cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BindSpace: decoding transcription factor binding signals by large-scale joint embedding

Decoding transcription factor (TF) binding signals in genomic DNA is a fundamental problem. Here we present a prediction model called BindSpace that learns to embed DNA sequences and TF class/family labels into the same space. By training on binding data for hundreds of TFs and embedding over 1M DNA sequences, BindSpace achieves state-of-the-art multiclass binding prediction performance, in vitro and in vivo, and can distinguish signals of closely related TFs.
Enjoining Employers Pending Arbitration: Some Misconceptions and Clarifications

Labor organizations increasingly sue in federal courts to obtain an injunction enjoining an employer from pursuing a contemplated course of action pending arbitration. This Article will demonstrate that the Norris-LaGuardia Act is inapplicable in this context, which leads to the conclusion that a "Boys Markets" injunction against an employer simply is not possible. When a union seeks to have contemplated employer conduct enjoined pending arbitration, the action should not be governed by the principles of the Norris-LaGuardia Act, Boys Markets, or Buffalo Forge. Rather, an employer should be enjoined from pursuing a contemplated course of action when its conduct interferes with the preservation and advancement of a strong, underlying policy of labor relations law - namely, the maintenance of the central role played by the arbitration process. Injunctive relief should minimize the risk of erroneous, irreparable injury as well as provide the final judicial solution to the arbitrable dispute. This premise does not mean that the employer must always be thwarted in its efforts to make changes. It does mean, however, that the employer should bear the risk that arbitration as a process will be undermined. If the employer cannot bear this risk and its cost, it should be enjoined.
Antiretroviral Pharmacology in Breast Milk

Despite the risks of HIV transmission via breastfeeding, it is utilized worldwide for infant nutrition, especially in resource poor countries [1]. Due to limited resources, many mothers are not receiving antiretroviral therapy for their own disease, hence, the need for interventions during the peri- and postpartum period to prevent mother-to-child transmission. One strategy to limit transmission is providing antiretroviral agents to mothers of breastfeeding infants or antiretrovirals directly to the infants during the postpartum period while breastfeeding [1]. Both strategies have been shown to be effective at decreasing transmission rates [1–14]. This chapter focuses on the pharmacology of antiretrovirals in breast milk, while being administered to mothers, and the resultant exposure to the breastfeeding infant.
The contribution of the scapula to active shoulder motion and self-assessed function in three hundred and fifty two patients prior to elective shoulder surgery.

Scapular motion is an important component of shoulder function. This study determined the contribution of the scapula to active shoulder motion in control subjects and patients with loss of shoulder function. The Kinect system was used to assess active scapulothoracic (ST) and humerothoracic (HT) abduction in 12 controls and in 352 patients before elective shoulder surgery. For the controls, ST abduction averaged 26 ± 7° or 19% of the active HT abduction (135 ± 5°). For the 352 patients having elective surgery, active ST abduction averaged 12 ± 10°, or 17% of the active HT abduction (72 ± 38). For 10 of the 12 SST functions, patients unable to perform the function had significantly less scapulothoracic abduction, e.g., shoulders unable to lift one pound to shoulder level had 9 ± 8° of ST abduction in contrast to 17 ± 10 for those able to perform this function (p < .001). Scapulothoracic motion is an important component of active shoulder motion and function in both healthy shoulders and in those compromised by common pathologies. This study suggests that rehabilitation directed at improving active scapulothoracic motion may improve the function of shoulders with loss of glenohumeral motion. Level III Prognostic Study
Persecution and Grandiosity in Incest Fathers

Parents who victimize children sometimes act in the deliberate or unconscious belief that they are solving an internal or family problem or that the victimization will lead to some kind of magical deliverance or renewal.1
Estimating Income Statistics from Grouped Data: Mean-constrained Integration over Brackets:

Researchers studying income inequality, economic segregation, and other subjects must often rely on grouped data—that is, data in which thousands or millions of observations have been reduced to co...
Radiation exposure in adult and pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta

Abstract Diagnostic radiographs, computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine studies, and intraoperative fluoroscopy durations were analyzed for radiation exposure. Cumulative and yearly effective ionizing radiation doses, cumulative background radiation, and total radiograph studies were compared between pediatric and adult populations. In 24 patients with 1,246 imaging studies (average 5.5 years longitudinal treatment duration), the mean estimated cumulative effective radiation dose per patient was 30.0 mSv (range 2.3–115.0), with an average yearly dose of 4.9 mSv (range 0.4–24.8). Pediatric patients had significantly more radiograph studies per year than adults and greater average yearly effective radiation doses.
Mesothelin and TGF-α predict pancreatic cancer cell sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors and effective combination treatment with trametinib

Clinical trials of EGFR inhibitors in combination with gemcitabine for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have generated mixed results partially due to the poorly defined effectiveness of EGFR inhibitors in PDAC. Here, we studied a panel of PDAC cell lines to compare the IC50s of the EGFR inhibitors gefitinib and cetuximab. We found that gefitinib induced biphasic inhibition in over 50% of PDAC cells, with the initial growth inhibition occurring at nanomolar concentrations and a second growth inhibition occurring outside the clinical range. In contrast to gefitinib, cetuximab produced a single phase growth inhibition in a subset of PDAC cells. Using this sensitivity data, we screened for correlations between cell morphology proteins and EGFR ligands to EGFR inhibitor sensitivity, and found that mesothelin and the EGFR ligand TGF-α have a strong correlation to gefitinib and cetuximab sensitivity. Analysis of downstream signaling pathways indicated that plc-γ1 and c-myc were consistently inhibited by EGFR inhibitor treatment in sensitive cell lines. While an inconsistent additive effect was observed with either cetuximab or gefitinib in combination with gemcitabine, the cell pathway data indicated consistent ERK activation, leading us to pursue EGFR inhibitors in combination with trametinib, a MEK1/2 inhibitor. Both cetuximab and gefitinib in combination with trametinib produced an additive effect in all EGFR sensitive cell lines. Our results indicate that mesothelin and TGF-α can predict PDAC sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors and a combination of EGFR inhibitors with trametinib could be a novel effective treatment for PDAC.
Hormonal Regulation of Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) and Other Nonneuronal Epithelial Ion Channels

Abstract This review focuses on epithelial ion channels and their regulation by hormones. The channels discussed are located in the apical or basolateral membranes of epithelial cells. The epithelial channels covered are the following: epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), renal outer medullary potassium ion channel (ROMK), potassium channels activated by calcium (BK), magnesium channels (TRPM6 and TRPM7), epithelial basolateral sodium/potassium pump (Na+/K+ ATPase), apical brush border renal phosphate channels (SLC34 transporters, NPT2 and NPT3), aquaporins, epithelial calcium transport channels (TRPN5 and TRPV6), chloride transport, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), pendrin (apical iodide transporting channel in thyroid follicular cells (thyrocytes), sodium/iodide (Na+/I− symport (NIS) in thyrocyte basolateral membrane, and finally, the multidrug resistance channel, P-glycoprotein (MDR). Much of the signal pathways regulating channels, channel activities, mechanisms, and structures are presented in figures.
Development and validation of body fat prediction models in American adults.

Introduction Commonly used statistical models to predict body fat percentage currently rely on skinfold measures, anthropometric measures, or some combination of the two but do not account for the wide ranges of age and body mass index (BMI) present in the American adult population. The objective of this study was to develop a statistical regression model to predict in vivo body fat percentage (dual energy X-ray) in men and women across significant age and obesity ranges. Methods This study included 228 adults between the ages of 21 and 70, with BMI between 18.5 and 40.0 kg m-2. The study population was split into training (n = 163) and validation (n = 65) groups, which were used to develop and validate the prediction models. The models were developed on the training group using a backwards stepwise regression analysis, with the initial predictors including age, BMI, and several anthropometric and skinfold measurements. Results The final statistical regression models included age, BMI, anthropometric measures, and skinfold measures with significant effects following the stepwise process. The models predicted body fat percentage in the testing group with average errors of less than 0.10% body fat in males and females, while the four previously existing methods (Durnin, Hodgdon, Jackson, and Woolcott) significantly underestimated or overestimated body fat in both genders, with errors ranging between 2% and 10%. Conclusions The final models included hand thickness, and the female model was dependent on waist circumference and two of the skinfold measures, while the male model used hip and thigh circumferences, along with three skinfold measures. By including the skinfold measurements separately, instead of only as sums like previous models have done, these models can account for the different relative contributions of each site to total body fat.
Paget-Schroetter syndrome in pregnancy: A case report and discussion of management options.

Abstract Paget-Schroetter syndrome is a form of primary venous thoracic outlet syndrome whereby thrombosis of the subclavian vein is instigated by repeated and vigorous overhead activity of the arm. We describe a 35-year-old pregnant white woman at 8 weeks' gestation, a competitive swimmer by profession, who was diagnosed with a left upper extremity thrombus. First rib resection through an infraclavicular approach was performed 1 week after percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy. Repeated venography demonstrated residual thrombus requiring percutaneous pharmacomechanical thrombectomy with balloon venoplasty. We present a challenging case with focus on the unique diagnostic evaluation and management of pregnant patients with this condition.
Enteric Hyperoxaluria and Kidney Stone Management in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Enteric hyperoxaluria is frequently seen in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD patients are therefore at higher risk of nephrolithiasis, particularly calcium oxalate stones. We reviewed the recent medical literature to elucidate the mechanisms and risk factors behind nephrolithiasis in IBD patients, as well as therapies to treat and prevent the formation of kidney stones. At present, there are no specific guidelines for screening and monitoring the progression of nephrolithiasis in the IBD population. Yet, recent epidemiologic data suggests that the prevalence of nephrolithiasis in the adult IBD patients is as high as 28%. Enteric oxalate levels of IBD patients are significantly elevated compared with non-IBD patients, and recent studies have shown that the gut microbiota largely mediates this process. In particular, intestinal disruption and malabsorption in IBD patients lead to the decolonization of Oxalobacter formigenes which normally metabolizes oxalate in the gut lumen. As such, future studies are needed to clarify the role of O. formigenes in IBD patients with the goal of devising new therapeutic approaches for nephrolithiasis treatment and risk reduction. Enteric hyperoxaluria plays a large role in nephrolithiasis, a serious extra-intestinal manifestation of IBD that may progress to chronic kidney disease. The gut microbiota offers a promising approach to treating and preventing hyperoxaluria in the IBD population.
Posterior techniques for correcting deformity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis––How much correction is optimal?

The optimal surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is heavily debated in the literature. This study aimed to review posterior surgical techniques in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Literature review was performed. In treating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with posterior spine fusion, there are many factors to consider when determining where to start and end the fusion construct: skeletal maturity, stress/bending radiographs, and assessment of vertebral rotation and translation. When considering selective thoracic fusion, the relative magnitudes of the main thoracic (MT) and thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) curves and the overall sagittal profile of the thoracolumbar junction are assessed. Selective thoracic fusion can be appropriate if two of the three are found to be true: the MT-to-TL/L Cobb angle ratio is >1.2, the MT-to-TL/L apical vertebral translation (AVT) ratio is >1.2, and/or the MT-to-TL/L apical vertebral rotation (AVR) ratio is >1.2. Moreover, selective thoracic fusion can be an option in the presence of a nonstructural lumbar curve (bending Cobb angle <25°) with thoracolumbar (T10-L2) kyphosis <20°. When choosing the uppermost and lowest instrumented vertebra, one must consider standing coronal balance and regional kyphosis to lessen risk of postoperative complication. The uppermost instrumented vertebra should be a stable, neutral vertebra with <5° of junctional kyphosis; and the lowest instrument vertebra should be touched by the central sacral vertical line and within two vertebrae proximal to the neutral vertebra. To aid in correction, the addition of posterior surgical releases improves the mobility of spine, especially in more rigid curves, but may increase intraoperative blood loss and operative time. Rod derotation and vertebral translation appear to have similar results in correcting coronal and sagittal deformities. The addition of direct vertebral rotation and segmental rotation plays a role in surgical correction as well.
Multi-constrained Vehicle Routing Problem Solution based on Adaptive Genetic Algorithm

The Multi-constrained Vehicle Routing Problem (MCVRP) is an extension of the basic vehicle routing problem (VRP). There may be more than one constraint, and the distribution cost is not only related to the routing decision, but also to the transportation volume of vehicles. This paper describes and analyzes the MCVRP, then builds an integer programming model of the multi-constraint vehicle routing problem. For this problem model, the best algorithm for solving multi-constrained vehicle routing problems is based on genetic algorithm (GA). To overcome the shortcomings of traditional GA, an improved adaptive GA for MCVRP optimization is proposed. Finally, a simulation experiment was performed on the actual data set to verify the effectiveness of the model and algorithm.
Organic Labeling, Private Label, and U.S. Household Demand for Fluid Milk

The U.S. fluid milk market has been experiencing two trends in the recent decade: the fast growth of private label milk and organic milk. Using the latest Nielsen Consumer Panel Dataset, we estimate a censored demand system to study the demand relations among types of milk differentiated by brand types and organic status. We find that sociodemographic factors still play important roles in household choice of milk types, and fluid milk, as a whole, is an inferior good. Moreover, as income increases, households are more likely to shift from buying conventional milk to organic milk and from private label conventional milk to branded conventional milk, as indicated by the asymmetric cross price elasticities. Corresponding implications for milk producers and marketers are discussed.
Fiscal Rules and the Pro-Cyclicality of Public Investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union

Evidence from a large panel of low-income and lower middle-income countries over the period 1995-2012 suggests that, contrary to other countries, public investment in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) has been pro-cyclical. Public investment contracts more in "bad times" than it increases in "good times" and appears to have become pro-cyclical since the introduction of the fiscal convergence criteria in 1994. The pro-cyclicality of public expenditure and the high asymmetry of shocks that affect WAEMU countries justify exploring options for greater counter-cyclicality of rules-based fiscal frameworks and for risk-sharing.
The Simplex Gradient and Noisy Optimization Problems

Many classes of methods for noisy optimization problems are based on function information computed on sequences of simplices. The Nelder-Mead, multidirectional search, and implicit filtering methods are three such methods. The performance of these methods can be explained in terms of the difference approximation of the gradient implicit in the function evaluations. Insight can be gained into choice of termination criteria, detection of failure, and design of new methods.
Statistical Thermodynamics of Bound States and Phase Transitions in Nonideal Plasmas

The two principal methods: Grand canonical and canonical description are introduced and compared with respect to bound states. It is shown that a fugacity expansion (grand ensemble) is well suited to describe bound states of a few particles. Therefore the grand ensemble is the natural representation for bound state systems. However on the other hand, fugacity expansions are not appropriate to describe the effects of short range forces. But already a few terms of a density expansion (canonical ensemble) which is not appropriate for bound states give a good representation of short range interactions. The chemical picture, with is to be interpreted as a mixed representation, is combining the advantages of both descriptions. The stability analysis of the thermodynamic functions shows the existence of additional phase transition at high temperatures and high pressures due to nonideality effects. It is shown that phase transitions are much easier to detect in mixed representations (chemical picture) than in the grand canonical ensemble (fugacity expansions).
AGU education, student programs, and career center: Helping to prepare the next generation of earth and space scientists

The American Geophysical Union (AGU), an international nonprofit scientific association, has a major strategic goal to develop and nurture the next generation of earth and space scientists. Education, public outreach, and student and career services play a significant role in achieving that goal. From interacting with the public to providing professional development for K-12 educators and early-career students and faculty members to supporting department heads and chairs, AGU is working to help address the talent-pool needs in the earth and space sciences.
Social Networks and Causal Inference

This chapter reviews theoretical developments and empirical studies related to causal inference on social networks from both experimental and observational studies. Discussion is given to the effect of experimental interventions on outcomes and behaviors and how these effects relate to the presence of social ties, the position of individuals within the network, and the underlying structure and properties of the network. The effects of such experimental interventions on changing the network structure itself and potential feedback between behaviors and network changes are also discussed. With observational data, correlations in behavior or outcomes between individuals with network ties may be due to social influence, homophily, or environmental confounding. With cross-sectional data these three sources of correlation cannot be distinguished. Methods employing longitudinal observational data that can help distinguish between social influence, homophily, and environmental confounding are described, along with their limitations. Proposals are made regarding future research directions and methodological developments that would help put causal inference on social networks on a firmer theoretical footing.
Optimum Kinetic Enzymatic Procedures for Glucose and Triglycerides in Plasma and Serum

I describe optimum kinetic procedures for measuring glucose and triglycerides in plasma and serum by enzymatic techniques. Glucose was measured by the hexokinase method at a 1000-fold sample dilution. Absorbance and concentration are linearly related for concentrations up to 4 g/liter. Results are reproducible to about 25 mg/liter (standard error). Comparisons between the kinetic glucose method described here and an automated o -toluidine and a manual end-point method showed no apparent bias between the methods; correlation coefficients were 0.998 and 0.991, respectively. Triglycerides (triacylglycerols) were measured in a fully enzymatic system by measuring free glycerol after hydrolysis with lipase. Absorbance and concentration are linearly related to >2.5 g/liter at a 300-fold sample dilution. Repeatability was about 30 mg/liter (standard error). Compared with a manual method, the correlation coefficient was 0.978, with a slope of 0.93.
Effect of Diets Supplemented with Live Food on the Foraging Behavior of Cultured Fall Chinook Salmon

Abstract The use of diets supplemented with live food to increase the postrelease foraging ability of hatchery-reared fall chinook salmon Oncorhvnchus tshawytscha was investigated. Replicate groups of fry were reared in six 2.4-m-diameter circular tanks and fed one of two diets. Fish in three tanks received a commercially available pelletized diet; fish in the other three tanks were given the opportunity to forage on natural live prey (mysids, mosquito larvae, chironomid larvae, and daphnia) prior to their daily ration of pellets. Foraging by individual fish was observed in special 200-L tanks, and fish conditioned to live food fed on twice as many familiar prey (chironomids) and novel prey (mayfly larvae) as unconditioned fish fed on. This suggests that diets supplemented with live food can be used to increase the postrelease foraging effectiveness of hatchery-reared chinook salmon.
Increasing Condom Use by Changing People's Feelings About Them: An Experimental Study

Objective: Given the well-documented efficacy of condoms as a means of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection transmission the low rates of condom use among young adults necessitates a deeper understanding of the factors that influence condom use decision making. The central purpose of the current study was to examine how experimentally manipulated affective associations with condoms influence subsequent behavior in a condom selection task thereby providing support for a causal relation of affective associations to behavior in this health domain. Method: Following a baseline assessment of cognitively based beliefs and affective associations participants (N = 171) affective associations with condoms were experimentally manipulated with an evaluative conditioning (EC) procedure. Images of condoms were paired repeatedly with positive or neutral affective stimuli. The key outcome measure was a behavioral choice task in which participants selected condoms upon completion of the experiment. Results: Participants in the positive condition reported more positive affective associations post-EC compared with those in the neutral condition beta = 0.33 p = .025 95% CI (0.041 0.63). For participants who regularly used condoms at baseline those in the positive condition also selected significantly more condoms RR = 1.39 p = .015 95% CI (1.07 1.83). This condition effect on behavior was partially mediated by the change in affective associations. There was no effect of condition on condom selection among participants who rarely used condoms at baseline. Conclusion: The current study extends our theoretical understanding of the affect-behavior relation in the realm of condom use and provides preliminary support for interventions that target affective associations with condoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA all rights reserved).
The interaction of cortisol and prostaglandins on the phenotypic expression of the α-lactalbumin gene in the mouse mammary gland in culture

Abstract Addition of cortisol at concentrations above 300 nM selectively inhibited the synthesis of α-lactalbumin and the accumulation of its mRNA in the mouse mammary gland cultured in the presence of insulin and prolactin, whereas the same treatment augmented casein synthesis and the accumulation of casein mRNA. Prostaglandin E 2 or F 2α reversed the inhibitory effects of cortisol in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting casein production. The levels of prostaglandin E 2 or F 2α in tissue explants cultured with insulin and prolactin increased about 2.6-fold over those in uncultured tissue, and the addition of cortisol decreased these levels approximately 2-fold. These results indicate the ability of prostaglandins to counteract the inhibitory effect of cortisol on the α-lactalbumin gene expression in the mouse mammary gland.
Regenerative Power-Optimal Reaction Wheel Attitude Control

This paper develops an analytical instantaneous power-optimal attitude control for a spacecraft using an integrated reaction wheel–flywheel system allowing for energy storage and return. The control is formulated in a general manner to use an arbitrarily large number of reaction wheels. It is applicable to systems with redundant wheels spanning three-dimensional space, which are controlled by a general attitude control law. The instantaneous power usage is minimized by modifying the wheel control torques using the wheel torque null motion. In this study, reducing the wheel speed results in negative power usage with perfect energy recuperation. Applying the maximum available wheel torque constraints, the null torque solution space is reduced to a hyperdimensional vector geometry problem, and the power-optimal wheel control torques are uniquely determined. The control modifications are applied to both attitude regulation and tracking control laws, demonstrating its performance for a variety of initial spacecraft states. Not only does the new control maximize the energy extraction from the reaction wheels, it also maintains the smallest flywheel spin rates, which helps reduce the maneuver-wide power usage.
Competing through co‐creation: innovation at two companies

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss how two innovative firms – the French telecommunications firm Orange and the California‐based global networking firm Cisco – have gained competitive advantage from using the co‐creative enterprise business concept to generate sustainable growth.Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes in detail the approach at Orange, which is on co‐creating experience environments with customers and industry mavens, and at Cisco, where the focus is on co‐creating the management of risk and reward.Findings – Companies that have learned how to manage the process of creating unique value with customers and other stakeholders have developed engagement programs and processes that enable interactions among all stakeholders everywhere in the system, with the goal of creating greater value by fostering more rewarding or more valuable experiences.Research limitations/implications – Two case examples of innovative practices are presented.Practical implications – Orange's R&D and market...
A causal analysis of kitten vocalization: An observational and experimental study

Abstract Observation of eight kitten litters under semi-natural conditions revealed that maternal and littermate behaviours were associated with increases or decreases in the probability of kitten vocalization. Experimental study, in which kittens were exposed to cold, restraint, and isolation during the first six weeks of life, revealed differences in the rate of vocalization across weeks and across stimulus conditions. Analyses of peak fundamental frequency, duration of cry units, and peak amplitude of kitten vocalizations showed significant differences across either stimulus conditions or weeks. These results are discussed with reference to development of physiological mechanisms such as homoiothermy, to crucial changes in the litter situation, and to the vocalization's role in affecting mother-infant relations.
The morbidity of penetrating colon injury.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to define the current morbidity and mortality associated with penetrating colon injury and to determine the impact of management strategy on outcome. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all penetrating colon injuries managed at a level I trauma center (1990–2000), n=186. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the independent predictors for colostomy and morbidity following colon injury. Results: Fifty-three percent of the patients were managed with primary repair or anastomosis while 47% received a colostomy. Independent predictors of colostomy included gunshot wound (GSW), degree of peritoneal contamination, and location of injury. The complication rate for patients requiring a colostomy was 57% versus 42% for the primary repair group, P=0.01. When adjusted for injury severity and hypotension, the presence of a colostomy was not associated with a significant increase in the complication rate (OR 1.7, 95% CI: 0.9–3.25). Independent predictors for the development of intra-abdominal abscess were hypotension on admission (OR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1–5.8) and penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI) score >25 (OR 4.2, 95% CI: 2.0–8.9). The complication rate for colostomy takedown was 17%. Conclusion: Penetrating colon injury carries a high rate of infectious morbidity. The development of infectious complications is related to the injury severity and haemodynamic status of the patient, not the type of operation performed.
The animal turn: Into the sea with the fish-knights of Perceforest

In his contribution to this volume, Cary Wolfe points out the ‘terrestrialist bias that still obtains in [an] animal studies’ that concentrates on ‘dogs, cats, horses, and farm animals,’ and perhaps less frequently, on birds and hideous fabulists. The world, on land and on sea, comprises many far less familiar ‘critters’ than these: anemones symbiotically reliant on ‘little marshes of algae, ocean plantlets of a species that has come to live only in them’ (Lingis, 2003, 165), deep-sea tube worms, cetaceans, or, legendarily, the whale-like aspidochelone, whose rocky and verdant back, resembling an island, lured unwary sailors to their deaths (Guillaume le Clerc, 1852, ll. 2095–2120; Coulter, 1926; Szabo, 2008, 47–50). Few medieval critters so confused distinctions between land and sea, animal and land, and life and nonlife, but we do find other examples of beings that inhabit both land and sea in medieval texts. We turn, then, to the curious figure of the fish-knight in an epilogue that aims to extend the inquiries and conclusions of the preceding essays and to further unsettle the terrestrial and vitalist biases underlying many critical perspectives on nonhumans. In what is surely one of the stranger episodes in medieval literature, found in the fourteenth-century Roman de Perceforest, the knight Bethides has been
The metabolism of deoxyguanosine in mitochondria: relationship of the uptake of deoxyguanosine to the electron transport chain and adenosine triphosphate.

Abstract That deoxyguanosine is taken up by isolated rat liver mitochondria has been shown. This report describes the relationship between that uptake and oxidative phosphorylation. By measuring this process in the presence of standard inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation it was determined that a functional electron transport chain, but not the phosphorylation of ADP, was essential for uptake. ATP analogs adenyl(β,γ-methylene)diphosphate and adenylimidodiphosphate blocked uptake, indicating that ATP hydrolysis was required. ADP also proved to be an inhibitor. Exogenous UTP slightly stimulated deoxyguanosine uptake, as did added ATP, but several other nucleotides (dGTP, dATP, UDP, dGDP) were inhibitory. A sulfhydryl group was important for deoxyguanosine uptake and inhibition of uptake by N-ethylmaleimide was protected by both deoxyguanosine and ATP. These data show that deoxyguanosine uptake by mitochondria is a process which is coordinated and, perhaps, regulated by other events which take place in the organelle.
The effect of subsidies in kind on the choice of a college

Abstract It is possible that government subsidies to higher education, disbursed in kind, can produce the anomalous result of reducing the consumption of the good being subsidized. In this paper, I employ individual and college data to estimate the effect of such subsidies on students' choices of college quality. Empirical estimates from a switching regression model with correction for the joint decisions to apply to college and choose the public or private sector are presented. Predictions from the model suggest that students choose a substantially lower quality public college than they would have chosen in the private sector.
Sedation produced by prostaglandins is not a nonspecific fatty acid effect

The fatty acid specifity of the depressant actions associated with prostaglandin (PG) administration was studied in mice. Administration of PG-E2 (0.4 and 1.0 mg/kg) or PG-D2 (0.4 and 4 mg/kg) significantly potentiated pentobarbital sleeping time. Arachidonic acid (3.3 mg/kg) administration also significantly potentiated pentobarbital sleeping time. Pretreatment with indomethacin (3 mg/kg) or ibuprofen (10 mg/kg) inhibited the potentiation of pentobarbital sleeping time produced by arachidonic acid. A nonspecific fatty acid (11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid), which cannot be incorporated into the PG synthetic scheme, did not potentiate pentobarbital sleeping time. These results imply that the depressant activity associated with PG administration is a specific PG-induced action rather than a general effect of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids.
Twinning in nanocrystalline materials

Abstract The deformation twinning of nanocrystalline materials is analyzed within the dislocation theory of twins. This approach is used for the description of the recently observed inverse grain size effect in nanocrystalline face-centered-cubic metals. The analytical expressions are obtained for the grain size corresponding to the peak of the twinning propensity, the requisite external stress for twinning propagation in polycrystals and the grain size at which the slip begins to prevail over the twinning. The theoretical results are compared with the experimental data for twinning in Ni and Cu, and given predictions for Al.
Including source uncertainty and prior information in the analysis of stable isotope mixing models.

Stable isotope mixing models offer a statistical framework for estimating the contribution of multiple sources (such as prey) to a mixture distribution. Recent advances in these models have estimat...
An apparatus for making fine-grained measurements of canine eating behavior

An apparatus for making fine-grained measurements of eating and drinking in dogs is described. Examples of how this computer controlled measurement system can be used to illustrate eating behavior in one- and two-pan tests are given. Also, very fine-grained measurements are illustrated in illustrating a single meal segment and a single water drinking bout.
The use of a Sampler-Skimmer interface for ion sampling in furnace atomization plasma ionization mass spectrometry

Improvements to the FAPES−mass spectrometer interface permit high-sensitivity elemental analysis with the FAPIMS ion source. The source is configured with an integrated contact cuvette in which a 40-MHz He plasma is sustained at atmospheric pressure. A differentially pumped interface consisting of a modified sampler cone (0.45-mm i.d.) and tandem skimmer cone (0.88-mm i.d.) serve to sample the plasma from the open end of the cuvette. Mass spectra, characterizing plasma species with the furnace at elevated temperatures, show He2+, C+, N+, O+, NH4+, H3O+, N2+, and O2+ and carbonaceous ions. Transient ion signals, generated during the atomization of a number of analytes introduced in solution form, reveal that the plasma contains sufficiently energetic species to ionize and determine elements having ionization potentials as high as 9.75 eV (Se). Figures of merit, including the estimated absolute limits of detection, measurement precision, isotope ratio measurements, and linear dynamic range, are discussed. I...
Testing of Clock-Domain Crossing Faults in Multi-core System-on-Chip

Manufacturing test for clock-domain crossing(CDC) defects is a major challenge for multi-core system-on chip(SoC) designs in the nanometer regime. Setup- and hold time violations in flip-flops situated on clock boundaries may lead to catastrophic failures, even when circuits are equipped with synchronizers at clock boundaries. In this work, we comprehensively study the effect of CDC faults, and propose a number of fault models to target such defects. In addition, we develop an automatic test-pattern selection method for CDC fault detection. This work is motivated by the fact that CDC faults cannot always be detected by conventional ATPG methods. The results of applying the proposed method to a number of IWLS'05 benchmarks demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Molecular recognition by the Candida albicans group I intron: tertiary interactions with an imino G.A pair facilitate binding of the 5' exon and lower the KM for guanosine.

A G.A pair at position -5 in the P1 helix of the Candida albicans ribozyme contributes to tertiary binding of the 5' exon substrate [Disney, M. D., Haidaris, C. G., and Turner, D. H. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 6507-6519]. Here, the G in the G.A pair is replaced with inosine (I) in both semisynthetic ribozymes and oligonucleotide mimics of the internal guide sequence. Comparisons of oligonucleotide binding affinity for these and other sequences indicate that the G.A pair is in an imino conformation where the exocyclic amine of G contributes approximately 1.4 kcal/mol to tertiary interactions that help dock the ribozyme's P1 helix. Furthermore, replacement of the G.A pair with a G-C pair produces less favorable interactions with the 2'-hydroxyl group at the -3 position and a less favorable K(M) for pG in a ribozyme-catalyzed transesterification reaction. These results are also consistent with the G.A pair promoting docking of the P1 helix into the catalytic core. Evidently, tertiary interactions with the exocyclic amino group of a G in a single G.A pair can increase the equilibrium constant for tertiary folding of RNA by roughly 10-fold at 37 degrees C. Results with a G.U or G.G pair replacing the G.A pair at the -5 position suggest similar tertiary interactions with these pairs.
Single-Channel Analysis of a Cloned Human Heart L-Type Ca2+ Channel α1 Subunit and the Effects of a Cardiac β Subunit

Abstract Macroscopic and single-channel properties of a cloned human heart L-type Ca2+ channel α1 subunit expressed in Xenopus oocytes were studied and the effects of a cardiac β subunit were evaluated. The α1 subunit expressed current with much slower activation and inactivation kinetics than native cells. The β subunit increased the current amplitude and accelerated both activation and inactivation rates. Single-channel analysis revealed that the β subunit increased the probability of channel opening and shifted the voltage-dependence to more negative potentials without affecting conductance or open time. The data suggest that the β subunit modulates macroscopic current by increasing the probability of channel opening and shifting the voltage-dependence of the channel.
Estimating Aphidophagous Coccinellid Populations in Alfalfa

Abstract Precise yet time-efficient sampling methods for coccinellids would be useful in integrated pest management (IPM) research and decision-making in alfalfa. We compared quadrat sampling, removal sampling, counting coccinellids for a constant amount of time while walking slowly through a field (timed counts), and sweepnet sampling for estimating adult and larval coccinellid density in alfalfa. Removal sampling gave biased estimates of density of adultColeomegilla maculataDegeer, but gave acceptable estimates of density of adults of other species. Regression models were developed to convert relative population estimates of adult and larval coccinellids obtained by sweepnet and timed count sampling to absolute population estimates (number per m2). For adults, plant height was included in the best regression models for converting sweepnet catch and timed counts to population density. For larvae, plant growth stage was included in the best regression model for converting sweepnet catch to density. The number of aphids per 10 sweeps was included in the model for converting timed counts of larvae to density; however, this model was of little value because it explained only 13% of the variation in the relationship between timed counts and population density. Coefficients of determination of regression models for estimating adult density from timed count and sweepnet sampling were 0.90 and 0.93, respectively. The model for converting sweepnet catch of larvae had a coefficient of determination of 0.71. In terms of statistical precision achieved per unit time spent sampling, a 25-sweep sample was the most efficient sample unit for estimating adult density. A double 12-min removal sample was most efficient for sampling larvae, but this method gave biased estimates of larval density, and overall, sweepnet sampling was better.
Myxoid epithelioid leiomyoma of the vulva: A case report

Abstract Background. Smooth muscle tumors of the vulva are rare and sometimes create diagnostic difficulty because of unusual morphological features. Case. A 29-year-old African–American female presented with a vulval mass during her 5th week of pregnancy. The lesion was surgically removed under the clinical impression of a Bartholin cyst. Histopathological findings of the lesion and immunohistochemical stain results are characteristic of myxoid epithelioid leiomyoma. Conclusion. Up to now, there are only a few cases of myxoid epithelioid leiomyoma of the vulva reported in English literature. We review previously reported cases and discuss the morphologic differential diagnosis. The mass presented in this report was the largest benign epithelioid leiomyoma in the literature.
Bone fragment segmentation from 3D CT imagery using the Probabilistic Watershed Transform

This paper presents a novel method to segment images and applies this method for segmenting bone fragments imaged using 3D Computed Tomography (CT). Existing image segmentation solutions tend to have difficulty in accurately delineating regions that have subtle variations along their boundaries or delineating regions which are spatially close. The proposed image segmentation algorithm introduces an original modification to the classical watershed transform and we refer to resulting approach as the Probabilistic Watershed Transform (PWT). The PWT uses a set of probability distributions to model the likelihood that a given pixel is a measurement obtained from each of the provided semantic classes. While the framework for the proposed PWT allows for completely general likelihood distributions, we specify several likelihood distributions which address known shortcomings in the watershed transform and, more generally, competing segmentation methods. Using these likelihood distributions, we apply the PWT to segment bone fragments within CT images of a bone fracture. A quantitative evaluation of the bone segmentation results is provided which compares our results with several leading competing methods as well as human-generated segmentation which show that the proposed method has some significant benefits for solving the bone fragment segmentation problem.
Polymer morphology and energy levels versus photoelectric power conversion efficiencies: a preliminary account

Optimization of polymeric/organic solar cells in both space (morphology) and energy (time) domains has been preliminarily examined, both experimentally and theoretically, in order to minimize the 'photon loss', the 'exciton loss' and the 'carrier loss'. In spatial domain optimization, for instance, thin films of the -donor-bridge-acceptor-bridge- (-DBAB-) type block copolymer exhibited much higher photoluminescence quenching and photoconductivity in comparison to corresponding donor/acceptor simple blend films under identical conditions. This enhancement of photoelectric conversion was attributed mainly to the improved bicontinuous morphologies in the -DBAB- block copolymer versus the donor/acceptor simple blend. In energy/time domain optimization, preliminary theoretical simulation reveals that, an optimum exciton-charge conversion can be achieved when the frontier orbital offset of donor/acceptor pair is close to the sum of exciton binding energy and the charge separation reorganization energy.
DNA Sequence Analysis of Bacterial Toxic Heavy Metal Resistances

Bacterial plasmids have genes that confer highly specific resistances to As, Bi, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Pb, Te, Zn, and other toxic heavy metals. For each toxic cation or anion, generally a different resistance system exists, and these systems may be “linked” together on multiple resistance plasmids. For Cd2+, AsO2 −, AsO4 3−, Hg2+, and organomercurials, DNA sequence analysis has supplemented direct physiological and biochemical experiments to produce sophisticated understanding. ThecadA ATPase ofS.aureus plasmids is a 727 amino acid membrane ATPase that pumps Cd2+ from the cells as rapidly as it is accumulated. This polypeptide is related by sequence to other cation translocating ATPases, including the membrane K+ ATPases ofEscherichia coli andStreptococcus faecalis, the H+ ATPases of yeast andNeurospora, the Na+/K+ ATPases of vertebrate animals, and the Ca2+ ATPases of rabbit muscle. The conserved residues include the aspartyl residue that is phosphorylated, the lysine involved in ATP binding, and the proline within a membrane translocating region. The arsenate and arsenite translocating ATPase consists of 3 polypeptides (from DNA sequence analysis), including a recognizable ATP binding protein (arsA), an integral membrane protein (arsB gene), and a substrate specificity subunit (arsC gene). Inorganic mercury and organomercurial degradation is carried out by a series of about 6 polypeptides, including 2 soluble intracellular enzymes (organomercurial lyase and mercuric reductase). The latter is related by sequence and function to glutathione reductase and lipoamide dehydrogenase of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These enzymes are dimeric, FAD-containing, NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductases. Other recognizable polypeptides in themer system include a DNA-binding regulatory protein from themerR gene and a Hg2+ transport system consisting of a periplasmic Hg2+-binding protein (merP gene) and a membrane protein (merT gene) in gram negative systems.