cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Children in Exile: Examining the Relationship between Pan-Africanism and Rap Music

Drawing on the previous scholarship regarding Pan-Africanism and Black Political ideologies, this research explores Black Political attitudes and political rap music. Specifically, this paper examines Hip-Hop culture, namely rap music, as a reliable medium which contains African-American ideologies and attitudes. There exists a dearth of comprehensive research as it relates to rap lyrics, e.g. rap music and Pan-Africanism. This research abides within the current discussions centered on information networks and popular culture as being influential in the crystallization of political attitudes. Continuing with the work of Dr. Michael Dawson, Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry, and Dr. Lakeyta Bonnette, this paper looks at their various conclusions for further research. Furthermore, this study fills in the gap, challenges this literature, and establishes a direct connection between Hip-Hop Culture i.e. rap music, specifically political rap, and Pan-Africanism. Methods: The study will employ a content analysis that illustrates specific Pan-Africanist messages displayed in political rap lyrics. This textual analysis utilizes American Hip Hop artist. Additionally, each song will be examined to determine whether it demonstrates one of Nantambu's four types of Pan-African Nationalism: Revolutionary, Intellectual, Geo-political, and Cultural.
The Polish and Wider Central European Enlightenment – was there a Radical Tendency?

Whereas during the first half of the eighteenth century the expression ‘oświecony’ in Polish was nearly always a religious metaphor, between the 1760s and the early nineteenth century the noun ‘oświeconie’ became secularized, broadened and given a quite revolutionary new meaning, denoting an intellectually grounded, rational and true understanding of things in contrast to how traditional religious authority understood things. This is well known to scholars and students alike. But the question now arises, with the rise over the last 20 to 30 years of ‘Radical Enlightenment’ as a fundamental new category in the humanities, how much has this category applicability in the Central European context? Studying book history and print culture, I shall argue, helps us to determine that in fact it does.
Monolithic Integration of Electronics and Sub-wavelength Metal Optics in Deep Submicron CMOS Technology

The structures that can be implemented and the materials that are used in complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit (IC) technology are optimized for electronic performance. However, they are also suitable for manipulating and detecting optical signals. In this paper, we show that while CMOS scaling trends are motivated by improved electronic performance, they are also creating new opportunities for controlling and detecting optical signals at the nanometer scale. For example, in 90-nm CMOS technology the minimum feature size of metal interconnects reaches below 100 nm. This enables the design of nano-slits and nano-apertures that allow control of optical signals at sub-wavelength dimensions. The ability to engineer materials at the nanoscale even holds the promise of creating meta-materials with optical properties, which are unlike those found in the world around us. As an early example of the monolithic integration of electronics and sub-wavelength metal optics, we focus on integrated color pixels (ICPs), a novel color architecture for CMOS image sensors. Following the trend of increased integration in the field of CMOS image sensors, we recently integrated color-filtering capabilities inside image sensor pixels. Specifically, we demonstrated wavelength selectivity of sub-wavelength patterned metal layers in a 180-nm CMOS technology. To fulfill the promise of monolithic photonic integration and to design useful nanophotonic components, such as those employed in ICPs, we argue that analytical models capturing the underlying physical mechanisms of light-matter interaction are of utmost importance.
The Dynamic Lot Size Model with Stochastic Demands: A Decision Horizon Study

In a multiperiod decision problem it is usually the decisions in the first or first few periods that are of immediate importance to the manager. Decision/Forecast horizon (DH/FH) research deals with the question of whether optimal decisions in the first or first few periods (known as DH) can be made without regards to the data from some future period (known as FH) onwards. In this paper the Dynamic Lot Size Model (DLSM) with stochastic demands is studied. The model has a setup cost and hence does not have a convex cost strvicture usually assumed in the earlier DH/FH research involving stochastic problems. It is shown that in the stochastic DLSM, unlike in the convex cost problems, there are examples without DH/FH. However, randomly generated problems seem universally to have decision horizons. Sufficient conditions for the existence of DH/FH are obtained in terms of salvage functions, in terms of states of the system, and in terms of decision strategies. A comparison of these approaches concludes the paper.
Using Soil Amendments to Increase Bermuda Grass Growth in Soil Contaminated with Hydraulic Fracturing Drilling Fluid

Hydraulic fracturing is the process of injecting solutions at high pressure to break apart rock formations and increase efficiency of natural gas extraction. The solutions are recovered and have been land-applied as a disposal technique. The objective of this greenhouse study was to evaluate the effects of inorganic fertilizer, broiler litter, or Milorganite®, and soil depth interval on the growth of Bermuda grass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers] in soil from a site that had been contaminated with fracturing fluid and was devoid of vegetation. In soil from 0–15 cm depth, initial electrical conductivity (ECe), Na, and Cl levels were 14.5 dS/m, 2994 mg/kg, and 5603 mg/kg, respectively. For the 0–30 cm depth, initial ECe, Na, and Cl levels were 14.1 dS/m, 2550 mg/kg, and 5020 mg/kg, respectively. Bermuda grass was sprigged and harvested after nine weeks. Addition of inorganic fertilizer, broiler litter, or Milorganite® resulted in 290, 241, and 172%, respectively, greater shoot biomass compared to unamended soil...
Antidepressant use during pregnancy

Depression during pregnancy affects 10–20% of pregnant women and can have detrimental effects (short and long term) for the mother, fetus and family. The use of antidepressants during pregnancy has been the subject of much debate. Recent data suggest a possible risk to the fetus with maternal use of antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been associated with congenital malformations, negative pregnancy outcomes, neonatal behavioral symptoms and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Women with depression tend to discontinue their medication when trying to conceive or upon discovering they are pregnant, placing themselves at increased risk of recurrence of their affective illness. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to understand the risks and benefits of antidepressant use during pregnancy in order to appropriately counsel women. The purpose of this article is to review updated information regarding the use of antidepressants during pregnancy.
Partnering with Big Pharma-What Academics Need to Know.

Knowledge of the parameters of drug development can greatly aid academic scientists hoping to partner with pharmaceutical companies. Here, we discuss the three major pillars of drug development—pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity studies—which, in addition to pre-clinical efficacy, are critical for partnering with Big Pharma to produce novel therapeutics.
Monitoring results of neonatal tetanus in Taizhuo in 2009

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of neonatal tetanus(NT) in Taizhou in 2009, and provide scientific basis for the control and prevention of NT.Methods By using Excel software,statistical analysis was performed based on the surveillance data of reporting system of notifiable diseases and NT specific reporting system in Taizhou in 2009.Results A total of 13 NT cases occurred in 2009,incidence was 0.20‰.The majority of cases were shown in Jiaojiang area(4 cases,1 case died);the peak months were from February to July, which accounting for 76.92%(10/13);the ratio of male to female was 2.25:1;All the mothers didn't receive tetanus vaccination,46.15%(6/13)of whom received prenatal examination.All babies were not born in the hospitals, and 92.31%(12/13) were born at home,61.54%(8/13) were delivered by untrained birth attendants.Conclusion Enhancing NT surveillance and education for pregnant women,vaccinating tetanus toxoid,and improving basic health service are effective strategies for controlling NT.
Hypoxic-Preconditioned Bone Marrow Stem Cell Medium Significantly Improves Outcome After Retinal Ischemia in Rats.

Purpose We have previously demonstrated the protective effect of bone marrow stem cell (BMSC)-conditioned medium in retinal ischemic injury. We hypothesized here that hypoxic preconditioning of stem cells significantly enhances the neuroprotective effect of the conditioned medium and thereby augments the protective effect in ischemic retina. Methods Rats were subjected to retinal ischemia by increasing intraocular pressure to 130 to 135 mm Hg for 55 minutes. Hypoxic-preconditioned, hypoxic unconditioned, or normoxic medium was injected into the vitreous 24 hours after ischemia ended. Recovery was assessed 7 days after injections by comparing electroretinography measurements, histologic examination, and apoptosis (TUNEL, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay). To compare proteins secreted into the medium in the groups and the effect of hypoxic exposure, we used rat cytokine arrays. Results Eyes injected with hypoxic BMSC-conditioned medium 24 hours after ischemia demonstrated significantly enhanced return of retinal function, decreased retinal ganglion cell layer loss, and attenuated apoptosis compared to those administered normoxic or hypoxic unconditioned medium. Hypoxic-preconditioned medium had 21 significantly increased protein levels compared to normoxic medium. Conclusions The medium from hypoxic-preconditioned BMSCs robustly restored retinal function and prevented cell loss after ischemia when injected 24 hours after ischemia. The protective effect was even more pronounced than in our previous studies of normoxic conditioned medium. Prosurvival signals triggered by the secretome may play a role in this neuroprotective effect.
Monitoring of a Movable Bridge Mechanical Components for Damage Identification using Artificial Neural Networks

This paper presents a review of the results of a structural health monitoring (SHM) study to track the performance of a gearbox and rack-pinion of an operating movable bridge. These mechanical components are critical parts of bascule type bridges and damage of these components need to be identified and diagnosed, since an early detection of faults may help to avoid major damage to the structure and also avoid unexpected bridge closures. The prediction of the gearbox and rack-pinion fault detection is carried out with arti??cial neural networks (ANN) using the time domain vibration signals. Several statistical parameters are selected as characteristic features of the time-domain vibration signals. Monitoring data is collected during regular opening and closing of the bridge, as well as during artificially induced damage conditions. The results indicate that the vibration monitoring data, with selected statistical parameters and particular network architecture, give good results to predict the undamaged and damaged condition of the bridge.
Revision Surgery for Failed Cervical Spine Reconstruction: Review Article

Background As the number of cervical spine procedures performed continues to increase, the need for revision surgery is also likely to increase. Surgeons need to understand the etiology of post-surgical changes, as well as have a treatment algorithm when evaluating these complex patients.
Exploring Faculty and Staff PA Barriers at a Large University

Introduction: Physical inactivity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Worksites provide an ideal environment for physical activity (PA) interventions. The aim was to use the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to examine university employees’ perceptions of worksite PA barriers and benefits. Methods: A focus group using the NGT and the Health Belief Model was conducted to assess employees’ perceived susceptibility of physical inactivity, perceptions of barriers and benefits to PA, and cues to action. Results: Findings showed university employees experienced similar barriers to PA as employees in other sectors, including lack of time and knowledge. Participants reported unique benefits to being physical active, notably being physically active allowed them to maintain demanding professional and personal lifestyles. Discussion: Results imply university employees experienced benefits to PA consistent with other worksite populations; the surprising benefits of PA for this population are strong motivators and would provide an excellent basis for interventions. Results also indicate although university employees face similar barriers to PA as other worksites, the unique barriers for this worksite should be the focus for worksite programs for this population. Similarly to the benefits, the unique barriers of this population should influence development of interventions to promote PA on campuses.
Effect of Time and Method of Aging on the Composition of the Microflora of Beef Loins and Corresponding Steaks1

Twenty-four cattle were slaughtered at a commercial packing plant. Carcasses were chilled for 72 h at 4°C, and then fabricated into wholesale cuts. Right loins were vacuum packaged and aged for 1, 3 and 5 weeks at 4°C while the left loins were aged conventionally for 1, 2 and 3 weeks at the same temperature. Core samples were removed from both ends of the conventionally and vacuum-aged loins and analyzed using standard microbiological procedures. Isolates from aerobic plates incubated at 35 and 20°C, and from gram-negative enteric plates were used to determine the composition of the aerobic (35 and 20°C) and gram-negative enteric microflora. Loins were cut into 2.54-cm thick steaks, wrapped in oxygen permeable fresh meat wrap and placed at 4°C in a simulated retail meat case. After 1, 3, 6 and 7 d, steaks were evaluated using the same microbiological techniques used for loins. Vacuum packaged loins had lower percentages of pseudomonads than conventionally aged loins after 1 and 3 w of aging. The lactobacilli were higher in vacuum packaged loins than in conventionally aged loins after 3 weeks. The aerobic (35 and 20°C) microflora of the retail cuts generally reflected the flora of the loins from which they were prepared. Enterobacteriaceae tended to be higher in vacuum packaged loins and corresponding steaks, and constituted 34% of the flora of the vacuum packaged loins after 5 weeks of aging.
Desleucyl-Oritavancin with a Damaged d-Ala-d-Ala Binding Site Inhibits the Transpeptidation Step of Cell-Wall Biosynthesis in Whole Cells of Staphylococcus aureus

We have used solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance to characterize the exact nature of the dual mode of action of oritavancin in preventing cell-wall assembly in Staphylococcus aureus. Measurements performed on whole cells labeled selectively in vivo have established that des-N-methylleucyl-N-4-(4-fluorophenyl)benzyl-chloroeremomycin, an Edman degradation product of [19F]oritavancin, which has a damaged d-Ala-d-Ala binding aglycon, is a potent inhibitor of the transpeptidase activity of cell-wall biosynthesis. The desleucyl drug binds to partially cross-linked peptidoglycan by a cleft formed between the drug aglycon and its biphenyl hydrophobic side chain. This type of binding site is present in other oritavancin-like glycopeptides, which suggests that for these drugs a similar transpeptidase inhibition occurs.
The Minorities Affairs Committee of the American Society for Cell Biology-Fostering the Professional Development of Scientists from Underrepresented Minority Backgrounds

As part of its mission, the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) works to increase diversity in the scientific workforce, in part through the work of its Minorities Affairs Committee. It is for this reason that the ASCB was happy to welcome the special September 2016 issue of CBE-Life Sciences Education (LSE) focused on broadening participation. As a response to this special issue, we update our ASCB community and LSE readership on the society's efforts to broaden participation of underrepresented minorities in the biological sciences.
Comparative Petrology of the Montpelier and Roseland Potassic Anorthosites, Virginia

Abstract The Montpelier and Roseland plutons are the southernmost, and among the youngest and smallest, examples of massif anorthosite in North America. They occur in separate lithotectonic terranes, but strong similarities between them suggest common factors in their petrogenesis. Both massifs represent “alkalic anorthosite” dominated by antiperthitic plagioclase that yield reconstituted K-rich compositions averaging ∼An 26 Or 19 and ∼An 29 Or 16 , respectively. Concentrations of Rb (∼10–30 ppm), Sr (∼1100–1300 ppm), and Ba (∼800–1400 ppm) are likewise high in both, and Montpelier is unique in being the only known anorthosite in which Ba levels exceed those of Sr. Montpelier and Roseland are the most potassic of all massif anorthosites on Earth and their feldspar compositions appear unique among plutonic igneous rocks. In addition to such alkalic compositions (and in contrast to most other massif anorthosites), quartz is a common accessory mineral, belying any direct link to undersaturated alkali basalt. Furthermore, compositions of co-occurring plagioclase and pyroxene in Montpelier and Roseland (%An versus %En) lie well off trends defined for basaltic intrusions. Another distinctive feature of Montpelier and Roseland is their Fe,Ti-oxide assemblage of ilmenite + rutile, which contrasts with the ilmenite ± magnetite assemblage typical of most mafic intrusions. This ilmenite + rutile assemblage also contrasts with the widespread occurrence of hemo-ilmenite in similarly young, alkalic anorthosites in the Grenville Province of Quebec ( e.g ., St-Urbain, Labrieville, Château-Richer, Mattawa). Such differences indicate that the Virginia anorthosites crystallized under low f O 2 conditions compared to their Quebec counterparts, despite higher silica activity. We suggest two alternatives for the origin of the compositionally distinct magmas that gave rise to these anorthosites: (1) melting of an atypically alkalic source; or (2) significant contamination of mantle-derived magmas by evolved crust. Regardless of mechanism, the origin of these anorthosites is probably linked to their timing as late- to post-tectonic intrusions, and may be related to orogen-scale extension following crustal thickening.
Die Entwicklungserregung des Seeigeleies ohne Membranbildung

Ich habe schon mehrfach erwahnt, das, wenn man Seeigeleier, die mehr als einen Tag im Seewasser bei Zimmertemperatur gewesen sind, durch Samen befruchtet, die Bildung der Befruchtungsmembran unterbleiben kann, das aber die Eier sich dennoch entwickeln. Warum diese Eier sich so abweichend verhalten, last sich nicht bestimmt sagen; es hangt wohl damit zusammen, das auch im unbefruchteten Ei chemisehe Anderungen stattfinden, und das dieselben in ein bis zwei Tagen imstande sind, die Bildung der Membran anscheinend aufzuheben oder stark zu hemmen. Ehe es namlich zum scheinbaren Verlust der Fahigkeit kommt, eine Membran zu bilden, beobachtet man ein Stadium, in welchem zwar eine Membran beim Eindringen des Spermatozoons gebildet wird, in welchem diese Membran jedoch dem Ei relativ dicht anliegt.
TFAM is required for maturation of the fetal and adult intestinal epithelium

Abstract During development, the embryo transitions from a metabolism favoring glycolysis to a metabolism favoring mitochondrial respiration. How metabolic shifts regulate developmental processes, or how developmental processes regulate metabolic shifts, remains unclear. To test the requirement of mitochondrial function in developing endoderm-derived tissues, we genetically inactivated the mitochondrial transcription factor, Tfam, using the Shh-Cre driver. Tfam mutants did not survive postnatally, exhibiting defects in lung development. In the developing intestine, TFAM-loss was tolerated until late fetal development, during which the process of villus elongation was compromised. While progenitor cell populations appeared unperturbed, markers of enterocyte maturation were diminished and villi were blunted. Loss of TFAM was also tested in the adult intestinal epithelium, where enterocyte maturation was similarly dependent upon the mitochondrial transcription factor. While progenitor cells in the transit amplifying zone of the adult intestine remained proliferative, intestinal stem cell renewal was dependent upon TFAM, as indicated by molecular profiling and intestinal organoid formation assays. Taken together, these studies point to critical roles for the mitochondrial regulator TFAM for multiple aspects of intestinal development and maturation, and highlight the importance of mitochondrial regulators in tissue development and homeostasis.
Self Organizing Control of pH in a Stirred Tank Reactor

Abstract To-date, most of the useful work on the self organizing controller (SOC) has been done on simulated processes. To test it in a real environment, its application to controlling pH in a stirred tank reactor is tried here. Due to extreme nonlinearity of the pH process, the basic design of SOC did not result in adequate controller response. Therefore, an alternative approach utilizing preselected scaling factors but appropriately choosing performance rules is examined. It is found that the decision table resulting from a non-adaptive fuzzy controller serves as a good choice for the performance table for the SOC. Under both servo and regulator type control situations, the SOC provided impressive pH response. It is concluded that this simple self learning controller methodology deserves attention. It can be suitable for many difficult to model metallurgical processes.
In vivo Analysis of Convergent Cell Movements in The Germ Ring of Fundulus

Carbon marking shows that the cells of the germ ring (GR) converge toward and enter the embryonic shield (ES). Interestingly, marks closer to the ES move faster. Cells lateral to the ES (in the prospective proximal yolk sac) also move into the ES.
USA: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

CT-based dosimetry for every high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy fraction was initiated at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in 2004. Normal organ point doses based on films often unreliably define doses to normal tissues, especially the circuitous sigmoid. Additionally, organs are deformed differently by each HDR insertion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the time of fraction 1 was also initiated in 2004, since even though normal organ dose–volume relationships can be well-defined with computed tomography (CT), the tumor dose–volume relationships could not be due to poor soft tissue resolution. The Gyn GEC ESTRO Guidelines defined MRI-based targets and relevant dose specifications [1, 2]. The logistical and financial challenges of MRI with each HDR fraction made this impossible at MCW until 2008 when a 3-T MR unit was installed. We will describe CT-based planning for each of 5 HDR fractions and MRI-based planning for fraction 1.
Preprocessing Sequence Coverage Data for More Precise Detection of Copy Number Variations

Copy number variation (CNV) is a type of genomic/genetic variation that plays an important role in phenotypic diversity, evolution, and disease susceptibility. Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have created an opportunity for more accurate detection of CNVs with higher resolution. However, efficient and precise detection of CNVs remains challenging due to high levels of noise and biases, data heterogeneity, and the “big data” nature of NGS data. Sequence coverage (readcount) data are mostly used for detecting CNVs, specially for whole exome sequencing data. Readcount data are contaminated with several types of biases and noise that hinder accurate detection of CNVs. In this work, we introduce a novel preprocessing pipeline for reducing noise and biases to improve the detection accuracy of CNVs in heterogeneous NGS data, such as cancer whole exome sequencing data. We have employed several normalization methods to reduce readcount's biases that are due to GC content of reads, read alignment problems, and sample impurity. We have also developed a novel efficient and effective smoothing approach based on Taut String to reduce noise and increase CNV detection power. Using simulated and real data we showed that employing the proposed preprocessing pipeline significantly improves the accuracy of CNV detection.
Material Parameters and EMC Simulations

Agenda ► Maxwell's equations and material parameters ► Frequency dependence and causality ► Modeling conductors, skin effect and surface roughness ► Modeling multi-layer composites ► Extracting and applying equivalent material properties ► Validation study ► Summary
Small Molecules and Pancreatic Cancer Trials and Troubles

Abstract The American Cancer Society estimated that around 44,000 people will die of pancreatic cancer (PC). Resistance to chemotherapy drugs may be caused by various reasons such as inactivation of the drug, modification in the target molecule, drug efflux, reversal of induced DNA damage, inhibition of cell death, metastasis through an epithelial-mesenchymal mechanism, and epigenetics. New studies have examined multitargeted cancer treatments, suppressing tumor hypoxia, and inhibiting stroma-derived insulin-like growth factors, just to name a few. In novel cancer therapeutics, small-molecule inhibitors interrupt certain protein pathways, and this can lead to decreased cancer cell development and proliferation. Small molecules are used to inhibit heat shock proteins such as HSP90 in pancreatic cancer. This leads to downregulation of oncogenes, followed by PC cell apoptosis and decreased PC cell proliferation. Currently, clinical trials using HSP90 inhibitors include luminespib, tanespimycin, XL888 + pembrolizumab, and more combination treatments.
I Want a Bowlegged Woman: The Greatest Hits, 1945-1955

The 2018 Christmas season witnessed a moralistic skirmish over the lyrical content of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” This brouhaha even made front-page news in The New York Times (Fortin). Championing ...
Rethinking Management Education: Integrating Spiritual Values into Education as Envisaged by Swami Vivekananda

In the present era of globalization, Indian management education is realigning itself with global trends, striving for academic excellence to achieve a spiritual vision of life. The gruelling atmosphere of the academics coupled with fading relationships among faculties and students specifies that educators crave for both significance and sense of community at the workplace. There is an urgent need to rethink management education system in India that comprises teaching professionals who instil interconnectedness, empathy and compassion among students and cultivate meaningful relationships with peers at the academic workplace. In the present chapter, I have borrowed lessons from the work of Swami Vivekananda, who believed that education is the way by which lack of knowledge is replaced by intelligence and spiritual wisdom.
Complete Sequence and Annotation of the Mycoplasma phocicerebrale Strain 1049T Genome.

ABSTRACT The Mycoplasma phocicerebrale genome was analyzed to better understand this opportunistic pathogen. Amplification with ϕ29 polymerase was used to generate enough genomic DNA for large-insert library construction. Like other mycoplasmas from seals, M. phocicerebrale encodes an immunosuppressor that may predispose susceptibility to infection or influence intercurrent diseases of affected hosts.
The Drosophila HP1 family is associated with active gene expression across chromatin contexts

Drosophila Heterochromatin Protein 1a (HP1a) is essential for heterochromatin formation and is involved in transcriptional silencing. However, certain loci require HP1a to be transcribed properly. One model posits that HP1a acts as a transcriptional silencer within euchromatin while acting as an activator within heterochromatin. However, HP1a has been observed as an activator of a set of euchromatic genes. Therefore, it is not clear whether, or how, chromatin context informs the function of HP1 proteins. To understand the role of HP1 proteins in transcription, we examined the genome-wide binding profile of HP1a as well as two other Drosophila HP1 family members, HP1B and HP1C, to determine whether coordinated binding of these proteins is associated with specific transcriptional outcomes. We found that HP1 proteins share a majority of their endogenous binding targets. These genes are marked by active histone modifications and are expressed at higher levels than non-target genes in both heterochromatin and euchromatin. In addition, HP1 binding targets displayed increased RNA polymerase pausing compared to non-target genes. Specifically, co-localization of HP1B and HP1C was associated with the highest levels of polymerase pausing and gene expression. Analysis of HP1 null mutants suggests these proteins coordinate activity at transcription start sites (TSSs) to regulate transcription. Depletion of HP1B or HP1C alters expression of protein-coding genes bound by HP1 family members. Our data broadens understanding of the mechanism of transcriptional activation by HP1a and highlights the need to consider particular protein-protein interactions, rather than broader chromatin context, to predict impacts of HP1 at TSSs.
Routine use of videolaryngoscopy in neonatal unit

Videolaryngoscopy (VL) for intubation has been well studied in adults,1 but relatively less explored in neonates. A recent Cochrane review2 in neonates suggested possible role for VL in training. With increasing use of non-invasive ventilation, there is a need to ensure that less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) is performed to a high standard to ensure correct delivery of surfactant while allowing trainees to learn. We introduced Storz C-MAC VL, with size 0 and 1 Miller blades for all LISAs and elective intubations in NICU to study feasibility and success of the procedures, along with effectiveness in improving operators’ confidence. All LISAs and elective intubations were performed using VL following unit guidelines. All operators were taught to use VL screen view and trained using simulation. Senior doctors …
Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint in an unvaccinated adolescent

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare condition, particularly in the paediatric population. Our case involves a 15-year-old unvaccinated Amish man with acute pain and trismus of the TMJ. The diagnosis was reached after history, clinical examination, radiographic and laboratory examinations were performed. The patient improved after a minimally invasive surgical procedure and medical therapy. Failure to recognise and treat septic arthritis in a timely fashion can result in serious sequalae. Infectious aetiologies should be kept on the differential for any patient with acute TMJ pain.
Leveraging machine learning and automation to make synthetic biology predictable

Biology has changed radically in the last two decades, transitioning from a descriptive science into a design science. Synthetic biology leverages engineering approaches to produce biological systems to a given specification (e.g. produce x grams of a medical drug or invade this type of cancer cell). In this effort, new tools are now available that promise to disrupt this field: from CRISPR-enabled genetic editing, to high-throughput omics phenotyping, and exponentially growing DNA synthesis capabilities. However, our inability to predict the behavior of bioengineered systems hampers synthetic biology from reaching its full potential. We will show how the combination of machine learning and automation enables the creation of a predictive synthetic biology for the benefit of society.
Cystine transporter SLC7A11/xCT in cancer: ferroptosis, nutrient dependency, and cancer therapy

The cystine/glutamate antiporter SLC7A11 (also commonly known as xCT) functions to import cystine for glutathione biosynthesis and antioxidant defense and is overexpressed in multiple human cancers. Recent studies revealed that SLC7A11 overexpression promotes tumor growth partly through suppressing ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death induced by excessive lipid peroxidation. However, cancer cells with high expression of SLC7A11 (SLC7A11high) also have to endure the significant cost associated with SLC7A11-mediated metabolic reprogramming, leading to glucose- and glutamine-dependency in SLC7A11high cancer cells, which presents potential metabolic vulnerabilities for therapeutic targeting in SLC7A11high cancer. In this review, we summarize diverse regulatory mechanisms of SLC7A11 in cancer, discuss ferroptosis-dependent and -independent functions of SLC7A11 in promoting tumor development, explore the mechanistic basis of SLC7A11-induced nutrient dependency in cancer cells, and conceptualize therapeutic strategies to target SLC7A11 in cancer treatment. This review will provide the foundation for further understanding SLC7A11 in ferroptosis, nutrient dependency, and tumor biology and for developing novel effective cancer therapies.
Concave renewal functions do not imply DFR interrenewal times

Brown (1980), (1981) proved that the renewal function is concave if the interrenewal distribution is DFR (decreasing failure rate), and conjectured the converse. This note settles Brown's conjecture with a class of counterexamples. We also give a short proof of Shanthikumar's (1988) result that the DFR property is closed under geometric compounding.
Classroom Based Intensive Toilet Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an intensive toilet training program on continence and self-initiation for elementary children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Researchers used a non-concurrent multiple baseline design (Watson and Workman in J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 12:257-259, 1981, https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(81)90055-0 ) with regulated randomization (Koehler and Levin in Psychol Methods 3(2):206, 1998, https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.3.2.206 ) to evaluate the effects of the intensive protocol with four students with ASD in the classroom where they received special education services. The protocol included increased access to fluids, contingent time intervals for sit schedules, programmed reinforcement, and dry checks. All four participants met mastery criteria and maintained independent toileting after the study's completion. Three participants began self-initiating to use the restroom. The implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Neural network architecture search with AMBER

Deep learning applied to genomics can learn patterns in biological sequences, but designing such models requires expertise and effort. Recent work demonstrates the efficiency of a neural network architecture search algorithm in optimizing genomic models.
The Information and Liquidity Effects of Mutual Fund Flows: Evidence From International Spillovers

We decompose mutual fund flow–driven price pressure into liquidity and information components by measuring the extent to which mutual fund flow-driven trading spills over from the United States (US) to 44 international markets. Our procedure shows that liquidity barriers are greater than information barriers between markets, in that non-US stock returns are more strongly associated with US stock returns than with US-based mutual fund price pressure. By using suitably flow-adjusted non-US returns of cross-listed stocks as instruments for US stock returns in the absence of mutual fund price pressure, our procedure shows that mutual fund flow-driven price pressure varies considerably across different markets, stocks, funds, and types of flows. A simple characterization of some mutual fund flows as “fire sales” fails to capture many sources of variation in the relative proportion of information and liquidity components of fund flows.
A Brexanolone Treatment Program at an Academic Medical Center: Patient Selection, 90-Day Posttreatment Outcomes, and Lessons Learned

Background Brexanolone (Zulresso) is the first Federal Drug Administration–approved drug for the treatment of postpartum depression. Brexanolone is a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor and is given over 60 hours by infusion in a medical setting. This drug has been shown to be effective at significantly reducing Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores at 60 hours and 30 days after infusion; however, data beyond 30 days have not yet been available. There have been limited clinical programs able to offer brexanolone owing to the complexity of setting up this treatment in a medical setting. Purpose This study sought to obtain follow-up data from 16 patients who received a brexanolone infusion at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC, between October 2019 and December 2020 and were beyond the 30-day postinfusion time point. We describe the methods used to successfully implement this treatment program in an academic medical center and discuss associated challenges and lessons learned with patient selection and process improvements. Methods Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores were collected before and after infusion from 16 patients who received a brexanolone infusion at UNC. Patients were subsequently contacted for a follow-up interview to obtain Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores and complete a semistructured interview at least 30 days past treatment end (between 3 and 16 months after infusion). Results All 16 patients had a significant reduction in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores at 60 hours, scores dropping on average from 23.9 (standard deviation = 2.6) to 7.6 (standard deviation = 2.9). Eleven of 16 patients consented to provide follow-up data. Follow-up Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores remained lower than postinfusion at an average of 6.7 points (standard deviation = 5.1). Conclusion With a strategic cross-disciplinary approach, a Clinical Brexanolone Treatment Program was established at UNC Hospitals in 2019. Sixteen patients have been treated in the program, and 11 participated in a follow-up interview. All 11 patients gave very positive feedback about their treatment. Our program has found brexanolone to be a useful clinical tool in treating women with significant symptoms of postpartum depression.
Preventative pest management in field crops influences the biological control potential of epigeal arthropods and soil-borne entomopathogenic fungi

Abstract Field crop growers in the United States have adopted prophylactic pest management strategies to control sporadic crop pests that are spatially and temporally difficult to predict. While evidence shows these preventative management practices, specifically pesticidal seed treatments, can be important in regions with predictable pest pressures, employing them ubiquitously in field crops across the northeastern U.S. can have variable returns on productivity. Further, prophylactics may also limit the potential of integrated pest management (IPM). A three-year field experiment (2017–2019) was conducted in a maize-soybean cropping system to compare the influence of a preventative pest management practice and a scouting-based IPM practice on biological control organisms. Aboveground predator densities were measured via pitfall trapping and predation temporal dynamics were assessed using a standard sentinel-bait assay at two time points per year. Belowground biological control potential was determined using a sentinel-bait bioassay to quantify the abundance of soil-borne entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). The variable responses of beneficial communities to pesticide inputs were strongly influenced by season and time of application, underscoring the importance of applying pesticides only when necessary. Compared with no pesticide use, pesticidal seed treatments and foliar sprays together in a maize-soybean production system suppressed total predator activity-density, spider activity-density, predation, and infection potential of soil-borne entomopathogenic fungi in one out of three years of the field study. In the third year, the activity-density of spiders increased across all fields in preventative plots that included seed treatments only. Overall, the use of pesticides did not improve crop yield in either maize or soybean. These findings highlight that the use of a prophylactic pesticide program may not always be necessary for maximum crop productivity and that this management approach can occasionally have unintended negative consequences on above- and belowground soil biota and the ecosystem services they provide.
Flexible Staffing Practices, Unit-level Turnover, and Performance Recovery During COVID-19

This study examines how flexible staffing practices, often adopted to help organizations weather difficult times, can affect organizational performance restoration in the context of an environmenta...
Using spatial gradient analysis to clarify species distributions with application to South African protea

Typical ecological gradient analyses consider variation in the response of plants along a gradient of covariate values, but generally constrain themselves to predetermined response curves and ignore spatial autocorrelation. In this paper, we develop a formal spatial gradient analysis. We adopt the mathematical definition of gradients as directional rates of change with regard to a spatial surface. We view both the response and the covariate as spatial surfaces over a region of interest with respective gradient behavior. The gradient analysis we propose enables local comparison of these gradients. At any spatial location, we compare the behavior of the response surface with the behavior of the covariate surface to provide a novel form of sensitivity analysis. More precisely, we first fit a joint hierarchical Bayesian spatial model for a response variable and an environmental covariate. Then, after model fitting, at a given location, for each variable, we can obtain the posterior distribution of the derivative in any direction. We use these distributions to compute spatial sensitivities and angular discrepancies enabling a more detailed picture of the spatial nature of the response–covariate relationship. This methodology is illustrated using species presence probability as a response to elevation for two species of South African protea. We also offer a comparison with sensitivity analysis using geographically weighted regression. We show that the spatial gradient analysis allows for more extensive inference and provides a much richer description of the spatially varying relationships.
Antler Tine Scraper Handles in the Central Plains

In the perspectives of archaeology, it is evident that the widespread antler-handled fleshing adz used by most historic Plains Indian tribes was preceded in the region by other types of hafted skin...
Development of an Innovative Space Boom

presents the development of a new type of ultra-lightweight space boom, called the self-deployable Spring Strip Boom or simply the S cubed boom. It describes the fundamental design concept and several variations of design configurations. Test results of proof of concept models are discussed and compared with results obtained by analytical simultations.
Conformation of cytochromes: IV. Conformational homology of functionally homologous cytochromes c

Abstract The conformational homology of functionally homologous cytochromes c from horse, beef, tuna, turkey, pigeon and moth has been investigated by comparison of the circular dichroism (CD) spectra of each preparation in both oxidation states of iron and in the wavelength region 600-185 mμ at pH 6.8. In the oxidized state all preparations exhibit similar dichroic features with only small variations in the relative magnitudes of various extrema, except for the aromatic circular dichroism curve for tuna cytochrome c . The preparations in the reduced state of iron also exhibit comparable dichroic spectra, both in the region of the Soret transition and the intrinsic absorption region. The CD patterns for the reduced cytochromes in the α-β absorption region, however, exhibit deviations suggestive of small but distinct differences in the electronic asymmetry of the prosthetic groups, especially of the porphyrin moiety, possibly because of differences in the electronically coupled chromophores. A gross conformational homology among various mammalian-type cytochromes c has, therefore, been suggested. The dichroic differences in the case of tuna cytochrome c have been imputed to be a reflection of an unusually asymmetric environment of the residue at position 33 of the polypeptide chain. The intrinsic CD curves above 200 mμ for all the preparations in both valence states of heme iron exhibit features characteristic of the presence of α-helical structures in the molecule. Below 200 mμ, however, the dichroic curves exhibit a single positive maximum at about 194 mμ and a definite minimum at 190 mμ. The former feature is usually associated with systems containing β-structure. The presence of a minimum at about 190 mμ, when taken in conjunction with the characterizing features for α-helical models (a large positive maximum at this wavelength), indicates the absence of α-helically organized structure in the molecule. An analysis of the conformation of the protein moiety in terms of proportions of reference model conformations (α-helix, β-structure and random coil) and based on the recently developed isodichroic method 24 confirms the low α-helical content of various cytochromes and further demonstrates the gross polypeptide conformational homology for various functionally homologous preparations.
Valuation of Continuous and Intermittent Phragmites Control

Quantifying the relative value ofPhragmites australis andSpartina alterniflora habitat is important to evaluate the benefits and risks of different attempts to addressPhragmites expansion on the U.S. eastern seaboard. Two contrasting approaches commonly used to restore tidal marsh habitats invaded byPhragmites communities involve sprayingPhragmites with herbicide only when its coverage of a particular marsh area is near or close to 100%. Alternatively, after the first application, herbicide is annually applied on any surviving patches ofPhragmites present in a mosaic of other marsh vegetation. A model is introduced to evaluate the relative habitat value of these control regimes, here termed the Intermittent and Continuous. Compared to the Intermittent approach, the area of herbicide application in the Continuous approach is higher in the first 6 yr, but lower the reafter. The cumulative gain in habitat quality after 20 yr in either approach is sensitive to the presumed relative values ofPhragmites versusSpartina habitat, and may even be negative if they are nearly equal. Annual applications of herbicide to patches ofPhragmites appears to generate more habitat value and with less herbicide than occasional applications whenPhragmites cover is at is maximum.