cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hidden Mode of Action of Glycopeptide Antibiotics: Inhibition of Wall Teichoic Acid Biosynthesis.

Glycopeptide antibiotics inhibit the peptidoglycan biosynthesis in Gram-positive bacteria by targeting lipid II. This prevents the recycling of bactoprenol phosphate, the lipid transporter that is shared by peptidoglycan and wall teichoic acid biosyntheses. In this study, we investigate the effects of glycopeptide antibiotics on peptidoglycan and wall teichoic acid biosynthesis. The incorporation of d-[1-13C]alanine, d-[15N]alanine, and l-[1-13C]lysine into peptidoglycan and wall teichoic acid in intact whole cells of Staphylococcus aureus was measured using 13C{15N} and 15N{13C} rotational-echo double resonance NMR. S. aureus treated with oritavancin and vancomycin at subminimal inhibitory concentrations exhibit a large reduction in d-Ala incorporation into wall teichoic acid, but without changes to the peptidoglycan cross-links or the stem-links. Thus, sequestration of bactoprenol phosphate by glycopeptide antibiotics resulted in inhibition of d-Ala incorporation into the wall teichoic acid prior to the...
Time to Appendectomy and Risk of Complicated Appendicitis and Adverse Outcomes in Children.

Importance Management of appendicitis as an urgent rather than emergency procedure has become an increasingly common practice in children. Controversy remains as to whether this practice is associated with increased risk of complicated appendicitis and adverse events. Objective To examine the association between time to appendectomy (TTA) and risk of complicated appendicitis and postoperative complications. Design, Setting, and Participants In this retrospective cohort study using the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program appendectomy pilot database, 2429 children younger than 18 years who underwent appendectomy within 24 hours of presentation at 23 children’s hospitals from January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2014, were studied. Exposures The main exposure was TTA, defined as the time from emergency department presentation to appendectomy. Patients were further categorized into early and late TTA groups based on whether their TTA was shorter or longer than their hospital’s median TTA. Exposures were defined in this manner to compare rates of complicated appendicitis within a time frame sensitive to each hospital’s existing infrastructure and diagnostic practices. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was complicated appendicitis documented at operation. The association between treatment delay and complicated appendicitis was examined across all hospitals by using TTA as a continuous variable and at the level of individual hospitals by using TTA as a categorical variable comparing outcomes between late and early TTA groups. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS) and postoperative complications (incisional and organ space infections, percutaneous drainage procedures, unplanned reoperation, and hospital revisits). Results Of the 6767 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 2429 were included in the analysis (median age, 10 years; interquartile range, 8-13 years; 1467 [60.4%] male). Median hospital TTA was 7.4 hours (range, 5.0-19.2 hours), and 574 patients (23.6%) were diagnosed with complicated appendicitis (range, 5.2%-51.1% across hospitals). In multivariable analyses, increasing TTA was not associated with risk of complicated appendicitis (odds ratio per 1-hour increase in TTA, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97-1.02). The odds ratios of complicated appendicitis for late vs early TTA across hospitals ranged from 0.39 to 9.63, and only 1 of the 23 hospitals had a statistically significant increase in their late TTA group (odds ratio, 9.63; 95% CI, 1.08-86.17; P = .03). Increasing TTA was associated with longer LOS (increase in mean LOS for each additional hour of TTA, 0.06 days; 95% CI, 0.03-0.08 days; P Conclusions and Relevance Delay of appendectomy within 24 hours of presentation was not associated with increased risk of complicated appendicitis or adverse outcomes. These results support the premise that appendectomy can be safely performed as an urgent rather than emergency procedure.
Does a grill menu redesign influence sales, nutrients purchased, and consumer acceptance in a worksite cafeteria?

Abstract Worksite cafeterias are compelling venues to improve diet quality through environmental changes. We conducted a pre-post study to evaluate how a cafeteria-initiated grill menu redesign influenced sales, revenue, and nutrient content of foods purchased. Secondly, we evaluated consumer opinions about menu changes to inform practices for worksite environment interventions. Monthly sales data (2012–2015) were used to compute gross sales and revenue of entrees and side dishes pre-post menu changes. Alternative protein sources replaced red meat; nutrient composition and nutrients purchased were compared using Food Pro software. Consumer responses were queried using online surveys; open-ended responses were analyzed using NVivo. Differences in sales and nutrient content pre-post menu redesign were tested with Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests. Gross sales of entrees (61 vs. 222 servings/month; p = 0.01) and side dishes (120 vs. 365 servings/month; p = 0.001) increased more than three-fold post-menu changes. Revenue from entrees (312 vs. 1144 USD/month; p = 0.01) and side dishes (238 vs. 914 USD/month; p = 0.001) also increased; per entree, consumers purchased significantly more unsaturated fat (5 g), and less saturated fat (3 g) and sodium (100 mg). For side dishes, they purchased fewer calories (48 kcal) and unsaturated fat (2.9 g), but more fiber (1.8 g), and sodium (260 mg). Four themes emerged from consumer responses: the importance of 1) variety, novelty, choice; 2) cost, affordability, value; 3) health; and 4) food quality, taste. Menu redesign can improve nutrient content, while also increasing sales and revenue. Multi-dimensional assessment of the nutritional, consumer, and retailer implications is desirable practice for enacting similar environmental changes.
Consultants in Computer Classrooms: Integrating Writing Consultants into First-Year Writing Courses

The purpose of this research is to identify the best methods for integrating writing consultants into the computer lab classes of first-year writing courses at Grand Valley State University. The essay examines the literature surrounding writing center pedagogy and the practice of embedding writing consultants into classrooms. Further research was then conducted through a series of interviews with writing faculty and consultants, as well as observations of the computer lab classes. This study was able to describe how the first-year writing faculty and consultants interact, and the ways in which writing consultants can most effectively be integrated in order to aid students.
The Impact of New Product Introduction on Inter-tier Price Competition: An Abstract

Extensive research exists in two important research domains: (1) short-term price competition between high-tier brands and low-tier brands and (2) how new brand introductions influence customer choice among existing alternatives. The current research integrates these two research streams. Specifically, the research examines the impact of new brand introductions on the nature of short-term price competition between high-tier and low-tier brands. Using a conceptual framework based on prospect theory, the research derives a number of research propositions that predict how the nature of price competition between a high-tier brand and a low-tier brand is influenced by reference price contexts as well as the attributes of the newly introduced brand. Implications for understanding inter-brand competition and new brand introduction, guidelines for managerial practice, and future research directions are delineated.
Modeling Impacts of Hunting on Control of an Insular Feral Cat Population

When introduced to exotic ecosystems, feral cats can inflict irreversible harm on native fauna. This is especially true in insular ecosystems because endemic vertebrate species often lack predator defenses. Feral cat control programs have been implemented on islands throughout the world with varied success. Effective and responsible management of pest populations requires knowledge of the impact of control actions. Here, we examine a feral cat control program created for the protection of the critically endangered Mariana crow on Rota Island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. We apply a discrete form of the Schaefer model to a 29-month time series of removal data. We use a negative log likelihood framework to determine maximum likelihood parameter estimates and Akaike's Information Criterion for small sample size (AICc) analysis to determine the best-fitting model. The model indicated that the removal program on Rota initially reduced cat abundance from an estimated 1,218 to 952 individuals within the first 18 months and then maintained the population near 1,000 individuals for the following 11 months. Given the current level of available funds, we suggest that application of uniform island-wide hunting effort may not be the optimal strategy to maximize crow protection; rather, we suggest a multifaceted, targeted approach focused on areas of high crow activity.
Enhancing a Shared-Access, Hardware-Based, Random Number Generation System

High quality random numbers form a critical foundation for computing in applications such as data encryption, simulation, and modeling. Recognizing the import of random numbers we have integrated hardware-based random bit generation into a major file system project for the Operating Systems class. Originally built around background radiation events detected by a Geiger counter, we are in the process of extending this to additional hardware-based random number generators configured for shared access by student teams. This work-in-progress documents the most recent deployment of this technology.
Taking Culturally Relevant Teaching to the Big House: Implications for Early Childhood Teacher Educators

ABSTRACTThis article discusses the conceptualization1 of a foundational course on culturally relevant pedagogy for early childhood education majors at a predominantly white university in the U.S. S...
Art + Design Practice as Global Positioning System

THIS IS MY FINAL EDITORIAL in a role that has commanded the lion's share of my service to the profession since I was given the charge to oversee all operations of Art Education journal 3 years ago....
Energy considerations in the analysis of stability of nonconservative structural systems.

Energy method extended to stability analysis of linear system under action of nonconservative forces
The Role of Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant in Cancer Treatment

Based on the observations [10,53] in animal models that the lethal myelosuppression induced by total body irradiation (TBI) could be overcome by the infusion of un-irradiated bone marrow, hematopoietic cell transplantation has evolved from idea to a well-established therapy used in the treatment of thousands of individuals around the world.
Journey through the impact of the recovery artifacts in Windows 8

One of the most difficult processes of digital forensics is understanding how new technology interacts with current technology and how digital forensic analysts can utilize current Digital Forensics technologies and processes to recover and find information hidden. Microsoft has released their new Operating System Windows 8, with this new release Microsoft has added some features to the Operating System that will present some interesting complications to digital forensics. Since the initial release of the Windows 8 Release Candidates there have been some research released that focus primarily on the new user created artifacts and a few artifacts that have been added by the operating system that might contain valuable information. In this paper I will look at the new recovery options that have been introduced in Windows 8, and the impact that have on the artifacts. The first thing that I plan to look at is the artifacts discovered by the research of Amanda Thomson. Once I have analyzed these artifacts and then verify the locations on the disk I will create a baseline dataset to compare the impact of the recovery options on these artifacts. I will also use artifacts of new features that I have researched for this baseline. The second thing that I will look at is how the various recovery options impact the artifacts that are found on the operating system. This will be done by
Tactile guides for touch screen controls

While multi-touch devices such as smart phones and tablets offer simple intuitive user interfaces, such interfaces may not always be optimal for precision tasks typical of electronic measurement instruments. Such instruments utilize physical knobs, switches and sliders to provide precise tactile control of instrument parameters and states. This paper describes work-in-progress to investigate the use of simple transparent overlays that provide tactile guides for touch-based graphical control widgets. By augmenting the touch surface with a simple low-cost overlay, we aim to restore many of the tactile properties and benefits of standard physical controls. We have fabricated an initial proof-of-concept overlay and demonstration system and have performed a preliminary evaluation that suggests overlay guides may be beneficial.
Differences in Glucose Metabolism Among Women With Spinal Cord Injury May Not Be Fully Explained by Variations in Body Composition

Abstract Objective To investigate the differences in glucose metabolism among women with paraplegic, and tetraplegic spinal cord injury (SCI) in comparison to their able-bodied (AB) counterparts after adjusting for differences in body composition. Design Cross-sectional study. After an overnight fast, each participant consumed a 75-g glucose solution for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Blood glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations were analyzed before and 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after ingesting glucose solution. Insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was estimated using the Matsuda index. Percentage fat mass (%FM) and total body lean mass (TBLM) were estimated using data from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Visceral fat (VF) was quantified using computed tomography. Outcome measures were compared among groups using analysis of covariance with %FM (or VF) and TBLM as covariates. Setting Research university. Participants Women (N=42) with SCI (tetraplegia: n=8; paraplegia: n=14) and their race-, body mass index-, and age-matched AB counterparts (n=20). Interventions Not applicable. Results At fasting, there was no difference in glucose homeostasis (glucose, insulin, C-peptide concentrations) among 3 groups of women. In contrast, glucose, insulin, and C-peptide concentrations at minute 120 during OGTT were higher in women with tetraplegia versus women with paraplegia and AB women (P Conclusion Our study confirms that impaired glucose metabolism among women with tetraplegia may not be fully explained by changes in their body composition. Future studies exploring additional factors involved in glucose metabolism are warranted.
Quantitative ROS bioreporters: A robust toolkit for studying biological roles of ROS in response to abiotic and biotic stresses

While the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through spontaneous generation or as the by-products of aerobic metabolism can be toxic to plants, recent findings demonstrate that ROS act as signaling molecules that play a critical role in adapting to various stress conditions. Tight regulation of ROS homeostasis is required to adapt to stress and survive, yet in vivo spatiotemporal information of ROS dynamics are still largely undefined. In order to understand the dynamics of ROS changes and their biological function in adapting to stresses, two quantitative ROS transcription-based bioreporters were developed. These reporters use ROS-responsive promoters from RBOHD or ZAT12 to drive green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression. The resulting GFP expression is compared to a constitutively expressed mCherry that is contained on the same cassette with the ROS-responsive promoter: This allows for the generation of ratiometric images comparing ROS changes (GFP) to the constitutively expressed mCherry. Both reporters were used to assess ROS levels to oxidative stress, salt stress, and the pathogen defense elicitor flg22. These bioreporters showed increases in the ratio values of GFP to mCherry signals between 10 and 30 min poststress application. Such stress-associated ROS signals correlated with the induction of abiotic/biotic stress responsive markers such as RbohD, ZAT12, SOS2 and PR5 suggesting these ROS bioreporters provide a robust indicator of increased ROS related to stress responses. Based upon the spatiotemporal response patterns of signal increase, ZAT12 promoter-dependent ROS (Zat12p-ROS) bioreporter appears to be suitable for cellular mapping of ROS changes in response to abiotic and biotic stresses.
Homocysteine Modification in Protein Structure/Function and Human Disease.

Epidemiological studies established that elevated homocysteine, an important intermediate in folate, vitamin B12, and one carbon metabolism, is associated with poor health, including heart and brai...
Accelerated Testing of Full-Scale Thin Bonded Concrete Overlay of Asphalt:

A research study was conducted with the goal of determining the expected performance life of thin bonded concrete overlay of asphalt (BCOA) in California. Eleven thin BCOA sections were built and t...
Tomographic Deconvolution of Echograms

This paper gives a new method of deconvolution called tomographic deconvolution. The interior of an object or body may be inaccessible, so the structure of its interior must be found indirectly. Of particular interest are imaging techniques that generate a cross-sectional picture of the unknown interior. To obtain such a picture a non-destructive energy source can be used to probe the body, and the resulting wave motion can be collected at various points on the surface of the body. The determination of the interior of an object from data collected on the surface represents an inverse medium problem. For our purposes, we assume that a source of man-made energy generates a incident signal that penetrates the body. The incident signal is called the source wavelet. The body is bounded by two sides with the source on one of the sides. In the simplest case there are two detectors. The first detector is on the same side as the source and the second detector is on the other side. The first detector records the wave motion reflected by the heterogeneities within the body. This record is called the echogram. The second detector records the wave motion transmitted through the body. This record is called the tomogram. Thus, for a given source signal, two response signals are recorded, namely, the echogram and the tomogram. These two records provide critical information about the internal structure of the medium. Often, the echogram or the tomogram, as the case may be, can be used directly to depict the internal structure of the body. However, in many cases the data is smeared and clouded by two effects. One is the effect produced by the shape of the source wavelet. The other is the effect produced reverberations due to multiple reflections within the body. Often only a hazy picture, if any, can be reconstructed from the observed records. In this paper, a new method, called tomographic deconvolution of the echogram, is proposed. This method makes use of the information in both the echogram and the tomogram. More precisely, the tomogram is used to deconvolve the echogram. This deconvolved signal is readily computed because neither involved statistical estimation methods nor sophisticated numerical approximations are required. Because the proposed deconvolution method does not require knowledge of the source wavelet, the source wavelet does not have to be recorded or otherwise measured. The proposed deconvolution process automatically removes the unknown source wavelet entirely, and in addition clears up a significant component of the reverberations due to internal multiples. The tomographic-deconvolved echogram gives a better picture of the internal structure of the body than either the echogram or the tomogram alone can possibly give.
Endometriosis and Endometriosis-Associated Tumors

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecologic disorder that affects ~10% of adolescent girls and premenopausal women. The condition, classically defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside of the uterine cavity, is multifactorial and highly recurrent, and causes considerable morbidities that can significantly diminish the quality of life of affected women. The disease is linked to immune dysfunctions, infertility, and increased risk for ovarian and other cancers. The histological diagnosis of endometriosis, while typically uncomplicated, may be compromised by the heterogeneity of the endometriotic foci which can manifest a spectrum of lesions with distinct and atypical features of stromal and glandular components. Moreover, signs and symptoms of endometriosis remain nonspecific and there is a current lack of predictive noninvasive markers. This chapter aims to provide current understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinicopathologic features of endometriosis and to highlight the remaining challenges clinicians and pathologists face in the diagnosis, management of symptoms, and provision of care in women with this condition.
Numerical analysis of 3D mass diffusion in random (nano) composite systems: Effects of polydispersity and intercalation on barrier properties

Abstract Nanocomposite systems show promise as barrier materials for a wide range of applications. However, the enhancement of barrier properties requires a better understanding of the relationship between the system structure and the desired properties. The aim of the present study is to discuss first the effect of fillers size polydispersity on gas barrier properties through a step-by-step approach based on three-dimensional finite element modeling (FEM). Secondly, dispersions of monodisperse and polydisperse stacks are investigated coupled with a sensitive study of interplatelet diffusion effect on the overall diffusivity considering a wide range of diffusion coefficient values in the interplatelet area. The specificity of the developed model is its ability to account for interplatelet diffusion for a large range of fillers dimensions.
Perfectionism and self-medication as mediators of the links between parenting styles and drinking outcomes

Abstract Objective Perfectionism reflects unreasonably high expectations for oneself that are rarely obtainable leading to negative affect. The self-medication model suggests that alcohol consumption is negatively reinforced and subsequently escalated due to reductions in negative affect when drinking (Hersh & Hussong, 2009). Wang (2010) found that parents directly influence perfectionism levels. Parents have also been found to indirectly influence alcohol-related problems (Patock-Peckham & Morgan-Lopez, 2006, 2009). The current study sought to examine the indirect effects of parenting on alcohol-related problems and alcohol use quantity/frequency through perfectionism dimensions, (i.e. order, discrepancy, and high standards) depression, and self-medication motives for drinking. We hypothesized that more critical parenting and perfectionism discrepancy would be associated with heavier drinking by increasing depressive symptoms and promoting drinking for negative reinforcement. Method A structural equation model with 419 university volunteers was utilized to test our mediational hypotheses. Results The analyses identified an indirect link between maternal authoritarian parenting and alcohol-related problems operating through perfectionism discrepancy. Higher levels of maternal authoritarian parenting were associated with greater perfectionism discrepancy which contributed to higher levels of depression, and in turn, stronger self-medication motives, as well as more alcohol-related problems. Conclusions Maternal authoritarian parenting style is directly linked to perfectionism discrepancy along the self-medication pathway to alcohol-related problems. Our results suggest that the reduction of perfectionism discrepancy may be a good therapeutic target for depression as well as inform the development of parent or individual based prevention efforts to reduce risk for alcohol-related problems.
Medium Voltage Dual Active Bridge Using 3.3 kV SiC MOSFETs for EV Charging Application

Electric vehicle charging technology has come a long way and seen progressive outcomes toward a wide adoption of EVs. To further accelerate the EV evolution, though, the recharging time of electric vehicles will require much improvement. In order to address such a challenge, it is critical to develop a technology that would enable faster, more efficient, and more effective ways of charging an electric vehicle. In order to address such a challenge, it is critical to develop a technology that would enable faster, more efficient, and more effective ways of charging an electric vehicle. The current fast-charging solution involves a heavy and bulky MV-LV transformer, which adds installation complexity for EV charging stations. Therefore, this paper presents an alternative power-delivery solution utilizing a medium-voltage (MV) dual-active-bridge (DAB) converter. The proposed architecture is designed to directly interface the MV grid for high-power, fast-charging capability while eliminating the need for the installation of the MV-LV transformer. The MV DAB converter utilizes 3.3 kV SiC MOSFETs to realize the next 800 V EV charging system. This paper also provides an extended zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) scheme for the MV DAB converter by varying the input (DC-Link) voltage and the switching frequency of the converter. With the system specifications and requirements, a scaled-down 12 kW MV DAB prototype was developed, and its charging operation along with the extended ZVS scheme was simulated and verified by experiments.
Control of Marangoni-driven patterning by an optimized distribution of surface energy

We computationally demonstrate a method to control Marangoni-driven flows and create patterns with sharp features on polymer films by optimizing the spatial variation of surface energy or tension. This Marangoni-driven patterning (MDP) uses the variations in surface tension to drive fluid flow. By selectively exposing a thin polymer film to UV light, a photochemical reaction takes place, which subsequently alters the surface tension of the polymer film in the exposed regions. On heating above its glass transition temperature, the polymer flows from regions of lower to higher surface tension to form hill-and-valley features. A barrier to advancing the application of MDP is that the flow will often dull sharp features and degrade the fidelity of the desired pattern. To compensate a pixel-based optimization of the surface energy or equivalently, the photoexposure pattern is developed. A genetic algorithm is used to search for the optimum photoexposure pattern based on simulations of the flow, which includes Marangoni and capillary forces and diffusion of the surface tension promoter. The optimization of the photoexposure pattern significantly improves the fidelity of the desired final pattern for a wide range of annealing temperatures and times. Guidelines for successful MDP are identified based on ratios of characteristic times for the Marangoni and capillary flows and lateral diffusion.We computationally demonstrate a method to control Marangoni-driven flows and create patterns with sharp features on polymer films by optimizing the spatial variation of surface energy or tension. This Marangoni-driven patterning (MDP) uses the variations in surface tension to drive fluid flow. By selectively exposing a thin polymer film to UV light, a photochemical reaction takes place, which subsequently alters the surface tension of the polymer film in the exposed regions. On heating above its glass transition temperature, the polymer flows from regions of lower to higher surface tension to form hill-and-valley features. A barrier to advancing the application of MDP is that the flow will often dull sharp features and degrade the fidelity of the desired pattern. To compensate a pixel-based optimization of the surface energy or equivalently, the photoexposure pattern is developed. A genetic algorithm is used to search for the optimum photoexposure pattern based on simulations of the flow, which includes ...
An Analysis of Monoamine-Related Genotypes and Childhood Trauma in Relation to Psychopathic Traits in Men and Women

Psychopathy is of great interest to criminologists, given its consistent association with violence, offending, and antisocial behavior. However, the etiology of psychopathy, particularly in terms o...
Do political donors have greater access to government officials? Evidence from a FOIA field experiment with US municipalities

Whether political donors have greater access to government officials is a perennial question in politics. Using a freedom of information act (FOIA) compliance field experiment with US municipalities in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania, we fail to find evidence that political donors have greater access to government officials compared to engaged citizens. We contribute to the lobbying literature by testing for preferential treatment towards political donors in municipal government. Consistent with the extant FOIA literature, we do find that a formal FOIA request increases compliance rates and decreases wait time before an initial reply. This is an important contribution because, although many polities have FOIA laws, it cannot be taken for granted that FOIA laws will lead to transparency in practice. Testing the effectiveness of FOIA laws in the US is particularly important because state laws vary substantially.
Field methods and strategies for assessing female reproductive functioning

A detailed understanding of female reproductive functioning is important to many disciplines including anthropology, evolutionary theory, demography, psychology, and biomedicine. In this article, I describe strategies and methods that have been used successfully in community-based studies of human reproduction, many in remote locales, to produce high quality biomarker data. These techniques are applicable to a wide range of research questions and populations, and to persons from adolescence through senescence. I give particular attention to the inherent challenges imposed by the cyclical and somewhat unpredictable nature of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis including the necessity and difficulty of ascertaining the timing and occurrence of ovulation, the limits of different sampling regimes for capturing fluctuations in reproductive hormones, and the critical importance of recognizing and, when possible, reducing selection bias. I discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of collecting saliva, urine, and dried blood spots, and describe some of the subtleties involved in collecting contamination-free samples. Once samples are collected, they must be stored in a manner that minimizes degradation; I describe techniques to keep samples cold even without access to electricity or dry ice. I also discuss various issues that should be considered during initial discussions with a laboratory and when samples are assayed by the laboratory. I include examples of techniques that have worked well in actual field studies, and examples of flawed analytical approaches that should be avoided. With these and other tools, even under technology-sparse conditions, researchers can investigate variability in human physiology across the breadth of human habitats.
From Statehood to School Desegregation: Racial Disparities in the Public Education of Mississippi, 1817–1969:

On this 50th-year anniversary of Alexander v. Holmes Board of Education (1969) nationally enforcing school desegregation in fall 1970, Mississippi is being sued for racial disparities in public edu...
The molecular lesion of hereditary spherocytosis (HS): a continuing enigma.

V ERY FEW, if any, abnormalities of the human erythrocyte have been studied with such diligence as those associated with hereditary spherocytosis (HS). Not only has the small, round, densely staining spherocyte provided a long-recognized morphologic benchmark, but its inordinate susceptibility to lysis in hypotonic saline has been clearly documented for 75 years.’ Forty years ago, Haden (cited above) and Castle and Daland2 related the latter to loss of the usual discoidal form of the erythrocyte, and to a probable structural abnormality resulting in a decreased surface area/volume ratio. The unique role ofthe spleen in recognizing, sequestering, and finally destroying the abnormal cell, and the effect of splenectomy in correcting clinical manifestations were investigated in great detail in the 1940’s and early l95O’s.�� The assumption that a genetically determined, usually dominantly transmitted7”#{176} abnormality of the red cell membrane lies at the heart of the disorder has pervaded studies of its pathophysiobogyand, in the past 20 years, has fostered many investigations of red cell membrane structure and function. While these studies have added much to our understanding of red cell physiology, the secret of the ultimate molecular lesion still remains locked within the osmotically fragile spherocyte. These investigations have defined a variety of abnormal properties in HS red cells. These cells are abnormally permeable to sodium and this “sodium leak”2 necessitates an increased glycolytic rate to support greater-thannormal adenosine triphosphate-adenosine triphosphatase (ATP-ATPase)dependent pumping of sodium from the cell’s interior.’2’4 While total lipids have been reported to be relatively somewhat decreased both before’5”6 and after’7 splenectomy, and abnormalities of phospholipid turnover have been suggested,’t no consistently demonstrable data thus far support specific abnormalities in membrane lipid structure. However, under conditions of glucose deprivation, HS membrane lipid is abnormally unstable, and is released by a budding process, thus contributing to a still greater deficit in surface area.’5”9’2#{176}
Suboptimal outcome for patients with biliary rhabdomyosarcoma treated on low-risk clinical trials: A report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Background Biliary rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common biliary tumor in children. The biliary tract is classified as a favorable primary site. Therefore, patients with localized biliary RMS were included in two consecutive low-risk studies, D9602 and ARST0331, by the Children's Oncology Group (COG). The outcome for these patients treated with low-risk therapy has not been reported. Procedure Patients with biliary RMS enrolled on COG low-risk trials D9602 or ARST0331 were analyzed. All patients received systemic chemotherapy and those with Group II (microscopic residual) or Group III (macroscopic residual) disease received 36-50.4 Gy adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Delayed primary excision (DPE) was allowed on both studies. Results Seventeen patients with biliary RMS were treated on D9602 (n = 7) or ARST0331 (n = 10). Median age was 3.5 years (range 1.7-10.3). Ten (59%) patients had tumors >5 cm and 14 (82%) had Group III disease. Fifteen (88%) patients received RT. The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 70.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 46.9-94.3%) and 76.5% (95% CI: 54.6-98.4%), respectively. The majority of patients (80%) who received RT did not have disease recurrence while both patients who did not receive RT had local relapse. Five (36%) of 14 patients with Group III disease underwent DPE; two experienced a local relapse. In the nine patients without DPE, two developed local relapse. Conclusions Patients with localized biliary RMS treated on low-risk studies had suboptimal outcomes. These patients may benefit from therapy on intermediate-risk studies.
La iconografía de "Ars magna lucis et umbrae" en "Primero sueño" de Sor Juana

En este articulo examino la importancia de Ars magna lucis et umbrae de Athanasius Kircher en Primero sueno de Sor Juana. Propongo que las descripciones tecnicas y metafisicas que aparecen en el tratado enciclopedico y sobre todo la iconografia del volumen ejercieron una gran influencia en el poema. Dados los multiples vinculos que existen entre la iconografia de Kircher y el diseno del paisaje mental que Sor Juana construye, sugiero que Primero sueno puede leerse como un comentario de ciertas imagenes que figuran en el tratado. Considerando los sentidos literales y metaforicos de la luz y la oscuridad en Primero sueno, reafirmo asimismo el legado de Kircher en Sor Juana
Microbial Growth Study on Pork Loins as Influenced by the Application of Different Antimicrobials.

The use of antimicrobials in the pork industry is critical in order to ensure food safety and, at the same time, extend shelf life. The objective of the study was to determine the impact of antimicrobials on indicator bacteria on pork loins under long, dark, refrigerated storage conditions. Fresh boneless pork loins (n = 36) were split in five sections and treated with antimicrobials: Water (WAT), Bovibrom 225 ppm (BB225), Bovibrom 500 ppm (BB500), Fit Fresh 3 ppm (FF3), or Washing Solution 750 ppm (WS750). Sections were stored for 1, 14, 28, and 42 days at 2–4 °C. Mesophilic and psychrotrophic aerobic bacteria (APC-M, APC-P), lactic acid bacteria (LAB-M), coliforms, and Escherichia coli were enumerated before intervention, after intervention, and at each storage time. All bacterial enumeration data were converted into log10 for statistical analysis, and the Kruskal–Wallis test was used to find statistical differences (p < 0.05). Initial counts did not differ between treatments, while, after treatment interventions, treatment WS750 did not effectively reduce counts for APC-M, APC-P, and coliforms (p < 0.01). BB500, FF3, and WS750 performed better at inhibiting the growth of indicator bacteria when compared with water until 14 days of dark storage.
Indigenous Planning: From Forced Assimilation to Self-determination:

Interest in Indigenous planning has blossomed in recent years, particularly as it relates to the Indigenous response to settler colonialism. Driven by land and resource hunger, settler states strov...
Trevor Bechtel, Matthew Eaton, and Timothy Harvie (eds.), Encountering Earth: Thinking Theologically with a More-Than-Human World

Trevor Bechtel, Matthew Eaton, and Timothy Harvie (eds.), Encountering Earth: Thinking Theologically with a More-Than-Human World (Eugene: Cascade Books, 2018), xxii + 254 pp., $33 (pbk), ISBN: 978-1-49829784-4.
Reduced biotransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pollution-adapted Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis).

Abstract Anthropogenic pollution represents a significant source of selection, potentially leading to the emergence of evolutionary adaptations in chronically exposed organisms. A recent example of this scenario corresponds to Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) populations inhabiting the Houston Ship Channel (HSC), Texas, USA, which have been documented to have adapted to this heavily contaminated environment. Although not fully elucidated, one particularly important aspect of their adaptation involves the reduced inducibility of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and, potentially, the alteration of major biotransformation pathways. In the present study, we employed a modified Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 319-B test guideline to explore population and sex-related differences in the hepatic biotransformation of six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in F. grandis populations with different exposure histories. Pollution-adapted F. grandis showed significantly lower hepatic clearance of PAHs than non-adapted fish, especially for high molecular weight PAHs (chrysene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene), with pollution-adapted females presenting the lowest clearance. The characterization of different phase I biotransformation enzymes revealed that the basal activity of CYP1A, fundamental in the biotransformation of PAHs, was significantly lower in pollution-adapted fish, especially in females, which showed the lowest activity. Contrarily, basal CYP2C9-like activity was significantly higher in pollution-adapted fish. These results demonstrate the importance of exposure and evolutionary histories in shaping organisms' responses to pollution and provide significant evidence of sex-specific biotransformation differences in F. grandis populations.
Simple Rhombohedral Boron—Preparation and Properties

An allotrope of boron in a simple rhombohedral crystal structure has been reported [1,2]. Salient features of boron in this structure are reviewed. Simple rhombohedral boron has been crystallized from platinum melts. The necessary conditions are indicated. Some preliminary electrical and optical results for boron in the simple rhombohedral form are discussed and compared with results for boron that has been melted.
Type annotations to improve stack-based access control

Java security architecture uses stack-based access control to protect security-sensitive resources. The architecture implements access control checks by inspecting the call stack to compute permission levels, which are used to decide whether to grant access to these resources. This implementation only considers the direct and indirect callers of sensitive methods that directly accesses the resources. However, it does not check the integrity of the variables used in the calls to these methods, nor does it help protect confidential values that might be returned by these calls. This paper proposes a type-based approach to strengthen stack-based access control. We use type annotations to track values originated from untrusted code such that these values will not be inputs to the sensitive methods when they are executed with high level of trust. We also use the annotations to protect confidential values from being accidentally revealed by trusted code. We give a static type system that checks these properties and augments existing dynamic stack-based checks. The hybrid approach is similar to so-called "history-based access control" without its run-time burden.
The Theology of the Blaine Amendments

The Supreme Court affirmed, in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris, that the Constitution permits us to experiment with school-choice programs and, in particular, with programs that include religious schools. However, the constitutions of nearly forty States contain provisions - generically called "Blaine Amendments" - that speak more directly and, in many cases, more restrictively, than does the First Amendment to the flow of once-public funds to religious schools. This Article is a series of reflections, prompted by the Blaine Amendments, on education, citizenship, political liberalism, and religious freedom. First, the Article considers what might be called the "federalism defense" of the provisions. It concludes that even full-throated support for the Rehnquist Court's so-called federalism "revival" does not require one to regard the Blaine Amendments as courageous efforts by particular communities to provide greater protection to religious freedom, by insisting on a sharper, and more rigid, "separation of church and state." In fact, these provisions might better be seen as representing the failures of particular communities fully to appreciate the nature and implications of religious freedom and liberal pluralism. Second, the Article sounds a cautionary note concerning the fact that the Blaine Amendments were in large part the product of widespread concern about the political and cultural effects of Roman Catholicism. While it is true that the Blaine Amendments - like much else in the American experience - were anti-Catholic, they are best understood as reflecting more than mere "bigotry." Rather, the Blaine Amendments can usefully be situated in the context of the rich and growing scholarly literature on "civic education," and on the challenges posed by religious faith, teachings, and communities to certain conceptions of political liberalism. Although we are at present confronting the Blaine Amendments primarily as constraints imposed by positive law on local policy choices about school funding, these provisions take us to the heart of perennial questions about statecraft, and soulcraft. They represent, among other things, the enactment into law of certain claims about the aims of education, the prerogatives of the liberal state, the proper scope of religious obligation, and even the nature and end of the human person. Finally, the Article proposes that Blaine Amendments might most profitably be engaged not simply as rules of positive law, but as theological arguments. The point of this observation is not to assert that the Blaine Amendments' religious meaning is a constitutional strike against them, but rather to enrich our conversations about them. After all, if the Blaine Amendments are not merely legal constraints on state legislatures' funding options, but also claims about the content and proper sphere of religious beliefs, obligations, and loyalties, then it would seem perfectly appropriate to raise constructive, yet unapologetic and unbracketed, religious counter-claims about these matters in response.
Analysis of Control Flow and Data Flow

In this chapter, we analyze the control flow and dataflow of a C program. Understanding these properties helps a designer to understand the relationship between a C program and an equivalent hardware implementation of that C program. Control edges and data edges reflect relationships between the operations of the C program, and we distinguish control edges from data edges. A control edge specifies the execution order of these operations. A data edge specifies that data produced by one operation is consumed by the second. By representing the operations of the C program as nodes of a graph, control edges and data edges define a structure called a Control Flow Graph (CFG) and a Data Flow Graph (DFG), respectively. For a hardware–software codesigner, the distinction between control edges and data edges is of great importance. Data edges will appear in any implementation target – hardware or software – of the algorithm. Control edges, on the other hand, may be removed when the algorithm executes on an architecture with sufficient implementation parallelism.
A Hotter Greenhouse

A controversy about how high tropical temperatures were during a previous hot period may soon be resolved.
Climatic Warming and Permafrost

Permafrost is dependent upon the ambient temperature for its existence and is sensitive to climatic changes. Conduction heat transfer relations, with thawing and geothermal heat flow, are presented to predict the transient effects of surface temperature changes on the thermal state of permafrost. These relations can be used to examine past climate changes that could have resulted in the present permafrost thermal state. A number of phenomena may affect the thermal regime of permafrost, however some of these are not directly related to climate change, and may lead to spurious conclusions as to past climate warming. It is critical to understand the physical processes controlling the temperature and active layer of permafrost and to accurately relate them to past climate change. It is also possible to estimate the effect of climate change scenarios, manifested by air and surface temperature changes, on permafrost degradation. Realistic assessments require that the initial thermal regime of the permafrost be accurately known. Relatively small amounts of permafrost will disappear within 50–100 years due to the usual global warming scenarios.