transcriptional responses. Fish exposed to oil often display altered immune competence, and several studies have shown that Deepwater Horizon oil in particular causes modulation of various immune functions. However, few studies have directly examined how environmental parameters may affect oil-induced immunomodulation, particularly in early life stage fishes when the immune system is still developing. To this end, we examined transcriptional patterns of immune genes and pathways in Fundulus grandis larvae to various oil (0, 15 μg/L), salinity (3, 30 ppt), and DO (2.5, 6 mg/L) regimes in a fully factorial design. Our results suggest that immune pathways are generally activated in all treatment groups with the exception of the Low Salinity/No Oil/Hypoxia treatment where immune pathways are largely suppressed, and the High Salinity/No Oil/Hypoxia treatment where pathways are unchanged. The High Salinity/Oil/Hypoxia treatment had the largest number of enriched immune pathways (44 as defined by IPA and 43 as defined by ConsensusPathDB), indicating that oil under certain environmental conditions has the potential to further modulate immune-related genes, pathways, and responses in fish.
Thermodynamic Modeling of Aqueous LiCl, LiBr, LiI, and LiNO3 Solutions

Abstract Thermodynamic models are essential to facilitate the advancement of process design, optimization, and operation of electrolyte systems. In this work, a comprehensive thermodynamic framework based on the Electrolyte Nonrandom Two-Liquid model is developed to calculate phase equilibria behavior and salt solubility of aqueous LiCl, LiBr, LiI, and LiNO3 solutions. The model describes the non-ideality of the electrolyte solutions by using two binary interaction parameters for each molecule-electrolyte pair in the system. Each binary interaction parameter is further expressed with up to three temperature coefficients which are regressed from experimental data. To take into account the hydration of lithium ion, two separate chemistries for the dissociation of lithium salts are investigated. In the first case, the lithium ion is considered as a bare ion, Li+, while in the second case hydration of the lithium ion from Li+ to Li(H2O)+ is considered. The calculated thermodynamic properties compare adequately with the experimental data for both sets of chemistries for concentrations up to saturation and temperatures from 273.15 K up to 623.15 K. Moderate to significant improvements are observed with the incorporation of the hydration chemistry for aqueous LiCl, LiBr, and LiI solutions when compared to the non-hydrated lithium ion model results.
Warped AdS 6 × S 2 in Type IIB supergravity I: local solutions

We investigate the existence of solutions with 16 residual supersymmetries to Type IIB supergravity on a space-time of the formc AdS 6×S 2 warped over a two-dimensional Riemann surface Σ. The SO(2, 5) × SO(3) isometry extends to invariance under the exceptional Lie superalgebra F (4). In the present paper, we construct the general Ansatz compatible with these symmetries, derive the corresponding reduced BPS equations, and obtain their complete local solution in terms of two locally holomorphic functions $$ {\mathcal{A}}_{\pm } $$ on Σ, subject to certain positivity and regularity conditions. Globally, ( $$ {\mathcal{A}}_{+} $$ , $$ {\mathcal{A}}_{-} $$ ) are allowed to be multiple-valued on Σ and be holomorphic sections of a holomorphic bundle over Σ with structure group contained in $$ \mathrm{S}\mathrm{U}\left(1,1\right)\times \mathbb{C} $$ . Globally regular solutions are expected to provide the near-horizon geometry of (p, q) 5-brane and 7-brane webs which are holographic duals to five-dimensional conformal field theories. A preliminary analysis of the positivity and regularity conditions will be presented here, leaving the construction of globally regular solutions to a subsequent paper.
Severe Recipient Obesity Decreases Post Heart Transplant Survival

Purpose Severe obesity, defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m2, is a contraindication for a heart transplant (HT). However, practice varies across transplant centers. This study examined the post-transplant survival of these patients who underwent HT in the United States. Methods We included adult patients who underwent HT between 2000 and 2018 in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients with available BMI information. We compared 30-day, 1-, 5- and 10-year survival of those with a BMI≥ 40 kg/m2 with BMI = 18.5-39.99 kg/m2 using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression models then determined the influence of BMI category on survival adjusting for known recipient and donor risk factors, including Index for Mortality Prediction After Cardiac Transplantation (IMPACT) score and predicted heart mass ratio. Results 36,115 adult HT recipients were included: 275 (0.8%) severely obese. The median (inter-quartile range) age was 55 (46, 62) years, and 25.4% were female. Severely obese patients had more hypertension (p=0.0019), diabetes (p Conclusion Survival following HT was significantly lower in recipients with severe obesity. Severe obesity should be addressed before HT is considered.
Nonstationary-Probabilistic Framework to Assess the Water Resources System Vulnerability: Long-Term Robust Planning and Timing

AbstractMultiobjective water resources systems require long-term operational plans that consider vulnerability to failure under nonstationary conditions due to climate change. The paper presents a ...
Writing Greek Law: Why the Greeks Wrote Laws

To understand why the Greeks wrote these early laws we must ask several questions: Who wrote the laws? Who read them? What kinds of laws were written? What effect does putting a rule into written form have on that rule? The physical features of the inscriptions examined in Chapter Two suggest answers to some of these questions; for others we will have to look more closely at the content of laws and their social and historical context. I begin with the vexing question, who could read these early texts? As we saw (Chapter Two), during the first century (ca. 750–650), when writing was used only for private inscriptions, these inscriptions were written, and presumably read, by a range of people including some who were not members of the elite. We also noted that, beginning around 650, archaic laws were displayed in easily accessible public spaces, were often written in large clear letters suitable for reading, and almost always contained features like word-division markers that would make the text easier to read and understand. These physical features strongly suggest that the laws were intended to be read, but this does not tell us by whom. It is tempting to conclude that the readers of archaic laws included the same broad range of people as the writers of the earliest private inscriptions, but there are at least two potential obstacles to this conclusion. First, the widespread popularity of writing during its first century may not have continued in subsequent years.
Fundamental Existence Theorems

As we saw in § 3 of Chapter IX (p. 237), Green, in 1828, inferred the existence of the function which bears his name from the assumption that a static charge could always be induced on a closed grounded conducting surface by a point charge within the conductor, and that the combined potential of the two charges would vanish on the surface. From this, he inferred the possibility of solving the Dirichlet problem. Such considerations could not, however, be accepted as an existence proof. In 1840, Gauss1 gave the following argument.
ADAPTIVE CHROMOSOMAL DIVERGENCE DRIVEN BY MIXED GEOGRAPHIC MODE OF EVOLUTION

Chromosomal inversions are ubiquitous in nature and of great significance for understanding adaptation and speciation. Inversions were the first markers used to investigate the genetic structure of natural populations, leading to the concept of coadapted gene complexes and theories concerning founder effects and genetic drift in small populations. However, we still lack elements of a general theory accounting for the origins and distribution of inversions in nature. Here, we use computer simulations to show that a "mixed geographic mode" of evolution involving allopatric separation of populations followed by secondary contact and gene flow generates chromosomal divergence by natural selection under wider conditions than previous hypotheses. This occurs because inversions arising in allopatry contain a full complement of locally adapted genes. Once gene flow ensues, reduced recombination within inversions keeps these favorable genotypic combinations intact, resulting in inverted genomic regions being favored over collinear regions. This process allows inversions to establish to high frequencies. Our model can account for several classic patterns in the geographic distribution of inversions and highlights how selection on standing genetic variation allows rapid chromosomal evolution without the waiting time for new mutations. As inversion differences often separate closely related taxa, mixed modes of divergence could be common.
Infarcts of the placenta: A study of seven hundred consecutive placentas

Abstract So-called infarcts of the placenta are of four kinds, but are all composed largely of degenerated villi and elements from the maternal blood. In three types the formation resembles intravascular thrombosis and depends upon stasis of the maternal blood flow in the intervillous placental space, and the existence of areas denuded in some way of their anticoagulative syncytial epithelium. The fourth kind probably represents a simultaneous involvement of all the branches of a stem villus due to disturbance in the fetal-placental circulation. In 700 carefully examined placentas, which were delivered consecutively, there were infarcts of some kind in 67.7 per cent, there being no relationship of occurrence to age or number of pregnancies. All types were more frequent in placentas associated with toxemia of pregnancy, as was also extensive infarction. The presence of infarcts had little or no influence on the welfare of the child.
Balloon-Borne Telescopes for Far-Infrared Astronomy

I would like to present some of the background and current activity in balloon-borne infrared astronomy, to examine a number of astronomical objectives in terms of their technical requirements, to describe some of the unique characteristics of ballooning techniques, and to illustrate how the objectives and techniques are mated with some specific examples.
Inflight calibration of the NEAR multispectral imager: II. Results from Eros approach and orbit

Abstract During the Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft's investigation of asteroid 433 Eros, inflight calibration measurements from the multispectral imager (MSI) have provided refined knowledge of the camera's radiometric performance, pointing, and light-scattering characteristics. Measurements while at Eros corroborate most earlier calibration results, although there appears to be a small, gradual change in instrument dark current and flat field due to effects of aging in the space environment. The most pronounced change in instrument behavior, however, is a dramatic increase in scattered light due to contaminants accumulated on the optics during unscheduled fuel usage in December 1998. Procedures to accurately quantify and to remediate the scattered light are described in a companion paper (Li et al. 2002, Icarus155, 00–00). Acquisition of Eros measurements has clarified the relative, filter-to-filter, radiometric performance of the MSI. Absolute radiometric calibration appears very well constrained from flight measurements, with an accuracy of ∼5%. Pointing relative to the spacecraft coordinate system can be determined from the temperature of the spacecraft deck with an accuracy of ∼1 pixel.
11 Regulation of Ionic Channels

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews electrophysiological and biochemical evidence for the regulation of ion channels by phosphorylation. Four major topics are considered in the chapter: voltage-sensitive calcium channels, potassium channels, sodium channels, and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Voltage-sensitive calcium channels mediate the influx of extracellular calcium into excitable cells during membrane depolarization and provide the link between electrical signals and other physiological events. Three calcium channel subtypes have been identified in different tissues. The modulation of L-type channels by a wide variety of hormones and neurotransmitters has been demonstrated in both cardiac muscle and neuronal tissue. It has been indicated that cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation is important for the maintenance of active calcium channels. Moreover, phosphorylation by protein kinase C also modulates calcium channels. There is a wide variety of potassium channels differing in unit channel conductance, gating kinetics, sensitivity to voltage, and activation by calcium. The modulation of several distinct types of potassium channels is discussed in the chapter. It also describes potassium channel regulation by calcium and calmodulin-dependent and protein kinase C-dependent phosphorylation.
Proposal Writing: Effective Grantsmanship (3rd ed.) by Soraya M. Coley & Cynthia A. Scheinberg

Coley and Scheinberg's Proposal Writing: Effective Grantsmanship is a strong example of the kind of resource I recommend all MSWs have on their bookshelf: a clear and concise primer on the process ...
School Violence: A Stimulus For Death Education--A Critical Analysis

The exploration of death through formal education is a "road less traveled." In fact, a death education curriculum and pedagogy appear oxymoronic. Ideologies, religion, and morals aside, death is, and will always be, an indisputable reality. Within the last decade, mass school shootings have embellished the relationship between school and violent behavior. In response, schools have embraced secondary and tertiary prevention models, neither of which has been empirically supported. Perhaps the tragedy of September 11 is a wake-up call for us to reflect on the uncertainties of life and the finality of death. The purpose of this article is to explore the theoretical presupposition that a death education curriculum moderates school violence.