cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular Tensile Machines: Intrinsic Acceleration of Disulfide Reduction by Dithiothreitol

Significant tension on the order of 1 nN is self-generated along the backbone of bottlebrush macromolecules due to steric repulsion between densely grafted side chains. The intrinsic tension is amplified upon adsorption of bottlebrush molecules onto a substrate and increases with grafting density, side chain length, and strength of adhesion to the substrate. These molecules were employed as miniature tensile machines to study the effect of mechanical force on the kinetics of disulfide reduction by dithiothreitol (DTT). For this purpose, bottlebrush macromolecules containing a disulfide linker in the middle of the backbone were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The scission reaction was monitored through molecular imaging by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The scission rate constant increases linearly with the concentration of DTT and exponentially with mechanical tension along the disulfide bond. Moreover, the rate constant at zero force is found to be significantly lower than the...
Multi-site reactivity: reduction of six equivalents of nitrite to give an Fe6(NO)6 cluster with a dramatically expanded octahedral core.

Reaction of NO2– with the octahedral cluster (HL)2Fe6 in the presence of a proton source affords the hexanitrosyl cluster (HL)2Fe6(NO)6. This species forms via a proton-induced reduction of six nitrite molecules per cluster, utilizing each site available on the polynuclear core. Formation of the hexanitrosyl cluster is accompanied by a near 2-fold expansion of the (HL)2Fe6 core volume, where intracore Fe–Fe interactions are overcome by strong π-bonding between Fe centers and NO ligands. A core volume of this magnitude is rare in octahedral metal clusters not supported by interstitial atoms. Moreover, the structural flexibility afforded by the (HL)2Fe6 platform highlights the potential for other reaction chemistry involving species with metal–ligand multiple bonds. Carrying out the reaction of the cluster [(HL)2Fe6(NCMe)6]4+ with nitrite in the absence of a proton source serves to forestall the nitrite reduction and enables clean isolation of the intermediate hexanitro cluster [(HL)2Fe6(NO2)6]2–.
Optimal operation of a multi-source microgrid to achieve cost and emission targets

This paper presents a new approach for the optimization of photovoltaic-wind hybrid systems with battery storage to meet the load requirements. In this study, a 24-hour ahead energy management for a microgrid is utilized. The objectives aim at raising efficiency of energy utilization, minimizing operational cost and reducing environmental effects of energy usage. Also a demand response (DR) program is considered as one of the cost-effective energy alternatives. Based on the prediction of available energy from the PV and wind generators, battery storage availability, load prediction, micro gas turbine (µGT) and main grid emission characteristics, a central energy management system calculates a day-ahead plan of power references for the gas turbine, power purchased from the grid, power sold to the grid, status of the battery and controllable loads. A multi-objective optimization is implemented in order to minimize the energy cost and greenhouse gas emissions.
Design Database for Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Data Warehouse, Data Mining, and Meta-Analysis

A database can be used to warehouse quantitative trait loci (QTL) data from multiple sources for comparison, genomic data mining, and meta-analysis. A robust database design involves sound data structure logistics, meaningful data transformations, normalization, and proper user interface designs. This chapter starts with a brief review of relational database basics and concentrates on issues associated with curation of QTL data into a relational database, with emphasis on the principles of data normalization and structure optimization. In addition, some simple examples of QTL data mining and meta-analysis are included. These examples are provided to help readers better understand the potential and importance of sound database design.
Chapter 5 – Overview of Pathology and Treatment of Primary Spinal Cord Tumors

Primary spinal cord tumors (SCT) comprise a diverse group of neoplasms that are often of lower grade and less infiltrative than their counterparts in the brain. The most common SCT are extramedullary and include schwannomas, meningiomas, neurofibromas, sarcomas, dermoids, epidermoids, hemangioblastomas, and chordomas. Intramedullary tumors are less frequently diagnosed and consist mainly of ependymomas and astrocytomas. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for most SCT, and can be curative in some cases. External beam radiation therapy is reserved for recurrent or progressive low-grade and all high-grade SCT. The standard regimen consists of 4500–5500 cGy administered in 180 cGy daily fractions. Chemotherapy should only be considered as adjunctive treatment for selected SCT, especially progressive or recurrent astrocytomas and ependymomas. Molecular therapeutic approaches are under development and will be applied to selected SCT in the near future.
Prevalence of end of treatment RNA-positive/sustained viral response in HCV patients treated with sofosbuvir combination therapies.

Background:Some chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), genotype 1 infected patients treated with direct antiviral agents (DAAs) remain viremic at end of treatment (EOT+), yet go on to achieve sustained v...
IoT: From Sports to Fashion and Everything In-Between

Pervasive computing and the Internet of Things have widespread impact across fields as seemingly diverse as sports and fashion, illustrating the enormous breadth of this technology.
Toward the Automated Scoring of Written Arguments: Developing an Innovative Approach for Annotation

This project focuses on laying the foundations for automated analysis of argumentation schemes, supporting identification and classification of the arguments being made in a text, for the purpose of scoring the quality of written analyses of arguments. We developed annotation protocols for 20 argument prompts from a college-level test under the framework of the theory of argumentation schemes, which defines reasoning patterns in argumentation. The annotation protocols listed critical questions associated with each argumentation scheme, which makes the argument structure in a text explicit and classifiable. Furthermore, we annotated 200 student essays across four selected argument prompts to test if the annotation protocols can be applied reliably by human annotators. Preliminary results indicate that this method of analyzing argument structure is reliable and promising.
Simple Tetrahydroisoquinolines Are Potent and Selective Kappa Opioid Receptor Antagonists.

Potent and selective κ opioid receptor antagonists have been derived from the N-substituted trans-3,4-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine class of pure opioid receptor antagonists. In order to determine if the 3-hydroxyphenyl and/or the piperidine amino groups are required for obtaining the pure opioid antagonists, (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(piperidine-1-ylmethyl)propyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroiosquinoline-3-carboxamide (1), which does not have a 4-(3-hydroxyphenyl) group, and (3R)-N-(1R)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-methylpropyl]-7-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamide (2), which does not have a 4-hydroxylphenyl or a piperidine amino group, were synthesized and evaluated for their [35S]GTPγS binding properties at the μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors. Surprisingly compound 1 remained a pure opioid antagonist with a Ke = 6.80 nM at the κ opioid receptor and is 21- and 441-fold selective for the κ receptor relative to the μ and δ opioid receptors, respectively. Even more unexpected and novel is t...
Experimental and theoretical assessment of the mechanism of hydrogen transfer in alkane-alkene coupling on solid acids

Abstract Experimental and theoretical methods are used to probe the mechanism and site requirements for C–C bond formation and hydride transfer (HT) reactions of alkane-alkene mixtures on solid acids with diverse acid strength and confining voids. Such methods provide quantitative descriptors of reactivity in terms of the properties of molecules and solids for chemistries that enable the practice of alkylation and oligomerization catalysis. In these processes, chain growth is controlled by HT from alkanes to alkene-derived bound alkoxides formed via oligomerization or β-scission. Transition state (TS) treatments of the elementary steps that mediate these reactions show that HT rates depend on the energies required to desorb alkoxides as carbenium ions and to cleave the weakest C–H bond in gaseous alkanes. These energies serve as accurate molecular descriptors of hydride transfer reactivity and, taken together with the acid strength and van der Waals stabilization properties of catalytic solids, provide the kinetic details required to predict the relative rates at which alkoxides react with alkenes (to form C–C bonds and larger alkenes) or alkanes (to accept H-atoms and desorb as alkanes) for chains with a broad range of size and skeletal structure. Confinement effects reflect the size of the TS and its precursors for C–C coupling and HT relative to the dimensions of the confining voids, which determine how guest species form van der Waals contacts with the host without significant distortions. Smaller voids preferentially stabilize the smaller C–C bond formation TS over the larger structures that mediate HT. Acid strength, in turn, influences the stability of conjugate anions at the ion-pair TS: stronger acids lead to higher turnover rates for C–C coupling and HT, but to similar extents, because their TS structures contain fully-formed framework anions that benefit similarly from their more stable character in stronger acids.
Noncoding RNAs as a Cause of Cancer: Evidence From Genome-Wide Association Studies and Reverse Genetics

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of tumorigenesis that control cancer-associated gene expression through microRNA-induced mRNA degradation or long ncRNA-mediated chromatin modification. They have been identified as highly promising cancer biomarkers through recent genome-wide association analysis, e.g., on single-nucleotide polymorphisms. This chapter will focus on the possible roles of ncRNA in causing cancer and review examples that also highlight the potential application of ncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for cancer stratification and as therapeutic targets and agents for cancer treatment.
Both male and female advisers can “mother”

In her Working Life essay “I'm not your mother” (3 November, p. [690][1]), L. R. G. DeSantis—a female professor in a male-dominated field—describes how students often expect her to “mother” them, a role they do not expect of her male colleagues. DeSantis admires her own graduate school
Convergence of the Best Linear Predictor of a Weakly Stationary Random Field

Suppose that $$\{X_{m,n}\}_{(m,n)\in \mathbb {Z}^2}$$ is a centered, weakly stationary random field with spectral density function W. Let $$X'$$ denote the best linear estimate of $$X_{0,0}$$ based on those $$X_{m,n}$$ where the pair (m, n) varies over a lexicographical halfplane of $$\mathbb {Z}^2$$ . The convergence rate of the partial sums for $$X'$$ is studied, in relation to the analytical properties of W. Under the assumption that W is bounded away from zero and infinity, it is shown that the faster the convergence rate, the smoother W is. To be more precise, the partial sums of $$X'$$ converge at an exponential rate if and only if W has an analytic extension to a neighborhood of the torus $$\mathbb {T}^2$$ ; the partial sums of $$X'$$ converge at a polynomial rate if and only if W satisfies a generalized Holder condition. The convergence rate of $$X'$$ is also characterized in terms of the related function $$\Phi $$ , where $$W = |\Phi |^2$$ on $$\mathbb {T}^2$$ , the Fourier coefficients of $$\Phi $$ vanish outside the halfplane, and $$\Phi $$ has a certain optimality property.
Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein blocks microRNA-124 biogenesis to enforce its neuronal specific expression.

MicroRNA-124 is expressed in neurons, where it represses genes inhibitory for neuronal differentiation, including the RNA binding protein PTBP1. PTBP1 maintains non-neuronal splicing patterns of mRNAs that switch to neuronal isoforms upon neuronal differentiation. We find that pri-miR-124-1 is expressed in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) where mature miR-124 is absent. PTBP1 binds to this precursor RNA upstream of the miRNA stem-loop to inhibit mature miR-124 expression in vivo, and DROSHA cleavage of pri-miR-124-1 in vitro. This new function for PTBP1 in repressing miR-124 biogenesis adds an additional regulatory loop to the already intricate interplay between these two molecules. Applying mathematical modeling to examine the dynamics of this regulation, we find that the pool of pri-miR-124 whose maturation is blocked by PTBP1 creates a robust and self-reinforcing transition in gene expression as PTBP1 is depleted during early neuronal differentiation. While interlocking regulatory loops are often modeled between miRNAs and transcriptional regulators, our results indicate that miRNA targeting of posttranscriptional regulators also reinforces developmental decisions. Notably, induction of neuronal differentiation observed upon PTBP1 knockdown likely results from direct de-repression of miR-124, in addition to indirect effects previously described.
Dietary Supplements for Improving Body Composition and Reducing Body Weight: Where Is the Evidence?

Weight-loss supplements typically fall into 1 of 4 categories depending on their hypothesized mechanism of action: products that block the absorption of fat or carbohydrate, stimulants that increase thermogenesis, products that change metabolism and improve body composition, and products that suppress appetite or give a sense of fullness. Each category is reviewed, and an overview of the current science related to their effectiveness is presented. While some weight-loss supplements produce modest effects (<2 kg weight loss), many have either no or few randomized clinical trials examining their effectiveness. A number of factors confound research results associated with the efficacy of weight-loss supplements, such as small sample sizes, short intervention periods, little or no follow-up, and whether the supplement is given in combination with an energy-restricted diet or increased exercise expenditure. There is no strong research evidence indicating that a specific supplement will produce significant weig...
Rediscovering physics with BACON.3

BACON.3 is a production system that discovers empirical laws. The program uses a few simple heuristics to solve a broad range of tasks. These rules detect constancies and trends in data, and lead to the formulation of hypotheses and the definition of theoretical terms. BACON.3 represents data at varying levels of description, where the lowest have been directly observed and the highest correspond to hypotheses that explain everything so far observed. The system can also run and relate multiple experiments, collapse hypotheses with identical conditions, ignore differences between similar concepts, and discover and ignore irrelevant variables. BACON.3 has shown its generality by rediscovering versions of the Ideal gas law, Kepler's third law, Coulomb's law, Ohm's law, and Galileo's laws for the pendulum and constant acceleration.
Cardinality and the Simplex Tableau for the Set Partitioning Problem

In this work, we show how cardinality-related information for the set partitioning problem is represented within the simplex tableau and how a fractional solution can be interpreted in terms of unresolved solution cardinality. We include a cardinality row within the linear programming relaxation of the set partitioning problem to demonstrate the associated cardinality-related information present in the tableau. Working with a basic feasible solution, the cardinality row is shown to provide valuable information for branching along the cardinality dimension of the solution space of the problem. It is shown that cardinality information may be derived from the simplex tableau for any subset of structural variables in the problem. An illustrative example and computational results for problems from the literature are presented.
Pressure Transients in Gas Phase Adsorptive Reactors

The role of pressure and flow transients caused by strong adsorption on the behavior of gas phase adsorptive reactors was studied using a staged model. The general gas phase reaction A + B ⇌ C is considered for two cases: (1) the product C is adsorbed and (2) both reactants A and B are adsorbed. Strong adsorption of one or more components causes a decrease in the pressure(s) in the stage(s). The pressure decrease causes variations in the inlet and outlet flow rates and in the case of multiple stages, it causes variations in the flows between tanks. In accordance with Le Chatelier's principle, the pressure decrease aids or inhibits product formation depending on whether there is an increase or decrease in total moles by reaction. Reactant flow into the section where adsorption occurs increases because of increased pressure drop behind the adsorption front. However, the residence time of the reactants behind the adsorption front is lower because of the higher velocity. The flow variations can aid or hinder product formation depending on the specific conditions. Thus, the adsorption-caused pressure variations directly modify reaction rates and product concentrations and, also indirectly, by causing flow variations which affect reaction rates and product concentrations. This study highlights the need to include pressure variations when modeling gas phase adsorptive reactors if adsorption is strong irrespective of the net change in the total moles by reaction. It also demonstrates a method to incorporate axial pressure drop in staged models.
Establishment of an Interdisciplinary Collaborative Degree Program in Early Childhood Studies

In 1992 the Department of Human Ecology received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education-Title III program to develop an interdisciplinary degree program in Early Childhood Studies. The purpose of the grant was to bring together several disciplines at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) for the development of an undergraduate degree program. The Maryland Plan for Post-Secondary Education (1992) challenged higher education institutions in the state to improve the quality of elementary and secondary education by educating effective teachers for the state’s school systems. This program lays the foundation for quality education by training caretakers as well as educators who will work with children from birth through grade three. The Maryland Plan also addresses the regional needs of the Eastern Shore, noting that teachers in the area need more continuing education opportunities. There are no other degree programs on the Eastern Shore of Maryland that lead to initial early childhood certification (Maryland State Department of Education, 1996). This program will increase educational accessibility and attainment of all Maryland citizens by overcoming the disparities in educational opportunities and will allow for access and choice for residents of the Eastern Shore.
Promoting Open Science to Increase the Trustworthiness of Evidence in Special Education

Scientific evidence should guide the selection of practice for individuals with disabilities. Scientific evidence, however, must be trustworthy to move special education toward greater empirical ce...
Jojoba—A North American desert shrub; its ecology, possible commercialization, and potential as an introduction into other arid regions

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis (Link.) Schneid.), a North American desert shrub, is the only plant known to produce a liquid wax in its seed. This substance is chemically similar to the oil from the Sperm whale. Industrial and agronomic uses are described as well as currently known economic factors regarding agronomic production. The plants’ present distribution is linked with the winter-spring rains of a Mediterranean type of climate in the Sonoran Desert regions of the United States and Sonora and Baja California in Mexico. It is suggested that other arid regions may be quite suitable to its introduction, particularly portions of the Asir Province in western Saudi Arabia.
Oncology Associated Symptoms and Individualized strategies (OASIS): Precision symptoms management for rural patients with advanced cancer.

e23155Background: Rural cancer patients have limited access to symptom management specialists. OASIS is an 8-week, web-based intervention addressing this access gap by providing the right symptom m...
First Record of Consumption of a Spilogale putorius (Eastern Spotted Skunk) by an Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator)

Here, we detail the first confirmed consumption of a Spilogale putorius (Eastern Spotted Skunk) by an Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator, hereafter, Alligator). In April 2017 in Osceola County, FL, we tracked a radio-collared Eastern Spotted Skunk to a wetland and discovered its remains inside the stomach of a deceased Alligator. We conducted a necropsy on the Alligator, but were unable to definitively determine the cause of mortality for either the Alligator or the Eastern Spotted Skunk. We believe this event represents the first record of a crocodilian predating a mephitid. Although the cause of the Alligator's death was unconfirmed, we believe there is a possibility that the Alligator succumbed due to toxicosis brought on by its digestion of Eastern Spotted Skunk spray.
Regular States and the Regular Algebra Numerical Range

Let E be a Dedekind complete complex Banach lattice and let \(\mathcal L_{r}(E)\) denote the Banach lattice algebra of regular operators on E. Then a bounded linear functional \(\Phi :\mathcal L_{r}(E)\to \mathbb C\) is called a regular state if Φ(I) = ∥ Φ∥ = 1. Basic properties of regular states are derived and a detailed description of order continuous regular states is obtained for lp-spaces. The regular states define the regular numerical algebra range \(V(\mathcal L_{r}(E), T)=\{\Phi (T): \Phi \mbox{ a regular state}\}\). We describe the regular algebra numerical range for operators T in the center Z(E) of E and for operators T disjoint with the center. Using the description of regular states on lp(n), we characterize the regular numerical range preserving linear operators on \(\mathcal L_{r}(\ell _{p}(n))\).
The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting up a Generation for Failure

Greg Lukianoff and Jonathon Haidt’s The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting up a Generation for Failure provides a thoughtful analysis about the state of id...
Decision tree based bridge restoration models for extreme event performance assessment of regional road networks

AbstractBridge restoration models are essential for assessing the functionality of bridges after extreme events, emergency response planning, and evaluating resilience and indirect losses. Most of ...
Outcomes of Early Versus Delayed Transcatheter Closure of Post-Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Septal Defect.

Abstract Background Post myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a rare, but devastating complication which carries a poor prognosis if left untreated. Optimal therapy remains unclear and surgical repair is associated with high mortality. Objective The aim of our study is to compare 30-day survival in patients with early versus late primary transcatheter repair of post myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect. Methods We performed a comprehensive search of published data through SCOPUS and identified published reports of primary transcatheter closure of post myocardial infarction VSD. We included case reports and series that reported timing of VSD closure and 30-day survival and excluded those with prior surgical repair. Early repair was defined as transcatheter closure within 14 days of diagnosis of VSD while late repair was defined as transcatheter closure after 14 days of diagnosis of VSD. Results A total 27 publications describing 193 patients were identified in the SCOPUS search. We excluded 8 publications with no reported timing of VSD repair or 30-day outcome. Of the 193 patients initially included, a total of 126 patients fulfilled all the criteria and were included in the final analysis. The overall 30-day survival rate was found to be 62.7% (79 patients). In the early repair group, only 36.2% of the patients were still alive at 30 days compared to 85.3% in the delayed repair group, P Conclusion Compared to the late repair group, the early transcatheter VSD repair group had a larger pre-procedure Qp:Qs and worse 30-day survival. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal timing of transcatheter repair of a post myocardial infarction VSD.
HIV attitudes and beliefs in U.S.-based African refugee women

Objective: The Buffalo, New York region is one of the leading refugee resettlement areas in the country, settling 94% of African refugees in 2014. However, little is known about their health belief...
Chapter 16 – Bifidobacterium longum

The species Bifidobacterium longum includes three subspecies, longum, infantis, and suis; the latter isolated from the pig intestine. Several strains from the subspecies infantis and longum have been isolated from the infant and adult intestine of man and developed as probiotics for use in children and adults. Laboratory studies have identified a number of properties that could be clinically relevant: immune modulation, epithelial adherence, and enhancement of gut barrier function. Several commercially available strains have been studied: B. longum bb536; B. longum es 1; B. longum w11; B. longum NCC 3001; B. longum 1714; B. longum KACC 91563; B. longum spp. longum SPM 1205, 1206, 1207, CECT 7347, MM-2; B. longum subsp. infantis ATCC 15697. In man antiinflammatory effects have been demonstrated in a number of contexts and clinical benefits demonstrated in constipation, ulcerative colitis, constipation, and celiac disease.
Low Risk of Variceal Bleeding Among Subjects With Cirrhosis Treated With Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Nationwide Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Esophageal variceal bleeding is a dangerous complication of end-stage liver disease. There is limited information evaluating the hypothesis that medical procedures, specifically electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), may lead to variceal bleeding. The current study aims to determine the risk of variceal bleeding among subjects with cirrhosis who undergo ECT compared with other short medical procedures. METHODS The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2002-2013) and Nationwide Readmissions Database (2010-2014) were queried using International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, codes to evaluate all patients 18 years or older with cirrhosis who underwent ECT, bronchoscopy, or cystoscopy, or who experienced in-hospital seizures. Rates of variceal bleeding and hospital outcomes were compared. Multivariable analysis for readmission rate was performed. RESULTS From the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a total of 5,442,306 patients with cirrhosis were studied, including 840 (0.02%) patients who underwent ECT. Patients who underwent ECT were more likely to have compensated cirrhosis (P < 0.001). Among patients without ECT, 6.8% had variceal bleeding during admission compared with 0% who underwent ECT. From the Nationwide Readmissions Database, 1,383,853 patients were included, including 357 patients (0.03%) who underwent ECT during index admission. Electroconvulsive therapy did not increase the risk of 30- or 90-day readmission for variceal bleeding or mortality compared with other short medical procedures. CONCLUSIONS Electroconvulsive therapy does not increase the risk of variceal bleeding in subjects with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Preoperative optimization of these patients should take the risk of bleeding into account based on current guidelines for variceal surveillance.
Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Timeliness to Treatment for Patients With Multiple Myeloma

Background/aim To examine the impact of ACA and the association of socioeconomic factors on delay in initial treatment for multiple myeloma (MM). Patients and methods Patients diagnosed with MM between 2004-2016 were identified in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Time-to-initial treatment (TTI) was defined as the number of days from diagnosis to initial therapy. Patients were classified into quartiles and those belonging to the fourth quartile for TTI constituted the delayed treatment group. Study period was divided into pre-ACA and post-ACA using 2010 as the cut-off. Results A total of 65,723 patients met the eligibility criteria. Median TTI was 13 (IQR=5-27) days. Racial-ethnic minorities were associated with delayed-TTI. Delayed treatment was more likely for Hispanics pre-ACA but not post-ACA, while non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB) were more likely to have delayed treatment both, pre- and post-ACA. Conclusion While ACA has been shown to help mitigate healthcare disparities in certain cancer diagnoses, the study suggests that the effect is still limited among MM patients.
Sheltering in place swings door open wide to food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing economic devastation and health system instability around the world. It has been reported that virus pandemics result in food crises even before the appearance of health impacts of the virus in the community. Addressing the consequences of food insecurity is critical during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there is no evidence for the best module or practice used to reduce food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic. However, a previously adapted tool can be used to address and measure community needs as well as expand access to food. The purpose of this report is to introduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity among the low-income population of the United States and to provide a suggestion to intervene on the impact. Using a validated tool to identify food insecurity, coupled with urgent immediate policy change, may diminish consequences of food insecurity and protect the health of those most fragile during a pandemic crisis in rural and low-income communities.
Patočka and the metaphysics of sacrifice

This paper explores the theme of sacrifice as it appears in the writings of the Czech philosopher Jan Patocka from the 1970s on the subjects of history, metaphysics, and techno-civilization. The paper argues that the theme of sacrifice is best understood as part of an engagement with the problem of post-metaphysical philosophy, largely inspired by but also directed against the position of Martin Heidegger. These reflections are also best understood in relation to totalitarian resistance, exemplified by the self-immolation of Jan Palach in the wake of the Soviet invasion in 1968, which remains a constant, if unacknowledged presence in the background of these writings. The conception of sacrifice that emerges, in contrast to mythico-religious forms, breaks with a reliance on patterns of exchange and reward in favor of an expression of metaphysical freedom, and in turn provides the fulcrum for Patocka’s commentary on the possibility of a “demythologized” Christianity.
Targeted degradation of the enhancer lysine acetyltransferases CBP and p300.

Summary The enhancer factors CREB-binding protein (CBP) and p300 (also known as KAT3A and KAT3B) maintain gene expression programs through lysine acetylation of chromatin and transcriptional regulators and by scaffolding functions mediated by several protein-protein interaction domains. Small molecule inhibitors that target some of these domains have been developed; however, they cannot completely ablate p300/CBP function in cells. Here we describe a chemical degrader of p300/CBP, dCBP-1. Leveraging structures of ligand-bound p300/CBP domains, we use in silico modeling of ternary complex formation with the E3 ubiquitin ligase cereblon to enable degrader design. dCBP-1 is exceptionally potent at killing multiple myeloma cells and can abolish the enhancer that drives MYC oncogene expression. As an efficient degrader of this unique class of acetyltransferases, dCBP-1 is a useful tool alongside domain inhibitors for dissecting the mechanism by which these factors coordinate enhancer activity in normal and diseased cells.
Impedance-Based Stability Analysis of a Single-Phase Community Microgrid in Islanded Mode

When a microgrid operates in islanded mode, stability becomes an issue, especially as the system configuration changes over time. This calls for a systematic modeling approach to study the stability of microgrid in islanded mode. In this paper, the impedance-based stability analysis is applied to assess the stability of a single-phase community microgrid in islanded mode. A new method of impedance modeling of single-phase inverter using the state-space model based approach is proposed. This method is successfully adopted in the case study to assess the microgrid stability under different conditions. The case study results suggest the need for more robust DER interface design and DER control to maintain the microgrid stability.
Style is NOT a single variable: Case Studies for Cross-Stylistic Language Understanding

Every natural text is written in some style. Style is formed by a complex combination of different stylistic factors, including formality markers, emotions, metaphors, etc. One cannot form a complete understanding of a text without considering these factors. The factors combine and co-vary in complex ways to form styles. Studying the nature of the covarying combinations sheds light on stylistic language in general, sometimes called cross-style language understanding. This paper provides the benchmark corpus (XSLUE) that combines existing datasets and collects a new one for sentence-level cross-style language understanding and evaluation. The benchmark contains text in 15 different styles under the proposed four theoretical groupings: figurative, personal, affective, and interpersonal groups. For valid evaluation, we collect an additional diagnostic set by annotating all 15 styles on the same text. Using XSLUE, we propose three interesting cross-style applications in classification, correlation, and generation. First, our proposed cross-style classifier trained with multiple styles together helps improve overall classification performance against individually-trained style classifiers. Second, our study shows that some styles are highly dependent on each other in human-written text. Finally, we find that combinations of some contradictive styles likely generate stylistically less appropriate text. We believe our benchmark and case studies help explore interesting future directions for cross-style research. The preprocessed datasets and code are publicly available.
Lessons from Loihi: Progress in Neuromorphic Computing

The past three years have seen significant progress in neuromorphic computing research, especially with Intel’s Loihi research chip enabling quantitative evaluation of algorithms and applications designed for this emerging computer architecture. These results have rigorously confirmed, for the first time, that significant gains in energy efficiency and latency are possible over a wide range of workloads compared to state-of-the-art conventional approaches. The greatest gains come from novel algorithms unrelated to the deep learning paradigm. While the speed, efficiency, and scalability of these algorithms suggest near-term commercial viability, Loihi’s high resource cost for large-scale workloads also highlights an urgent need for denser solutions for synaptic state in these architectures.
Somatic antigens of Streptococcus group E. I. Comparison of extraction techniques.

Eleven Streptococcus group E strains, representing serotypes I, II, III, IV, V, and “untypable” isolates, were extracted by formamide, trichloroacetic acid, and hydrochloric acid under various conditions in an effort to determine the best method for recovering maximum amounts of group and type antigens. The group antigen was found to be relatively stable, and adequate amounts for identification purposes were recovered by a wide spectrum of conditions. Type-specific antigens were relatively labile, and were destroyed at low pH in acid hydrolysis or by prolonged heating in formamide hydrolysis. The best single procedure for recovering both type and group antigens from Streptococcus group E was formamide hydrolysis for 30 min at 180 C.
Second Language Transfer During Third Language Acquisition

A recent focus in the study of cross-linguistic influence is the role of transfer during third language acquisition. How do the learner’s first and second languages influence the acquisition of a third language? Current research suggests that the multilingual dynamic differs from L1 effects during second language acquisition. This literature review will examine L2 transfer during third language acquisition within the general context of cross-linguistic influence. An overview of the study of language transfer will be presented, followed by a discussion of the variables that operate and interact when two or more languages come into contact. The variables are categorized as learner-based or language-based, and each is discussed in the contexts of L2 and L3 acquisition. A particular area of focus will be hybrid lexical forms and the unintentional intrusion of L2 items during L3 production.
Single word intelligibility in aphasia and apraxia of speech

Abstract Single word speech intelligibility was evaluated in three groups : aphasia with apraxia of speech, aphasia with no apraxia of speech, and normal controls. Intelligibility was significantly lower in the two aphasic groups compared with the normal group and intelligibility did not differ significantly between the aphasia and apraxia of speech and the aphasia only groups. Seventy per cent of the speakers with apraxia of speech obtained intelligibility scores below the normal range and 80% of the speakers with aphasia only obtained intelligibility scores within the normal range. There was a moderate, but statistically nonsignificant, correlation between intelligibility and severity of apraxia of speech on an eight-point rating scale.
Communication and marginal sites: the Chipko movement and the dominant paradigm of development communication

This article uses the Chipko movement in northeastern India to propose an additional way to think alternatively about communication and development. The Chipko movement took place in the 1970s. Movement members demanded better local resource management by the state and for a greater voice in the determining the use of the local forests. Acknowledging that alternatives to the dominant paradigm of communication and development already exist (the participatory communication models and the participatory action research models), this essay shows even these alternatives did not address certain problems associated with the dominant paradigm. After a brief review of the dominant paradigm and the alternatives this article examines certain dimensions of the Chipko movement, such as the role of movement leaders, resource management, and strategies of communication, and argues that a Chipko-based ‘regions in protest’ model should take a place among the various models posed as alternatives to the dominant paradigm.
Using genetic algorithms for the inference of motifs that are represented in only a subset of sequences of interest

In this work, we present GAMID, and extension of GAMI. GAMID is designed to be used for motif inference in noncoding DNA for co-expressed genes or for divergent species. In these cases, we would like to allow the inferred motif to be present in only a subset of the input data. This paper describes the approach and presents preliminary results.
On the correlation between phonon spectra and surface segregation features in Ag-Cu–Ni ternary nanoalloys

Abstract Atomic scale characterization of chemical ordering, compositional distribution and microstructure is of tremendous importance for applications such as catalysis which is primarily dominated by processes occurring at surface and is strongly influenced by the subsurface layers. Phonon spectra obtained from molecular dynamics simulations of single metals as well as their bimetallic and ternary alloy nanoclusters can be used to obtain new insights into the atomic scale distribution in the nanoclusters, their microstructure and dynamical properties. Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations are used to obtain the minimum energy configurations of various Ag–Cu–Ni ternary alloys in which the Ag content is systematically varied from 0 to 50%Ag while keeping the relative composition of Cu and Ni constant. Detailed compositional analyses of the final MC configurations are carried out. The generated microstructure comprised of surface segregated structures in which Ag atoms occupy low coordination sites such as corners, edges and faces. As the Ag content in the ternary alloy is increased, the surface sites get increasingly occupied with the lowest coordination sites being populated first. The Cu and Ni compositions in the interior of the cluster show compositional oscillation. The final alloy microstructure is dictated by the competition between the various entropic and energetic factors. Our analysis of the phonon density of states identifies various surface (low frequency) and bulk (high frequency) modes which is determined by their location in the nanocluster and the local environment. Systematic trends in the observed peak intensities and frequency shifts at the low and high frequency ends of the spectrum for the various alloy compositions are explained on the basis of bond-lengths, local coordination, extent of alloying, and neighboring elemental environment. We find that the characteristic microstructural features observed at the atomic scale are strongly correlated to the vibrational densities of states of the constituent atoms in nanoalloys. Comparisons with experimental investigations are made where possible. Such a characterization method provides a predictive tool for materials which are extremely important for catalytic applications and emerging energy technologies.
The Effect of Retail Store Environment on Retailer Performance

Abstract Retail stores are segmented using socioeconomic characteristics of the trade area, and it is shown that the effects of store environment on store performance vary across segments. Store performance is measured by a market-based measure—sales and a productivity-based measure—sales per square feet. The internal store environment includes the number of checkout counters per square foot of selling area, the number of nongrocery products sold (extent of scrambled merchandising), whether the store at least doubles manufacturers coupons, whether there is a banking facility, and whether the store is open for 24 hours. The external store environment includes the type of neighborhood it is located in. A methodology for predicting store performance (for existing and new stores) based on the type of environment and store location by using aggregate secondary data is demonstrated. The proposed models are estimated and validated using Market Metrics geodemographic data for 646 grocery stores provided by A.C. Nielsen. It is shown how the findings of this retail environment study can be used to offer guidelines to retailers for attaining desired levels of sales and sales per square feet by using readily available data.
A laboratory colony of the Polynesian rat, Rattus exulans.

A colony of Polynesian rats, Rattus exulans, descended from stock captured in the Marshall Islands was maintained in captivity through eight generations. Most monogamous pairs remained compatible for life. Females are polyestrous and breed throughout the year. Litter size ranged from one to 10 (average 3.8); the mode was four. Efforts to increase litter size by selection were unsuccessful. Females bore one to 13 (average 5.2) litters per year but usually had a lifetime production potential of 12 months or less. the maximum litters per lifetime was 18. Minimum nonlactating gestation was 23 days. Lactation prolonged gestation 3 to 7 days. the breeding cycle includes a post-partum estrus.
Age-Related Changes in Albumin-Excluded Volume Fraction

The space available to large macromolecules, such as albumin and globulin, is less than the total interstitial fluid volume due to the dense matrix formed by the interstitial ground substance. Changes in excluded volume are likely to indicate changes in the composition of the matrix. Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Serum, mesenteric tissue, and peritoneal fluid samples were obtained. Albumin contents were determined by microrod electrophoresis. Serum and mesenteric tissue chloride concentrations were measured by the coulometric-amperometric method. Serum and mesenteric tissue sample chloride concentrations were not significantly different, suggesting that this loose connective tissue is composed almost entirely of extracellular matrix. Matrix hydration decreased with a regression slope of -0.014 (microgram tissue water/microgram tissue dry wt)/10 days. Serum and tissue albumin concentrations decreased between 210 and 630 days of age. Mesenteric loose connective tissue albumin-excluded volume fraction increased by 80% over this age range. The increase could not be accounted for by dehydration alone, suggesting that the increase in excluded volume fraction for albumin is also due to changes in tissue glycosaminoglycans or collagen.
Subcellular localization of the type 2 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. A green fluorescent protein study.

Abstract 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) is thought to confer aldosterone specificity to mineralocorticoid target cells by protecting the inherently non-selective mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) from occupancy by endogenous glucocorticoids. Recently, we characterized a novel isoform of 11β-HSD in aldosterone target cells, which has high affinity for its substrate, is unidirectional, and prefers NAD as cofactor. In this study we utilized a green fluorescent protein (GFP) technique to determine the subcellular localization of this isoform, 11β-HSD2. We generated a chimeric gene encoding the full-length rabbit 11β-HSD2 and, fused to its C terminus, the coding sequence of GFP. This construct was stably transfected into CHO cells. The enzymatic characteristics of the expressed 11β-HSD2/GFP fusion protein were undistinguishable from those of the native enzyme: high affinity for corticosterone (KM 8–10 nM), NAD dependence, and lack of reductase activity. The intracellular location of the recombinant protein was determined by fluorescence microscopy. 11β-HSD2-associated fluorescence was observed as a reticular network over the cytoplasm and nuclear envelope, whereas the plasma membrane and the nucleus were negative, suggesting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localization. Staining of CHO cells expressing 11β-HSD2/GFP with established subcellular organelle markers revealed a colocalization of 11β-HSD2/GFP only with ER markers and tubulin. To examine the orientation of 11β-HSD2 within the ER, we selectively permeabilized CHO cells and stained them with an anti-GFP antibody. Fluorescence microscopy indicated that the C-terminal region of 11β-HSD2 is on the cytoplasmic surface of the ER membrane, since it was accessible to the GFP antibody. This conclusion was confirmed by trypsin treatment of permeabilized cells followed by Western blotting. The C-terminal region of 11β-HSD2 was accessible to trypsin, indicating that it is on the cytoplasmic side of the ER membrane. These results indicate that 11β-HSD2 is localized exclusively to the ER. Since 11β-HSD2 does not contain any known ER retrieval signal, experiments are currently under way to determine what structural motifs are responsible for its ER localization.