cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Stiffness: A Novel Mechanism for the Increased Aortic Stiffness in Hypertension and Aging

Hypertension and aging are both recognized to increase aortic stiffness, but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Most prior studies have attributed increased aortic stiffness to mechanical changes within the extracellular matrix proteins of the aortic wall. Alternatively, we hypothesize that a significant component of increased vascular stiffness in hypertension is also due to changes in the mechanical properties of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and that the contribution of this mechanism is augmented during hypertensive aging. Accordingly, we studied aortic stiffness in young (16wks) and old (64wks) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) wild-type controls. Systolic aortic pressure, measured by Millar micromanometer catheter, was significantly increased in the old compared to young SHR (191±8 mmHg vs 157±6 mmHg, p < 0.01), but not in WKY (old, 109±6 mmHg vs young, 102±6 mmHg). Excised aortic ring segments were subjected to physiological levels of mechanical stretch ex vivo, and the wall stress within these ring segments, as well as their tangential elastic moduli, were greater in SHR vs WKY (p < 0.05). VSMCs were isolated from the thoracic aorta, and the elastic stiffness of individual VSMCs was measured by an atomic force microscopy nano-indentation technique. Hypertension increased VSMC stiffness more, p < 0.05, in young SHR (26±4 kPa) compared to young WKY (14±2 kPa). Aging also increased VSMC stiffness, p < 0.05, in old versus young SHR. Importantly, the increase in VSMC stiffness in young SHR versus young WKY (92±15%) was less, p < 0.05, than that observed between old SHR versus old WKY (131±2%). Our findings that the mechanical properties of VSMCs are sensitive to hypertension, and also to aging, suggests this as a novel mechanism for increased aortic stiffness that occurs with hypertension and aging. (NIH 5R01HL102472-SFV and NIH PO1-HL-095486-GAM)
Concepts of disease, the physician, and chronic pain in the workplace

Teasell and Merskey superbly review the ongo­ ing controversies involved in chronic pain in the workplace. Is the origin of the pain functional or organic, or both? It is not surprising that many physicians are reluctant to treat work-related disorders. The ambiguity of the disorders, the failure of patients with myriad psychosocial problems to improve, the numerous nonmedical interactions requested (from employers, insurance adjustors, rehabilitation nurses, peer reviewing physicians, workers' compensation authorities, and attorneys), and the reams of forms to complete are powerful dissuaders. Many physicians are similarly not enthusiastic about patients requesting modified duty or disability for non-work-related com­ plaints such as chronic headaches, fibromyalgia [2], alleged disorders in those with silicone breast implants, and regional back pain [15]. In this Commentary, I dis­ cuss historical concepts of disease and then consider the physician's role.
Least reliable networks and the reliability domination

A well-known model in communication network reliability consists of an undirected graph G whose edges operate independently with the same probability p. Then the reliability, R(G,p) of G, is the probability that G is connected. It is known that R(G,p) is a polynomial in p and its coefficient of the least-order term is the number of spanning trees t(G), while the coefficient of the highest-order term is the reliability domination d(G) of G. Presented is a complete characterization of graphs that achieve the minimum absolute value mod d(G) mod over the class of n-node, e-edge connected graphs. Furthermore, the class of graphs that yield minimum t(G) is shown to minimize mod d(G) mod . The results have applications in the synthesis of least-reliable networks. >
Ontogenetic variation in the mandibular ramus of great apes and humans

Considerable variation exists in mandib- ular ramus form among primates, particularly great apes and humans. Recent analyses of adult ramal morphology have suggested that features on the ramus, especially the coronoid process and sigmoid notch, can be treated as phylogenetic characters that can be used to reconstruct relationships among great ape and fossil hominin taxa. Others have contended that ramal morphology is more influenced by function than phylogeny. In addition, it remains unclear how ontogeny of the ramus contributes to adult variation in great apes and humans. Specifically, it is unclear whether differences among adults appear early and are maintained throughout ontogeny, or if these differ- ences appear, or are enhanced, during later develop- ment. To address these questions, the present study examined a broad ontogenetic sample of great apes and humans using two-dimensional geometric morpho- metric analysis. Variation within and among species was summarized using principal component and thin plate spline analyses, and Procrustes distances and discriminant function analyses were used to statisti- cally compare species and age classes. Results suggest that morphological differences among species in ramal morphology appear early in ontogeny and persist into adulthood. Morphological differences among adults are particularly pronounced in the height and angulation of the coronoid process, the depth and anteroposterior length of the sigmoid notch, and the inclination of the ramus. In all taxa, the ascending ramus of the young- est specimens is more posteriorly inclined in relation to the occlusal plane, shifting to become more upright in adults. These results suggest that, although there are likely functional influences over the form of the coronoid process and ramus, the morphology of this region can be profitably used to differentiate among great apes, modern humans, and fossil hominid taxa. J. Morphol. 275:661-677, 2014. V C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Augmented Reality E-Commerce Assistant System: Designing While Shopping

Traditional electronic commerce (e-commerce) is facing a bottleneck because it cannot provide enough direct information about products to online consumers. The technology presented in this paper shows how Augmented Reality (AR) can be used to overcome the bottleneck and enhance e-commerce systems. The study also considers some key implementation issues. An AR e-commerce assistant system was developed, as an Internet plugin, which can be used on different kinds of computers and handheld devices when using the User-Centered Design method. Finally, a usability experiment was designed and a pilot test was also conducted, to compare the AR e-commerce assistant with traditional e-commerce and Virtual Reality (VR) e-commerce systems, and to verify that the AR e-commerce approach can be used to provide more direct information to online consumers. Results show that an AR e-commerce e-commerce system can provide more direct information about products than traditional or VR e-commerce systems.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The influence of individual and historical time on marital dissolution

This paper examines the influence of individual development and historical change on marital dissolution. Data from the vital statistics system of the United States and from the June 1980Current Population Survey are used to examine the experience of marriage cohorts from 1905 through 1975 and the periods from 1922 through 1979. The historical patterns can best be explained as effects of period rather than of birth or marriage cohort, and the individual patterns can be explained best as effects of age and age at marriage rather than of marital duration.
Role of moth ocelli in timing flight initiation at dusk

ABSTRACT. The role of ocelli in timing flight initiation of cabbage looper moths, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) (Noctuidae), at dusk was studied under simulated sunset conditions using a multichannel actograph. The mean time of flight initiation was determined for control, sham (sham/occluded, sham ablated, unilateral ablated) and experimental (ocellus occluded, ocellus ablated moths). Ocellus occlusion delayed flight initiation on the first day following treatment but was less effective on the subsequent days. Ocellus ablation also delayed flight initiation on the first day, and also produced pronounced delays on subsequent days. In studies where the sunset was advanced 1 h, control sham ocellus occluded and unilaterally ocellus ablated moths responded to the advance, but bilaterally ocellus ablated moths did not. These results indicate that moths make use of input from the ocelli in determining the threshold light intensity for flight and in making adjustments to small light-phase changes.
Sequential truncated multiplication

The design of an N/spl times/N-bit sequential multiplier with a reduced sized accumulated partial product register is proposed. The FPGA implementation of a 24/spl times/24-bit sequential multiplier with an error less than the 24th (out of 48) bit position is shown to be 1% smaller and 13% faster than a traditional sequential multiplier.
Numerical modeling of ESD-simulators

ESD generators are widely used for testing the robustness of electronic equipment against human electrostatic discharge via small metal pieces (e.g. key). Presently the IEC 61000-4-2 ESD standard is hotly discussed to improve test result reproducibility. This paper numerically analyzes an ESD simulator and relates its construction parameters to discharge current and field parameters. It uses FDTD method and models the relay (contact mode discharge) as a material with time dependent conductivity. The process is broken down into a charging phase and a stabilization phase until the electrostatic conditions are reached. Then the conductivity of the relay is changed and the discharge process is simulated. A self-developed code is used to simulate the model. The simulation discharge current, measured ESD simulator's current and IEC reference discharge current are compared Some design choices of the generator are simulated.
Immunologic Response to Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccine and Risk Factors for Carriage among Hib Carriers and Noncarriers in Southwestern Alaska

Continued Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) carriage in rural Alaska contributes to the ongoing risk of invasive disease. Community-wide Hib carriage surveys were conducted in three villages in southwestern Alaska. Sixteen carriers and 32 age- and village-matched controls were enrolled and were vaccinated with Hib oligosaccharide-CRM197 conjugate vaccine. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration, antibody avidity, and serum bactericidal activity (SBA) were measured prior to Hib vaccination and 2 and 12 months after vaccination. We identified no demographic or behavioral factors associated with Hib colonization. Prior to vaccination, Hib carriers had a higher IgG geometric mean concentration than controls did (8.2 versus 1.6 μg/ml; P < 0.001) and a higher SBA geometric mean titer (7,132 versus 1,235; P = 0.006). Both groups responded to vaccination with increased IgG and SBA. These data illustrate the role of Hib colonization as an immunizing event and show that Hib carriers in communities with ongoing transmission have no evidence of reduced immune responsiveness that may have put them at risk for colonization.
Human versus climatic influences on late-Holocene fire regimes in southwestern Nicaragua

Fire regimes in the lowland Neotropics are affected both by anthropogenic land use practices and natural climate variability. In Central America it is widely recognized that fire has been used as an agricultural tool for thousands of years, but the role of anthropogenic ignition as a determinant of past biomass burning frequency and magnitude has been debated. Little is known about the effects of short-term climate variability on fire regimes in this region of the world because of both the low temporal resolution of the available charcoal records and the obfuscating effects of anthropogenic burning throughout the late Holocene. Here we reconstruct 1400 years of fire history and environmental change on Ometepe Island, Lake Nicaragua, and perform statistical wavelet analysis on multiple proxy records to identify natural cycles of environmental variability possibly related to climate forcing. Our results indicate that extensive indigenous burning and landscape modification largely mask any climate signal in ...
GenomeVISTA—an integrated software package for whole-genome alignment and visualization

Summary: With the ubiquitous generation of complete genome assemblies for a variety of species, efficient tools for whole-genome alignment along with user-friendly visualization are critically important. Our VISTA family of tools for comparative genomics, based on algorithms for pairwise and multiple alignments of genomic sequences and wholegenome assemblies have become one of the standard techniques for comparative analysis. Most of the VISTA programs have been implemented as Web-accessible servers and are extensively used by the biomedical community. In this manuscript we introduce GenomeVISTA: a novel implementation that incorporates most features of the VISTA family – fast and accurate alignment, visualization capabilities, GUI, and analytical tools within a standalone software package. GenomeVISTA thus provides flexibility and security for users who need to conduct whole genome comparisons on their own computers. Availability and implementation: Implemented in Perl, C/C++ and Java, the source code is freely available for download at the VISTA website: http://genome.lbl.gov/vista/
Does the Quality of Democracy Matter for Women’s Rights? Just Debate and Democratic Transition in Chile and South Africa:

Gender scholars have found that democratization is rarely associated with advances in women’s rights and offer a range of reasons why. This article offers a new explanation that targets the quality of democracy in the leading institutions in the public sphere. The author argues that open and inclusive debate conditions, or women’s access, voice, and capacity for contestation in the legislature, civil society, and the media, enable them to shape debate content and pressure the state to respond with legislative reform. The author tests this claim through a structured, focused comparison of Chile and South Africa during the period prior to the transition to democracy, when the public sphere expanded and debate conditions were dynamic. The author finds that different levels of openness and inclusiveness coincide with different outcomes in women’s rights. This suggests that the quality of democracy in the public sphere shapes women’s rights and that it may shape the outcomes of rights for other marginalized gr...
Genetic Susceptibility in ALI/ARDS: What have we Learned?

Since its initial description in 1967 [1], and subsequent definition in 1992 by the American-European Consensus Conference [2], acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) and all the different facets of this devastating illness — etiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, management, and genetics — have become better understood. Recent reports from the United States document that this syndrome affects 190,000 patients annually with a mortality exceeding 35% [3]. The incidence in European countries and Australia varies significantly, but is generally lower, ranging from 16 to 34 cases per 100,000 person-years at risk [4, 5, 6].
Midline Cysts of Colliculus Seminalis Causing Ejaculatory Problems in Stallions

Cystic structures are often seen during ultrasound examination of the internal genitalia of stallions. They are located between the ampullae of deferent ducts, either within the urogenital fold, or under the isthmus of the prostate (uterus masculinus). Occasionally, cystic dilatations are also found more caudally, behind the prostate, at the colliculus seminalis (urethral cyst, utriculus masculinus). These cysts are detected less frequently during routine examinations, possibly because of the fact that this area is screened less carefully for the pathologies than the more proximal portion of the internal reproductive tract of stallions. We have recently noticed that many stallions with ejaculatory problems have large cysts at the colliculus seminalis. This article describes the typical clinical presentation of these cases, diagnostic procedures, and management. In addition, we discuss the discrepancies in the currently used terminology pertinent to this condition, as well as introducing a new term, which seems to best describe the root cause of this disorder. Finally, this article presents new diagnostic and therapeutic options used in human medicine in similar cases, and proposes to investigate the applications of these methods in veterinary medicine.
Col11a1 and Col11a2 mRNA expression in the developing mouse cochlea: implications for the correlation of hearing loss phenotype with mutant type XI collagen genotype.

Objective Mutations in the fibrillar collagen genes COL11A1 and COL11A2 can cause sensorineural hearing loss associated with Stickler syndrome. There is a correlation of hearing loss severity, onset, progression and affected frequencies with the underlying mutated collagen gene. We sought to determine whether differences in spatial or temporal expression of these genes underlie this correlation, and to identify the cochlear cell populations expressing these genes and the structures likely to be affected by mutations.Materials and Methods We used in situ hybridization analysis of C57BL/6J mouse temporal bones.Results Similar, diffuse expression of Col11a1 and Col11a2 mRNA was first observed in the cochlear duct at embryonic Day 15.5, with increasingly focal hybridization being noted at postnatal Days 1 and 5 in the greater epithelial ridge and lateral wall of the cochlea. The greater epithelial ridge appeared to be the main, if not only, source of mRNA encoding Col11a1 and Col11a2 in the tectorial membrane...
Low Bandwidth Eye Tracker for Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy

The incorporation of adaptive optics to scanning ophthalmoscopes (AOSOs) has allowed for in vivo, noninvasive imaging of the human rod and cone photoreceptor mosaics. Light safety restrictions and power limitations of the current low-coherence light sources available for imaging result in each individual raw image having a low signal to noise ratio (SNR). To date, the only approach used to increase the SNR has been to collect large number of raw images (N >50), to register them to remove the distortions due to involuntary eye motion, and then to average them. The large amplitude of involuntary eye motion with respect to the AOSO field of view (FOV) dictates that an even larger number of images need to be collected at each retinal location to ensure adequate SNR over the feature of interest. Compensating for eye motion during image acquisition to keep the feature of interest within the FOV could reduce the number of raw frames required per retinal feature, therefore significantly reduce the imaging time, storage requirements, post-processing times and, more importantly, subject's exposure to light. In this paper, we present a particular implementation of an AOSO, termed the adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) equipped with a simple eye tracking system capable of compensating for eye drift by estimating the eye motion from the raw frames and by using a tip-tilt mirror to compensate for it in a closed-loop. Multiple control strategies were evaluated to minimize the image distortion introduced by the tracker itself. Also, linear, quadratic and Kalman filter motion prediction algorithms were implemented and tested and tested using both simulated motion (sinusoidal motion with varying frequencies) and human subjects. The residual displacement of the retinal features was used to compare the performance of the different correction strategies and prediction methods.
Social Support, Discrimination, and Coping as Predictors of Posttraumatic Stress Reactions in Youth Survivors of Hurricane Katrina

This study examined the influence of aspects of the post–Hurricane Katrina recovery environment (i.e., discrimination, social support) and coping behaviors on children's posttraumatic stress reactions (symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], anxiety, and depression). Data corresponding to 46 youth (M = 11.43 years; 39% girls; 33% African American, 67% European American) revealed that greater helpfulness from extrafamilial sources of social support predicted lower levels of child-rated symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. A positive predictive relation was found between helpfulness from professional support sources and PTSD, perhaps suggesting that parents whose children were experiencing higher PTSD symptom levels sought professional support and reported it to be helpful. Youths' avoidant coping behaviors predicted both PTSD and anxiety symptoms. Discrimination, active coping, and familial support did not predict any of the posttraumatic stress reactions assessed in this study.
An open-source population indifference zone-based algorithm for simulation optimization

This paper proposes an open-source algorithm for simulation optimization. The intent is to permit many who use a variety of simulation software codes to be able to apply the proposed methods using an MS Excel-Visual Basic interface. First, we review selected literature on simulation optimization and its usefulness. Then, we briefly discuss methods that are commonly used for simulation optimization. Next, we present the proposed Population Indifference Zone (PIZ) algorithm and related software code. Also, we discuss the properties of the proposed method and present the code that runs the Visual Basic program. Finally, we discuss the functionality of the Population Indifference Zone method with examples of problems to which it might be applied and conclude with topics for future research.
What is a bloom? A commentary

There are at least eight different modes and mechanisms by which harmful phytoplankton species can cause mortality, physiological impairment, or other negative in situ effects. Their distinction from nonharmful phytoplankton taxa is clearly warranted. Increasing use of bloom descriptors such as “exceptional,” “unusual,” “nuisance,” and subjective reference to specific occurrences as blooms reveal widespread confusion concerning: what is a bloom?, how is it to be defined?, what is harmful?, and what distinguishes a harmful bloom from other blooms? Such efforts have been influenced by comparison with perceived spring diatom bloom characteristics. Examples, selected from among harmful bloom events, are presented to support the view that the classical focus on the spring diatom bloom has significant conceptual and operational biases as to what constitutes a bloom. This and the inexact criteria used to define a bloom compromise research on both harmful algal blooms and phytoplankton blooms in general. The subjective, differing, and arbitrary criteria used to define blooms and their presumed ecological consequences need to be replaced by a quantitatively based, ecological classification of the various types of phytoplankton blooms. The issue of what constitutes a bloom is more than simply a biomass issue.
Right frontal pole cortical thickness and executive functioning in children with traumatic brain injury: the impact on social problems

Cognitive and social outcomes may be negatively affected in children with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that executive function would mediate the association between right frontal pole cortical thickness and problematic social behaviors. Child participants with a history of TBI were recruited from inpatient admissions for long-term follow-up (n = 23; average age = 12.8, average time post-injury =3.2 years). Three measures of executive function, the Trail Making Test, verbal fluency test, and the Conners' Continuous Performance Test-Second edition (CPT-II), were administered to each participant while caregivers completed the Childhood Behavior Checklist (CBCL). All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging following cognitive testing. Regression analysis demonstrated right frontal pole cortical thickness significantly predicted social problems. Measures of executive functioning also significantly predicted social problems; however, the mediation model testing whether executive function mediated the relationship between cortical thickness and social problems was not statistically significant. Right frontal pole cortical thickness and omission errors on the CPT-II predicted Social Problems on the CBCL. Results did not indicate that the association between cortical thickness and social problems was mediated by executive function.
Dose‐Response Assessment of Airborne Methyl Isothiocyanate (MITC) Following a Metam Sodium Spill

A tank car derailment in northern California in 1991 spilled metam sodium into the Sacramento River, and released its breakdown product, methyl isothiocyanate (MITC), into the air. This paper describes the risk evaluation process used. Over 240 individuals reported symptoms such as eye and throat irritation, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Reference exposure levels (RELs) for 1 hr were developed for MITC and compared to exposure concentrations. Ocular irritation in cats was the most sensitive endpoint reported. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL), divided by an uncertainty factor (UF) of 100, produced an REL of 0.5 ppb of MITC in air to prevent discomfort. An REL to prevent disability was estimated to be 40 ppb. An REL to prevent life-threatening injury was estimated to be 150 ppb. Measured MITC levels ranged from 0.2-37 ppb and estimated peak levels ranged from 140-1600 ppb. The usefulness of RELs for emergency planning is discussed.
Association between Reduced Sleep and Weight Gain in Women

Physiologic studies suggest that sleep restriction has metabolic effects that predispose to weight gain. The authors investigated the association between self-reported usual sleep duration and subsequent weight gain in the Nurses' Health Study. The 68,183 women who reported habitual sleep duration in 1986 were followed for 16 years. In analyses adjusted for age and body mass index, women sleeping 5 hours or less gained 1.14 kg (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49, 1.79) more than did those sleeping 7 hours over 16 years, and women sleeping 6 hours gained 0.71 kg (95% CI: 0.41, 1.00) more. The relative risks of a 15-kg weight gain were 1.32 (95% CI: 1.19, 1.47) and 1.12 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.19) for those sleeping 5 and 6 hours, respectively. The relative risks for incident obesity (body mass index: >30 kg/m(2)) were 1.15 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.26) and 1.06 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.11). These associations remained significant after inclusion of important covariates and were not affected by adjustment for physical activity or dietary consumption. These data suggest that short sleep duration is associated with a modest increase in future weight gain and incident obesity. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which sleep duration may affect weight.
Effects of grapefruit, grapefruit juice and water preloads on energy balance, weight loss, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk in free-living obese adults

Background Reducing dietary energy density has proven to be an effective strategy to reduce energy intakes and promote weight control. This effect appears most robust when a low energy dense preload is consumed before meals. Yet, much discussion continues regarding the optimal form of a preload. The purpose of the present study was to compare effects of a solid (grapefruit), liquid (grapefruit juice) and water preload consumed prior to breakfast, lunch and dinner in the context of caloric restriction.
From privacy promises to privacy management: a new approach for enforcing privacy throughout an enterprise

Regulations and consumer backlash force many organizations to re-evaluate the way they manage private data. As a first step, they publish privacy promises as text or P3P. These promises are not backed up by privacy technology that enforces the promises throughout the enterprise. Privacy tools cover fractions of the problem while leaving the main challenge unanswered.This article describes a new approach towards enterprise-wide enforcement of the privacy promises. Its core is a new framework for managing collected personal data in a sensitive, trustworthy way. The framework enables enterprises to publish clear privacy promises, to collect and manage user preferences and consent, and to enforce the privacy promises throughout the enterprise.One of the foundations of this framework is the "sticky policy paradigm" that defines a customer centric model for managing policies, preferences, and consent.
Accuracy of three classifiers of acute gastrointestinal syndrome for syndromic surveillance.

ICD-9-coded emergency department (ED) diagnoses and free-text triage diagnoses are routinely collected data elements that have potential value for public health surveillance and early detection of epidemics. We constructed and measured performance of three classifiers for the detection of cases of acute gastrointestinal syndrome of public health significance: one used ICD-9-coded ED diagnosis as input data; the other two used free-text triage diagnosis. We measured the performance of these classifiers against the expert classification of cases based on review of ED reports. The sensitivity of the ICD-9-code classifier was 0.32, and the specificity was 0.99. The sensitivity of a naive Bayes classifier using triage diagnoses was 0.63, the specificity was 0.94, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.82. A bigram Bayes classifier had sensitivity 0.38, specificity 0.94, and area under the ROC of 0.69. We conclude that a naive Bayes classifier of free-text triage diagnosis data provides more sensitive and earlier detection of cases of acute gastrointestinal syndrome than either a bigram Bayes classifier or an ICD-9 code classifier. The sensitivity achieved should be sufficient for syndromic surveillance system designed to detect moderate to large epidemics.
On Not Forgetting the ‘Literatur’ in ‘Literatur und Religion’: Representing the Mythic and the Divine in Roman Historiography

Against recent attempts to argue that generic distinctions between history and other forms are not particularly relevant to analysis of how the divine is represented, this paper argues that generic distinctions are important from Herodotus on. History has its own distinctive discursive practices, however inventively historians work on the margins with other genres such as epic and tragedy.
A New Population Estimate for Tikal, Guatemala

In 1965, the author of this paper published a preliminary population estimate of 10,000-11,000 persons for Tikal as then known. Since 1965, mapping and excavation on four radial strips which run up to 12 km. in the four cardinal directions from the center of Tikal have broadened our knowledge of settlement at this site. We now have a good idea of the actual size of Late Classic Tikal, as well as its demographic makeup. This permits a new estimate of its Late Classic population as, conservatively, 49,000 persons. It is suggested that Late Classic Tikal qualifies as an urban center, but of a different sort than the urban centers of Mexico.
The crystal structure of ascorbate and manganese peroxidases: the role of non-haem metal in the catalytic mechanism.

First, the enzyme reacts with one peroxide equivalent resulting in oxidation of the haem iron to the oxyferryl, Fe(IV-0), centre and an organic radical, R', where R' is either the porphyrin or an amino acid-centred radical. Next, Compound I oxidizes one substrate molecule to give a substrate radical and Compound 11. Finally, Compound I1 is reduced by a second substrate molecule to the resting, Fe(III), state. In the past few years there has been a rapid growth in crystallographic structural information on haem peroxidases. In addition to cytochrome c peroxidase (CCP), whose structure has been known for over 10 years, the structures of myeloperoxidase [ 1 3 , lignin peroxidase (Lip) [ 2 ] , Arthromyces ramosw peroxidase [ 3 ] and Coprinus cinereus peroxidase [ 4 ] are now known. In addition, we have just completed the elucidation of the manganese peroxidase (MnP) structure from the white rot lignin-degrading Basidomycetous fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium [ 51, and the recombinant pea cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase (APX) structure [6]. Despite the low level of sequence identity amongst these peroxidases (often < 20%) the overall helical topology is conserved. The level of conservation can best be appreciated by comparing the peroxidase family of enzymes with another family of haem enzymes that are also dominated by a-helices, the cytochromes P-450. In a short review, Li and Poulos [7] found that the peroxidases exhibit greater topological similarity than do the P-450s. For example, a com-
Assessing histidine tags for recruiting deoxyribozymes to catalyze peptide and protein modification reactions.

We evaluate the ability of hexahistidine (His6) tags on peptide and protein substrates to recruit deoxyribozymes for modifying those substrates. For two different deoxyribozymes, one that creates tyrosine-RNA nucleopeptides and another that phosphorylates tyrosine side chains, we find substantial improvements in yield, kobs, and Km for peptide substrates due to recruiting by His6/Cu2+. However, the recruiting benefits of the histidine tag are not observed for larger protein substrates, likely because the tested deoxyribozymes either cannot access the target peptide segments or cannot function when these segments are presented in a structured protein context.
Investigation of the content of trihalomethanes in drinking water in Nanjing, 2009-2013

Objective To investigate the concentrations of main trihalomethanes(THMs) constituents in drinking water in Nanjing,China, then analyze the correlation between THMs and the p H and oxygen consumption. Methods The monitoring database of 24 centralized water supply units was collected in Nanjing from 2009-2013, which contained 264 samples of finished water and 284 samples of pipe network water. Several quality indexes, including the concentrations of THMs, p H and oxygen consumption, were analyzed. Results The concentrations of total THMs and the main constituents(including trichlormethane, chlorodibromomethane,bromodichloromethane and tribromethane) were investigated. In the drinking water, the concentrations of these THMs, except tribromethane, showed some common features: an increasing trend year by year, highest concentrations occurring in the third quarter, higher concentrations in the chlorinated water than in the chlorine dioxide disinfected water, and linearly correlated with p H and oxygen consumption. The concentrations of trichlormethane and total THMs were higher in pipe network water than in finished water. Conclusion We should pay attention to the water sources protection, and strengthen the regular process. It is necessary to improve the disinfection process to reduce the byproducts in drinking water, and the effect of bromide ions should be take into consideration. Optimizing the method of disinfection, alternative disinfectants should be explored to reduce chlorinated byproduct formation.
Establishment of Follow-up System for Cancer Patients in Guangzhou City

Since Follow-up Registry System was established in 2010,patients with cancer in Guangzhou were followed up and monitored,by which community service was provided. This article introduced the construction,procedure,regulation,establishment of database and cultivation of doctors in Follow-up Registry System. Furthermore,suggestions were proposed towards the question.
Defective interfering particles of poliovirus. 3. Interference and enrichment.

Abstract Interference with standard poliovirus growth resulting from co-infection of cells with standard virus and defective interfering particles has been investigated. At all time following infection, co-infected cells produced less standard progeny than cells infected only by standard virus. The total yield of physical particles and the percentage of standard virus among these particles was a linear function of the percentage of standard virus in the inoculum. The actual yield of standard virus thus varied as the square of the percentage of standard virus in the inoculum. The extent of interference could also be controlled by varying the time interval between initial infection of cells by one type of particle and superinfection by the other. Identical amounts of viral RNA and virus-specific polyribosomes are formed in co-infected or singly infected cells. Interference apparently results from the partitioning of these limited synthetic capacities between standard and defective interfering-specific RNA and protein synthesis. Standard and DI RNA appear to serve equally well as messenger RNAs because standard and DI-specific viral proteins are synthesized in ratios proportional to the ratio of standard to DI particles in the inoculum. Only standard RNA can direct the formation of capsid protein, so co-infected cells contain reduced amounts of the virion protein precursor, the procapsid. Standard and DI RNA are encapsidated with approximately equal efficiency. Thus interference results from equal participation in the intracellular events of the infection cycle by both types of particles. The progeny yield from co-infected cells was always enriched about 5 to 8% in DI particles. Progeny were produced in the enriched ratio throughout the infection cycle.
The Effectiveness of Cooperative Learning with Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: A Literature Review:

The authors reviewed published experimental studies to examine the effectiveness of cooperative learning as an instructional model for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD). Eight...
Structural and Enzymatic Analysis of Tumor-Targeted Antifolates That Inhibit Glycinamide Ribonucleotide Formyltransferase.

Pemetrexed and methotrexate are antifolates used for cancer chemotherapy and inflammatory diseases. These agents have toxic side effects resulting, in part, from nonspecific cellular transport by the reduced folate carrier (RFC), a ubiquitously expressed facilitative transporter. We previously described 2-amino-4-oxo-6-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates with modifications of the side chain linker and aromatic ring that are poor substrates for RFC but are efficiently transported via folate receptors (FRs) and the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT). These targeted antifolates are cytotoxic in vitro toward FR- and PCFT-expressing tumor cells and in vivo with human tumor xenografts in immune-compromised mice, reflecting selective cellular uptake. Antitumor efficacy is due to inhibition of glycinamide ribonucleotide (GAR) formyltransferase (GARFTase) activity in de novo synthesis of purine nucleotides. This study used purified human GARFTase (formyltransferase domain) to assess in vitro inh...
Field Ecology: A Modest, but Imaginable, Contestation of Neoliberal Science Education

Science education has become a valuable market tool, serving the knowledge economy and technocratic workforce that celebrates individualism, meritocracy, entrepreneurship, rational thought, and abstract knowledge. Field ecology, however, could be a modest, but imaginable contestation of market-driven neoliberal ideology. We explored diverse high school youths’ meaning making of a summer field ecology research experience. Youths’ narratives, elicited with a modified card sort and qualitative interviews, highlight the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical aspects of learning demonstrating considerably broader views of knowledge, meanings of the natural world and their place within it, and access to scientific practices than implied by neoliberalism.
The 'Inception' Theory of Military Innovation

We have many choices if we want to define and think about military innovation. I propose that we can think of it better by thinking of Leonardo DiCaprio.But before I get to that very counter-intuitive and somewhat bizarre proposal, let me first briefly talk about innovation the way we do typically do. RAND, the forefather of the modern military-industrial-academic think tank, defines innovation as the “development of new war fighting concepts and/or new means of integrating technology.” According to historian Williamson Murray, successful military innovation involves a study of one’s own and others’ experiences and a willingness to continually transform in the current moment based on those relevant lessons from the past, from realistic experimentation, and the activities of those with whom you are engaged as friend or foe. The U.S. Army defines innovation as “the action or process of introducing something new, or creating new uses for existing designs.” Less militaristic, others think of innovation as the addition of idiosyncratic originality to the mastery of the conventional. Sometimes, innovation comes in the shape of an accident or serendipitous chance that results in a favorable effect that gets exploited, or as an “exaptation” — transforming or borrowing an idea or method from one domain and transplanting its utility into another — or simply, like DARPA, preventing surprise by creating it.But, nearly all of them stand firm on the concept of “change” (unlike DiCaprio — who never seems to change or age). Doing some thing (activity 1), and then giving it up and changing to do some thing else (activity 2), presumably because doing thing 2 is better for some reason — perhaps cheaper, less deadly (i.e., less risky to one’s own), more deadly (i.e., poses a greater threat to one’s enemy), or a speedier route to the desired destination. Or, for the same reasons, doing something in some way (A), and then giving it up and changing to do the same thing in a different way (B). Or, third, changing both the activity and the manner in which that activity is conventionally done (going from activity 1A to activity 2B, for instance). As summarized by Stephen Peter Rosen, change — it goes nearly without saying — results in some “new” verb or noun: a new tactic, a new doctrine, a new task organization, or a new weapon or new way to use that weapon.
Airway Microbiota in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid from Clinically Well Infants with Cystic Fibrosis.

Background Upper airway cultures guide the identification and treatment of lung pathogens in infants with cystic fibrosis (CF); however, this may not fully reflect the spectrum of bacteria present in the lower airway. Our objectives were to characterize the airway microbiota using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from asymptomatic CF infants during the first year of life and to investigate the relationship between BALF microbiota, standard culture and clinical characteristics. Methods BALF, nasopharyngeal (NP) culture and infant pulmonary function testing data were collected at 6 months and one year of age during periods of clinical stability from infants diagnosed with CF by newborn screening. BALF was analyzed for total bacterial load by qPCR and for bacterial community composition by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Clinical characteristics and standard BALF and NP culture results were recorded over five years of longitudinal follow-up. Results 12 BALF samples were collected from 8 infants with CF. Streptococcus, Burkholderia, Prevotella, Haemophilus, Porphyromonas, and Veillonella had the highest median relative abundance in infant CF BALF. Two of the 3 infants with repeat BALF had changes in their microbial communities over six months (Morisita-Horn diversity index 0.36, 0.38). Although there was excellent percent agreement between standard NP and BALF cultures, these techniques did not routinely detect all bacteria identified by sequencing. Conclusions BALF in asymptomatic CF infants contains complex microbiota, often missed by traditional culture of airway secretions. Anaerobic bacteria are commonly found in the lower airways of CF infants.
Electrophysiological Characterization of T-Type Calcium Channels in Central Medial Nucleus of the Rat Thalamus

Central medial nucleus (CeM) is a part of intralaminar thalamus that is involved in the control of arousal but mechanisms that regulate its activity are not well studied. It is well known that low-voltage-activated T-type calcium channels (T-channels) are abundantly expressed in the thalamus where they regulate neuronal excitability but their role in CeM was not previously investigated. Here, we investigated properties of T-channels in CeM using patch-clamp technique in acute coronal brain slices of adolescent rats. We used voltage-clamp recording with three different internal solutions: tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) without ATP, cesium hydroxide (CsOH) with ATP and CsOH ATP-free solution. TMAOH internal solution induced a profound hyperpolarizing shift in steady-state inactivation curves of about 20 mV when compared to CsOH with ATP (p<0.001, one-way ANOVA). Smaller but significant shift of about 8 mV was achieved with CsOH ATP-free internal solution (p<0.001). In contrast, voltage-dependent steady-state activation kinetics of T-currents were not different under identical recording conditions. Additionally, we found that pan-selective T-channel blocker TTA-P2 at 5 μM decreased T-current density by about 70% (p<0.001, two-way RM ANOVA) and induced hyperpolarizing shift of 4 mV (p<0.001, t-test) in steady-state inactivation curves after 10 minutes of application. Moreover, we used current-clamp recordings to investigate the effects of TTA-P2 on firing patterns and passive membrane properties of CeM neurons. We found that TTA-P2 reduced tonic action potential frequency by 23% (p<0.05, two-way RM ANOVA), completely abolished rebound burst firing, reduced low-threshold spike (LTS) amplitude by 78% (p<0.001), slightly increased input resistance by 15% (p<0.001) and latency to LTS by 18% (p<0.05). Our results strongly suggest that T-channels are important regulators of neuronal excitability in CeM, which may be finely tuned by voltage-dependent phosphorylation. Supported by GM102525 to SMT.
First reported actinopterygian from the Navajo Sandstone (Lower Jurassic, Glen Canyon Group) of southern Utah, USA

We report the first occurrence of an actinopterygian fish from the Lower Jurassic Navajo Sandstone, discovered in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, U.S.A. The site contains multiple individuals, preserved within an interdune deposit, possessing the elongate modified dorsal scales usually characterizing semionotiform fishes. The presence of moderately sized fish provides further evidence that interdune oases were occasionally persistent environmental habitats within the greater Navajo dune system, and that the paleobiota is still woefully undersampled. Additionally, this site could help fill a gap in the actinopterygian fossil record between the patchy Lower Jurassic and better-known Middle Jurassic documentation of western North America.
Investigating Factors Associated with PTSD Dissociative Subtype Membership in a Sample of Traumatized Justice-Involved Youth

Recent research has provided evidence for a dissociative subtype of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, previous research has primarily utilized samples of adults exposed to acute traumatic stressors. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate the dissociative subtype in samples of youth and those exposed to more chronic forms of trauma. Further, studies have not yet tested empirically- and theoretically-derived constructs that are purported to increase the likelihood of subtype membership. This study investigated whether peritraumatic dissociation, emotion dysregulation, gender, and betrayal trauma exposure affected the likelihood of dissociative subtype membership in trauma-exposed detained youth. Results indicated that half of the sample met subtype criteria and peritraumatic dissociation and emotion dysregulation were associated with subtype membership. Results suggest that dissociative subtype membership may be more common in youth, particularly among those youth involved in the justice system, and highlights the clinical utility of screening for dissociative symptoms in young persons.