cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Occurrence of Nitrate Reductase in Apple Leaves

Nitrate reductase utilizing NADH or reduced flavin mononucleotide (FMNH(2)) as electron donor was extracted from the leaves, stems and petioles, and roots of apple seedlings. Successful extraction was made possible by the use of insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone (Polyclar AT) which forms insoluble complexes with polyphenols and tannins. The level of nitrate reductase per gram fresh weight was highest in the leaf tissue although the nitrate content of the roots was much higher than that of the leaves. Nitrite reductase activity was detected only in leaf extracts and was 4 times higher than nitrate reductase activity. Nitrate was found in all parts of young apple trees and trace amounts were also detected in mature leaves from mature trees. Nitrate reductase was induced in young leaves of apple seedlings and in mature leaves from 3 fruit-bearing varieties. An inhibitor of polyphenoloxidase, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole was used in both the inducing medium and the extracting medium in concentrations from 10(-3) to 10(-5)m with no effect upon nitrate reductase activity.
Hirschsprung’s disease and variants in genes that regulate enteric neural crest cell proliferation, migration and differentiation

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) results from failed colonization of the embryonic gut by enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs); colonization requires RET proto-oncogene (RET) signaling. We sequenced RET to identify coding and splice-site variants in a population-based case group and we tested for associations between HSCR and common variants in RET and candidate genes (ASCL1, homeobox B5 (HOXB5), L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), paired-like homeobox 2b (PHOX2B), PROK1 and PROKR1) chosen because they are involved in ENCC proliferation, migration and differentiation in animal models. We conducted a nested case-control study of 304 HSCR cases and 1215 controls. Among 38 (12.5%) cases with 34 RET coding and splice-site variants, 18 variants were previously unreported. We confirmed associations with common variants in HOXB5 and PHOX2B but the associations with variants in ASCL1, L1CAM and PROK1 were not significant after multiple comparisons adjustment. RET variants were strongly associated with HSCR (P-values between 10(-3) and 10(-31)) but this differed by race/ethnicity: associations were absent in African-Americans. Our population-based study not only identified novel RET variants in HSCR cases, it showed that common RET variants may not contribute to HSCR in all race/ethnic groups. The findings for HOXB5 and PHOX2B provide supportive evidence that genes regulating ENCC proliferation, migration and differentiation could be risk factors for HSCR.
It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times

David Rowland's (2007) brilliant article “Will medical solutions to sexual problems make sexological care and science obsolete?” brings to mind Charles Dickens' celebrated line, “It was the best of...
Emittance studies at the Los Alamos national laboratory free electron laser

Abstract Recent emittance studies at the Los Alamos FEL have indicated several areas of concern in the linac and beamline feeding the wiggler. These studies included both experimental measurements and computer simulations. The beamline starts with a 5 A micropulse from the thermionic cathode in the gun. After bunching by velocity modulation and acceleration to 20 MeV in a 1300 MHz standing wave accelerator, the beam current is roughly 250 A. Final bunching to 800 A is performed in the nonisochronous bend that rotates the electrons onto the axis of the wiggler and the optical cavity. Four emittance growth mechanisms of special importance have been studied. First, a rapid growth of the electron beam's emittance immediately after the spherical gridded Pierce gun resulted, in part, from the long time required for our pulsing electronics to ramp the grid voltage up at the start and down at the end of the pulse, which created a pulse with a cosine-like current distribution as a function of time. The growth was compounded by the extremely small radial beam size (almost a waist) leaving the gun. In addition, we saw evidence of electrostatic charging of the insulators in the gun, reducing the quality of the electron beam further. Second the action of the solenoidal focusing fields in the low-voltage bunching region was studied, and criteria for a minimum emittance growth were established. Third, maximum misalignment angles and displacements for various elements of the beamline were calculated for the desired low emittance growth. Finally, emittance growth in the horizontal dimensions through the nonisochronous bend caused by varying energy depression on the particles due to longitudinal wake fields was both calculated and observed. In addition, we measured energy depressions caused by the wake fields generated by various other elements in the beamline. Strategies were developed to relieve the magnitude of these wake-field effects.
Enhanced formation of disinfection byproducts in shale gas wastewater-impacted drinking water supplies.

The disposal and leaks of hydraulic fracturing wastewater (HFW) to the environment pose human health risks. Since HFW is typically characterized by elevated salinity, concerns have been raised whether the high bromide and iodide in HFW may promote the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and alter their speciation to more toxic brominated and iodinated analogues. This study evaluated the minimum volume percentage of two Marcellus Shale and one Fayetteville Shale HFWs diluted by fresh water collected from the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers that would generate and/or alter the formation and speciation of DBPs following chlorination, chloramination, and ozonation treatments of the blended solutions. During chlorination, dilutions as low as 0.01% HFW altered the speciation toward formation of brominated and iodinated trihalomethanes (THMs) and brominated haloacetonitriles (HANs), and dilutions as low as 0.03% increased the overall formation of both compound classes. The increase in bromide concentration ass...
Value changes in an era of social transformations: college‐educated Chinese youth

This paper addresses value changes that have occurred to college‐educated youth as China is going through drastic social transformations under Western influences. It explains how socio‐economic and cultural forces interplay within a particular historical and political context in bringing about such notable changes as individualism, materialism and moral crisis. Through exploring young people's perceptions of the relative status of China versus the West, represented by the USA, the paper reveals a collective inferiority complex and resulting dislocation of cultural identities, manifested as national nihilism and a magnified, empty patriotism. Conclusions are drawn on the importance of educating the younger generations with a sound knowledge of Chinese history, culture and traditional values, and a sensible perspective as regards Western civilization.
Childhood vaccinations and asthma

Evaluation of: Spycher BD, Silverman M, Egger M, Zqahlen M, Kuehni CE: Routine vaccination against pertussis and the risk of childhood asthma: a population-based cohort study. Pediatrics 123(4), 944–950 (2009). Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood in developed countries and its prevalence has been increasing. It has been suggested that infant and childhood vaccinations may be contributing to the increasing prevalence of asthma. Since vaccination is universally recommended for infants, any association between infant vaccinations and the occurrence of a common serious condition, such as asthma, could be of considerable public health importance. Many studies have been conducted evaluating a possible association between vaccination and asthma and other allergic conditions. Spycher and colleagues recently published a study of whole-cell pertussis vaccination and risk of wheezing and asthma. The importance of this new study is that the investigators tried to overcome the limitations of previou...
Attitudes toward deception in television

In 1938 Hadley Cantril was able to study the effect of Orson Welles’ “Invasion from Mars”; program in the period immediately following the broadcast. This broadcast was perhaps the greatest hoax—or deception—of its time. Although not nearly so dramatic in its impact, it cannot be denied that the disclosure of the rigging of quiz shows had its effect upon the American public.
Focus on Family: Looking at Math From a Different Perspective

Many people will tell you they “hate math,” including teachers who also hate teaching math. Why is this such a widespread sentiment? The problem may be that they were taught math by teachers who di...
A 62-Year-Old Man With Fluctuating Neurological Deficits and Skin Lesions

A 62-year-old man with no significant medical history experienced fatigue, night sweats, hoarseness of voice, and dry cough, which were followed by vision disturbances in his left eye. He lost about 4.5 kg (10 lb) in just over a month. Three weeks later, he had difficulty recollecting his e-mail password and trouble with word finding. The next day, he experienced numbness in his left arm. He also developed a maculopapular and erythematous rash in the groin, genitalia, and buttocks. The results of an initial neurological examination were normal, including his higher mental functions. An initial blood workup revealed normocytic normochromic anemia. The results of cerebrospinal fluid studies were unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging of his brain at hospital admission revealed multifocal increased T2 signals in the subcortical white matter. A conventional cerebral angiogram was unremarkable. A biopsy specimen from the right frontal lobe revealed demyelination and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration. A provisional diagnosis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis was made. In spite of steroid treatment and plasmapheresis, his clinical status deteriorated rapidly. The approach to the diagnosis of a rapidly progressive multifocal brain disorder is discussed.
Pathological documentation of complete elimination of Barrett's metaplasia following endoscopic multipolar electrocoagulation therapy

The previous paradigm that Barrett's is an irreversible premalignant lesion has recently been challenged by a proliferation of reports documenting elimination of Barrett's by a variety of endoscopic techniques. Whether Barrett's is entirely eliminated is unknown as endoscopic biopsy samples the surface of the epithelium only. Numerous reports document underlying specialised columnar epithelium in many of these trials. Until now there have been no reports of pathological examination of the entire oesophagus as a specimen. This case documents complete elimination of intestinal metaplasia from the oesophagus and supports the biological plausibility of these research techniques.
Morphologic interpretation of fertile structures in glossopterid gymnosperms

The problem of determining affinity among glossopterid gymnosperms is beset by deficiencies in preservation, natural dissociation of parts, and scarcity of features assuredly critical for morphologic comprarison. The glossopterids probably are not a very heterogeneous group of plants, but this is difficult to prove. The Gondwana glacial “hiatus” has resulted in the omission of a critical chapter glossopterid evolution. As a consequence, morphologic features and phyletic probabilities must be evaluated on a much more hypothetical basis than would otherwise be justified. Confusion has arisen from the lack of morphologic terms that permit clear discussion of a newly evolved type of reproductive structure in glossopterids. The structure, here designated a “fertiliger”, consists of a leafy bract, a partially adnate stalk, and a fertile head or capitulum. Seven types of fertile structures are discussed, all of which are bilaterally symmetrical and have different features on dorsiventral surfaces. I regard all fertiligers as ovulate but this interpretation may bot be acceptable to some workers; others may not accept dorsiventral organization of the capitulum as being fundamental. Among glossopterids, however, in spite of differences in preservation that may seem to support a variant interpretation, these ovulate fertiligers are the distinctive features that show general consistency. A single fertile bract bearing several capitula, as exemplified by Lidgettonia, is called a compound fertiliger. Staminate structures (microsporophylls) of glossopterids are separately classified as Eretmonia, Glossotheca, and possibly as other taxa. Only the manner of sporangial attachment is not entirely clear. It seems likely the staminate parts have previously been confused with scale leaves and are actually coextensive in distribution with the glossopterids. A tentative phyletic model suggests the distant derivation of glossopterids from middle Carboniferous cordaiteans. Many details must be speculative due to the lack of a pertinent fossil record, but this interpretation accounts for some features that have no counterpart in pteridosperms. Permineralized ovules from Antarctica provide general support for this working hypothesis, but specific evidence is lacking. Furthermore, it seems unlikely angiosperms originated from glossopterids; it is more reasonable to consider the glossopterids as possible distant ancestors of the Gnetales.
The utility of nuclear conserved ortholog set II (COSII) genomic regions for species-level phylogenetic inference in Lycium (Solanaceae)

The identification of genomic regions with sufficient variation to elucidate fine-scale relationships among closely related species is a major goal of phylogenetic systematics. However, the accumulation of such multi-locus data sets brings its own challenges, given that gene trees do not necessarily represent the true species tree. Using genomic tools developed for Solanum (Solanaceae), we have evaluated the utility of nuclear conserved ortholog set II (COSII) regions for phylogenetic inference in tribe Lycieae (Solanaceae). Five COSII regions, with intronic contents ranging from 68% to 91%, were sequenced in 10 species. Their phylogenetic utility was assessed and compared with data from more commonly used nuclear (GBSSI, nrITS) and cpDNA spacer data. We compared the effectiveness of a traditional total evidence concatenation approach versus the recently developed Bayesian estimation of species trees (BEST) method to infer species trees given multiple independent gene trees. All of the sampled COSII regions had high numbers of parsimony-informative (PI) characters, and two of the COSII regions had more PI characters than the GBSSI, ITS, and cpDNA spacer data sets combined. COSII markers are a promising new tool for phylogenetic inference in Solanaceae, and should be explored in related groups. Both the concatenation and BEST approaches yielded similar topologies; however, when multiple individuals with polyphyletic alleles were included, BEST was clearly the more robust approach for inferring species trees in the presence of gene tree incongruence.
Brain-Selective Overexpression of Angiotensin (AT1) Receptors Causes Enhanced Cardiovascular Sensitivity in Transgenic Mice

To examine the physiological importance of brain angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors, we developed a novel transgenic mouse model with rat AT1a receptors targeted selectively to neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). A transgene consisting of 2.8 kb of the rat neuron-specific enolase (NSE) 5' flanking region fused to a cDNA encoding the full open-reading frame of the rat AT1a receptor was constructed and transgenic mice (NSE-AT1a) were generated. Two of six transgenic founder lines exhibited brain-selective expression of the transgene at either moderate or high levels. Immunohistochemistry revealed widespread distribution of AT1 receptors in neurons throughout the CNS. This neuron-targeted overexpression of AT1a receptors resulted in enhanced cardiovascular responsiveness to intracerebroventricular (ICV) angiotensin II (Ang II) injection but not to other central pressor agents, demonstrating functional overexpression of the transgene in NSE-AT1a mice. Interestingly, baseline blood pressure (BP) was not elevated in either transgenic line. However, blockade of central AT1 receptors with ICV losartan caused significant falls in basal BP in NSE-AT1a mice but had no effect in nontransgenic controls. These results suggest that whereas there is an enhanced contribution of central AT1 receptors to the maintenance of baseline BP in NSE-AT1a mice, particularly effective baroreflex buffering prevents hypertension in this model. Used both independently, and in conjunction with mice harboring gene-targeted deletions of AT1a receptors, this new model will permit quantitative and relevant investigations of the role of central AT1a receptors in cardiovascular homeostasis in health and disease.
Modeling of Recovery of State Using the Viscoplasticity Theory Based on Overstress

Unified constitutive models, which do not postulate separate constitutive equations for creep and plasticity but consider all inelastic deformation rate dependent, have been applied to the modeling of transient and cyclic short—term deformation behavior. Their application to modeling long—term creep has been demonstrated in principle and hinges on the introduction of recovery terms in the growth laws for the state variables. After postulating a set of phenomenological indicators of recovery the viscoplasticity theory based on overstress (VBO) for small strain is introduced and the growth law for each of two state variables is augmented by a recovery term. Hypothetical, but realistic material properties are postulated and numerical experiments are performed to simulate the tests which were previously designated as indicators of significant recovery. The results show that each state variable has specific effects and that recovery terms in both state variables are needed to reproduce the significant phenomena.
Kinesiology: The Tables Turned

(1975). Kinesiology: The Tables Turned. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 64-66.
Long-Term Functional Recovery, Quality of Life, and Pregnancy After Solid Organ Transplantation

This article reviews the salient features of functional recovery, health-related quality of life (HR-QOL), and reproductive health, with special emphasis on pregnancy outcomes in kidney and liver recipients. Transplantation results in improved functional status and HR-QOL. Addressing factors that limit the optimal rehabilitation of transplant recipients can improve transplant outcomes. After successful transplantation, there is a rapid return of fertility, warranting counseling regarding contraception. Practitioners should be aware of the teratogenic potential of mycophenolic acid products. Posttransplant pregnancies are high risk, with increased incidences of hypertension, preeclampsia, and prematurity. Most pregnancies in kidney and liver recipients have successful maternal and newborn outcomes.
They Mean to be Indian Always: The Origins of Columbia River Indian Identity, 1860–1885

Due to a combination of state weakness and Native determination, many Indians in the Middle Columbia River region never moved to reservations or resided there only seasonally. This essay examines their resistance to federal policy and explains how that resistance contributed to the creation of a distinct Columbia River Indian identity.
The Cauchy Problem for a Hyperbolic Second Order Equation with Data on the Parabolic Line

In this paper we consider the Cauchy problem for the equation (1) h(x, y) K(y) v xx − v yy + a(x, y) v x + b(x, y) v y + c(x, y) v + f(x, y) = 0 with initial values prescribed on a segment of the x-axis. The coefficients in (1) are assumed to possess two continuous derivatives with respect to x and one continuous derivative with respect to y in the closure of the domain under consideration.
Life History and Demographic Parameters of Three Laboratory-reared Tephritids (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Mediterranean fruit fly ( Ceratitis capitata [Wiedemann]), the oriental fruit fly ( Dacus dorsalis Hendel), and the melon fly ( D. cucurbitae Coquillett) were reared on the same artificial diet. The species were similar in duration of the larval and pupal stages, and the date of adult emergence. The species differed most notably in duration of the egg stage, preoviposition period, mean number of eggs laid, and adult longevity. Highest mortalities for all three species occurred during the larval stage. C. capitata , with the shortest mean generation time ( T = 31.5 days) and the second highest net reproductive rate ( Ro = 317.5), possessed the highest intrinsic rate of increase ( rm = 0.18). D. dorsalis , with the highest Ro (418.5) but a longer generation time ( T = 37.4), possessed the second highest rm (0.16). D. cucurbitae , with a comparatively low Ro (255.4) and a long T (37.3), had the lowest rm (0.15). These demographic parameters are discussed with respect to the simultaneous rearing of all three species in a common insectary.
Multi-dimensional Inverse acoustic scattering series using the Volterra renormalization of the Lippmann-Schwinger equation

SUMMARY We report the extension of the Volterra inverse acoustic scattering series (VISS) approach presented in (Lesage et al., 2013) using reflection data (Rk) to multi-dimensions. The approach consists in combining two ideas: the renormalization of the Lippmann-Schwinger equation to obtain a Volterra equation framework (Kouri and Vijay, 2003) and the formal series expansion using reflection coefficients (Moses, 1956). The benefit of formulating acoustic scattering in terms of a Volterra kernel is substantial. Indeed the corresponding Born-Neumann series solution is absolutely convergent independent of the strength of the coupling characterizing the interaction. While treating the depth variation in the same manner as in the onedimensional case, additional lateral and longitudinal variations are addressed through Fourier expansions of the pressure wave, the reflection data and the velocity perturbation. We derive new multi-dimensional inverse acoustic scattering series for reflection data which we evaluate numerically for 2dimensional velocity models presenting depth and lateral variations. Our results compare well to results obtained by (Liu et al., 2005).
Abusive Experiences and Young Women's Sexual Health Outcomes: Is Condom Negotiation Self-Efficacy a Mediator?

CONTEXT: Intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion are associated with unintended pregnancies and STDs. Greater condom negotiation self-efficacy among young women may mediate these associations. METHODS: A sample of 841 female adolescents (aged 16-19) and 1,387 young adult women (aged 20-24) recruited from 24 family planning clinics in western Pennsylvania in 2011-2012 reported on intimate partner violence, reproductive coercion, condom negotiation self-efficacy and sexual health outcomes at baseline and four- and 12-month follow-ups. Mixed models were used to test associations of intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion with unintended pregnancy and STD diagnosis. The Sobel test of mediation was used to measure indirect effects of condom negotiation self-efficacy. RESULTS: At baseline, 15% of adolescents and 11% of young adults reported recent intimate partner violence victimization; 7% and 6%, respectively, reported recent reproductive coercion. For both age-groups, intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion were associated with a reduced level of condom negotiation self-efficacy (coefficients, -0.27 to -0.13) and increased odds of STD diagnosis (odds ratios, 1.03-1.1). However, only reproductive coercion was associated with unintended pregnancy (odds ratios, 1.1 for each group). The only association that condom negotiation self-efficacy mediated was between reproductive coercion and unintended pregnancy among young adults (17% of total effect). CONCLUSIONS: Targeting condom negotiation self-efficacy alone in abusive relationships would likely not translate into improved sexual health outcomes in this population. Other strategies are needed to prevent unintended pregnancy and STDs.Copyright © 2016 by the Guttmacher Institute. Language: en
BIOSYNTHESIS OF PROTEINS

This chapter discusses the biosynthesis of proteins. Several years ago Lipmann (1941) suggested that amino acyl phosphates were intermediates in the biosynthesis of proteins. At present, it is known that Lipmann's proposal was correct in principle although the details are more complex than originally proposed. Novelli's review (1967) is an excellent survey of the recent developments in the field of amino acid activation. Hoagland et al. (1956) first described activation of amino acids using a protein fraction which they obtained by acidification of a rat liver homogenate to pH 5. The pH 5 enzyme catalyzed the formation of carboxyl activated amino acids, which could be detected by conversion to the hydroxamic acid. The enzyme required L-amino acids and ATP, and was inactive with D-amino acids. It was also possible to assay the reaction by measuring the exchange of pyrophosphate into ATP, and they proposed that an enzyme-amino acyl AMP complex was formed. The same enzyme which catalyzes the formation of the enzyme-amino acyl-AMP complex catalyzes the transfer of the activated amino acid to its specific sRNA, and consequently activating enzymes are referred to as amino acyl-sRNA synthetases. Several amino acyl-sRNA synthetases have been isolated from bacteria, many of them in nearly pure state. A good deal is known about the structure of sRNA as its relatively low molecular weight has made it more amenable to study than the larger nucleic acids.
Transit system design and vulnerability of riders to heat

Abstract In the United States public transit utilization has increased significantly in the last decade and is considered a critical component in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas. Despite public transit׳s climate change mitigation potential, the use of transit necessitates environmental exposure which may be a health hazard during periods of extreme heat. Transit system design, which includes stop location and schedules, is shown to contribute to environmental exposure resulting from access and waiting. Using Los Angeles Metro (Los Angeles County, CA) and Valley Metro (Maricopa County, AZ) as case studies of systems operating in extreme heat conditions, the research demonstrates how system design contributes to heat exposure times that vary significantly between neighborhoods. Household level access (walking) time estimates are developed using a shortest path algorithm to nearby transit stops. Waiting time estimates for individual transit stops are derived from published transit schedules and on-board survey responses. The results show that transit users from areas with low residential density, limited high capacity roadways and irregular street networks, and not located along direct paths between major activity centers are likely to experience prolonged access and/or waiting times. Public transit may help mitigate climate change impacts but transit proponents, agencies and planners should be cognizant of the impact an uncertain climate future may have on a growing base of transit riders. These insights can allow us to proactively govern and adapt transit systems to protect people from a growing health concern.
Physical characterization and sample preparation for MEMS devices

Device characterization and failure analysis of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices are vital steps to improve the device performance and understand the root cause of low yield. Challenges are often encountered when applying most traditional failure analysis or sample preparation methods on MEMS devices. Due to the cavities and the “floating” structures in these devices, the “floating” structures can be damaged or distorted without a good protection prior to cutting or grinding. This paper demonstrates the development of a suitable protective coating layer before FIB milling to prevent the formation of an artifact/re-deposition layer at the bottom of the MEMS device handle.
BEM-FEM Model for Truck Tire-Pavement Interaction Noise Prediction

ABSTRACT: Tire-pavement interaction noise has become the dominant source of traffic noise for vehicular speeds greater than 30 mph, as the automotive engine and exhaust system noise are being effectively controlled. Compared with field testing for tire-pavement sound pressure measurement, this study develops an efficient boundary element method (BEM)/finite element method (FEM) model for tire-pavement interaction noise prediction for typical truck tires. The tire structure and modal characteristics of a semisteel radial truck tire are computed using the FEM, and the solution for the radiation acoustic fields caused by the vibration under harmonic excitations is based on the BEM. Application of this model is verified for simulation of the noise reduction performance of porous asphalt concrete with different porosity values. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of tire-pavement interaction noise prediction with the BEM/FEM model. Further research will be conducted with the noise excitation resulting ...
A comparison of three strategies for reducing the public stigma associated with stuttering.

Abstract Purpose The effects of three anti-stigma strategies for stuttering—contact (hearing personal stories from an individual who stutters), education (replacing myths about stuttering with facts), and protest (condemning negative attitudes toward people who stutter)—were examined on attitudes, emotions, and behavioral intentions toward people who stutter. Method Two hundred and twelve adults recruited from a nationwide survey in the United States were randomly assigned to one of the three anti-stigma conditions or a control condition. Participants completed questionnaires about stereotypes, negative emotional reactions, social distance, discriminatory intentions, and empowerment regarding people who stutter prior to and after watching a video for the assigned condition, and reported their attitude changes about people who stutter. Some participants completed follow-up questionnaires on the same measures one week later. Results All three anti-stigma strategies were more effective than the control condition for reducing stereotypes, negative emotions, and discriminatory intentions from pretest to posttest. Education and protest effects for reducing negative stereotypes were maintained at one-week follow-up. Contact had the most positive effect for increasing affirming attitudes about people who stutter from pretest to posttest and pretest to follow-up. Participants in the contact and education groups, but not protest, self-reported significantly more positive attitude change about people who stutter as a result of watching the video compared to the control group. Conclusion Advocates in the field of stuttering can use education and protest strategies to reduce negative attitudes about people who stutter, and people who stutter can increase affirming attitudes through interpersonal contact with others.
Residual Fluid Blobs and Contact Angle Measurements from X-Ray Images of Fluid Displacement

Over the past decade a growing number of high resolution, three-dimensional CT images of multiphase porous media systems have become available, as well as the number of algorithms to analyze both the pore space and the fluid partitioning imaged within the voids. We describe the challenge in identifying triple points (points with three phases in contact) and an algorithm for fluid contact angle measurement from a multiphase digitized image. Despite the challenges and limitations on vertex positions in isosurfaces determined from a segmented multiphase image, the contact angle algorithm showed satisfactory ability to identify small angles when tested on an analytic example and gave results in agreement with the experimental wettability measurements for a well-studied Berea sandstone sample. We furthermore present visualization of the residual fluid blobs from the same sample and their qualitative behaviour which is in agreeement with conventional wisdom.
A new approach for in-situ antenna characterization, radome inspection and radar calibration, using an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)

This paper presents a new concept for using an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for in-situ antenna characterization, radome inspection and radar calibration. A commercial multirotor platform integrated with a sensor suite composed of an HD camera and an RF probe were used to prove the concept. Preliminary results were obtained using two different flight modes that were used to characterize an Antenna Under Test (AUT) and calibrate a radar in X-band. This new technique enables a full characterization of the antenna patterns in a radar system, including the external degradation introduced by factors such as ground clutter, the radome, temperature and other artifacts that are difficult to characterize during the design and development process. Preliminary results show that this technique has the potential for improving the characterization and the calibration process of an operational radar. This paper also presents a new UAS platform architecture that will be used for the same missions from S- to Ka-band in conventional and active phased array radar systems.
LSD1 dual function in mediating epigenetic corruption of the vitamin D signaling in prostate cancer

Lysine-specific demethylase 1A (LSD1) is a key regulator of the androgen (AR) and estrogen receptors (ER), and LSD1 levels correlate with tumor aggressiveness. Here, we demonstrate that LSD1 regulates vitamin D receptor (VDR) activity and is a mediator of 1,25(OH)2-D3 (vitamin D) action in prostate cancer (PCa). Athymic nude mice were xenografted with CWR22 cells and monitored weekly after testosterone pellet removal. Expression of LSD1 and VDR (IHC) were correlated with tumor growth using log-rank test. TRAMP tumors and prostates from wild-type (WT) mice were used to evaluate VDR and LSD1 expression via IHC and western blotting. The presence of VDR and LSD1 in the same transcriptional complex was evaluated via immunoprecipitation (IP) using nuclear cell lysate. The effect of LSD1 and 1,25(OH)2-D3 on cell viability was evaluated in C4-2 and BC1A cells via trypan blue exclusion. The role of LSD1 in VDR-mediated gene transcription was evaluated for Cdkn1a, E2f1, Cyp24a1, and S100g via qRT-PCR-TaqMan and via chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Methylation of Cdkn1a TSS was measured via bisulfite sequencing, and methylation of a panel of cancer-related genes was quantified using methyl arrays. The Cancer Genome Atlas data were retrieved to identify genes whose status correlates with LSD1 and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). Results were correlated with patients’ survival data from two separate cohorts of primary and metastatic PCa. LSD1 and VDR protein levels are elevated in PCa tumors and correlate with faster tumor growth in xenograft mouse models. Knockdown of LSD1 reduces PCa cell viability, and gene expression data suggest a dual coregulatory role of LSD1 for VDR, acting as a coactivator and corepressor in a locus-specific manner. LSD1 modulates VDR-dependent transcription by mediating the recruitment of VDR and DNMT1 at the TSS of VDR-targeted genes and modulates the epigenetic status of transcribed genes by altering H3K4me2 and H3K9Ac and DNA methylation. Lastly, LSD1 and DNMT1 belong to a genome-wide signature whose expression correlates with shorter progression-free survival and overall survival in primary and metastatic patients’ samples, respectively. Results demonstrate that LSD1 has a dual coregulatory role as corepressor and coactivator for VDR and defines a genomic signature whose targeting might have clinical relevance for PCa patients.
METABOLISM OF INORGANIC COMPOUNDS

This chapter discusses the metabolism of inorganic compounds. Hydrogenomonas species are able to grow autotrophically by means of their ability to oxidize hydrogen gas for energy and to reduce carbon dioxide to cell material. The hydrogenase system has been reported in a large number of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and is usually assayed by measuring the rate of reduction of dyes with hydrogen or by measuring the evolution of hydrogen gas from a chemically reduced dye, in particular, methyl viologen. It may also be assayed by measurement of the exchange of H from water with deuterium gas or by the conversion of para-hydrogen to ortho-hydrogen, a reaction also catalyzed by hydrogenase. There is considerable circumstantial evidence that hydrogenase is a metallo-flavoprotein. Hydrogenase of Hydrogenomonas species is somewhat different from that of other hydrogenase preparations in that NAD is the specific electron acceptor with a purified enzyme from H. ruhlandii . The chapter also describes nitrification as the process of ammonia oxidation to nitrate by soil bacteria, and is performed by organisms of the family Nitrobacteraceae . Whole cells of Nitrosomonas species produced hydroxylamine from ammonium ion when poisoned with hydrazine, an inhibitor of hydroxylamine oxidation. Whole cells of Nitrosomonas were able to oxidize hydroxylamine to nitrite.
Chicana/o Critical Regionalism and the Case of Cleofas Jaramillo

New Mexican woman writer Cleofas Jaramillo’s 1955 memoir Romance of a Little Village Girl offers a case and catalyst for the paradigm and aesthetics of gender and place that this study proposes. The memoir reaffirms the regionalism of a previous era, but it also draws attention to New Mexico’s nuclear landscape and uncovers a more critical regional perspective and paradigm of the Mexican American Southwest. Focusing on the memoir’s “Atomic Age aesthetics,” the chapter roots the study in Jaramillo’s sense of place. Subsequent chapters reiterate this paradigm of place, and they illustrate the critical regional aesthetics of gender and place in the literature and art of the greater Mexican American Southwest.
Upper Devonian Biostratigraphy, Event Stratigraphy, and Late Frasnian Kellwasser Extinction Bioevents in the Iowa Basin: Western Euramerica

Abstract Upper Devonian (Upper Frasnian) strata in the Iowa area (central United States) provide one of the best records in North America of Late Frasnian sea-level history and the associated Kellwasser Extinction Events within a detailed conodont biostratigraphic framework. Rich conodont faunas span Frasnian Zones 11 through 13c. Diverse benthic faunas of the Lime Creek Formation provide an unparalleled paleontologic record to examine the effects of the Kellwasser extinctions of benthic faunas in the tropical seaway. These strata preserve an onshore-to-offshore transect of depositional facies ranging from shallow-water carbonate shelf to basinal deeper water shale facies in an epeiric ramp system. Late Frasnian sedimentation was initiated above a deeply incised and karstified surface on underlying Givetian–Mid Frasnian carbonates. Regional stratigraphic relations require a minimal sea-level rise of at least 65–90 m to onlap this older surface. The Lime Creek Formation includes two stratigraphic sequences correlated with the global eustatic transgressive–regressive (T-R) cycles IId-1 and IId-2. The Lime Creek records a major extinction of benthic faunas through the Lower Kellwasser Extinction Event (LKE) associated with T-R cycle IId-2 deepening (upper part Zone 12) and onset of a major positive δ 13 C carb isotope excursion that spans the LKE and post-LKE recovery interval. The change from brachiopod-dominated to mollusk-dominated benthic associations is evidence of significant reorganization of benthic paleocommunity structure in the post-LKE survival-and-recovery interval. The near total extinction of the Late Frasnian conodont fauna during the Upper Kellwasser Event was coincident with regional expansion of Grassy Creek Shale organic-rich dysoxic–anoxic shale facies in southeast Iowa.
Peptidoglycan Compositional Analysis of Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm by Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino Acids in a Bacterial Culture

Peptidoglycan (PG) is a major component of the cell wall in Enterococcus faecalis. Accurate analysis of PG composition provides crucial insights into the bacterium's cellular functions and responses to external stimuli, but this analysis remains challenging because of various chemical modifications to PG-repeat subunits. We characterized changes to the PG composition of E. faecalis grown as planktonic bacteria and biofilm by developing "stable isotope labeling by amino acids in bacterial culture" (SILAB), optimized for bacterial cultures with incomplete amino acid labeling. This comparative analysis by mass spectrometry was performed by labeling E. faecalis in biofilm with heavy Lys (l-[13C6,2D9,15N2]Lys) and planktonic bacteria with natural abundance l-Lys, then mixing equal amounts of bacteria from each condition, and performing cell wall isolation and mutanolysin digestion necessary for liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. An analytical method was developed to determine muropeptide abundances using correction factors to compensate for incomplete heavy Lys isotopic enrichment (98.33 ± 0.05%) and incorporation (83.23 ± 1.16%). Forty-seven pairs of PG fragment ions from isolated cell walls of planktonic and biofilm samples were selected for SILAB analysis. We found that the PG in biofilm showed an increased level of PG cross-linking, an increased level of N-deacetylation of GlcNAc, a decreased level of O-acetylation of MurNAc, and an increased number of stem modifications by d,d- and l,d-carboxypeptidases.
10-YEAR TRENDS IN CATHETER ABLATION OF ISCHEMIC AND NON-ISCHEMIC VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA

Catheter ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT) is now commonplace for patients with both ischemic and non-ischemic VT substrates. We sought to describe 10-year trends in patient characteristics, procedure-related complications and in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing VT ablation,
SPINOZA: In-class Python Problem Solving with Classroom Orchestration (Abstract Only)

Enrollments in Computer Science classes have been increasing at an exponential rate in many colleges and universities, which has resulted in a rapid increase in class size especially for the Introduction to Programming classes. The Spinoza system was developed as a way to add active learning to very large CS1 classes taught in Python. The main goals were to keep all students actively involved in learning how to code and how to debug. The key innovation of Spinoza is the Solve-Then-Debug activity in which students first solve a problem by getting their code to pass a suite of unit tests and then they debug the most common incorrect attempts of their classmates. The instructor has access to a wide variety of tools for viewing performance of the class and the individual students in real-time. In this demo, we will show you how to use Spinoza in your own classes. In particular, we show how to create a class, create a problem, and how to monitor the progress of the students in both the solving and the crowdsourced debugging phase, and how to use the other orchestration features to effectively explore the concepts exposed by that problem.
Labor market discrimination against men with disabilities

The 1984 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation is used to estimate the extent of labor market discrimination against men with disabilities. Men with disabilities are classified into a group with impairments that are subject to prejudice (handicapped) and a group with impairments that are less subject to prejudice (disabled). Very large differences in employment rates and hourly wages are found between handicapped and nondisabled men. The employment rates and hourly wages of disabled men are slightly lower than those of nondisabled men but substantially higher than those of handicapped men. Using data from the 1972 Social Security Survey of the Disabled as a benchmark, we find that wage differentials between nondisabled and both disabled and handicapped men increased between 1972 and 1984. The employment rate for handicapped men also increased but the 1984 rate was still substantially lower than the rates for nondisabled or disabled men.
Understanding the influence of the electrochemical double-layer on heterogeneous electrochemical reactions

A detailed understanding of the electrical double layer is key to the optimization of heterogeneous electrochemical reactions. In this work, we provide a brief summary of key experimental and computational studies of three key aspects of the double layer: Firstly, potential-dependent structure of the solvent; secondly, reaction-induced concentration gradients; and finally, the potential-dependent behavior of electrolyte cations and their effect on double layer structure, reaction activity, and selectivity. Studies of the double layer in polymer ion exchange membrane devices are also assessed. Finally, we discuss the importance and implications of the previous literature, and provide recommendations for future topics of study and methodological improvements toward a more complete understanding of the effect of various aspects of the electrical double layer on heterogeneous electrochemical reactions.
Rheumatologic Disorders in the Elderly

Musculoskeletal impairments are the leading cause of disability in the elderly population. Dysfunction of this system contributes largely to problems of immobility and inability to provide essential self-care.
A Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence Intervention (LifeSteps) for Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: New HIV infections occur at a disproportionately high rate among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). It is, therefore, essential that comprehensive HIV prevention strategies, specifically tailored to their needs and perceptions, are developed, tested, and disseminated. Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in decreasing HIV transmission among men who have sex with men; however, adherence is critical to its efficacy. In open-label studies among YMSM, adherence was suboptimal. Hence, behavioral approaches that address the unique challenges to YMSM PrEP adherence are needed. Objective: This study aims to describe the protocol for intervention refinement and a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a PrEP adherence intervention, LifeSteps for pre-exposure prophylaxis for young men who have sex with men (LSPY). Methods: This study includes the following 2 phases: formative qualitative interviews with approximately 20 YMSM and 10 key informants for intervention adaptation and refinement and a pilot RCT of up to 50 YMSM to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the LSPY, compared with the PrEP standard of care, to improve PrEP adherence. Participants will be recruited at 3 iTech subject recruitment venues in the United States. Results: Phase 1 is expected to begin in June 2018, and enrollment of phase 2 is anticipated to begin in early 2019. Conclusions: Few rigorously developed and tested interventions have been designed to increase PrEP adherence among YMSM in community settings, despite this population’s high HIV incidence. The long-term goal of this intervention is to develop scalable protocols to optimize at-risk YMSM’s PrEP uptake and adherence to decrease the HIV incidence. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/10661