cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Midgut exopeptidase activities in Aedes aegypti are induced by blood feeding

Midgut extracts from Aedes aegypti females exhibited hydrolytic activities against synthetic substrates for carboxypeptidase A, carboxyopeptidase B and leucine-aminopeptidase. The three activities showed a broad pH optimum, with maximum activities at pH between 6.5 and 8.5. Enzymatic activities were further characterized by testing the effects of a variety of protease inhibitors. Captopril and 1-10-phenantroline inhibited the activities of carboxypeptidases A and B, while leuhistin, amastatin and bestatin inhibited aminopeptidase activity. Exopeptidase activities were induced by a blood meal and the highest activities were found during the peak of trypsin activity, about 20–24 h after feeding. An amino acid meal failed to induce significant increases in any of the three exopeptidase activities. The amounts of exopeptidase activities induced were proportional to the protein concentration of the meal. The addition of soy-trypsin inhibitor to the protein meal blocked the post-feeding induction of exopeptidases. The features of the induction of synthesis of the three exopeptidase activities resembled the induction of synthesis of late trypsin during the second phase of digestion.  2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Environmental tolerance of an invasive riparian tree and its potential for continued spread in the southwestern US

Questions: Exotic plant invasion may be aided by facilitation and broad tolerance of environmental conditions, yet these processes are poorly understood in species-rich ecosystems such as riparian zones. In the southwestern United States (US) two plant species have invaded riparian zones: tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima, T. chinensis, and their hybrids) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). We addressed the following questions: (1) is Russian olive able to tolerate drier and shadier conditions than cottonwood and tamarisk? (2) Can tamarisk and cottonwood facilitate Russian olive invasion? Location: Arid riparian zones, southwestern US. Methods: We analyzed riparian tree seedling requirements in a controlled experiment, performed empirical field studies, and analyzed stable oxygen isotopes to determine the water sources used by Russian olive. Results: Russian olive survival was significantly higher in dense shade and low moisture conditions than tamarisk and cottonwood. Field observations indicated Russian olive established where flooding cannot occur, and under dense canopies of tamarisk, cottonwood, and Russian olive. Tamarisk and native riparian plant species seedlings cannot establish in these dry, shaded habitats. Russian olive can rely on upper soil water until 15 years of age, before utilizing groundwater. Conclusions: We demonstrate that even though there is little evidence of facilitation by cottonwood and tamarisk, Russian olive is able to tolerate dense shade and low moisture conditions better than tamarisk and cottonwood. There is great potential for continued spread of Russian olive throughout the southwestern US because large areas of suitable habitat exist that are not yet inhabited by this species.
The use of digital manipulatives in k-12: robotics, GPS/GIS and programming

Faculty from 4-H Youth Development, Biosystems Engineering, and Education have collaborated to develop and implement an innovative robotics and geospatial technologies program, delivered in an informal learning setting of 4-H clubs and afterschool programs. Aimed at middle school youth, the program uses robotics and global positioning system (GPS) receivers and geographic information system (GIS) software to provide hands-on, self-directed learning experiences that promote personalized comprehension of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts through experimentation. The goals of the program are to prepare youth for the 21st Century workplace by providing them opportunities to learn STEM concepts and foster positive attitudes about STEM. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the project has undergone extensive research and evaluation over the three years of the project. Results have focused on the project's impact on: a) youth learning of computer programming, mathematics, geospatial concepts, and engineering/robotics concepts and b) youth attitudes and motivation towards science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In contrast to the preponderance of research on educational robotics relying on anecdotal and descriptive strategies, this research uses empirical, quantitative methods involving the use of comparison groups and pre-post analyses.
Specific Nucleoporin Requirement for Smad Nuclear Translocation

Cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation of Smad is a fundamental step in transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signal transduction. Here we identify a subset of nucleoporins that, in conjunction with Msk (Drosophila Imp7/8), specifically mediate activation-induced nuclear translocation of MAD (Drosophila Smad1) but not the constitutive import of proteins harboring a classic nuclear localization signal (cNLS) or the spontaneous nuclear import of Medea (Drosophila Smad4). Surprisingly, many of these nucleoporins, including Sec13, Nup75, Nup93, and Nup205, are scaffold nucleoporins considered important for the overall integrity of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) but not known to have cargo-specific functions. We demonstrate that the roles of these nucleoporins in supporting Smad nuclear import are separate from their previously assigned functions in NPC assembly. Furthermore, we uncovered novel pathway-specific functions of Sec13 and Nup93; both Sec13 and Nup93 are able to preferentially interact with the phosphorylated/activated form of MAD, and Nup93 acts to recruit the importin Msk to the nuclear periphery. These findings, together with the observation that Sec13 and Nup93 could interact directly with Msk, suggest their direct involvement in the nuclear import of MAD. Thus, we have delineated the nucleoporin requirement of MAD nuclear import, reflecting a unique trans-NPC mechanism.
Design-Grounded Assessment: A Framework and a Case Study of Web 2.0 Practices in Higher Education

This paper synthesises three theoretical perspectives, including sociocultural theory, distributed cognition, and situated cognition, into a framework to guide the design and assessment of Web 2.0 practices in higher education. In addition, this paper presents a case study of Web 2.0 practices. Thirty-seven online graduate students participated in a small-group collaborative concept mapping activity using Web 2.0 applications (e.g. Webspiration ) to construct sophisticated understanding of instructional design processes. The analysis of this case focuses on different assessment strategies adopted to ensure students' successful participation in such technology-rich collaborative context. This case study concludes that a shared goal needs to be in place to establish a purpose of collaboration. The collaborative nature of learning afforded by Web 2.0 applications needs to be acknowledged through the award of grades. That is, both the processes and products of collaborative knowledge construction need to be assessed and formally graded at individual and group levels. This paper also suggests several potential assessment strategies that may enhance smoother Web 2.0 practices, and discusses some possible challenges associated with those strategies.
Preconception Care Between Pregnancies: The Content of Internatal Care

For more than two decades, prenatal care has been a cornerstone of our nation’s strategy for improving pregnancy outcomes. In recent years, however, a growing recognition of the limits of prenatal care and the importance of maternal health before pregnancy has drawn increasing attention to preconception and internatal care. Internatal care refers to a package of healthcare and ancillary services provided to a woman and her family from the birth of one child to the birth of her next child. For healthy mothers, internatal care offers an opportunity for wellness promotion between pregnancies. For high-risk mothers, internatal care provides strategies for risk reduction before their next pregnancy. In this paper we begin to define the contents of internatal care. The core components of internatal care consist of risk assessment, health promotion, clinical and psychosocial interventions. We identified several priority areas, such as FINDS (family violence, infections, nutrition, depression, and stress) for risk assessment or BBEEFF (breastfeeding, back-to-sleep, exercise, exposures, family planning and folate) for health promotion. Women with chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or weight problems should receive on-going care per clinical guidelines for their evaluation, treatment, and follow-up during the internatal period. For women with prior adverse outcomes such as preterm delivery, we propose an internatal care model based on known etiologic pathways, with the goal of preventing recurrence by addressing these biobehavioral pathways prior to the next pregnancy. We suggest enhancing service integration for women and families, including possibly care coordination and home visitation for selected high-risk women. The primary aim of this paper is to start a dialogue on the content of internatal care.
Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Piperonyl Butoxide and Permethrin on 36-Month Neurodevelopment

Recent pesticide-monitoring results suggest that a shift in residential pesticide exposure from organophosphorus insecticides to py- rethroid insecticides has occurred. Pyrethroid insecticides are potential neurodevelopmental toxicants and have not been evaluated for develop- mental toxicity. Our objective was to explore the association between pre- natal exposure to permethrin (a common pyrethroid) and piperonyl butox- ide (a pyrethroid synergist) and 36-month neurodevelopment. METHODS: Participants is this study were part of a prospective cohort of black and Dominican mothers and newborns living in low-income neighborhoods in New York City. We examined 36-month cognitive and motor development (using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, second edition) as a function of permethrin levels measured in mater- nal and umbilical cord plasma collected on delivery and permethrin and piperonyl butoxide levels in personal air collected during preg- nancy. All models were controlled for gender, gestational age, ethnic- ity, maternal education, maternal intelligence, quality of the home en- vironment, and prenatal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and chlorpyrifos. RESULTS: Prenatal exposure to permethrin in personal air and/or plasma was not associated with performance scores for the Bayley Mental Developmental Index or the Psychomotor Developmental Index. After data adjustment, children more highly exposed to piperonyl bu- toxide in personal air samples (4.34 ng/m 3 ) scored 3.9 points lower on the Mental Developmental Index than those with lower exposures (95% confidence interval: 0.25 to 7.49). CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to piperonyl butoxide was nega- tively associated with 36-month neurodevelopment. Pediatrics 2011; 127:e000
New opportunities for load balancing in network-wide intrusion detection systems

As traffic volumes and the types of analysis grow, network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) face a continuous scaling challenge. Management realities, however, limit NIDS hardware upgrades to occur typically once every 3-5 years. Given that traffic patterns can change dramatically, this leaves a significant scaling challenge in the interim. This motivates the need for practical solutions that can help administrators better utilize and augment their existing NIDS infrastructure. To this end, we design a general architecture for network-wide NIDS deployment that leverages three scaling opportunities: on-path distribution to split responsibilities, replicating traffic to NIDS clusters, and aggregating intermediate results to split expensive NIDS processing. The challenge here is to balance both the compute load across the network and the total communication cost incurred via replication and aggregation. We implement a backwards-compatible mechanism to enable existing NIDS infrastructure to leverage these benefits. Using emulated and trace-driven evaluations on several real-world network topologies, we show that our proposal can substantially reduce the maximum computation load, provide better resilience under traffic variability, and offer improved detection coverage.
Interoperating Learning Mechanisms in a Cognitive Architecture

People acquire new knowledge in various ways and this helps them to adapt to changing environment properly. In this paper, we investigatethe interoperation of multiple learning mechanisms within a single system. We extend a cognitive architecture, ICARUS, to have three different modes of learning. Through experiments in a modified Blocks World and a route generation domain, we test and demonstrate the system's ability to get synergistic effects from these learning mechanisms.
Edward Blyden: apostle of Blackness

(1970). Edward Blyden: apostle of Blackness. The Black Scholar: Vol. 2, The Black Church, pp. 2-12.
Adaptive Interaction of Persistent Robots to User Temporal Preferences

We look at the problem of enabling a mobile service robot to autonomously adapt to user preferences over repeated interactions in a long-term time frame, where the user provides feedback on every interaction in the form of a rating. We assume that the robot has a discrete and finite set of interaction options from which it has to choose one at every encounter with a given user. We first present three models of users which span the spectrum of possible preference profiles and their dynamics, incorporating aspects such as boredom and taste for change or surprise. Second, given the model to which the user belongs to, we present a learning algorithm which is able to successfully learn the model parameters. We show the applicability of our framework to personalizing light animations on our mobile service robot, CoBot.
COMPARISON OF THE SURVIVAL OF THREE SPECIES OF SAC SPIDERS ON NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL DIETS

Three species of sac spiders were reared under laboratory conditions to investigate their survival and development. First, the effects of three artificial diets, milk 1 egg yolk, soybean liquid, and a combination of them, on the survival and development of Hibana velox were evaluated. Results over a 10 wk rearing period showed that the percentages of survival of H. velox reared on soybean liquid and combination diets did not differ significantly. However, the survival of H. velox on the milk 1 egg yolk diet was significantly lower than on the other two artificial diets. More molts and instars occurred in spiders raised on milk 1 egg yolk and on the combination diet than on the soybean liquid diet. Second, the development and percent survival of three sac spiders (Chiracanthium inclusum , H. velox, and Trach- elas volutus) on artificial diet (i.e., the combination diet) and natural diets (i.e., citrus leafminer larvae and Drosophila adults) were compared. The three sac spiders developed into the adult stage on the combination diet. Similarly, all three sac spiders reared on Drosophila adults were able to develop to the adult stage. Chiracanthium inclusum and T. volutus reared on citrus leafminer larvae developed to the adult stage, whereas H. velox did not. Females of these three species that matured using combination diet and were fertilized in captivity produced 1-3 egg masses. Oviposition took place 2-7 days after mating. Chiracanthium inclusumhad an average of 57 eggs per egg mass, whereas H. velox and T. volutus had an average of 110 and 56 eggs per egg mass, respectively.
The Symbolism of the Federal Rules of Evidence — The Created, the Fallen, and the Redeemed

The Federal Rules of Evidence, taken as a whole, represent an ethical system — not just norms, values, or cultural constructs but a genuine way of comprehending the world consistent with our best understanding of how it would, if not constrained, truly operate. Underlying each rule are assumptions about the nature and dispositions of lawyers, clients, witnesses, jurors, and judges, as well as the nature of evidence itself. Those assumptions symbolize what the Rules’ promulgators understand to be the imperatives of justice in a system peopled by the created, the fallen, and the redeemed. Citing each of the 67 Federal Rules of Evidence, this Article explores the Rules’ symbolism as a way of synthesizing them while revealing and evaluating our foundational common understandings about those whom they govern.
SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF MOUSE SUBMAXILLARY GLANDS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO NERVE GROWTH STIMULATING PROTEIN.

SummaryA protein obtained from the mouse submaxillary gland, which enhances the growth of sympathetic and spinal ganglia and their processes, is 4-30 times more concentrated in the male than in the female sub-maxillary gland, an organ which shows a sexual dimorphism in histological appearance and in several physiological differences. The masculinization of the gland which occurs during pregnancy and lactation, as a result of increased androgen secretion during that time, has been shown to be correlated to a logarithmic increase in concentration of nerve growth protein, to the point where it may equal that of the male. It is suggested that this increase may serve the function of aiding the development of parts of the nervous system of the suckling mouse.
SELECTION FOR SEROTINY IN LODGEPOLE PINE: MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MODEL OF PERRY AND LOTAN.

This paper provides an approximate treatment of stochastic selection in a population undergoing partial self fertilization. The study was stimulated by the work of Perry and Lotan (1979) on the serotiny polymorphism in natural stands of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia). Models of selection with partial self fertilization are not easy to deal with even in the case of deterministic selection. With no selection and a proportion of self fertilization per generation equal to, say, a, the inbreeding coefficient, f, goes to the limit f= a!(2 a) (cf. Crow and Kimura, 1970, equation 3.8.18). With overdominant alleles in which the fitnesses of AA, Aa, and aa genotypes are constant and equal to 1 sI, 1, and 1 S, respectively, Kimura (1957) has shown that, at equilibrium,
The Value of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis and Classification of Appendicitis in Children

Objective To investigate the ultrasonographic value in the diagnosis and classification of appendicitis in children.Methods 174 children patients suspected as simple appendicitis were examined and diagnosed as appendicitis by ultrasound , then the characteristics of ultrasonography were analyzed ,classified and compared with surgical and pathological results.Results 167 cases in 174 were diagnosed and 5 cases were suspected asappendicitis by ultrasound, compared with surgical and pathological results, the accuracy rate of ultrasonographic diagnosis was 99.4%,and the preciserate of ultrasonographic classification was 93.6%.Conclusion Ultrasonography is of high value for diagnosis and classification of appendicitis in children.
Direct Synthesis of Nanostructured in Situ Hybrid Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposite

Microstructural and analytical investigations have been used to describe the competing mechanisms of aluminothermic and borothermal reduction of titanium oxide in the presence of molten aluminum and boron. This study indicates that the reaction proceeds through complex nonequilibrium reactions. A multistage reaction model is proposed to describe the process by which the TiO2 surface is reduced to form Al2O3 and TiB2. Al2O3 and TiB2 are formed by a series of aluminothermic and borothermic reactions. To investigate the proposed surface-controlled reaction model, the effects of powder particle size on formation of reinforcing phases and microstructural evolution have been investigated. Small-sized TiO2 powder promoted the formation of the reinforcing phases at lower temperatures, and the resultant reinforcing particulates exhibited smaller sizes, which is in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
Putting the World on a Better Diet: A Review of Global Eating Disorder

First paragraphs: Gunnar Rundgren has written a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the global food system, how it got that way, and what it will take to move toward a more regenerative and equitable one—or, more to the point, toward diverse, locally appropriate systems. Global Eating Disorder takes the reader through a metaphorical menu that encompasses the ecological and economic dimensions of each course, and serves up the associated historical, political, and cultural considerations with relish. Prodigiously researched facts support Rundgren's arguments at every step. It all adds up to the conclusion that the way most food in today's globalized and industrial food system is produced, manufactured, transported, and marketed is creating poor health among the humans who consume it as well as the planetary ecosystems that sustain us all. The author has a deep background as a leading international advocate, consultant, and practitioner of the kinds of solutions he envisions for the dessert course of this meal. Starting as a pioneer organic farmer, Rundgren helped develop Sweden's well-respected organic labeling scheme (KRAV), then later served as president of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) world board from 2000 to 2005. Since that time he has been a consultant and trainer, primarily in developing countries, and has helped draft policy documents for various UN agencies. Global Eating Disorder builds on information collected in the course of his work, as well as on ideas elaborated on in his previous book, Garden Earth: From Hunter and Gatherer to Global Capitalism and Thereafter, published in 2010.... See the press release for this article.
Platelet support for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

After we discontinued the use of fresh blood for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, we routinely provided platelet concentrates for the patients. To ascertain if this was necessary, patients paired for procedure and age were given either 4 units of platelets (Group I) or no platelets (Group II). Platelet counts were obtained preoperatively; hourly during bypass; immediately, ½ hour, and 3 to 4 hours after bypass; and daily for 7 postoperative days. In the 60 patients evaluated, a significant difference between mean platelet counts could not be demonstrated at any time. Total blood use and the total time required for postbypass hemostasis was not significantly different between the two groups. The degree of thrombocytopenia could not be correlated with bypass time. Platelet concentrates or fresh blood are not needed prophylactically for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, and their usage should be reserved for the occasional patient who manifests thrombocytopenia as well as hemorrhagic complications.
Delito e impunidad en la Guatemala de posguerra: El cojo bueno y Noche de piedras, de Rodrigo Rey Rosa

Este trabajo se centra en las novelas El cojo bueno (1996) y Noche de piedras (2002), de Rodrigo Rey Rosa (Guatemala, 1958), uno de los narradores mas destacados de la escena literaria guatemalteca y latinoamericana, y de los de mayor reconocimiento a nivel internacional. Aqui propongo un examen de las representaciones del delito, de la investigacion criminal y de la maquinaria de la impunidad en Guatemala plasmadas en los textos, los cuales se inscriben dentro de la tradicion del genero negro latinoamericano: ambos plantean una investigacion extra-oficial de la verdad que deja imprecisos los contornos del delito cometido asi como la identidad de los culpables, que confirma la impunidad frente a la violencia, y expresa la imposibilidad de restaurar simbolicamente el orden y la justicia. Argumentare que en El cojo bueno, ubicado en el contexto de la Firma de los Acuerdos de Paz, despunta la posibilidad de detener la venganza personal sistematica y reemplazarla por el accionar ecuanime de la justicia, si bi...
Response by Halperin and Savino to Letter Regarding Article, "Should Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and 1 Stroke Risk Factor (CHA2DS2-VASc Score 1 in Men, 2 in Women) Be Anticoagulated? The CHA2DS2-VASc 1 Conundrum: Decision Making at the Lower End of the Risk Spectrum".

We appreciate the comment by Asinger et al about the seemingly falling rates of stroke among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and potential implications for risk stratification. As mentioned in our article, the overall incidence of stroke has declined, and while the reasons are not clear and are possibly multiple, greater appreciation and …
Fermi constants and “new physics”

Various precision determinations of the Fermi constant are compared. Included are muon and (leptonic) tau decays as well as indirect prescriptions employing \ensuremath{\alpha}, ${m}_{Z},$ ${m}_{W},$ ${\mathrm{sin}}^{2}{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{W}{(m}_{Z}{)}_{\overline{\mathrm{MS}}},$ $\ensuremath{\Gamma}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{Z}{l}^{+}{l}^{\ensuremath{-}}),$ and $\ensuremath{\Gamma}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{Z}\ensuremath{\nu}\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}})$ as input. Their good agreement tests the standard model at the \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1% level and provides stringent constraints on new physics. That utility is illustrated for heavy neutrino mixing, two-Higgs-doublet models, S, T, and U parameters, and excited ${W}^{*\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ bosons (Kaluza-Klein excitations). For the last of those examples, ${m}_{{W}^{*}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}2.9\mathrm{TeV}$ is found.
3D laser imaging using new photometric Gaussian range equation and Phong model reflection

Abstract This article tackles the challenging problem in creating 3D photorealistic scenes from mobile laser imaging data. The major disadvantage of this method is both its range and quality of reconstructed images. These parameters are strongly dependent among other on target materiel, size of the laser footprint and atmospheric attenuation. However, in this paper, we propose a new reformulation of the photometric Gaussian beam range equation on the basis of the Phong model reflection. The substantial contribution of this model in improving the quality of back return signals diffused from targets is confirmed. We prove that the novel model brings a capital gain in terms of the quality and maximum range of detection. This will increase significantly the resolution of reconstructed images and the accuracy of range measurement. Thus, the proposed approach appears promising for 3D active sensing for mapping and scenes modeling.
Automated Isotope Identification Algorithm Using Artificial Neural Networks

There is a need to develop an algorithm that can determine the relative activities of radioisotopes in a large data set of low-resolution gamma-ray spectra that contain a mixture of many radioisotopes. Low-resolution gamma-ray spectra that contain mixtures of radioisotopes often exhibit feature overlap, requiring algorithms that can analyze these features when overlap occurs. While machine learning and pattern recognition algorithms have shown promise for the problem of radioisotope identification, their ability to identify and quantify mixtures of radioisotopes has not been studied. Because machine-learning algorithms use abstract features of the spectrum, such as the shape of overlapping peaks and Compton continuum, they are a natural choice for analyzing radioisotope mixtures. An artificial neural network (ANN) has been trained to calculate the relative activities of 32 radioisotopes in a spectrum. The ANN is trained with simulated gamma-ray spectra, allowing easy expansion of the library of target radioisotopes. In this paper, we present our initial algorithms based on an ANN and evaluate them against a series of measured and simulated spectra.
Bacteria-mediated hypoxia functions as a signal for mosquito development

Mosquitoes host communities of microbes in their digestive tract that consist primarily of bacteria. We previously reported that several mosquito species, including Aedes aegypti, do not develop beyond the first instar when fed a nutritionally complete diet in the absence of a gut microbiota. In contrast, several species of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, rescue development of axenic larvae into adults. The molecular mechanisms underlying bacteria-dependent growth are unknown. Here, we designed a genetic screen around E. coli that identified high-affinity cytochrome bd oxidase as an essential bacterial gene product for mosquito growth. Bioassays showed that bacteria in nonsterile larvae and gnotobiotic larvae inoculated with wild-type E. coli reduced midgut oxygen levels below 5%, whereas larvae inoculated with E. coli mutants defective for cytochrome bd oxidase did not. Experiments further supported that hypoxia leads to growth and ecdysone-induced molting. Altogether, our results identify aerobic respiration by bacteria as a previously unknown but essential process for mosquito development.
Adaptive digital precoder codebook resolution for millimeter wave hybrid beamforming

Hybrid analog-digital beamforming has emerged as an important technique to enable millimeter wave (mmWave) communications in 5G radio access networks. With a two-stage hybrid beamforming procedure, where analog and digital precoders are determined separately and sequentially, the benefits attributed to digital precoding on top of analog beams could be quite marginal in some cases, as sparse propagation paths in a mmWave channel could be well captured by analog beams alone. By exploiting such characteristic, this paper proposes a digital precoder codebook resolution adaptation scheme, wherein a user device is able to determine the digital precoder resolution based on the gain in addition to analog beamforming, in order to reduce feedback overhead without significant performance degradation.
Regulation of the yeast CYC1 gene.

Evidence is increasingly accumulating to indicate that eukaryotic RNA polymerases do not recognize promoter sequences encoded in DNA as does their prokaryotic counterpart. Rather, eukaryotic promoter/regulatory regions encompass sites that bind multiple transcription factors. Some of these factors are “mechanical” in nature, such as the TATA box factor required for genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II. Other factors are gene-specific and bind to sequences found upstream of the TATA box. The interplay of the latter class of factors with regulatory sequences is responsible for regulation of transcription.
Retarding photoreceptor degeneration in Pdegtm1/Pdegtml mice by an apoptosis suppressor gene.

Purpose. Mice (Pdeg tm1 /Pdeg tm1 ) homozygous for a mutant allele of the γ subunit of retinal cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (PDEγ) suffer a severe photoreceptor degeneration. To determine whether the antiapoptotic BCL2 gene is effective in delaying the cell death pathway in this new strain of mutant mice, a transgene encoding the BCL2 gene product was introduced by mating into the mutant background, and the resulting mice were examined for possible rescue of the retinal degeneration. Methods. Electroretinograms (ERGs) of the Pdeg tm1 /Pdeg tm1 mice carrying BCL2 were taken to monitor the responses to light. Light and electron microscopy of sections were used to examine degeneration at different times after birth. Results. The ERGs of the mutants with the transgene were larger than those without the transgene at 2 and 3 weeks after birth. The maximum differences occurred at 2 weeks postpartum. At 4 weeks after birth, no ERG could be detected in either strain. Histologic analysis showed a greater preservation of photoreceptor nuclei in the Pdeg tm1 /Pdeg tm1 mice containing the BCL2 transgene, which paralleled the electroretinography. Conclusions. The introduction of an antiapoptotic transgene BCL2 can delay temporarily and partially the degeneration of photoreceptors in a new autosomal-recessive murine model of retinal degeneration.
A posteriori error analysis of fluid–structure interactions: Time dependent error

Abstract A posteriori error analysis is a technique to quantify the error in particular simulations of a numerical approximation method. In this article, we use such an approach to analyze how various error components propagate in certain moving boundary problems. We study quasi-steady state simulations where slowly moving boundaries remain in mechanical equilibrium with a surrounding fluid. Such problems can be numerically approximated with the Method of Regularized Stokelets (MRS), a popular method used for studying viscous fluid–structure interactions, especially in biological applications. Our approach to monitoring the regularization error of the MRS is novel, along with the derivation of linearized adjoint equations to the governing equations of the MRS with a elastic elements. Our main numerical results provide a clear illustration of how the error evolves over time in several MRS simulations.
Conclusion: Toward Balanced Development and Harmonious Governance

This chapter concludes the monograph. It first offers lessons learned from the case of China in multiple aspects of this complicated socio-political and economic issue; it then points to challenges that lie ahead. Despite the seemingly unsurmountable obstacles inherent in China’s adoption of a local property tax, this monograph ends on an optimistic tone that the property tax can help the country achieve balanced and harmonious development and improve local governance.
A Novel Spine Matching Scheme across Diffusion Weighted and MRAC-WATER Volumes for Whole Body Imaging Lesion Detection

In this work, we propose a novel matching scheme for whole boy magnetic resonance imaging scans. Whole body scans suffer from non-uniform intensities and geometric misalignments which lead to distortions in images. These distortions pose a bigger challenge to radiologists and may lead to mis-diagnosis. Our algorithm results in accurate spine matching across magnetic resonance attenuation corrected and diffusion weighted volumes.
Corporate Apology After Bad Publicity: A Dual-Process Model of CSR Fit and CSR History on Purchase Intention and Negative Word of Mouth:

This article proposes and tests a dual-process model of corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication. Building on the framing theory and associative network theory, the authors examine how i...
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: Using deuterium tracer coupled with kinetic approach to study the kinetic isotopic effects of iron, cobalt and ruthenium catalysts

Abstract Deuterium tracer studies coupled with kinetic approach were developed to accurately determine the kinetic isotopic effects (KIE) for the CO hydrogenation and the formations of CO2, CH4 and light hydrocarbons (C2-C4) over iron, cobalt and ruthenium catalysts. Pronounced inverse kinetic isotope effects (IKIE) (kco,H/kco,D = 0.64–0.66) over the Fe and Co catalysts and a moderate IKIE (kco,H/kco,D = ∼0.8) on the Ru catalysts for the CO hydrogenation were obtained under typical FTS conditions. The IKIE was also found in CH4 formation, but the Co and Ru catalysts showed stronger IKIE than the Fe catalysts (kCH4/kCD4 = 0.6 vs 0.87). Regardless of catalyst type, only a minor normal KIE for the CO2 formation was obtained (kCO2, H/kCO2, D ˜ 1.1). The IKIE was found on various light 1-olefins and n-paraffin hydrocarbons as well. All the IKIEs can be explained by thermodynamic and kinetic isotope effects. The results suggested that deuterium was involved in quasi-equilibrated and hydrogenation steps that determined KIE. However, the Fe, Co and Ru catalysts showed different deuterium isotopic effect for the hydrocarbon selectivity. Deuterium promoted chain growth, thus lowered CH4 and light hydrocarbons selectivities and enhanced C5+ selectivity on both the Fe and Co catalysts; while it enhanced the hydrogenation rate to the low hydrocarbons and suppressed the formation of heavier hydrocarbons on the Ru catalysts. Deuterium isotopic effect on the formation of 1-olefins, n-paraffins and 2-olefins in C10-C18 range (in liquid phase) was also studied in detail. Deuterium was found to enhance 1-olefins formation, but suppressed or only slightly changed n-paraffins formation over the Fe and Co catalysts. However, deuterium led to greater amount of n-paraffins and less 1-olefins on the Ru catalysts. The results suggested that the IKIE originated from different hybridization changes of carbon in C–H (sp1->sp2 and/or sp2->sp3) on the Fe, Co and Ru catalysts, which implied different reaction pathways on the Fe, Co and Ru catalysts.
Novel angiotensin peptides.

Virtually all existing evidence on the function of angiotensin II (Ang II) in the regulation of tissue homeostasis and blood pressure regulation bears on the more restricted question of what other mechanisms or systems may amplify or inhibit the actions of this important peptide. Whereas there is evidence that Ang II may potentiate the effects of catecholamines, various cytokines and also growth factors, the repertoire of substances which may inhibit the actions of Ang II is more limited and has been restricted primarily to prostacyclin, bradykinin and nitric oxide. Advances in receptor pharmacology and introduction of selective antagonists to two of the receptor subtypes at which Ang II binds permitted a more critical examination of the functions of the renin angiotensin system in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, as well as uncovering the previously unsuspected possibility that within the biochemical pathways leading to the formation of the peptide the renin angiotensin system could process either its immediate precursor (angiotensin I) or the actual Ang II peptide into an alternative form, angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)], the function of which was to antagonize the effects of Ang II. We review here the biological actions of Ang-(1–7) and discuss how this discovery may change altogether the perception of how the renin angiotensin system functions in the regulation of tissue perfusion pressure and the regulation of salt and water metabolism.
Coral Identification and Counting with an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Monitoring coral reef populations as part of environmental assessment is essential. Recently, many marine science researchers are employing low-cost and power efficient Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) to survey coral reefs. While the counting problem, in general, has rich literature, little work has focused on estimating the density of coral population using AUV s. This paper proposes a novel approach to identify, count, and estimate coral populations. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is utilized to detect and identify the different corals, and a tracking mechanism provides a total count for each coral species per transect. Experimental results from an Aqua2 underwater robot and a stereo hand-held camera validated the proposed approach for different image qualities.
The Design Cycle and a Mixed Methods Approach for Improving Usability: A Case Study

This case study explores the concept of the design cycle as a guiding principle for choosing usability methods. It discusses the stages of the design cycle alongside the strengths and weaknesses of...
DYNAMICAL METEOROLOGY | Wave-CISK

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 6, pp 2526–2532, © 2003, Elsevier Ltd.
Fine structural alterations of thyroid C-cells in response to diet-induced hypocalcemia and vitamin D in adult cows

Thyroid C- (parafollicular) cells of cows were characterized cytochemically by masked metachromasia, prominent formaldehyde-induced fluorescence, and specific acetylcholinesterase activity. C-cells from cows with chronic hypocalcemia induced by feeding a calcium-deficient diet were partially granulated and had morphologic evidence suggesting active hormonal synthesis. Degranulated C-cells predominated in the thyroids from cows receiving pharmacologic doses of vitamin D from the 20th to the 30th day of feeding the calcium-deficient diet. Other C-cells with an extensive endoplasmic reticulum and aggregations of free ribosomes in these cows were interpreted to be in an actively synthesizing phase of the secretory cycle. Although an increase in the blood concentration of calcium was not produced, the added vitamin D did prevent the development of hypocalcemia due to feeding the calcium-deficient diet. Under these experimental conditions degranulation of C-cells and diminished thyroid stores of calcitonin occurred in the absence of a significant hypercalcemia.
Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery: fluid balance and incidence of acute kidney injury

Introduction Enhanced Recovery after Cardiac Surgery (ERACS) pathways can increase patient satisfaction, reduce the length of hospital stay and stay in the intensive care unit. The reported incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery varies from 2.5% to 40% and is associated with an increased 30-day mortality¹. We examined the effect of ERACS on the total amount of fluid administered and the incidence of AKI. Methods We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected outcome data of patients undergoing cardiac surgery enrolled in the ERAS pathway (n = 107) compared to a historical standard care group (n = 173). The ERAS pathway included pre-operative patient education, multimodal pain management to minimize opioid usage, carbohydrate loading 2-4hrs before induction of anesthesia, tight glucose control, early postoperative invasive access and chest tube removal, early extubation, and early mobilization. Intraoperatively, 500mL of the cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) priming fluid was replaced with albumin 5% and the patients received 250mL albumin 5% before initiation and 250mL after separation from CBP. Crystalloid boli were administered in the intensie care unit (ICU) for clinical signs of hypovolemia, increasing pressor requirements or worsening metabolic acidosis. The standard care group was treated per preexisting institutional guidelines. AKI was defined using modified KDIGO (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes) criteria, patients with pre-existing renal injury were excluded. Data were compared using univariate analysis: parametric and non-parametric data were analyzed with Student's t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, respectively. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean (SD) creatinine pre-operatively, at discharge, and the peak creatinine were not different between the ERACS and the standard care group (table). Less fluid was administered in the ERACS group, but the total fluid balance was not different. No significant difference exists between the occurrence of AKI between those groups; no patient developed AKI worse than KDIGO stage 1 (modified). Discussion Although the ERACS patients received less fluid than the standard care group during the hospital stay, the incidence of AKI did not differ, nor did the serum creatinine at discharge between both groups. A restrictive fluid management with intraoperative albumin administration does not increase the incidence of acute kidney injury for patients in the ERACS pathway.
A Research and Intervention Agenda for Children with Incarcerated Parents and Their Families

We had two primary goals when we embarked on assembling this second edition. First, we aimed to summarize and synthesize recent research on children with incarcerated parents and their families that have been conducted across a variety of disciplines, including promising intervention approaches, for a range of audiences. And second, we sought to stimulate high quality, collaborative, interdisciplinary research that will generate information needed by families, practitioners and policymakers to prevent the development of problems and promote the health and well-being of the children with incarcerated parents and their families and communities. With these goals in mind, in this concluding chapter we tie together and elaborate upon the suggestions for research and intervention that have emerged in the preceding chapters. We present an agenda for future research around three conceptual issues: (1) the importance of infusing a social justice perspective that recognizes the importance of and attempts to ameliorate racial and economic disparities when investigating or intervening on the effects of mass incarceration on children and families, (2) the importance of adopting a developmental perspective in research and intervention with children with incarcerated parents, and (3) the need for interdisciplinary scholarship and intervention focusing on resilience processes not only in individuals but also in families. We suggest approaches to various challenges that arise in the areas of research, practice, and policy when working with this population that must be faced in future studies and applied work. We end by highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations for moving the field forward.
Experimental cryoconite holes as mesocosms for studying community ecology

Cryoconite holes are surface melt-holes in ice containing sediments and typically organisms. In Antarctica, they form an attractive system of isolated mesocosms in which to study microbial community dynamics in aquatic ecosystems. Although microbial assemblages within the cryoconite holes most closely resemble those from local streams, they develop their own distinctive composition. Here, we characterize the microbial taxa over time in cryoconite holes experimentally created from supraglacial sediments to demonstrate their utility as experimental mesocosms. We used high-throughput sequencing to characterize the assemblages of bacteria and microbial eukaryotes before melt-in, then after one and two months. Within one month of melt-in, the experimental holes, now lidded with ice, were visually indistinguishable from natural cryoconite holes, and within two months their thermal characteristics matched those of natural holes. The microbial composition of the experimental cryoconite holes declined in richness and changed significantly in the relative abundance of various taxa, consistent with possible turnover. In particular, a dominant cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp., further increased its dominance over the other dominant cyanobacterial phylotype, and an initially rarer Flavobacterium sp. became one of the dominant taxa. The eukaryotes continued to be dominated by algae and tardigrades, with the relative abundance of the dominant alga, Macrochloris sp., increasing notably relative to the microfauna. These changes within a single growing season in newly formed lidded cryoconite holes created from exposed supraglacial sediments are consistent with primary production and microbial turnover, and provide a promising foundation for future work using such mesocosms.
Using Informatics Tools to Identify Opportunities for Precision Medicine in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma.

Abstract Introduction Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is genetically and clinically heterogeneous. Despite advances in genomic subtyping, standard frontline chemoimmunotherapy has remained unchanged for years. As high-throughput analysis becomes more accessible, characterizing drug–gene interactions in DLBCL could support patient-specific treatment strategies. Materials and Methods From our systematic literature review, we compiled a comprehensive list of somatic mutations implicated in DLBCL. We extracted reported and primary sequencing data for these mutations and assessed their association with signaling pathways, cell-of-origin subtypes, and clinical outcomes. Results Twenty-two targetable mutations present in ≥ 5% of patients with DLBCL were associated with unfavorable outcomes, yielding a predicted population of 31.7% of DLBCL cases with poor-risk disease and candidacy for targeted therapy. A second review identified 256 studies that had characterized the drug–gene interactions for these mutations via in vitro studies, mouse models, and/or clinical trials. Conclusions Our novel approach linking the data from our systematic reviews with informatics tools identified high-risk DLBCL subgroups, DLBCL-specific drug–gene interactions, and potential populations for precision medicine trials.