cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phenylbutyric acid reduces amyloid plaques and rescues cognitive behavior in AD transgenic mice

Trafficking through the secretory pathway is known to regulate the maturation of the APP-cleaving secretases and APP proteolysis. The coupling of stress signaling and pathological deterioration of the brain in Alzheimer's disease (AD) supports a mechanistic connection between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and neurodegeneration. Consequently, small molecular chaperones, which promote protein folding and minimize ER stress, might be effective in delaying or attenuating the deleterious progression of AD. We tested this hypothesis by treating APPswePS1delta9 AD transgenic mice with the molecular chaperone phenylbutyric acid (PBA) for 14 months at a dose of 1 mg PBA g(-1) of body weight in the drinking water. Phenylbutyric acid treatment increased secretase-mediated APP cleavage, but was not associated with any increase in amyloid biosynthesis. The PBA-treated AD transgenic mice had significantly decreased incidence and size of amyloid plaques throughout the cortex and hippocampus. There was no change in total amyloid levels suggesting that PBA modifies amyloid aggregation or pathogenesis independently of biogenesis. The decrease in amyloid plaques was paralleled by increased memory retention, as PBA treatment facilitated cognitive performance in a spatial memory task in both wild-type and AD transgenic mice. The molecular mechanism underlying the cognitive facilitation of PBA is not clear; however, increased levels of both metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors, as well as ADAM10 and TACE, were observed in the cortex and hippocampus of PBA-treated mice. The data suggest that PBA ameliorates the cognitive and pathological features of AD and supports the investigation of PBA as a therapeutic for AD.
Management of isolated common iliac artery aneurysms.

Purpose: Since isolated common iliac artery aneurysms are rare and there is no consensus regarding some aspects of their management, we reviewed our recorded experience with common iliac artery aneurysms from 1977 through 1993. Methods: We were able to identify 25 patients having a total of 33 common iliac artery aneurysms on the basis of information maintained by our medical records staff, old surgical logs and a departmental registry that was implemented in 1989. Follow-up data were collected from outpatient charts and by telephone contact. New imaging studies were obtained for 14 patients who either underwent common iliac artery aneurysm repair without aortic replacement (aortic ultrasound scans, n = 7) or had no surgical treatment whatsoever (computerized tomography of the abdomen and pelvis, n = 7). Results: All 25 patients were men (mean age, 71 years). Eighteen patients (72%) had elective (n = 14) or urgent (n = 4) operations to repair common iliac artery aneurysms with mean diameters of 3.8 cm and 5.8 cm, respectively. There was one postoperative death (5.5%) in conjunction with complementary renal revascularization in a patient with preoperative renal insufficiency. During a mean follow-up period of 50 months, two (29%) of the seven patients who had not received bifurcation grafts at the time of their common iliac artery aneurysm procedures had developed infrarenal aortic aneurysms. Seven (28%) of the original 25 patients were observed without intervention for common iliac artery aneurysms measuring 2–2.5 cm in diameter. No common iliac artery aneurysm enlargement or new aortic aneurysms have been documented in any of these patients at a mean follow-up interval of 57 months. Conclusions: In our limited experience, the risk for spontaneous rupture appears to be concentrated among common iliac artery aneurysms exceeding 5 cm in diameter, while those that are less than 3 cm in diameter may fail even to enlarge under observation. Therefore, common iliac artery aneurysms measuring ≥3 cm in size probably warrant surgical treatment, at which time simultaneous aortic replacement also should be a serious consideration.
IEEE-HKN: The new international ECE honor society

An agreement has been signed which moves Eta Kappa Nu (HKN), the North American honor society for Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) students, into the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE.) The primary motivation has been stated to be enhanced financial stability, but the challenge that has been immediately recognized is the opportunity to expand the Society's membership beyond its current geographical base in the United States to the IEEE's international range. The paper and presentation briefly review HKN's history and mission, and its traditional role in US ECE departments. This is followed by a summary of its current status, and reasons for the proposed administrative changes at this time. Details of the proposal are covered, with a brief mention of some of the issues that were raised as it was debated, and their resolution. Finally, the main purpose of this ISSE presentation is to highlight the opportunity for European IEEE student branches to work with the rapidly growing local chapters of the IEEE Education Society and national accreditation bodies to establish HKN chapters.
2 Samuel 12 as retold by Josephus

In this essay the author intends to focus on Josephus' retelling of the events of 2 Samuel 12. At the opening of his Antiquities, Josephus assures readers that in what follows he will not “add to” or “omit anything from” the Scripture records on which he is basing himself. Ant. 7.147-161, where on the one hand the basic content of 2 Samuel 12 is reproduced even in its details, while on the other additions, deletions, re-arrangements and other modifications of biblical data abound, offers an instructive example of how seriously, but also how flexibly, the historian carried through on that opening promise.
Estimation of Bit Probability of Error Using Sync Word Error Rate Data

Assuming bit errors are independently distributed with a constant probability of error p e , it is shown that a simple estimator is highly efficient for estimation of p e . The estimator is based on a simple function of the number of sync words containing no bit errors. The estimator is shown to be maximum likelihood, minimum chi-square, and modified minimum chi-square when the quality index reported is simply the percent of frames containing zero errors. An approximate confidence interval for p e is obtained, and a determination of the number of sync words to observe in order to obtain an approximate confidence interval of fixed length is indicated. The method of scoring which can be used to obtain a more efficient estimator of p e is described.
How Neurocognition and Social Cognition Influence Functional Change During Community-Based Psychosocial Rehabilitation for Individuals with Schizophrenia

The purpose of this study was to assess how neurocognition and social cognition were associated with initial functional level and with rates of functional change in intensive community-based psychosocial rehabilitation interventions that have been shown to yield significant functional change for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. We also examined how service intensity was associated with rates of change and whether it served as a moderator of the relationship between functional change and both neurocognition and social cognition. The sample consisted of 125 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who were recruited upon admission to 1 of 4 community-based psychosocial rehabilitation facilities and were followed prospectively for 12 months. One hundred and two subjects completed the 12-month protocol. The findings suggested that (i) the initial level of psychosocial functioning was related to both social cognition and neurocognition at baseline, (ii) when significant rehabilitative change occurs, higher neurocognition and social cognition scores at baseline predicted higher rates of functional change over the subsequent 12 months, (iii) greater service intensity was related to higher rates of improvement in functional outcome over time, and (iv) service intensity moderated the relationship between neurocognition and initial functional level and moderated the relationship between social cognition and the rates of functional change at a trend level. These findings have relevance to our understanding of the heterogeneity in functional rehabilitative outcomes, to our understanding of the conditions of rehabilitative change and for the design of psychosocial interventions in the community.
Gas exchange, growth, and defense responses of invasive Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae) and native Geum vernum (Rosaceae) to elevated atmospheric CO2 and warm spring temperatures.

PREMISE OF STUDY Global increases in atmospheric CO2 and temperature may interact in complex ways to influence plant physiology and growth, particularly for species that grow in cool, early spring conditions in temperate forests. Plant species may also vary in their responses to environmental changes; fast-growing invasives may be more responsive to rising CO2 than natives and may increase production of allelopathic compounds under these conditions, altering species' competitive interactions. METHODS We examined growth and physiological responses of Alliaria petiolata, an allelopathic, invasive herb, and Geum vernum, a co-occurring native herb, to ambient and elevated spring temperatures and atmospheric CO2 conditions in a factorial growth chamber experiment. KEY RESULTS At 5 wk, leaves were larger at high temperature, and shoot biomass increased under elevated CO2 only at high temperature in both species. As temperatures gradually warmed to simulate seasonal progression, G. vernum became responsive to CO2 at both temperatures, whereas A. petiolata continued to respond to elevated CO2 only at high temperature. Elevated CO2 increased thickness and decreased nitrogen concentrations in leaves of both species. Alliaria petiolata showed photosynthetic downregulation at elevated CO2, whereas G. vernum photosynthesis increased at elevated temperature. Flavonoid and cyanide concentrations decreased significantly in A. petiolata leaves in the elevated CO2 and temperature treatment. Total glucosinolate concentrations and trypsin inhibitor activities did not vary among treatments. CONCLUSIONS Future elevated spring temperatures and CO2 will interact to stimulate growth for A. petiolata and G. vernum, but there may be reduced allelochemical effects in A. petiolata.
Global Weak Solutions to the Magnetohydrodynamic and Vlasov Equations

An initial-boundary value problem for the fluid–particle system of the inhomogeneous incompressible magnetohydrodynamic equations coupled with the Vlasov equation is studied in a three-dimensional bounded domain. New ideas are introduced to construct the approximate solutions. The existence of global weak solutions is established by the energy estimates and the weak convergence method.
Alterations in diaphragm contractility after nandrolone administration: an analysis of potential mechanisms.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential mechanisms underlying the improved contractility of the diaphragm (Dia) in adult intact male hamsters after nandrolone (Nan) administration, give...
From “Duck Factory” to “Fish Factory”: Climate Induced Changes in Vertebrate Communities of Prairie Pothole Wetlands and Small Lakes

The Prairie Pothole Region’s myriad wetlands and small lakes contribute to its stature as the “duck factory” of North America. The fishless nature of the region’s aquatic habitats, a result of frequent drying, freezing, and high salinity, influences its importance to waterfowl. Recent precipitation increases have resulted in higher water levels and wetland/lake freshening. In 2012–13, we sampled chemical characteristics and vertebrates (fish and salamanders) of 162 Prairie Pothole wetlands and small lakes. We used non-metric multidimensional scaling, principal component analysis, and bootstrapping techniques to reveal relationships. We found fish present in a majority of sites (84 %). Fish responses to water chemistry varied by species. Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and brook sticklebacks (Culaea inconstans) occurred across the broadest range of conditions. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) occurred in a smaller, chemically defined, subset. Iowa darters (Etheostoma exile) were restricted to the narrowest range of conditions. Tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium) rarely occurred in lakes with fish. We also compared our chemical data to similar data collected in 1966–1976 to explore factors contributing to the expansion of fish into previously fishless sites. Our work contributes to a better understanding of relationships between aquatic biota and climate-induced changes in this ecologically important area.
A Trying to Carry Out Nursing Health Education in Familial-ward

This article discusses the trend and model of foreign nursing health education and indicates that the health education in familial-ward is the direction of nursing development.The author introduces the methods and experiences for carrying out nursing health education at home by taking 80 patients after pacemaker implantation as an example,which is a beneficial trial of nursing health education model.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Special Populations: Masked Hypertension

The term “masked hypertension” refers to elevated out-of-clinic average blood pressure (BP) in the context of a recently measured non-elevated clinic BP. The gold standard for out-of-office BP determination is ambulatory BP monitoring. In general population studies, approximately 10 % of adults have masked hypertension. Among adult patients seen in clinical settings, 15–30 % with non-elevated clinic BP have masked hypertension. Masked hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that approaches that of sustained hypertension (elevated office and elevated ambulatory BP). The increased cardiovascular risk coupled with a failure to be diagnosed by the conventional approach of clinic BP measurement makes masked hypertension a significant health problem. The best approach to use in the clinical setting to detect masked hypertension remains unknown. Home BP monitoring is an alternative to ambulatory BP monitoring, but it is not clear that home BP monitoring is an adequate substitute.
The Origin of Pynchon's Tchitcherine

His right knee hinged with threads of gold, Vaslav Tchitcherine limps through Gravity's Rainbow bearing a portfolio of a name. Terry Caesar (PN 5, 1981) rightly calls attention to its "multiple puns and arcane allusions," but he discloses no knowledge of what those references may be. Then David Seed (PN 5 again) tracks a red herring when he proposes that the fictional Vaslav and the historical Georgi Tchitcherine are secret sharers, despite Pynchon's warning that "He [vaslav] is no relation at all to the [Georgi] Tchitcherine who dealt the Rapallo Treaty" (GR, 338). Well, why not take Pynchon at his word?
Activation of Urinary Kallikrein in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis

AbstractA potential pathophysiological role for the urinary kallikrein-kinin system is suggested by the prominent symptoms of bladder pain and urinary frequency in interstitial cystitis. Kallikrein activity in the urine of 84 patients with interstitial cystitis and 33 normal volunteers was determined by cleavage of the synthetic substrate Val-Leu-Arg-pNA. Interstitial cystitis patients had significantly higher levels of kallikrein activity than did the normal volunteers. Kallikrein activity was correlated with symptoms of bladder pain and voiding frequency. The percentage of total urinary kallikrein in the active form correlated with active kallikrein levels and was also increased in interstitial cystitis patients, particularly those with higher levels of pain. Patients who underwent hydrodistention and subsequently experienced relief from the bladder symptoms had a decrease in urinary kallikrein levels, whereas patients who failed to improve following hydrodistention did not.
Current Status of Continuous Fetal pH Monitoring

When drawbacks in fetal scalp blood analysis were recognized, a miniature glass pH electrode capable of continuously monitoring neonatal tissue pH was introduced and modified. Continuous TpH monitoring is described in detail and its present status as a valuable monitoring tool is evaluated.
Holmium laser coronary thrombolysis--a new treatment modality for revascularization in acute myocardial infarction: review.

ABSTRACT Thrombolytic therapy has changed the approach to management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Although its therapeutic benefit has been well established, only about one-third of AMI pa...
Die mikroskopische Querstreifung

Uber die mit dem Lichtmikroskop entdeckte Streifung des Skelettmuskels existiert eine sehr umfangreiche Literatur (siehe Zusammenstellungen bei Cohnheim 1865, Krause 1868, Retzius 1881, Melland 1885, Rollet 1885, Kolliker 1888, McDougal 1897, Meigs 1908, Heidenhain 1911, Hagg-quist 1931, Barer 1948, Jordan 1920, 1934, 1955, und viele andere). Die Nomenklatur ist nicht ganz gleichmasig. Das nachfolgende Diagramm (Abb. 13) soll deshalb zeigen, wie die ubliche Nomenklatur von uns fur den Herzmuskel gebraucht wird. Es sei vorweg betont, das wir im mikroskopischen wie ultramikroskopischen Aufbau der Myofibrille bisher noch keinen signifikanten Unterschied zwischen Skelett- und Herzmuskelfaser-chen und ihrer Langs- und Quergliederung finden konnten, mit Ausnahme der Z-Bander, von denen sogleich die Rede sein wird. Dies geht auch schon aus den Untersuchungen des zertrummerten Herzmuskels [Beams, Evans, Jauney und Baker (1949)] hervor.
Cascaded heterostructured a-Si/c-Si solar cell with increased current production

In this study we present a cascaded solar cell with a heterostructure consisting of p-i-n-n-i-p regions. The detailed structure starts with the bottom layer of 0.01μm thin film p-doped (1017cm−3) c-Si, followed by 0.44μm thick intrinsic (c-Si) layer, covered by 0.1μm thin n-doped (1016cm−3) c-Si. Next floor of the cascaded structure consists of larger energy gap material which is designed to be 0.1μm thin n-doped (1016cm−3) a-Si, covered by 0.44μm thick intrinsic (a-Si) layer and followed at the top by p-doped (1017cm−3) a-Si of 0.01μm thickness. The described monolithic structure could be considered as a multi-junction solar cell with obvious advantages as compared to existing multi-junction solar devices. Most of the thickness of our device is occupied by intrinsic layers, were high generation of electron-hole pairs is not affected by intensive recombination processes. We avoid usage of tunneling interconnects, which do decrease the total current of the solar cell. The potential step at the energy diagram between thin layers of n-type of a-Si and n-type of c-Si is negligible, i.e. the collection of carriers from both p-n junctions through the common electrode is very efficient. In conventional stacked one above the other multi-junction cell the total current is equal to the smallest current of a junction in stack. In our design the two p-i-n structures are adding the currents due to common terminal created for the a-Si/c-Si n-type interface and due to wired together both p regions. The collected densities of current from amorphous cell and for crystalline counterpart are 19.87 mA/ cm2 each. The modeled built-in potential, i.e. open circuit voltage came out somewhat smaller than observed in stacked p-n junctions. In our case it is about 0.52V. However the modeling of this thin-film solar cell demonstrates higher efficiency compared to similar Si heterostructures. The filling factor of designed solar cell is FF= 0.80 and efficiency is 22.2%. The corrugated top of the solar cell increases the number of sun-hours by 30%.
Fungal Sensitization Is Associated with Increased Risk of Life-Threatening Asthma.

Background Fungal sensitization in patients with asthma has been associated with severe asthma and worse asthma outcomes. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between fungal and nonfungal sensitization, asthma severity, and clinical outcomes. Methods A retrospective review of patients with asthma evaluated in an urban pulmonary subspecialty clinic in the United States was performed. Patients with fungal and nonfungal allergen sensitization were identified based on serum-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) testing. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and spirometric data were obtained. The relationship between fungal sensitization and asthma outcomes was examined. Results Of 390 patients with asthma identified, 307 had sIgE testing, of whom 53 (17.3%) had fungal sensitization, 117 (38.1%) had nonfungal sensitization, and 137 (44.6%) had no sensitization. Patients with fungal sensitization were more likely to be sensitized to ≥5 allergens than patients with nonfungal sensitization (66% for fungal vs 29% for nonfungal, P Conclusions Fungal sensitization is common in patients with asthma in an urban setting and is associated with greater sensitization to nonfungal allergens and increased risk of life-threatening asthma.
Lake Bacterial Assemblage Composition Is Sensitive to Biological Disturbance Caused by an Invasive Filter Feeder.

ABSTRACT One approach to improve forecasts of how global change will affect ecosystem processes is to better understand how anthropogenic disturbances alter bacterial assemblages that drive biogeochemical cycles. Species invasions are important contributors to global change, but their impacts on bacterial community ecology are rarely investigated. Here, we studied direct impacts of invasive dreissenid mussels (IDMs), one of many invasive filter feeders, on freshwater lake bacterioplankton. We demonstrated that direct effects of IDMs reduced bacterial abundance and altered assemblage composition by preferentially removing larger and particle-associated bacteria. While this increased the relative abundances of many free-living bacterial taxa, some were susceptible to filter feeding, in line with efficient removal of phytoplankton cells of IMPORTANCE Freshwater bacteria play fundamental roles in global elemental cycling and are an intrinsic part of local food webs. Human activities are altering freshwater environments, and much has been learned regarding the sensitivity of bacterial assemblages to a variety of these disturbances. Yet, relatively few studies have focused on how species invasion, which is one of the most important aspects of anthropogenic global change, affects freshwater bacterial assemblages. This study focuses on the impact of invasive dreissenid mussels (IDMs), a globally distributed group of invasive species with large impacts on freshwater phyto- and zooplankton assemblages. We show that IDMs have direct effects on lake bacterioplankton abundance, taxonomic composition, and inferred bacterial functional group representation.
Optimized Strategic Alignment

The process described here uses a quantitative approach to get alignment between multiple stakeholders who may not agree. In each of the Use Cases presented later, there was significant disagreement between the stakeholders.
Analysis and mapping of Rhizoctonia root rot resistance traits from the synthetic wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) line SYN-172

The prevalence of root disease after planting in cold spring soils has hindered the adoption of reduced or no-tillage cereal cropping systems in the Pacific Northwest. In particular, R. solani AG8, a necrotrophic root pathogen, can cause significant damage to wheat stands under these conditions. In previous efforts to find root rot resistance, a CIMMYT synthetic wheat line, SYN-172, was found to have little to no seedling stunting from disease and lower root disease scores. To identify trait-maker associations, a population consisting of 150 BC1F5 recombinant inbred lines from a cross of “Louise,” a typically susceptible Pacific Northwest (PNW) cultivar, and SYN-172 was created. A total of 689 polymorphic markers were used to identify trait-marker associations for seedling stunting in field green bridge and growth chamber environments. In total, five quantitative trait loci (QTL) were found on chromosome arms 1AL, 2AL, 5BL, 7DS, and 7DL. One QTL, on chromosome 2AL, was consistently detected in all four of the environments tested, and originated from SYN-172. A second QTL on 7DL, originating from the susceptible parent Louise, was found consistently in all three of the field environments, but not in soils artificially infested with R. solani AG8. These QTL have not been previously reported and will be useful root rot resistance genes when transferred into the PNW spring wheat germplasm.
Global association of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation with monsoon lows and depressions

Previous research has revealed that monsoon lows and depressions are modulated on intraseasonal time scales in a few regions, including India, Australia, and the East Pacific. This study examines whether such modulation occurs on a global scale and, in particular, how the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) is associated with changes in synoptic-scale vortices across all monsoon regions. The spatial climatology of monsoon disturbances is largely insensitive to MJO amplitude. However, monsoon disturbance frequency (MDF) varies substantially with MJO phase, with regional perturbations of 25 to 90 percent of the seasonal mean value across the tropics. In off-equatorial locations, MDF maxima occur in locations where the MJO enhances low-level cyclonic vorticity, typically near the western edge of mid-level moisture perturbations. In contrast, equatorial MDF perturbations are in phase with MJO moisture and rainfall anomalies, with maxima in regions with strong low-level zonal wind convergence.
Unintended consequences of Northern Ireland’s renewable obligation policy

Abstract Northern Ireland’s Renewable Obligation Policy radically increased the amount of small and micro-scale renewable energy generation in the country, putting strain on the small and somewhat isolated grid. We review the impacts of the policy on the generation mix, and the resulting impacts on the power grid. We discuss a range of mitigation methods, and conclude with a recommendation that countries consider flexible policies to provide incentives for stability along with renewable energy.
Developing Culinary Tourism to Support Local Tourism Development and Preserving Food Heritage in Indonesia

Meals are always part of the traveling experience. Indonesia’s tourism is blooming and developing the culinary tourism market. As the visitor encounters food every day, can a visitor experience the local culture and place through savoring the local dishes? This paper will study the opportunities in Indonesia in developing the culinary tourism as managed by local people. The discussion in this paper will put a focus on the potency of culinary tourism to support local economies and industries and ways to preserve them.
Millisecond pulsars, TeV halos, and implications for the Galactic Center gamma-ray excess

Observations by the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory indicate that many young pulsars (including Geminga and Monogem) are surrounded by spatially extended, multi-TeV emitting regions. It is not currently known, however, whether TeV emission is also produced by recycled, millisecond pulsars (MSPs). In this study, we perform a stacked analysis of 24 MSPs within HAWC's field of-view, finding between $2.6--3.1\ensuremath{\sigma}$ evidence that these sources are, in fact, surrounded by TeV halos. The efficiency with which these MSPs produce TeV halos is similar to that exhibited by young pulsars. This result suggests that several dozen MSPs will ultimately be detectable by HAWC, including many ``invisible'' pulsars without radio beams oriented in our direction. The TeV halos of unresolved MSPs could also dominate the TeV-scale diffuse emission observed at high galactic latitudes. We also discuss the possibility that TeV and radio observations could be used to constrain the population of MSPs that is present in the inner Milky Way, thereby providing us with a new way to test the hypothesis that MSPs are responsible for the Galactic Center GeV excess.
Exchange of Peptides Between the Circulation and the Nervous System: Role of the Blood-Brain Barrier

Peptides can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) bidirectionally, that is, from the central nervous system (CNS) to the blood or from the blood to the CNS. Passage occurs by both saturable and nonsaturable mechanisms that can be modified by factors such as lighting, amino acids, monoamines, aging, and neurotoxins. The role of this regulated exchange may be involved in processes such as analgesia, stress, dementia, and addiction. In this review, we shall emphasize the mechanisms regulating exchange of peptides between the circulation and the CNS and explore some of the implications of this exchange on selected biological functions.
The Stratigraphy and Tectonics of China

Until the appearance in 1962 of a 12-volume series based on the first symposium on the stratigraphy of China (1959), the principal source of information was the 2-volume classic of Grabau (1924, 1928). That the latter is still an invaluable reference is a tribute to Grabau’s broad understanding. The information contained in the newer volumes reflects great advances since Grabau’s time, but the volumes are poorly disseminated outside China. The series covers all aspects of stratigraphy: distribution of beds, standard stratigraphie columns, biostratigraphic zonation and correlation, facies, change and depositional environment, paleogeography and correlations with other parts of the world, economic mineral deposits, and discussion of significant problems. In the post-Cultural Revolution period, further activity has been marked by a second symposium on stratigraphy and the meeting of the third general assembly of the Paleontological Society of China in 1979. Following the first of these meetings, an important series of correlation charts with explanatory notes was published by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology of Academia Sinica (Lu et al., 1974, 1976). English versions of studies on stratigraphy, paleontology, and biostratigraphy have been published by the International Union of Geological Societies (1980, 1981), the Geological Society of America (1981, 1984), Scientia Sinica (1973), and Geological Magazine (1981).
Activating the Nucleic Acid-Sensing Machinery for Anticancer Immunity

Nucleic acid sensing pathways have likely evolved as part of a broad pathogen sensing strategy intended to discriminate infectious agents and initiate appropriate innate and adaptive controls. However, in the absence of infectious agents, nucleic acid sensing pathways have been shown to play positive and negative roles in regulating tumorigenesis, tumor progression and metastatic spread. Understanding the normal biology behind these pathways and how they are regulated in malignant cells and in the tumor immune environment can help us devise strategies to exploit nucleic acid sensing to manipulate anti-cancer immunity.
Growth and Flowering Response of Butterfly-Bush to Cutless

Abstract Buddleia davidii Franch. ‘Royal Red’ (butterfly-bush) was treated with different rates of Cutless (flurprimidol) in two experiments. Growth index, and inflorescence number and index decrea...
Diagrammatic quantum mechanics

This paper explores how diagrams of quantum processes can be used for modeling and for quantum epistemology. The paper is a continuation of the discussion where we began this formulation. Here we give examples of quantum networks that represent unitary transformations by dint of coherence conditions that constitute a new form of non-locality. Local quantum devices interconnected in space can form a global quantum system when appropriate coherence conditions are maintained.
First-principles investigation of ternary two-dimensional (2D) AlxB1-x N monolayer alloys

Abstract In this paper, we present a detailed theoretical study of structural, electronic and optical properties of two-dimensional (2D) AlxB1-xN monolayer compounds for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. All possible arrangement of atoms have been determined for five concentration (x = 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1). Stabilities of all configurations are demonstrated by cohesive energies. In addition, we have investigated the composition dependence of the lattice constants a(x) and b(x), and band gaps Eg(x). The results show that the incorporation of aluminum (Al) atoms increases the lattice parameters in both zigzag and armchair direction. The cohesive energies and band gap values decreases with increasing (Al) composition. Cohesive energy and band gap bowing are more significant then bowing lattices. Monolayer of Al0.50B0.50N exhibits a direct band gap at Γ point with energy value of about 3.3 eV. Calculation of optical properties suggests potential characteristics for UV applications.
Predicting Success of Two-Stage Exchange for Prosthetic Joint Infection Using C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio

Two-stage exchange is most commonly used for treatment of prosthetic joint infections (PJI) but, this may fail to eradicate infections. C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) has been used to predict survival and operative success in other surgical subspecialties and so, we assess the association between CAR and reimplantation success during two-stage revision for PJI defined by the Musculoskeletal Infection Society following a primary total hip (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasty. From January, 2005 to December, 2015, two institutional databases were queried and patient demographics, antibiotic duration, C-reactive protein, and albumin were collected prior to reimplantation. Two-stage revisions were considered successful if patients were off of antibiotics and did not require a repeat surgery. CAR was available for 79 patients (34 hips and 46 knees) with 61 successful two-stage revisions and 18 failures. The average CAR for patients with successful reimplantation was 1.2 (0.2, 3.0) compared to 1.0 (0.4, 3.2) for treatment failure. However, this was not statistically significant (p=0.766). Therefore, CAR is not applicable in predicting the prognosis of two-stage revisions for PJI in total arthroplasty but other preoperative inflammatory-based prognostic scores should be explored.
Radium 223 (Ra-223) experience in twenty-four castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients treated at West Virginia University (WVU) 2014-2018.

e16502Background: Ra-223 was FDA approved for CRPC with symptomatic bone metastases without visceral metastatic disease. Methods: De-identified IRB exempted records were abstracted for demographic,...
Striking differences in virulence, transmission, and sporocyst growth dynamics between two schistosome populations

ABSTRACT Background Parasite traits associated with transmission success, such as the number of infective stages released from the host, are expected to be optimized by natural selection. However, in the trematode parasite Schistosoma mansoni, a key transmission trait – the number of cercariae larvae shed from infected Biomphalaria spp. snails – varies significantly within and between different parasite populations and selection experiments demonstrate that this variation has a strong genetic basis. In this study, we compared the transmission strategies of two laboratory schistosome population and their consequences for their snail host. Methods We infected inbred Biomphalaria glabrata snails using two Schistosoma mansoni parasite populations (SmBRE and SmLE), both isolated from Brazil and maintained in the laboratory for decades. We compared life history traits of these two parasite populations by quantifying sporocyst growth within infected snails (assayed using qPCR), output of cercaria larvae, and impact on snail host physiological response (i.e. hemoglobin rate, laccase-like activity) and survival. Results We identified striking differences in virulence and transmission between the two studied parasite populations. SmBRE (low shedder (LS) parasite population) sheds very low numbers of cercariae, and causes minimal impact on the snail physiological response (i.e. laccase-like activity, hemoglobin rate and snail survival). In contrast, SmLE (high shedder (HS) parasite population) sheds 8-fold more cercariae (mean ± se cercariae per shedding: 284±19 vs 2352±113), causes high snail mortality, and has strong impact on snail physiology. We found that HS sporocysts grow more rapidly inside the snail host, comprising up to 60% of cells within infected snails, compared to LS sporocysts which comprised up to 31%. Cercarial production is strongly correlated to the number of S. mansoni sporocyst cells present within the snail host tissue, although the proportion of sporocyst cells alone does not explain the low cercarial shedding of SmBRE. Conclusions We demonstrated the existence of alternative transmission strategies in the S. mansoni parasite consistent with trade-offs between parasite transmission and host survival: a “boom-bust” strategy characterized by high virulence, high transmission and short duration infections and a “slow and steady” strategy with low virulence, low transmission but long duration of snail host infections.
Opera: Similarity Analysis on Data Access Patterns of OpenMP Tasks to Optimize Task Affinity

OpenMP supports task-based parallelism, but task scheduling is oblivious to data locality, which leads to inconsistent performance. In this paper, we present Opera, an OpenMP task scheduler which leverages memory access information profiled offline to guide runtime task scheduling. The evaluation results show that Opera improves performance by up to 40% (21.2% on average), comparing with using three schedulers in the Nanos++ runtime library.
Ex Utero Extracorporeal Support as a Model for Fetal Hypoxia and Brain Dysmaturity

Background Congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with abnormal fetal brain development, a phenomenon that may be related to decreased cerebral oxygen delivery in utero. We used an artificial womb model to test the hypothesis that decreasing fetal oxygen delivery would reproduce physiologic changes identified in fetuses with CHD. Methods Experimental (hypoxemic) fetal lambs (mean gestational age, 111 ± 3 days; n = 4) and control animals (112 days; n = 5) were maintained in the artificial womb for a mean of 22 ± 6 days. Oxygen delivery was reduced to 15.6 ± 1.0 mL/kg/min in the hypoxemia animals versus 21.6 ± 2.0 mL/kg/min in the control animals. Blood chemistry analysis and sonographic evaluation were performed daily. An additional control group (n = 7) was maintained in utero and harvested for analysis at gestational age 134 ± 4 days. Results Physiologic variables were monitored continuously, and no statistical differences between the groups were identified. Fetal oxygen delivery and arterial partial pressure of oxygen were remarkably lower in the experimental group longitudinally. Increased umbilical artery and decreased middle cerebral artery resistance resulted in a lower cerebral to umbilical resistance ratio, similar to the brain sparing effect observed in human fetuses with CHD. Experimental brains were smaller than control brains in relation to the calvarium on magnetic resonance. Conclusions Sustained hypoxemia in fetal sheep leads to altered cerebrovascular resistances and loss of brain mass, similar to human fetuses with CHD. This unique model provides opportunities to investigate the pathologic process underlying CHD-associated brain dysmaturity and to evaluate potential fetal neuroprotective therapies.
Mercury Isotope Fractionation during the Photochemical Reduction of Hg(II) Coordinated with Organic Ligands.

The photochemical reduction of Hg(II) is an important pathway in the environmental Hg cycle because it competes with Hg methylation and potentially limits the formation of bioaccumulative methylmer...
COVID-19 in Rheumatic Diseases: A Research Agenda.

Although only a few months have passed since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began, we have learned a lot about the infection and outcomes in people with rheumatic diseases. Below I summarize recent findings as well as remaining gaps in knowledge about the epidemiology and outcomes of COVID-19 in rheumatic diseases. I also outline a clinical research agenda for the coming months.
Behavior of Individuals, Groups, and Networks

The study of biological evolution focuses on individual organisms and the reproduction and transformation of their DNA. But animals also have group behavior: birds have small families but also have large flocks; ants and bees have large communities. So far, most group behavior by animals has been explained through the logic of individual behavior. Similarly, the field of cultural evolution seeks to explain individual learning and the formation of tribal and altruistic behavior as developments out of individual behavior. But the rise of spoken language among humans is necessarily group behavior—only the group can sustain the language, and each individual must work for years to learn enough to join the language community. This chapter distinguishes the patterns of individual human behavior from the new discoveries in collective intentionality, the logic by which humans sustain groups and build social institutions. Further, the chapter addresses the common situations in which both groups and individuals are in play and gives examples of individuals and groups in terms of network theory (168).
Trance, Sacred Place and Collaboration

This chapter offers an overview of the presence of trance practices across human cultures and its place in contemporary Western culture. To address the culture of irrationality spreading at a disturbing rate globally, this chapter introduces the arational practice of trance as an antidote. Trance-Based Inquiry and Trance-Based Learning are introduced. Collaboration with humans and the more-than-human world offer a bridge to rematriation with the Earth. The chapter closes with a trance practice to journey to a sacred place.
Timing and Type of Bacteria In Surgical Site Infections Following Complex Abdominal Wall Reconstruction.

Purpose The goal of this study was to assess the bacteriology of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CAWR) with biologic mesh. Methods This was a prospective cohort study of all patients who developed SSI following CAWR with biologic mesh between 2017-2020 at an academic tertiary/quaternary care center. The patients were subdivided into six overlapping groups: infections found during hospitalization vs. infections found after discharge, sensitive bacteria vs. resistant bacteria, and nosocomial bacteria vs. intestinal bacteria. Results Of the 194 patients who underwent CAWR during the study period, 33 (17%) developed SSI. SSI was more commonly discovered after discharge than during hospitalization. These SSIs were vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) rather than sensitive bacteria, and required re-operation, which were more frequently found following elective procedures. VRE and MRSA infections were more common with clean wounds than with clean/contaminated, contaminated, or dirty wounds, while SSIs with intestinal flora were more common following fistula and stoma takedown. Conclusions Surgical site infections with resistant bacteria manifest more frequently post-discharge and require more re-admissions and re-operations.
Family factors and the educational success of children

1. Introduction: The Salience of Family Factors in Children's School Experiences William Jeynes Summaries of the Effects of Parental Style and Parental Involvement 2. Parenting Styles: The impact on student achievement Lola Brown and Shrinidhi Iyengar 3. Families, their children's education, and the public school: An historical review Diana Hiatt-Michael 4. Father Involvement and Children's Early Learning: A Critical Review of Published Empirical Work from the Past 15 Years Jason Downer, Rodrigo Campos, Christine McWayne, and Tara Gartner Parental Involvement and the Academic Achievement of Hispanic Students 5. Community Literacy Resources and Home Literacy practices among Immigrant Latino Families Leslie Reese and Claude Goldenberg 6. Examining Famial-Based Academic Success Factors in Urban High School Students: The Case of Puerto Rican Female High Achievers Rene Antrop-Gonzalez, William Velez, and Tomas Garrett 7. Expectations, Aspirations, and Achievement among Latino Students of Immigrant Families Dick M. Carpenter II Education & Religion as a means of improving family life 8. Family, denomination and the adolescent worldview: an empirical enquiry among 13- to 15-year-old females in England and Wales Leslie J. Francis 9. The Influence of Religion on Latino Education, Marriage, and Social Views in the United States Gaston Espinosa Parental Involvement as a Means of Improving the Quality of Life 10. Increased Family Involvement in School Predicts Improved Child-Teacher Relationships and Feelings about School for Low-income Children Eric Dearing, Holly Kreider, and Heather B. Weiss 11. Effects Of Parental Involvement On Experiences of Discrimination And Bullying William H. Jeynes Improving Parental Involvement & Building Partnerships 12. How Parents and Teachers View their School Communities Sam Redding 13. Altering the Curriculum of the Home: Learning Environments for Korean and U.S. Students Susan J. Paik 14. Caregiver Engagement in Religious Urban Elementary Schools Martin Scanlan 15. High School Family Centers: Transformative Spaces Linking Schools and Families in Support of Student Learning Karen L. Mapp, Vivian R. Johnson, Carol Sills Strickland, and Catherine Meza 16. Families Home Schooling in a Virtual Charter School System Carol Klein and Mary Poplin
Identification of Env7 Phosphorylated Residues

The baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, vacuole is functionally analogous to the human lysosome. A novel genomic screen was performed in our laboratory to identify genes involved in the last s...
Risk‐Based Input‐Output Analysis of Influenza Epidemic Consequences on Interdependent Workforce Sectors

Outbreaks of contagious diseases underscore the ever-looming threat of new epidemics. Compared to other disasters that inflict physical damage to infrastructure systems, epidemics can have more devastating and prolonged impacts on the population. This article investigates the interdependent economic and productivity risks resulting from epidemic-induced workforce absenteeism. In particular, we develop a dynamic input-output model capable of generating sector-disaggregated economic losses based on different magnitudes of workforce disruptions. An ex post analysis of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in the national capital region (NCR) reveals the distribution of consequences across different economic sectors. Consequences are categorized into two metrics: (i) economic loss, which measures the magnitude of monetary losses incurred in each sector, and (ii) inoperability, which measures the normalized monetary losses incurred in each sector relative to the total economic output of that sector. For a simulated mild pandemic scenario in NCR, two distinct rankings are generated using the economic loss and inoperability metrics. Results indicate that the majority of the critical sectors ranked according to the economic loss metric comprise of sectors that contribute the most to the NCR's gross domestic product (e.g., federal government enterprises). In contrast, the majority of the critical sectors generated by the inoperability metric include sectors that are involved with epidemic management (e.g., hospitals). Hence, prioritizing sectors for recovery necessitates consideration of the balance between economic loss, inoperability, and other objectives. Although applied specifically to the NCR, the proposed methodology can be customized for other regions.