cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health Risk of Obesity in Native American Adolescents

Recent reports demonstrate the need to improve methods for identifying obesity among adolescent minority populations, especially among Native American adolescents. Our study examined several anthropometric measures to see which one was the best indicator of obesity for Native American adolescents. We compared our data with that provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANESIII). We examined which measures diﬀered signiﬁcantly from the NHANESIII, and which were most eﬀective for measuring obesity in Native American adolescents. Our study population represented a cross-sectional, epidemiological population (N=183) of Native American students (ages 14-18) from diverse tribal backgrounds at an urban residential high school. We obtained baseline anthropometric measurements of height, weight, waist, triceps skin-fold, and calf skin-fold measures from the Native American students and compared this information with reference data to assess weight classiﬁcation by body mass indices for our population. Under the conditions of our study, we found the calf skin-fold measure to be the best indicator of normal weight in male Native American adolescents, and the triceps skin-fold measure to be the best indicator of obesity in male Native American adolescents. The assessment of health risk by anthropometric measures we obtained appears appropriate for predicting obesity and developing eﬀective interventions for Native American adolescents in general. Correlations between anthropometric measures and obesity in our study population may prove of signiﬁcant interest for monitoring obesity prevention initiatives for Native American adolescents.
AWG Waveform Compensation by Maximum Entropy Method

When a given arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) has limited bandwidth, the signal generated by that instrument will be severely distorted. In particular, the rise time and settling time of the signal generated by that instrument is inherently slow. This paper describes linear distortion compensation by maximum entropy method to compute a pre-distorted waveform so that the AWG will generate a desired waveform
Molecular Modeling of Fluorescent SERCA Biosensors

Molecular modeling and simulation are useful tools in structural biology, allowing the formulation of functional hypotheses and interpretation of spectroscopy experiments. Here, we describe a method to construct in silico models of a fluorescent fusion protein construct, where a cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) is linked to the actuator domain of the Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA). This CFP-SERCA construct is a biosensor that can report on structural dynamics in the cytosolic headpiece of SERCA. Molecular modeling and FRET experiments allow us to generate new structural and mechanistic models that better describe the conformational landscape and regulation of SERCA. The methods described here can be applied to the creation of models for any fusion protein constructs and also describe the steps needed to simulate FRET results using molecular models.
Immunological properties of the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin

Abstract The β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG-β) has been modified to a varying degree by the cleavage of the disulfide bonds by reduction with dithioerythritol followed by S-carboxamidomethylation. The resulting derivatives of hCG-β show a preferential loss in their immunological cross-reactivity with human luteinizing hormone (hLH). The immunological specificity of the partially reduced and S-alkylated derivatives can be further enhanced by conjugation with tetanous toxoid using glutaraldehyde. Neither conjugation of hCG-β with the toxoid nor its treatment with anti-hLH immunoadsorbent affects its cross-reactivity with hLH.
Evaluating potential sources of variation in Chironomidae catch rates on sticky traps

Sticky traps are a convenient tool for assessing adult aquatic insect population dynamics, but there are many practical questions about how trap sampling artefacts may affect observed results. Utilising study sites on the Colorado River and two smaller streams in northern Arizona, USA, we evaluated whether catch rates and sex ratios of Chironomidae, a ubiquitous aquatic insect, were affected by spraying traps with insecticide, placing traps at different heights above ground, and placing traps at different locations within a terrestrial habitat patch. We also evaluated temporal variation in Chironomidae counts monthly over a 9-month growing season. We found no significant variation in catch rates or sex ratios between traps treated versus untreated with insecticide, nor between traps placed at the upstream or downstream end of a terrestrial habitat patch. Traps placed near ground level did have significantly higher catch rates than traps placed at 1.5m, although sex ratios were similar across heights. Chironomidae abundance and sex ratios also varied from month-to-month and seemed to be related to climatic conditions. Our results inform future sticky trap studies by demonstrating that trap height, but not insecticide treatment or precise trap placement within a habitat patch, is an important source of variation influencing catch rates.
Closed Population Honeybee Breeding. 1. Population Genetics of Sex Determination

SummaryThe genie mechanism of sex determination in honeybees is the greatest deterrent to successful bee breeding, because of the production of nonviable diploid drones with inbreeding. Part I of this paper discusses sex determination, the expected mean and variance in brood viability among queens, and the expected rate of loss of sex alleles in closed, finite, random-mating populations. This provides a foundation on which successful closed population stock maintenance and honeybee improvement programmes can be based.
The power of heterogeneity in Near-Threshold Computing

One potential method to attain more energy-efficient circuits with the current technology is Near-Threshold Computing. However, this energy savings comes at a cost of increased functional failure, which necessitates that circuits must be more fault-tolerant, and thus contain more gates. Thus, achieving energy savings with Near-Threshold Computing involves properly balancing the energy used per gate with the number of gates used. We consider both the setting where the supply voltages must be homogeneous and the setting where they may be heterogeneous. We show that, for small circuit error bounds, there are many natural functions that can be computed with a log factor less energy by heterogeneous circuits than is possible with homogeneous circuits, and that this result is tight for many functions. In contrast, we show that there are relations that can be computed with a log-squared factor less energy by heterogeneous circuits than is possible with homogeneous circuits.
Abstract 1446: Effect of PF-03475952, a potent and neutralizing CD44 antibody, on cancer cell apoptosis in vitro and metastasis in two orthotopic models

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Effect of PF-03475952, a potent and neutralizing CD44 antibody, on cancer cell apoptosis in vitro and metastasis in two orthotopic models Yuli Wang, Jean wang, Gary Li, Amy Jackson-Fisher, Brett Simmons, Eugenia Kraynov, Christy Ji, Baiyong Li, and David Pocalyko Pfizer Global Research & Development, San Diego, CA 92121 CD44 is a cell surface glycoprotein that has multiple functions. It can act as a receptor for ligands such as hyaluronic acid and osteopontin. Additionally, it can function as co-receptor to modulate the activation of growth factor receptors such as c-met & ERBB. CD44 can also influence cell signaling through interaction with components of the actin cytoskeleton such as the ERM protein. CD44 expression is increased in many types of human cancer. It is also a cell surface marker for cancer stem cells in breast cancer and HCC. In HCC, CD44 overexpression is a frequent event (∼30% based on several reports) and CD44 up regulation is associated with metastasis and poor patient survival. Down regulation of CD44 with RNAi knockdown or neutralizing antibody has been reported to reduce tumor metastasis, recurrence, and growth in different models. PF-03475952 is a fully human IgG2 anti-CD44 monoclonal antibody that was initially developed as a potential therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis. It was shown previously that the PF-03475952 can disrupt the interaction of CD44 with its ligand, hyaluronic acid. The antibody binding induces loss of CD44 from the cell surface, and inhibits LPS-induced cytokine release from various leukocytes. In this report, we evaluated the potential of PF-03475952 as a cancer adjuvant therapy for HCC. HCC is the third most deadly forms of cancer world-wide with frequent early recurrence due to inter and extra hepatic metastasis. The effect of PF-03475952 on cancer metastasis was first demonstrated in an M24met melanoma model. The expression of CD44 and the effects of PF-03475952 on HCC cell lines were then characterized. In vitro, PF-03475952 was able to reduce cell adhesion and promote apoptosis in a CD44-dependent manner. More importantly, PF-03475952 can reduce lung metastasis in a CD44-positive HCC orthotopic model. The study suggested that the CD44 neutralizing antibody, PF-03475952, could be an efficacious agent as adjuvant therapy to prevent cancer metastasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1446.
DSMC analysis of H2 gas venting to space

A direct simulation Monte Carlo analysis of a free-jet expansion of molecular hydrogen from a long duct involving low temperatures in the range 10-100 K is conducted. Comparison of the simulation results to a widely used 'cosine law' for the angular distribution of number density in the free jet shows that the analytic method is not capable of predicting the properties at most angles away from the centerline due to wall effects in the orifice plane properties. The effects of viscosity and rotational relaxation are examined. The simulations are found to be only slightly sensitive to the changes in the temperature-viscosity exponent. Due to the low temperatures in the free-jet expansion, the rotational modes are predicted to quickly freeze in all cases, yielding no effect due to rotational relaxation. (Author)
Relaxation of Mismatched InxAl1−xAs/InP Heterostructures

We have investigated the relaxation of intentionally mismatched layers of InxAl1−x-As on InP. The layers were grown by MBE and characterized by double-crystal x-ray diffraction (DCXRD) and variable azimuthal angle ellipsometry. Measurements of DCXRD epitaxial layer peak width show high crystalline quality for layers up to five times the Matthews-Blakeslee critical layer thickness. For thicker layers, relaxation occurs with a change in crystal symmetry from tetragonal to orthorhombic. We attribute this to an asymmetry in misfit dislocation density. Ellipsometry reveals optical anisotropy for mismatched layers in compression, but not in tension.
Familial chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is an uncommon disease that is the most serious complication associated with unresolved pulmonary embolism. This disease has several risk factors, but no familial pattern has been described. Few thrombophilic conditions have been reported to increase risk of CTEPH, and none of the hereditary thrombophilias causes this disease. The reason CTEPH develops in some patients after pulmonary embolism remains unknown. We describe a 54-year-old woman and her maternal aunt who both underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for CTEPH. This represents the first description of familial CTEPH.
Single‐Parent Households

Single-parent households can result from divorce, death of a parent, parents living apart, and from parents who were never married. The demography of and reasons for single parenthood differ across countries. Single-parent households are predominantly female headed and are typically of lower socioeconomic status than two-parent households. Children in single parent families experience more behavioral, emotional, and academic problems, on average, than do children in two-parent families, but most children in single-parent families do not have long-term negative outcomes. Factors such as parental well-being and positive parenting are generally more important than family structure in relation to children's adjustment. Keywords: child development; family/household; marriage; motherhood; psychology
Providing Psychoeducation About Depression and Its Treatment (Session 2 of the Treatment Manual)

This chapter introduces Session 2 of the treatment manual entitled “Understanding How Depression Can Negatively Influence Your Life.” Similar to Session 1 of the treatment manual, there is a strong psychoeducational emphasis, which is an important cultural adaptation. When working with Asian heritage populations, this cultural modification is especially needed at the beginning of treatment because many enter treatment with little understanding of mental health care. In addition, psychoeducation helps destigmatize mental illness and its treatment, which makes many people feel uncomfortable, especially when they are first seeking help. Session 2 provides a psychoeducational overview of depression and its treatment for the client. This session discusses how depression is treated, and focuses on providing hope and understanding of how to break unhealthy cycles.
The Role of Mathematics in the Experimental/Theoretical/Computational Trichotomy of Chemistry

The drastically increasing availability ofmodern computers coupled with the equally drasticallylower cost of a given amount of computer power inrecent years has resulted in the evolution of thetraditional experimental/theoretical dichotomy inchemistry into anexperimental/theoretical/computational trichotomy. This trichotomy can be schematically represented by atriangle (the ETC triangle) with experimental,theoretical, and computational chemistry at the threevertices. The ET and EC edges of the ETC triangledepict the uses of theoretical and computationalchemistry, respectively, to predict and interpretexperimental results. The TC edge depicts therelationship between theoretical and computationalchemistry. Mathematics plays an increasing role in allaspects of chemistry, particularly theoreticalchemistry, and has led to the evolution of thediscipline of mathematical chemistry. Research inmathematical chemistry can be considered to lie on achemistry-mathematics continuum depending on therelative depths of the underlying chemistry andmathematics. Examples of the author's own researchlying near each end of the chemistry-mathematicscontinuum include his work on applications of graphtheory and topology in inorganic coordination andcluster chemistry lying near the chemistry end and hiswork on chirality algebra lying near the mathematicsend. The general points in this essay are illustratedby an analysis of the roles of computational andtheoretical chemistry in developing an understandingof structure and bonding in deltahedral boranes andrelated carboranes. This work has allowed extensionof the concept of aromaticity from two dimensions asin benzene and other planar hydrocarbons to the thirddimension in deltahedral boranes.
Rare forms of preexcitation: a case study and brief overview of familial forms of preexcitation.

A 16-year-old boy was brought to the hospital when he complained of chest pain while at a basketball game. In the emergency room, he was noted to have a wide complex tachycardia. The ECG at presentation is shown in Figure 1. He was cardioverted after administration of 150 mg of intravenous amiodarone. His ECG after cardioversion is shown in Figure 2. His physical examination and developmental evaluation were significant for obesity, synophrys, mild fifth digit clinodactyly, and subnormal intelligence. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with contrast showed massive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), with preserved ejection fraction, and several areas of delayed hyperenhancement in the subendocardium. Cardiac catheterization showed no obstructive coronary artery disease or anomalous coronary arteries. What are the diagnostic considerations for this constellation of findings of massive LVH, subendocardial necrosis, and abnormal ECGs? Figure 1. Wide complex tachycardia at presentation. Figure 2. Sinus rhythm ECG showing ventricular preexcitation and normal axis (see text for further details). The ECG in Figure 1 displays a wide complex tachycardia, with a right-bundle branch block morphology with a QRS complex duration >120 ms. A wide complex tachycardia with a right-bundle branch block morphology could be secondary to ventricular tachycardia originating from the left ventricle or a preexcited tachycardia in the presence of a left-sided bypass tract. However, the QS complex in lead V6 rules out a left-sided atrioventricular bypass tract, because such bypass tracts do not have the left ventricle apex as their ventricular insertion site, which is necessary to produce a QS complex in V6. A left-sided nodofascicular bypass tract with insertion in the distal His-Purkinje system can produce QS complexes in lead V6, but these are extraordinarily rare and occur more frequently on the right side. Initial R wave in lead aVR,1 a QS complex in lead …
Conjecturing, Generalizing and Justifying: Building Theory around Teacher Knowledge of Proving.

The purpose of this study was to detail teachers’ proving activity and contribute to a framework of Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching Proof (MKT for Proof). While working to justify claims about sums of consecutive numbers, teachers searched for key ideas and productively used examples to make, test and refine conjectures. Analysis of teachers’ mathematical activity revealed knowledge of the proving process that would be useful for and useable in the teaching of proof. This includes knowledge of the interconnections among empirical exploration, conjecturing, generalizing, and justifying as well as an understanding of the characteristics of examples and conjectures that could support the proving process. The central premise of this paper is that delineating aspects of teacher knowledge is a first step to supporting teachers’ efforts to engage all students in fundamental mathematical practices of conjecturing, generalizing and justifying.
Critical Values For The Runs Test

This table contains critical values and probabilities for the Runs Test for randomness. Let m be the number of objects of the first kind, n be the number of objects of the second kind (m ≤ n), and V be the number of runs. The values given are P(V ≤ v) in a random arrangement.
The Effect of Trace Mineral Source and Concentration on Mineral Solubility in the Rumen and Diet Digestibility

Supplementing the trace minerals copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) in the metal hydroxyl form does not impact dry matter (DM) digestibility, while sulfatebound trace minerals decreased DM digestibility. Metal hydroxy trace minerals solubilize in the pH found in the abomasum, enabling absorption, suggesting that these minerals solubilize only in the abomasum and will not inhibit digestion. Trace minerals present in the basal diet prior to supplementation appear to be adequate for proper function of rumen microbes.
Communication: Testing and using the Lewin-Lieb bounds in density functional theory.

Lewin and Lieb have recently proven several new bounds on the exchange-correlation energy that complement the Lieb-Oxford bound. We test these bounds for atoms, for slowly-varying gases, and for Hooke’s atom, finding them usually less strict than the Lieb-Oxford bound. However, we also show that, if a generalized gradient approximation is to guarantee satisfaction of the new bounds for all densities, new restrictions on the exchange-correlation enhancement factor are implied.
STAT4 promotes atherosclerosis by supporting Tfh and plasma B cell development, T cell activation and CD11b+ cell accumulation in the aortic wall (LYM8P.632)

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of medium and large size arteries. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) is a transcription factor that supports the generation of cells with features of both follicular helper T cells (Tfh) and T helper 1 (Th1) cells. To date, the role of Stat-4 in atherosclerosis and the induction of Tfh cells in this disease has not been defined. To investigate the role of STAT4 in atherogenesis, we generated Stat-4-deficient low density lipoprotein-deficient ( Stat4 -/- Ldlr -/- ) mice. Stat4 deficiency resulted in a significant reduction in atherosclerotic plaque burden within the aortas of Stat4 -/- Ldlr -/- mice fed a high fat/high carbohydrate diet with added cholesterol (DDC) diet for 16 weeks compared to age and diet-matched Ldlr -/- control mice (p Stat4 -/- Ldlr -/ mice and found decreased number of CD19+ B cells (p Stat4 -/- Ldlr -/- mice compared to Ldlr -/- mice. A significant reduction in CD11b + CD11c - cells and MHCII expression was detected in the aortas of Stat4 -/- Ldlr -/- vs Ldlr -/- mice. Thus, the atherogenic effects of STAT4 are, at least partially, due to the modulation of the immune response via alterations of Tfh-dependent humoral response. Supported by R01 HL112605 and Suppl.Grant 02S1.
Synaptic Integration in Auditory Cortex

What does the auditory cortex do? Most would agree that it processes auditory information, but few would assert that we understand just what computations are performed by auditory cortical neurons. If we describe computation as the transformation of information from one representation to another, then which transformations are accomplished by the auditory cortex remains an open question at the heart of the discipline.
Addressing Child Maltreatment Through Mutual Support and Self-Help Among Parents

Parent-to-parent mutual support and self-help are core elements of any community system of family care. The challenge is to actualize capacity for all parents with due regard to culture, socioeconomic status, gender, place, and other critical factors. The sample programs reviewed here include crisis supports (e.g. helplines), peer-to-peer coaching, parent mutual support groups, support skills development, and neighborhood centers. In each, parent-to-parent relationships are reciprocal – everyone is seeking help and everyone gives help. But programs for self-help and mutual support are often regarded as supplemental to professional services. What if professional services were seen as supplemental to the family’s own efforts? This would require a social norms transformation throughout the social ecology – individual, family, neighborhood, organizational, and policy levels. To honor and support parental efforts as primary, not supplemental, could transform communities in ways that lead to safety, nurture, and stability for children.
Modeling observer and object motion perception

When a person moves about the world, images of the surrounding scene move across his or her retinas, providing a rich source of information about the environment. The motion of the images arises from numerous sources. The observer’s own locomotion causes the images of all stationary items to move in a pattern. This pattern of image velocities on the retina is known as optic flow or retinal flow. This pattern can be a fairly simple, radial pattern (Figure 1a) if the observer moves in a straight line, or more complex (Figure 1b) if the observer moves on a curved path. In addition, the observer may make eye or head movements that also affect the flow field. Finally, objects in the world may themselves be moving, creating additional complexity in the scene (Figure 1c). Somehow the brain is able to process this motion information adeptly to ascertain the direction of motion of the observer as well as the position and direction of motion of moving objects in the scene. This ability allows soccer players to follow a moving ball while maneuvering past other running players, and drivers on busy roads to avoid moving cars and pedestrians while driving straight or negotiating turns.
Coumarin-based Fluorescent Probes for Selectively Targeting and Imaging the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Mammalian Cells.

Developing improved fluorescent probes for imaging the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is necessary for structure-activity studies of this dynamic organelle. Two coumarin-based compounds with sulfonamide side groups were synthesized and characterized as ER-targeting probes. Their selectivity to target the ER in HeLa and GM07373 mammalian cells was shown with co-localization experiments using commercially available probes that localize in the ER, mitochondria, or lysozymes. The hydrophobicity of the coumarin-based probes was comparable to known probes that partition into the ER membrane. Their cytotoxicity in mammalian cells was low with IC50 values that range from 205 to 252 μm. The fluorescent quantum yields of the coumarin-based probes when excited with 400 nm light were 0.60, and they have a much narrower emission spectrum (from 435 to 525 nm in methanol) than that of the only commercially available ER probe that is exited with 400 nm light (ER-Tracker™ Blue-White DPX). Thus, the coumarin-based probes are more useful for multicolor imaging with yellow and red emitting fluorophores. In addition to the above benefits, ER labeling was achieved with the coumarin-based probes in both live cells and fixed cells, revealing their versatility for a wide range of cellular imaging applications.
Establishing and Applying Contemporaneous E-Learning Standards: Evolving Stylebooks and Planning Work

The standards for e-learning are in constant flux, and they come from a range of government entities, educational institutions, professional groups, education researchers, technology companies, learners, and others. These e-learning standards enable more effective learning by ensuring that shared contents are built to quality standards (of factuality, of legality, of design, of functionality, of accessibility, and other features). This chapter explores some individual and team-based ways to control for adherence to e-learning standards during the design and development phases. It describes how to set up an evolving consensus-built project (work) stylebook (statement of work) to co-define the e-learning standards and how to apply these standards in the work. This includes a section on planning the work, and finally, it describes some ways to assess for e-learning quality once the learning resources are drafted.
On PQ Control of BESS in Grid-Connected Mode and Frequency Control in Islanded-Mode for Micro- Grid Application

This paper presents the control algorithm for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) connected in Micro-Grid (MG), operating in grid-connected and islanded-mode. The MG consists of configurable units such as BESS, PV, diesel generator and load. The BESS is connected with Voltage Source Converter (VSC) for active and reactive power sharing in grid-connected mode. Two control scheme algorithms are presented. Firstly, inner current control loop and secondly outer active/reactive power (PQ) control loop is presented. Also the charging and discharging control of BESS is designed to maintain the SOC. In islanded-mode, Power-frequency (P-f) control of BESS is proposed to maintain the frequency of MG and supply power to the load. P-f control provides reference power for PQ control. BESS provide primary frequency control to MG; however, the low power capacity of BESS demands for a backup. Diesel generator provides a backup frequency control in islanded-mode, supply active/ reactive power to loads and charge the BESS. The control is designed in dq reference frame. The simulation results show the effectiveness of control system.
A 2.7- $\mu$ W Neuromodulation AFE With 200 mV pp Differential-Mode Stimulus Artifact Canceler Including On-Chip LMS Adaptation

We present a 65-nm CMOS neuromodulation SoC with a stimulus artifact canceler allowing simultaneous recording and stimulation. A first-order ${\Delta \Sigma }$ -modulated switched capacitor DAC injects artifact canceling charges at the LNA input, handling up to 200 mV $_{\text{pp}}$ differential-mode artifacts with only a 10% noise penalty. An on-chip LMS engine adapts tap coefficients of an integrated FIR filter that reconstructs the artifact signals. Residual artifacts are further canceled with another FIR/LMS filter in the digital backend. This canceler achieves a state-of-the-art effective dynamic range of 77 dB while retaining low power consumption. The AFE including the canceler consumes $2.7~ {\mu }\text{W}$ of power and occupies 0.18 mm2 of area per channel.
Globalized Modeling and Signal Timing Control for Large-scale Networked Intersections

Traffic intersections are often the bottlenecks of traffic systems. Given a traffic network, an optimal traffic signal control strategy can result in smooth traffic flow and thus reduce energy consumption and environmental impact at intersections. This study aims to develop a new multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) traffic signal control method that can improve network-wide traffic operations in terms of delay and energy consumption. In this context, a 35-intersection network of Bellevue, WA is used as the basis for the development of the algorithm, where modeling and intersection controls in a globalized setting are established using MIMO linear control theory and high matrix formulation. The proposed control method is evaluated in a microscopic traffic simulation environment, VISSIM. Simulation results show that the proposed method has much shorter average travel delays in the network when compared with the delays of conventional pretimed and actuated controls.
Uma nova morada: música e memória na criação poética de Rui Pires Cabral

Este estudo tem como objeto a criacao poetica de Rui Pires Cabral, centrando-se nos temas da musica e da memoria como elementos que transfiguram o espaco urbano, geradores de experiencias multiplas que povoam e intensificam a relacao com a cidade. Partindo do estranhamento e da singularizacao, este trabalho pretende observar como estes elementos constroem um novo espaco e uma nova vivencia do cenario urbano.
INTRODUCTION: WHY EXOBIOLOGY?

We need scarcely add that the contemplation in natural science of a wider domain than the actual leads to a far better understanding of the actual.
Mechanisms Underlying Recurrent Genomic Amplification in Human Cancers.

Focal copy-number increases (genomic amplification) pinpoint oncogenic driver genes and therapeutic targets in cancer genomes. With the advent of genomic technologies, recurrent genomic amplification has been mapped throughout the genome. Recurrent amplification could be solely due to positive selection for the tumor-promoting effects of amplified gene products. Alternatively, recurrence could result from the susceptibility of the loci to amplification. Distinguishing between these possibilities requires a full understanding of the amplification mechanisms. Two mechanisms, the formation of double minute (DM) chromosomes and breakage–fusion–bridge (BFB) cycles, have been repeatedly linked to genomic amplification, and the impact of both mechanisms has been confirmed in cancer genomics data. We review the details of these mechanisms and discuss the mechanisms underlying recurrence.
Comparison of arthropod associates of French broom, Genista monspessulana (Linnaeus) (Fabaceae), and native shrubs on Mt. Tamalpais, Marin County, California, U.S.A.

The hypothesis that native plants have more arthropod associates than introduced plants was tested in chaparral and coastal scrub habitats which were being invaded by the exotic shrub Genista monspessulana (Linnaeus) (Fabaceae). Paired beat samples were taken from the shrubs. Data were analyzed by use of the Wilcoxon matched-pairs nonparametric method. Native shrubs had significantly more arthropod individuals and species associated with them than G. monspessulana. Most of the species collected on the exotic broom were native generalist herbivores, omnivores or predators, except for one native specialist herbivore and one exotic specialist herbivore that originated in the native range of G. monspessulana. The first was Uresiphita reversalis (Guenee, 1854) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and the second was Arytainilla spartiophila (Foerster, 1848) (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). These results suggest that efforts to control invasions of G. monspessulana into areas of native shrubs are warranted to conserve biological diversity.
A rapid method to quantify casein in fluid milk by front-face fluorescence spectroscopy combined with chemometrics.

ABSTRACT Casein in fluid milk determines cheese yield and affects cheese quality. Traditional methods of measuring casein in milk involve lengthy sample preparations with labor-intensive nitrogen-based protein quantifications. The objective of this study was to quantify casein in fluid milk with different casein-to-crude-protein ratios using front-face fluorescence spectroscopy (FFFS) and chemometrics. We constructed calibration samples by mixing microfiltration and ultrafiltration retentate and permeate in different ratios to obtain different casein concentrations and casein-to-crude-protein ratios. We developed partial least squares regression and elastic net regression models for casein prediction in fluid milk using FFFS tryptophan emission spectra and reference casein contents. We used a set of 20 validation samples (including raw, skim, and ultrafiltered milk) to optimize and validate model performance. We externally tested another independent set of 20 test samples (including raw, skim, and ultrafiltered milk) by root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), residual prediction deviation (RPD), and relative prediction error (RPE). The RMSEP for casein content quantification in raw, skim, and ultrafiltered milk ranged from 0.12 to 0.13%, and the RPD ranged from 3.2 to 3.4. The externally validated error of prediction was comparable to the existing rapid method and showed practical model performance for quality-control purposes. This FFFS-based method can be implemented as a routine quality-control tool in the dairy industry, providing rapid quantification of casein content in fluid milk intended for cheese manufacturing.
The imputed effect of US tariffs on wages

Abstract This paper imputes the effects of US tariffs on wages attributing variation in the import price index completely to tariffs starting with availability of the index in 1983. The average wage derived from the labor share of income and the labor force is treated as the dependent variable. Single equation error correction estimates based on the factor proportions model include energy Btu input with capital and labor. Fixed capital assets effectively imbed technology. An intensive specification based on growth theory and a labor market model are also estimated. These estimates find no imputed effects of tariffs on wages.
Complementary evolution of coding and noncoding sequence underlies mammalian hairlessness

Abstract Body hair is a defining mammalian characteristic, but several mammals, such as whales, naked mole-rats, and humans, have notably less hair than others. To find the genetic basis of reduced hair quantity, we used our evolutionary-rates-based method, RERconverge, to identify coding and noncoding sequences that evolve at significantly different rates in so-called hairless mammals compared to hairy mammals. Using RERconverge, we performed an unbiased, genome-wide scan over 62 mammal species using 19,149 genes and 343,598 conserved noncoding regions to find genetic elements that evolve at significantly different rates in hairless mammals compared to hairy mammals. We show that these rate shifts resulted from relaxation of evolutionary constraint on hair-related sequences in hairless species. In addition to detecting known and potential novel hair-related genes, we also discovered hundreds of putative hair-related regulatory elements. Computational investigation revealed that genes and their associated noncoding regions show different evolutionary patterns and influence different aspects of hair growth and development. Many genes under accelerated evolution are associated with the structure of the hair shaft itself, while evolutionary rate shifts in noncoding regions also included the dermal papilla and matrix regions of the hair follicle that contribute to hair growth and cycling. Genes that were top-ranked for coding sequence acceleration included known hair and skin genes KRT2, KRT35, PKP1, and PTPRM that surprisingly showed no signals of evolutionary rate shifts in nearby noncoding regions. Conversely, accelerated noncoding regions are most strongly enriched near regulatory hair-related genes and microRNAs, such as mir205, ELF3, and FOXC1, that themselves do not show rate shifts in their protein-coding sequences. Such dichotomy highlights the interplay between the evolution of protein sequence and regulatory sequence to contribute to the emergence of a convergent phenotype.
Clostridioides difficile infection: a comprehensive review for primary providers

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an issue of great concern due to its rising incidence, recurrence, morbidity and impact on healthcare spending. Treatment guidelines have changed in the last few years, and new therapies are being considered. This is a practical review for the primary care practitioner of the latest guidelines for CDI diagnosis, treatment, and emerging therapies.
Synthesis of 225Ac-PSMA-617 for preclinical use.

Background The recent approval of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and treatment of cancer is ushering nuclear medicine into a new era of theranostics, and alpha therapy using radiopharmaceuticals labeled with 225Ac is showing remarkable results in clinical trials. As such, reliable methods for the synthesis and quality control of 225Ac-radiopharmaceuticals are needed. Objective 225Ac-PSMA-617 is being used for targeted alpha therapy in patients with prostate cancer, and we aimed to synthesize the agent for preclinical use. However, technology transfer proved cumbersome owing to the paucity of information available on synthesizing and analyzing 225Ac-radiotherapeutics. To address this need, we describe a straightforward synthesis of 225Ac-PSMA-617 as well as suitable approaches for quality control analysis using standard equipment in a modern PET Center. Methods PSMA-617 precursor was dissolved in 25 μL metal-free water (0.67 mg/mL), and combined with 500 μL 0.05M Tris buffer, pH 9. Actinium stock solution (~65 μCi in 15 µL) was added and the reaction was heated at 120˚C for 40-50 min. The reaction was cooled and 0.6 mL gentisic acid solution (4 mg/mL in 0.2 M NH4OAc) was added. To formulate the dose for injection, sterile saline, USP (8 mL) was added and the pH was adjusted by addition of 100 μL 0.05 M Tris buffer (pH 9) to achieve a final pH of ~7.2. The final solution was filtered using a 0.22 µm GV sterile filter into a sterile dose vial. Radiochemical purity was determined by radio-TLC (eluent: 50mM Sodium Citrate, pH 5) and plates were analyzed using an AR2000 scanner. Results The method provided 225Ac-PSMA-617 in high radiochemical yield (57 ± 3 µCi, >99%) and radiochemical purity (98 ± 1%), formulated for preclinical studies (9 mL, pH = 7.2), n=3. Conclusion A straightforward synthesis of 225Ac-PSMA-617 is described that will facilitate production for (pre)clinical studies. The approach could also be applicable to the synthesis of other alpha radiotherapeutics incorporating 225Ac.
Nitrogen, water, and phosphorus uptake as functions of fine-root mass in greenhouse microcosms of Poa pratensis

Understanding resource uptake as a function of fine-root mass is important for both basic ecological theory and applied biogeochemical cycling models. We measured plant population nitrogen uptake rate (PP-NUR), and, for the first time in any species, plant population water uptake rate (PP-WUR) and plant population phosphorus uptake rate (PP-PUR). We grew greenhouse microcosms of Poa pratensis in two closely related experiments (“high-nutrient microcosms” and “low-nutrient microcosms”) under combination of nitrogen, water, and phosphorus limitation. We determined PP-NUR, PP-WUR, and PP-PUR and related all three to fine-root mass. In high-nutrient microcosms, PP-NUR, PP-WUR, and PP-PUR saturated with increasing fine-root mass. In low-nutrient microcosms, they showed a mix of linear (more often for PP-WUR) and independent (more often for PP-NUR and PP-PUR) relationships with fine-root mass. A complex mix of independent, linear, and saturating relationships between resource uptake rate and fine-root mass under different combinations of resource limitation prevent easy generalizations, but uptake was clearly independent of fine-root mass at larger fine-root masses.
Hybrid integrated photonic platforms: opinion

While photonic integration has made remarkable progress in recent years, there is no one integrated photonic platform that offers all desired functionalities and manufacturability on the same platform. GaAs and InP-based optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs) were very popular in the past decades; however, silicon photonics has recently emerged as a preferred platform due to its high-density and high-yield manufacturability leveraging the CMOS ecosystem, although it lacks optical gain, the Pockels effect, and other characteristics. On the other hand, hybrid photonic integration adds new and diverse functionalities to the host materials like silicon. This opinion paper investigates hybrid integrated photonic platforms, and discusses the new functionalities added to the silicon CMOS photonic platform.
A Complex Adaptive System Approach for Anticipating Technology Diffusion, Income Inequality and Economic Recovery

Technology progress challenges equilibrium structures of human, social, cultural and behavioral systems. These are seen in ‘new normals’ of discontinuous market changes and nonlinear trend dynamics underpinning new individual behavior and human connectivity. Here we instantiate an agent based model integrated in a CAS framework of micro individual socio-economic transactions games empowered by technology and played on different economic network structures and market sophistication for anticipating macroeconomic and social equality outcomes. We explore scenario comparisons across GDP shocks and their impact on inequality, market behavior and recovery patterns. Several different V, U, L and W-shaped macro recovery patterns are categorized specifically dependent on such CAS structures. More sophisticated markets with preferential connectivity tend to offer lower levels of inequality and are more economically robust than less developed, randomly connected, transactional markets. High resolution computational approaches such as this can offer policymakers deeper insights and more actionable policy levers to achieve desired socio-economic outcomes in times of crisis.
Medicaid Cost and Reimbursement for Low-Risk Prenatal Care in the United States.

INTRODUCTION We calculate the financial margins for delivery of routine antenatal care as reimbursed by Medicaid. Prenatal care cost varies with overhead, health care provider type, and number of office visits. Antenatal care is only one component of the global maternity bundle, which also includes intrapartum and postpartum care. METHODS Time for provision of low-risk antenatal care was determined prospectively from a study of 133 low-risk pregnant patients. Health care provider time cost was estimated using mean wages for obstetricians and midwives. Margins were estimated by subtracting cost of provider services and overhead for the antenatal component of maternity care from total Medicaid reimbursement for the pregnancy global package (CPT 59400) using 2015 dollars. The maternity bundle elements of routine prenatal laboratory tests, ultrasounds, intrapartum care, and postpartum care were not included in our analysis of cost components. RESULTS Patients received an average of 215 minutes of direct provider time per pregnancy. At the 50th percentile for physician payment and assuming overhead is 53.4% of revenue, practice margins varied by state from -$1067 to +$675, with a median of -$357. Median margins for midwifery care were +$15, with a range of -$579 to +$885. Margins were negative if overhead costs exceeded 33% of revenue for physician care and 55% of revenue for midwifery care. DISCUSSION In many states, Medicaid reimbursement for the global maternity package is less than the actual cost of antenatal care alone. Improving reimbursement or decreasing costs is necessary to make maternity care more cost-effective.
Pauli blocking of atom-light scattering.

Transition rates between coupled states in a quantum system depend on the density of available final states. The radiative decay of an excited atomic state has been suppressed by reducing the densi...
Perturbation Estimate of the Lifetime of the Davydov Soliton at 300K

The soliton model proposed by Davydov1 for energy transport in biological molecules is an important application of ideas from solid state theory to biological processes at the molecular level. It yields a compelling picture for the mechanism of energy transport in the α-helical protein molecule and consequently has been the subject of a large body of work.2 However there has been controversy in recent years concerning whether the Davydov soliton is sufficiently stable at physiological temperatures to provide a viable explanation for energy transport. Since there seems to be wide agreement on the appropriate values for the parameters of the model for the α-helical protein application, it should be possible to resolve this question.
Cell Death Mechanisms Induced by Altered Telomerase RNA Template Sequence

Due to an inability of DNA polymerases to replicate the extreme end of chromosomes, the telomeres of most somatic cells shorten with each cell division, leading to a state of senescence induced by ...
Inhibition of protease activity can lead to neurite extension in neuroblastoma cells.

Publisher Summary Neurite extension is one of the first morphological steps in neuronal differentiation. A study on the nature and the regulation of the biochemical events involved in this phenomenon requires an appropriate experimental model. The extension of neurites in neuroblastoma cells offers a number of experimental advantages for such an approach. Glial cells, including gliomas, release a macromolecular factor that induces a dose-dependent neurite outgrowth in neuroblastoma cells. This chapter explores the possibility that inhibition of cell surface associated proteases is involved in the glia induced neurite extension in neuroblastoma cells.