cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3C-digital PCR for quantification of chromatin interactions

Chromosome conformation capture (3C) is a powerful and widely used technique for detecting the physical interactions between chromatin regions in vivo. The principle of 3C is to convert physical chromatin interactions into specific DNA ligation products, which are then detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). However, 3C-qPCR assays are often complicated by the necessity of normalization controls to correct for amplification biases. In addition, qPCR is often limited to a certain cycle number, making it difficult to detect fragment ligations with low frequency. Recently, digital PCR (dPCR) technology has become available, which allows for highly sensitive nucleic acid quantification. Main advantage of dPCR is its high precision of absolute nucleic acid quantification without requirement of normalization controls. To demonstrate the utility of dPCR in quantifying chromatin interactions, we examined two prostate cancer risk loci at 8q24 and 2p11.2 for their interaction target genes MYC and CAPG in LNCaP cell line. We designed anchor and testing primers at known regulatory element fragments and target gene regions, respectively. dPCR results showed that interaction frequency between the regulatory element and MYC gene promoter was 0.7 (95% CI 0.40–1.10) copies per 1000 genome copies while other regions showed relatively low ligation frequencies. The dPCR results also showed that the ligation frequencies between the regulatory element and two EcoRI fragments containing CAPG gene promoter were 1.9 copies (95% CI 1.41–2.47) and 1.3 copies per 1000 genome copies (95% CI 0.76–1.92), respectively, while the interaction signals were reduced on either side of the promoter region of CAPG gene. Additionally, we observed comparable results from 3C-dPCR and 3C-qPCR at 2p11.2 in another cell line (DU145). Compared to traditional 3C-qPCR, our results show that 3C-dPCR is much simpler and more sensitive to detect weak chromatin interactions. It may eliminate multiple and complex normalization controls and provide accurate calculation of proximity-based fragment ligation frequency. Therefore, we recommend 3C-dPCR as a preferred method for sensitive detection of low frequency chromatin interactions.
Effects of local vanadium delivery on diabetic fracture healing.

This study evaluated the effect of local vanadyl acetylacetonate (VAC), an insulin mimetic agent, upon the early and late parameters of fracture healing in rats using a standard femur fracture model. Mechanical testing, and radiographic scoring were performed, as well as histomorphometry, including percent bone, percent cartilage, and osteoclast numbers. Fractures treated with local 1.5 mg/kg VAC possessed significantly increased mechanical properties compared to controls at 6 weeks post-fracture, including increased torque to failure (15%; p = 0.046), shear modulus (89%; p = 0.043), and shear stress (81%; p = 0.009). The radiographic scoring analysis showed increased cortical bridging at 4 weeks and 6 weeks (119%; p = 0.036 and 209%; p = 0.002) in 1.5 mg/kg VAC treated groups. Histomorphometry of the fracture callus at days 10 and 14 showed increased percent cartilage (121%; p = 0.009 and 45%; p = 0.035) and percent mineralized tissue (66%; p = 0.035 and 58%; p = 0.006) with local VAC treated groups compared to control. Additionally, fewer osteoclasts were observed in the local VAC treated animals as compared to controls at day 14 (0.45% ± 0.29% vs. 0.83% ± 0.36% of callus area; p = 0.032). The results suggest local administration of VAC acts to modulate osteoclast activity and increase percentage of early callus cartilage, ultimately enhancing mechanical properties comparably to non-diabetic animals treated with local VAC. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2174-2180, 2017.
The Experience of Hospital Death: Assessing the Quality of Care at an Academic Medical Center

Background:The quality of perimortem care received by patients who died at our hospitals was unknown.Objective:To describe the quality of hospital care experienced in the last week of life, as perc...
The Visual Guide to Morality: Vision as an Integrative Analogy for Moral Experience, Variability and Mechanism

Analogies help organize, communicate and reveal scientific phenomena. Vision may be the best analogy for understanding moral judgment. Although moral psychology has long noted similarities between seeing and judging, we systematically review the “morality is like vision” analogy through three elements: experience, variability and mechanism. Both vision and morality are experienced as automatic, durable and objective. However, despite feelings of objectivity, both vision and morality show substantial variability across biology, culture and situation. The paradox of objective experience and cultural subjectivity is best understood through constructionism, as both vision and morality involve the flexible combination of more basic ingredients. Specifically, both vision and morality involve a mechanism that demonstrates Gestalt, combination and coherence. The “morality is like vision” analogy not only provides intuitive organization and compelling communication for moral psychology but also speaks to debates in the field, such as intuition versus reason, pluralism versus universalism and modularity versus constructionism.
Nanoengineered Eggshell-Silver Tailored Copolyester Polymer Blend Film with Antimicrobial Properties.

In this study, the reinforcement effect of different proportions of eggshell/silver (ES-Ag) nanomaterial on the structural and antimicrobial properties of 70/30 poly(butylene-co-adipate terephthalate)/polylactic acid (PBAT/PLA) immiscible blends was investigated. The ES-Ag was synthesized using a single step ball milling process and characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results confirmed the existence of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in the interstitial spaces of the eggshell particles. The thin films in this study were prepared using hot melt extrusion and 3D printing for mechanical and antimicrobial testing, respectively. These films were also characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), XRD, tensile testing, and antimicrobial analysis. It was found that the incorporation of ES-Ag (0.5–2.0% content) compromised the tensile prop...
Profile Imaging of Small Particles, Extended Surfaces and Dynamic Surface Phenomena

The transmission electron microscope (TEM) can be used in several different geometries to provide atomic-level information about surfaces. These operating modes include: conventional diffraction contrast imaging, in both bright-field and dark-field; reflection electron microscopy (REM), with the incident electron beam striking the surface of the sample at a glancing angle; and profile imaging, when the TEM is operated with a large objective aperture as though for high resolution and the surface profile is imaged. For a microscope capable of atomic resolution, the profile image can reveal the projected arrangement of atomic columns along the surface. Topographical features such as steps and terraces are readily visible. The profile imaging technique is also unsurpassed as a means for monitoring changes in surface morphology occurring in real time. Motion of atomic columns, surface rearrangements and a variety of surface reactions can be observed. In this chapter, the electron microscopical approaches to imaging surfaces are described and the various types of surface information available are compared. The results of profile imaging studies of small particles, surfaces and dynamic surface phenomena are reviewed and image simulations and developments in instrumentation are briefly discussed.
Microcarriers with Synthetic Hydrogel Surfaces for Stem Cell Expansion

Microcarriers are scalable support surfaces for cell growth that enable high levels of expansion, and are particularly relevant for expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The goal of this study is to develop a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based microcarrier coating for hMSC expansion. Commercially available microcarriers do not offer customizability of microcarrier surface properties, including elastic modulus and surface cell adhesion ligands. The lab has previously demonstrated that tuning these material properties on PEG-based hydrogels can modulate important cellular growth characteristics, such as cell attachment and expansion, which are important in microcarrier-based culture. Eosin-Y is adsorbed to polystyrene microcarriers and used as a photoinitiator for thiol-ene polymerization under visible light. Resultant PEG coatings are over 100 µm thick and localized to microcarrier surfaces. This thickness is relevant for cells to react to mechanical properties of the hydrogel coating, and coated microcarriers support hMSC attachment and expansion. hMSC expansion is highly favorable on coated microcarriers in serum-free media, with doubling times under 25 h in the growth phase, and retained osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacity after culture on microcarriers. These microcarriers with defined, synthetic coatings enable tailorable surfaces for cell expansion that may be suitable for a variety of biomanufacturing applications.
A Teacher’s Teacher for the Twenty-First Century: Christine Sleeter

A Teacher’s Teacher for the Twenty-First Century: Christine Sleeter’s advocacy for social justice in education connects with Dewey’s belief that an inclusive education for all is the driving force behind his democratic ideals.
A Comparison of Delay and Bandwidth Limitations in Teleoperation

Abstract This paper compares the role of force reflection bandwidth and delay in performance of a close-tolerance peg-in-hole insertion task. The experiments used a two fingered teleopcrated hand system with finger-level force feedback. Low-pass filters varied the frequency content of the force feedback signal, while circular buffers provided pure delays without altering frequency content. Task completion times and error rates decreased as force reflection bandwidth increased or delays decreased. Performance increased little above 6 Hz bandwidth or below 48 ms delay. The results suggest that high frequency information is helpful, even if delayed.
Galactic rings revisited – I. CVRHS classifications of 3962 ringed galaxies from the Galaxy Zoo 2 Database

Rings are important and characteristic features of disc-shaped galaxies. This paper is the first in a series which re-visits galactic rings with the goals of further understanding the nature of the features and for examining their role in the secular evolution of galaxy structure. The series begins with a new sample of 3962 galaxies drawn from the Galaxy Zoo 2 citizen science database, selected because zoo volunteers recognized a ring-shaped pattern in the morphology as seen in Sloan Digital Sky Survey colour images. The galaxies are classified within the framework of the Comprehensive de Vaucouleurs revised Hubble-Sandage (CVRHS) system. It is found that zoo volunteers cued on the same kinds of ring-like features that were recognized in the 1995 Catalogue of Southern Ringed Galaxies (CSRG). This paper presents the full catalogue of morphological classifications, comparisons with other sources of classifications, and some histograms designed mainly to highlight the content of the catalogue. The advantages of the sample are its large size and the generally good quality of the images; the main disadvantage is the low physical resolution which limits the detectability of linearly small rings such as nuclear rings. The catalogue includes mainly inner and outer disc rings and lenses. Cataclysmic ("encounter-driven") rings (such as ring and polar ring galaxies) are recognized in less than 1\% of the sample.
Participatory Governance in Latin America: Promises and Limitations

Maxwell A. Cameron, Eric Hershberg, and Kenneth E. Sharpe, eds., New Institutions for Participatory Democracy in Latin America: Voice and Consequence. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. Tables, figures, bibliography, index; 263 pp.; hardcover $105, paperback $30, ebook $19.99. Francoise Montambeault, The Politics of Local Participatory Democracy in Latin America: Institutions, Actors, and Interactions. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2015. Figures, tables, notes, bibliography, index, 288 pp.; hardcover $65, ebook. Patricio Silva and Herwig Cleuren, eds., Widening Democracy: Citizens and Participatory Schemes in Brazil and Chile. Leiden: Brill, 2009. Figures, tables, notes, bibliography, index; 379 pp.; hardcover $87, ebook $90. J. Ricardo Tranjan, Participatory Democracy in Brazil: Socioeconomic and Political Origins. Notre Dame: Notre Dame University Press, 2016. Figures, tables, notes, bibliography; 288 pp.; paperback $35, ebook. Brian Wampler, Activating Democracy in Brazil: Popular Participation, Social Justice, and Interlocking Institutions. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2015. Figures, tables, abbreviations, notes, bibliography, index; 312 pp.; paperback $39, ebook $39.
Mobile Artifacts in the Solar System and Beyond

This chapter looks at the discard behavior by humans and the ability of space technology to have a life history as artifacts become archaeological objects and enter the archaeological record. Once a spacecraft, for example, no longer responds to signals from Earth and ceases to be used for which it was designed, it becomes a discarded, and hence, archaeological object. The author explores both classical and innovative methods and provides historic case studies of spacecraft to illustrate how archaeologists can study this class of artifacts.
CLINICAL STATUS: Charting for Outcomes in Behavioral Health

Assessment of clinical outcomes is rapidly becoming a routine part of clinical operations across the spectrum of behavioral health services, from acute inpatient settings to the private practitioner's office. 8,33 A recent initiative undertaken by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) integrates clinical outcome assessment into the accreditation process. 17 Managed behavioral health care and other payer organizations demanding "accountability" have provided the impetus for behavioral health providers to implement outcome assessment programs that would produce empiric effectiveness data. 3,25 Such data would justify payer expenditures, supply information about program quality, provide data that would be useful for quality improvement purposes, enable interprogram comparisons, and facilitate payers' and consumers' choice of providers; however, to be useful for these purposes, outcome data must meet certain criteria. This article presents the criteria needed for outcomes data to be maximally useful, describes the challenges faced by the field in developing useful outcomes data bases, and suggests processes and systems to meet these challenges. The author suggests six broad criteria for enhancing utility of clinical outcome data: (1) selection of meaningful, reliable, and valid outcome indicators that are feasible to implement across multiple levels of care; (2) standardization of outcome indicators and their operational definitions; (3) representative sampling; (4) accurate and complete data collection; (5) appropriate data analytic techniques; and (6) understandable feedback of results to stakeholders.
Medical Knowledge and Medical Action: Competing Visions

Much of the energy of contemporary epistemology has been focused on the interplay of facts, theories, and general views of reality. What is observed is recognized against a field or web of significance. In some sense, one must know for what one is looking before one can see it. Theoretical assumptions guide our gaze and frame our experience. All of this is true about the unapplied sciences of which medicine is not an instance. In the case of medicine, as with all applied sciences, values interact robustly with facts, theories, and visions of reality. In applied sciences some facts are more important than others, not because they help us to know more truly, but because they help us to treat more effectively, whether effectiveness is measured in monetary or non-monetary terms. As Henrik Wulff has argued, physicians are not so much concerned whether classifications are true or false, but whether they are useful [16]. Physicians tend to be pleased with an artificial, instrumental classification even if it does not provide a “true” picture of reality, as long as it maximizes the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. In the applied sciences, epistemic goals are important, but non-epistemic goals are central. One frames understandings of the world within an applied science such as medicine not in order to know the world truly, but in order to control the world easily and cheaply.
Future Glaucoma Medical Therapies: What’s in the Pipeline?

There are a number of limitations with our current glaucoma therapies. All available current therapies are directed at lowering intraocular pressure (IOP), an important risk factor for the development and progression of glaucoma. However, IOP lowering only treats a symptom of glaucoma and does not address the underlying pathogenic pathways. Current agents lower IOP by suppressing aqueous humor formation or by enhancing aqueous humor outflow, without modifying the disease process(es) responsible for glaucomatous damage to the outflow facility. Clinical efforts to lower IOP only indirectly protect the retina, optic nerve head, and optic nerve. There are currently no approved therapies that directly neuroprotect these tissues. Some glaucoma patients continue to progress despite receiving IOP-lowering therapy, suggesting that factors other than IOP may be involved. In addition, in many patients, there is a progressive loss of therapeutic efficacy, which often leads to patients being on multiple medications. Another challenge is adherence to therapy, as the majority of patients do not take all their prescribed medications at all times.
Stream Clustering with Dynamic Estimation of Emerging Local Densities

We present a method for clustering data streams incrementally, designed to discover all valid density peaks in a single pass, in a non-parametric fashion. It detects emerging clusters along the stream by dynamically locating kernels in the most promising areas and performing a Stochastic Mean Shift procedure to find clustering centers. We present a density estimation approach for dynamic initialization, considering every sub-stream that follows ‘emerging data’ as a sample set and applying Hypothesis Testing (p-value approach) to estimate its local density. The sub-stream size and the p-value are determined in a way that provides provable accuracy guarantee. We compare our method with the state-of-the-art, on realistic and complex datasets. We show that it outperforms not only stream algorithms but also their more complex, non-stream foundational paradigms.
Collaborative Teaching: A Delivery Model to Increase Responsiveness to the Needs of all Learners Through Academic and Social Inclusion

Students with special needs often miss out on classroom curricula for specialized instruction. While these services are valued for educational benefits, this instruction method often has negative impacts on social-emotional development and targets students for their differing needs. Integrated collaborative teaching models include collaborative teaching among general and special educators in an inclusive environment. In this descriptive study, the author examined integrated collaborative teaching as a delivery model to increase responsiveness to the needs of all learners through academic and social inclusion. This study involved students with a wide range of disabilities from two different grade leveled collaborative classrooms, who were considered academically “at risk” and a sample of general education students who were considered on grade level or above. Each student was supported by an educational team, which included both the general and special educator. The effectiveness of this process was evaluated through behavioral observations, student reflections, and team interviews. Outcomes suggested that generally, each of the students with disabilities demonstrated increases in academic skills, engagement in classroom activities, social interactions with peers, student-initiated interactions and emotional growth. Outcomes suggested that each of the general education students demonstrated growth in sensitivity, empathy, acceptance of differences, increased cooperative learning, and social benefits. Outcomes suggested a reduction in stigma to students with disabilities. Outcomes suggested the co-teachers benefited from support, expertise of colleagues in specialized areas, and extended differentiated strategies. Integrated Collaborative Teaching 8 Chapter
Cytogenetics of Solid Tumors

The field of cytogenetics has had a great impact on clinical and basic sciences in hematology and oncology, and both karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays are of growing relevance in solid tumor oncology. Although most of the cancer cytogenetic work in clinical laboratories is directed to hematological disorders, it is increasingly evident that cytogenetic assays are essential in providing diagnostic or prognostic information for various solid tumors (see Tables 1 and 2).
Association of residency work hour reform with long term quality and costs of care of US physicians: observational study

Abstract Objective To determine whether 30 day mortality, 30 day readmissions, and inpatient spending vary according to whether physicians were exposed to work hour reforms during their residency. Design Retrospective observational study. Setting US Medicare. Participants 20% random sample (n=485 685) of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or more admitted to hospital and treated by a general internist during 2000-12. Main outcome measures 30 day mortality, 30 day readmissions, and inpatient Medicare Part B spending among patients treated by first year internists who were fully exposed to the 2003 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) work hour reforms during their residency (completed residency after 2006) compared with first year internists with partial or no exposure to reforms (completed residency before 2006). Senior internists not exposed to reforms during their residency served as a control group (10th year internists) for general trends in hospital care: a difference-in-difference analysis. Results Exposure of physicians to work hour reforms during their residency was not associated with statistically significant differences in 30 day mortality, 30 day readmissions, or inpatient spending. Among 485 685 hospital admissions, 30 day mortality rates during 2000-06 and 2007-12 for patients of first year internists were 10.6% (12 567 deaths/118 014 hospital admissions) and 9.6% (13 521/140 529), respectively, and for 10th year internists were 11.2% (11 018/98 811) and 10.6% (13 602/128 331), for an adjusted difference-in-difference effect of −0.1 percentage points (95% confidence interval −0.8% to 0.6%, P=0.68). 30 day readmission rates for first year internists during 2000-06 and 2007-12 were 20.4% (24 074/118 014) and 20.4% (28 689/140 529), respectively, and for 10th year internists were 20.1% (19 840/98 811) and 20.5% (26 277/128 331), for an adjusted difference-in-difference effect of 0.1 percentage points (−0.9% to 1.1%, P=0.87). Medicare Part B inpatient spending for first year internists during 2000-06 and 2007-12 was $1161 (£911; €1024) and $1267 per hospital admission, respectively, and for 10th year internists was $1331 and $1599, for an adjusted difference-in-difference effect of −$46 (95% confidence interval −$94 to $2, P=0.06). Conclusions Exposure of internists to work hour reforms during their residency was not associated with post-training differences in patient mortality, readmissions, or costs of care.
Material Property Goals to Enable Continuous Diafiltration Membrane Cascades for Lithium-ion Battery Recycling

Abstract Diafiltration is a continuous operating strategy for staged-membrane cascades, wherein dialysate is strategically added to offset concentration effects and achieve recovery of high purity and high value products. Although common for niche separations in industry, few studies have systematically analyzed multi-stage diafiltration processes. In this paper, we present a novel modeling and superstructure optimization framework 1) to elucidate optimal multi-stage process configurations with complex recycle strategies and 2) to systematically identify property targets for membrane materials. As an illustrative example, we consider the separation of lithium and cobalt ions for battery recycling. We find that if a 3-stage diafiltration process is carefully designed, emerging membrane materials are likely to outperform existing technologies for Li/Co separation in battery recycling. Finally, we discuss planned extensions of the proposed work into a full molecules-to-systems framework for integrated molecular engineering of new materials for targeted separation processes.
Prioritizing public interest in public relations: Public interest relations:

Though early public relations leaders set up serving the public interest as an unquestionable role for public relations, contemporary public relations practice and scholarship have focused on organ...
Intrapulmonary Activated Factor VII for Hemoptysis Complicating Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy

Massive hemoptysis represents a life-threatening disorder that has numerous different causes. The development of recombinant factor concentrates has allowed for novel treatments in this emergency setting. This report describes a patient with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension who underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. The postoperative course was complicated by massive hemoptysis resulting in severe hypoxemia that required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and multiple daily blood transfusions. After failure of conservative and interventional approaches, recombinant factor VII was administered by bronchial isolation. After treatment, the patient's hemoptysis dramatically resolved, with eventual hospital discharge and excellent function at follow-up. This case presents the use of intrapulmonary activated factor VII to control massive hemoptysis.
Embryonic developmental oxygen preconditions cardiovascular functional response to acute hypoxic exposure and maximal β-adrenergic stimulation of anesthetized juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).

The effects of the embryonic environment on juvenile phenotypes are widely recognized. We investigated the effect of embryonic hypoxia on the cardiovascular phenotype of 4-year-old American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). We hypothesized that embryonic 10% oxygen preconditions cardiac function, decreasing the reduction in cardiac contractility associated with acute 5% oxygen exposure in juvenile alligators. Our findings indicate that dobutamine injections caused a 90% increase in systolic pressure in juveniles that were incubated in 21% and 10% O2 with the 10% O2 group responding with a greater rate of ventricular relaxation and greater left ventricle output compared the 21% O2 group. Further our findings indicate that juvenile alligators that experienced embryonic hypoxia have a faster rate of ventricular relaxation, greater left ventricle stroke volume, and greater cardiac power following beta-adrenergic stimulation, compared to juvenile alligators that did not experience embryonic hypoxia. When juveniles were exposed to 5% oxygen for 20 minutes, normoxic-incubated juveniles had a 50% decline in left ventricle maximal rate of pressure development and maximal pressure; however, these parameters were unaffected and decreased less in the hypoxic-incubated juveniles. These data indicate that embryonic hypoxia in crocodilians alters the cardiovascular phenotype, changing the juvenile response to acute hypoxia and beta-adrenergic stimulation.
Low-cost, open-source, variable speed and incline treadmill for studying impacts of neonatal locomotion

Abstract There is a need for a small-scale, laboratory treadmill to investigate impacts of neonatal locomotion on neuromuscular and musculoskeletal development in small animal models. Adult mice and rats are routinely assessed using commercially available treadmills, but these treadmills can be relatively expensive and they may lack features needed to evaluate developing animals. Therefore, to overcome these limitations, a new treadmill was designed, built and calibrated. This open-source treadmill was designed specifically for neonatal and postnatal mice and rats, and it fits within a neonatal incubator. By using predominantly off-the-shelf and 3D printed components, and a microcontroller, this treadmill was low cost and easy to reproduce. The design also included variable incline, and a transparent belt and enclosures for video and gait analysis. A touchscreen interface provided user-friendly control over belt speed and run time. Moreover, validation experiments showed high accuracy in belt speed control, allowing for tightly regulated experimental conditions. Overall, this new low-cost, open-source, variable speed and incline treadmill can be used to advance understanding of neonatal locomotion, and neuromuscular and musculoskeletal development.
Meta-Analysis of Prompt and Duration for Curriculum-Based Measurement of Written Language

Researchers studying curriculum-based measurement of written expression have used a variety of writing prompt types and durations when establishing criterion validity of these tools. The purpose of...
Modeling and Analyzing Neural Signals with Phase Variability using the Fisher-Rao Registration

Abstract The Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) has recently been introduced to analyze neural signals such as EEG and fMRI where phase variability plays an important role in the data. In this study, we propose to adopt a more powerful method, referred to as the Fisher-Rao Registration (FRR), to study the phase variability. We systematically compare the FRR with the DTW in three aspects: 1) basic framework, 2) mathematical properties, and 3) computational efficiency. We show that the FRR has superior performance in all these aspects and the advantages are well illustrated with simulation examples. We then apply the FRR method to two real experimental recordings – one fMRI and one EEG data set. It is found the FRR method properly removes the phase variability in each set. Finally, we use the FRR framework to examine brain networks in these two data sets and the result demonstrates the effectiveness of the new method.
The Export-Import Bank's Top Foreign Buyers

Ex-Im Bank advocates emphasize its importance to small businesses and economic growth. A new analysis of government data reveals that Ex-Im Bank's top 10 overseas buyers are large corporations that primarily purchase exports from multinational conglomerates. Ex-Im Bank's small business narrative is challenged by the fact that the buyers receiving the most subsidies are?like the exporters?major corporations. If lawmakers truly want to nurture small businesses and economic growth, they should end the Ex-Im Bank favoritism that undermines domestic companies and focus instead on reducing the tax and regulatory barriers that choke investment, innovation, and job creation.
Inexpensive Indoor Spot-cell and Spot-light Methods for Angle of Incidence Measurements of PV Modules

Various testing methods have been explored in the past to study the effect of the angle of incidence (AOI) on the short-circuit current (Isc), and hence the power, of a photovoltaic module. In this paper, we are presenting two simple methods for determining the effect of AOI on the short-circuit current, namely the spot-cell method applied on the 1-cell module and the spot-light method applied on the full-size commercial module. The purpose of this work is to design and establish an inexpensive but accurate indoor test setup that can be used by the industry to obtain AOI curves for a cell or a module. This paper provides details on the construction and operation of the test setup. The AOI curves obtained in this work have been compared and validated using the AOI curves obtained as per IEC 61853–2 standard. This paper presents AOI results obtained on crystalline silicon cells and modules with glass superstrates, with and without anti-soiling coatings, and with and without artificially deposited soil layers.
Characteristics of Epigenetic Clocks Across Blood and Brain Tissue in Older Women and Men

Epigenetic clocks are among the most promising biomarkers of aging. It is particularly important to establish biomarkers of brain aging to better understand neurodegenerative diseases. To advance application of epigenetic clocks-which were largely created with DNA methylation levels in blood samples-for use in brain, we need clearer evaluation of epigenetic clock behavior in brain, including direct comparisons of brain specimens with blood, a more accessible tissue for research. We leveraged data from the Religious Orders Study and Rush Memory and Aging Project to examine three established epigenetic clocks (Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge clocks) and a newer clock, trained in cortical tissue. We calculated each clock in three different specimens: (1) antemortem CD4+ cells derived from blood (n = 41); (2) postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC, n = 730); and (3) postmortem posterior cingulate cortex (PCC, n = 186), among older women and men, age 66-108 years at death. Across all clocks, epigenetic age calculated from blood and brain specimens was generally lower than chronologic age, although differences were smallest for the Cortical clock when calculated in the brain specimens. Nonetheless, we found that Pearson correlations of epigenetic to chronologic ages in brain specimens were generally reasonable for all clocks; correlations for the Horvath, Hannum, and PhenoAge clocks largely ranged from 0.5 to 0.7 (all p < 0.0001). The Cortical clock outperformed the other clocks, reaching a correlation of 0.83 in the DLFPC (p < 0.0001) for epigenetic vs. chronologic age. Nonetheless, epigenetic age was quite modestly correlated across blood and DLPFC in 41 participants with paired samples [Pearson r from 0.21 (p = 0.2) to 0.32 (p = 0.05)], indicating that broader research in neurodegeneration may benefit from clocks using CpG sites better conserved across blood and brain. Finally, in analyses stratified by sex, by pathologic diagnosis of Alzheimer disease, and by clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer dementia, correlations of epigenetic to chronologic age remained consistently high across all groups. Future research in brain aging will benefit from epigenetic clocks constructed in brain specimens, including exploration of any advantages of focusing on CpG sites conserved across brain and other tissue types.
Genetically Engineered Strains for Combinatorial Cardiovascular Optobiology

Rationale: Optogenetic effectors and sensors provide a novel real-time window into complex physiological processes, enabling determination of molecular signaling processes within functioning cellular networks. The effective combination of these optical tools in mice requires designed genetic models that are optically compatible and efficiently assembled. We designed strains for direct biallelic combination, avoiding the multiallelic requirement of Cre recombinase -mediated DNA recombination, focusing on models relevant for cardiovascular biology. Objective: To address this lack of optogenetic resources by combining lineage-specific expression of optogenetic effectors and sensors in single mouse lines and demonstrating their utility. Methods and Results: Twenty-two lines of mice were created in which optogenetic effectors (11 lines) or Ca2+ sensors (11 lines) were expressed in a lineage-specific manner in cardiac pacemaker cells (SAN), cardiomyocytes, vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, as well as other cell types. We show functional responses associated with optical formation of the second messengers InsP3 (optoα1AR) and cAMP (optoβ2AR), or Ca2+-permeant membrane channels (CatCh2), in targeted cells in these mice. Green (GCaMP5, 8 and 8.1) and red (RCaMP 1.07) Ca2+ sensors were chosen to enable simultaneous fluorescent detection of cellular responses. Biallelic crosses were created with robust expression of sensor/effector pairs. We present examples of novel in vivo and ex vivo experiments in selected strains including cardiac pacing with stimulation of HCN4 conduction cells, intravital cardiac imaging of GCaMP8 with two-photon microscopy, optical vascular dilation/constriction by smooth muscle (Acta2) and vasodilation by light activation of endothelium (Cdh5). These experiments highlight the potential of these mice to uncover new insight into mechanisms regulating cardiovascular function. Conclusions: These new mouse lines efficiently express optical effectors and sensors in heart, blood vessels, and other tissues and can be efficiently combined enable novel in vivo and ex-vivo studies and can be combined or crossed with relevant cardiovascular disease models, constituting a new toolbox for cardiovascular biology.
Quantum Ranging with Gaussian Entanglement

It is well known that entanglement can benefit quantum information processing tasks. Quantum illumination, when first proposed, was surprising as the entanglement's benefit survived entanglement-breaking noise. Since then, many efforts have been devoted to study quantum sensing in noisy scenarios. The applicability of such schemes, however, is limited to a binary quantum hypothesis testing scenario. In terms of target detection, such schemes interrogate a single spatiotemporal resolution bin at a time, limiting the impact to radar detection. We resolve this binary-hypothesis limitation by proposing an entanglement-assisted quantum ranging protocol. By formulating a ranging task as a multiary hypothesis testing problem, we show that entanglement enables a 6-dB advantage in the error exponent against the optimal classical scheme. Moreover, the proposed ranging protocol can also be used to implement a pulse-position modulated entanglement-assisted communication protocol. Our ranging protocol reveals entanglement's potential in general quantum hypothesis testing tasks and paves the way toward a quantum-ranging radar with a provable quantum advantage.
Bioethics in Action: By Françoise Baylis and Alice Dreger, eds. pp. 177. New York: Cambridge University Press. 2018. $29.99. ISBN 9781107543935.

“One of the great mysteries … is why some people stand up for what is right while others do not” (p168). So ends Bioethics in Action. The greater mystery, called out by this book, is why many of th...
Sex-Specific Plasticity Explains Genetic Variation in Sexual Size Dimorphism in Drosophila

The difference in body size between females and males, or sexual size dimorphism (SSD), is almost ubiquitous, and yet we have a remarkably poor understanding of the developmental-genetic mechanisms that generate it. Such an understanding is important if we are to distinguish between the many theoretical models of SSD evolution. One such model is the condition dependence hypothesis, which proposes that the body size of the larger sex is also more environmentally sensitive, a phenomenon called sex-specific plasticity (SSP). Because SSP generates differences in female and male body size, selection on plasticity may underlie the evolution of sexual size dimorphism. To test this hypothesis, however, we need to know the genetic architecture of both SSD and SSP, which is challenging because both are characteristics of populations not individuals. Here, we overcome this challenge by using isogenic lineages of Drosophila to measure both SSD and SSP for a genotype. We demonstrate extensive genetic variation for SSD among genotypes that is tightly correlated with variation in SSP, indicating that the same developmental-genetic mechanisms regulate both phenomena. These data support the condition dependence hypothesis and suggest that the observed SSD is a consequence of selection on the developmental-genetic mechanisms that regulate SSP.
Optimizing Human Intestinal Enteroids for Environmental Monitoring of Human Norovirus.

Human noroviruses (HuNoV) are the leading cause of gastrointestinal illness and environmental monitoring is crucial to prevent HuNoV outbreaks. The recent development of a HuNoV cell culture assay in human intestinal enteroids (HIEs) has enabled detection of infectious HuNoV. However, this complex approach requires adaptation of HIEs to facilitate HuNoV replication from environmental matrixes. Integrating data from 200 experiments, we examined six variables: HIE age, HIE basement membrane compounds (BMC), HuNoV inoculum processing, HuNoV inoculum volume, treatment of data below limit of detection (LOD), and cutoff criteria for determining positive HuNoV growth. We infected HIEs with HuNoV GII.4 Sydney positive stool and determined 1.4 × 103 genome equivalents per HIE well were required for HuNoV replication. HIE age had minimal effect on assay outcomes. LOD replacement and cutoff affected data interpretation, with lower values resulting in higher estimated HuNoV detection. Higher inoculum volumes lead to minimal decreases in HuNoV growth, with an optimal volume of 250uL facilitating capture of low concentrations of HuNoVs present in environmental isolates. Processing of HuNoV inoculum is valuable for disinfection studies and concentrating samples but is not necessary for all HIE applications. This work enhances the HuNoV HIE cell culture approach for environmental monitoring. Future HIE research should report cell age as days of growth and should clearly describe BMC choice, LOD handling, and positive cutoff.
Approaches to Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a heterogenous malignancy with high recurrence and progression rates, which necessitate uniform recommendations for diagnosis and management. Herein, we review the literature, with an emphasis on guidelines and contemporary diagnostic techniques and interventions. Guidelines around the world have adopted a schema which risk-stratify cases at diagnosis, to offer evidence-based treatment and surveillance recommendations. Enhanced endoscopic technologies can improve detection of NMIBC and reduce recurrence. The present Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) shortage in the USA has led to new strategies to prioritize the most high-risk cases. The entity of BCG-unresponsive high-risk NMIBC remains a challenge to manage, with multiple novel treatments under investigation; fortunately, new therapies have been approved, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, and others are showing tremendous promise. The standardization of NMIBC management, with evolving detection techniques and therapeutics, offers great potential to improve patient outcomes and survivorship.
Online Advertising, Data Sharing, and Consumer Control

We examine how policies for the ownership and control of consumer-generated data affect market outcomes in the online advertising industry. When advertisers have strong property rights over data regarding consumers' active purchase interests, competition between ad exchanges leads to too little sharing of data between advertisers. This harms consumers, who receive too few pertinent ads, and advertisers themselves can also be harmed due to a situation resembling a prisoner's dilemma. We show that giving consumers property rights over their own data can improve outcomes; this happens when consumers can directly share data about their browsing history with ad exchanges. On the other hand, simpler consumer data rights, such as the right to not be tracked, can actually harm consumers due to how ad exchanges respond. Finally, initiatives by Apple and Google to limit third-party tracking, and introduce alternative tracking systems such as FLoCs, can benefit consumers by weakening the property rights of advertisers over consumer data. Because more data is shared by default under such systems, this is true even if these systems are less accurate than the third-party cookie system.
Preconception health service provision among women with and without substance use disorders

Abstract Background Drug and alcohol use during pregnancy is associated with significant adverse birth outcomes and maternal morbidity. Addressing health and risky behaviors before pregnancy, in the preconception period, can improve both maternal and infant outcomes. However, the prevalence of preconception service delivery among women with substance use disorders (SUD) is unknown. Methods Using Optum®, a de-identified Electronic Health Record dataset containing data from 5 million nationally distributed US adults from 2010-2018, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 18–55-year-old women with delivery between 2012-2018 (n=52,565). Preconception services received in the year before pregnancy were identified using ICD-9/10 V and Z codes. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship of any SUD vs. no SUD and preconception services received before and after adjusting for confounding. Results Average age was 29.3 (±5.0 years); 6.4% (n=3,371) of the sample had a diagnosis of any SUD and 6.0% (n=3,144) received any preconception services in the year before pregnancy. Women with SUD vs. without had higher prevalence of receiving any preconception services (9.6% versus 5.7%, p Conclusions There are numerous missed opportunities to provide preconception services to women with and without SUD. While delivering preconception services, healthcare providers have an opportunity to screen for SUD which may be more prevalent among women with psychiatric and medical problems.
Organ procurement organizations internet enrollment for organ donation: Abandoning informed consent

Background Requirements for organ donation after cardiac or imminent death have been introduced to address the transplantable organs shortage in the United States. Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) increasingly use the Internet for organ donation consent.
Signaling pathways in ascidian oocyte maturation: The role of cyclic AMP and follicle cells in germinal vesicle breakdown

Many ascidian oocytes undergo ‘spontaneous’ germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) when transferred from the ovary to normal pH 8.2 sea water (SW); however, low pH inhibits GVBD, which can then be stimulated while remaining in the low pH SW. Oocytes of Boltenia villosa blocked from GVBD by pH 4 SW undergo GVBD in response to permeant cyclic AMP (8-bromo-cyclic AMP), phosphodiesterase inhibitors (isobutylmethylxanthine and theophylline) or the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin. This suggests that cAMP increases during GVBD. Removal of the follicle cells or addition of a protease inhibitor inhibits GVBD in response to raised pH but not to forskolin, theophylline or 8 bromo-cAMP. Isolated follicle cells in low pH SW release protease activity in response to an increase in pH. These studies imply that the follicle cells release protease activity, which either itself stimulates an increase in oocyte cAMP level or reacts with other molecules to stimulate this process. Studies with the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitors U0126 and CI 1040 suggest that MAP kinase is not involved in GVBD. The Cdc25 inhibitor NSC 95397 inhibits GVBD at 200 nm in a reversible manner.