cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Structural Study of CESA1 Catalytic Domain of Arabidopsis Cellulose Synthesis Complex: Evidence for CESA Trimers

A cellulose synthesis complex with a "rosette" shape is responsible for synthesis of cellulose chains and their assembly into microfibrils within the cell walls of land plants and their charophyte algal progenitors. The number of cellulose synthase proteins in this large multisubunit transmembrane protein complex and the number of cellulose chains in a microfibril have been debated for many years. This work reports a low resolution structure of the catalytic domain of CESA1 from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana; AtCESA1CatD) determined by small-angle scattering techniques and provides the first experimental evidence for the self-assembly of CESA into a stable trimer in solution. The catalytic domain was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and using a two-step procedure, it was possible to isolate monomeric and trimeric forms of AtCESA1CatD. The conformation of monomeric and trimeric AtCESA1CatD proteins were studied using small-angle neutron scattering and small-angle x-ray scattering. A series of AtCESA1CatD trimer computational models were compared with the small-angle x-ray scattering trimer profile to explore the possible arrangement of the monomers in the trimers. Several candidate trimers were identified with monomers oriented such that the newly synthesized cellulose chains project toward the cell membrane. In these models, the class-specific region is found at the periphery of the complex, and the plant-conserved region forms the base of the trimer. This study strongly supports the "hexamer of trimers" model for the rosette cellulose synthesis complex that synthesizes an 18-chain cellulose microfibril as its fundamental product.
Do Pruitt-Igoe ao World Trade Center: planejando a ex/implosão do (pos)modernismo

O artigo discute, em meio a conceitos de pos-modernidade, as semelhancas na destruicao de dois marcos da arquitetura moderna: o conjunto residencial Pruitt-Igoe (PI) e o World Trade Center (WTC). Argumenta que a destruicao, tanto do PI como do WTC, deveu-se nao apenas a questao fisica (no PI, uma destruicao planejada pela sociedade, e no WTC, uma destruicao por ela nao planejada); pelo contrario, a queda de ambos os edificios seria uma materializacao do fim do pensamento modernista, do qual seriam simbolos. Contrariamente ao que foi dito a respeito do 11/09/2001, propoe que naquela hora o mundo ja havia mudado e que a destruicao do WTC foi apenas a representacao da mudanca. Seguindo essa argumentacao, o artigo propoe inovacoes no campo do planejamento e da arquitetura, assim como novas concepcoes para espacos contemporâneos, a exemplo dos projetos do novo WTC. Palavras-chave: arquitetura moderna; pos-modernidade; Pruitt-Igoe; World Trade Center. Abstract: This article proposes, amidst post modernity concepts, the resemblance between the destruction of two major symbols of modern planning and architecture: the Pruitt-Igoe (PI) housing project and the World Trade Center (WTC). The author states that both events were not only physical (the PI implosion having been a planned event in contrast to the unplanned WTC destruction) but also the materialization of the fall of the modern thinking embodied in them. Contrary to most ideas, the author proposes that by 09/11 the world had already changed, and the WTC destruction only represented that change. Along with these arguments, the author also proposes a series of changes in the planning and architectural fields, as well as new conceptions towards contemporary project planning, such as the projects for Ground Zero. Keywords: modern architecture; post-modernity; Pruitt-Igoe; World Trade Center.
Effects of probiotics on soil microbial activity, biomass and enzymatic activity under cover crops in field and greenhouse studies.

Intensive use of agro-chemicals over the past few decades has increased land productivity, however, frequent application of agro-chemicals has also resulted in some negative impacts on the environment and soil microbial biodiversity. Use of alternative management such as probiotics is believed to promote soil microbial biodiversity and enzymatic activity. This research was conducted at the Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Health Farm, Chariton County, Missouri to quantify probiotic effects on soil biological diversity and activity. Prior to 2012, the site was comprised of conventional corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation with tillage and chemical fertilizer use. Soil amendment with probiotics (Bio-Ag) included a non-treated control, and dosages at 60 L probiotic ha−1 year−1; 90 L probiotic ha−1 year−1; and 120 L probiotic ha−1 year−1 with three replications. Two equal split soil applications of probiotics were applied in September 2013 and May 2014. Soil samples were collected in August (pre-treatment), September 2013 and June 2014 from 0 to 6 cm depth. A greenhouse study was conducted using soil cores. Treatments were similar those in the field study except the low dose was excluded and higher dose of 150 L ha−1 year−1 was used. Soil microbial biomass and community structures were analyzed using phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Standard soil enzyme assays were used to assess microbial activity. Saprophytic fungi, protozoa and rhizobia biomass were significantly higher with 120 L probiotic ha−1 year−1 dose than control in the field study (p < 0.10). Total microbial biomass was significantly increased and saprophytic fungi biomass was more than two times higher with the 120 L ha−1 year−1 dose compared with the control in the greenhouse study at the December 2014 sampling. In the field study, principal component analysis revealed that PC1 and PC2 accounted for 62 % of total variance. Increasing trends in the values of soil fungal communities, rhizobia, dehydrogenase, β-glucosaminidase and fluorescein diacetate hydrolase with the 120 L probiotic ha−1 year−1 dose implies that probiotics can be used to improve soil quality indicators.
041: INVESTING IN RELATIONSHIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR ENGAGEMENT: THE CAPACITY OF ACADEMIA TO EFFECTIVELY INFLUENCE HEALTH POLICY IN KENYA

Background Universities aim to build technical capacity, generate new knowledge and use both for the advancement of society. However, challenges in bridging the gap between research, policy and practice often hinder this intended impact. The importance of relationships and effective strategies for academic-policymaker engagement to overcome these challenges, while important, often remain elusive, suffer from unmet expectations, and subject to mutual misperceptions. Objectives In order to strengthen the capacity of academia to effectively influence health policy, we explore the networks and experiences of academics and policymakers in Kenya. Methods We conducted a quantitative policy network mapping and analysis of academic faculty across 6 Schools of public health to identify knowledge brokers (KBs) and other key actors. We complemented this with semi-structured interviews with 12 academic faculty and 11 national health policymakers from within the network to uncover and explore key themes. Result Six academic-policymaker networks emerged, identifying 7 KBs across 124 faculty. Academic faculty employed a greater array of strategies for leveraging these relations and enhancing engagement compared to policymakers including traditional dissemination of research results, and more creative honorary appointments for policymakers, amongst others. While the intention and capacity to engage across both types of institutions varied greatly, policymakers highlighted multiple strategies underutilized by academia thereby confirming different worldviews on effective engagement. Conclusion Engagement between academics and policymakers in Kenya requires a delicate balance between leveraging individual relationships and establishing sustained institutional partnerships. Additionally, a combination of deliberate and opportunistic strategies is required from both sides. SPH deployment of personnel and skills for effective academic-policymaker engagement and deliberate investment in capacity building for relationship management and knowledge translation can enhance sustainable mechanisms for (i) increasing policymaker interest and investment in health systems research, (ii) moving innovations from research into action, (iii) recognizing academia as a source of socially-driven and practically-relevant knowledge, and (iv) reinforcing academic-policymaker partnerships.
System Identification of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with Hingeless Control Effectors

This paper presents research conducted for system identi cation of an unmanned aerial vehicle to quantitatively compare control authority of conventional ailerons and jet actuators in lateral/directional motion. Locally linear state-space models were identi ed, via the Observer/Kalman lter algorithm, to reveal the dynamics of the unmanned aerial vehicle test-bed for di erent roll control e ector con gurations. The accuracy of the generated models is demonstrated by examination of residual error between the recorded ight states and the identi ed state-space model output using the recorded pilot inputs. Linear systems theory is used to (1) identify correct linearized model order for minimal realization of the equations of motion, (2) verify consistent plant dynamics across roll e ector con gurations, and (3) quantitatively assess roll e ector authority across the con gurations. The identi ed system models yield a quantitative comparison of control e ectiveness of conventional and proposed aileron actuators which align with pilot feedback and test observations.
ONCIDIUM SPECIES DESCRIBED BY JACQUIN AND THE TYPIFICATION OF ONCIDIUM

The genus Oncidium (Orchidaceae: Oncidieae) is a large and diverse group of several hundred species. While preparing materials for a larger work on the genera of the Oncidieae, we have encountered a great deal of confusion regarding the identity of several species of Oncidium, especially those species concerned with the typification of the genus. Recently Garay and Sweet (I972a, b) have suggested that the name Oncidium altissimum (Jacq.) Sw., usually applied to the species first chosen as lectotype of the genus, should be applied to the species commonly known as O. luridum Lindley. We will attempt to clarify this situation and also explain some details of other names used by Jacquin. Stafleu (1967 a, 1971 a, 1971 b) and D'Arcy (1970) have outlined the travels of Jacquin in the West Indies. Jacquin left Europe in January 1755 and returned to Vienna in July 1759. He collected on a number of islands, and Stafleu (1971 a) states that "The consignments of living plants had been considerable; herbarium material was scanty, but many drawings and descriptions had been made on the spot". In 1760 Jacquin published a short prodromus of the species he found in the West Indies, and in 1763 published a larger work, the Selectarum stirpium americanarum historia, in which he gave descriptions, in addition to the phrase-names used in his 1760 work, and also provided drawings of the four species which concern us. Stafleu (1967 b, 1971 a, 1971 b) has pointed out that the Enumeratio of Jacquin in 1760 was a prodromus to the larger 1763 work and that the two works must be consulted together. Stafleu (1971 a: 186) has said, in regard to the plates in Jacquin's 1763 work: "The plates are engravings of Jacquin's original drawings." In the 1760 prodromus Jacquin named four species that were later transferred to Oncidium: Epidendrum carthagenense, E. altissimum, E. tetrapetalum, and E. cebolleta. Jacquin cited a plate from Sloane's "Voyage to the Islands of Madera, etc." after the phrase-name of E. altissimum. The complete citation in Jacquin (1760) for E. altissimum is "foliis radicalibus, ensiformi-oblongis, basi carinatis, superne planis; scapo ramoso. Sloane hist. Jam. I. t. 148. f. i." Our figure i is a reproduction of the Sloane figure which Jacquin cited. As can be seen, there are no vegeta-
Nucleation, Transformation and Agglomeration of C54 Phase Titanium Disilicide

The transformation of TiSi2 from the C49 phase to the C54 crystallographic phase is an irreversible, polymorphic transformation that occurs by a nucleation and growth process. Typical of polymorphic transformations, the transition occurs readily once a stable embryo of the thermodynamically favored phase is formed. Future VLSI applications requiring control of the resistivity and thermodynamic stability of thin TiSi2 films formed on submicron features will necessitate understanding this nucleation and transformation process to a greater extent. We have found that the C54 phase nucleation site density, the resulting microstructure and thermal stability of the film can be strongly influenced by the initial silicide formation conditions. Rapid thermal processing (RTP) has been found to offer a significant advantage over conventional furnace annealing for the silicide formation process.
2-D steering and propelling of acoustic bubble-powered microswimmers

This paper describes bi-directional (linear and rotational) propelling and 2-D steering of acoustic bubble-powered microswimmers that are achieved in a centimeter-scale pool (beyond chip level scale). The core structure of a microswimmer is a microtube with one end open in which a gaseous bubble is trapped. The swimmer is propelled by microstreaming flows that are generated when the trapped bubble is oscillated by an external acoustic wave. The bubble oscillation and thus propelling force are highly dependent on the frequency of the acoustic wave and the bubble length. This dependence is experimentally studied by measuring the resonance behaviors of the testing pool and bubble using a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) and by evaluating the generated streaming flows. The key idea in the present 2-D steering is to utilize this dependence. Multiple bubbles with different lengths are mounted on a single microswimmer with a variety of arrangements. By controlling the frequency of the acoustic wave, only frequency-matched bubbles can strongly oscillate and generate strong propulsion. By arranging multiple bubbles of different lengths in parallel but with their openings opposite and switching the frequency of the acoustic wave, bi-directionally linear propelling motions are successfully achieved. The propelling forces are calculated by a CFD analysis using the Ansys Fluent® package. For bi-directional rotations, a similar method but with diagonal arrangement of bubbles on a rectangular swimmer is also applied. The rotation can be easily reversed when the frequency of the acoustic wave is switched. For 2-D steering, short bubbles are aligned perpendicular to long bubbles. It is successfully demonstrated that the microswimmer navigates through a T-junction channel under full control with and without carrying a payload. During the navigation, the frequency is the main control input to select and resonate targeted bubbles. All of these operations are achieved by a single piezoelectric actuator.
Executive Abilities as Reflected by Clock Hand Placement Frontotemporal Dementia Versus Early-Onset Alzheimer Disease

The clock-drawing test (CDT) is widely used in clinical practice to diagnose and distinguish patients with dementia. It remains unclear, however, whether the CDT can distinguish among the early-onset dementias. Accordingly, we examined the ability of both quantitative and qualitative CDT analyses to distinguish behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and early-onset Alzheimer disease (eAD), the 2 most common neurodegenerative dementias with onset <65 years of age. We hypothesized that executive aspects of the CDT would discriminate between these 2 disorders. The study compared 15 patients with bvFTD and 16 patients with eAD on the CDT using 2 different scales and correlated the findings with neuropsychological testing and magnetic resonance imaging. The total CDT scores did not discriminate bvFTD and eAD; however, specific analysis of executive hand placement items successfully distinguished the groups, with eAD exhibiting greater errors than bvFTD. The performance on those executive hand placement items correlated with measures of naming as well as visuospatial and executive function. On tensor-based morphometry of the magnetic resonance images, executive hand placement correlated with right frontal volume. These findings suggest that lower performance on executive hand placement items occurs with involvement of the right dorsolateral frontal-parietal network for executive control in eAD, a network disproportionately affected in AD of early onset. Rather than the total performance on the clock task, the analysis of specific errors, such as executive hand placement, may be useful for early differentiation of eAD, bvFTD, and other conditions.
Blood and tissue content of the iso-enzymes of lactate dehydrogenase in the thoroughbred

The occasions, position and relative concentration of LDH iso-enzymes in the blood tissues of the thoroughbred horse were determined. Locomotor muscles possess a high concentration of LDH 5 whereas non-locomotor muscles have a low concentration of this iso-enzyme.
Measuring the on-Rate of Membrane-Cytoskeleton Bonds at the Near-Equilibrium Region

Cells especially cancer cells exhibit cytoskeleton remodeling. The propensity to remodel is reflected in part by the lifetime, τ of the membrane-cytoskeleton bonds at the edges of cells; τ increases as their number density and equilibrium constant, K increases. We measure τ by monitoring the time course of the membrane peeling force, Fp at the edge of a cancer cell. Experiments are conducted at the near-equilibrium region (cf. irreversible), where an optical tweezers is used to apply a load with a handle which is bound to a slowly moving cell, and the handle displacement is detected at a resolution of 500 μs after averaging. Results: We find for most cells (80 %) that Fp is zero (0) for a finite time, tdelay upon application of a constant loading rate. Subsequently, Fp increases monotonically for time, Δt reaching a value that ruptures bonds at force, f. Comparing events from all cells we find tdelay exhibits an exponential distribution with a constant (15 s−1) and Δt increases monotonically with f. We estimate the on (15 s−1) and off (1 s−1) rates by comparing data with theory that calculates the lifetime of a cluster of bonds. The rates are similar when cells are treated with a microtubule-disrupting drug, but are altered by Rho-GTPase inhibitors. This is predictable as active Rho-GTPases form bridges between the membrane and actin-effector proteins of the cytoskeleton. Conclusion: The frequent detection of tdelay enabled by monitoring the force and its time course reveals an approach to experimentally estimate the intractable kon in cells. Further experiments at slower loading rates (≫60 pN/s) will confirm whether this is close to the intrinsic value, koon.
Increased Fruit and Vegetable Intake among Older Adults Participating in Kentucky's Congregate Meal Site Program.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the amount and variety of fruits and vegetables consumed increased among community-dwelling older adults participating in Kentucky’s congregate meal si...
Design and implementation of precise x-ray metrology to control a 45-cm long x-ray deformable mirror

Our experiments at beamline 5.3.1 of the Advanced Light Source feature a 45-cm long x-ray deformable mirror (XDM). We describe the experiment and present recent results in two areas. First, we directly image the 3 keV x-ray beam and demonstrate customized shaping of its intensity in the near field. Detailed physics simulations of the experiment agree very well with actual measurements. Second, we use a grating interferometer to measure known figure errors applied to the surface of the XDM. A relative height change on the XDM of 2.5 nm RMS is measured at an SNR of eight in single measurement. A provisional error budget analysis indicates that uncalibrated errors in the system are by far the largest component.
Synthesis and biological activity of pyridazine amides, hydrazones and hydrazides

BACKGROUND Optimization studies on compounds initially designed to be herbicides led to the discovery of a series of [6-(3-pyridyl)pyridazin-3-yl]amides exhibiting aphicidal properties. Systematic modifications of the amide moiety as well as the pyridine and pyridazine rings were carried out to determine if these changes could improve insecticidal potency. RESULTS Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies showed that changes to the pyridine and pyridazine rings generally resulted in a significant loss of insecticidal potency against green peach aphids (Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and cotton aphids (Aphis gossypii (Glover). However, replacement of the amide moiety with hydrazines, hydrazones, or hydrazides appeared to be tolerated, with small aliphatic substituents being especially potent. CONCLUSIONS A series of aphicidal [6-(3-pyridyl)pyridazin-3-yl]amides were discovered as a result of random screening of compounds that were intially investigated as herbicides. Follow-up studies of the structure activity relationship of these [6-(3-pyridyl)pyridazin-3-yl]amides showed that biosteric replacement of the amide moiety was widely tolerated suggesting that further opportunities for exploitation may exsist for this new area of insecticidal chemistry. Insecticidal efficacy from the original hit, compound 1, to the efficacy of compound 14 produced greater than 10-fold potency improvement against Aphis gossypii and greater than 14-fold potency improvement against Myzus persicae.
W/V-band terrestrial link experiment, an overview

The Air Force Research Laboratory in partnership with NASA Glenn Research Center and the University of New Mexico have initiated the W/V-band Terrestrial Link Experiment (WTLE) to conduct propagation analysis at W/V-band frequencies. An overview is provided of the system and ancillary equipment to facilitate the propagation experiment.
The development of an in vivo mobile dynamic microscopy system that images cancerous tumors via fluorescent and phosphorescent nanoparticles

Hypoxia correlates with reduced radiosensitivity and therapy response. Imaging anesthisized mice using fluorescent nanoparticles causes problems in modeling hypoxia. Therefore, a mobile imaging apparatus was developed to image un-anesthetized mice.
Integrating Spatial Working Memory and Remote Memory: Interactions between the Medial Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus

In recent years, two separate research streams have focused on information sharing between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HC). Research into spatial working memory has shown that successful execution of many types of behaviors requires synchronous activity in the theta range between the mPFC and HC, whereas studies of memory consolidation have shown that shifts in area dependency may be temporally modulated. While the nature of information that is being communicated is still unclear, spatial working memory and remote memory recall is reliant on interactions between these two areas. This review will present recent evidence that shows that these two processes are not as separate as they first appeared. We will also present a novel conceptualization of the nature of the medial prefrontal representation and how this might help explain this area’s role in spatial working memory and remote memory recall.
Competing purposes of education: The case of underschooled immigrant students

Recent global events have led to a striking rise of displaced people and refugees worldwide. Every year, the United States resettles nearly 70,000 refugees, with a large minority resettling in one California school district. Approximately 3000 students from refugee families are enrolled in local schools, many of whom lack prior formal education in their home countries. Further compounding the challenge is the recent onset of rigorous local and state policies. While several studies exist on teachers’ sensemaking of educational policies more generally, no studies deal with the role of teachers in mediating the intersection of policy and underschooled immigrant students. Using a sensemaking perspective, this qualitative study explores how teachers conceptualize their role as mediators between policy and student needs. Analysis of district policy-related documents, classroom observations, and interviews with school and district staff revealed that teachers balanced multiple layers of factors in their sensemaking of broad-based district policy in the case of underschooled immigrant students. Though the district presented a unified policy message related to graduation requirements, participants articulated different purposes of school for underschooled immigrant students. These differing perceptions affected how teachers conceptualized their role. This study’s contributions to research and theory, as well as implications for policy, practice, and future research are also discussed.
Review: Journal de bord de quatre chantiers: Grands ensembles en situation by Sandra Parvu

Sandra Parvu Journal de bord de quatre chantiers: Grands ensembles en situation Geneva: MētisPresses, 2011, 201 pp., 95 b/w illus. €27, ISBN 9782940406647 The large modernist housing project has been, since Jane Jacobs’s writings on the city, one of the most maligned architectural legacies of the twentieth century. In her new book, however, Sandra Parvu shows that at least in France, the grand ensemble was neither uniform nor schismatically independent of local culture, and its planning did not amount to a blindly rationalist orthodoxy. Instead, variations, debates, revisions, and open criticism accompanied the design and construction of housing on a large scale from the beginning; the process also involved a wide range of professional and political actors—from architects to mayors to state bureaucrats—who pursued different and at times opposing agendas and visions. And if the visual effect could be at times monotonous, the story of the rise and fall of the grand ensemble as a planning model was not. This, at least, is the sense one gets from reading Parvu’s Journal de bord , an account of four high-modernist housing projects in postwar France: Briey-en-Foret, Bagnols-sur-Ceze, Les Ulis, and La Courneuve. The construction of grands ensembles in France barely spans two decades, from 1954 to 1973. But those were years of great economic confidence and expansion, part of the Trente glorieuses , and the volume of construction was by all measures impressive, with an official number of housing units somewhere around six million.1 Two government decisions bracketed the construction campaigns, the first one mandating the rapid and low-cost construction of housing, and the second one, in 1973, prohibiting housing projects of more than five hundred units. The fact that the grand ensemble began and ended by decree shows that its presence on the French landscape was a deeply political act with causes and implications that went well beyond the architectural realm. The marginality of architecture and the architect in shaping housing solutions …
A privacy-preserving method with flexible charging schedules for electric vehicles in the smart grid

The Smart Grid (SG) is an emerging modernized electrical power system with advanced monitoring and control mechanism, and improved fault-tolerance. Electric Vehicles (EVs), with their energy storage capability, are gaining popularity as an integral part of the energy management system in the SG. To balance the load-demand condition of the grid, EVs are required to schedule a charging event before participation. However, the information transmitted by an EV in charging events can reveal personal information of its owner. The privacy-preserving methods for EVs in existing literature are based on anonymous authentication mechanism, where, missing a charging event by an EV is considered as malicious and the EV is penalized. However, missing a charging event may happen due to many valid reasons and flexibility of scheduling can encourage consumer participation. In this paper, an authentication method is proposed to achieve anonymity and flexibility in charging events for EVs. Additionally, a charging station network setup that divides a large regional area into smaller zones to improve privacy, is proposed. Results based on a MATLAB simulation are presented to demonstrate the Degree of Anonymity (DoA) achieved in different stages of the proposed method, the optimal number of missed charging events, and sub-division of zones.
Unidirectional Localized Modes

we demonstrate the generation of unidirectional localized mode in a spatiotemporally modulated photonic lattice containing a static defect. our proposal might help the design for devices such as non-reciprocal sensors, and unidirectional lasers.
"Organizational Design, Information Tacitness, And the Contingent Benefits of Structural Holes"

How do the organizational designs employed by firms and the tacitness of information in their networks impact the benefits that firms gain from occupying structural holes? Structural holes theory p...
Wavelength-modulated planar laser-induced fluorescence for imaging gases.

This work presents the development of wavelength-modulated planar laser-induced fluorescence (WM-PLIF) and its initial application to infrared imaging of carbon monoxide in a laminar flame. A continuous-wave quantum-cascade laser producing 50 mW near 4.8 μm was injection-current modulated at 1 kHz and scanned across the P(20) transition of CO at 20 Hz. The corresponding infrared-laser-induced fluorescence from 2065 cm-1 to 2155 cm-1 was imaged orthogonal to the laser sheet using a high-speed IR camera, and digital lock-in detection of the WM-PLIF first-harmonic signal (SF,1f) was performed to provide high-fidelity, background-free imaging of CO. Images of the peak-SF,1f signal are presented for a laminar CO-H2 diffusion flame in air at atmospheric pressure. We demonstrate that this technique is sensitive enough to image nascent CO in flames and present a strategy for simulating the WM-PLIF harmonic signals.
Comparative Anatomy of Tribes Cereeae and Browningieae (Cactaceae)

The purpose of this study was to assess the phylogenetic relationships between tribes Cereeae and Browningieae in the cactus subfamily Cactoideae. During field trips to Venezuela, Ecuador and Chile, tissue samples were collected from representative specimens in natural populations. Monvillea* diffusa, M. maritima, and M. smithiana were virtually identical anatomically and, although similar to Cereus hexagonus, they were distinct in having large druses in their outer hypodermis and extremely small wall crystals in their cortex. Pilosocereus mortensenii was indistinguishable from the samples of Subpilocereus* (S. ottonis, S. repandus, S. russelianus) but was very different from other pilosocerei (P. lanuginosus, P. moritzianus, P. tillianus). Samples of Subpilocereus, including P. mortensenii, were similar to those of C. hexagonus in having no hypodermal crystals, no druses in pith or cortex, few or no mucilage cells in pith or cortex. Anatomical characters supported a hypothetical close relationship between Armatocereus (A. brevispinus, A. cartwrightianus, A. godingianus) and Jasminocereus (J. thouarsii), but Jasminocereus had few distinctive features that could be used to link it strongly to any genus in this study. Both tribes were variable, but members of each resembled each other more than they resembled any member of the other tribe. Leptocereus quadricostatus (tribe Echinocereeae) did not obviously share more characters with one tribe versus the other. Pachycereeae are more similar to Cereeae than to Browningieae.
Photoinduced Charge Separation in Ion-Pair Electron Donor-Acceptor Aggregates

Methylviologen (MV2+) forms ion-pair electron donor-acceptor complexes in aqueous solution with C2O4 2− and EDTA. From the results of pulsed laser excitation at 355 nm, a model is proposed in which the ion-pair complexes of MV2+ exist as “pseudo-micelle” aggregates; absorption of light generates MV+· and an oxidized-donor radical within the aggregate. The irreversible conversion of the oxidized radical to a reducing radical, in competition with geminate pair back electron-transfer, leads to the formation of a second equivalent of MV+· within the aggregate structure; the MV+· species are ultimately released into bulk solution as the aggregate structure equilibrates. The values of Ф(MV+·) from continuous photolysis are a measure of the dependence of the rate of geminate pair back electron-transfer on the structure of the aggregate, state of protonation of the species, and the states populated in the light-absorption process.
TOXIC CONSTITUENTS AND HEPATOTOXICITY OF THE PLANT Tetradymia glabrata (ASTEROCEAE)

I. ABSTRACT In the early 1900's, Fleming, Clawson, and Huffman discovered that the plant Tetradymia glabrata which grew in northwestern U.S. was responsible for fatalities of sheep. Numbers of fatalities as high as 1000 sheep were observed to occur at one time. From their investigations, it was concluded that the plant contained components causing hepatotoxicity and perhaps photosensitization. In 1967, we began to study the plant with hopes of identifying the toxic substances in the plant and their mode of action. As a result, three compounds have been isolated and chemically characterized as furanoeremophilanes. Subsequent studies showed that one of these substances, Tetradymol, is metabolized by the mixed function oxidase enzymes to a metabolite which is even more toxic. Finally, these furanoeremophilanes have been shown to express their toxicity by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation from electron transport.
Detrusor areflexia in suprasacral spinal cord injuries.

AbstractPatients with high thoracic or cervical spinal cord injuries normally have a detrusor contraction during cystometry. Thirteen patients with detrusor areflexia and a high spinal cord lesion underwent neurophysiological evaluation with electromyography of the pelvic floor muscles, lumbosacralevoked potential to tibial nerve stimulation, the bulbocavernosus reflex and water cystometry. Two groups of patients were identified. Of those patients with initial detrusor areflexia evidence was found for a subclinical second lesion involving the lumbo sacral arc, which accounted for the a contractile bladder. In the remaining patients of this group, who had an intact sacral reflux arc, a detrusor contraction developed after a mean of 16.6 months from the date of injury. The second group of patients exhibited initial detrusor hyperreflexia that subsequently converted to areflexia. A reason was found for the alteration in bladder behavior in each case. The possible reasons for differential recovery of the soma...
Impact of induced magnetic field on free convective flow of kerosene/water based single and multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Mathematical analysis of single and multi-walled carbon nanotubes along with two different base fluids, water and kerosene oil, subjected to a strong magnetic field with induced magnetic field effects, has been carried out. The dimensionless equations describing the fluid motion, energy, angular momentum and the induced magnetic field of nanofluid have been solved numerically by the Keller box method. Heat transfer analysis reveals that a greater volume fraction of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) is responsible in enhancing the heat transfer rate as compared to the convectional fluid either its water or kerosene oil. In all the cases discussed through the graphs, it is seen that the heat transfer rate is greater in kerosene oil based nanofluid as compared with the water based nanofluid. It is found the greatest in the case of SWCNT-kerosene oil nanofluid and the least in the case of MWCNT-water.
Oncologic Trends, Outcomes, and Risk Factors for Locoregional Recurrence: An Analysis of Tumor-to-Nipple Distance and Critical Factors in Therapeutic Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy.

Background Oncologic outcomes with nipple-sparing mastectomy continue to be established. The authors examine oncologic trends, outcomes, and risk factors, including tumor-to-nipple distance, in therapeutic nipple-sparing mastectomies. Methods Demographics, outcomes, and overall trends for all nipple-sparing mastectomies performed for a therapeutic indication from 2006 to 2017 were analyzed. Oncologic outcomes were investigated with specific focus on recurrence and associated factors, including tumor-to-nipple distance. Results A total of 496 therapeutic nipple-sparing mastectomies were performed, with an average follow-up time of 48.25 months. The most common tumor types were invasive carcinoma (52.4 percent) and ductal carcinoma in situ (50.4 percent). Sentinel lymph node sampling was performed in 79.8 percent of nipple-sparing mastectomies; 4.1 percent had positive frozen sentinel lymph node biopsy results, whereas 15.7 percent had positive nodal status on permanent pathologic examination. The most common pathologic cancer stage was stage IA (42.5 percent) followed by stage 0 (31.3 percent). The rate of local recurrence was 1.6 percent (n = 8), and the rate of regional recurrence was 0.6 percent (n = 3). In all, 171 nipple-sparing mastectomies had magnetic resonance imaging available with which to assess tumor-to-nipple distance. Tumor-to-nipple distance of 1 cm or less (25.0 percent versus 2.4 percent; p = 0.0031/p = 0.1129) and of 2 cm or less (8.7 percent versus 2.0 percent; p = 0.0218/p = 0.1345) trended to higher rates of locoregional recurrence. In univariate analysis, tumor-to-nipple distance of 1 cm or less was the only significant risk factor for recurrence (OR, 13.5833; p = 0.0385). No factors were significant in regression analysis. Conclusions In early stage and in situ breast carcinoma, therapeutic nipple-sparing mastectomy appears oncologically safe, with a locoregional recurrence rate of 2.0 percent. Tumor-to-nipple distances of 1 cm or less and 2 cm or less trended to higher recurrence rates. Clinical question/level of evidence Risk, III.
Transnationalism as Cultural Hybridity and Flexible Citizenship

Earlier chapters talked about the concept of “transnationalism from below,” as the transnational system brings together two different worlds, with the transmigrants trying to negotiate their lives between two cultures into their lives. Thus, in this global capitalist society, it becomes essential to examine the noneconomic social effects (culture, beliefs, etc.), the phenomenon of migration in order to obtain a holistic picture of transnational lives of the migrants under study. In this process, it becomes imperative to investigate family and social aspects of the transnational practices.
Systematic microdosimetric data for protons of therapeutic energies calculated with Geant4-DNA.

The purpose of this study was to generate physical data needed for microdosimetry-based models of proton RBE. Our focus was on the frequency and dose average lineal energies, y F and y D . We report data for proton energies from 0.1 to 100 MeV, for spherical volumes 2-103 nm in diameter. These data were calculated using Geant4-DNA Monte Carlo software. The physics implemented in Geant4-DNA has been extensively tested for this type of calculations but data on y F and y D for protons generated with this code have been very limited. An innovative aspect of our study is that we introduced a straightforward procedure for calculation of y F and y D for polyenergetic beams and presented the data in a format that simplifies these calculations. We compared our data with previous studies that used different Monte Carlo codes and with experimental data.
High Amplitude Torsional Shear of Porcine Thoracic Aorta

Studying the mechanics of aortic tissue is a crucial component in understanding its behavior under healthy as well as diseased conditions. Wall shear stress and circumferential stress have been largely accepted as significant factors in arterial growth and remodeling as a response to changes in flow and pressure. But, experimental studies on aortic tissues have largely focused on uniaxial and biaxial tests which are more suited for investigating circumferential stress. This may be explained by the inherent convenience of gripping tissue and then applying deformations in the uniaxial and biaxial modes. As such, the behavior of aortic tissue under shear has been left relatively unstudied. We propose to study the response of porcine aortic wall tissue under cyclic constant torsional shear strain rate for high amplitude (50%) and at different shear strain rates (4%/s and 40%/s). Three to four 12.5 mm diameter samples are obtained from the descending porcine aorta. Initial results clearly indicate a non linear response for the moment as a function of the angle of twist while many popular models predict a linear response for the arterial wall even under large shear strain.
An Edge Computing Visual System for Vegetable Categorization

In self-service supermarket and retail industry, efforts to reduce customer wait time using automatic grocery item identification are challenged by low recognition accuracy, long response time and substantial requirement for equipment. In this paper, we propose a novel edge computing system named EdgeVegfru for vegetable and fruit image classification. While existing work on Vegfru dataset shows excellent performance, few of them have been deployed in real-world applications. We adopt an edge computing paradigm, design, implement and evaluate the whole system on the Android devices. The proposed deep learning model and quantization algorithm reduce the model size and inference time significantly. Our system has shown out-standing accuracy within limited time and computation resources, compared with other machine learning methods(such as Support Vector Machine(SVM), Random Forest(RF)), thus providing the potential path for automatic recognition and pricing in self-service retail stores.
Oxytocin selectively excites interneurons and inhibits output neurons of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST)

Abstract The dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTDL) has high expression of oxytocin (OT) receptors (OTR), which were shown to facilitate cued fear. The BNSTDL contains GABA-ergic neurons classified based on intrinsic membrane properties into three major types. Using in vitro patch-clamp recordings in male rats, we demonstrate that OT selectively excites Type I neurons in an OTR-dependent manner as revealed by a significantly increased resting membrane potential, increased input resistance, reduced rheobase, reduced fast and medium spike afterhyperpolarization, reduced threshold and latency to a first spike, as well as a left shift in the spike frequency/current relationship. As Type I neurons are putative BNSTDL interneurons, we next recorded inhibitory synaptic transmission in all three types of neurons and we demonstrate that OT increases the frequency, but not amplitude, of spontaneous inhibitory post-synaptic currents (sIPSCs), selectively in Type II neurons. This effect was abolished by the presence of an OTR antagonist or tetrodotoxin, the latter suggesting an indirect effect via an OT-induced increase in firing of Type I interneurons. As Type II neurons were shown to project to the central amygdala (CeA), we also recorded from retrogradely labeled BNST→CeA neurons, which we identified as Type II. These results present a model of fine-tuned modulation of intrinsic BNSTDL neurocircuitry by OT, which selectively excites Type I neurons, leading to increased GABA-ergic inhibition in Type II projection neurons. Lastly, we demonstrate that fear-conditioning increases sIPSCs frequency in Type II neurons, mimicking the effect of OT. Based on the findings, we propose that OTR in the BNSTDL facilitate cued fear by inhibiting BNST→CeA neurons.
Gaming DevSecOps - A Serious Game Pilot Study

Serious games provide a method for teaching students in an engaging, non-threatening way. To be useful educational tools, these games need to be designed with the lesson objectives in mind. This paper uses the Game Design Matrix to design a game from learning objectives. The lesson objectives focus on software development, security and operations (DevSecOps). DevSecOps requires judging the cost and risk trade offs between secure and unsecured software aspects including code, data and usability; devising a strategy to produce a system under threat; comprehending that partial security may equate to no security; and identifying examples of insecure code and methods of mitigating it. These lesson objectives combined with the teaching environment drive design decisions that produce a game that fits well into a graduate level course in secure software design and development. We evaluate the game in a graduate course on secure software design and development. Learner surveys confirm that DevSecOps conveys the learning objectives in an engaging way.
Sex Determination: TRA-1 Is a Non-binary Regulator of Sexual Identity.

In nematodes, TRA-1 represses the transcription of genes involved in male differentiation, allowing XX animals to undergo normal hermaphrodite development. New reports show that this transcription factor also acts in XO males, to control the differentiation of many neurons.
Voting Wildcats May Never Be Players in Bargaining

In April, Peter S. Ohr, a regional director for the National Labor Relations Board, declared that scholarship athletes on the Northwestern football team are employees and therefore entitled to jointly bargain, as a union. This article reflects on the vote by the players, the appeal of the school, and the ramifications that follow regarding, not only Northwestern, but other private schools based on the NLRB’s decision.
A pilot study of a low glycemic load diet in patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer

Background Consumption of a diet with high glycemic indices has been associated with inferior cancer-specific outcomes in patients with early-stage colorectal cancer, but there is limited prospective evidence that alterations in dietary habits improves cancer outcomes. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of following a low glycemic load (GL) diet in patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer. Methods Patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer, who completed definitive therapy, and consumed an average daily GL >150 participated in a 12-week tailored face-to-face dietary intervention with a target GL. This study followed a 2-stage design, with 4 planned cohorts, each with an assigned GL target and dietary intervention intensity. The primary endpoint of feasibility was determined by participant compliance, defined as an individual following the assigned GL ≥75% of the time. Compliance was determined using 24-hour telephone recalls. A cohort was deemed feasible if at least 67% of participants were compliant. Secondary endpoints included acceptability of the diet, nutritional support resources necessary to follow the diet, and evaluation of the effect of the diet on physical measures and correlative laboratories. Results Only cohort 1 was required as the primary endpoint of feasibility was met (stringent GL target, low intensity dietary support). The majority of participants experienced a decrease in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, 29% experiencing meaningful weight loss (≥5%). The dietitian spent an average of 6.97 hours (SD 2.18) face-to-face time and 1.58 hours (SD 0.68) by phone with each participant. Significant decreases were seen in total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglycerides (all P<0.05). All participants liked the foods and were satisfied with the diet. All participants felt the in-person meetings were helpful, and 62% did not feel a virtual meeting (e.g., Skype, etc.) could replace in-person meetings. Conclusions Patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer can follow a low GL diet with a 12-week in-person dietary intervention. Significant changes in physical and laboratory measures suggest relevant biologic effects of the dietary intervention. This study establishes feasibility, and warrants a larger scale prospective intervention trial to evaluate the impact of a low GL diet on cancer outcomes.