cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amelogenin protein exhibits a modular design: implications for form and function.

The most abundant protein of forming enamel is amelogenin, a protein capable of self-assembly to form nanospheres. Naturally occurring mutations in the human amelogenin gene are responsible for at least some of the disease entities known collectively as amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), although it is clear that the AI phenotype may be caused by alteration to other genes responsible for the biogenesis of the enamel extracellular matrix. Mutations that create changes in the functional domains of the amelogenin protein do adversely affect enamel biomineralization. Protein engineering of amelogenin that phenocopies several of the known AI mutations exhibits defects in self-assembly. Amino acid alterations that occur within a domain of amelogenin appear to cause "mineral defects," that is to say hypocalcification of the enamel, whereas mutations that occur elsewhere in another domain of the amelogenin molecule result in "hypoplastic defects," a decrease in thickness of the enamel. However, not all patients with A...
Studies on the Emulsifying Properties of Some Intracellular Beef Muscle Proteinsab

SUMMARY The emulsifying capacity curves for actin, myosin, actomyosin, and sarcoplasmic proteins were determined under various conditions. The proteins were ranked from greatest emulsifying capacity to least as follows: actin in the absence of salt, myosin, actomyosin, sarcoplasmic proteins (water extracted), and actin in 0.3M salt. Myosin and actomyosin produced emulsions with superior stability; however, at the pH of normal fresh meat (5.6–5.8), the sarcoplasmic fraction produced the most stable emulsions. Actin produced very stable emulsions under all conditions. The amount of protein utilized in the formation of an interface appeared to be related to the stability of au emulsion. NPN compounds were found to have no role in emulsion formation.
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROORGANISMS INVOLVED IN THE FERMENTATION OF TRINIDAD'S CACAO BEANS

In order to isolate, identify and characterize the microflora of cacao beans before, during and after fermentation and locate possible sources contributing to microbial contamination, cacao beans from the Centeno and San Louis Estates in Trinidad were investigated. Prior to fermentation, the interior and exterior of the pods, hands of employees, utensils, dried pulp material of the sweatboxes and finally fruitflies (Drosophila melanogaster) were studied microbiologically. At Centeno Estate, beans were sampled at 5, 45 and 90 cm depths at 8-hr intervals for the first 72 hr and every 12 hr thereafter for 7 days. Sampling at San Louis Estate was carried out at 24 hr intervals for the same period. The changes in microbial population of the beans sampled at Centeno Estate ranged from 1.48 × 105/g at 0 hr to 4.1 × 105/g at the completion of the fermentation, whereas, at San Louis Estate they ranged from 6.8 × 105/g to 9.2 × 105/g during the same period. Taxonomical studies of isolates obtained during the fermentation period revealed the identification of 44 microorganisms at both Estates. Yeasts Zymomonas mobilis and several species of lactic acid organisms dominated the flora during the early stages of fermentation. As the fermentation progressed, these and other isolates were taken over by several species of genus Bacillus. Microbiological examination of dried and polished beans resulted in the identification of 22 organisms at Centeno Estate and 15 organisms at San Louis Estate
Change in direct measures of physical performance among persons with Alzheimer's disease.

Objectives: Measures of physical performance were used in intact and community populations. We examined upper and lower extremity physical performance tests among people with Alzheimer's disease. Method: A total of 367 persons with probable Alzheimer's disease, recruited from an Alzheimer's disease diagnostic center, were given three tests of lower extremity function and two tests of upper extremity function at 6 month intervals for up to 4 years. Gender, race, age and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score at baseline were used to predict subsequent decline in composite scores of lower and upper extremity function. Results: At baseline, older age and lower MMSE scores were associated with lower scores on both lower and upper extremity function. Males performed better at baseline on lower extremity tests only. For each point higher on MMSE, a person declined 0.023 Standard Unit (SU) less per year (p = 0.0001) on lower extremity tests and declined 0.019 SU less per year (p < 0.0001) on upper extremity ...
Power/Ground Mesh Area Optimization Using Multigrid-Based Technique

In this paper, we present a novel multigrid-based technique for power/ground mesh area optimization subject to reliability constraints. The multigrid-based technique is applied to reduce a large-scale mesh to a much coarser one. The reduced mesh can be efficiently optimized. The solution for the original mesh is then computed using a back-mapping process. Experimental results are very encouraging. Large-scale power/ground meshes with millions of nodes can be solved in a few minutes. The proposed technique not only speeds up the optimization process significantly without compromising the quality of solutions, but also brings up a possibility of incorporating the power/ground mesh optimization into other physical design stages such as signal routing.
Mild Parkinsonian Signs and Plasma Homocysteine Concentration in Community-Dwelling Elderly Individuals

Objective To determine whether plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration is associated with mild parkinsonian signs (MPS) in community-dwelling elderly individuals. Design Cross-sectional analyses of a population-based cohort study. Setting Washington Heights–Inwood, New York. Patients Persons without dementia 65 years and older. Main Outcome Measure Participants underwent an abbreviated motor portion of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Each participant was assigned an MPS score (range, 0-40). The Hcy concentration was measured from plasma. All analyses were cross-sectional. Results There were 369 participants (mean ± SD age, 77.8 ± 6.0 years; mean ± SD MPS score, 1.51 ± 2.55; mean ± SD plasma Hcy concentration, 17.3 ± 6.5 μmol/L). Mean ± SD MPS scores in plasma Hcy concentration quintiles were as follows: lowest quintile, 1.15 ± 1.77; second quintile, 1.18 ± 1.88; third quintile, 1.64 ± 2.93; fourth quintile, 1.45 ± 2.17; and highest quintile, 2.12 ± 3.49 (84.3% higher than 1.15) ( P = .02). In an unadjusted linear regression model, plasma Hcy concentration was associated with log MPS score (dependent variable) ( P = .008). In a linear regression model that adjusted for confounding variables, plasma Hcy concentration was associated with log MPS score ( P = .04). Conclusions These data indicate that MPS are associated with higher plasma Hcy concentrations. Prospective neuroimaging as well as clinical-pathological studies would further our understanding of several mechanisms that could underlie the observed association.
Excess variants in AFF2 detected by massively parallel sequencing of males with autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous disorder with substantial heritability, most of which is unexplained. ASD has a population prevalence of one percent and affects four times as many males as females. Patients with fragile X E (FRAXE) intellectual disability, which is caused by a silencing of the X-linked gene AFF2 ,d isplay an umber of ASD-like phenotypes. Duplications and deletions at theAFF2 locus have also been reported in cases with moderate intellectual disability and ASD. We hypothesized that other rare X-linked sequence variants at the AFF2 locus might contribute to ASD. We sequenced the AFF2 genomic region in 202 male ASD probands and found that 2.5% of males sequenced had missense mutations at highly conserved evolutionary sites. When compared with the frequency of missense mutations in 5545 X chromosomes from unaffected controls, we saw a statistically significant enrichment in patients with ASD (OR: 4.9; P < 0.014). In addition, we identified rare AFF2 3 " UTR variants at conserved sites which alter gene expression in a luciferase assay. These data suggest that rare variation in AFF2 may be a previously unrecognized ASD susceptibility locus and may help explain some of the male excess of ASD.
Origin of the Carbon Dioxide Produced in the Browning Reaction of Evaporated Milk

Summary To determine the relative importance of lactose caramelization in the browning of evaporated milk, uniformly labeled lactose was added to milk samples before sterilization. The CO 2 produced in the browning reaction was recovered as BaCO 3 and its specific activity was determined. It was found that about 4% of the total CO 2 produced by sterilization of milk at 242° F. for 15min. can be traced to caramelization of lactose.
Transaction costs and the clean development mechanism

The emissions trading provisions of the Kyoto Protocol and its clean development mechanism (CDM) are designed to permit greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions at the lowest cost globally. However, to ensure climate integrity, these reductions must pass through vigilant approval, monitoring and evaluation procedures that create additional transaction costs unrelated to the physical process of eliminating GHGs. Moreover, the CDM's additionality criterion creates constraints that magnify the influence of these transaction costs on project viability. If these costs are extreme, they could undermine the success of the CDM, and possibly of the Kyoto Protocol itself. This article describes the trading provisions of the treaty, creates a working definition of transaction costs, and discusses their effects. It then analyzes the process of creating a CDM project to identify the sources of transaction costs, illustrated by an example of a fuel substitution project in Ghana. The conditions for project profitability are analyzed and compared with recent GHG emission credit prices in Europe. The specific Ghanaian results are not generalizable to all CDM projects, but the model does suggest a template that can be used to analyze the effects of project and transaction costs in other contexts.
Closed-Loop Control of Artificial Pancreatic $\beta$ -Cell in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Using Model Predictive Iterative Learning Control

A novel combination of iterative learning control (ILC) and model predictive control (MPC), referred to here as model predictive iterative learning control (MPILC), is proposed for glycemic control in type 1 diabetes mellitus. MPILC exploits two key factors: frequent glucose readings made possible by continuous glucose monitoring technology; and the repetitive nature of glucose-meal-insulin dynamics with a 24-h cycle. The proposed algorithm can learn from an individual's lifestyle, allowing the control performance to be improved from day to day. After less than 10 days, the blood glucose concentrations can be kept within a range of 90-170 mg/dL. Generally, control performance under MPILC is better than that under MPC. The proposed methodology is robust to random variations in meal timings within ±60 min or meal amounts within ±75% of the nominal value, which validates MPILC's superior robustness compared to run-to-run control. Moreover, to further improve the algorithm's robustness, an automatic scheme for setpoint update that ensures safe convergence is proposed. Furthermore, the proposed method does not require user intervention; hence, the algorithm should be of particular interest for glycemic control in children and adolescents.
Consistent alignment of metabolic pathways without abstraction.

Pathways show how dierent biochemical entities interact with each other to perform vital functions for the survival of organisms. Similarities between pathways indicate functional similarities that are dicult to identify by comparing the individual entities that make up those pathways. When interacting entities are of single type, the problem of identifying similarities reduces to graph isomorphism problem. However, for pathways with varying types of entities, such as metabolic pathways, alignment problem is more challenging. Existing methods, often, address the metabolic pathway alignment problem by ignoring all the entities except for one type. This kind of abstraction reduces the relevance of the alignment signicantly as it causes losses in the information content. In this paper, we develop a method to solve the pairwise alignment problem for metabolic pathways. One distinguishing feature of our method is that it aligns reactions, compounds and enzymes without abstraction of pathways. We pursue the intuition that both pairwise similarities of entities (homology) and their organization (topology) are crucial for metabolic pathway alignment. In our algorithm, we account for both by creating an eigenvalue problem for each entity type. We enforce the consistency by considering the reachability sets of the aligned entities. Our experiments show that, our method nds biologically and statistically signicant alignments in the order of seconds for pathways with 100 entities.
Profile of Contributors to the American Political Science Review, 2010

This study examines the profile of contributors of full-length articles to the American Political Science Review (APSR) in 2010. Of the 79 different contributors, almost 9 (86.1%) out of every 10 are men. Whites accounted for over 9 (93.7%) out of every 10 contributors. Full professors accounted for 35%, the highest rate, with
Protein folding in the landscape perspective: Chevron plots and non‐arrhenius kinetics

We use two simple models and the energy landscape perspective to study protein folding kinetics. A major challenge has been to use the landscape perspective to interpret experimental data, which requires ensemble averaging over the microscopic trajectories usually observed in such models. Here, because of the simplicity of the model, this can be achieved. The kinetics of protein folding falls into two classes: multiple-exponential and two-state (single-exponential) kinetics. Experiments show that two-state relaxation times have "chevron plot" dependences on denaturant and non-Arrhenius dependences on temperature. We find that HP and HP+ models can account for these behaviors. The HP model often gives bumpy landscapes with many kinetic traps and multiple-exponential behavior, whereas the HP+ model gives more smooth funnels and two-state behavior. Multiple-exponential kinetics often involves fast collapse into kinetic traps and slower barrier climbing out of the traps. Two-state kinetics often involves entropic barriers where conformational searching limits the folding speed. Transition states and activation barriers need not define a single conformation; they can involve a broad ensemble of the conformations searched on the way to the native state. We find that unfolding is not always a direct reversal of the folding process.
SCR: a toolset for specifying and analyzing requirements

A set of CASE tools is described for developing formal requirements specifications expressed in the SCR (Software Cost Reduction) tabular notation. The tools include an editor for building the specifications, a consistency checker for testing the specifications for consistency with a formal requirements model, a simulator for symbolically executing the specifications, and a verifier for checking that the specifications satisfy selected application properties. As background, the SCR method for specifying requirements is reviewed and a formal requirements model is introduced. Examples are presented to illustrate the tools.
p53-inducible ribonucleotide reductase (p53R2/RRM2B) is a DNA hypomethylation-independent decitabine gene target that correlates with clinical response in myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myelogenous leukemia.

While the therapeutic activity of the deoxycytidine analog decitabine is thought to reflect its ability to reactivate methylation-silenced genes, this agent is also known to trigger p53-dependent DNA damage responses. Here we report that p53-inducible ribonucleotide reductase (p53R2/RRM2B) is a robust transcriptional target of decitabine. In cancer cells, decitabine treatment induces p53R2 mRNA expression, protein expression, and promoter activity in a p53-dependent fashion. The mechanism of p53R2 gene induction by decitabine does not appear to be promoter DNA hypomethylation, as the p53R2 5′ CpG island is hypomethylated before treatment. siRNA targeting of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in wild-type p53 cells leads to genomic DNA hypomethylation but does not induce p53R2, suggesting that DNMT/DNA adduct formation is the molecular trigger for p53R2 induction. Consistent with this idea, only nucleoside-based DNMT inhibitors that form covalent DNA adducts induce p53R2 expression. siRNA targeting of p53R2 reduces the extent of cell cycle arrest following decitabine treatment, supporting a functional role for p53R2 in decitabine mediated cellular responses. To determine the clinical relevance of p53R2 induction, we measured p53R2 expression in bone marrow samples from 15 myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myelogenous leukemia (MDS/AML) patients undergoing decitabine therapy. p53R2 mRNA and protein were induced in 7/13 (54%) and 6/9 (67%) of patients analyzed, respectively, despite a lack of methylation changes in the p53R2 promoter. Most notably, there was a significant association (P=0.0047) between p53R2 mRNA induction and clinical response in MDS/AML. These data establish p53R2 as a novel hypomethylation-independent decitabine gene target associated with clinical response.
The Social Construction of Nature and Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers

LIVER STONE’S 1994 FILM NATURAL BORN KILLERS WAS, UPON ITS release, immediately revered and reviled by critics. This story of Mickey and Mallory Knox, two lovers who indulge in a killing spree across the American southwest, are subsequently caught and incarcerated, and who then escape from prison in a violent jailbreak, has been celebrated as “a slap in the face, waking us up to what is happening” (Ebert), and dismissed as “an ejaculatory farce, but without satisfaction or rest” (Denby 46). Whether praising or condemning the film, the existing criticism on Natural Born Killers concerns itself almost wholly with two of the movie’s major themes: the perceived proliferation of violence in post-Kennedy America, and the predilection of American mass media for transforming murderers into global celebrities on a par with Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe. However, there exists a third major theme with which the film is intensely interested, but one which regrettably has not been fully analyzed by reviewers or scholarly critics: the ideological role of nature (in particular, of animals) in arguments exploring human violence. Despite whatever shortcomings might prevent Natural Born Killers (henceforth referred to as NBK) from being an entirely insightful analysis or original indictment of American violence or the mass media, this article argues that it is as a serious interrogation of humanity’s complicated relationship with the natural world and its animal denizens that Stone’s film is redeemed from dismissal. The film’s interest in nature is most often invoked through the character of Mickey Knox (Woody Harrelson). To attain a secure foundation for his conviction that human murder is biologically
Discovery, validation, and genetic dissection of transcription factor binding sites by comparative and functional genomics

Completing the annotation of a genome sequence requires identifying the regulatory sequences that control gene expression. To identify these sequences, we developed an algorithm that searches for short, conserved sequence motifs in the genomes of related species. The method is effective in finding motifs de novo and for refining known regulatory motifs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We tested one novel motif prediction of the algorithm and found it to be the binding site of Stp2; it is significantly different from the previously predicted Stp2 binding site. We show that Stp2 physically interacts with this sequence motif, and that stp2 mutations affect the expression of genes associated with the motif. We demonstrate that the Stp2 binding site also interacts genetically with Stp1, a regulator of amino acid permease genes and, with Sfp1, a key regulator of cell growth. These results illuminate an important transcriptional circuit that regulates cell growth through external nutrient uptake.
The influence of brood type on activity cycles in Leptothorax allardycei (Hymenoptera: Faruicidae).

We investigated the effect that different categories of brood had on the production of periodic activity within artificial aggregates of the ant, Leptothorax allardycei. Colonies of this species exhibit periodic patterns of movement activity with a period of approximately 20-30 min. Artificial aggregates of this species show that periodic activity appears gradually as the number of workers in the aggregate increases to 15 workers. In addition, it has been noted that the presence of brood with the workers makes the periodic activity more pronounced. In this paper we investigate the effect that four categories of brood had on the periodic activity of worker ants. Eggs, small larvae, large larvae, and pupae were tested with four different-sized aggregates of workers. We hypothesized that brood care is responsible for the increase in periodic activity and therefore that larvae (which require more tending) would be more effective at increasing periodic activity than eggs or pupae. Contrary to our expectations, eggs and both size categories of larvae were equally effective in enhancing periodicity in our experimental aggregates. Pupae, in contrast, were completely ineffective at enhancing periodic activity. We discuss some possible reasons for the differential effects of eggs, larvae, and pupae on the behavior of worker ants.
A Library Based Approach for Rigid Body Dynamics Simulation

The numerical simulation of rigid body motion with six degrees-of-freedom plays an important role in several areas. A library based approach is presented for the simulation of such problems. Quaternions are utilized for the formulation and the 4 th -order Runge-Kutta method is used for the time integration of the equations of motion. A hierarchical tree model is used for the specification of bodies with multiple components and for the appropriate transfer of forces and moments. The developed library provides the implementation of an application programming interface that can be used to add moving-body capabilities to existing computational simulation codes. The results from the validation and the estimation of the order of accuracy of the time integration are reported in this paper.
Micromechanics and Structural Response of Functionally Graded, Particulate-Matrix, Fiber-Reinforced Composites

Abstract Reinforcement of fibrous composites by stiff particles embedded in the matrix offers the potential for simple, economical functional grading, enhanced response to mechanical loads, and improved functioning at high temperatures. Here, we consider laminated plates made of such a material, with spherical reinforcement tailored by layer. The moduli for this material lie within relatively narrow bounds. Two separate moduli estimates are considered: a “two-step” approach in which fibers are embedded in a homogenized particulate matrix, and the Kanaun–Jeulin (Kanaun, S.K., Jeulin, D., 2001. Elastic properties of hybrid composites by the effective field approach. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 49, 2339–2367) approach, which we re-derive in a simple way using the Benveniste (1988) method. Optimal tailoring of a plate is explored, and functional grading is shown to improve the performance of the structures considered. In the example of a square, simply supported, cross-ply laminated panel subjected to uniform transverse pressure, a modest functional grading offers significant improvement in performance. A second example suggests superior blast resistance of the panel achieved at the expense of only a small increase in weight.
Computational evaluation of building physics—The effect of building form and settled area, microclimate on pedestrian level comfort around buildings

Wind discomfort and the dangers that the wind may lead can be harmful in terms of comfort conditions of both indoor and outdoor environment of the building/buildings to be constructed or just completed. The wind effects on a site can be divided in two as: mechanical wind effects and thermal wind effects. This study is specifically about mechanical wind stress and pedestrian wind comfort. Typically, the cause of frequent occurrences of strong wind at pedestrian area is primary related to the configuration of building structures and/or topography in the vicinity of the pedestrian area. Depending on the characteristics of the wind including magnitude, uniformity, ambient temperature, etc., the level of disturbance to users of pedestrian areas can be different. In this context, the regions where Necmettin Erbakan University (N.E.U.) temporary education buildings are located have a fairly intensive topography in terms of wind. Therefore, detailed analyses of the inside regions and the surrounding areas of education buildings in particular are performed in terms of microclimatic comfort and indoor energy recovery. Especially, the topography where the university campus temporary educational buildings are located has very high wind climate conditions comparing to the city of Konya, Turkey, climate conditions. In this study pedestrian level wind conditions around N.E.U. campus buildings and in urban areas and campus buildings settlements topography are analyzed by CFD FloEFD. The aim of the study is to analyze causes of wind nuisance in campus site area and around temporary education buildings, and compare and evaluate remedial measures. The results show that current campus settlement, around the buildings and amphi classes are seen to reach very discomforting levels in terms of in classroom comfort. Draft architectural campus temporary education buildings projects proposed by the author can improve on existing wind conditions where possible, and as a minimum, can not significantly degrade wind conditions especially when considering the safety criteria.
Comparison between a New Card Test and the Latex Fixation Test for the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A card test, designed to simplify performance of the latex fixation test on serum, was evaluated by comparison with the standard latex fixation test (technic of Singer and Plotz6). Both tests were made on 152 sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 145 sera from patients with cirrhosis. Results of both the card test and the latex fixation test were divided into three groups, clearly negative, clearly positive, and intermediate. Statistical comparison indicated that the tests measured the same thing. The card test is an adequate substitute for the standard latex fixation test.
Thyrotoxicosis in Childhood

Evidence supports the presence of a genetic predisposition to an abnormality in immune surveillance, with environmental factors precipitating the development of Graves' disease.
New platform for evaluating ultrasound-guided interventional technologies

Ultrasound-guided needle tracking systems are frequently used in surgical procedures. Various needle tracking technologies have been developed using ultrasound, electromagnetic sensors, and optical sensors. To evaluate these new needle tracking technologies, 3D volume information is often acquired to compute the actual distance from the needle tip to the target object. The image-guidance conditions for comparison are often inconsistent due to the ultrasound beam-thickness. Since 3D volumes are necessary, there is often some time delay between the surgical procedure and the evaluation. These evaluation methods will generally only measure the final needle location because they interrupt the surgical procedure. The main contribution of this work is a new platform for evaluating needle tracking systems in real-time, resolving the problems stated above. We developed new tools to evaluate the precise distance between the needle tip and the target object. A PZT element transmitting unit is designed as needle introducer shape so that it can be inserted in the needle. We have collected time of flight and amplitude information in real-time. We propose two systems to collect ultrasound signals. We demonstrate this platform on an ultrasound DAQ system and a cost-effective FPGA board. The results of a chicken breast experiment show the feasibility of tracking a time series of needle tip distances. We performed validation experiments with a plastisol phantom and have shown that the preliminary data fits a linear regression model with a RMSE of less than 0.6mm. Our platform can be applied to more general needle tracking methods using other forms of guidance.
The analysis of food hygiene bacteriological monitoring and irradiation preservation technology

Objective To explore the common vegetable food hygiene bacteriological monitoring situation,analysis the irradiation preservation technology feasibility and safety.Methods Selected carrots,long eggplant and cabbage food,used the conventional bacteriological testing,toxicity testing and irradiation testing.Results The carrots contaminating bacteria were isolated four bacterias,there were 5 and 5 bacterias in the long eggplant and cabbage food.The test solution samples of L-929 cells without toxic effects,and the dehydration sample leaching test solution on the acute toxicity in mice.the three samples' were gram-positive Bacillus radiation resistant bacteria,the different samples of radiation dose and the D10 value contrast no significant difference in the 6kGy irradiation,(P 0.05).Conclusion Food irradiation preservation technology is an elimination of food pathogens,new technology of food preservation,has no acute toxicity and no cytotoxic effects that has broad application prospects.
The weight optimization of composite cylindrical grid structure

The optimal design of composite cylindrical grid structure was introduced.The constraints of structural vibration frequencies and buckling stability were taken into account,and the design variables of rids and skins were optimized by means of one discrete variable continuing treatment method.Based on the results of optimization design,the weight of structure was decreased by 21.1%.
A Surgical Response to the Haiti Earthquake 2010

This chapter focuses on the surgical response to major earthquake events based on the lessons learned from the response of the US International Medical Surgical Response (IMSuRT) teams to the Haiti Earthquake in January, 2010. An historical overview of the impact of earthquakes is presented along with a review of the management of common earthquake-related injuries. The experience of the IMSuRT deployment is summarized, and valuable lessons learned by the surgeons who responded are included. These lessons provide valuable considerations for any surgeon considering responding to a major international disaster event.
A retrospective analysis of benefits and impacts of U.S. renewable portfolio standards

Abstract As states consider revising or developing renewable portfolio standards (RPS), they are evaluating policy costs, benefits, and other impacts. We present the first U. S. national-level assessment of state RPS program benefits and impacts, focusing on new renewable electricity resources used to meet RPS compliance obligations in 2013. In our central-case scenario, reductions in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions from displaced fossil fuel-generated electricity resulted in $2.2 billion of global benefits. Health and environmental benefits from reductions in criteria air pollutants (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter 2.5) were even greater, estimated at $5.2 billion in the central case. Further benefits accrued in the form of reductions in water withdrawals and consumption for power generation. Finally, although best considered resource transfers rather than net societal benefits, new renewable electricity generation used for RPS compliance in 2013 also supported nearly 200,000 U. S.-based gross jobs and reduced wholesale electricity prices and natural gas prices, saving consumers a combined $1.3–$4.9 billion. In total, the estimated benefits and impacts well-exceed previous estimates of RPS compliance costs.
Gnathostomulida from the Otago Peninsula, southern New Zealand

Ten species of Gnathostomulida, three new to science, are reported from the SE end of South Island, New Zealand: Haplognathia asymmetrica, H. gubbarnorum, H. rosea, H. ruberrima, Pterognathia sica, P. ugera, P. tuatara n. sp., P. portobello n. sp., Gnathostomula cf. salotae and Austrognatharia australis n. sp. This paper brings the number of species known from New Zealand to 12, of species known from the Pacific Ocean to 43, and of described gnathostomulid species worldwide to 98.
Evisceration in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome.

ABSTRACTThe management of blind, painful eyes in Sturge–Weber syndrome patients poses unique challenges to the oculoplastic surgeon. Intraocular and orbital vascular malformations and calcification may theoretically lead to unexpected hemorrhage and difficulty placing an implant in a calcified scleral shell. We present two cases of patients with Sturge–Weber syndrome with blind, painful eyes who underwent evisceration with silicone implant and discuss the relevant current literature. Both of our patients had uncomplicated surgeries and post-operative courses. Our literature review reveals that both evisceration and enucleation are viable surgical options for globe removal in Sturge–Weber syndrome, yet careful preoperative planning must be undertaken to minimize risk.
Development and Validation of an Ultradeep Next-Generation Sequencing Assay for Testing of Plasma Cell-Free DNA from Patients with Advanced Cancer

Purpose: Tumor-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma can be used for molecular testing and provide an attractive alternative to tumor tissue. Commonly used PCR-based technologies can test for limited number of alterations at the time. Therefore, novel ultrasensitive technologies capable of testing for a broad spectrum of molecular alterations are needed to further personalized cancer therapy.Experimental Design: We developed a highly sensitive ultradeep next-generation sequencing (NGS) assay using reagents from TruSeqNano library preparation and NexteraRapid Capture target enrichment kits to generate plasma cfDNA sequencing libraries for mutational analysis in 61 cancer-related genes using common bioinformatics tools. The results were retrospectively compared with molecular testing of archival primary or metastatic tumor tissue obtained at different points of clinical care.Results: In a study of 55 patients with advanced cancer, the ultradeep NGS assay detected 82% (complete detection) to 87% (complete and partial detection) of the aberrations identified in discordantly collected corresponding archival tumor tissue. Patients with a low variant allele frequency (VAF) of mutant cfDNA survived longer than those with a high VAF did (P = 0.018). In patients undergoing systemic therapy, radiological response was positively associated with changes in cfDNA VAF (P = 0.02), and compared with unchanged/increased mutant cfDNA VAF, decreased cfDNA VAF was associated with longer time to treatment failure (TTF; P = 0.03).Conclusions: Ultradeep NGS assay has good sensitivity compared with conventional clinical mutation testing of archival specimens. A high VAF in mutant cfDNA corresponded with shorter survival. Changes in VAF of mutated cfDNA were associated with TTF. Clin Cancer Res; 23(18); 5648-56. ©2017 AACR.
Mapping of the Polypeptide Chain Organization of the Main Extracellular Domain of the α-Subunit in Membrane-Bound Acetylcholine Receptor by Anti-Peptide Antibodies Spanning the Entire Domain

To study the organization of the polypeptide chain of the main extracellular domain of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) α-subunit, we examined the ability of the native membrane-bound AChR of Torpedo californica (T-AChR) to bind a panel of antibodies against overlapping synthetic peptides which collectively encompassed this entire domain. Antibodies against the α-chain peptides αl–16, α89–104 and α158–174 were able to bind to membrane-bound T-AChR. Other anti-peptide antibodies showed little or no binding to T-AChR in the membrane. It is concluded that regions α1–16, α89–104 and α158–174 are highly exposed on the surface of the α subunit of membrane-bound AChR.
Performance Measures for Health Care Teams: A Review:

Interest in effective health care teamwork has advanced in recent years. To ensure these teams are performing effectively, valid and reliable measurement is necessary. This review identifies and or...
Perception of height in virtual reality: a study of climbing stairs

Most virtual environments that people locomote through with head-mounted displays are flat to match the physical environment that people are actively walking on. In this paper we simulated stair climbing, and evaluated how well people could assess the distance they had climbed after several minutes of the activity under various conditions. We varied factors such as the presence of virtual feet (shoes), whether the stairwell was open or enclosed, the presence or absence of passive haptic markers, and whether a subject was ascending or descending. In general, the distance climbed or descended was overestimated, consistent with prior work on the perception of height. We find that subjects have significantly better ability to estimate their error with the presence of virtual shoes than without, and when the environment was open. Having shoes also resulted in significantly higher ratings of presence. We also find a significant tendency for females to show higher ratings of simulator sickness.
Genotyping by sequencing (GBS) and SNP marker analysis of diverse accessions of pecan (Carya illinoinensis)

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is an outcrossing, highly heterozygous, and slow-to-mature tree native to North America. In order to better understand cultivar characteristics, appreciate regional adaptation, and improve selection in pecan breeding programs, improved genomic tools that are cost-effective and capable of high-throughput screening are necessary. A diverse panel of 108 cultivars and accessions from the National Collection of Genetic Resources for Pecans and Hickories (NCGR-Carya) was selected to represent regionally adapted native pecans, controlled cross progeny and their parents, selected wild relative species, and interspecific hybrids between those species and pecans. We implemented a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technique to discover 87,446 informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) throughout the pecan genome. SNPs were used to develop genomic profiles to confirm, refute, or inform questions of cultivar origin. Native accessions show strong genetic relationships by geographic region of origin. Matrices were developed to facilitate evaluation of pedigree relationships between cultivars. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to discover 17 SNPs from a contiguous region significantly associated with the expression of the simply inherited trait controlling flowering type (dichogamy). The information, techniques, and resources developed will benefit the pecan community by improving the ability to characterize germplasm and use marker data for marker-assisted breeding. This should reduce breeding time by facilitating more informed and efficient selection of parents and progeny.
The Criterion for Electromagnetic Compatibility Evaluation in High Voltage Substations

Currently, there is no international standardized method for assessing the provision of electromagnetic compatibility in substations. For more than 25 years a test method for measuring transient overvoltages in secondary circuits of instrument transformers is in use in the Slovenian electric power system. As a source of disturbances, this method uses the switching of the high voltage disconnector. Measurements are performed mainly in secondary circuits of current and voltage instrument transformers. After comparing the peak measured values to limit values conclusions are made whether the electromagnetic compatibility is achieved or not. It has been found that a different analysis procedure is needed, which is more flexible and provides more information. The solution was found in statistical approach to the analysis. A retrospective statistical analysis of oscilloscope recordings from 30 air-insulated high voltage substations was made. First, absolute values of recordings were calculated. Then they were tested for normality of distribution and transformed, since the distribution does not follow the normal one. On transformed data descriptive statistics (arithmetic mean and standard deviation) were calculated, which, in addition to the type test value of immunity for secondary equipment and two factors, comprise a new criterion. Two examples are presented that illustrate the use of the newly proposed criterion in assessing electromagnetic compatibility.
Absolute Prioritization of Planetary Protection, Ethics, and Avoiding Imperialism in All Future Science Missions: A Policy Perspective

This white paper addresses comprehension gaps between the public and private sector and within the astro-sciences as a whole regarding matters of ethics, biodefense, safety, planetary protection, and anti-colonization/imperialism in science. The paper stresses the need to update and universalize these standards.
Examination of Sample Size Determination in Integration Studies Based on the Integration Coefficient of Variation (ICV)

Although there are various indices available for calculating morphological integration, the integration coefficient of variation (ICV) is most suited for assessing magnitudes of integration within and between morphological variance/covariance (V/CV) matrices. However, it is currently not known what the effects of varying sample sizes are on the reliable estimation of distributions of ICV scores. In this regard, the effects of varying sample size on ICV was examined by simulating parameter V/CV matrices with varying underlying magnitudes of average trait correlation (r2). ICV distributions were generated using a trait resampling protocol for various sample sizes (11 through 150) within various parameter r2 values. Next, empirical r2 values were calculated based on data from 22 skeletal elements of 40 Macaca fascicularis specimens to examine whether the results from the simulation corresponded to real biological data. Mean ICV scores of various sample sizes were compared using Mann–Whitney U tests to examine which minimum sample sizes are required to reliably calculate mean ICV. Mann–Whitney U test results based on the simulated data showed that a sample size of 51 may be sufficient even for relatively low r2 values of 0.05. The empirical macaque data showed that 30‒40 individuals may be sufficient to reliably calculate mean ICV scores across skeletal elements. Our results correspond closely with previous assessments by Cheverud and colleagues that argued that a sample size of 40 is necessary to accurately estimate the structure of V/CV matrices.
First-Generation College Students’ Academic Challenges Understood Through the Lens of Expectancy Value Theory in an Introductory Psychology Course:

Background:First-generation (FG) college students have been a popular subpopulation to study within educational literature as these students experience many unique challenges in their academic care...
Physical-Layer Security for Cognitive Radio Networks over Cascaded Rayleigh Fading Channels

In this paper, physical-layer security (PLS) for an underlay cognitive radio network (CRN) over cascaded Rayleigh fading channels is studied. The underlying cognitive radio system consists of a secondary source transmitting to a destination over a cascaded Rayleigh fading channel. An eavesdropper is attempting to intercept the confidential information of the secondary users (SUs) pair. The secrecy is studied in terms of three main security metrics, which are the secrecy outage probability (SOP), the probability of non-zero secrecy capacity (P rnzc ), and the intercept probability (Pint). The effects of the path loss and the variation of the distances from the SU transmitter over the secrecy are also analyzed. Results reveal the great effect of the cascade level over the system secrecy. In addition, the effect of varying the interference threshold that the PU receiver can tolerate over the secrecy of the SUs pair is studied. The effect of the channel model parameters of both the main and the wiretap channels is investigated using both simulation and analytical results.
Genetic Engineering and Life Synthesis: An Introduction to the Review by R. Widdus and C. Ault

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the evolution of the genetic engineering and life synthesis. There are three ages in the science of modern biology: age of observation, age of analysis, and age of synthesis. There has been an enormous proliferation of both experimental and theoretical techniques for studying biological systems at all levels of organization over the past several years. Previously, plant and animal breeders were able to create what were virtually new species, and were able to do so at a rate very substantially greater than that occurring with average evolutionary processes. A further increase in rate is expected in the future. The chapter deals with some issues—how much novelty in organisms can be made available by artificial synthesis, how much guidance from theory is needed to optimize experimentation in this area, and what value this work have with respect to human health.
Attitudes About Teacher Labor Unions and Collective Bargaining: Education, Age, Family, Union Experience and Region Effects from a National Sample

Data from a 2008 Zogby Survey indicate that most respondents favor the right of teachers to unionize and engage in collective bargaining. Most also believe that public schools in their state do a good job educating students and they do not believe the schools would do a better job if teachers were forbidden to unionize. These results varied by region, union experience and having a family member as a teacher but the results overall were quite strong.
A plug-and-play framework for theories of social group dynamics

We present an extensible framework for behavior control of social agents in a multi-agent system that has the following features. It implements a basic repertoire of socio-psychological models of behavior and interpersonal interactions that can be plugged and unplugged at will depending on the specific context of the application. This enables us to test several theories in isolation or combination to increase the transparency of the system and to investigate how the inclusion of a certain theory influences the behavior of the agents. Unlike earlier approaches, our approach is not bound to a specific theory. Thus, it becomes possible to run a simulation with the same set of agents using different theories to compare their effect.
Surface Coil NMR: Detection with Inhomogeneous Radiofrequency Field Antennas

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Shaping the Interrogated Volume of Surface Coils 3 Endogenous Proton Signal Detection 4 Measurement of Relaxation Times 5 Concentration Determination 6 Applications 7 Summary 8 Biographical Sketches Related Articles