cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic region characterization (Gene RECQuest) - software to assist in identification and selection of candidate genes from genomic regions

Background: The availability of research platforms like the web tools of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has transformed the time-consuming task of identifying candidate genes from genetic studies to an interactive process where data from a variety of sources are obtained to select likely genes for follow-up. This process presents its own set of challenges, as the genetic researcher has to interact with several tools in a time-intensive, manual, and cumbersome manner. We developed a method and implemented an effective software system to address these challenges by multidisciplinary efforts of professional software developers with domain experts. The method presented in this paper, Gene RECQuest, simplifies the interaction with existing research platforms through the use of advanced integration technologies. Findings: Gene RECQuest is a web-based application that assists in the identification of candidate genes from linkage and association studies using information from Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and PubMed. To illustrate the utility of Gene RECQuest we used it to identify genes physically located within a linkage region as potential candidate genes for a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) response on chromosome 18. Conclusion: Gene RECQuest provides a tool which enables researchers to easily identify and organize literature supporting their own expertise and make informed decisions. It is important to note that Gene RECQuest is a data acquisition and organization software, and not a data analysis method.
Evaluation of limit feeding corn and distillers dried grains with solubles in non-feed-withdrawal molt programs for laying hens

An experiment was conducted using 504 Hy-Line W-36 Single Comb White Leghorn hens (69 wk of age) randomly assigned to 1 of 7 treatments. These treatments consisted of a 47% corn:47% soy hulls diet (C:SH) fed ad libitum; a 94% corn diet fed at a rate of 36.3, 45.4, or 54.5 g/hen per day (CORN 36, CORN 45, and CORN 54, respectively); and a 94% corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) diet fed at the same rates as the previous corn diets (DDGS 36, DDGS 45, and DDGS 54, respectively) during the molt period of 28 d. The intent was to feed the DDGS diets for 28 d; however, all hens on these diets had very low feed intakes and greater than anticipated BW loss. Thus, they were switched to a 16% CP corn-soybean meal layer diet on d 19 of the molt period. At d 28, hens on all treatments were fed the same corn-soybean meal layer diet for 39 wk (73 to 112 wk of age). All DDGS diets and the CORN 36 diet resulted in total cessation of egg production during the molt period and egg production of hens fed the CORN 45, CORN 54, and C:SH diets had decreased to 3 and 4%, respectively, by d 28. Body weight loss during the 28-d molt period ranged from 14% for the CORN 54 diet to approximately 23% for the 3 DDGS diets. Postmolt egg production (5 to 43 wk) was higher for hens fed the DDGS molt diets than those fed the corn diets. There were no consistent differences in egg mass, egg-specific gravity, feed efficiency, or layer feed consumption among molt treatments for the postmolt period. These results indicate that limit feeding corn diet and DDGS diet in non-feed-withdrawal molt programs will yield long-term postmolt performance that is comparable to that observed by ad libitum feeding a C:SH diet.
Analytic Approaches for Assessing Long-Term Treatment Effects Examples of Empirical Applications and Findings

Analytic approaches, including the structural equation model (autoregressive panel model), hierarchical linear model, latent growth curve model, survival/event history analysis, latent transition model, and time-series analysis (interrupted time series, multivariate time-series analysis) are discussed for their applicability to data of different structures and their utility in evaluating temporal effects of treatment. Methods are illustrated by presenting applications of the various approaches in previous studies examining temporal patterns of treatment effects. Recent advancements in these longitudinal modeling approaches and the accompanying computer software development offer tremendous flexibility in examining long-term treatment effects through longitudinal data with varying numbers and intervals of assessment and types of measures. A multimethod assessment will contribute to a more complete understanding of the complex phenomena of the long-term courses of substance use and its treatment.
Joint estimation of DNA copy number from multiple platforms

Motivation: DNA copy number variants (CNVs) are gains and losses of segments of chromosomes, and comprise an important class of genetic variation. Recently, various microarray hybridization-based techniques have been developed for high-throughput measurement of DNA copy number. In many studies, multiple technical platforms or different versions of the same platform were used to interrogate the same samples; and it became necessary to pool information across these multiple sources to derive a consensus molecular profile for each sample. An integrated analysis is expected to maximize resolution and accuracy, yet currently there is no wellformulated statistical method to address the between-platform differences in probe coverage, assay methods, sensitivity and analytical complexity. Results: The conventional approach is to apply one of the CNV detection (‘segmentation’) algorithms to search for DNA segments of altered signal intensity. The results from multiple platforms are combined after segmentation. Here we propose a new method, Multi-Platform Circular Binary Segmentation (MPCBS), which pools statistical evidence across platforms during segmentation, and does not require pre-standardization of different data sources. It involves a weighted sum of t-statistics, which arises naturally from the generalized log-likelihood ratio of a multi-platform model. We show by comparing the integrated analysis of Affymetrix and Illumina SNP array data with Agilent and fosmid clone end-sequencing results on eight HapMap samples that MPCBS achieves improved spatial resolution, detection power and provides a natural consensus across platforms. We also apply the new method to analyze multi-platform data for tumor samples. Availability: The R package for MPCBS is registered on R-Forge (http://r-forge.r-project.org/) under project name MPCBS. Contact: nzhang@stanford.edu; junzli@umich.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Cryogenic operation of 4H-SiC Schottky rectifiers

We report the performance of commercial 4H-SiC Schottky rectifiers at cryogenic temperatures for the first time. The Infineon rectifiers rated 300 V and 600 V have been tested for both forward conduction and reverse blocking at temperatures down to 77 K. The barrier height decreased with temperature while the ideality factor is greater than unity implying that diffusion also plays a role in current conduction at cryogenic temperatures. A two barrier height Schottky effect has been noticed at lower temperatures indicating barrier inhomogeneities in the Schottky contacts. At lower temperatures, tunneling current played a major role in the transport process.
Using an artificial neural network to predict necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants

Except for degree of prematurity, risk factors for the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infant have not been consistently identified. In addition, fear of NEC determines the majority of VLBW infant feeding regimens in the first postnatal month. About 10-12% of infants weighing less than 1500 grams at birth will develop NEC and about one-third of them will die from the disease. Improved identification of preterm infants at risk for NEC could allow improved infant feeding to focus on growth and nutrition for infants at low-risk of NEC. The objective of this study was to develop an algorithm using artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict prematurely born infants at highest risk of NEC. The majority of ANN's considered optimal used small numbers of variables: 54% used a single variable, 30% used 2 variables, 12% used 3 variables and only 4% used 4 or 5 variables to predict NEC. Sixty-eight percent of the variables were selected first and 79% were selected as second variable at least once. Small for gestational age (SGA) and being artificially ventilated (ventilation: yes/no) were chosen first and second most often among all 57 variables. ANNs as predictive tools provide a first indication for the relative importance of the 57 variables in final decision-making.
Programmed cell death mechanisms of identifiable peptidergic neurons in Drosophila melanogaster

The molecular basis of programmed cell death (PCD) of neurons during early metamorphic development of the central nervous system (CNS) in Drosophila melanogaster are largely unknown, in part owing to the lack of appropriate model systems. Here, we provide evidence showing that a group of neurons (vCrz) that express neuropeptide Corazonin ( Crz ) gene in the ventral nerve cord of the larval CNS undergo programmed death within 6 hours of the onset of metamorphosis. The death was prevented by targeted expression of caspase inhibitor p35 , suggesting that these larval neurons are eliminated via a caspase-dependent pathway. Genetic and transgenic disruptions of ecdysone signal transduction involving ecdysone receptor-B (EcR-B) isoforms suppressed vCrz death, whereas transgenic re-introduction of either EcR-B1 or EcR-B2 isoform into the EcR-B -null mutant resumed normal death. Expression of reaper in vCrz neurons and suppression of vCrz-cell death in a reaper -null mutant suggest that reaper functions are required for the death, while no apparent role was found for hid or grim as a death promoter. Our data further suggest that diap1 does not play a role as a central regulator of the PCD of vCrz neurons. Significant delay of vCrz-cell death was observed in mutants that lack dronc or dark functions, indicating that formation of an apoptosome is necessary, but not sufficient, for timely execution of the death. These results suggest that activated ecdysone signaling determines precise developmental timing of the neuronal degeneration during early metamorphosis, and that subsequent reaper -mediated caspase activation occurs through a novel DIAP1-independent pathway.
Experimental verification of vibration absorbers combined with input shaping for oscillatory systems

Systems that exhibit flexible dynamics are susceptible to vibration caused by changes in the reference command and from external disturbances. Feedback control is an obvious choice to deal with these vibrations, but in many cases, it is insufficient or difficult to implement. Input shaping does not deal with vibration excited by external disturbances; however it has proven beneficial for reducing vibration that is caused by changes in the reference command. On the other hand, vibration absorbers have long been used to decrease vibration from external sources, particularly sinusoidal disturbances. Vibration absorbers can also be designed to reduce vibration from a known trajectory move, such as a step motion. To improve overall performance, a vibration absorber and input shaping scheme are designed to reduce vibration from step disturbances from both the reference command and external sources. The usefulness of this combined approach is demonstrated through experimental tests on a linear motor driven stage.
Evaluating the performance of venture capital investments

Venture capitalists by no means have a perfect record in picking winners. 0 ne of the most successful investment advisers in the IJnited States was recently asked his ‘*formula” for successful investing. After a moment’s thought. he replied, “Buy low, sell high.“ Venture capitalists strive for :i target return for 3 given investment 3s well 3s for their overall investment portfolio. According to a recent study by the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), venture capital firms anticipated 3 minimum rate of return of 30 percent per year on an individual venture investment. Is that a reasonable expectation? I)0 individual investments perform at or above that level? What returns can IX expected for 3 “portfolio” of venture capital investments? In essence, do venture capitalists “buy low and .sell high?“ These arc the questions adclressd in this articlc.
Identification of multiple steroid hydroxylases in Daphnia magna and their modulation by xenobiotics

Steroid hydroxylase activities were characterized in Daphnia magna and evaluated for potential use as biomarkers of xenobiotic exposure. Microsomes prepared from Daphma magna generated a single NADPH-dependent metabolite of [14C]testosterone. However, intact daphnids excreted at least 10 polar metabolites of [l4C]testosterone into the test medium. Six of these metabolites were identified as 2α-, 16β-, 6β-, 6α-, 7α-, and 15α-[14C]hydroxytestosterone. The unidentified metabolites are also presumed to be hydroxylated products of testosterone, based on their relative migrations during TLC. The inefficient metabolism of [14C]testosterone during the in vitro microsomal incubations may have been due to the release of P450 inhibitors during microsome preparation. Exposure of daphnids to the P450 modulators phenobarbital, β-naphthoflavone, piperonyl butoxide, and malathion differentially inhibited the steroid hydroxylase activities. Results from this study indicate that Daphma magna expresses several P450 enzymes and that these enzymes are differentially modulated by xenobiotic exposure. Steroid hydroxylase activities may serve not only as a biomarker of toxicant exposure, but also as a predictor of toxicant effects involving perturbations of steroid hormone homeostasis.
Avian polyomavirus major capsid protein VP1 interacts with the minor capsid proteins and is transported into the cell nucleus but does not assemble into capsid-like particles when expressed in the baculovirus system.

Abstract The baculovirus system was used to construct and isolate AcMNPV-VP1, AcMNPV-VP2 and AcMNPV-VP3 recombinant viruses which express the respective avian polyomavirus (APV) structural proteins in Sf9 insect cells. These recombinant AcMNPVs containing APV structural protein genes were utilized to investigate protein–protein interactions between the structural proteins. Immunofluorescence studies utilizing Sf9 cells infected with the AcMNPV-VP1 revealed that the VP1 protein was expressed and localized in the cytoplasm and not transported into the nucleus. When the cells were co-infected with the VP1 and either VP2 or VP3 recombinant viruses, immunofluorescence of the VP1 protein was localized in the nucleus, indicating that the VP1 protein was transported to the nucleus by both the VP2 and VP3 minor proteins. This observation was suggestive of a protein–protein interaction between the expressed proteins. This protein–protein interaction was substantiated by laser scanning confocal microscopy of Sf9 cells that were co-infected with VP1, VP2 and VP3 recombinant viruses. However, the minor proteins could not be co-isolated with VP1 protein by immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal anti-VP1 serum. In addition, capsid-like particles could not be purified either by CsC1 density gradient centrifugation or by immunoaffinity chromatography. VP1 capsomeres were isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography from Sf9 cells infected with AcMNPV-VP1, with or without the minor protein(s), and these capsomeres could assemble in vitro into capsid-like particles. Electron microscopic observation of thin-sectioned Sf9 cells, which were co-infected with VP1, VP2 and VP3 recombinant viruses, demonstrated capsomere-like structures in the nucleus, but capsid-like particles were not observed.
DST vs. UG: Can DST account for purely linguistic phenomena?

The article “A Dynamic Systems Theory approach to second language acquisition” by De Bot, Lowie and Verspoor discusses Dynamic Systems Theory (DST), and in particular the benefits of studying second language acquisition (SLA) within the DST framework. The article explains the main characteristics of DST, and goes on to show how various aspects of SLA can be treated from a DST perspective. In particular, the article proposes that the DST framework allows an investigation of how various social and cognitive aspects of SLA interact.
Safety of Oral Amphetamine Administered during Positron Emission Tomography Scans in Medically Screened Humans

Changes in endogenous dopamine levels can be detected in humans using positron emission tomography scans by measuring the amount by which a specific D2/3 radioligand is displaced. In some cases, a challenge drug such as amphetamine is introduced to increase the amount of dopamine released into the synaptic cleft. Although intravenous amphetamine is often utilized, oral amphetamine has been shown to be just as effective in increasing endogenous dopamine levels. Based on our own use of oral amphetamine as a challenge drug, we have retroactively reviewed our study charts to determine the cardiovascular safety of 0.5 mg kg(-1) oral d-amphetamine. Of 172 amphetamine administrations in 144 individuals, only 2.8% of subjects experienced any transient adverse effects. In addition, we found no clinically relevant differences in increases of vital signs between healthy controls and patients. We therefore reaffirm the safety of 0.5 mg kg(-1) oral amphetamine in subjects previously screened for cardiovascular risk factors.
Optoelectronic crystal of artificial atoms in strain-textured molybdenum disulphide

The isolation of the two-dimensional semiconductor molybdenum disulphide introduced a new optically active material possessing a band gap that can be facilely tuned via elastic strain. As an atomically thin membrane with exceptional strength, monolayer molybdenum disulphide subjected to biaxial strain can embed wide band gap variations overlapping the visible light spectrum, with calculations showing the modified electronic potential emanating from point-induced tensile strain perturbations mimics the Coulomb potential in a mesoscopic atom. Here we realize and confirm this ‘artificial atom’ concept via capillary-pressureinduced nanoindentation of monolayer molybdenum disulphide from a tailored nanopattern, and demonstrate that a synthetic superlattice of these building blocks forms an optoelectronic crystal capable of broadband light absorption and efficient funnelling of photogenerated excitons to points of maximum strain at the artificial-atom nuclei. Such twodimensional semiconductors with spatially textured band gaps represent a new class of materials, which may find applications in next-generation optoelectronics or photovoltaics.
Reconstruction of Lateral Skull Base Defects: A Comparison of the Submental Flap to Free and Regional Flaps.

ObjectivesTo compare reconstructive techniques, operative times, duration of hospitalization, and need for subsequent flap revisions between reconstructive approaches to lateral skull base defects.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary academic referral center.SubjectsPatients (n = 31) undergoing reconstruction of composite lateral skull base defects from 2002 to 2014.MethodsData were analyzed for demographics, tumor characteristics, reconstructive technique, operative time, duration of hospitalization, complications, and outcomes.ResultsThirty-one patients were identified for inclusion. Lateral temporal bone defects resulted from resection of malignant lesions, including squamous cell carcinoma (n = 25), basal cell carcinoma (n = 2), and other carcinoma (n = 4). Defects were reconstructed with submental flaps (n = 16), pedicled latissimus dorsi flaps (n = 6), and free anterolateral thigh flaps (n = 9). All cases involved neurosurgery, neurotology, and head and neck surgery services. Al...
CDX2 is mutated in a colorectal cancer with normal APC/β-catenin signaling

The majority of human colorectal cancers have elevated β-catenin/TCF regulated transcription due to either inactivating mutations of the APC tumor suppressor gene or activating mutations of β-catenin. Surprisingly, one commonly used colorectal cancer cell line was found to have intact APC and β-catenin and no demonstrable β-catenin/TCF regulated transcription. However, this line did possess a truncating mutation in one allele of CDX2, a gene whose inactivation has recently been shown to cause colon tumorigenesis in mice. Expression of CDX2 was found to be induced by restoring expression of wild type APC in a colorectal cancer cell line. These findings raise the intriguing possibility that CDX2 contributes to APC's tumor suppressive effects.
A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF PUNCTUATED EQUILIBRIA I. DURATION OF TAXA.

The purpose of this paper is to present a reasonable paleontological basis for interpreting species durations over geologic time. The context is to evaluate the currently much discussed model of punctuated equilibria. I will take the position of a devil's advocate and explore the biases that are inherent in the model as customarily used.
CexOy– (x = 2–3) + D2O Reactions: Stoichiometric Cluster Formation from Deuteroxide Decomposition and Anti-Arrhenius Behavior

Reactions between small cerium oxide cluster anions and deuterated water were monitored as a function of both water concentration and temperature in order to determine the temperature dependence of the rate constants. Sequential oxidation reactions of the CexOy– (x = 2, 3) suboxide cluster anions were found to exhibit anti-Arrhenius behavior, with activation energies ranging from 0 to −18 kJ mol–1. Direct oxidation of species up to y = x was observed, after which, −OD abstraction and D2O addition reactions were observed. However, the stoichiometric Ce2O4– and Ce3O6– cluster anions also emerge in reactions between D2O and the respective precursors, Ce2O3D– and Ce3O5D2–. Ce2O4– and Ce3O6– product intensities diminish relative to deuteroxide complex intensities with increasing temperature. The kinetics of these reactions are compared to the kinetics of the previously studied MoxOy– and WxOy– reactions with water, and the possible implications for the reaction mechanisms are discussed.
An Ecological Study of Lepidopterous Pests Affecting Lettuce in Coastal Southern California

Studies conducted on winter lettuce grown in the absence of pesticides in coastal southern California in 1963, 1966–67, and 1967–68 revealed that the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner); beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner); black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel); and granulate cutworm, Feltia subterranea (F.); were the principal lepidopterous pests. Altogether, 8 species of lepidopterous larvae were collected. Three species of braconids, 2 ichneumonids, and 3 tachinids were reared from the larvae with Chelonus texanus Cresson, Hyposoter exiguae (Viereck), and Voria ruralis (Fallen) being the most common parasites. Trichogramma pretiosum Riley was the only parasite reared from the eggs. In 1963, 82% of the seedlings were destroyed by lepidopterous larvae within 2 weeks after the seedlings were thinned in early November. The percentage of infested plants and average number of larvae per plant reached a maximum of 56% and 0.9, respectively, on Dec. 6, 1966, and 66% and 1.0 on Dec. 5 in 1967. At harvest in February, the number of larval-infested heads of lettuce averaged 0.7 in 1967 and 0.4% in 1968. Only cutworms were present.
Asymptotic Representation for the Eigenvalues of a Non-selfadjoint Operator Governing the Dynamics of an Energy Harvesting Model

We consider a well known model of a piezoelectric energy harvester. The harvester is designed as a beam with a piezoceramic layer attached to its top face (unimorph configuration). A pair of thin perfectly conductive electrodes is covering the top and the bottom faces of the piezoceramic layer. These electrodes are connected to a resistive load. The model is governed by a system consisting of two equations. The first of them is the equation of the Euler---Bernoulli model for the transverse vibrations of the beam and the second one represents the Kirchhoff's law for the electric circuit. Both equations are coupled due to the direct and converse piezoelectric effects. The boundary conditions for the beam equations are of clamped-free type. We represent the system as a single operator evolution equation in a Hilbert space. The dynamics generator of this system is a non-selfadjoint operator with compact resolvent. Our main result is an explicit asymptotic formula for the eigenvalues of this generator, i.e., we perform the modal analysis for electrically loaded (not short-circuit) system. We show that the spectrum splits into an infinite sequence of stable eigenvalues that approaches a vertical line in the left half plane and possibly of a finite number of unstable eigenvalues. This paper is the first in a series of three works. In the second one we will prove that the generalized eigenvectors of the dynamics generator form a Riesz basis (and, moreover, a Bari basis) in the energy space. In the third paper we will apply the results of the first two to control problems for this model.
Chemo-enzymatic routes to lipopeptides and their colloidal properties.

A unique chemo-enzymatic route to lipopeptides was demonstrated herein that, relative to alternative methods such as solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and microbial synthesis, is simple, efficient, and scalable. Homo- and co-oligopeptides were synthesized from amino acid ethyl esters via protease catalysis in an aqueous media, followed by chemical coupling to fatty acids to generate a library of lipopeptides. Synthesized lipopeptides were built from hydrophobic moieties with chain lengths ranging from 8 to 18 and peptides consisting of oligo(l-Glu) or oligo(l-Glu-co-l-Leu) with an average of seven to eight repeating units. The chemical structures of the lipopeptides were characterized and confirmed by NMR and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). The colloidal and interfacial properties of these lipopeptides were characterized and compared in terms of the hydrophobic chain length, oligopeptide composition, and solution pH. The results showed correlation between the interfacial activity o...
Does pesticide-induced activity of twospotted spider mite (Acari : Tetranychidae) really contribute to population increases in orchards ,

The effect of pesticides on the population density, dispersion, and activity of the twospotled spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae) was investigated under field and laboratory conditions on tart cherry, Prunus cerasus L. In the laboratory, the pesticides permethrin, phosmet, and phosalone significantly increased the time spider mites were active, whereas the pesticide azinphosmethyl did not significantly affect activity. In the field, by 12 d after pesticide application, mite populations on all pesticide-treated trees were significantly higher than those on the water-sprayed control trees. Analysis of these populations showed that no significant differences in dispersion occurred on any treatment between the evaluation 2 d before application and the evaluation 2 d after application. These facts, combined with the very low numbers of predators observed in this test, suggest that pest resurgence is probably not a result of increased mite activity, but is instead related to a pesticide’s ability to stimulate mite physiology, either directly or indirectly, through changes in host plant nutritional value.
Firing of a Cannon: Psychophysical Evaluation of Ergonomic Hazards

Musculoskeletal-related occupational illnesses and injuries comprise a majority of military medical encounters resulting in decreased combat readiness and degraded human performance. An artillery company performing a live fire exercise was observed for two days along with the collection of perceived exertion, fatigue and pain data. Twenty-five U.S. Marines were involved in the study. Sixteen (64 %) reported becoming injured after returning from combat during a “Call for Fire” exercise and four (16 %) were on limited duty at the time of the study. Their perceptions of exertion, fatigue, and pain increased over the course of both days. In addition, human error also increased over the course of the day and moral decreased as well. The study uncovered that the exposure profile during the support of the “Call for Fire” exercise is leading to degradations in physical performance and increased exposure to physical work place risk factors resulting in various soft tissue injuries.
Specific heat of Mg11B2, a two-gap superconductor

We report measurements of the specific heat of Mg11B2, from 1 to 50 K and in magnetic fields to 9 T, and give the values of parameters relevant to the superconductivity. The superconducting-state electron contribution is dramatically different from that of other superconductors, but the general features are consistent with predictions for a two-gap superconductor, and it can be quantitatively represented by a two-gap model based on BCS thermodynamics. Parameters characterizing the gaps are in good agreement with some spectroscopic determinations, and also with theoretical calculations. An unusually strong magnetic field dependence of the temperature-proportional term in the electron contribution to the vortex-state specific heat is evidently another manifestation of the two gaps.
A Review of Brooklyn Dreams: My Life in Public Education

Brooklyn Dreams: My Life in Public Education. S. Nieto, Cambridge, MA: Harvard Education Press, 2015, 272 pages, $32.00 (paperback), ISBN-13: 978-1-61250-856-6.As a child growing up in Brooklyn, Ne...
Toward a Northern Architecture: The Microrayon as Arctic Urban Prototype

During the twentieth century, two trajectories of urban development in the Arctic, Ralph Erskine's social and environmental project for a new town in Resolute, Canada, and the massive industrial city of Norilsk in the Soviet Union, converged on a set of ideas that define a unique typology of urban and architectural design in extreme northern climates. Best described as a microrayon—a Soviet planning concept that originated in the late 1950s—that has been adapted and transformed to accommodate environmental and social conditions in the extreme north, these two projects share many similarities despite their vastly different scales, and social, political, and economic contexts. Their evolution and development establishes an important precedent for urban design in extreme northern climates and future Arctic cities.
Nrf2 Deficiency Leads to Reduced Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Increased Sensitivity to Genotoxic Stressors Through Impaired P53 Function

Abstract Abstract 397 Nrf2 is a basic region-leucine-zipper transcription factor that regulates expression of numerous genes required for oxidative stress response, drug and toxin detoxification, protein ubiquitination, and proteasomal degradation of damaged proteins. Therefore Nrf2 represents a major cellular defense mechanism against oxidative and toxic stresses. We have shown that CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) drawn from peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) autografts of lymphoma patients who develop therapy-related myelodysplasia or acute myeloid leukemia (t-MDS/AML) after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (aHCT) demonstrate significantly reduced expression of Nrf2-mediated stress response pathway genes compared to cells from patients who do not develop t-MDS/AML (Cancer Cell 20, 591–605). We have extended these findings to study the role of Nrf2 in HSPC regulation and the response to genotoxic chemotherapeutic agents by using an Nrf2 knockout (KO) mouse model. Nrf2 KO mice demonstrated impaired bone marrow (BM) long-term hematopoietic stem cell (LT-HSC) function, manifested by significantly reduced competitive engraftment of BM cells in recipient mice at 16 weeks compared to wild-type (WT) controls (42.5±2.8% vs. 57.2±3.3% peripheral blood engraftment for KO and WT donors respectively, p Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Quantitative Predictions of Shape-Memory Effects in Polymers.

Unique shape-memory transitions manifested by directional extension and subsequent retraction in polymers are attributed to stored conformational entropy. This behavior is quantified in terms of stored (ΔS S ) entropic energy density, the maximum strain (emax ), and stress (σSF at emax ). This concept allows quantitative assessments of the shape-memory effect (SME) and can be utilized in any material that exhibits a glass-transition temperature (T g ) and a rubbery plateau.
Neoarchean arc magmatism and subsequent collisional orogenesis along the eastern Rae domain, western Churchill Province: Implications for the early growth of Laurentia

Abstract The Athabasca granulite terrane, on the eastern margin of the Rae domain of the western Churchill Province, contains a well exposed record of Neoarchean magmatism, deformation, and metamorphism. Circa 2.63–2.60 Ga plutonic rocks range from 58.01 to 73.71 SiO2, and vary from ferroan to magnesian. They form shallow linear trends on modified alkali-lime index diagram, plotting largely in the calc-alkaline field. On tectonic discrimination diagrams, all samples plot in the volcanic arc field. Samples are LREE enriched, and contain relatively steep negative slopes, and flat, depleted, HREE profiles when normalized to chondrites. The entire Neoarchean plutonic complex, independent of lithology, contains strong enrichments in the LILEs and Pb, and depletions in HFSEs. Monazite U-Th-total Pb results from a migmatitic paragneiss suggest that partial melting occurred at ca. 2.57 Ga within the Chipman subdomain. Monazite results from the adjacent northwestern subdomain suggest that deformation occurred at ca. 2.57 Ga. IN-SIMS and ICP-MS zircon U-Pb geochronology corroborates these conclusions. Although the region is dominated by Paleoproterozoic localized shear zones, internal to each subdomain is evidence of a widespread tectonothermal event during the Neoarchean that involved arc plutonism, crustal thickening, lower crustal flow at pressures exceeding 1.0 GPa, and extensive partial melting of the lower continental crust. We interpret this sequence of magmatic, deformational, and anatectic processes to reflect the transition from a continental arc to a collisional tectonic setting. The recognized series of events presented herein is likely correlative to the 2.60–2.50 Ga MacQuoid Orogen, which has been recognized further to the northeast, and likely parallels the eastern margin of the Rae domain of the western Churchill Province. These data support an important component of modern style plate tectonics during continental magmatism and accretion in the Neoarchean.
Dark matter candidates: status and perspectives

This review summarizes the talk on Dark Matter Candidates: Status and Perspectives during the plenary sessions of ICRC 15 in The Hague, Netherlands. It includes discussions of theoreticallymotivated candidates which could play the role of dark matter, as well as some highlights of the current status of direct, indirect, collider, and astronomical searches which aim to shed light on its properties and identify.
Sortilin and retromer mediate retrograde transport of Glut4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Sortilin is involved in the anterograde traffic of lysosomal enzymes and substrates. It also transports Glut4 in the opposite, retrograde, direction in a retromer-dependent fashion.
Mecca of Revolution: Algeria, Decolonization, and the Third World Order by Jeffrey James Byrne

Mecca of Revolution: Algeria, Decolonization, and the Third World Order by Jeffrey James Byrne (review) Muriam Haleh Davis Journal of Interdisciplinary History, Volume 48, Number 1, Summer 2017, pp. 118-119 (Review) Published by The MIT Press For additional information about this article https://muse.jhu.edu/article/660273 Access provided by University of California @ Santa Cruz (30 May 2017 08:14 GMT)
Impaired calcium sensing distinguishes primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) patients with low bone mineral density.

Abstract Context A subset of PHPT patients exhibit a more severe disease phenotype characterized by bone loss, fractures, recurrent nephrolithiasis, and other dysfunctions, but the underlying reasons for this disparity in clinical presentation remain unknown. Objective We sought to identify new mechanistic indices that could inform more personalized management of PHPT. Design Pre-, peri-, and postoperative data and demographic, clinical, and pathological information from patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for PHPT were collected. Univariate and partial Spearman correlation was used to estimate the association of parathyroid tumor calcium sensing capacity with select variables. Patients or Other Participants An unselected series of 237 patients aged > 18 years and undergoing parathyroidectomy for PHPT were enrolled. Main Outcome Measures Calcium sensing capacity, expressed as the concentration required for half-maximal biochemical response (EC50), was evaluated in parathyroid tumors from an unselected series of 74 patients and assessed for association with clinical parameters. The hypothesis was that greater disease severity would be associated with attenuated calcium sensitivity and biochemically autonomous parathyroid tumor behavior. Results Parathyroid tumors segregated into two distinct groups of calcium responsiveness (EC50 Conclusions Impaired calcium sensing in parathyroid tumors is selectively observed in a subset of patients with more severe bone mineral density deficit. Assessment of parathyroid tumor biochemical behavior may be a useful predictor of disease severity as measured by bone mineral density in patients with PHPT.
What is the source of baseflow in agriculturally-fragmented catchments? Complex groundwater/surface-water interactions in three tributary catchments of the Wabash River, Indiana, USA

Some conceptual models suggest that baseflow in agriculturally-fragmented watersheds may contain little, if any, groundwater. This has critical implications for stream quality and ecosystem functioning. Here we: 1) identify the sources and flowpaths contributing to baseflow using 222Rn and 87Sr/86Sr, and 2) quantify mean apparent ages of groundwater and baseflow using multiple isotopic tracers (CFC, SF6, 36Cl, and 3H) in four small (0.08 to 0.64 km2) tributary catchments to the Wabash River in Indiana, USA. 222Rn activities and 87Sr/86Sr ratios indicate that baseflow in three catchments is sourced primarily from groundwater; baseflow in the fourth is dominated by a source similar to agricultural runoff. CFC-12 data indicate that springs in one catchment are discharging significant proportions of water that recharged between 1974 (42 +/- 2 years) and 1961 (55 +/- 2 years). Those same springs have 36Cl/Cl ratios between 1381.08 +/- 29.37 (x 10-15) and 1530.64 +/- 27.65 (x 10-15) indicating that a substantial proportion of the discharge likely recharged between 1975 (41 years) and 1950 (66 years). Groundwater collected from streambed mini-piezometers in a separate catchment have CFC-12 concentrations indicating that a large proportion of the recharge occurred between 1948 (68 +/- 2 years) to 1950 (66 +/- 2 years). Samples collected in September 2015 after above-average summer rainfall did not show significant decreases in mean apparent age. The relatively old ages observed in three of the catchments can be explained by geological complexities which are likely present in all four catchments, but overwhelmed by flow from the shallow phreatic aquifer in the fourth catchment.
Kinematics and dynamics of green water on a fixed platform in a large wave basin in focusing wave and random wave conditions

Green water kinematics and dynamics due to wave impingements on a simplified geometry, fixed platform were experimentally investigated in a large, deep-water wave basin. Both plane focusing waves and random waves were employed in the generation of green water. The focusing wave condition was designed to create two consecutive plunging breaking waves with one impinging on the frontal vertical wall of the fixed platform, referred as wall impingement, and the other directly impinging on the deck surface, referred as deck impingement. The random wave condition was generated using the JONSWAP spectrum with a significant wave height approximately equal to the freeboard. A total of 179 green water events were collected in the random wave condition. By examining the green water events in random waves, three different flow types are categorized: collapse of overtopping wave, fall of bulk water, and breaking wave crest. The aerated flow velocity was measured using bubble image velocimetry, while the void fraction was measured using fiber optic reflectometry. For the plane focusing wave condition, measurements of impact pressure were synchronized with the flow velocity and void fraction measurements. The relationship between the peak pressures and the pressure rise times is examined. For the high-intensity impact in the deck impingement events, the peak pressures are observed to be proportional to the aeration levels. The maximum horizontal velocities in the green water events in random waves are well represented by the lognormal distribution. Ritter’s solution is shown to quantitatively describe the green water velocity distributions under both the focusing wave condition and the random wave condition. A prediction equation for green water velocity distribution under random waves is proposed.
Abstract 19123: Arginine Vasopressin Receptor 1A and Alpha 1A-Adrenergic Receptor Form Heteromeric Complexes on Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Introduction: Alpha 1 -adrenergic receptors (α 1 -AR) and arginine vasopressin receptors (AVPR) are essential for regulating vascular smooth muscle function. Numerous previous observations demonstrated cross-talk between these receptors, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests formation of heteromeric receptor complexes between G protein-coupled receptors as a possible mechanism for receptor cross-talk. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that α 1A -AR and arginine vasopressin receptor 1A (AVPR1A) form heteromeric complexes on human vascular smooth muscle cells (hVSMC). Methods: Proximity ligation assays (PLA) were utilized to visualize and quantify individual receptors and receptor-receptor interactions on hVSMC (ATCC PCS-100-012) at single molecule resolution. PLA signals were quantified using the Duolink Image Tool software. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to confirm PLA findings. The selectivity of all antibodies were confirmed with siRNA knockdown of the corresponding receptors. Data are presented as mean ± SEM from n=3 independent experiments with n=10 vision fields analyzed per condition and experiment. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Dunnett’s post-hoc correction. A 2-tailed p Results: The following PLA signals/cell were obtained for the detection of individual receptors: AVPR1A - 1830.01 ± 256.10, α 1A -AR - 65.99 ± 12.85, α 1B -AR - 371.80 ± 57.61, α 1D -AR - 167.90 ± 41.46 (p 1A -AR:AVPR1A - 58.82 ± 8.790, α 1A -AR:α 1B -AR - 48.99 ± 4.85, α 1A -AR:α 1D -AR - 22.40 ± 6.612 and α 1B -AR:α 1D -AR - 33.35 ± 4.850. The number of PLA signals for all receptor interactions except for α 1A -AR:α 1D -AR were significant vs. negative control (omission of minus strand secondary probe in PLA, 1.877 ± 0.449). The interaction between AVPR1A and α 1A -AR could be confirmed in co-immunoprecipitation experiments after AVPR1A pull-down. Conclusions: Our observations confirm previous findings from expression systems on heteromeric complexes among α 1 -AR subtypes and suggest that heteromeric complexes between AVPR1A and α 1A -AR are constitutively expressed on native hVSMC.
Role of Nephrectomy in the Treatment of Non-Functioning or Very Poorly Functioning Unilateral Tuberculous Kidney

We reviewed 300 consecutive cases of genitourinary tuberculosis at Wrightington Hospital from 1961 to 1978. There were 73 patients with non-functioning or poorly functioning kidneys who underwent nephrectomy after at least 6 weeks of intensive chemotherapy with 3 antituberculous drugs. Three of 4 patients with unilateral non-functioning kidneys who did not have a primary nephrectomy had delayed complications. Late complications of in situ non-functioning tuberculous kidneys included draining flank sinuses, abscesses and hypertension. These complications can occur years after completion of chemotherapy, even in sterile organs. The incidence of hypertension in this series was 11.3 per cent. The incidence of hypertension in patients with unilateral non-functioning or poorly functioning tuberculous kidneys was 23.2 per cent (p less than 0.005). Two-thirds of the hypertensive patients with severe unilateral tuberculous nephropathy benefited by a decrease in blood pressure after nephrectomy. Removal of these kidneys does not cause a significant loss of renal function. The perioperative morbidity and mortality of the procedure should be minimal in a generally younger population. It is concluded that primary nephrectomy is an important adjunct in the comprehensive management of the unilateral non-functioning kidney.
The Hobgoblin of Little Minds? Our Foolish Law of Inconsistent Verdicts

What should a court do when a single criminal jury reaches logically irreconcilable verdicts--for example, convicting one defendant of conspiracy but acquitting her sole alleged coconspirator? The Supreme Court has unanimously decreed that a court should do nothing: it should leave the verdicts undisturbed. To reverse the inconsistent conviction would not only require guesswork about what produced the inconsistency, but would also be unfair to the government. The government, after all, might have been the victim of the jury's error, but the Double Jeopardy Clause precludes it from appealing the inconsistent acquittal. To avoid this unfairness, the Court concludes, the defendant must accept her conviction, just as the government must accept the acquittal. In this Article, Professor Muller demonstrates that this do-nothing approach to inconsistent verdicts masks a deep pro-government bias. He argues that the Court has both underestimated the harms that inconsistent verdicts pose to criminal defendants and overstated the impact of such verdicts on the government. He also notes that the Court has imagined only all-or-nothing solutions to the problem of inconsistent verdicts: either reverse all inconsistent convictions, or affirm them all. Professor Muller suggests two solutions that would allow courts to try to distinguish and disturb only those inconsistent convictions that likely resulted from pro-government jury error.
A Fast and Accurate Approximation Algorithm for Failure Frequency of Power Distribution Systems

This paper considers the problem of approximating the failure frequency of power distribution systems modeled as k-terminal reliability systems. In such systems, the nodes (i.e., buses), among which $k$ nodes are terminals (i.e., generation and load buses), are connected via components (i.e., lines) that are subject to random failure and repair processes. Any time the surviving system fails to connect all terminals, a system failure occurs. Assuming that the up-times and down-times of each component follow statistically independent stationary random processes, and these processes are statistically independent across the components, the exact computation of failure frequency is known to be intractable (NP-hard). In this work, we propose a randomized algorithm for approximating the failure frequency within an arbitrary multiplicative error that runs in polynomial time in the number of cutsets in the system, and has an arbitrarily small error probability. We illustrate the application of the proposed algorithm by simulating the distribution system of Micropolis, a virtual city designed to represent a typical small community in the United States. Our simulation results confirm that the proposed algorithm is faster and more accurate than the standard Monte Carlo simulation for approximating the failure frequency.