cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Our Millennium: Political Science Confronts the Global Corporate Economy

Of all the freedoms for which the cold war was fought, free enterprise was deemed sufficient for acquisition of all the other freedoms. The task of political science should now be to expose the loose and insecure moorings of economic ideology and to develop an approach more appropriate to the realities of our time. Our new millennium is a corporate millennium that has been interpreted in the hegemonic model to mean private and free (that is, unregulated) markets. However, any theory capable of incorporating the corporation has to be one of political economy. The first section of this article identifies six state-provided assumptions homo economicus has to be able to make prior to making or entering a market, without which homo economicus stays home. The second section puts the issue in a global context by identifying three developmental tracks—macro, meso, and micro. Their existence denies the possibility of a pure economic theory of globalization. The third section describes the distinctive politics of e...
Improving student learning in calculus through applications

Nationally only 40% of the incoming freshmen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) majors are successful in earning a STEM degree. The University of Central Florida (UCF) EXCEL programme is a National Science Foundation funded STEM Talent Expansion Programme whose goal is to increase the number of UCF STEM graduates. One of the key requirements for STEM majors is a strong foundation in Calculus. To improve student learning in calculus, the EXCEL programme developed two special courses at the freshman level called Applications of Calculus I (Apps I) and Applications of Calculus II (Apps II). Apps I and II are one-credit classes that are co-requisites for Calculus I and II. These classes are teams taught by science and engineering professors whose goal is to demonstrate to students where the calculus topics they are learning appear in upper level science and engineering classes as well as how faculty use calculus in their STEM research programmes. This article outlines the process used in producing the educational materials for the Apps I and II courses, and it also discusses the assessment results pertaining to this specific EXCEL activity. Pre- and post-tests conducted with experimental and control groups indicate significant improvement in student learning in Calculus II as a direct result of the application courses.
A Low-Profile Branched Monopole Laptop Reconfigurable Multiband Antenna for Wireless Applications

A reconfigurable low-profile branched monopole antenna has been developed. It can operate at six different frequency bands that are 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.7 GHz, 1.9 GHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.2 GHz. The developed antenna is compact and has a low-profile structure with dimensions of 96 mm times 9 mm times 3 mm, which makes it optimum for the laptop implementation. The antenna comprises two branches that are reconfigurable and is printed on a 0.05 -mm-thick Kapton substrate. Each branch is a multiband structure. Embedded switches are used for reconfiguration and are strategically positioned next to the ground plane to simplify the implementation of direct current (dc) biasing.
An experiment in formal design using meta-properties

Formal methods tools have greatly influenced our ability to increase the reliability of software and hardware systems by revealing errors and clarifying critical concepts. In this article, we show how a rich specification language and a theorem prover for it have contributed to the design and implementation of verifiably correct adaptive protocols. The protocol-building team included experts in formal methods who were able to use the theorem prover to help guide protocol construction at the pace of implementation that is not formally assisted. This example shows that formal methods can have a large impact when being engaged at the earliest stages of design and implementation, because they add value to all subsequent stages, including the creation of informative documentation needed for the maintenance and evolution of software.
Functional morphology of the palato‐maxillary apparatus in “Palatine dragging” snakes (Serpentes: Elapidae: Acanthophis, Oxyuranus)

Elapid snakes have previously been di- vided into two groups (palatine erectors and palatine draggers) based on the morphology and inferred move- ments of their palatine bone during prey transport (swallowing). We investigated the morphology and the functioning of the feeding apparatus of several palatine draggers (Acanthophis antarcticus, Oxyuranus scutella- tus, Pseudechis australis) and compared them to pub- lished records of palatine erectors. We found that the palatine in draggers does not move as a straight exten- sion of the pterygoid as originally proposed. The dragger palato-pterygoid joint flexes laterally with maxillary rotation when the mouth opens and the jaw apparatus is protracted and slightly ventrally during mouth clos- ing. In contrast, in palatine erectors, the palato-ptery- goid joint flexes ventrally during upper jaw protraction. In draggers, the anterior end of the palatine also proj- ects rostrally during protraction, unlike the stability of the anterior end seen in erectors. Palatine draggers dif- fer from palatine erectors in four structural features of the palatine and its relationships to surrounding ele- ments. The function of the palato-pterygoid bar in both draggers and erectors can be explained by a typical colubroid muscle contraction pattern, which acts on a set of core characters shared among all derived snakes. Although palatine dragging elapids share a fundamental design of the palato-maxillary apparatus with all higher snakes, they provide yet another demonstration of minor structural modifications producing functional variants. J. Morphol. 271:73-85, 2010. ! 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Implementation issues in SIMPLE learning environments

SIMPLE makes it easier to construct and implement intensely interactive computer simulated learning environments. For construction of the environments, the primary strategy is to combine existing software components rather than to write new ones. Because SIMPLE is built on a powerful relational database engine, authors can structure and modify SIMPLE learning environments without writing programs or control scripts. The feature set of SIMPLE is not fixed, however, but is readily extensible. SIMPLE includes provisions for the construction and implementation of context sensitive help for learners. Automatic answer checking and configuration management make practical implementation of interactive learning environments easier for instructors. SIMPLE includes tools for automatically logging learners' activities and for processing the recorded information to make it useful to the instructor. SIMPLE runs on Microsoft Windows machines and is available at no cost for educational use.
Shortened internodal length of dermal myelinated nerve fibres in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A.

Charcot–Marie-Tooth disease type 1A is the most common inherited neuropathy and is caused by duplication of chromosome 17p11.2 containing the peripheral myelin protein-22 gene. This disease is characterized by uniform slowing of conduction velocities and secondary axonal loss, which are in contrast with non-uniform slowing of conduction velocities in acquired demyelinating disorders, such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Mechanisms responsible for the slowed conduction velocities and axonal loss in Charcot–Marie-Tooth disease type 1A are poorly understood, in part because of the difficulty in obtaining nerve samples from patients, due to the invasive nature of nerve biopsies. We have utilized glabrous skin biopsies, a minimally invasive procedure, to evaluate these issues systematically in patients with Charcot–Marie-Tooth disease type 1A ( n = 32), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy ( n = 4) and healthy controls ( n = 12). Morphology and molecular architecture of dermal myelinated nerve fibres were examined using immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Internodal length was uniformly shortened in patients with Charcot–Marie-Tooth disease type 1A, compared with those in normal controls ( P < 0.0001). Segmental demyelination was absent in the Charcot–Marie-Tooth disease type 1A group, but identifiable in all patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Axonal loss was measurable using the density of Meissner corpuscles and associated with an accumulation of intra-axonal mitochondria. Our study demonstrates that skin biopsy can reveal pathological and molecular architectural changes that distinguish inherited from acquired demyelinating neuropathies. Uniformly shortened internodal length in Charcot–Marie-Tooth disease type 1A suggests a potential developmental defect of internodal lengthening. Intra-axonal accumulation of mitochondria provides new insights into the pathogenesis of axonal degeneration in Charcot–Marie-Tooth disease type 1A.
Design of Very High-Strength Aligned and Interconnected Carbon Nanotube Fibers Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations

The principal objective of this work is to implement a new material development paradigm using atomistic simulations to guide the molecular design of materials. Traditional empirical macroscopic material development studies omit the fundamental insight needed to understand material behavior at the atomic and molecular levels where material response begins. The new paradigm relies heavily on a tight integration between simulation and experimental efforts to design and process new materials with nanometer-scale precision. Exploiting nanotechnology requires atomic-molecular-level material design and the ability to process these materials with atomic-molecular-level precision. Processing materials with nanoscale precision poses formidable theoretical, computational, and experimental challenges to developing advanced materials. High performance computers and advanced physics-based simulations can complement experimental efforts to design, test, synthesize, and analyze novel materials and innovative structural designs. This method can be applied to a wide range of material designs. As a proof of concept, we began our work on the design of novel carbon nanotube-based materials. The mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes such as low-density, high-stiffness, and exceptional strength make them ideal candidates for reinforcement material in a wide range of high performance composites. Molecular dynamics simulations are used to predict the tensile response of fibers composed of aligned carbon nanotubes with intermolecular bonds of interstitial carbon atoms. The effects of bond density and carbon nanotube length distribution on fiber strength and stiffness are investigated. Results indicate that including cross link atoms between the carbon nanotubes in the strands significantly increases the load transfer between the carbon nanotubes and prevents them from slipping. This increases the elastic modulus and yield strength of the fibers by an order-of-magnitude. Carbon nanotube-based materials appear poised to affect civil and military engineering significantly over the next two decades by providing materials with an order-of- magnitude improvement in strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios over existing materials.
Optically-activated gate control (OAGC) for the next-generation SiC-based power electronics devices and applications

Novel photonic control of power semiconductor devices for next-generation power electronics applications are discussed with special emphasis on SiC DMOSFET. Key mechanism behind the photonic modulation of the switching dynamics of the SiC DMOSFET is illustrated. Specific aspects of switching loss reduction, compensation for temperature-induced drift, and on-state impedance control of the SiC DMOSFET are discussed along with experimental demonstration. Potential applications include high-power, high-frequency electronics in power systems, pulsed-power, EMI-immune, high power-density automotive and aerospace switching converters etc.
The effect of volcanic aerosols on ultraviolet radiation in Antarctica

Volcanic eruptions can inject large amounts of aerosol into the atmosphere, and, at large solar zenith angles, scattering by these aerosols can actually increase the flux of UV-B (290-320 nm) radiation reaching the surface. This is surprising since aerosols increase the reflection of sunlight to space. As previous explanations of this phenomenon are heuristic and incomplete, we first provide a rigorous and complete explanation of how this surprising effect occurs. This phenomenon makes Antarctica during spring the most susceptible place on Earth to the scattering effect of volcanic aerosols, due to the combined effect of the spring ozone hole and the large solar zenith angles characteristic of this time of year. We show that an aerosol layer lying above Antarctica during spring will decrease the integrated daily dose of biologically weighted irradiance, weighted by the erythema action spectrum, by only up to 5%. Hence the effects of any significant destruction of ozone induced by volcanic aerosols will not be offset by aerosol scattering. Thus after a volcanic eruption, life in Antarctica during spring will suffer the combined effects of the spring ozone hole and ozone destruction induced by volcanic aerosols, with the latter effect only slightly offset by aerosol scattering.
Fate of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Following Transplantation to Murine Seminiferous Tubules

Studies of human germ cell development are limited in large part by inaccessibility of germ cells during development. Moreover, although several studies have reported differentiation of mouse and human germ cells from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in vitro, differentiation of human germ cells from PSCs in vivo has not been reported. Here, we tested whether mRNA reprogramming in combination with xeno-transplantation may provide a viable system to probe the genetics of human germ cell development via use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). For this purpose, we derived integration-free iPSCs via mRNA-based reprogramming with OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4 and cMYC alone (OSKM) or in combination with the germ cell-specific mRNA, VASA (OSKMV). All iPSC lines met classic criteria of pluripotency. Moreover, global gene expression profiling did not distinguish large differences between undifferentiated OSKM and OSKMV iPSCs; however, some differences were observed in expression of pluripotency factors and germ cell-specific genes, and in epigenetic profiles and in vitro differentiation studies. In contrast, transplantation of undifferentiated iPSCs directly into the seminiferous tubules of germ cell-depleted immunodeficient mice revealed divergent fates of iPSCs produced with different factors. Transplantation resulted in morphologically and immunohistochemically recognizable germ cells in vivo, particularly in the case of OSKMV cells. Significantly, OSKMV cells also did not form tumors while OSKM cells that remained outside the seminiferous tubule proliferated extensively and formed tumors. Results indicate that mRNA reprogramming in combination with transplantation may contribute to tools for genetic analysis of human germ cell development.
Sleep's Influence on a Reflexive Form of Memory That Does Not Require Voluntary Attention

STUDY OBJECTIVES Studies to date have examined the influence of sleep on forms of memory that require voluntary attention. The authors examine the influence of sleep on a form of memory that is acquired by passive viewing. DESIGN Induction of the McCollough effect, and measurement of perceptual color bias before and after induction, and before and after intervening sleep, wake, or visual deprivation. SETTING Sound-attenuated sleep research room. PARTICIPANTS 13 healthy volunteers (mean age = 23 years; age range = 18-31 years) with normal or corrected-to-normal vision. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS ) ENCODING: sleep preceded adaptation. On separate nights, each participant slept for an average of 0 (wake), 1, 2, 4, or 7 hr (complete sleep). Upon awakening, the participant's baseline perceptual color bias was measured. Then, he or she viewed an adapter consisting of alternating red/horizontal and green/vertical gratings for 5 min. Color bias was remeasured. The strength of the aftereffect is the postadaptation color bias relative to baseline. A strong orientation contingent color aftereffect was observed in all participants, but total sleep duration (TSD) prior to the adaptation did not modulate aftereffect strength. Further, prior sleep provided no benefit over prior wake. Retention: sleep followed adaptation. The procedure was similar except that adaptation preceded sleep. Postadaptation sleep, irrespective of its duration (1, 3, 5, or 7 hr), arrested aftereffect decay. By contrast, aftereffect decay was arrested during subsequent wake only if the adapted eye was visually deprived. CONCLUSIONS Sleep as well as passive sensory deprivation enables the retention of a color aftereffect. Sleep shelters this reflexive form of memory in a manner akin to preventing sensory interference.
Oxygen Cost of Exercise Is Increased in Heart Failure After Accounting for Recovery Costs

Study objectives The oxygen cost during exercise has been reported to be decreased in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), implying an increased efficiency (lower oxygen uptake [ o 2] per Watt [ o 2/W]); however, these studies ignored the oxygen debt that is increased in heart failure. Subjects The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the total oxygen cost (work o 2/W) during exercise and recovery in patients with heart failure as compared with healthy adults. Design and patients We performed a retrospective analysis comparing the exercise o 2/W, the recovery o 2/W, the work o 2/W, and the o 2/W relationship above and below the ventilatory threshold (VT) in 11 healthy control subjects and 45 patients with CHF. Results The exercise o 2/W was decreased by 29% (p o 2/W was increased by 167% (p o 2/W was increased by 14% in patients with CHF (p = 0.014). The o 2/W slope increased above the VT (+ 27%, p = 0.0017) in both normal subjects and patients with CHF, suggesting a decrease in efficiency above the VT. There was an inverse correlation (r = 0.646, p o 2/W and recovery o 2/W, implying that subjects with a low exercise o 2/W were not efficient but rather accumulated a large oxygen debt that was repaid following completion of exercise. Conclusions Heart failure is associated with lower exercise o 2/W; however, the patient with heart failure is not efficient, but rather accumulating a large oxygen debt (recovery o 2/W) that is repaid following exercise. In addition, the work o 2/W (including both exercise and recovery) is increased in patients with heart failure in comparison to control subjects, and correlates inversely with the percentage of predicted o 2. The large recovery o 2/W is likely due to impaired oxygen delivery to exercising muscle during exercise. The increase in the work o 2/W is probably due to changes in skeletal muscle fiber type that occur in patients with heart failure (type I to type IIb).
Sodium Choleate (NaCho) Effects on Candida albicans : Implications for Its Role as a Gastrointestinal Tract Inhabitant

Candida albicans at times resides in the intestinal tract, where it experiences exposure to bile salts suggesting a study of the effects of crude bile salts in the form of sodium choleate (NaCho) on C. albicans growth, expression of virulent phenotypes, and adaptation to physiological challenges in vitro. Growth and phenotype alteration was examined by challenging clinical isolates of C. albicans with a wide range of NaCho concentrations by using conventional microbial physiology methods. Our results showed that (1) NaCho did not inhibit growth of yeast cells, up to 40 mg/ml; (2) NaCho powerfully stimulated the hypha formation; (3) NaCho at 2.5 and 5 mg/ml significantly induced CDR1p and biofilm formation, but these effects decreased at higher NaCho concentrations; (4) loss of cell integrity with exposure to 56°C for 15 min, was exacerbated by increasing levels of NaCho; (5) NaCho protected yeast from hydrogen peroxide damage in a dose-dependent manner; and (6) catalase activity was increased by NaCho exposure.
Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers.

BACKGROUND A better understanding of the molecular pathways that characterize cell growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and invasion has provided novel targets in cancer therapy. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated signal transduction has been one of the most studied pathways in carcinogenesis. The phosphorylation of EGFR activates multiple biological processes, including apoptosis, differentiation, cellular proliferation, motility, invasion, adhesion, DNA repair, and survival. EGFR is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor involved in the proliferation and survival of cancer cells. EGFR is the first molecular target against which monoclonal antibodies have been developed for cancer therapy. OBJECTIVE To review the mechanisms underlying the effects of EGFR in nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and their potential role as targeted therapies in the treatment thereof. CONCLUSIONS EGFR plays an important role in tumorigenesis of NMSC, especially metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, via mechanisms similar to those of other visceral tumors. Pharmacologic inhibitors of EGFR pathway of tumor production may offer an effective therapeutic strategy to block tumor growth. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
High‐Temperature Mechanical Properties of Ceramic Materials: V, (Zn0.65, Mg0.35)2SiO4

The composition (0.65Zn,0.35Mg)2 SiO1 was investigated. Its thermal expansion was 32 × 10-7/°C from room temperature to 1000°C. Modulus of rupture was approximately 7000 psi between room temperature and 800°C, whereas Young's modulus held at approximately 11 × 10° psi over the same range. The substitution of 0.35 m oles Mg++ for Zn++ in Zn2Si04 causes little change in many of the physical properties, but the solid solution sinters much more readily than pure Zn2Sio4. The willemite solid solution studied has very good thermal shock resistance between room temperature and 1000°C.
Role of non-NMDA receptors in vasopressin and oxytocin release from rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial explants.

Glutamate is recognized as a prominent excitatory transmitter in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and is involved in transmission of osmoregulatory information from the osmoreceptors to the vasopressin...
A Two-Temperature Model of Narrow-Body Silicon Transistors Under Steady State and Transient Operation

We present a simple theory of diffusive phonon heat transport in silicon thin films using the Two-Temperature Model (TTM). In silicon thin films, boundary scattering reduces the lifetime and hence, the mean free path of acoustic phonons. As acoustic phonons are responsible for heat transport in silicon, the latter effect leads to a reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity. However, optical phonons are unaffected by boundary scattering. As the boundary scattering rate exceeds the inverse lifetime of acoustic phonons and the energy relaxation rate between optical and acoustic phonons, it results in an energy transfer bottleneck. The reduced lattice thermal conductivity from boundary scattering and the energy transfer bottleneck are taken into account in the TTM. We apply the TTM to find the steady temperature distribution in a 2D model of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) device. The numerical results are in good agreement with those obtained from the more sophisticated full dispersion model of the Boltzmann Transport Equation (BTE). We apply the TTM to calculate the steady state and transient temperature distributions in a simplified 1D model of a SOI device.© 2008 ASME
Fast-response, electronically-scanned multi-port pressure system for low-pressure hypersonic wind tunnel applications

A fast-response, multi-port, electronically-scanned pressure (ESP) system applicable to very low pressure hypersonic wind tunnel environments has been developed and demonstrated. The system incorporates a Pressure Systems Incorporated (PSI) Model 8400 pressure measurement system with remote processor, and two 48-port PSI ESP modules of 0.36 psid and 1.0 psid full-scale-output, respectively.To achieve minimum pressure lag time, the modules are mounted internal to a variable-geometry, 10.39 in. long, 4.00 in. base diameter wind tunnel model, and are provided with a zero reference to yield absolute pressure. The use of minimum length tubing has led to observed pressure lag times of 0.3 sec or less for all pressure ports and flow conditions. Absolute pressure measurement accuracy is typically +/-0.001 psia. The fast response and high accuracy make feasible the design and execution of precision CFD code validation esperiments in lowpressure hypersonic wind tunnel flows. The pressure system is described in detail and representative results presented for a hypersonic research vehicle configuration in Sandia's Mach 8 Hypersonic Wind Tunnel at freestream static pressures of ii 0.04 psia. Measured surface pressures range from 0.006 psia to over 1.2 psia. Free-stream Reynolds number is approximately 2 milliodft. At this Reynolds number, flow over the model is laminar. ' -
The Inverse Relation Between Inorganic and Lipoid Phosphorus in Blood of Rabbits.

In a recent paper,1 attention was called to the fact that, among rabbits living out of doors, the inorganic phosphorus of serum and the lipoid phosphorus of whole blood show wide variations with a high negative coefficient of correlation, −0.794 ± .09. The curve for inorganic phosphorus over a period of 12 months was almost a mirror image of the curve for lipoid phosphorus (Fig. 1).Additional experiments were performed for the purpose of testing the influence of light on this relation. Inorganic phosphorus of serum and lipoid phosphorus of whole blood were studied on 4 groups of rabbits, one of which was kept in the open laboratory, another was exposed continually to Cooper Hewitt light, and the 2 other groups were kept in the dark; one of these was irradiated for one hour daily with a quartz-mercury are lamp at a distance of 4.5 meters. The observations covered a period of 4 months.The irradiated animals showed a high inorganic and a low lipoid phosphorus while the 3 other groups showed a lower inorganic...
Effectiveness Analysis on Implementation of TB Control Program in Jianghua County from 1993 to 2008

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of implementation of TB control program in Jianghua County during the period of 1993～2008.Methods The TB project report forms and other related information in Jianghua County from 1993 to 2008 were collected and analyzed.Results Over the past 16 years,there were 4,489 active pulmonary tuberculosis cases detected and received treatment,including 2,618 smear-positive cases,and 1,871 new smear-negative cases.The average treatment rate of suspected TB patients was 176.0/100,000,and the average registration rate of pulmonary tuberculosis with new smear-positive was 31.5/100,000.The average cure rate of new smear-positive cases was 97.3%,and the average cure rate of retreatment smear-positive cases was 86.9%.The successful cure rate of new smear-negative cases reached 95.6%.Conclusions The modem strategies for TB control have greatly promoted and stipulated the TB control program,which are the effective measures to achieve the goal of the high case detection rate and the high cure rate,and moreover,have got fair social profit and economic benefit.However,many problems still exist,and therefore tuberculosis control should be further strengthened.
Nonlinear Acoustic Tomography

The use of acoustic waves as probes to determine otherwise inaccessible properties of a medium is extremely widespread (see [1] for a complete review of the current theory). Applications include sonar, medical imaging and non-destructive testing. Despite the importance of the applications, there is as yet no acceptable method for solving the full non-linear problem at resonance frequencies (frequencies at which the size of the features under investigation are approximately the wavelength of the incident acoustic field). The medical imaging problem, which consists in trying to determine the sound speed, density and absorption properties of a bounded inhomogeneous medium from scattered acoustic waves [2] is the motivation for the investigation described in this paper and more fully in [4]. We shall present a solution technique for a standard model inverse acoustic scattering problem which consists of reconstructing the refractive index of an inhomogeneity from given far field data (far field data is essentially the measured scattered field at considerable distance from the inhomogcneity). This model inverse problem simplifies the inhomogencity by neglecting density and absorption but includes two important features of the real problem: nonlinearity and ill-posedness. Furthermore the method we present can easily be extended to more general problems [3].
Manganese and Mitochondrial Function

Abstract Although manganese is an essential biological element, large accumulations in the brain can lead to neurodegeneration characterized by cell death and loss of neurotransmitters, largely in the globus pallidus and striatum. Much of the initial damage induced by manganese has been associated with the mitochondria, and mitochondrial damage is the focus of this review. We will review evidence suggesting that the damage is probably caused by Mn2+ and not Mn3+. We will also review evidence suggesting that part of the damage is caused by inhibition of metabolic processes, including a decrease in ATP production via oxidative phosphorylation, and that the damage correlates with an increase in mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species and many indications of apoptosis.
On the Evolution of Informational Macromolecules

In the preface of a now classic book (3), “The Molecular Basis of Evolution,” Anfinsen (1959) states: “The writing of this book has been stimulated by the excitement and promise of contemporary protein chemistry and genetics and by the possibilities of integration of these fields toward a greater understanding of the fundamental forces underlying the evolutionary process.” Today, the scope of the background has been widened so much by the progress in biochemistry of protein biosynthesis that the problem has become more dynamic than ever. Thus, the progress in the study of the mechanism of protein synthesis and the in vitro synthesis of polypeptide by using synthetic polyribonucleotides (28, 33) introduced such factors as messenger (sRNA) (20) and adaptor (sRNA) (9, 12, 17) between gene (DNA) and protein. Deeper insight into the molecular basis of evolution, therefore, can be attained only by the elucidation of the code translation mechanism and by the accumulation of information on similarities and differences in those factors involved in the mechanism. In this chapter, our own experimental results relevant to the evolution of informational macromolecules will be reviewed. However, only by referring to the literature of others as indicated in each section can a more complete picture of the present status be envisaged.
On the Impact of Software Patching on Gameplay for the League of Legends Computer Game

Traditionally, most software patches have primarily fixed bugs or improved performance in previously released software. However, modern computer games use patches not only to fix software but to change gameplay, as well. Despite the importance of changes in gameplay to both the players and the game designers, there is little or no published results nor 3rd party Websites that analyze game data along with patch data. We analyzed the effect of patches on gameplay for what may be the most popular computer game in the world, Riot Games League of Legends (LoL). Our methods: (1) harvested all available patch data—over 160 patch files with over 7700 patch changes—and created a novel taxonomy to classifying the patch changes; (2) gathered game statistics from over 11,000 players and over 465,000 games; (3) analyzed game data and patch data separately and in combination to gather insights into the impact of patching; and (4) developed a publicly accessible Web site that allows for interactive exploration of game data and the corresponding patches. Analysis of the data shows that Riot Games applies patch changes to LoL gameplay twice each day on average, about 10× more often than Riot Games patches LoL bugs. Patches tend to keep player-chosen champions close to a win rate of 50%. While most gameplay patch changes can be categorized and quantified, the effects of patches are not straightforward and require interpretation of patch text in order to fully understand their impact.
Preoperative cardiac risk assessment with thallium scanning helped identify patients at low risk for cardiac complications

Source Citation Coley CM, Field TS, Abraham SA, Boucher CA, Eagle KA. Usefulness of dipyridamole-thallium scanning for preoperative evaluation of cardiac risk for nonvascular surgery. Am J Cardiol....
Fipronil washoff to municipal wastewater from dogs treated with spot-on products.

Abstract Fipronil and fipronil degradates have been reported in treated wastewater effluent at concentrations that exceed USEPA Aquatic Life Benchmarks, posing a potential risk to the surface waters to which they discharge. Fipronil is a common insecticide found in spot-on flea and tick treatment products that have the potential for down-the-drain transport and direct washoff into surface water. Volunteers currently treating their dogs with a fipronil-containing spot-on product were recruited. Dogs were washed either 2, 7, or 28 days after product application, and rinsate from 34 discrete bathing events were analyzed by LC-MS/MS for fipronil and fipronil degradates (collectively known as fiproles). Total fipronil application dosage ranged from 67.1–410.0 mg per dog following manufacturers' recommendation based on dog body weight. Total mass of fiproles measured in rinsate ranged from 3.6–230.6 mg per dog (0.2 86.0% of mass applied). Average percentage of fiproles detected in rinsate generally decreased with increasing time from initial application: 21 ± 22, 16 ± 13, and 4 ± 5% respectively for 2, 7, and 28 days post application. Fipronil was the dominant fiprole, > 63% of total fiproles for all samples and > 92% of total fiproles in 2 and 7 day samples. Results confirm a direct pathway of pesticides to municipal wastewater through the use of spot-on products on dogs and subsequent bathing by either professional groomers or by pet owners in the home. Comparisons of mass loading calculated using California sales data and recent wastewater monitoring results suggest fipronil-containing spot-on products are a potentially important source of fipronil to wastewater treatment systems in California. This study highlights the potential for other active ingredients (i.e., bifenthrin, permethrin, etofenprox, imidacloprid) contained in spot-on and other pet products (i.e., shampoos, sprays) to enter wastewater catchments through bathing activities, posing a potential risk to the aquatic organisms downstream of wastewater discharge.
Abstract 3009: Lipid-lowering drug use and risk of fatal prostate cancer in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background: Studies show that lipid-lowering medications, particularly statins, may be protective for more aggressive prostate cancer. Lethal prostate cancer is often considered an optimal outcome in epidemiologic studies when the aim is to identify modifiable risk factors with the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality from this disease, yet this outcome remains understudied. Further, lipid drug use and prostate cancer risk is understudied in black men, whose risk of fatal prostate cancer is 2-3 times higher than that of white men. Thus, we studied lipid medication use and fatal prostate cancer risk in the ARIC Study, which includes ~25% black participants. Methods: The ARIC Study is a prospective cohort that included 15,792 participants (7,082 men) recruited from four US communities. We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of 6,547 men who attended visit 2 (1990-1992, the start of the statin era) and were followed for cancer death through 12/31/2012. Death from prostate cancer (n=90) as the underlying cause was obtained from death certificates supplemented with medical records. Updated information on medication use was collected throughout the study follow-up during study visits and annual telephone calls. Lipid medication use was modeled as a time-dependent variable in two ways: 1) current use (yes/no), and 2) duration of use ( Results: The prevalence of lipid medication use was 17% by visit 4, partway into the statin drug era, and 76% of those medications were statins. After adjustment for age, race, and study center, men who used lipid medications were statistically significantly less likely to die from prostate cancer than men who did not use lipid medications (HR=0.56, 95% CI=0.33-0.95). This finding was slightly attenuated after further mutlivariable adjustment (HR=0.62, 0.36-1.08). The statistically significant inverse association appeared to be restricted to men who used lipid medications for ≥10 years (vs. never use: HR=0.39, 95% CI=0.19-0.82, p-trend=0.02). Lipid medication use was inversely associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer death in both white and black men. Conclusions: Use of lipid medications was associated with a lower risk of fatal prostate cancer in both black and white men. Whether the fact that black men are less likely to receive/take lipid medications could partly explain the black-white disparity in prostate cancer in the US requires further study. Support: NHLBI contracts, NCI grant, NPCR Citation Format: Alison M. Mondul, Corinne E. Joshu, John Barber, Anna Prizment, Nrupen Bahvsar, Josef Coresh, Elizabeth Selvin, Aaron Folsom, Elizabeth A. Platz. Lipid-lowering drug use and risk of fatal prostate cancer in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3009. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3009
Microbial Life in Cold Saline Environments

Microorganisms from Dry Valley (Antarctica) soils, from Great Salt Lake (Utah, USA) water, and from refrigerated salt codfish were enriched and isolated at 5°C in media containing high concentrations of salts. The microbial flora that developed varied considerably depending on the source of the inoculum. A variety of morphologically distinct microorganisms was isolated. Most isolated strains grew over a wide range of temperature (e.g., 0–25°C) and salt concentration (e.g., 0.1–2 M NaCl) suggesting that the evolutionary strategy for adaptation of these organisms to low temperature and high salt involved an increased tolerance of (rather than dependance on) these extreme conditions.
Evolution, benefits, and shortcomings of vaccine management.

BACKGROUND: The reduction of childhood mortality by vaccines has been one of the greatest public health successes of the past century. However, many targets for immunization remain uncontrolled, and new or improved vaccines are emerging to meet these challenges. OBJECTIVE: To review the evolution of vaccination and take an objective look at current vaccine development technologies, thereby framing the discussion of vaccine management. SUMMARY: The genesis of vaccinology is generally considered to have been a direct result of the observation that persons who had contracted smallpox rarely developed a second case. From this observation, the concept of variolation was born, which involved the inoculation of uninfected individuals using material collected from smallpox lesions with the goal of inducing immunity to future infection. The use of attenuated, live virus to induce immunity was the next step in the evolution of vaccinology, followed by inactivation of the virus when diseases caused by organisms not ...
Ambulation Orderlies and Recovery After Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: One potential strategy to increasing physical activity after surgery is to use an ambulation orderly (AO), a dedicated employee who assures frequent patient walking. However, the impact...
Comparison of high glomerular filtration rate thresholds for identifying hyperfiltration.

Background High glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is often used as a surrogate for single-nephron hyperfiltration. Our objective was to determine the definition for high GFR that best reflects clinical and structural characteristics of hyperfiltration. Methods We studied living kidney donors at the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Potential donors underwent evaluations that included measured GFR (mGFR) by iothalamate clearance and estimated GFR (eGFR) by the serum creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. High GFR was defined by the 95th percentile for each method (mGFR or eGFR) using either overall or age-specific thresholds. High mGFR was defined as both corrected and uncorrected for body surface area. The association of high GFR by each definition with clinical characteristics and radiologic findings (kidney volume) was assessed. In the subset that donated, the association of high GFR with kidney biopsy findings (nephron number and glomerular volume) and single-nephron GFR was assessed. Results We studied 3317 potential donors, including 2125 actual donors. The overall 95th percentile for corrected mGFR was 134 mL/min/1.73 m2 and for eGFR was 118 mL/min/1.73 m2. The age-based threshold for uncorrected mGFR was 198 mL/min - 0.943×Age, for corrected mGFR it was 164 mL/min/1.73 m2 - 0.730×Age and for eGFR it was 146 mL/min/1.73 m2 - 0.813×Age. High age-based uncorrected mGFR had the strongest associations with higher single-nephron GFR, larger glomerular volume, larger kidney volume, male gender, higher body mass index and higher 24-h urine albumin, but also had the strongest association with high nephron number. A high age-height-gender-based uncorrected mGFR definition performed almost as well but had a weaker association with nephron number and did not associate with male gender. Conclusions High age-based uncorrected mGFR showed the most consistent associations reflective of hyperfiltration. However, high age-based uncorrected mGFR has limited clinical utility because it does not distinguish between hyperfiltration and high nephron number.
A Bayesian Blessing: A Biblical Decision Explained by Game Theory

This paper revisits one of the most debated tales from the Old Testament, Jacob’s deception of his father Isaac, and models it in the framework of a Bayesian game. Solving for the equilibrium that occurs in the Torah reveals what conditions must hold for biblical characters to be willing to make the decisions that they make. The paper also examines how the protagonists’ decisions would have changed if they had held different values. The analysis sheds light on which interpretations of the biblical story hold the most weight when its characters maintain consistent beliefs and act upon them in a sequentially rational manner.
Mobilizing Multi-source Geospatial Information for EW and EM: Maximize Sharing, Enhance Flexibility, and Minimize Costs

It is difficult to think of any Early Warning (EW) and Emergency Management (EM) activity that does not involve geospatial information , that is, information about things and events that have location in time and space. It follows that EW and EM decision makers can make better decisions if their information systems provide geospatial information in ways that fully accommodate well-defined user requirements for information discovery, access, and use. Geospatial information for EW and EM is almost always created and maintained by multiple organizations, agencies, and companies, and the data almost always resides on different systems on one or more networks. Unfortunately, “non-interoperability” between these systems and their data has often prevented their discovery, access, and use. Sharing geospatial resources is now much easier, thanks to a well-developed, though still evolving, set of standards. EW and EM managers can maximize sharing, enhance flexibility, and minimize costs by making full use of these standards and contributing to their evolution.
Biomedical Citizen Science or Something Else? Reflections on Terms and Definitions.

In their article “The Rise of Citizen Science in Health and Biomedical Research,” Wiggins and Wilbanks (2019) present a new typology for understanding the complex landscape of health and biomedical...
Chemotaxis of Animal Spermatozoa

Although the gametes of most animals are presumed to meet by chance, several mechanisms exist which serve to enhance the chances of contact. 1. The size of one gamete (egg) is increased as a target. 2. The other gamete (sperm) remains small and is usually highly motile, showing a persistence of direction. For any population, direction is random, however.
On-Chip ESD Monitor

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) failure results in about 35% of IC field returns, and is the cause of several billiondollar loss to the semiconductor industry. An on-chip ESD detector can help track the electrostatic history of ICs from manufacturing to end-of-life. Two approaches for on-chip ESD detection are presented: variable dielectric width capacitor, and vertical MOSCAP array. The variable dielectric width capacitor approach employs metal plates terminated with sharp corners to enhance local electric field and facilitate easy breakdown of the thin dielectric between the metal plates. The vertical MOSCAP array consists of a capacitor array connected in series. Both approaches were simulated, fabricated, and experimentally characterized in GlobalFoundries 22 nm fully depleted silicon-oninsulator. Vertical MOSCAP arrays detect ESD events starting from ~6 V with 6V granularity, while the variable dielectric width capacitor is suitable for detection of high ESD voltage from 40 V and above.
Global Collaborative Research Informs Wise Use of Tests and Antibiotics for Bronchiolitis.

* Abbreviation: PERN — : Pediatric Emergency Research Network Bronchiolitis is a lower respiratory viral infection that is a leading cause of hospitalization for infants.1 Organizations around the world have published guidelines for bronchiolitis to address widely varying rates of tests and treatments within their countries.2 Specific recommendations vary, but research consistently shows that many of these interventions are unnecessary and may cause unwarranted cost and the potential for harm because of associated radiation, antibiotic exposure, and other effects. In this issue of Pediatrics , Zipursky et al3 analyze testing protocols at a higher level by comparing trends across countries using a retrospective data set from the Pediatric Emergency Research Network (PERN), which combines 6 multicenter networks including 38 emergency departments from 8 countries in North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Authors of previous analyses addressed respiratory treatments4 and prediction of severe disease,5 but in this study, the investigators focus on antibiotics and laboratory testing. They report that 32.6% of infants received a nonindicated test, with rates varying … Address correspondence to Joseph J. Zorc, MD, MSCE, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Colket Bldg 2106, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail: zorc{at}email.chop.edu