cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new era of human rights news? Contrasting two paradigms of human rights news-making

ABSTRACTPast research suggests that news coverage of human rights is shaped primarily by interactions between journalists, political elites, and leading NGOs. To what degree do contemporary transformations in media, politics, and civil society alter this established wisdom? In this article, I sketch out the possibility that we are witnessing a new era of human rights news, characterized by the expansion of information producers and social contexts to which human rights frames are ascribed. In this era, leading NGOs and news organizations must increasingly interact with individual activists and others on the selection, framing, and dissemination of human rights news. These developments may remedy some of the weaknesses identified in previous research on human rights news, even as they create new concerns about the veracity and pluralistic nature of human rights news content. I suggest ways to study this new era so as to integrate findings with past research.
SLC-based optical interconnect for computing systems

The performance increase of computing systems is hindered by the power dissipated by the system. Multi-core systems enable the performance increase under such power-constrained environment with high-level interconnection of power-efficient processing elements. High-density and high-bandwidth interconnects are crucial for such systems, and optical interconnects promise to provide the required features, such as data rate, channel density, power dissipation. In this paper, we have demonstrated a high-density, chip-based optical interconnect exploiting a waveguide-integrated surface laminar circuit (SLC) board. A build-up polymer waveguide layer is formed on a SLC, and optical and electrical chips constructing optical interconnects are flip-chip mounted on the SLC much like low-cost electrical packaging using printed circuit boards. Assembled optical interconnect transmitter and receiver have demonstrated 10 Gbps operations.
Chiaroscuro: A Theoretical Valence

AbstractWhen considering “this thing called theory” from the point of view of Black Contemporary, a rural field station dedicated to the study of spatial phenomena and perception, one is confronted with a paradox that simultaneously encourages and resists our tendency to favour a fixed focal length, that of objective distance. This paper proposes theory as a material practice that opposes the objective distance typically associated with research. Black Contemporary serves as an experiential laboratory of such material practice for investigating, cultivating and expanding our knowledge specific to the study of atmosphere and place. This is achieved through immersive acts of thinking and making supported by a series of material insertions or stagings with a relative capacity to unite, react or interact with latent dimensions of the inherited landscape. Each staging is driven by nascent desire and possibility to intercourse with the existing material surrounds. Each is pursuant of a philosophical position of...
Hoxa9+Meis1a Efficiently Transform Hematopoietic Stem Cells but Not Committed Progenitors.

The homeobox transcription factors Hoxa9 and Meis1a induce the expansion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and cooperate to induce acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We have recently shown that Hoxa9 and Meis1a are part of a self-renewal program found in leukemia stem cells (LSC) isolated from murine leukemias initiated by expression of MLL-AF9 in committed granulocyte macrophage progenitors (GMP). However, it remains unclear whether the Hoxa9-Meis1a complex is sufficient to mimic the leukemogenic effects of MLL-AF9. Therefore we assessed the clonogenic and leukemogenic activity of HSC and GMP transduced with Hoxa9-Meis1a and compared this to MLL-AF9 transduced HSC and GMP. We expressed either Hoxa9-Meis1a or MLL-AF9 in HSC or GMP and sorted single cells into 96 well plates. The data demonstrate that the clonogenic potential of single HSC or GMP expressing Hoxa9-Meis1a or MLL-AF9 are similar and both produce cells that can be replated in vitro for greater than 6 weeks. Remarkably, Hoxa9-Meis1a induces leukemia with high efficiency when expressed in HSC but not committed GMP, while MLL-AF9 can fully transform both HSC and GMP. Next, we identified a population of cells from Hoxa9-Meis1a leukemias that were enriched for LSC. Even though the leukemias were initiated from HSC, the LSC population possessed an immunophenotype and global gene expression program more consistent with differentiated myeloid cells. Further characterization of gene expression in the Hoxa9-Meis1a LSC found that only a subset of the MLL-AF9 self-renewal signature is activated by Hoxa9-Meis1a. These findings show that Hoxa9-Meis1a can efficiently induce LSC from HSC but not GMP. This suggests Hoxa9 and Meis1a induced leukemogenesis is dependent upon cellular context and require programs/pathways active in HSC in order to initiate leukemia. Thus MLL-AF9 must activate pathways critical for LSC development in addition to Hoxa9-Meis1a in order to fully transform committed progenitor cells. Identification of these cooperating pathways should provide insight into MLL-rearranged and other AML.
Lung ultrasound in acute respiratory distress syndrome and beyond.

Lung ultrasound is still a relatively new technology, albeit one that has rapidly grown in popularity since the initial description of ultrasonographic evaluation of the pleura in the 1960s (1) and of the lung parenchyma in the 1980s (2).
The Recurrent Theme: Electrons and Radiation

Although Kramers made many distinguished contributions to broad areas in theoretical physics, there was one set of problems that preoccupied him throughout his career. These problems were always related to the proper description, be it classical or quantum mechanical, of the interactions of electrons with an electromagnetic field. In a career as broad and varied as Kramers’, it may seem arbitrary to single out one particular set of studies as especially significant, but there is no doubt that Kramers himself considered his investigations in this area to be of unusual importance. This can be inferred more from his persistent activities in this field, extending as they did over many years, than from the number of papers actually published. His early work on dispersion relations (1924, 1925) certainly belongs in this category, as does his work on the relativistic spin theory. Kramers returns to a most serious and meticulous examination of the proper formulation of the interaction between electrons and the electromagnetic field in the second volume of his great textbook published in 1938. No less than 80 pages, out of a total of 280, are devoted to an incredibly detailed treatment of that topic. Even after this intense preoccupation with the subject, he kept on thinking about it, refining his arguments and changing and improving the presentations. He induced several students and collaborators to use his ideas and methods to reexamine and improve the quantum theory of radiation.
The ubiquitin ligase ITCH coordinates small intestinal epithelial homeostasis by modulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration

Maintenance of the intestinal mucosa is driven by local signals that coordinate epithelial proliferation, differentiation, and turnover in order to separate antigenic luminal contents from the host's immune system. Breaches in this barrier promote gastrointestinal pathologies ranging from inflammatory bowel disease to cancer. The ubiquitin ligase ITCH is known to regulate immune responses, and loss of function of ITCH has been associated with gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders, particularly in the colon. However, the small intestine appears to be spared from this pathology. Here we explored the physiological mechanism that underlies the preservation of mucosal homeostasis in the small intestine in mice lacking ITCH (Itcha18H/a18H). Histological analysis of the small intestines from young adult mice revealed architectural changes in animals deficient for ITCH, including villus blunting with cell crowding, crypt expansion, and thickening of the muscularis propria relative to age-matched mice sufficient for ITCH. These differences were more prominent in the distal part of the small intestine and were not dependent upon lymphoid cells. Underlying the observed changes in the epithelium were expansion of the Ki67+ proliferating transit amplifying progenitor population and increased numbers of terminally differentiated mucus-secreting goblet and anti-microbial producing Paneth cells, which are both important in controlling local inflammation in the small intestine and are known to be dysregulated in inflammatory bowel disease. Homeostasis in the small intestine of Itcha18H/a18H animals was maintained by increased cell turnover, including accelerated migration of epithelial cells along the crypt-villus axis and increased apoptosis of epithelial cells at the crypt-villus junction. Consistent with this enhanced turnover, Itcha18H/a18H mice carrying the Min mutation (Itcha18H/a18H; ApcMin/+) displayed a 76% reduction in tumor burden as compared to ApcMin/+ littermates with normal levels of ITCH. These findings highlight the role of ITCH as an important modulator of intestinal epithelial homeostasis.
Square peg, round hole? Programmed death-1 inhibitors in epidermal growth factor receptor-mutant non-small cell lung cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as powerful new agents in the management of advanced, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In particular, monoclonal antibodies targeting the programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligand, PD-L1, have transformed treatment approaches for patients with advanced lung cancer. In a series of pivotal studies, the PD-1 inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab and the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab produced signi cant improvements in overall survival compared to standard single- agent chemotherapy in previously treated patients (1-4).
Complex Variables with Applications. By A. David Wunsch

(1985). Complex Variables with Applications. By A. David Wunsch. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 92, No. 8, pp. 600-601.
In the Shadow of Mrs. Zimmerman: A Conversation With Sharon Maroney:

Dr. Sharon Maroney’s career has focused on children and youth with significant behavior and emotional challenges. Her career has spanned experiences from sibling, special education teacher, and uni...
Microgravity and the lung

Results are presented from studies of the effect of microgravity on the lungs of rats flown on the Cosmos 2044 mission, and from relevant laboratory experiments. The effects of microgravity fall into five categories: topographical structure and function, the lung volumes and mechanics, the intrathoracic blood pressures and volumes, the pulmonary deposition of aerosol, and denitrogenaton during EVA. The ultrastructure of the left lungs of rats flown for 14 days on the Cosmos 2044 spacecraft and that of some tail-suspended rats disclosed presence of red blood cells in the alveolar spaces, indicating that pulmonary hemorrhage and pulmonary edema occurred in these rats. Possible causes for this phenomenon are discussed.
First-to-File as a Rule of Evidence

Some have argued that the new first-to-file patent system is unconstitutional because the Constitution contains a principle that patents should be granted only to first inventors. In this Essay, I argue that, even accepting such a constitutional principle, a first-to-file system is permissible because it relies on a reasonable evidentiary proxy for determining the first inventor.
Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, Low Malignant Potential, and Sex Cord Stromal Tumors of the Ovary

Ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of gynecologic cancer death in the USA. Understanding of genetic predisposition, including BRCA mutations and Lynch syndrome has resulted in risk reduction in limited populations although no effective screening exists to date. This chapter explores the epidemiology, risk factors, and genetic predisposition of epithelial ovarian cancer. Additionally, diagnosis, and management algorithms are reviewed, with an emphasis on clinical trials guiding current management. The purpose of surgical cytoreduction is reviewed, and the concept of HIPEC introduced. Less common ovarian neoplasms including low malignant potential tumors, germ cell and sex cord stromal tumors are discussed, with an emphasis on diagnosis and recommended treatment. Lastly, emerging molecularly targeted therapies are emphasized.
Responsive Decision Support Systems: A Broad View Illustrates When to Include Expert Systems

We help managers most by providing tools to support decision making. A management system model, used as an internal framework, looks at management tools and their relationships with the manager and his or her operation. To realize its full potential, view a decision support system top-down, from the manager’s perspective. The model gives us a broad view so that we can compare decision support systems (DSS), management information systems (MIS), expert systems (ES), and other popular tools when considering the shape of automation for molding management tools. The computer is not a requisite for any such tools. Ultimately, success for management tools depends on distinguishing between means (management tools) and ends (operations tools) and on the relationship between management tools and their user. When building intelligence into management tools, responsiveness is the first order of business, and expert replication is a lower order. Expert replication leads to automation. The preeminent tool is the decision support system; all other management tools are part of the decision support system.
Easy Graphic Design for Librarians: From Color to Kerning

There is a long history of issues related to graphic design in libraries. Any design nerd with an MLS loves to talk about the forgotten art of “library hand,” which was the practice of penmanship d...
Ovarian Cancer in the Elderly

Elderly patients represent an increasing proportion of ovarian cancer patients. While prognosis has improved in younger patients with treatment standardisation and new treatment strategies, age stays a strong predictor of poor survival in elderly patients and major heterogeneity in practices. This review summarises current evidence, proposed treatment guidelines and future challenges for elderly ovarian cancer patients. It highlights the need for prospective specific data integrating assessment of geriatric covariates and patient-centred outcomes.
Major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted protection against murine cytomegalovirus requires missing-self recognition by the natural killer cell inhibitory Ly49 receptors

Viruses have evolved strategies that highlight critical, intertwined host immune mechanisms. As postulated by the missing-self hypothesis, natural killer (NK) cells and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) have opposing requirements for ubiquitously expressed MHC-I molecules. Since NK cell MHC-I-specific Ly49 inhibitory receptors prevent killing of cells with normal MHC-I, viruses evading CTLs by down-regulating MHC-I should be vulnerable to NK cells. However, definitive integrated in vivo evidence for this interplay has been lacking, in part due to receptor polymorphism and a proposed second function of Ly49 receptors in licensing NK cells via self-MHC-I. Here we generated mice lacking specific Ly49 inhibitory receptors to show their essential role in licensing and controlling murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection in vivo in an MHC-restricted manner. When MCMV cannot down-regulate MHC-I, NK cells cannot control infection that instead is mediated by CTLs, as predicted by the missing-self hypothesis.
Oral and Inhaled Ribavirin Treatment for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Lung Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in lung transplant recipients (LTRs) causes mortality rates of 10%-20% despite antiviral therapy. Ribavirin (RBV) has been used to treat RSV-infected LTRs with limited data. METHODS A retrospective study including all LTRs at Duke Hospital during January 2013-May 2017 with positive RSV polymerase chain reaction respiratory specimens was performed. RESULTS Fifty-six of 70 patients in the oral RBV group and 29 of 32 in the inhaled RBV group had symptomatic RSV infection. One patient receiving oral RBV had to prematurely stop drug due to significant nausea and vomiting. While unadjusted all-cause 1-year mortality was significantly higher in the inhaled RBV group (24.1% versus 7.1% [oral RBV], P = 0.03), adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for death and oral RBV use (compared to inhaled RBV), accounting for oxygen requirement and need for mechanical ventilation, showed the HR for death and oral RBV use was 0.38 ([0.10, 1.46], P = 0.38). The HR for death in patients with supplemental oxygen >2 L/min at diagnosis was 6.18 ([1.33, 26.83], P = 0.02). Kaplan-Meier curves showed patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 second decline ≥5% and ≥10% at 90 days post-RSV infection had a higher 1-year mortality (P = 0.004 and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Oral and inhaled RBV appear to be well tolerated in LTRs, and our data support the use of oral RBV as a safe alternative to inhaled ribavirin in LTRs. Oxygen requirement >2 L/min at diagnosis and forced expiratory volume in 1 second decline ≥5% postinfection may be markers for increased mortality.
Opération Amérique: Québec’s Soft Power Applied to French Language Teaching in the United States

ABSTRACTOperation Amerique refers to the coordinated efforts of Rene Levesque’s Parti Quebecois government beginning late 1970s to promote Quebec’s interests in the United States. The general goals...
Limits to male reproductive potential across mating bouts in Drosophila melanogaster

Understanding the sources of variation in reproductive fitness is a central goal of sexual selection research. Research investigating factors limiting male reproductive potential typically focus on limited mate availability or mate access. This focus often minimizes the potential relevance of physiological or other limitations on male reproductive potential, in contrast to the emphasis on studying such limitations in females. This gap in knowledge leaves open questions about how variation in male reproductive success emerges across successive mating bouts. Here, we contribute to bridging this gap by examining male reproductive potential across successive matings and across time. To reveal limits to male reproductive potential, and sources of variation in these limits, we measured mating rate and offspring production in Drosophila melanogaster males under conditions in which mate limitation was abrogated and food was abundant. Even under these ideal conditions, we discovered distinct limits to male reproductive potential after just a few mating bouts. After males mated two to five times on a given day, additional matings often resulted in zero progeny. Furthermore, we found nonlinear relationships between the number of females a male mated with and the number of progeny he sired; and these relationships depended on the male's genotype, early life social environment and recent mating experience. These findings suggest that males who obtain more mates do not always sire the most offspring and that males who are highly successful in obtaining mates during one time period may not be able to continue this success on subsequent mating bouts and days. Together, these findings suggest trade-offs between current and future reproduction for males. More broadly, these results highlight how sexual selection studies may be expanded across individuals' lifetimes to develop a fuller picture of how sexual selection shapes variation.
The contrasting response of outlet glaciers to interior and ocean forcing

Abstract. The dynamics of marine-terminating outlet glaciers are of fundamental interest in glaciology, and affect mass loss from ice sheets in a warming climate. In this study, we analyze the response of outlet glaciers to different sources of climate forcing. We find that outlet glaciers have a characteristically different transient response to surface-mass-balance forcing applied over the interior than to oceanic forcing applied at the grounding line. A recently developed reduced model represents outlet glacier dynamics via two widely-separated response timescales: a fast response associated with grounding-zone dynamics, and a slow response of interior ice. The reduced model is shown to emulate the behavior of a more complex numerical model of ice flow. Together, these models demonstrate that ocean forcing first engages the fast, local response, and then the slow adjustment of interior ice, whereas surface-mass-balance forcing is dominated by the slow interior adjustment. We also demonstrate the importance of the timescales of stochastic forcing for assessing the natural variability of outlet glaciers, highlighting that decadal persistence in ocean variability can affect the behavior of outlet glaciers on centennial and longer timescales. Finally, we show that these transient responses have important implications for: attributing observed glacier changes to natural or anthropogenic influences; the future change already committed by past forcing; and the impact of past climate changes on the preindustrial glacier state, against which current and future anthropogenic influences are assessed.
In-situ/operando soft x-ray spectroscopy characterization of energy and catalytic materials

Abstract The capabilities of soft x-ray absorption (XAS), soft x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering (RIXS), and their application to characterization of solar energy materials are presented. We have discussed some recent developments of in-situ soft x-ray spectroscopy cells, which enable the investigation of critical solid/liquid or solid/gas interfaces in chemical and electrochemical processes under real-world practical conditions. In particular, in-situ soft x-ray spectroscopies can be utilized to probe the formation of intermediate species, charge separation upon illumination of sunlight and electron transfer to the interfacial reactions. A number of examples using soft x-ray spectroscopies to study these solar energy and catalytic materials are discussed to demonstrate how these powerful characterization tools could be helpful to further understand the energy conversion and energy storage systems.
Do aspirational role models inspire or backfire? Perceived similarity mediates the effect of role models on minority students’ college choices

Drawing from psychological theory, an aspirational role model within college marketing materials may cause prospective students to be willing to make similar enrollment and academic choices if the ...
Dose escalation in the definite target volume.

Purpose To introduce the definite target volume (DTV) and evaluate dosimetric consequences of boosting dose to this region of high clinical target volume (CTV)- and low organs at risk (OAR)-probability. Methods This work defines the DTV via occupancy probability and via contraction of the CTV by margin M less any planning risk volume (PRV) volumes. The equivalence to within varying occupancy probability of the two methods is established for spherical target volumes. We estimate a margin for four radiation treatment sites based on modern images guided radiation therapy-literature utilizing repeat volumetric imaging. Based on margins and patient-specific DTV targets, the ability to dose escalate the DTV including the effects of spatial uncertainty was evaluated. We simulate delivery assuming violation of the underlying spatial uncertainty of 130%. Results Contracting the planning target volume (PTV) by M and excluding PRV volumes, the DTV ranged from 7.3 to 93.6 cc. In a brain treatment, DTV-Dmax increased to 66.8 Gy (145% of prescription isodose); in advanced lung DTV-Dmax increased to 122.2 Gy (204% of prescription isodose), in a pancreatic case DTV-Dmax was boosted up to 87.3 Gy (173% or prescription isodose), and in retroperitoneal sarcoma to 74.6 Gy (249% of prescription isodose). The high point doses were not associated with increased dose to OARs, even when considering the effects of spatial uncertainty. Simulated delivery at 130% of assumed spatial uncertainties revealed DTV-based planning can result in minor increases in OAR Dmean/Dmax of 2.7 ± 2.1 Gy/1.8 ± 2.2 Gy with duodenum Dmax > 110% of prescription isodose in the pancreatic case. These dose increases were consistent with simulation of clinical, homogenous PTV-dose distributions. Conclusion We have proposed and tested a method to deliver extremely high doses to subvolumes of target volumes in multiple treatment sites by defining a new target volume, the DTV. Based on simulated delivery, the method does not result in significant increases in dose to OARs if spatial uncertainty can be estimated.
Si-based materials for lithium-ion batteries VII. 70% surface-modified Si/C-carbon black/lithiated polyacrylic acid electrode

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyze a 70% Si/C-carbon black/lithiated polyacrylic acid electrode fabricated at the Cell Analysis, Modeling, and Prototyping Facility (CAMP), Argonne National Laboratory. The spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 1486.6 eV (0.834 01 nm). An initial survey spectrum together with O 1s, C 1s, and Si 2p are presented. A final survey spectrum was collected to ascertain the amount of beam-induced damage, which appears to be minimal. The spectra indicate the principal core level photoelectron and Auger electron signals with only minor copper, nitrogen, calcium, and lithium signals and show the expected silicon-carbon species related to the surface modification process in addition to oxidized carbon and silicon due to atmospheric exposure as well contributions related to the binder material.
Estimating Population Growth Rates and Instantaneous Population from Periodized Settlement Data

Settlement surveys that yield counts of the number of houses or rooms dated to a chronological period can be used to indicate population and to estimate rates of population growth or decline. Population estimates and population growth rates are, of course, interpretively critical for describing and explaining many aspects of social dynamics. For this sort of survey data, population growth rates can be estimated by applying an ordinary, compound interest formula to room counts, standardized by period length, for successive time periods. This article offers a more nuanced approach that simulates a continuous process of room construction and abandonment, yielding a total number of rooms occupied during a period. The modeled growth rate is the value at which the model total most closely matches the value observed in the settlement data, given the set of model parameters. The model results are sensitive to both structure use-life and the founding room count. This sensitivity does not reflect a defect of the model. Instead it points to a major problem of equifinality—a great variety of different processes could account for the observed data. Exploration of three cases shows that reviewing the model results for a range of combinations of reasonable parameter values can provide demographic insights that are more informative—and can be markedly different—than those provided by the standard formula.
Book Review: Are Globalization and Sustainability Compatible?: A Review of the Debate Between the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the International Forum on Globalization

In March of 2003, the publishers of two books with contrasting perspectives sponsored a public debate about the contents of these books, and the larger issues involved. The lead authors of each of the books participated in the debate: Chad Holliday, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DuPont, for Walking the Talk: The Business Case for Sustainable Development; and John Cavanagh, Director of the Institute for Policy Studies, for Alternatives to Economic Globalization: A Better World Is Possible. These panelists represented not only their books, but also their organizations: Holliday represented the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), of which he is past chairman, while Cavanagh represented the International Forum on Globalization (IFG), of which he is Vice President and a member of its Board of Directors. A review of these two books and a discussion of the issues involved in the debate follow.
Charged dust in the outer planetary magnetospheres. I - Physical and dynamical processes

Typical interplanetary grains (Brownlee types) and the physical and dynamical processes associated with their entry into the Jovian magnetosphere are discussed. The charging and subsequent distribution of interplanetary dust grains entering the magnetosphere as well as the basic aspects of orbital dynamics of charged grains are examined. Results showed that all negatively charged fragments are strongly attracted towards the planet by the radial corotational electric field, while some are stably trapped, suggesting that the sudden enhancement by about two orders of magnitude of the interplanetary dust flux, measured at 30 Jupiter radii by Pioneer 10, is a combination of these two results. The similarity in brightness asymmetries between the Jovian and Saturnian satellites leads to the expectation that Saturn's magnetic moment and spin are parallel with the limit of plasma corotational lying between satellites Rhea and Iapetus.
Racial and ethnic disparities in birth Outcomes: A decomposition analysis of contributing factors

This study seeks to quantify and rank the contribution of selected factors to the observed racial/ethnic disparities in low-birth-weight births (LBWBs) and preterm births (PTBs). Based on vital statistics data on births to primiparous women and characteristics of mothers in the State of Nebraska during the period of 2005 to 2014 (n = 93,375), unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were estimated to examine the association between selected variables and the odds of having LBWBs or PTBs. Fairlie decomposition analysis was performed to quantify the contribution of each selected factor to racial/ethnic differences in LBWB and PTB rates. The prevalence of PTBs was 9.1% among non-Hispanic White (NHW) women, as compared to 12.8% among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women and 10.6% among Hispanic women. The corresponding prevalence of LBWBs in the three groups were 5.9%, 11.9%, and 7.2%, respectively. The higher educational attainment among NHW women, relative to NHB women accounted for 10% of the observed difference in LBWB rate between the two groups. Health insurance coverage was the second most important factor accounting for the observed disparities in birth outcomes. Addressing socioeconomic disadvantages in NHB and Hispanic women would be important for them to narrow their gaps with NHW women in LBWB and PTB prevalence. More research is needed to identify key factors leading to the disparities in birth outcomes between NHW and NHB women.
Estimating the energy impact of electric, autonomous taxis: evidence from a select market

Electric, autonomous vehicles promise to address technical consumption inefficiencies associated with gasoline use and reduce emissions. Potential realization of this prospect has prompted considerable interest and investment in the technology. Using publicly available data from a select market, we examine the magnitude of the envisioned benefits and the determinants of the financial payoff of investing in a tripartite innovation in motor vehicle transportation: vehicle electrification, vehicle automation, and vehicle sharing. In contrast to previous work, we document that 1) the technology's envisioned cost effectiveness may be impeded by previously unconsidered parameters, 2) the inability to achieve cost parity with the status quo does not necessarily preclude net increases in energy consumption and emissions, 3) these increases are driven primarily by induced demand and mode switches away from pooled personal vehicles, and 4) the aforementioned externalities may be mitigated by leveraging a specific set of technological, behavioral and logistical pathways. We quantify – for the first time – the thresholds required for each of these pathways to be effective and demonstrate that pathway stringency is largely influenced by heterogeneity in trip timing behavior. We conclude that enacting these pathways is crucial to fostering environmental stewardship absent impediments in economic mobility.
LONG-TERM IMMUNOLOGIC EFFECTS OF SARS-CoV-2 INFECTION: LEVERAGING TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY TO ADDRESS EMERGING QUESTIONS.

The current era of COVID-19 is characterized by emerging variants of concern (VOCs), waning vaccine- and natural infection-induced immunity, debate over the timing and necessity of vaccine boosting, and the emergence of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). As a result, there is an ongoing need for research to promote understanding of the immunology of both natural infection and prevention, especially as SARS-CoV-2 immunology is a rapidly changing field, with new questions arising as the pandemic continues to grow in complexity. The next phase of COVID-19 immunology research will need focus on clearer characterization of the immune processes defining acute illness, development of a better understanding of the immunologic processes driving protracted symptoms and prolonged recovery (i.e. PASC), and a growing focus on the impact of therapeutic and prophylactic interventions on the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this review, we address what is known about the long-term immune consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection and propose how experience studying the translational immunology of other infections might inform the approach to some of the key questions that remain.
Brilacidin, a COVID-19 Drug Candidate, demonstrates broad-spectrum antiviral activity against human coronaviruses OC43, 229E and NL63 through targeting both the virus and the host cell

Brilacidin, a mimetic of host defense peptides (HDPs), is currently in phase 2 clinical trial as an antibiotic drug candidate. A recent study reported that brilacidin has antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 by inactivating the virus. In this work, we discovered an additional mechanism of action of brilacidin by targeting heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) on host cell surface. Brilacidin, but not acetyl brilacidin, inhibits the entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus into multiple cell lines, and heparin, a HSPG mimetic, abolishes the inhibitory activity of brilacidin on SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus cell entry. In addition, we found that brilacidin has broad-spectrum antiviral activity against multiple human coronaviruses (HCoVs) including HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-NL63. Mechanistic studies revealed that brilacidin has a dual antiviral mechanism of action including virucidal activity and binding to coronavirus attachment factor HSPGs on host cell surface. Brilacidin partially loses its antiviral activity when heparin was included in the cell cultures, supporting the host-targeting mechanism. Drug combination therapy showed that brilacidin has a strong synergistic effect with remdesivir against HCoV-OC43 in cell culture. Taken together, this study provides appealing findings for the translational potential of brilacidin as a broad-spectrum antiviral for coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2.
Lean Mass and Fat Mass as Contributors to Physical Fitness in an Overweight and Obese African American Population

Objective: To determine the association of lean vs fat mass with fitness in healthy, overweight and obese African Americans from families with early-onset coronary disease. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Baltimore, Maryland. Participants: 191 healthy, overweight, sedentary African Americans (69% women; aged 44.8 +/- 11 years; body mass index 34 +/- 5 kg/m2). Main Outcome Measures: Anthropometrics, smoking, blood pressure, lipids, c-reactive protein, and glucose were assessed with standard methods; body composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; cardiorespiratory fitness was expressed as VO2peak attained during a maximal treadmill test. Results: In both men and women, greater lean mass was independently associated with higher VO2peak ( P <.05) and explained .21% of the variance in VO2peak, adjusted for body mass index, fat mass, important covariables, and nonindependence of families. Conclusions: In this cross-sectional study, lean mass was the key determinant of cardiorespiratory fitness, independent of sex, age, and magnitude of obesity. These data provide a strong rationale for examining whether interventions that increase lean mass may also improve fitness, even among high-risk overweight and obese African Americans. ( Ethn Dis . 2015;25[2]:214–219)
Tracer Studies of the Uptake of Organic Compounds by Planarians

For this symposium it is superfluous to review either the numerous theories of memory or the interest that has existed, and for many still exists, in planarians as a useful tool in studies of chemical processes which occur in learning. Because of this interest in planarians, a few years ago we attempted to train planarians reliably and reproducibly. At the same time we studied the uptake of a number of organic compounds by planarians. Our objective was not to investigate the intermediary metabolism of these compounds in detail, but rather to determine in a general way (1) the relative efficiency with which different classes of organic compounds were utilized, (2) the variation within a class of the degree of utilization, and (3) some variables which influence uptake. The parameters affecting uptake which we studied included the external concentration of the organic compounds and the time of contact. In addition, the rate of loss of the label when the planarian was removed from the tracer solution and the distribution of the utilized chemical between “soluble” and “insoluble” compounds were determined. The retention and distribution of the label when transferred by cannibalism were also investigated. Radioautographic studies were carried out to confirm the uptake of the tracer compounds and to investigate their distribution among cells of the planarian.
Anchoring fibrils contain the carboxyl-terminal globular domain of type VII procollagen, but lack the amino-terminal globular domain.

Abstract Type VII procollagen has been characterized as a product of epithelial cell lines. As secreted, it contains a large triple-helical domain terminated by a multi-globular-domained carboxyl terminus (NC-1), and a smaller amino-terminal globule (NC-2). The triple helix and the NC-1 domain have previously been identified in anchoring fibril-containing tissues by biochemical and immunochemical means, leading to the conclusion that type VII collagen is a major component of anchoring fibrils. In order to better characterize the tissue form of type VII collagen, we have produced a panel of monoclonal antibodies which recognize the NC-1 domain. Peptide mapping of these epitopes indicate that they are independent and span approximately 125,000 kDa of the total 150,000 kDa of each alpha chain contained in NC-1. All these antibodies elicit immunofluorescent staining of the basement membrane zone in tissues. Type VII collagen has been extracted from tissues. As previously reported, it is smaller than type VII procollagen, (Woodley, D. T., Burgeson, R. E., Lunstrum, G. P., Bruckner-Tuderman, L., and Briggaman, R. A., submitted for publication), and we now find that it predominantly occurs as a dimer. Following clostridial collagenase digestion, intact NC-1 has been recognized, indicating that the difference in apparent Mr between the tissue form of the molecule and type VII procollagen results from modification of the amino terminus. The size of the amino-terminal globule has been determined to be between approximately 96 and 102 kDa. Rotary shadowing analyses of extracted molecules indicate that dimeric molecules contain the NC-1 domain, but are missing intact NC-2. We propose that the tissue form monomer, Mr = 960,000, be referred to as "type VII collagen." These studies strongly suggest that anchoring fibrils contain dimeric molecules with intact NC-1 domains. The data also support the previous suggestion that the NC-2 domain is involved in the formation of disulfide bond-stabilized type VII collagen dimers, and is subsequently removed by physiological proteolytic processing.
Pytheas of Massalia

Pytheas (ca. 350–320) was a geographer, an astronomer, and an explorer from the Greek city of Massalia. Keywords: exploration; science; travel
Interplanetary Dust Particles

The ways of establishing the extraterrestrial nature of different subsets of interplanetary dust collected in the stratosphere by high-altitude aircraft are discussed. Consideration is given to microanalytic techniques which make it possible to obtain detailed experimental information on the mineralogical and petrographic characteristics, the mid-IR absorption spectra, the Raman spectra, and the isotopic properties of individual particles. The implications of data obtained by these techniques for the origin of interplanetary dust are examined, showing that the particles are less altered than those solar-system material samples found in meteorites. It is suggested that many of the particles come from comets, although an unknown fraction originate from asteroids. Small regions of isotopically distinct material suggest that part of the dust consists of interstellar-cloud material that predates the solar system.
Biochemistry and physiology of bacterial ribonucleases.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the information presently available regarding the various ribonucleases elaborated by bacteria. The chapter focuses mainly to a single species, Escherichia coli, simply because most systematic studies have been carried out on this organism. The increasing number of enzymes whose functions are either to process or degrade polyribonucleotide chains poses a challenge to biochemists and molecular biologists in this area. Most of the knowledge on the mechanism of action of the enzymes comes from studies that involve the isolation of a particular enzyme and studies of its action with specific substrates in vitro, with subsequent extrapolation of these results to in vivo conditions. While progress is being made at an accelerated pace, the answers to many questions of the actual in vivo mechanisms still remain unclear. Recently, through the use of both genetic and biochemical approaches, and in vitro processing systems, rapid progress has been made in elucidating individual steps involved in RNA maturation in a wide variety of systems.
The genetics of the Lp antigen. I. Its quantitation and distribution in a sample population.

SUMMARY Several genetic models were considered to explain the distribution of qualitatively positive and negative children in 204 Caucasian families. A model which best describes the inheritance of the Lp antigenic expression involves a major genetic locus which distinguishes two overlapping continuously distributed modes of quantitative activity.
An efficient wavelength assignment algorithm for service and restoration in WDM rings

We present a vertex-coloring based service and restoration wavelength assignment algorithm for WDM rings. Through performance bounds and simulations, we show that this algorithm achieves low wavelength requirement, and is suitable for reducing fault-monitoring costs.
Peer response to messages of distress.

Background: Suicidal young adults often confide their distress to peers. It is unclear, however, what types of assistance a friend may offer in response to various symptoms of distress as well as whether the sex of either individual affects responses. Aims: We examined open-ended responses to e-mail vignettes from a fictitious friend exhibiting depressed, irritable, or overtly suicidal communications. Method: College student participants (n = 106) read e-mail messages from a fictitious friend, to which they composed a reply. Replies were coded to reflect the presence/absence of mention of professional help, problem-oriented (personal) help, and social support. Results: Problem-oriented help was offered the most across conditions; professional help was offered least in response to depressed or irritable vignettes. Women were more likely to offer any type of help than men. Patterns of help-giving and sex differences in help-giving varied by condition. Conclusions: Results indicate students’ preferences for ...
Oil Migration in Chocolate and Almond Product Confectionery Systems

: Oil migration from high oil content almond confections into adjacent chocolate causes changes in product quality. The objective of this study was to quantify the oil migration from almond products to dark chocolate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to monitor spatial and temporal changes of liquid lipid content. A multislice spin echo pulse (MSSE) sequence was used to acquire images with a 7.8-ms echo time and a 1000-ms repetition time using a 1.03T Aspect AI MRI spectrometer. Samples were prepared as a 2-layer model system of chocolate and almond confection. Six different almond products and 1 type of dark chocolate were used. Samples were stored at 20, 25, and 30°C for a time frame of several months. Rate and extent of migration were quantified by a kinetic expression based on the linear dependence of oil uptake by chocolate and the square root of the time. Samples showed distinctly different rate and extent of oil migration, as evidenced by quantitative differences in the kinetic rate constants and equilibrium uptake for the different sample types. This work will be helpful to design formulations for almond and almond-based products in confections. Practical Application: This work will be helpful to design formulations for almond use in confections.
Fast optical phased array with ultra-lightweight high-contrast-grating mirrors

We report an optical phased array (OPA) using high-contrast-grating (HCG) as an electrostatically actuated mirror for the purpose of free space fast beamsteering. In this paper, several attractive properties of HCG mirror are introduced such as single material, high reflectance along a wide bandwidth and low-mass inertia and the fabrication result is shown. ±10° × 10° with 2° beam width is observed at 1550 nm wavelength using HCG optical phased array.
Robust beamforming and steering of arbitrary beam patterns using spherical arrays

Spherical microphone and loudspeaker arrays present a compact method for analysis and synthesis of arbitrary three-dimensional sound fields. However, issues such as sensor self noise, placement errors, and mismatch require robustness constraints in beamformer design. This work presents a method for designing robust beam patterns with an arbitrary shape and an efficient method for steering the resulting patterns in three dimensions. The technique is used for two applications: reproducing spherical microphone array recordings over loudspeaker arrays and binaurally over headphones with head tracking.
Expression of Nitric-Oxide Synthase (NOS) in Injured CNS Neurons as Shown by NADPH Diaphorase Histochemistry

Recent studies have implicated nitric oxide (NO) in several mechanisms related to neuronal degeneration and synaptic plasticity. In the present study, two models of traumatic neuronal injury were used to examine the expression of NOS following neuronal injury and its relationship to axonal sprouting and neuronal degeneration. It was found that NOS is induced in a week of axonal injury in neurons that are normally NOS-negative. Spinal motoneurons express the enzyme after ventral root avulsion, but not after ventral root transection. Neurons of the nucleus dorsalis of the spinal cord express NOS after ipsilateral spinal cord hemisection. These two models provide information about the time course of NOS expression in injured neurons and the opportunity in future studies to determine the role of NOS and its product, NO, in CNS injury. Observations from the present study suggest that early NOS expression seems to be associated with axonal sprouting and growth. Interestingly, though, the neurons expressing lesion-induced NOS ultimately die. Whether NOS expression in these cells is related to their death is currently under investigation.