cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Stimulatory G Protein α-Subunit Gsα Is Imprinted in Human Thyroid Glands: Implications for Thyroid Function in Pseudohypoparathyroidism Types 1A and 1B

The stimulatory G protein alpha-subunit G(s)alpha couples receptors to adenylyl cyclase and is required for hormone-stimulated cAMP generation. In Albright hereditary osteodystrophy, heterozygous G(s)alpha null mutations only lead to PTH, TSH, and gonadotropin resistance when inherited maternally [pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1A; (PHP1A)]. Maternal-specific expression of G(s)alpha in specific hormone targets could explain this observation. Using hot-stop PCR analysis on total RNA from six normal human thyroid specimens, we showed that the majority of the G(s)alpha mRNA (72 +/- 3%) was derived from the maternal allele. This is consistent with the presence of TSH resistance in patients with maternal G(s)alpha null mutations (PHP1A) and the absence of TSH resistance in patients with paternal G(s)alpha mutations (pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism). Patients with PTH resistance in the absence of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (PHP1B) have an imprinting defect of the G(s)alpha gene resulting in both alleles having a paternal epigenotype, which would lead to a more moderate level of thyroid-specific G(s)alpha deficiency. We found evidence of borderline TSH resistance in 10 of 22 PHP1B patients. This study provides further evidence for tissue-specific imprinting of G(s)alpha in humans and provides a potential mechanism for mild to moderate TSH resistance in PHP1A and borderline resistance in some patients with PHP1B.
A Transgenic Mouse Model for Imaging Single RNA Dynamics In Vivo

We present a novel mouse model for studying the dynamics of mRNA in live cells and tissues. The MS2-GFP labeling technique has been widely used to visualize single RNA in living cells. We extend the utility of the technique for single molecule imaging in the context of a whole-animal system. The MS2-GFP technique exploits the high affinity binding of the MS2 bacteriophage capsid protein (MCP) to the MS2 RNA binding site (MBS). MCP is fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP), and 24 repeats of MBS are inserted into the RNA of interest. In order to apply the technique for live tissue imaging, we genetically engineered two mouse models: MCP-GFP transgenic mouse, Tg(MCP-GFP), and Actb-MBS mouse. In the Actb-MBS mouse, MBS cassette is knocked into the 3’ untranslated region (3’ UTR) of the essential β-actin gene (Lionnet et al., Nature Methods, 8, 165, 2011). By crossing Tg(MCP-GFP) mouse and Actb-MBS mouse, we generated a hybrid mouse expressing fluorescent RNA in every cell and tissue where β-actin is present. The homozygous mouse is viable and exhibits no gross abnormalities despite the addition of 1.2 kbp MBS cassette and approximately 1.2 MDa of MCP-GFP to the essential β-actin mRNA. These results suggest that this technology could be applied to a wide range of genes with minimal perturbation. Using this mouse, we are investigating the dynamics of β-actin mRNA transport in acute brain slices using multiphoton microscopy. In addition, single-molecule tracking of mRNA is employed to understand the mechanism of mRNA localization in hippocampal neuron cultures. The mouse model combined with high-resolution imaging can provide important insights into the dynamic regulation of an endogenous gene in its native tissue environment.This work was supported by NIH-GM86217, GM84364, and NIH-F32-GM87122.
Stable isotope method to measure drug release from nanomedicines

Existing methods to measure nanomedicine drug release in biological matrices are inadequate. A novel drug release method utilizing a stable isotope tracer has been developed. Stable isotope-labeled drug is spiked into plasma containing nanomedicine. The labeled drug equilibrates with plasma components identical to the normoisotopic drug released from the nanomedicine formulation. Therefore, the ultrafilterable fraction of the isotope-labeled drug represents a reliable measure of free normoisotopic drug fraction in plasma, and can be used to calculate nanomedicine encapsulated and unencapsulated drug fractions. To demonstrate the utility of this method, we performed a plasma drug release study with both a fast releasing commercial docetaxel formulation, Taxotere®, and a delayed releasing nanomicellar formulation of a docetaxel prodrug, Procet 8. The instability of the unencapsulated prodrug in plasma allowed us to compare our calculated prodrug release and docetaxel conversion with the actual docetaxel concentration measured directly without fractionation. Drug release estimates for the fast releasing Taxotere formulation demonstrated accuracy deviation and precision (%CV) of <15%. For the controlled release Procet 8 formulation, we calculated a slow release and conversion of the prodrug in rat plasma that was highly correlated with the direct docetaxel measurement (R(2)=0.98). We believe that this method will have tremendous utility in the development and regulatory evaluation of nanomedicines, and aid in determination of generic bioequivalence.
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction secondary to ectopic teeth.

Abstract Objective To describe two patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) caused by ectopic eruption of teeth. The literature concerning nasal and other unusual ectopic sites of tooth eruption is reviewed. Design Two interventional case reports and literature review. Participants A 3-year-old girl with epiphora and recurrent dacryocystitis of the right eye. Previous medical and surgical management was unsuccessful. A 32-year-old female with a long history of right eye discomfort and epiphora. Previous examinations and workup were negative. Intervention A computed tomographic (CT) scan of the orbits and sinuses was performed in both patients. The ectopic teeth were surgically removed. Main outcome measures Nasolacrimal system function and response to treatment at the last follow-up were recorded. Results In the first patient, CT imaging disclosed two teeth within the right inferior meatus compressing the nasolacrimal duct. In the second patient, CT revealed a large dental structure in the maxillary sinus compressing the nasolacrimal duct. Endoscopic tooth extraction and nasolacrimal duct probing in the first patient and surgical removal of the dental structure in the second patient effected complete resolution of symptoms. Both patients were symptom free at last follow-up. Conclusions These cases suggest that ectopic eruption of teeth should be added to the differential diagnosis of NLDO. Surgical removal of the ectopic teeth compressing the nasolacrimal duct results in resolution of the lacrimal drainage obstruction.
Molar microwear of subfossil lemurs: improving the resolution of dietary inferences.

In this study we use molar microwear analyses to examine the trophic distinctions among various taxa of Malagasy subfossil lemurs. High resolution casts of the teeth of Megaladapis, Archaeolemur, Palaeopropithecus, Babakotia, and Hadropithecus were examined under a scanning electron microscope. Megaladapis was undoubtedly a browsing folivore, but there are significant differences between species of this genus. However, dietary specialists appear to be the exception; for example, Palaeopropithecus and Babakotia probably supplemented their leaf-eating with substantial amounts of seed-predation, much like modern indrids. Hadropithecus was decidedly not like the modern gelada baboon, but probably did feed on hard objects. Evidence from microwear and coprolites suggests that Archaeolemur probably had an eclectic diet that differed regionally and perhaps seasonally. Substantial trophic diversity within Madgascar's primate community was diminished by the late Quaternary extinctions of the large-bodied species (>9 kg).
Identity formation, outness, and sexual risk among gay and bisexual men.

Research on HIV among men who have sex with men has focused on individual behavioral and biomedical factors driving transmission risks, but these cannot be fully understood without also understandi...
Optimized radiotherapy in a locally advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma: Comparison of IMRT and proton beam

Purpose/Objective: Curative treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma with conventional radiation is limited by the tolerance of adjacent normal structures and the severity of acute reactions. Our aim was to compare the isodose distribution and dose volume histograms of two state of the art radiotherapy modalities, IMRT and proton beam radiation therapy in a patient with an advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma.
Singing with reduced air sac volume causes uniform decrease in airflow and sound amplitude in the zebra finch.

SUMMARY Song of the zebra finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ) is a complex temporal sequence generated by a drastic change to the regular oscillations of the normal respiratory pattern. It is not known how respiratory functions, such as supply of air volume and gas exchange, are controlled during song. To understand the integration between respiration and song, we manipulated respiration during song by injecting inert dental medium into the air sacs. Increased respiratory rate after injections indicates that the reduction of air affected quiet respiration and that birds compensated for the reduced air volume. During song, air sac pressure, tracheal airflow and sound amplitude decreased substantially with each injection. This decrease was consistently present during each expiratory pulse of the song motif irrespective of the air volume used. Few changes to the temporal pattern of song were noted, such as the increased duration of a minibreath in one bird and the decrease in duration of a long syllable in another bird. Despite the drastic reduction in air sac pressure, airflow and sound amplitude, no increase in abdominal muscle activity was seen. This suggests that during song, birds do not compensate for the reduced physiological or acoustic parameters. Neither somatosensory nor auditory feedback mechanisms appear to effect a correction in expiratory effort to compensate for reduced air sac pressure and sound amplitude.
Two distinct myosin light chain structures are induced by specific variations within the bound IQ motifs-functional implications

IQ motifs are widespread in nature. Mlc1p is a calmodulin-like myosin light chain that binds to IQ motifs of a class V myosin, Myo2p, and an IQGAP-related protein, Iqg1p, playing a role in polarized growth and cytokinesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The crystal structures of Mlc1p bound to IQ2 and IQ4 of Myo2p differ dramatically. When bound to IQ2, Mlc1p adopts a compact conformation in which both the N- and C-lobes interact with the IQ motif. However, in the complex with IQ4, the N-lobe no longer interacts with the IQ motif, resulting in an extended conformation of Mlc1p. The two light chain structures relate to two distinct subfamilies of IQ motifs, one of which does not interact with the N-lobes of calmodulin-like light chains. The correlation between light chain structure and IQ sequence is demonstrated further by sedimentation velocity analysis of complexes of Mlc1p with IQ motifs from Myo2p and Iqg1p. The resulting ‘free’ N-lobes of myosin light chains in the extended conformation could mediate the formation of ternary complexes during protein localization and/or partner recruitment.
Non-native text analysis: A survey

Non-native speakers of English far outnumber native speakers; English is the main language of books, newspapers, airports, air-traffic control, international business, academic conferences, science, technology, diplomacy, sports, international competitions, pop music, and advertising (British Council 2014). Online education in the form of massive online open courses is also primarily in English—even teaching English. This creates enormous amounts of text written by non-native speakers, which in turn generates a need for grammar correction and analysis. Even aside from massive online open courses, the number of English learners in Asia alone is in the tens of millions. In this paper, we provide a survey of the two main areas of existing work on non-native text analysis, prefaced by an overview of common datasets used by researchers, comparing their attributes and potential uses. Then, an introduction to native language identification follows: determining the native language of an author based on text in the second language. This section is subdivided into various techniques and a shared task on this classification problem. Next, we discuss non-native grammatical error correction—finding and modifying text to fix errors or to make it sound more fluent. Again, we discuss different methods before investigating a relevant shared task. Lastly, we end with conclusions and potential future directions. While this survey primarily focuses on detecting and correcting non-native English text, many approaches are general and can be used across any language pairing.
Utilization of Analogues of Riboflavin for Growth and Survival of the Chicken

Groups of normal 5-day-old chicks of the Single Comb White Leghorn strain were fed diets containing no riboflavin, riboflavin, or one of several analogues of riboflavin, to explore differences between the classes Mammalia and Aves. It was found that 7-ethyl-8-methyl-flavin was a suitable replacement for the vitamin. 7-Methyl-8-ethyl-flavin permitted early growth of the chicks, but it did not allow survival when fed in place of riboflavin. The inability to utilize 7-methyl-8-ethyl-flavin represents a real difference in the utilization of flavin between the classes Mammalia and Aves. Other flavin analogues supported some growth, but the chicks did not survive. All groups showed better growth responses than was shown by the riboflavin-deficient group.
Genome-wide polymorphism and signatures of selection in the symbiotic sea anemone Aiptasia

Coral reef ecosystems are declining in response to global climate change and anthropogenic impacts. Yet patterns of standing genetic variation within cnidarian species, a major determinant of adaptive potential, are virtually unknown at genome-scale resolution. We explore patterns of genome-wide polymorphism and identify candidate loci under selection in the sea anemone Aiptasia, an important laboratory model system for studying the symbiosis between corals and dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium. Low coverage genome sequencing revealed large genetic distances among globally widespread lineages, novel candidate targets of selection, and considerably higher heterozygosity than previously reported for Aiptasia. More than 670,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified among 10 Aiptasia individuals including two pairs of genetic clones. Evolutionary relationships based on genome-wide polymorphism supported the current paradigm of a genetically distinct population from the US South Atlantic that harbors diverse Symbiodinium clades. However, anemones from the US South Atlantic demonstrated a striking lack of shared derived polymorphism. Heterozygosity was an important feature shaping nucleotide diversity patterns: at any given SNP site, more than a third of individuals genotyped were heterozygotes, and heterozygosity within individual genomes ranged from 0.37–0.58 %. Analysis of nonsynonymous and synonymous sites suggested that highly heterozygous regions are evolving under relaxed purifying selection compared to the rest of the Aiptasia genome. Genes previously identified as having elevated evolutionary rates in Aiptasia compared to other cnidarians were found in our study to be under strong purifying selection within Aiptasia. Candidate targets of selection, including lectins and genes involved in Rho GTPase signalling, were identified based on unusual signatures of nucleotide diversity, Tajima’s D, and heterozygosity compared to genome-wide averages. This study represents the first genome-wide analysis of Tajima’s D in a cnidarian. Our results shed light on patterns of intraspecific genome-wide polymorphism in a model for studies of coral-algae symbiosis and present genetic targets for future research on evolutionary and cellular processes in early-diverging metazoans.
調和の声 'Chouwa No Koe' or Voices in Harmony: Improving Upon Current U.S.-Japan Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) plays an invaluable role in the United States’ interactions with other sovereign states. The United States and Japan have long resolved their disputes through ADR: from disputes between private entities, to State-level trade disputes, and beyond. However, the history of ADR between the two countries has been fraught with problems stemming from legal and cultural arrangements that often cause as many difficulties as they solve. There is a need for improvement of the ADR process through harmonization of arbitration laws, increased reciprocity of judgment enforcement, and a willingness on the part of both countries to create and implement a more formalized ADR procedural framework to ensure greater continuity and consistency in the dispute resolution process. This Article identifies key problems and proposes solutions for improving the existing U.S.-Japanese ADR process through the creation of more consistent guidelines and practices as a subset of a general examination of worldwide ADR techniques.
Conference Summary of the 28th Annual Biology Colloquium

The twenty-eighth annual Biology Colloquium was held at Oregon State University, Corvallis, on April 28–29, 1967. In recent years the University's School of Science has been joined in sponsorship of the Colloquium by the National Science Foundation. The purpose of the annual meeting is to provide an opportunity for biologists and other scientists, principally in the Pacific Northwest, to inform themselves on recent developments in some particular aspect of biology. This year's topic was “Weather and Life” and the program featured eight invited papers on various aspects of the field of Biometeorology. In addition to the eight papers, opportunities were provided for the participants to interact informally with the speakers and others in attendance.
Calculation of Configurational Entropy with a Boltzmann–Quasiharmonic Model: The Origin of High-Affinity Protein–Ligand Binding

Accurate assessment of configurational entropy remains a large challenge in biology. While many methods exist to calculate configurational entropy, there is a balance between accuracy and computational demands. Here we calculate ligand and protein conformational entropies using the Boltzmann–quasiharmonic (BQH) method, which treats the first-order entropy term by the Boltzmann expression for entropy while determining correlations using the quasiharmonic model. This method is tested by comparison with the exact Clausius expression for entropy on a range of test molecules ranging from small ligands to a protein. Using the BQH method, we then analyze the rotational and translational (R/T) entropy change upon ligand binding for five protein complexes to explore the origins of extremely tight affinity. The results suggest that in these systems such affinity is achieved by a combination of simultaneously maintaining good protein–ligand contacts while allowing significant residual R/T motion of the ligand throug...
Measurement of inorganic disinfection byproducts in water of swimming pools by ion chromatography

[Objective]To establish a method for determination of inorganic disinfection byproducts( DBP) in swimming pools water by ion chromatography.[Methods]WanTong MIC ion chromatography was adopted for sample pretreatment to measure the inorganic DBP in swimming pools water.[Results]The detection limits of the inorganic DBP in swimming pools water were 14-18μg/L,the linear range was between 0-200. 0 μg / L,RSD was less than 4. 1%,and the recoveries were 97. 2%-100. 6%.[Conclusion]This method is sensitive,accurate,convenient to operate,with low limit of detection,less interference,and can meet the testing requirements of inorganic DBP in swimming pools water.
A Review of Hydrogen/Halogen Flow Cells

Flow batteries provide an energy-storage solution for various grid-related stability and service issues that arise as renewable-energy-generation technologies are adopted. Among the most promising flow-battery systems are those using hydrogen/halogen redox couples, which promise the possibility of meeting the cost target of the US Department of Energy (DOE), due to their fast and reversible kinetics and low materials cost. However, significant critical issues and barriers for their adoption remain. In this review of halogen/hydrogen systems, technical and performance issues, and research and development progress are reviewed. The information in this review can be used as a technical guide for research and development of related redox-flow-battery systems and other electrochemical technologies.
The Relationship between Resettlement and Birth Rates: The Case of Gambella, Ethiopia.

Background : This study aims to examine the possible impacts of resettlement on birth rates by using the length of stay variable in the 2000 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Methods : Data in all three rounds of Gambella Administrative Region’s Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) are analyzed. The neighboring administrative region of Benishangul-Gumuz is used as a control. The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) is applied with duration of residence as a categorical independent variable. The statistical software SAS is used. Results : In a univariate analysis of Gambella’s DHS 2000, duration of residence has a significant effect on mothers’ age at first birth (p < 0.001), the number of children born within the five years of the survey (p<0.001), and the total number of children ever born (P<0.001). In the MANOVA analysis, the duration effect on all three is also statistically significant (p<0.001). Discussion : Resettlement had a disruptive effect on birth rates among females who were just coming into marriageable ages in places of origin but were resettled to Gambella. Although the disruptive effects waned over time, the initial shortfall resulted in reduced overall lifetime births for settler women who were not past the midpoint of their reproductive years at arrival. Conclusion : Based on the reproductive history of female settlers with different duration of residence in the resettlement schemes, we recommend the reinstatement of the length of residence question in future DHS surveys in Ethiopia to allow a longitudinal tracking of demographic trends among nonnative populations.
Coprocessing of Agricultural Plastic Waste and Switchgrass via Tail Gas Reactive Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis of mixtures of agricultural plastic waste in the form of polyethylene hay bale covers (PE) (4–37%) and switchgrass were investigated using the US Department of Agriculture’s tail gas reactive pyrolysis (TGRP) process at different temperatures (400–570 °C). TGRP of switchgrass and plastic mixtures significantly reduced the formation of waxy solids that are produced during regular pyrolysis. Under an atmosphere of approximately 70% recycled tail gas, mostly noncondensable gases were produced along with highly deoxygenated and aromaticized pyrolysis oil. When the atmosphere was diluted further to a recycled tail gas concentration of about 55%, higher yields of liquid product were achieved but with less deoxygenation. TGRP of low plastic mixtures (4–8%) produced oils with increased carbon and reduced oxygen content compared to the fast pyrolysis of switchgrass alone. Noncondensable gas fractions containing high concentrations of H2, CO, ethylene, and other light hydrocarbons remained a significant p...
Microtubule-Stabilizing Agents for Alzheimer’s and Other Tauopathies

In neurodegenerative tauopathies, of which the most prevalent example is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the aggregation of the microtubule (MT)-stabilizing protein tau is believed to have neuropathological consequences. Multiple studies indicate that deficits in axonal MTs and axonal transport may contribute to the neurodegenerative processes of these diseases. MT-stabilizing molecules have shown promise in restoring axonal MTs and transport, as well as cognitive performance, in animal models of human tauopathies. As a result, such compounds may be considered as potential candidates for the treatment of AD and related tauopathies. Many examples of MT-stabilizing natural products and derivatives thereof have been approved for cancer treatment; however, the use of these compounds for central nervous system (CNS) diseases may be challenging due to limited brain penetration and oral bioavailability, as well as potential systemic side effects. In this chapter, we review the progress made toward the identification and development of CNS-active MT-stabilizing candidate compounds, with an emphasis on nonnaturally occurring small molecules that exhibit favorable drug-like properties.
A Bayesian approach to inferring chemical signal timing and amplitude in a temporal logic gate using the cell population distributional response

Stochastic gene expression poses an important challenge for engineering robust behaviors in a heterogeneous cell population. Cells address this challenge by operating on distributions of cellular responses generated by noisy processes. Similarly, a previously published temporal logic gate considers the distribution of responses across a cell population under chemical inducer pulsing events. The design uses a system of two integrases to engineer an E. coli strain with four DNA states that records the temporal order of two chemical signal events. The heterogeneous cell population response was used to infer the timing and duration of the two chemical signals for a small set of events. Here we use the temporal logic gate system to address the problem of extracting information about chemical signal events. We use the heterogeneous cell population response to infer whether any event has occurred or not and also to infer its properties such as timing and amplitude. Bayesian inference provides a natural framework to answer our questions about chemical signal occurrence, timing, and amplitude. We develop a probabilistic model that incorporates uncertainty in the how well our model captures the cell population and in how well a sample of measured cells represents the entire population. Using our probabilistic model and cell population measurements taken every five minutes on generated data, we ask how likely it was to observe the data for parameter values that describe square-shaped inducer pulses. We compare the likelihood functions associated with the probabilistic models for the event with the chemical signal pulses turned on versus turned off. Hence, we can determine whether an event of chemical induction of integrase expression has occurred or not. Using Markov Chain Monte Carlo, we sample the posterior distribution of chemical pulse parameters to identify likely pulses that produce the data measurements. We implement this method and obtain accurate results for detecting chemical inducer pulse timing, length, and amplitude. We can detect and identify chemical inducer pulses as short as half an hour, as well as all pulse amplitudes that fall under biologically relevant conditions.
Patient navigation for depressed mothers in Head Start: A pilot study of intervention mechanism

We sought to assess potential mechanisms of action of a patient navigation intervention in Head Start, designed to help depressed mothers engage with mental health care. We employed mixed methods, linking qualitative interviews (n = 21) to a randomized intervention pilot (n = 47). Early in follow-up, navigated mothers had lower mean depressive symptom scores than non-navigated mothers (9.61 vs. 12.95, p = 0.03). These differences attenuated but preceded a greater likelihood of engaging with care among navigated mothers. Navigated mothers reported greater self-esteem (score 21.45 vs. 18.60, p = 0.05) and greater confidence in their ability to self-manage depression (7.65 vs. 5.67, p = 0.01). In qualitative interviews, navigated mothers linked decreased symptom burden to feeling activated; they communicated optimism toward the future and a willingness to work toward symptom improvement by trying something new. Early symptom relief, behavioral activation, self-esteem, self-management, and optimism represent plausible navigation mechanisms of action. These constructs require formal testing.
Exploring the Effects of Physical Embodiment in a Puzzle-Based Educational Programming Game

One prominent aspect of programming skills/expertise is that it requires the use of many creative processes such as problem-solving, visualization, reflection, motivation and handling failure. While there have been a variety of puzzle-based educational programming games created to help teach learners these skills, few have been evaluated to assess their efficacy in developing programming and problem-solving skills or improving learners' positive emotional responses. Furthermore, most games are designed for a single player touchpad/mouse experience. This is problematic when trying to understand the validity of these designs, and whether there are alternative physically embodied design approaches that may prove more effective. My dissertation work helps address this problem. After creating a framework based on a meta-review that carefully dissects embodiment strategies in learning games, I am creating and evaluating tangible and augmented reality versions of a programming game. I plan to examine how these different forms of physical interaction help to facilitate and enhance meaning-making, problem-solving, and positive emotions.
A metabolic pathway for catabolizing levulinic acid in bacteria

Microorganisms can catabolize a wide range of organic compounds and therefore have the potential to perform many industrially relevant bioconversions. One barrier to realizing the potential of biorefining strategies lies in our incomplete knowledge of metabolic pathways, including those that can be used to assimilate naturally abundant or easily generated feedstocks. For instance, levulinic acid (LA) is a carbon source that is readily obtainable as a dehydration product of lignocellulosic biomass and can serve as the sole carbon source for some bacteria. Yet, the genetics and structure of LA catabolism have remained unknown. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a seven-gene operon that enables LA catabolism in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. When the pathway was reconstituted with purified proteins, we observed the formation of four acyl-CoA intermediates, including a unique 4-phosphovaleryl-CoA and the previously observed 3-hydroxyvaleryl-CoA product. Using adaptive evolution, we obtained a mutant of Escherichia coli LS5218 with functional deletions of fadE and atoC that was capable of robust growth on LA when it expressed the five enzymes from the P. putida operon. This discovery will enable more efficient use of biomass hydrolysates and metabolic engineering to develop bioconversions using LA as a feedstock.
Further observations on Archaeosphaerodiniopsis verrucosa Rampi (Dinophyceae)

AbstractThe recently rediscovered dinoflagellate genus Archaeosphaerodiniopsis Rampi emend. Carbonell-Moore has been found in material from different oceans to that from where it was rediscovered. In all cases the cells were identified as Archaeosphaerodiniopsis verrucosa. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of these recently identified cells permitted completion of its description. It was confirmed that all large epithecal plates (1''–5'') have one large pore surrounded by a larger ring, except for plate 1'', which has two of these pores. Plates 2''' and 4''' lack the large pores, while the other postcingular plates and the antapical plate display the same large pore and ring. The relative position of this pore and ring on the plate was the same regardless of the geographic location where the cell was found. What was thought to be a growth band between the apical pore area and the first precingular plate was determined to be a very small separate plate, bringing the total number of apical pla...
Leaders by example: Best practices and advice on establishing a state-of-the art surgical simulation center that optimizes available resources

Abstract Background The role of simulation-based education continues to expand exponentially. To excel in this environment as a surgical simulation leader requires unique knowledge, skills, and abilities that are different from those used in traditional clinically-based education. Methods Leaders in surgical simulation were invited to participate as discussants in a pre-conference course offered by the Association for Surgical Education. Highlights from their discussions were recorded. Results Recommendations were provided on topics such as building a simulation team, preparing for accreditation requirements, what to ask for during early stages of development, identifying tools and resources needed to meet educational goals, expanding surgical simulation programming, and building educational curricula. Conclusion These recommendations provide new leaders in simulation with a unique combination of up-to-date best practices in simulation-based education, as well as valuable advice gained from lessons learned from the personal experiences of national leaders in the field of surgical simulation and education.
Black Duck Population Units as Determined by Patterns of Band Recovery

To estimate regional survival and band recovery rates for waterfowl populations, banding sites must be grouped for data analysis. We group American black duck banding sites using cluster analysis of pairwise comparisons of the distributions of band recoveries. We propose 6 population units, substantially fewer than the 27 black duck reference areas currently used. Flyways do not seem to reflect the population affinities of black ducks.
Normal Bone Marrow

The bone marrow examination is an important diagnostic procedure used for a wide variety of clinical conditions such as the diagnosis of myeloid or lymphoid neoplasms, various reactive conditions or metastatic, non-hematopoietic malignancies. Bone marrow examination is also used for confirmation or monitoring of a remission state, residual or recurrent disease state, or regeneration of bone marrow after various therapies. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy of adequate quality are considered to represent overall bone marrow function.
Atmosphere Above a Reflecting Surface

The model of an atmosphere considered in the previous chapter is hardly realized in nature because an atmosphere is usually adjacent to a solid planetary surface, which reflects light. The percentage of the radiation reflected can be rather high — up to 80% for snow covered ground. Having been scattered in the atmosphere the reflected photons undergo further reflections. Hence, there occurs the process of multiple exchange of photons between the surface and the atmosphere.
Neonatal Metabolic Disorders

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses provide an introductory guide to recognition, diagnosis, and management of some of the inborn errors of metabolism. Seizures are the major manifestation of several important metabolic disorders in which there is a primary disturbance of brain metabolism. Many metabolic disorders are accompanied by lethargy and poor feeding, with or without vomiting, which may progress to frank coma and apnea. Acidosis is a common event in the newborn period. The arterial or venous pH may be normal, due to respiratory compensation, so determining the anion gap is essential. Hypoglycemia occurs relatively frequently in the newborn period. The newborn infant is suddenly separated from the constant glucose supply of the mother and must adapt quickly to a fasting situation. Macrocephaly is common in glutaric aciduria type I, which is clinically silent in the newborn period but can cause seizures and devastating basal ganglia destruction in the course of a febrile illness. Sepsis with or without meningitis is the most common differential diagnosis for an inborn error with severe illness, and may be truly present-sepsis certainly adds to the catabolism that may trigger decompensation in an infant with a metabolic disorder. The lysosomal storage diseases which are a large class of disorders of catabolism of complex molecules are also elaborated.
Stress, Sex and Adolescent Nicotine Response

This article summarizes recent findings of unique behavioral and biochemical effects of acute and chronic nicotine exposure during adolescence. There is a dynamic and bidirectional interaction between nicotine and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Adolescence is a period of major remodeling of the HPA axis and its limbic control circuitry, during which it is highly sensitive to the influence of hormones and the environment. Adaptations in the maturation of the HPA axis may underlie some of the long-term behavioral effects of adolescent nicotine exposure, and may contribute to the highly addictive effect of tobacco use during the early teenage years.
An Energy-Efficient Single-Source Shortest Path Algorithm

We present a novel strategy to control the energy efficiency of an algorithm from software, which is to make the degree of parallelism dynamically and automatically tunable. The specific algorithm is a variation of ?-stepping for computing a single-source shortest path (SSSP); its available parallelism is highly irregular and strongly input-dependent. Informed by an analysis of these runtime characteristics, we propose a software-based controller that uses online learning techniques to tune parallelism to meet a given target, thereby improving the average available parallelism while reducing its variability. We show experimentally the efficacy of our self-tuning algorithm in managing tradeoffs among performance and power. Our experimental apparatus is based on the SSSP implementation available in the Gunrock GPU library running on an embedded CPU+GPU, whose hardware has GPU core and memory frequency knobs.
Locally Sourced: Auxin Biosynthesis and Transport in the Root Meristem.

Localized maxima of the plant hormone auxin are crucial to root development and meristem maintenance. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Brumos et al. used elegant genetic and grafting experiments to distinguish between the contributions of local and distal auxin sources to auxin maxima generation and root meristem maintenance.
Prehistoric Chaco Canyon, New Mexico: Residential population implications of limited agricultural and mammal productivity

Abstract The agricultural productivity of Chaco Canyon was insufficient to sustain a population of 2300 residents. Summer flooding restricted farming of the valley floor to
Photogrammetric Point Cloud Segmentation and Object Information Extraction for Creating Virtual Environments and Simulations

AbstractPhotogrammetric techniques have dramatically improved over the last few years, enabling the creation of visually compelling three-dimensional (3D) meshes using unmanned aerial vehicle image...
How Do Academic Institutions Evaluate Their History?: Campus Case Studies II: Georgetown University

These remarks, shared at the “Legacy and Mission: Theological Education and the History of Slavery” conference at Princeton Theological Seminary, provide an overview of how Georgetown University is...
Differential immune pathways in classic and mixed variants of anaplastic thyroid cancer.

e18579Background: Patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) have poor outcomes due to treatment resistance with an estimated 5-year survival rate of 7%. Although “classic” ATC can arise de novo...
CORRELATION BETWEEN MICRO-CT SECTIONS AND HISTOLOGICAL SECTIONS OF MOUSE SKULL DEFECTS IMPLANTED WITH ENGINEERED CARTILAGE

One advantage of using cartilage to replace/repair bone is that the implant disappears as bone is formed by endochondral ossification. Previously, we showed that cartilage spheroids, grown in a rotating bioreactor (Synthecon, Inc.) and implanted into a 2 mm skull defect, contributed to healing of the defect. Skulls with or without implants were subjected to microCT scans. Mineralized regions from microCT sections correlated with regions of bone in histological sections of the defect region of demineralized skulls. Recently, sections from microCT scans of live mice were compared to histological sections from the same mice. The area of the defect staining for bone in histological sections of demineralized skulls was the same region shown as mineralized in microCT sections. Defects without implants were not healed. This study demonstrates that microCT scans are an important corollary to histological studies evaluating the use of implants in healing of bony defects.
Interlaminar shear behavior of continuous and short carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites fabricated by additive manufacturing

Abstract This study investigates the interlaminar shear behavior of 3D printed CFRP composites fabricated by fused deposition modeling (FDM) through a combined experimental and numerical study. Short beam shear (SBS) tests were performed to quantitatively characterize interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of 3D printed continuous and short CFRP composites. Numerical simulations incorporating the extended finite element method (XFEM) and cohesive zone model (CZM) were conducted to rationalize the experiments. Two different combinations of continuous and short carbon fiber reinforcements were studied. The first composite layup made of 48 layers of continuous CFRP filaments was used to determine the intrinsic ILSS of the fully continuous CFRP composites. The second composite layup composed of 24 layers of continuous CFRP filaments and 24 layers of short CFRP filaments was used to determine the ILSS of the continuous and short CFRP composites. The average ILSS of these two composite layups were measured to be about 40.9 MPa and 24.4 MPa, respectively. Four distinct stacking sequences were implemented to examine the effect of stacking sequence of the continuous and short CFRP layers on the ILSS. The ILSS exhibited a significant sensitivity to the stacking sequence. The ILSS tends to increase with the number of the consecutive short CFRP layers. A failure mode transition from a brittle matrix cracking of short CFRP layers to cracking in the interface between the continuous and short CFRP layers was observed. The failure mode transition is attributed to the enhanced fracture strength and toughness of the short CFRP layers due to the increase in layer thickness.
Land subsidence contributions to relative sea level rise at tide gauge Galveston Pier 21, Texas.

Relative sea level rise at tide gauge Galveston Pier 21, Texas, is the combination of absolute sea level rise and land subsidence. We estimate subsidence rates of 3.53 mm/a during 1909-1937, 6.08 mm/a during 1937-1983, and 3.51 mm/a since 1983. Subsidence attributed to aquifer-system compaction accompanying groundwater extraction contributed as much as 85% of the 0.7 m relative sea level rise since 1909, and an additional 1.9 m is projected by 2100, with contributions from land subsidence declining from 30 to 10% over the projection interval. We estimate a uniform absolute sea level rise rate of 1.10 mm ± 0.19/a in the Gulf of Mexico during 1909-1992 and its acceleration of 0.270 mm/a2 at Galveston Pier 21 since 1992. This acceleration is 87% of the value for the highest scenario of global mean sea level rise. Results indicate that evaluating this extreme scenario would be valid for resource-management and flood-hazard-mitigation strategies for coastal communities in the Gulf of Mexico, especially those affected by subsidence.
Doing More With Written Feedback: Improving Learner Satisfaction and Reflection With the LEAF (Learner-Engaged Analysis of Feedback) Method.

PROBLEM Written feedback is often overly positive, nonspecific, and difficult to interpret. Learner satisfaction with written feedback is low and obtaining written feedback that encourages self-reflection is challenging. Improving feedback quality is laborious and only modestly effective. APPROACH The authors developed the LEAF (Learner-Engaged Analysis of Feedback) method to improve learner satisfaction with, and reflection on, existing written feedback. The method pairs a learner and coach to methodically identify themes in the learner's written feedback. Themes occurring more frequently or less frequently than typical offer areas for reflection, as they may identify learners' relative strengths or weaknesses. The method was introduced at the Massachusetts General Hospital in 2017 during program director (PD) meetings with anesthesiology residents. In 2018, resident satisfaction was measured (1 to 5 Likert-type questions, 1 = "not at all satisfied," 5 = "extremely satisfied") for 4 feedback sources, 2 related to the LEAF method (PD meetings, written feedback) and 2 unrelated (verbal feedback, mentor feedback). Residents' comments were qualitatively assessed to explore the impact on self-reflection. OUTCOMES Residents who had participated in a LEAF session (n = 54), compared with those who had not (n = 11), reported higher satisfaction with written feedback (mean 3.1 versus 2.5, d = 0.53, P = .03) and PD meeting feedback (mean 3.8 versus 2.8, d = 0.80, P = .03). There were no significant differences between groups for satisfaction with feedback unrelated to the LEAF method. Qualitative analysis of comments suggested that residents found the method useful for providing holistic self-assessment, facilitating goal setting, uncovering blind spots, and improving feedback interpretation. NEXT STEPS Next steps should include studies determining if the association between increased learner satisfaction with written feedback and the LEAF method is causal, and whether this feedback process changes learners' subsequent behaviors.
Assembling Adjustment: Parergasia, Paper Technologies, and the Revision of Recovery.

Drawing from research on ‘paper technologies’ conducted by medical historians Volker Hess and Andrew Mendelsohn, among others, this article explores how Adolf Meyer (1866–1950) and his staff at the Phipps Psychiatric Clinic used customized punch cards to develop an alternative conceptualization of schizophrenia: ‘parergasia.’ It begins by examining ‘dementia praecox,’ the conceptual precursor to both schizophrenia and parergasia, to explain how earlier paper technologies used to track patients transferred to asylums generated prognostic assumptions that precluded deinstitutionalization and community-based care. It then describes how Meyer's staff modified these technologies to define parergasia in opposition to dementia praecox and other diagnoses that resulted in prolonged hospitalization, primarily by conducting follow-up studies on discharged patients that correlated outcomes with various social factors. After demonstrating how the standardized forms used in these studies limited the possible metrics of recovery, it concludes by suggesting how Meyer's research influenced leaders of the community mental health movement, and prefigured later trends in psychiatric services.