cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Benzodiazepines and Benzothiazepines as Modulators of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATP-ase and Ryanodine Receptors in Striated Muscle

We have reported that CGP-37157, a benzothiazepine (BZT) derivative of clonazepam utilized as a blocker of the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, also activates ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inhibits the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-stimulated ATPase (SERCA). We extended the studies to other BZT (e.g., clonazepan, diltiazem) as well as to benzodiazepines (BZD; e.g. diazepan, lorazepan). We aimed to determine if these drug classes have as a common trait the ability to modulate RyRs and/or SERCA. The effects of BZD and BZT on RyRs activity were tested in SR microsomes with a Ca2+ leak assay as well as after reconstituting RyRs into lipid bilayers. The agents tested had variable potency to increase RyR-mediated Ca2+ leak from skeletal SR microsomes. As an example, while diazepam significantly increased RyR activity, most of the others (clonazepam, lorazepam) had minor effects at high doses. In contrast, diltiazem produced moderate inhibition. Planar bilayer studies confirmed the leak observations with both cardiac and skeletal RyR. In the presence of ruthenium red, most agents decreased the rate of loading which indicates inhibitory effects on SERCA activity. The effects of BZT and BZD on loading correlated with a decrease in ATPase activity of SERCA-enriched skeletal SR fractions. In summary, most BZT and BZD utilized in therapeutics or as pharmacological tools have an inhibitory action on SERCA. In contrast, they show a variety of effects on RyRs ranging from inhibition to activation. Hence, the pharmacological action of BZT and BZD on cellular Ca2+ homeostasis reported in the literature of cardiac and skeletal muscle as well as other non-muscle systems may require taking into consideration the contributions of all drug-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ transporters. (Supported by NIH-GM078665 and AHA-MWA 12180038).
Microsphere-based DNA biosensor arrays

A microsphere-based DNA biosensor array with high packing density and low detection limits has been previously developed. Polymeric 3.1-μm-diameter microspheres are employed as the detection elements, where each microsphere is functionalized with single-stranded oligonucleotide probe sequences. The biosensor array is fabricated by randomly distributing a stock microsphere suspension, containing various oligonucleotide-functionalized microspheres, on the distal end of a chemically etched imaging fiber bundle. By placing the microspheres into wells at the end of each individual fiber, each optical channel is connected to a single microsphere. The microspheres are encoded with a unique combination of dyes in order to determine a particular microsphere’s location in the randomized array. Specific fluorescence responses are observed after hybridization with fluorescently labeled complementary targets. Enhancement of the signal to noise ratio is possible because of intrinsic redundancy of sensing elements built into the array. This microsphere-based DNA biosensor has several major advantages over existing platforms including higher sensitivity, micron-sized features, and rapid throughput. Microsphere-based DNA arrays have been successfully applied to genomic discrimination of bacteria, gene expression analysis, and the detection of bioagents.
Effect of Molded Alfalfa Hay on Rumen Activity, Performance, and Digestibility in Dairy Steers

Abstract Alfalfa from the same field was preserved as good and molded hay. Molded hay was prepared by sprinkling water (equivalent to 7.6cm rainfall) over the bales and stacking outdoors. Temperature inside the molded hay bales reached a maximum of 57 to 64C within 36 to 48 hr and subsided to atmospheric temperature in 15 days, while little temperature change was found in the good hay. Brownish coloration intensified as the temperature increased in the molded hay. Significant changes in the chemical composition of alfalfa due to mold action included lowered dry matter, ether extract, and nitrogen-free extract and higher pH, ash, and ammoniacal nitrogen. Two groups of five Holstein steers each were used in a double-reversal design feeding trial to evaluate experimental forages. Molded hay feeding produced the following changes: 1) lower dry matter intake; 2) reduced body weight gain; 3) lower total VFA concentration; 4) lower percentage of rumen propionic, isobutyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids; 5) lower rumen ammonia concentration; 6) higher percentage of rumen acetic acid; 7) higher rumen pH. Reduced total ruminal protozoa with a depression of Isotricha, Dasytricha , and Entodinium spp. was found while the percentage of Diplodinium increased with molded hay feeding. The digestibilities of the dry matter, energy, and protein for good and molded hay were 63.7, 63.1, and 76.9; and 53.7, 54.5, and 53.0%, respectively. Mold activity decreased feed value of alfalfa for dairy steers by 25 to 30%.
Direct TLC-MALDI coupling using a hybrid plate.

A new TLC-MALDI direct coupling method which recovers approximately 100% of the analyte is presented. The method makes use of a hybrid TLC-MALDI plate in which a silica layer and a MALDI layer are configured adjacently on a common backing. After TLC separation, the plate is rotated 90° and the separated analyte spots are eluted from the silica layer to the MALDI layer via capillary action of the MALDI layer. Signal-to-noise ratios are significantly improved over previously reported coupling methods. Low-femtomole detection limits have been demonstrated for small cyclic peptides, which are comparable to detection limits for standard MALDI measurements.
Physiologic functions of activating natural killer (NK) complex-encoded receptors on NK cells

Natural killer (NK) cells express a superfamily of surface proteins that share common structural features: dimeric type II integral membrane proteins with extracellular domains resembling C-type lectins. These receptors are encoded by a single genetic region called the NK complex (NKC). The NKC encompasses several families of genes including NKR-PI, Ly-49, CD94/NKG2, and NKG2D. Different NKC-encoded receptors have been shown to activate or to inhibit NK-cell function, and different receptors within the same family can have opposing functions. Within an individual NK cell, inhibitory receptors typically predominate over stimulatory receptors, calling into question the teleologic requirement or physiologic significance of lectin-like activating receptors in NK cells. Despite the widespread expression of inhibitory receptors, however, subtle features of activating receptor biology enable them to stimulate effector functions in vivo and in vitro. Activating receptors and inhibitory receptors differ in their subset expression, in their structural constraints for binding to common ligands, in their ligand repertoires, and in that divergent families of activating receptors utilize different signaling pathways. These subset, binding, repertoire, and signaling diversities may allow activating receptors to manifest their effects in spite of inhibitory receptor functions during pathologic conditions in vivo. In this review, we will present a detailed analysis of the data supporting this hypothesis with particular relevance toward physiologic NK-cell functions.
DNA Synthesis, Mitosis and Ploidy of Dividing Cells in Early Crown Gall

DNA synthesis, mitosis and ploidy of dividing cells were studied during 30 h after wounding around wounds inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens, around sterile wounds and in control stems of Vicia faba. DNA synthesis was examined by counting nuclei labelled with 3H-thymidine in slides in which mitoses had been counted and analyzed before autoradiography. The main results were that around inoculated wounds, DNA synthesis and the number of mitoses showed a peak between 12 and 22.5 h. Both types of wounding induced mitoses, many of them polyploid (DNA content higher than 4C), both in the pith and the cortex, whereas in the control stems only diploid mitoses, mostly in the stelar area, were seen. The first polyploid (8C) mitoses around the inoculated wounds took place at 12 h and at 15.5 h 32C mitoses were seen; around the sterile wounds the first 8C divisions occurred at 26 h. The frequency of polyploid mitoses and their degree of ploidy continued to be considerably higher around the crown gall than around the control wounds. When a cell with a higher than 4C content is induced to divide, the 12 chromosomes, as a rule, consist of four, eight, 16 or 32 chromatids, instead of the normal two. The early division of highly polyploid cells around the inoculated wounds is obviously caused by growth factors which are known to be produced by the bacteria. It appears possible that this ability to synthesize excessive amounts of growth factors is subsequently transferred to the host cells through bacterial DNA.
Incorporating RTI in a Hybrid Model of Reading Disability

The present study seeks to evaluate a hybrid model of identification that incorporates response-to-intervention (RTI) as a one of the key symptoms of reading disability. The one-year stability of alternative operational definitions of reading disability was examined in a large scale sample of students who were followed longitudinally from first to second grade. The results confirmed previous findings of limited stability for single-criterion based operational definitions of reading disability. However, substantially greater stability was obtained for a hybrid model of reading disability that incorporates RTI with other common symptoms of reading disability.
The Department of Card Tricks and Close Magic

The techniques of close-magic tricks and a procedure in the catheterization lab have some things in common.
Quantitative assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness, skeletal muscle function, and body composition in adults with primary malignant glioma

BACKGROUND: The study was undertaken to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness, skeletal muscle function, and body composition of patients with newly diagnosed and untreated, postsurgical primary malignant glioma. METHODS: By using a cross-sectional design, patients with clinically stable (10 ± 7 days postsurgery) high-grade glioma (HGG; n = 25) or low-grade glioma (LGG; n = 10) were studied. Participants performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) with expired gas analysis to assess cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption, VO2peak). Other physiological outcomes included skeletal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA; magnetic resonance imaging), isokinetic muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer), and body composition (air displacement plethysmography). Quality of life was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain scale. RESULTS: CPET was a feasible and safe procedure to assess VO2peak, with no serious adverse events. VO2peak indexed to total body weight and lean body mass (LBM) for both groups was 13.0 mL · weight · min−1 and 19 mL · LBM · min−1, the equivalent to 59% and 38% below age- and sex-predicted normative values, respectively. Skeletal muscle strength and mid-thigh CSA were lower in HGG relative to LGG patients (83 vs 125 Nm, P = .025; 94 vs 119 cm2, P = .171, respectively). Skeletal muscle isokinetic strength, CSA, and body composition outcomes predicted VO2peak (r = −0.59 to 0.68, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Postsurgical glioma patients have markedly reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, isokinetic strength, and CSA. Prospective studies are now required to determine whether such abnormalities influence treatment toxicity and clinical outcome as well as to test the effect of appropriately selected interventions to prevent and/or mitigate dysfunction. Cancer 2010. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Reactivity of the terminal oxo species ((tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N)RhO

Reactivity of the 4-coordinate molecule (PNP)RhO (PNP is (tBu2PCH2SiMe2)2N) towards CO proceeds stepwise, first forming an η2-CO2 complex, by a mechanism which involves a preliminary adduct of CO on Rh, then a second CO displaces CO2. Reaction of the oxo complex with CO2 occurs in time of mixing even at low temperature to form (PNP)Rh(η2-CO3), with no intermediate detectable. DFT calculations indicate an initial bond formation between the oxo center and the CO2 carbon. Reaction of (PNP)RhO with H2 occurs only at a 1 : 2 molar stoichiometry, to ultimately form (PNP)Rh(H)2 and free H2O. No intermediate reaches detectable population even at −60 °C, but DFT mapping of various possible mechanisms on the singlet energy surface shows that the nearly equi-energetic (PNP)Rh(H2O) and (PNP)RhH(OH) are formed, but only the latter readily adds the second molecule of H2 to proceed to the observed products; these reactions thus both involve heterolytic splitting of H2.
Artificial and natural duplicates in pyrosequencing reads of metagenomic data

Background Artificial duplicates from pyrosequencing reads may lead to incorrect interpretation of the abundance of species and genes in metagenomic studies. Duplicated reads were filtered out in many metagenomic projects. However, since the duplicated reads observed in a pyrosequencing run also include natural (non-artificial) duplicates, simply removing all duplicates may also cause underestimation of abundance associated with natural duplicates.
Using "Wild" Laughter to Explore the Social Sources of Humor

Analyses of the multiple cognitive structures and social effects of humor seldom look at why these tend to center on particular topics. The puzzle of how humor can be highly varied yet somehow constrained by its source “material” is explored using a corpus of over 600 incidents, not of deliberate jokes, but of the “wilder,” unplanned laughter that occurred during a set of interviews with economists—professionals who at the time (1999–2000) enjoyed an unprecedented degree of status and influence. The analysis finds that the source material for this laughter typically involved three kinds of socially structured contradiction: between ideals and reality, between different socially situated viewpoints, and between experiences occurring at different times. This illustrates how particular kinds of content can have a special laughter-inducing potential, and it suggests that wild laughter may at root be an interactional mechanism for dealing with social incongruity—even for members of relatively powerful groups. It is argued that this could not only help solve the larger puzzle of simultaneous variety and constraint in deliberate comedy, but also explain why the characteristic structures of humor are associated with a particular range of social effects in the first place.
Differentiation of Xylella fastidiosa Strains via Multilocus Sequence Analysis of Environmentally Mediated Genes (MLSA-E)

Isolates of the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa are genetically very similar, but studies on their biological traits have indicated differences in virulence and infection symptomatology. Taxonomic analyses have identified several subspecies, and phylogenetic analyses of housekeeping genes have shown broad host-based genetic differences; however, results are still inconclusive for genetic differentiation of isolates within subspecies. This study employs multilocus sequence analysis of environmentally mediated genes (MLSA-E; genes influenced by environmental factors) to investigate X. fastidiosa relationships and differentiate isolates with low genetic variability. Potential environmentally mediated genes, including host colonization and survival genes related to infection establishment, were identified a priori. The ratio of the rate of nonsynonymous substitutions to the rate of synonymous substitutions (dN/dS) was calculated to select genes that may be under increased positive selection compared to previously studied housekeeping genes. Nine genes were sequenced from 54 X. fastidiosa isolates infecting different host plants across the United States. Results of maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian phylogenetic (BP) analyses are in agreement with known X. fastidiosa subspecies clades but show novel within-subspecies differentiation, including geographic differentiation, and provide additional information regarding host-based isolate variation and specificity. dN/dS ratios of environmentally mediated genes, though <1 due to high sequence similarity, are significantly greater than housekeeping gene dN/dS ratios and correlate with increased sequence variability. MLSA-E can more precisely resolve relationships between closely related bacterial strains with low genetic variability, such as X. fastidiosa isolates. Discovering the genetic relationships between X. fastidiosa isolates will provide new insights into the epidemiology of populations of X. fastidiosa, allowing improved disease management in economically important crops.
THE BAYES INFERENCE ENGINE

The authors are developing a computer application, called the Bayes Inference Engine, to provide the means to make inferences about models of physical reality within a Bayesian framework. The construction of complex nonlinear models is achieved by a fully object-oriented design. The models are represented by a data-flow diagram that may be manipulated by the analyst through a graphical programming environment. Maximum a posteriori solutions are achieved using a general, gradient-based optimization algorithm. The application incorporates a new technique of estimating and visualizing the uncertainties in specific aspects of the model.
Impact on renal function of percutaneous thermal ablation of renal masses in patients with preexisting chronic kidney disease.

Abstract Purpose To examine the effect of percutaneous thermal ablation of renal masses on renal function among patients with baseline chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials And Methods Patients with baseline CKD (initial glomerular filtration rate [GFR] 2 ) who underwent percutaneous cryoablation or radiofrequency (RF) ablation of renal masses were reviewed. Results A total of 48 patients with a GRF of 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or lower were treated with renal cryoablation or RF ablation and had follow-up GFR measurement 1 month afterward. Mean patient age was 73 years (range, 47–89 y). Cryoablation was performed in 22 patients and RF ablation was performed in 26. Mean tumor diameter was 3.4 cm (range, 0.9–10.2 cm). Mean overall GFRs were 39.8 mL/min/1.73 m 2 at baseline and 39.7 mL/min/1.73 m 2 at 1 month after ablation ( P = .85). A total of 38 patients had 1-year follow-up GFR measurement (cryoablation, n=18; RF ablation, n=20), and their mean GFR was 40.9 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ± 11.4 (SD), compared with a preablation GFR of 41.2 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ( P = .79). In the cryoablation group, mean GFRs at 1 month and 1 year were 41.4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and 44.4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , compared with respective baseline GFRs of 41.1 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and 42.1 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ( P = .75 and P = .19, respectively). In the RF ablation group, mean GFRs at 1 month and 1 year were 38.2 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and 37.8 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , compared with respective baseline GFRs of 38.7 mL/min/1.73 m 2 and 40.4 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ( P = .58 and P = .09, respectively). Conclusions Independent of ablation modality, percutaneous renal mass ablation does not appear to affect renal function among patients with CKD.
Urinary copper elevation in a mouse model of Wilson's disease is a regulated process to specifically decrease the hepatic copper load.

Body copper homeostasis is regulated by the liver, which removes excess copper via bile. In Wilson's disease (WD), this function is disrupted due to inactivation of the copper transporter ATP7B resulting in hepatic copper overload. High urinary copper is a diagnostic feature of WD linked to liver malfunction; the mechanism behind urinary copper elevation is not fully understood. Using Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) imaging of live Atp7b−/− mice at different stages of disease, a longitudinal metal analysis, and characterization of copper-binding molecules, we show that urinary copper elevation is a specific regulatory process mediated by distinct molecules. PET-CT and atomic absorption spectroscopy directly demonstrate an age-dependent decrease in the capacity of Atp7b−/− livers to accumulate copper, concomitant with an increase in urinary copper. This reciprocal relationship is specific for copper, indicating that cell necrosis is not the primary cause for the initial phase of metal elevation in the urine. Instead, the urinary copper increase is associated with the down-regulation of the copper-transporter Ctr1 in the liver and appearance of a 2 kDa Small Copper Carrier, SCC, in the urine. SCC is also elevated in the urine of the liver-specific Ctr1−/− knockouts, which have normal ATP7B function, suggesting that SCC is a normal metabolite carrying copper in the serum. In agreement with this hypothesis, partially purified SCC-Cu competes with free copper for uptake by Ctr1. Thus, hepatic down-regulation of Ctr1 allows switching to an SCC-mediated removal of copper via kidney when liver function is impaired. These results demonstrate that the body regulates copper export through more than one mechanism; better understanding of urinary copper excretion may contribute to an improved diagnosis and monitoring of WD.
WAT-free mice: diabetes without obesity

Two papers appearing in this issue report the generation of transgenic mice largely devoid of white adipose tissue (WAT). In both cases the resulting mice display anatomical and physiological properties very similar to human patients suffering from generalized lipodystrophy. Such patients lack WAT, a condition resulting from either genetic or autoimmune etiologies, and are severely diabetic (Foster 1994; Seip and Trygstad 1996). The present reports provide fresh and interesting observations regarding the physiological consequences of life without fat and, moreover, establish animal models that offer new opportunities for the study of type 2 diabetes.
Fabric-Based Systems: model, tools, applications

A Fabric-Based System (FBS) is a parameterized cellular architecture in which an array of computing cells communicates with an embedded processor through a global memory. This architecture is customizable to different classes of applications by functional unit, interconnect, and memory parameters, and can be instantiated efficiently on platform FPGAs (field programmable gate array). In previous work (Bellows et al., 2002), we have demonstrated the advantage of reconfigurable fabrics for image and signal processing applications. Recently, we have built a Fabric Generator (FG), a Java-based toolset that greatly accelerates construction of the fabrics. A module-generation library is used to define, instantiate, and interconnect cells' datapaths. FG also generates customized sequencers for individual cells or collections of cells. We describe the Fabric-Based System model, the FG toolset, and concrete realizations of fabric architectures generated by FG on the Altera Excalibur ARM that can deliver 4.5 GigaMACs/s (8/16 bit data, multiply-accumulate).
Service Use Among Low-Income Minority Elderly: Strategies for Overcoming Barriers

The 1987 amendments to the Older Americans Act mandate a special effort to serve low-income minority elderly persons. A literature review showed that "practice-oriented" research on service use has focused primarily on identifying barriers with much less attention to identification of strategies for overcoming the barriers. This paper identifies and describes strategies used throughout Texas. Strategies addressing the "lack of knowledge" barrier included use of influential groups, working with significant individuals, and the media. Strategies addressing the "lack of access" barrier included transportation, affordability, and availability. Strategies addressing the "lack of intent" barrier focused on cultural differences, making services attractive, and overcoming negative attitudes toward service use.
Large Variations In Medicare Payments For Surgery Highlight Savings Potential From Bundled Payment Programs

Payers are considering bundled payments for inpatient surgery, combining provider reimbursements into a single payment for the entire episode. We found that current Medicare episode payments for ce...
Interspecific Competition in Grallaria Antpittas: Observations at a Feeder

We describe an aggressive interaction between the extremely rare Jocotoco Antpitta (Grallaria ridgelyi) and a close relative, the Chestnut-naped Antpitta (Grallaria nuchalis). Since first discovered in 1997, ecological information about the Jocotoco Antpitta has begun to accrue; however, much remains to be learned about this rare species in its limited native range. The observations described here advance our knowledge of the behavioral ecology of this elusive species and contribute more broadly to our knowledge of interspecific competition in antpittas in general. We show that in avian systems in which playback experiments fail to detect competition, competition may still be prevalent, in this case manifesting in a nonvocal, physically aggressive interaction. We also raise new questions about the potential for temporal variation in interspecific competition in grallariids due to increased resource demands during nestling provisioning.
Epidemiology and cause-specific outcomes of facial fracture in hospitalized children

PURPOSE: Facial fractures in the pediatric population have a significant impact on public health. Although some demographic data exists regarding the overall epidemiology of facial fractures, little attention has been paid to the patterns of facial fractures based on the etiology of the trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Kids' Inpatient Database 2000-2009 was utilized to analyze pediatric facial fractures. A total of 21,533 patients were identified. Associations of patient characteristics with outcomes of interest were assessed. RESULTS: The top three etiologies were motor vehicle accident (MVA), intentional trauma (IT), and falls. There was a decrease in the incidence of facial fractures due to MVAs and an increase in injuries due to IT and falls. Concomitant injuries were present in 58.8% and the mortality rate was 2%. The rate of concomitant injuries increased during study period. Age was significantly associated with concomitant injury, mortality, and LOS. CONCLUSION: The increasing rate of IT and falls with concomitant injury warrants special consideration to reduce undiagnosed accompanying injuries. Further programs should be put in place to protect children younger than 5 years of age, who have increased risk of concomitant injury and mortality following intentional trauma. Language: en
Evidence of female sex pheromones and characterization of the cuticular lipids of unfed, adult male versus female blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis

Copulation in Ixodes scapularis involves physical contact between the male and female (on or off the host), male mounting of the female, insertion/maintenance of the male chelicerae in the female genital pore (initiates spermatophore production), and the transfer of the spermatophore by the male into the female genital pore. Bioassays determined that male mounting behavior/chelicerae insertion required direct contact with the female likely requiring non-volatile chemical cues with no evidence of a female volatile sex pheromone to attract males. Unfed virgin adult females and replete mated adult females elicited the highest rates of male chelicerae insertion with part fed virgin adult females exhibiting a much lower response. Whole body surface hexane extracts of unfed virgin adult females and males, separately analyzed by GC–MS, identified a number of novel tick surface associated compounds: fatty alcohols (1-hexadecanol and 1-heptanol), a fatty amide (erucylamid), aromatic hydrocarbons, a short chain alkene (1-heptene), and a carboxylic acid ester (5β-androstane). These compounds are discussed in terms of their potential role in female–male communication. The two most abundant fatty acid esters found were butyl palmitate and butyl stearate present in ratios that were sex specific. Only 6 n-saturated hydrocarbons were identified in I. scapularis ranging from 10 to 18 carbons.
Polymorphic Sexuality, Homoeroticism, and the Study of Religion

My first reaction to Kripal's work was similar to Peter Berger's reaction to receiving the first volume of the Fundamentalism Project, a reaction that Berger calls an "Aha! experience."' Berger explains his experience as follows: "Why would the MacArthur Foundation pay out several million dollars to support an international study of religious fundamentalists?" (3). Surely one important answer, says Berger, is as follows: "So-called fundamentalism was assumed to be a strange, difficult-to-understand phenomenon; the purpose of the Project was to delve into this alien world and make it more understandable." (3). Berger then continues:
DRILLING FOR COMMON GROUND: HOW PUBLIC OPINION TRACKS EXPERTS IN THE DEBATE OVER FEDERAL REGULATION OF SHALE OIL & GAS EXTRACTION

Public interest in environmental and public health impacts in shale oil and gas extraction (what the public calls fracking) is growing. Industry claims the public outcry against the new technology is not grounded in science. In February 2013, Resources for the Future published a list of high priority “risk pathways” that experts from NGOs, academia, government and industry all agreed were real concerns in fracking. This article used the risk matrix to evaluate whether public comments in dockets of federal agencies that proposed federal regulation concerning hydraulic fracturing tracked expert concern. The article found that the public tracked many of the expert’s shared concerns. Highest concern was raised by water pollution concerns in surface and groundwater from fracking fluids, flowback and produced water. The public shared expert worry over cementing and casing failures and understood that these were the primary causes of most groundwater contamination. Damage to habitat was the third greatest concern raised by the public. Methane leakage into air and water was less cited. Concerns over technical matters were rarely mentioned by the general public but were often cited by self-identified experts. The article concludes while the general public did not go into the detail about regulatory mechanism that was often reflected by experts, the concerns raised by the public in comments to proposed rulemakings largely reflected the consensus themes of the experts. More significantly, the public writing overwhelmingly favored increased federal regulation to protect public health and the environment. The very limited number of comments opposing increased regulation were presented by members of industry; these objections were based on financial considerations and did not present evidence that adequate regulations were already in place to protect public health and the environment.
Estimating biologically relevant parameters under uncertainty for experimental within-host murine West Nile virus infection

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging pathogen that has decimated bird populations and caused severe outbreaks of viral encephalitis in humans. Currently, little is known about the within-host viral kinetics of WNV during infection. We developed mathematical models to describe viral replication, spread and host immune response in wild-type and immunocompromised mice. Our approach fits a target cell-limited model to viremia data from immunocompromised knockout mice and an adaptive immune response model to data from wild-type mice. Using this approach, we first estimate parameters governing viral production and viral spread in the host using simple models without immune responses. We then use these parameters in a more complex immune response model to characterize the dynamics of the humoral immune response. Despite substantial uncertainty in input parameters, our analysis generates relatively precise estimates of important viral characteristics that are composed of nonlinear combinations of model parameters: we estimate the mean within-host basic reproductive number, R 0 , to be 2.3 (95% of values in the range 1.7–2.9); the mean infectious virion burst size to be 2.9 plaque-forming units (95% of values in the range 1.7–4.7); and the average number of cells infected per infectious virion to be between 0.3 and 0.99. Our analysis gives mechanistic insights into the dynamics of WNV infection and produces estimates of viral characteristics that are difficult to measure experimentally. These models are a first step towards a quantitative understanding of the timing and effectiveness of the humoral immune response in reducing host viremia and consequently the epidemic spread of WNV.
Design of Top-open Style Compound Clamp for Tunnel Rigs Used for Directional Long Boreholes in Coalmine

Now it has difficulty of down-hole motor and drilling tools with big outer diameter can't go through existed clamps in process of long borehole construction,top-open style compound clamp was designed to meet the demand,it was used for ZDY4000LD all hydraulic track-mounted drilling rig.Numerical modeling analysis on disc spring in compound clamp was to study clamp output performance,result indicated clamp disc spring set has ability of large holding force.Through field test,it is demonstrated that top-open style compound clamp solve difficulty of down-hole motor and drilling tools with big outer diameter lowering,and it has advantages of large opening,low open oil pressure and reliable performance.
Clinicopathologic studies in feminizing tumors of the ovary. I. Some aspects of the pathology and therapy of granulosa cell tumors.

Abstract Clinical and pathologic data from a series of 41 patients with granulosa cell tumor are reviewed. An attempt is made to correlate these data with basic research data which relate to the pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and experimental production of these tumors. The pathologic factors related to survival are the degree of anaplasia of the tumor and the stage of the disease. The treatment of choice is complete surgical extirpation of the internal genitals, followed by irradiation in cases beyond Stage I. Conservative operation is justified only in patients with Stage I disease, who desire further childbearing. On the basis of animal experiments, it appears that postoperative estrogen administration may be useful adjunctive therapy, and this is recommended.
Organic solar cells and fully printed super-capacitors optimized for indoor light energy harvesting

Abstract Flexibility, lightness and printability make organic solar cells (OSC) strong candidates to power low consumption devices such as envisioned for the Internet of Things. Such devices may be placed indoors, where light levels are well below typical outdoors level. Here, we demonstrate that maximizing the efficiency of OSC for indoor operation requires specific device optimization. In particular, minimizing the dark current of the solar cells is critical to enhance their efficiency under indoor light. Cells optimized for sunlight reach 6.2% power conversion efficiency (PCE). However when measured under simulated indoor light conditions, the PCE is to 5.2%. Cells optimized for indoor operation yield 7.6% of PCE under indoor conditions. As a proof-of-concept, the solar cells are combined with fully printed super-capacitors to form a photo-rechargeable system. Such a system with a 0.475 cm 2 indoor-optimized solar cell achieved a total energy conversion and storage efficiency (ECSE) of 1.57% under 1-sun, providing 26 mJ of energy and 4.1 mW of maximum power. Under simulated indoor light the system yielded an ECSE of 2.9%, while delivering 13.3 mJ and 2.8 mW. Those energy and power levels would be sufficient to power low-consumption electronic devices with low duty cycles.
Sportspersonship coaching behaviours, relatedness need satisfaction, and early adolescent athletes’ prosocial and antisocial behaviour

Introduction: Previous research has found that high school athletes’ prosocial and antisocial behaviours were predicted by coaches’ behaviours focused on sportspersonship, as assessed by the Sportsmanship Coaching Behaviours Scale (SCBS). However, these relationships have not been assessed with early adolescents. In line with basic needs theory (BNT), sportspersonship coaching behaviours should be associated with athletes’ prosocial and antisocial behaviours through effects on their sense of relatedness. The two purposes of the present study were: (a) establish further validity and reliability for the SCBS and (b) determine whether relatedness mediates the relationship between coaching behaviours and athletes’ prosocial and antisocial behaviours. Design: Cross-sectional, correlational design. Method: Participants included 246 middle school-aged boys and girls (M age = 11.8, SD = 1.2) involved in a team sport who completed a survey to assess study variables. Results: Analyses showed a good fit to the data ...
Light Regimes Shape Utilization of Extracellular Organic C and N in a Cyanobacterial Biofilm

ABSTRACT Although it is becoming clear that many microbial primary producers can also play a role as organic consumers, we know very little about the metabolic regulation of photoautotroph organic matter consumption. Cyanobacteria in phototrophic biofilms can reuse extracellular organic carbon, but the metabolic drivers of extracellular processes are surprisingly complex. We investigated the metabolic foundations of organic matter reuse by comparing exoproteome composition and incorporation of 13 C-labeled and 15 N-labeled cyanobacterial extracellular organic matter (EOM) in a unicyanobacterial biofilm incubated using different light regimes. In the light and the dark, cyanobacterial direct organic C assimilation accounted for 32% and 43%, respectively, of all organic C assimilation in the community. Under photosynthesis conditions, we measured increased excretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and proteins involved in micronutrient transport, suggesting that requirements for micronutrients may drive EOM assimilation during daylight hours. This interpretation was supported by photosynthesis inhibition experiments, in which cyanobacteria incorporated N-rich EOM-derived material. In contrast, under dark, C-starved conditions, cyanobacteria incorporated C-rich EOM-derived organic matter, decreased excretion of EPS, and showed an increased abundance of degradative exoproteins, demonstrating the use of the extracellular domain for C storage. Sequence-structure modeling of one of these exoproteins predicted a specific hydrolytic activity that was subsequently detected, confirming increased EOM degradation in the dark. Associated heterotrophic bacteria increased in abundance and upregulated transport proteins under dark relative to light conditions. Taken together, our results indicate that biofilm cyanobacteria are successful competitors for organic C and N and that cyanobacterial nutrient and energy requirements control the use of EOM. IMPORTANCE Cyanobacteria are globally distributed primary producers, and the fate of their fixed C influences microbial biogeochemical cycling. This fate is complicated by cyanobacterial degradation and assimilation of organic matter, but because cyanobacteria are assumed to be poor competitors for organic matter consumption, regulation of this process is not well tested. In mats and biofilms, this is especially relevant because cyanobacteria produce an extensive organic extracellular matrix, providing the community with a rich source of nutrients. Light is a well-known regulator of cyanobacterial metabolism, so we characterized the effects of light availability on the incorporation of organic matter. Using stable isotope tracing at the single-cell level, we quantified photoautotroph assimilation under different metabolic conditions and integrated the results with proteomics to elucidate metabolic status. We found that cyanobacteria effectively compete for organic matter in the light and the dark and that nutrient requirements and community interactions contribute to cycling of extracellular organic matter.
Accounting and Economic Systems: A Tribute to the Work of Jacques Richard

This chapter presents a tribute to the work of Jacques Richard, who has been both a well-known professor at the University Paris Dauphine, and an important scholar regarding the history and development of accounting systems and international financial accounting standards. Professor Richard has also been an inspiring mentor to a generation of accounting students both in France and other countries.
Place identification and positive realities of aging.

The concepts of place attachment and place identity inform this study of the experiences of older African Americans in a small town in the midwestern United States. Life stories collected from ordinary people remembering the past fifty years offer a view of aging which is contrary to the widely reported negative status that stems from lifelong experiences of injustice and inequality. Individuals do not see themselves in such a state. Experiences relative to identification with and the attachment to a place hold powerful memories for older people. The cumulative memories of place allow individuals to maintain a favorable self-image in spite of the contingencies of later life. This affirms a positive rather than negative view of aging in a region people call `God's Country'.
Being-Jazz in the Middle

Jazz rhetoric can mean two things. The first is the discourse about jazz, its significance and its meaning. The second is the music itself as an unfolding form performed to an audience. Both have constitutive political effects that function through pathos prior to a distinction between subject and object. This pathos arises through in-betweenness or interality, and can be described in terms of the middle voice, Dasein, and aesthetic experience. This article develops these concepts through a discussion of the jazz rhetorics of Wynton Marsalis and Amiri Baraka. La rhetorique du jazz englobe deux phenomenes : Les discours sur le jazz, le decrivant, le donnant sens et signification et la musique jazz en tant que telle, qui apparait et se donne forme lors de sa mise en scene devant un auditoire. Ces deux ont des effets constitutifs d’ordre politique a travers un pathos qui precede toute distinction entre objet et sujet. Ce pathos emerge de l’interal, d’une lacune relationnelle a laquelle on peut reflechir se servant de concepts tels la voix moyenne, le Dasein, et l’experience esthetique. Ceux-ci informent une analyse des rhetoriques jazz de Wynton Marsalis et d’Amiri Baraka.
Architecture before architecture: Frei Otto's ‘Deep History’

The German architect Frei Otto was deeply concerned with the environmental crisis caused by the presence of humans on earth. Otto responded to this by investigating the origins, and potential futures, of architecture through the lens of natural history. This paper will focus on the significant collaboration between Frei Otto and the German biologist and anthropologist Johann-Gerhard Helmcke (1908–1993). Their collaboration began in the early 1960s, and can be largely credited for Otto's interest in biology and his appropriation of scientific methodology. Helmcke's anthropological work also influenced Otto's understanding of the role of humans in creating architecture and the environment. Otto and Helmcke developed a theory of bio-technics based on measuring and calculating the structural properties of plants, animals and even human bodies. Eventually, they invented a cosmology of objects that extended to all forms, whether living or non-living, natural or technological—including architecture.Helmcke argue...
Alveolar Cell Mitophagy in Staphylococcus Aureus Pneumonia in Mice

The lung’s antimicrobial defenses involve many innate and adaptive immune responses, but highly necrotizing (oxidizing) pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus ( SA ) are controlled by incompletely understood mechanisms. A redox-regulated response to pneumonia involves mitophagy, or the removal of damaged mitochondria from cells that opposes inflammasome formation. In order to identify and localize mitophagy in the lung after SA infection, we administered 1×10 8 CFU of SA by nasal inoculation to C57BL/6 mice and harvested lungs at days 0, 1, 2, 3 for bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), Western blot analysis, and qRT-PCR. Mitophagy and mitophagy proteins were localized by confocal immunofluorescence. In C57BL/6 mice, pneumonia-induced pulmonary inflammasome activation was detected by increases in IL-1β and NLRP3 protein levels at 1 day along with increased BAL cell count and protein. Overall lung resistance increased and lung compliance decreased post-infection. The LC3-II/LC3I ratio increased, and there was loss of p62, a redox-regulated scaffolding protein of the autophagosome. Those findings supported that SA infection promoted mitochondrial clearance in lung cells. Moreover, SA infection caused an increase in PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin. Confocal microscopy showed increased PINK1 and Parkin with fragmented mitochondria in alveolar type 2 cells and alveolar macrophages. Because mitochondrial clearance is highly regulated and intimately linked with mitochondrial fission and fusion proteins, we checked key proteins Mff, its ligand Drp1, and Mfn2 and found an increase in the former at day 1 and the latter by day 2-3 post SA inoculation. Furthermore, alveolar mitophagy appeared to depend mainly on activation of the non-canonical mitophagy pathway and correlated with decreases in levels of TLR2 and 9 in alveolar macrophage, suggesting mitophagy as a protective mechanism in macrophages by playing a role in preventing over-responses to TLR2 and 9 ligands perhaps by lowering mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. Thus, we propose activation of mitophagy in the alveolar region as a critical resolution mechanism for pulmonary inflammation caused by SA infection.
Political Tolerance and Religion: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis, 1984–2014

Using data from the 1984–2014 General Social Survey, we employ cross classified random effects models to examine age-period-cohort changes in political tolerance by religion, incorporating religious belief, belonging, and behavior into the analyses. The results show large cohort and period based changes in political tolerance of the various religious traditions. The results also suggest that the primary driver of changes over time in political tolerance is best attributed to period effects, not cohort replacement, although there is some evidence of a cohort effect among Roman Catholics. Finally, our results demonstrate that aggregate data analyses can lead to noticeably different results and thus can mask substantial differences between groups.