cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Escherichia coli enterobactin synthesis and uptake mutants are hypersensitive to an antimicrobial peptide that limits the availability of iron in addition to blocking Holliday junction resolution.

The peptide wrwycr inhibits Holliday junction resolution and is a potent antimicrobial. To study the physiological effects of wrwycr treatment on Escherichia coli cells, we partially screened the Keio collection of knockout mutants for those with increased sensitivity to wrwycr. Strains lacking part of the ferric-enterobactin (iron-bound siderophore) uptake and utilization system, parts of the enterobactin synthesis pathway, TolC (an outer-membrane channel protein) or Fur (an iron-responsive regulator) were hypersensitive to wrwycr. We provide evidence that the ΔtolC mutant was hypersensitive to wrwycr due to its reduced ability to efflux wrwycr from the cell rather than due to its export of newly synthesized enterobactin. Deleting ryhB, which encodes a small RNA involved in iron regulation, mostly relieved the wrwycr hypersensitivity of the fur and ferric-enterobactin uptake mutants, indicating that the altered regulation of a RyhB-controlled gene was at least partly responsible for the hypersensitivity of these strains. Chelatable iron in the cell, measured by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, increased dramatically following wrwycr treatment, as did expression of Fur-repressed genes and, to some extent, mutation frequency. These incongruous results suggest that while wrwycr treatment caused accumulation of chelatable iron in the cell, iron was not available to bind to Fur. This is corroborated by the observed induction of the suf system, which assembles iron–sulfur clusters in low-iron conditions. Disruption of iron metabolism by wrwycr, in addition to its effects on DNA repair, may make it a particularly effective antimicrobial in the context of the low-iron environment of a mammalian host.
Invasion genetics of the Eurasian round goby in North America: tracing sources and spread patterns

The Eurasian round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Apollonia melanostoma) invaded the North American Great Lakes in 1990 through ballast water, spread rapidly, and now is widely distributed and moving through adjacent tributaries. We analyse its genetic diversity and divergence patterns among 25 North American (N = 744) and 22 Eurasian (N = 414) locations using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene sequences and seven nuclear microsatellite loci in order to: (i) identify the invasion’s founding source(s), (ii) test for founder effects, (iii) evaluate whether the invasive range is genetically heterogeneous, and (iv) determine whether fringe and central areas differ in genetic diversity. Tests include FST analogues, neighbour-joining trees, haplotype networks, Bayesian assignment, Monmonier barrier analysis, and three-dimensional factorial correspondence analysis. We recovered 13 cytochrome b haplotypes and 232 microsatellite alleles in North America and compared these to variation we previously described across Eurasia. Results show: (i) the southern Dnieper River population was the primary Eurasian donor source for the round goby’s invasion of North America, likely supplemented by some alleles from the Dniester and Southern Bug rivers, (ii) the overall invasion has high genetic diversity and experienced no founder effect, (iii) there is significant genetic structuring across North America, and (iv) some expansion areas show reduced numbers of alleles, whereas others appear to reflect secondary colonization. Sampling sites in Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay and Lake Ontario significantly differ from all others, having unique alleles that apparently originated from separate introductions. Substantial genetic variation, multiple founding sources, large number of propagules, and population structure thus likely aided the goby’s ecological success.
Esophageal tumor length is independently associated with long‐term survival

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer staging uses tumor depth as the sole criterion for assessment of the primary tumor (pT). To the authors' knowledge the impact of esophageal tumor length on long-term outcome and the esophageal cancer staging system has not been fully evaluated in the current era. METHODS: All esophageal cancer patients (n = 209) undergoing surgery from 1995 to 2005 who did not receive preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy were reviewed. Maximum esophageal tumor length along a craniocaudal axis was determined pathologically after surgical resection. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the impact of esophageal tumor length (≤3 cm vs >3 cm) on long-term survival. RESULTS: Esophageal tumor length was closely associated with long-term survival (hazards ratio [HR] of 6.14 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 4.1-9.25]; 5-year survival: ≤3 cm = 68%, >3 cm = 10% [P 3 cm and stages I, IIA, IIB, and III disease = 27%, 22%, 0%, and 8%, respectively [P < .1]). CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal tumor length is an independent predictor of long-term survival in the current era and should be considered for incorporation into the current esophageal cancer staging system to better predict long-term survival and identify high-risk patients for postoperative therapy. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b: a new target of breast tumor kinase/protein tyrosine kinase 6.

Introduction Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are mediators of cytokine and growth factor signaling. In recent years, STAT5b has emerged as a key regulator of tumorigenesis. STAT5b phosphorylation and activation is mediated by several kinases known to be overexpressed in breast cancer, such as epidermal growth factor receptor, HER2, and c-Src. Breast tumor kinase (Brk), also known as protein tyrosine kinase 6, is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase expressed in more than 60% of breast cancers. Only a few substrates of the Brk tyrosine kinase have been identified, the most recent being STAT3. In the present article we investigate the potential role of Brk in the phosphorylation and activation STAT5b.
Symptoms and visceral perception in patients with pain-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Abdominal pain is thought to be a hallmark of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although currently used symptom criteria do not differentiate between abdominal pain and discomfort. By focusing on viscerosensory symptoms, we sought to determine: 1) which type of symptoms are most commonly reported by IBS patients, and 2) whether patients who report pain as their most bothersome symptom differ in clinical, psychological, and physiological characteristics. METHODS: A total of 443 consecutive new patient referrals to a tertiary referral center for functional gastrointestinal disorders who met symptom criteria for IBS were given validated, psychometric, health status, and bowel symptom questionnaires containing specific questions regarding the patients’ predominant viscerosensory gastrointestinal symptom. Of these patients, 155 (35%) also met criteria for functional dyspepsia. A representative subset of the total IBS patient population (n = 58) underwent evaluation of perceptual responses to controlled rectal distension before and after a noxious sigmoid conditioning stimulus. RESULTS: Viscerosensory symptoms clustered into four groups: 1) abdominal pain, 2) bloating-type discomfort, 3) sensation of incomplete rectal evacuation, and 4) extra-abdominal (chest pain or pressure and nausea). A total of 66% of patients reported gas as one of their viscerosensory symptoms, whereas 60% reported abdominal pain as one of their symptoms. Only 29% rated abdominal pain as their most bothersome symptom, whereas bloating-type symptoms were listed by 60% as most bothersome. Although pain predominance did not correlate with the severity of gastrointestinal or psychological symptoms, there was a significant correlation with the development of rectal hypersensitivity in response to the sigmoid conditioning stimulus. CONCLUSIONS: In a tertiary referral population of IBS patients: 1) abdominal pain is reported by only one third of patients as their most bothersome viscerosensory symptoms; and 2) pain-predominance correlates with development of rectal hypersensitivity after a noxious sigmoid stimulus.
Computer-assisted high-performance liquid chromatography method development with applications to the isolation and analysis of phytoplankton pigments

We used chromatography modeling software to assist in HPLC method development, with the goal of enhancing separations through the exclusive use of gradient time and column temperature. We surveyed nine stationary phases for their utility in pigment purification and natural sample analysis. For purification, a complex algal matrix was separated on an efficient monomeric column, from which partially purified fractions were collected and purified on polymeric columns that exaggerated resolution between pigments of interest. Additionally, we feature an HPLC method that is simple, fast, demonstrates excellent transferability and is ideal for quantitative analysis of pigments in dilute natural water samples.
RNA Secondary Structure in the Coding Region of Dengue Virus Type 2 Directs Translation Start Codon Selection and Is Required for Viral Replication

Dengue virus is a positive-strand RNA virus and a member of the genus Flavivirus, which includes West Nile, yellow fever, and tick-borne encephalitis viruses. Flavivirus genomes are translated as a single polyprotein that is subsequently cleaved into 10 proteins, the first of which is the viral capsid (C) protein. Dengue virus type 2 (DENV2) and other mosquito-borne flaviviruses initiate translation of C from a start codon in a suboptimal context and have multiple in-frame AUGs downstream. Here, we show that an RNA hairpin structure in the capsid coding region (cHP) directs translation start site selection in human and mosquito cells. The ability of the cHP to direct initiation from the first start codon is proportional to its thermodynamic stability, is position dependent, and is sequence independent, consistent with a mechanism in which the scanning initiation complex stalls momentarily over the first AUG as it begins to unwind the cHP. The cHP of tick-borne flaviviruses is not maintained in a position to influence start codon selection, which suggests that this coding region cis element may serve another function in the flavivirus life cycle. Here, we demonstrate that the DENV2 cHP and both the first and second AUGs of C are necessary for efficient viral replication in human and mosquito cells. While numerous regulatory elements have been identified in the untranslated regions of RNA viral genomes, we show that the cHP is a coding-region RNA element that directs start codon selection and is required for viral replication.
Longitudinally guided level sets for consistent tissue segmentation of neonates

Quantification of brain development as well as disease-induced pathologies in neonates often requires precise delineation of white matter, grey matter and cerebrospinal fluid. Unlike adults, tissue segmentation in neonates is significantly more challenging due to the inherently lower tissue contrast. Most existing methods take a voxel-based approach and are limited to working with images from a single time-point, even though longitudinal scans are available. We take a different approach by taking advantage of the fact that the pattern of the major sulci and gyri are already present in the neonates and generally preserved but fine-tuned during brain development. That is, the segmentation of late-time-point image can be used to guide the segmentation of neonatal image. Accordingly, we propose a novel longitudinally guided level-sets method for consistent neonatal image segmentation by combining local intensity information, atlas spatial prior, cortical thickness constraint, and longitudinal information into a variational framework. The minimization of the proposed energy functional is strictly derived from a variational principle. Validation performed on both simulated and in vivo neonatal brain images shows promising results.
What do conscientious people do? Development and validation of the Behavioral Indicators of Conscientiousness (BIC)

Typical assessments of personality traits collapse behaviors, thoughts, and feelings into a single measure without distinguishing between these different manifestations. To address this lack of specification, the current study develops and validates a measure that assesses a number of broad behaviors associated with the personality trait of conscientiousness (the Behavioral Indicators of Conscientiousness; BIC). Findings suggest that the lower-order structure of conscientious behaviors is mostly similar to the lower-order structure in extant trait measures. Furthermore, a daily diary method was used to validate the BIC against frequency counts of conscientious behavior. Overall, the results identify specific behaviors that conscientious individuals tend to perform and highlight possible advantages of this approach over broad trait assessment.
Atmospheric water vapor transport and continental hydrology over the Americas

Abstract The advective transport of atmospheric water vapor, its role in global hydrology, and the water balance of continental regions are discussed and explored. A data set consisting of 10 years of global wind and humidity observations that has been interpolated onto a regular grid is used to estimate atmospheric water vapor fluxes across the boundaries of selected continental regions. The flux of water vapor from the waters surrounding the Americas is computed and graphically represented as integrated normal flux across meridional and zonal segments. The total flux is decomposed into transport by mean motion and transport by correlated transient anomalies in the wind and humidity fields. Seasonal maps of these observations for the Americas reveal the underlying mechanisms and illustrate the characterizing features of the hydrologic cycle and continental water balance for this large land mass.
Metagenomic Analysis of the Viromes of Three North American Bat Species: Viral Diversity among Different Bat Species That Share a Common Habitat

Effective prediction of future viral zoonoses requires an in-depth understanding of the heterologous viral population in key animal species that will likely serve as reservoir hosts or intermediates during the next viral epidemic. The importance of bats as natural hosts for several important viral zoonoses, including Ebola, Marburg, Nipah, Hendra, and rabies viruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV), has been established; however, the large viral population diversity (virome) of bats has been partially determined for only a few of the ∼1,200 bat species. To assess the virome of North American bats, we collected fecal, oral, urine, and tissue samples from individual bats captured at an abandoned railroad tunnel in Maryland that is cohabitated by 7 to 10 different bat species. Here, we present preliminary characterization of the virome of three common North American bat species, including big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus), and little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus). In samples derived from these bats, we identified viral sequences that were similar to at least three novel group 1 CoVs, large numbers of insect and plant virus sequences, and nearly full-length genomic sequences of two novel bacteriophages. These observations suggest that bats encounter and disseminate a large assortment of viruses capable of infecting many different animals, insects, and plants in nature.
Personality and Characteristic Work Attitudes of Persons with High, Moderate, and Low Political Tendencies

DuBrin's Office Politics Questionnaire, which measures a person's tendency to engage in office politics, was used in an exploratory study to examine the characteristics of persons with high, moderate, and low tendencies to use office politics. 71 MBA students completed the Office Politics Questionnaire (shortened by subsequent analysis to 50 items), the Mach IV, Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control, Rosenberg's Self-esteem and social desirability scales, and six single-item measures of work attitude. The Office Politics Scale showed a significant Pearson correlation only with the Mach scale, suggesting that the politics scale may be largely a surrogate for Mach. Descriptive statistics comparing groups scoring high, moderate, and low political tendency on the politics scale suggest that people with high political tendency are somewhat higher in Machiavellianism and (although these differences were not statistically significant), higher in self-esteem, see other people as less competitive than themse...
Early jejunojejunostomy obstruction after laparoscopic gastric bypass: case series and treatment algorithm

Abstract Background To review our experience with early jejunojejunostomy obstruction (JJO) at a large academic teaching hospital and provide a management algorithm. Early JJO is a known and often overlooked complication of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Methods From 2003 to 2007, 1097 patients underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass at our institution. Data, including patient demographics, co-morbidities, intraoperative data, peri- and postoperative complications, and outcomes, were prospectively recorded and retrospectively reviewed. Results Early post-laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass JJO occurred in 13 patients (1.2%). The average time to presentation was 15 days (range 5–27). Patients presented with a combination of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain; all underwent computed tomography to confirm the diagnosis. The causes of JJO included dietary noncompliance (46%), anastomotic edema (23%), narrowing of the jejunojejunostomy at surgery (23%), and luminal clot (8%). Management was determined using our proposed treatment algorithm. Three patients (23%) required operative intervention, with the remainder successfully treated conservatively. Conclusion From our experience, we propose a treatment algorithm for standardized management of early JJO, reserving reoperation for those who are acutely ill on presentation or those in whom conservative management fails. A review of our series using this algorithm has suggested that most patients can be successfully treated nonoperatively; however, bariatric surgeons must maintain a low threshold for surgical re-intervention in cases in which rapid recovery is not seen.
Purified Bacillus anthracis lethal toxin complex formed in vitro and during infection exhibits functional and biological activity.

Anthrax protective antigen (PA, 83 kDa), a pore-forming protein, upon protease activation to 63 kDa (PA63), translocates lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF) from endosomes into the cytosol of the cell. The relatively small size of the heptameric PA63 pore (∼12 A) raises questions as to how large molecules such as LF and EF can move through the pore. In addition, the reported high binding affinity between PA and EF/LF suggests that EF/LF may not dissociate but remain complexed with activated PA63. In this study, we found that purified (PA63)7-LF complex exhibited biological and functional activities similar to the free LF. Purified LF complexed with PA63 heptamer was able to cleave both a synthetic peptide substrate and endogenous mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase substrates and kill susceptible macrophage cells. Electrophysiological studies of the complex showed strong rectification of the ionic current at positive voltages, an effect similar to that observed if LF is added to the channels formed by heptameric PA63 pore. Complexes of (PA63)7-LF found in the plasma of infected animals showed functional activity. Identifying active complex in the blood of infected animals has important implications for therapeutic design, especially those directed against PA and LF. Our studies suggest that the individual toxin components and the complex must be considered as critical targets for anthrax therapeutics.
Mechanical and viscoelastic properties of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks of poly(vinyl chloride)/thermosetting resin blends

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPNs) of PVC/thermoset were prepared by premixing porous, 150 μm diameter particles of PVC and a small quantity (from 5 to 15% by weight) of a single thermosetting liquid preresin from one of five types (e.g. methylene bis-phenyl diisocyanate (MDI), oligomeric MDI isocyanates (PAPI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI) prepolymer, epoxy, and vinyl ester resins, respectively). Two roll milling of these mixtures was followed by hot-press curing. Mechanical testing indicated that most of these blends exhibited increased tensile, impact, and flexural strengths. The strength increments were greater when going from 0 to 5% thermoset content than when going from 5 to 10% or 10 to 15% thermoset. In many cases, increasing thermoset content from 10 to 15% gave slightly decreased or unchanged tensile, impact, and flexural strengths. This behavior is in accord with a “thermoset dilution effect” in PVC. Most of these SIPN blends exhibited a tan δ peak temperature lower than that for pure PVC in the glass transition region. The tan δ peak temperatures were progressively lowered as the amounts of thermoset increased. Also, a single distinct peak existed in the E″ curves for most of the blends. Only the PVC/epoxy (90/10) blend showed two peak maxima in E″ vs. temperature curves. All blends exhibited peak E″ values at a lower temperature than those of PVC which had been exposed to the same processing temperatures. These observations seem to rule out the presence of large domains of PVC, which are phase-separated from PVC/thermoset SIPN, and pure thermoset domains. A substantial amount of the added thermoset appears to exist in SIPN type phases in these five blend types.
On the Use of Evolutionary Algorithms in Data Mining

With computers becoming more pervasive, disks becoming cheaper, and sensors becoming ubiquitous, we are collecting data at an ever-increasing pace. However, it is far easier to collect the data than to extract useful information from it. Sophisticated techniques, such as those developed in the multi-disciplinary field of data mining, are increasingly being applied to the analysis of these datasets in commercial and scientific domains. As the problems become larger and more complex, researchers are turning to heuristic techniques to complement existing approaches. This survey paper examines the role that evolutionary algorithms (EAs) can play in various stages of data mining. We consider data mining as the end-to-end process of finding patterns starting with raw data. The paper focuses on the topics of feature extraction, feature selection, classification, and clustering, and surveys the state of the art in the application of evolutionary algorithms to these areas. We examine the use of evolutionary algorithms both in isolation and in combination with other algorithms including neural networks, and decision trees. The paper concludes with a summary of open research problems and opportunities for the future.
Quantized topological magnetoelectric effect of the zero-plateau quantum anomalous Hall state

Motivated by the possibility of experimental detection of the topological magnetoelectric effect the authors put forth a theoretical proposal for its realization in the zero plateau quantum anomalous Hall state of a ferromagnet-topological insulator heterostructure.
Hyperfine structure of the 4 f 12 6 s 2 H 3 and F 3 terms of Er 167 I by atomic-beam, laser-rf double resonance

The atomic-beam, laser-rf double-resonance technique has been used to make precise measurements of the dipole and quadrupole hyperfine constants of the $^{3}H_{6,5,4}$ and $^{3}F_{4,3,2}$ states of the $4{f}^{12}6{s}^{2}$ configuration of $^{167}\mathrm{Er}$ I. The hyperfine integrals $〈{r}^{\ensuremath{-}3}〉$ are extracted and compared with published ab initio calculations.
Initial investigation of site and topographic effects at Robinwood Ridge, California

Abstract Following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, a dense array of seven digitally recorded, three-component seismograph stations was deployed on Robinwood Ridge 7.3 km northwest of the epicenter. The purpose of this array was to investigate the cause of high levels of structural damage and ground cracking observed on the ridge crest. Aftershocks recorded by the array allow a comparison of ground motion up the slope of the ridge from the base to the crest. The data present an extremely complicated pattern of ground motion that demonstrates the importance of the three-dimensionality of the problem. Slowness analysis of P wave trains show initial arrivals propagating away from the source with small angles of incidence and large apparent velocities, consistent with direct arrivals. After 0.5 sec, propagation azimuths become more random and apparent velocities drop, indicating nearly horizontal wave propagation and multiply reflected and diffracted phases within the ridge. Slowness analysis and particle motion diagrams of horizontal components of motion show dramatic variations in ground motion with changes in azimuth of the source and a complicated interaction between body waves and Rayleigh and Love waves. Results suggest that the larger amplitude, more coherent arrivals at the array stations favor a propagation direction parallel to the ridge axis. An amplification factor of from 1.5 to 4.5 is seen for frequencies from 1.0 to 3.0 Hz with wavelengths comparable to the base of the ridge, part of which may be caused by local site effects and part by topographic amplification. In addition, amplifications of up to a factor of 5 are seen at higher frequencies and are attributed to local site effects. These effects are most notable from 4 to 8 Hz on the vertical components, and from 6 to 9 Hz on the horizontal components. The entire Robinwood Ridge area may also have been situated in a region of heightened mainshock ground motion due to source directivity and radiation pattern effects.
Life-Sustaining Treatment Court Decisions and Legislation: A Model for Balancing a Woman's Reproductive Rights with a Pharmacist's Conscientious Right to Object

In recent years, attention has been given to incidences of pharmacists refusing to dispense prescriptions for emergency contraception, as well as other types of contraceptives, because of their ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. State legislation has attempted to address this problem in various ways, but frequently fails to adequately balance the rights of a woman to access lawful contraceptive prescriptions with a pharmacist's conscientious right to object. This Note argues that pharmacist refusal clause legislation should take guidance from a similar conflict in the life-sustaining treatment context. Legislation in that context allows for the health care provider to refuse to comply with a patient's decision regarding life-sustaining treatment, but imposes additional duties on the health care provider. These additional duties prevent the patient's rights from being compromised. The Note concludes that analogous duties should be imposed on pharmacists who conscientiously object to dispensing contraceptive prescriptions.
Safe, effective, and efficient medication distribution: Challenging paradigms and bedrocks.

Medication-use technologies and pharmacy technicians will be the critical determinants in achieving the ultimate pharmacy practice model. Health information technologies adopted by hospitals and health systems have improved medication safety but have not provided a complete closed-loop system.
Subperiosteal abscess of the orbit : Computed tomography and the clinical course

Summary:In an earlier study, a trial of i.v. antibiotics, with surgical drainage reserved for failure to respond, was recommended for children aged <9 years with medial subperiosteal abscesses (SPAs) of modest size and without compromised vision. Careful monitoring is mandatory in these cases, and c
Safety of influenza vaccines.

Purpose of review To review recent publications on the safety of influenza vaccines [both the injectable, inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) and the intranasal, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)] and new recommendations regarding their use. Recent findings Numerous studies have demonstrated that TIV can be safely administered to patients with egg allergy. Influenza vaccines are very unlikely to cause or exacerbate Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). TIV cannot cause asthma exacerbations, whereas there may be some slight risk that LAIV could do so. TIV is well tolerated by patients with immunocompromise. Some brands of influenza vaccine are not indicated for certain age groups due to lack of effectiveness or possible side effects. Summary TIV should be administered to patients with egg allergy with appropriate precautions. Influenza vaccines should be withheld from patients with a history of GBS only if the GBS began within 6 weeks of prior influenza immunization. TIV should be given to patients with asthma, but they should not receive LAIV. TIV should be given to immunocompromised patients, but they should not receive LAIV. Contacts of most immunocompromised patients can receive either TIV or LAIV. Age appropriate brands of influenza vaccine should be used.
Detection of Ovarian Matrix Metalloproteinase mRNAs by In Situ Hybridization

In situ hybridization represents a powerful technique to localize DNA or RNA of interest at the chromosomal or cellular level. In endocrine tissues composed of diverse and varied cell types, in situ hybridization has allowed the identification of specific cells responsible for the expression of genes controlling the function of the tissue. Our laboratory has routinely used this approach to understand the cellular expression of genes associated with the growth of the ovarian follicle, rupture of the follicle, and transformation of the ruptured follicle into the corpus luteum. The current study outlines the procedural details of in situ detection of mRNA in tissues and illustrates the utility of this approach in identifying the ovarian cells expressing the matrix metalloproteinases and their endogenous inhibitors, the TIMPs, in the human ovary.
Volume control: Stormwater and the politics of urban metabolism

Abstract This paper engages with emergent conceptualizations of political–industrial ecology to understand the politics surrounding how the volume, composition, and material throughput of stormwater in Los Angeles is calculated and applied by experts. The intent is to examine the unfolding relationship between the volume and material flow of stormwater, and the social, political, and technical practices involved in identifying stormwater as a new and underutilized water resource. Specifically, it seeks to understand how the active processes of calculating the metabolic inflows and outflows of stormwater in Los Angeles serve as a way for the city to render value and meaning to the flows of stormwater. I suggest that the ways urban metabolisms are calculated reflect a volumetric approach to environmental governance that serves to achieve certain political goals. I refer to this type of governance as volume control—a way of organizing technopolitical interventions around overcoming problems related to the volume of resources flowing and circulating into, through, and out of cities and industrial systems. I argue that understanding this form of governance relies on taking a political–industrial ecology approach that accounts for both the social and material dimensions of resource flows. While the categories and motivations of stormwater governance remain contested over time and space, it is shown that stormwater in Los Angeles needs to be understood in relation to the ecological systems and scientific, political, and cultural practices designed to make it into a resource and align with existing patterns of growth and development.
Radiated power and radiation reaction forces of coherently oscillating charged particles in classical electrodynamics

For the foreseeable future, the analysis and design of the complex systems needed to generate intense beams of radiation via the process of coherent emission into free-space will depend on the principles and methods of classical electrodynamics (CED). But the fields and forces predicted by the currently accepted CED theory are manifestly incompatible with Maxwell's equations' energy integral as applied to the process of coherent emission into free-space. It is the purpose of this paper to review the evidence for these limitations of conventional CED, to identify an alternative formulation of CED that does not suffer from these defects, and to describe how the predictions of this more physically realistic formulation of electrodynamics, including the role of the advanced interactions allowed by Maxwell's equations and thermodynamics, might be tested by experiment and applied to enhance the capabilities of devices and systems employing the mechanism of ``radiation into free-space.''
Parental Influence on Adolescent Cigarette, Alcohol and Marijuana Use: A Focus on Race/Ethnicity and Age

This study examined the racial/ethnic differences in the influence of perceived parental attitudes on adolescent cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use. The 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) was used and included African American, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, and other race youth (N = 13,600), aged 12–17. We tested the direct and moderating effects of perceived parental attitudes by race/ethnicity and age on adolescent substance use. Results show that perceived parental disapproval decreased cigarette and alcohol use among older adolescents. Perceived parental disapproval also varied by race/ethnicity and the type of substance used in that non-Hispanic White adolescents were more influenced by perceived parental disapproval for cigarette use, and perceived parental disapproval influenced Hispanic adolescents’ use for all three substances. African American adolescents were less influenced by perceived parental disapproval for all three substances. We also examined perceived harm in substance use and found that only 22.5% of the sample perceived the use of marijuana as harmful compared to cigarette and alcohol use (66 and 62.1%, respectively). Implications for preventive and intervention measures are discussed.
Fostering Career Adaptability and Resilience and Promoting Employability Using Life Design Counseling

The world of work in 21st century has changed to such a degree that we have entered a new paradigm where traditional models of career counseling and development, while necessary, are no longer able to address the complex career issues that individuals currently face. This chapter discusses the changing nature of work and provides suggestions to help career counselors address the complex career-related needs of a diverse array of clients. The constructs of career adaptability and resilience are introduced as abilities and skills that clients can develop to promote and enhance their own employability. An overview of the Life Design Counseling tenets (Savickas in Life-design counseling manual, 2015; Savickas et al. in Journal of Vocational Behavior 75:239–250, 2009) sets the theoretical foundations for discussing the use of the Career Construction Interview (CCI; Savickas in Career development and counseling: putting theory and research to work. Wiley, Hoboken, 2005) in career counseling. The chapter concludes by providing Life Design Counseling resources for practitioners, educators, and researchers.
Pyrolyzable pore-formers for the porous-electrode formation in solid oxide fuel cells: A review

Abstract Porosity is a key property that plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrodes. The addition of pyrolyzable pore-formers to the electrode materials of SOFCs can generate suitable porous microstructures with the required porosity, pore sizes, and morphology. The present review provides details on the characterization and microstructural analysis, firing profile, electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, and gas permeability of the porous electrodes of SOFCs. A better understanding of these relationships can help to design optimized porous microstructures for generating higher power densities of the cells.
Dysfunctional γ-Secretase in Familial Alzheimer's Disease

Genetics strongly implicate the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Dominant missense mutation in the presenilins and the amyloid precursor protein (APP) cause early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). As presenilin is the catalytic component of the γ-secretase protease complex that produces Aβ from APP, mutation of the enzyme or substrate that produce Aβ leads to FAD. However, the mechanism by which presenilin mutations cause FAD has been controversial, with gain of function and loss of function offered as binary choices. This overview will instead present the case that presenilins are dysfunctional in FAD. γ-Secretase is a multi-functional enzyme that proteolyzes the APP transmembrane domain in a complex and processive manner. Reduction in a specific function-the carboxypeptidase trimming of initially formed long Aβ peptides containing most of the transmembrane domain to shorter secreted forms-is an emerging common feature of FAD-mutant γ-secretase complexes.
Stakeholders and voluntary climate reduction goals at large U.S. firms: An institutional analysis

Abstract What leads firms to develop voluntary greenhouse gas reduction goals? This paper discusses the results of interviews conducted with vice presidents and managers responsible for environmental sustainability initiatives at large U.S. firms. To situate the analysis, it develops a theoretical framework that sees the firm as a socially embedded creation, where stakeholder groups exert varying levels of influence and provide the context in which the firm responds to outside information in the face of uncertainty. By understanding the firm as socially embedded, the influence and power of groups that have strong preferences for or against environmental protection can be understood. The interviews provide empirical support for this model. Subjects discuss the role of stakeholder groups such as activists, shareholders, consumers, and workers in the development of the firm’s environmental policy. Groups can prompt the firm to set greenhouse gas or energy use reduction goals, and they encourage the firm to reexamine production processes to find new ways to both reduce costs and emissions. This suggests that policies to regulate industrial greenhouse gas emissions may be less costly than some projections indicate.
Teaching about the impacts of social networks: an end of life perspective

As the use of various social networking technologies increase, so does the importance of understanding the long term implications for users in the context of end of life. Users post many digital artifacts online for many reasons, such as for storage, construction of their digital identity, communication, etc. Often these posts and uploads inadvertently build the digital legacy of the user. In this paper, we discuss the impacts of social networking and the construction of an online identity from an end of life perspective. The authors discuss the importance of education as an essential element for preparation and understanding of this topic. A survey of college social network users is also reported along with a discussion on their feedback.
Robot ecology: Constraint-based control design for long duration autonomy

Abstract Long duration autonomy considers robots that are deployed over long time scales. As a result, the robots’ ability to operate across changing environmental conditions and perform tasks that require more time to complete than what can be supported on a single battery charge, have implications for how the control design task should be approached. By drawing inspiration from ecology, which concerns itself with the strong coupling between organism and the environment it inhabits, we encode these “survival constraints” through Boolean compositions of multiple control barrier functions, and show how this construction supports long duration autonomy in the context of persistent environmental monitoring on a team of mobile robots.
MicroRNAs and cholangiocarcinoma: elucidating the effects of tiny giants.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding strands of RNA (approximately 18–22 nucleotides) found in plants, animals, and some viruses with functions in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression (1). MiRNAs have been considered as valuable tools for prognosis of disease as stable biomarkers and as therapeutic targets for disease amelioration (2,3). MiRNA processing begins with primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) transcribed from DNA by polymerase II. Pri-miRNA is then cleaved by RNase III endonuclease, Drosha, and is released as precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA). Upon export of the nucleus into the cytoplasm by exportin 5 (XPO5), dicer further cleaves pre-miRNA into a, now activated, miRNA dimer (2). MiRNAs can bind to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of messenger RNAs and interfere with their translation (1). The significant post-transcriptional regulatory step in gene expression by miRNAs makes understanding their mechanism and regulation important for the prevention and improvement of disease.
The national burden of inpatient dermatology in adults.

Background Management of inpatient skin disease represents a unique subspecialty within dermatology. Objective To assess the national burden of inpatient dermatology in adults. Methods Using the 2014 National Inpatient Sample, we performed a retrospective cohort study of adults hospitalized for dermatologic conditions. Results In 2014, there were 644,320 weighted hospitalizations principally for skin disease in adults, which cost the health care system $5.04 billion. Overall, skin disease was diagnosed in 1 in 8 hospitalized adults. Dermatologic hospitalizations were associated with a lack of medical insurance (odds ratio [OR], 2.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.20-2.34), residence in a low-income community (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.07-1.13), and small (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.23-1.32) or rural hospitals (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.32-1.44). Racial minorities were less likely to be hospitalized for skin disease than were whites (for blacks: OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.75-0.79; for Hispanics: OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.83-0.8; for Asians: OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.55-0.64). Only 0.47% of patients admitted for skin disease experienced in-hospital mortality; however, mortality rates were high in hospitalizations for cutaneous lymphomas (9.19%) and malignant melanoma (6.54%). Limitations We could not assess the impact of inpatient dermatology consultations on hospitalization outcomes. Conclusions Skin disease is highly prevalent among hospitalized patients.
Luminex-Coupled EliFACS: A Multiparametric Method to Enumerate and Functionally Characterize Antigen-Specific T cells in Human Peripheral Blood

We describe a Luminex-coupled EliFACS assay that integrates multiplexing technology, enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT), and intracellular cytokine FACS staining for the detection of multiple parameters of antigen-specific T-cell activation in human peripheral blood. Although our protocol is for measuring T-cell responses against cardiac myosin heavy chain and myelin basic protein, the major autoantigens in myocarditis and multiple sclerosis, respectively, these methods could be used for the detection of T-cell responses to other antigens, including foreign antigens.
Pyramids as an Entry Choice Mode: The Case of Sovereign Wealth Funds

In recent years, the literature on Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) has greatly increased, especially in the fields of finance and international business. Nonetheless, there is scant work looking at i...
Natural History of Cardiomyopathy in Adult Dogs With Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy

Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X‐linked disease that causes progressive muscle weakness. Affected boys typically die from respiratory or cardiac failure. Golden retriever muscul...
A novel means to flexibly operate a hybrid concentrated solar power plant and improve operation during non-ideal direct normal irradiation conditions

Abstract Hybridization of concentrated solar power (CSP) with other energy sources can drastically increase how much solar energy is harnessed and potentially expand the current geographical deployment of CSP installlations. In this study, a novel operation strategy referred to as flexible heat integration (FHI), is proposed and applied to a hybrid CSP-natural gas power plant. The proposed plant, modeled in Simulink, employs a solar central receiver (SCR) and dual-source gas boiler to drive a steam Rankine power cycle. FHI involves collecting and dispatching solar energy at modified temperatures during off-design direct normal irradiance (DNI). During low-grade (
Influence of intranasal oxytocin on fear consolidation in healthy humans.

Background Although recent data in healthy humans suggestthat treatment with intranasal oxytocin (OT) may facilitate extinction recall,to date, little is known about the effects of OT on memory consolidationprocesses. Aim To examine the effect of intranasal administration of OT compared with placebo on memory consolidation blockade of a de novo fear memory in a classical 2-day fear conditioning procedure. Results There were no significant differences between the OT and the placebo groups on the first two extinction trials (mean (SD)=0.01 (0.39) vs 0.15 (0.31), t=−1.092, p=0.28). Similarly, during early extinction, analysis of variance for repeated measures failed to show significant main effects of extinction trials: trials (F(4, 112)=1.58, p=0.18), drug (F(1, 112)=0.13, p=0.72) or drug × trials interaction (F(4, 112)=0.76, p=0.56). Conclusion Our results suggest that OT administered in a double-blind fashion immediately after fear conditioning does not significantly reduce consolidation of fear learning as measured by a differential skin conductance response tested at the beginning of extinction.
Impact Analysis of PEEK/Ceramic/Gelatin Composite for Finding Behind the Armor Trauma

Abstract A ceramic-based armor system must arrest bullet penetration and dissipate a large amount of impact energy. Taking the total linear momentum transferred to the wearer of a ceramic armor as a measure of the behind-armor ballistic/blunt trauma (BABT), we study the effect on the BABT of adding a thin polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) layer on the face of a Silicon Carbide (SiC) ceramic target impacted at normal incidence by a full metal jacket bullet traveling at a low velocity. A human torso is simulated by a block of ballistic gelatin. Three-dimensional non-linear large deformations of the system are numerically analyzed using the commercial finite element software ABAQUS/Explicit with the full integration rule to evaluate elemental matrices. Sensitivity tests are conducted with random samples generated by the Latin Hypercube Sampling technique to delineate the influence of the static yield stress, strain hardening, Young’s modulus and the mass density of the PEEK layer as well as of the shear modulus, the mass density and the maximum hydrostatic tensile stress of the ceramic on the BABT. It is found that reducing the acoustic mismatch between the PEEK and the ceramic increased the plastic energy dissipated in the ceramic. For normal impact at 180 m/s of a bullet having kinetic energy of 130 J, the 2 mm thick surface layer decreased the total peak normal force, the normal impulse transmitted, and the maximum pressure transferred from the SiC target to the gelatin layer by 19%, 18% and 32%, respectively. Simulations using a reduced integration rule significantly under-predict the final kinetic energy and the back face displacement of the bullet as compared to those using the full integration rule. For the 2 mm thick PEEK layer located on the top, the middle and the bottom of the SiC plate, the back face displacement is the least for the layer located in the middle but the BABT increased.