cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Release of Backcross Insects on St. Croix to Suppress the Tobacco Budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Methodology and Dispersal of Backcross Insects

In 1977, a pilot test was initiated on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, to test the feasibility of controlling Heliothis virescens (F.) by releasing backcross insects possessing an inherited male sterility resulting from hybridization. During 1979 and 1980, four separate releases were made. Of released males captured, fewer than 15% were trapped farther than 1.6 km away. Males placed in release cages as pupae dispersed farther than those released as adults. Eggs oviposited by released females were collected as far as 8 km from the release site though most were collected near release sites. Ratios of eggs oviposited by released or native females were similar on pigeon pea, Cajanas cajan (L.), and on Bastardia viscosa (Koth.), the two most important hosts for tobacco budworm on St. Croix. These data show the need for frequent release sites in future suppression programs with backcross tobacco budworms.
Agelenidae of the genera Hololena, Novalena, Rualena and Melpomene

In this paper we present the second part of a revisional study of the Agelenid spiders belonging to the group Ageleneae. The first part appeared in the ANNALS of the Entomological Society of America, 1941, Vol. 34. In the present paper, we treat the rest of the known North American genera of this group, consisting of Hololena Chamberlin and Gertsch, Novalena , new, Rualena , new, and Melpomene Cambridge.
Self-generated diffusioosmotic flows from calcium carbonate micropumps.

Calcium carbonate particles, ubiquitous in nature and found extensively in geological formations, behave as micropumps in an unsaturated aqueous solution. The mechanism causing this pumping is diffusioosmosis, which drives flows along charged surfaces. Our calcium carbonate microparticles, roughly ∼10 μm in size, self-generate ionic gradients as they dissolve in water to produce Ca2+, HCO3–, and OH– ions that migrate into the bulk. Because of the different diffusion coefficients of these ions, spontaneous electric fields of roughly 1–10 V/cm arise in order to maintain electroneutrality in the solution. This electric field drives the diffusiophoresis of charged tracers (both positive and negative) as well as diffusioosmotic flows along charged substrates. Here we show experimentally how the directionality and speed of the tracers can be engineered by manipulating the tracer zeta potential, the salt gradients, and the substrate zeta potential. Furthermore, because the salt gradients are self-generated, here...
Preparation of Potassium Ferrate and the Effects of Different Additives on the Discharge Potential of Super-iron Fe(VI) Battery

Ferrate used as Batteries′Cathode have a great deal of particular advantages.The newest synthetic method was summarized, Additives such as Ti,NiOOH,and Li2CO3 were added,and the improvement of ferrate batterys′discharge performance was analyzed.The result showed that the additives can enhance the discharge efficiency of the ferrate battery.
Utilization of real-time fluorescence PCR for rapid detection of two cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus food poisoning

Objective To detect the pathogenic bacteria like Vibrio parahemolyticus with real- time fluorescence PCR,and compare the real- time PCR with the international standard method to understand the conformance and application value of the two methods. Methods RT- PCR was used for the pathogen primary screening,then the national standard method was employed to isolate and identify the pathogens. Results There were 10 Vibrio parahemolyticus positive samples in the 12 anal swab samples,the positive rate was 83. 33%. While Nine Vibrio parahemolyticus strains were detected by GB methods in 38 samples,the positive rate was 23. 68%,in which 8 Vibrio parahemolyticus strains were detected from the corresponding anal swabs,which were positive for the special DNA nucleotide of Vibrio parahemolyticus by RT- PCR,and the other Vibrio parahemolyticus was detected from the food samples. No other pathogenic bacteria was detected by both methods,such as Salmonella, Shigella and vibrio cholerae. Conclusion The RT- PCR could screen the pathogenic bacteria rapidly and shorten the detection time. It has higher consistency with the national standard method. So it has promotional value to combine the two methods for dealing with public health emergencies.
Effect of Anion on Hypoxia Tolerance in Mice

[Objective]To study the effect of anion on hypoxia tolerance in mice. [Methods]An anion generator was used continuously 4 hours daily on mice.Determination of blood biochemical parameters and test for hypoxia tolerance improvement were performed on mice at 7 days,14 days and 30 days of the experiment. [Results]Anion had no effect on leucocyte,platelets and biochemical indicators of mice;compared with the control group,the number of erythrocyte and hemoglobin concentration increased significantly in the group of being administered anion for 30days(P0.05).The survival time of nitrite-poisoned mice was significantly prolonged at 7days,14 days and 30days of the experiment.Survival time of the mice with hypoxia caused by acute cerebral ischemia was significantly prolonged compared with the control group at 7days,14 days and 30 days of the experiment(P0.05). [Conclusion]Anion can increase the capacity of carrying oxygen by increasing the number of erythrocyte and hemoglobin concentration.It can also promote the tolerance of mice to hypoxia.
Application of short-wave communication in power emergency communications

Power emergency communication system is the support for power grid security.The communication means must meet the requirement and adapts to the characteristics of power system.As one of the traditional wireless communication,short-wave communication technology can be applied to various emergency communication situations.This article briefly introduced the general principle of short-wave communication and its characteristics,discusses several applications in power emergency communication.It has reference value for the construction of power emergency communication system.
Simultaneous quadruple immunosuppression with cyclosporine induction therapy in high risk renal transplant recipients.

AbstractHigh risk renal transplant recipients experience excess graft loss despite overall improvements in the results of cadaveric renal transplantation. We evaluated a novel immunosuppression regimen consisting of simultaneous administration of OKT3, cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisone. Of the 12 high risk patients studied 5 received 2 transplants, 1 received 3 transplants and 8 had peak panel reactive antibodies of greater than 60%. The protocol consisted of cyclosporine (7mg./kg. orally or 3mg./kg. intravenously per day) starting from the day of transplant regardless of graft function; 5mg. OKT3 per day for 10 to 14 days starting intraoperatively; 5mg./kg. azathioprine per day for 2 days, then 1.5mg./kg. per day and adjusted according to white blood cell counts, and prednisone taper at 2 to 0.4mg./kg. per day on day 10. The dose of cyclosporine was increased to 14mg./kg. per day orally when serum creatinine was less than 3mg./dl. The cyclosporine whole blood levels (measured by high performance ...
Abstract 2607: Honokiol, a phytochemical from magnolia plant, prevents UV radiation-induced immune suppression in mice through inhibition of PGE2 and DNA methylation

The exposure of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) to murine skin suppresses the development of allergic contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response which is considered to be a prototypic T-cell mediated immune response. UVR-induced suppression of immune system has been implicated in skin cancer risk. Honokiol has been shown to have anti-skin carcinogenic activity, and here we have assessed the effect of honokiol on UVR-induced immunosuppression and its possible mechanism of action. Our CHS experiments revealed that exposure of C3H/HeN mouse skin with UVB radiation (150 mJ/cm2) for 4 consecutive days resulted in significant suppression of CHS response (75%, P Citation Format: Santosh K. Katiyar, Tripti Singh, Ram Prasad. Honokiol, a phytochemical from magnolia plant, prevents UV radiation-induced immune suppression in mice through inhibition of PGE2 and DNA methylation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2607.
Other applications and future directions

Jian Zhang is an assistant professor at the Center for Fluorescence Spectroscopy, University of Maryland School of Medicine (MD, USA). His research interests focus on developing novel nanoparticle fluorophores and using them in biological studies. In recent years, he has conducted a lot of work on the metal nanoparticles and their interactions with fluorophores for developing metal nanoparticle fluorescence probes. He is the first to create the metal plasmonic fluorophores and apply them for fluorescence cell imaging. So far, he has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers and seven chapters.
Genes over time and space

In the domesticated animal all variations have an equal chance of continuance; and those which would decidely render a wild animal unable to compete … are no disadvantage whatever … A. R. Wallace, ‘On the Tendency of Varieties to Depart Indefinitely from the Original Type’ (1858) Survival of the luckiest. M. Kimura (1989) We have seen how to infer that genes have various effects on a trait, but how does the spectrum of genetic effects arise, and how is the variation distributed over space and time? This chapter provides a brief travelog of some of the relevant concepts of population genetics, the theoretical basis of evolutionary biology {Crow, 1986; Hartl and Clark, 1989; Hedrick, 1985; Li and Graur, 1990; Nei, 1987}. These concepts are used in subsequent chapters. Life is fundamentally stochastic: the fate of a new mutation (Nearly) each new mutation is unique For most of this century it was thought that only a few alleles could exist at a locus, of which new copies arose via recurrent mutation at some rate, generally estimated to be about 10 -5 per locus per generation, providing a continual supply of a given allele. This view was based on phenotype data, but at the sequence level the probability that the same mutation will recur is very small. Think of a cistron (coding stretch) of, say, a thousand nucleotides. Three thousand different non-synonymous (nucleotidechanging) point mutations are possible.
Dynein Separately Partners with NDE1 and Dynactin To Orchestrate T Cell Focused Secretion

Helper and cytotoxic T cells accomplish focused secretion through the movement of vesicles toward the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) and translocation of the MTOC to the target contact site. In this study, using Jurkat cells and OT-I TCR transgenic primary murine CTLs, we show that the dynein-binding proteins nuclear distribution E homolog 1 (NDE1) and dynactin (as represented by p150(Glued)) form mutually exclusive complexes with dynein, exhibit nonoverlapping distributions in target-stimulated cells, and mediate different transport events. When Jurkat cells expressing a dominant negative form of NDE1 (NDE1-enhanced GFP fusion) were activated by Staphylococcus enterotoxin E-coated Raji cells, NDE1 and dynein failed to accumulate at the immunological synapse (IS) and MTOC translocation was inhibited. Knockdown of NDE1 in Jurkat cells or primary mouse CTLs also inhibited MTOC translocation and CTL-mediated killing. In contrast to NDE1, knockdown of p150(Glued), which depleted the alternative dynein/dynactin complex, resulted in impaired accumulation of CTLA4 and granzyme B-containing intracellular vesicles at the IS, whereas MTOC translocation was not affected. Depletion of p150(Glued) in CTLs also inhibited CTL-mediated lysis. We conclude that the NDE1/Lissencephaly 1 and dynactin complexes separately mediate two key components of T cell-focused secretion, namely translocation of the MTOC and lytic granules to the IS, respectively.
Linked spatial variability of throughfall amount and intensity during rainfall in a coniferous forest

Abstract Routing of rainfall through forest canopies causes spatial variability in throughfall amounts and intensities, but the covariance of these effects has not been investigated. We investigated the relationship between point throughfall amount and intensity reduction in an old-growth seasonal temperate rainforest in southwestern Washington, USA, using tipping bucket rain gauges both under and above the coniferous forest canopy. Mean hydraulic residence time of rainfall in the canopy was 25 min, with event means ranging between 4 and 52 min. Locations of high throughfall accumulation received throughfall at intensities similar to rainfall, and locations of low accumulation experienced more variable intensities. Drip points funneling water to zones of high accumulation are not typical of this coniferous seasonal temperate rainforest. There was a positive relationship between intensity reduction by the canopy and evaporation during rain events that indicates that refilling of storage made available by evaporation is important for buffering throughfall intensities.
Speed and Safety in Drug Approval and Commercialization.

* Abbreviation: FDA — : Food and Drug Administration I sat across from my patient with recently confirmed relapsed pulmonary osteosarcoma. Having previously endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy, an amputation, and debilitating and, at times, recalcitrant phantom limb pain, he had slowly pieced his life back together and had returned to some semblance of normalcy; he now had a job, was living on his own, and was attending university. Although osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone cancer affecting children and young adults, it is still a rare disease, with only ∼400 new cases each year in the United States. Osteosarcoma has a predilection for spreading to the lungs and, once there, is considerably more difficult to cure. Treatment of osteosarcoma includes combination chemotherapy and surgical resection. Survival rates have remained stagnant for >30 years.1 If there ever were a disease in need of novel approaches and new therapies, osteosarcoma is it. In discussing with my patient how best to move forward, I explained that traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy no longer seemed like a viable option and suggested that he consider a clinical trial investigating an innovative approach. We discussed various novel therapies before settling on a phase II study investigating an immunotherapeutic administered with cytokine support.2 In discussing the trial, I explained that phase II trials seek to determine if an experimental therapy is effective and safe in larger numbers of patients, and that there exists the possibility for both known and unforeseen harms. I shared my concerns regarding his existing phantom limb pain and the experimental therapy’s penchant to … Address correspondence to Yoram Unguru, MD, MS, MA, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, The Herman and Walter Samuelson Children’s Hospital at Sinai, 2401 West Belvedere Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215-5271. E-mail: yunguru{at}lifebridgehealth.org
Cost-Effectiveness of Prostate Health Index from a Managed Care Payer Perspective

Objective: The prostate health index (phi) has been shown to improve diagnostic accuracy in prostate cancer (Pca) detection compared with total and free serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The study assessed the cost-effectiveness of early Pca detection with phi plus PSA, compared with the PSA test alone, from a managed care organization perspective.Study Design: Cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods: A Markov model estimated expected costs and utilities of Pca detection and consequent treatment using four strategies in men aged 50-75 years. The strategies differed with the PSA test thresholds (≥2 or ≥4 ng/mL) and methods (PSA alone vs. PSA plus phi) to determine need for a prostate biopsy. The transition probabilities were derived from the electronic medical records of males in Kaiser Permanente Southern California during 1998-2007. Health state utilities and prostate cancer-related treatment costs were obtained from the published literature.Results: The most cost-effective strategy used the PSA plus phi at PSA 2-10 ng/mL to determine need for a prostate biopsy, which had the lowest cost and highest effectiveness [cost/effectiveness (C/E)=13,650/15.491, $1,099/QALY]. Next was PSA plus phi at PSA 4-10 ng/mL [C/E=14,095/12.364, $1,140/QALY), followed by PSA test at threshold ≥4 ng/mL [C/E=15,256/12.304, $1,240/QALY), or PSA ≥2 ng/mL [C/E=15,789/12.287, $1,285/QALY). PSA plus phi at PSA 2-10 ng/mL displayed a 74% to 86% probability of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay range of 0 to $150,000/QALY gained. Conclusions: Using the strategy PSA plus phi at PSA 2-10 ng/mL for Pca detection dominated other strategies, and was an optimal strategy under a willingness-to-pay of $150,000/QALY gained.
Postdoc Scholars in S&E Departments: Plights, Departmental Expectations, and Policies

Abstract Academic departments train and deploy large number of postdoctoral scholars and have been important foci for potential reforms to alleviate postdocs' plights. Using a nationally representative survey of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) department chairs, this chapter reveals illusions and disillusions for STEM doctorates' job prospects and investigates possible determinants of departments adopting different postdoctoral reforms. While academic departments glorify the pursuit of research-oriented faculty positions, most of their doctorates end up in postdoctoral appointments and struggling with different challenges. Implementation of postdoc policies remains largely discretionary in academic departments wherein their resources and awareness matter greatly.
What Would You Say if...: Responding to Microaggressions, Bias, and Other Nonsense

Many SIGCSE attendees are committed to inclusive teaching practices and creating an inclusive culture within their classrooms; yet, advocating for and sustaining these initiatives may require having difficult conversations with our colleagues and students. Understandably, many faculty are unsure about how to talk about sensitive topics such as race and gender with their colleagues and students. Research suggests that practicing some of these difficult conversations is essential to achieve the goals of inclusive teaching and culture. Most SIGCSE attendees probably use active learning throughout their teaching, but we rarely see active learning at SIGCSE - let's try it! In this interactive session, attendees will learn strategies for responding to bias in academic settings. Attendees will then practice those strategies in small groups. This will be facilitated by playing two rounds of a research-based game learning approach developed by the NSF project CSTeachingTips.org (#1339404), which has been tested in group of 200 teaching assistants. This is the fifth iteration of the game-learning approach and all attendees will receive a printed copy of the game and a link to download and print more copies.
Effects of herbicides on growth and survival, and influence of latitude on anastomosis group diversity in Rhizoctonia solani

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2. INFLUENCE OF HERBICIDES ON GROWTH AND SCLEROTIA PRODUCTION IN RHIZOCTONIA SOLANI CHAPTER 3. EFFECTS OF HERBICIDES ON ROOT ROT AND DAMPING -OFF CAUSED BY RHIZOCTONIA SOLANI ON GLYPHOSATE-TOLERANT SOYBEAN CHAPTER 4. RHIZOCTONIA SOLANI ANASTOMOSIS GROUPING ASSOCIATED WITH LATITUDINAL CHANGES AND EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL CHAPTERS. GENERAL SUMMARY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Queue length estimation for a metered on-ramp using mesoscopic simulation

AbstractThis paper proposed an analytical method for queue length modeling at a metered on-ramp, and developed a mesoscopic simulation model for queue length estimation under various demand-to-capa...
Predicting 4-Year Graduation: Using Social Cognitive Career Theory to Model the Impact of Prescriptive Advising, Unit Load, and Students’ Self-Efficacy:

In this study, we investigated how environmental, cognitive, and demographic variables influenced students’ ability to graduate from a 4-year university in 4 years. Specifically, we examined how be...
The Economics of Tuition and Fees in Higher Education

This article provides an introduction to the economics of tuition and fees in American higher education. It summarizes data on undergraduate tuition and fee levels in public and private institutions, discusses the forms of financial assistance that students receive, and provides explanations for why tuition and fees for undergraduate students in both private and public higher education institutions in the United States have increased, on average, by 2–3.5 percentage points a year more than the rate of increase in consumer prices. Finally, it briefly addresses tuition and fees in graduate professional and doctoral programs in the United States.
Towards an Autonomous Indoor Vehicle: Utilizing a Vision-Based Approach to Navigation in an Indoor Environment

We introduce a vision system based approach to autonomous navigation and mapping in an indoor environment. Our goal is to eventually create a common processing system that can direct both aerial and ground vehicles. This paper presents our initial results for controlling a ground vehicle as well as demonstrates the potential of a vision-based system controlling a completely airborne solution or a solution that combines aerial vehicles with ground vehicles. The autonomous ground explorer (AGE) described here serves as a test vehicle to validate the algorithms that will be integrated into the control of our aerial vehicle that is under development. The ground explorer uses only vision (three basic web cameras) to efficiently move within building corridors. The ground explorer navigates hallways and makes directional decisions based on the following processes: tracking the corridor’s visual vanishing point, anticipating intersections using odometry and fiduciary markers, identifying and classifying intersections based on vanishing points and fiduciary markers, and completing controlled turns based on a confidence factor in its location on a calculated route within a simplified topological map.
Transvaginal bladder-neck closure: a step-by-step video for female pelvic surgeons

Transvaginal bladder-neck closure is a definitive surgical option for urethral erosion due chronic bladder catheterization in patients with neurogenic bladder. Surgeons who perform female pelvic reconstructive surgery have limited exposure to this procedure in their training. The purpose of this video is to demonstrate a transvaginal bladder-neck closure due to urethral erosion in a patient with neurogenic bladder due to persistent neuropathy from Guillain-Barre syndrome managed with prolonged catheter drainage. We used a live-action surgical demonstration to describe transvaginal bladder-neck closure with urinary diversion. This video provides a step-by-step approach to transvaginal bladder-neck closure as treatment for urethral erosion from chronic catheterization. This video can be used to educate and train those performing female pelvic reconstructive surgery. Surgeons who perform female pelvic surgery should be familiar with the complications of chronic Foley catheterization and treatment options that include transvaginal bladder-neck closure. This video may be used to facilitate reproducibility and comprehension of this procedure.
Hybrid Sparse Array Design for Under-determined Models

Sparse arrays are typically configured considering either the environmental dependent or independent design objectives. In this paper, we investigate hybrid sparse array design satisfying dual design objectives. We consider enhancing the source identifiability and maximizing the Signal-to-Interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) as our design criteria. We pose the problem as designing fully augmentable sparse arrays for receive beamforming achieving maximum SINR (MaxSINR) for desired point sources operating in an interference active environment. The problem is formulated as a re-weighted l 1 -norm squared quadratically constraint quadratic program (QCQP). Simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for designing fully augmentable arrays in case of under-determined scenarios.
Comparison of non-contrast vessel wall imaging and 3-D time-of-flight MRA for atherosclerotic stenosis and plaque characterization within intracranial arteries.

Abstract Purpose We compared the ability of intracranial high-resolution vessel wall imaging (VWI) without gadolinium and 3-D time-of-flight (3D-TOF) MRA techniques to characterize intracranial arterial stenosis and arterial wall plaque consistent with atherosclerotic plaque. Methods Consecutive intracranial VWI examinations performed within 2 months of a 3D-TOF exam with at least 1 noted plaque was included. Examinations assessed 17 vessel segments for plaque and diameters of stenotic and normal segments using double oblique reformatted images. Results were compared with the VWI and 3D-TOF exams considered the reference standard for plaque and luminal stenosis, respectively. Results Assessed segments totaled 286 from 17 patients. Proximal segment sensitivity and specificity for luminal stenosis detection with VWI was 92.5% and 82.1%, respectively, whereas for assessing plaque with 3D-TOF it was 59.4% and 98.3%, respectively. The mean intra-rater difference in luminal diameter measurements between VWI and 3D-TOF at normal segments and at the area of maximal stenosis was 0.02 mm (SD 0.51 mm) and 0.08 mm (SD 0.66 mm), respectively. Conclusions Intracranial VWI demonstrated reasonably high sensitivity and specificity for luminal stenosis assessment using 3D-TOF as a reference standard, while 3D-TOF demonstrated low sensitivity for plaque detection. Our results suggest that VWI can be used for simultaneous assessment of luminal stenosis and plaque in the intracranial arteries.
Optimized Diamond Development for Quantum Vector Magnetometry

Magnetometers have long been used in aiding navigation. While the application space has progressed from the simplicity of compassing to complete geolocation with a priori maps, the extant sensor technologies have plateaued. Each magnetometer platform exhibits at least one nonideal property for navigation applications. For example, fluxgate magnetometers, measuring vector field, suffer from low-frequency drift whereas vapor-cell magnetometers, measuring only scalar field, are insensitive to the field orientation. MIT-LL is developing a novel, absolute vector magnetometer based on the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color center in diamond. While much of the progress in the diamond community has relied on commercially available material developed for gemstones or electronics, here we develop diamond with NV ensembles tailored for sensing. Although the results focus on magnetometry, they can be applied to additional sensing modalities (e.g. gyroscopes [1], electric field sensors [2], and thermometers [3]). This conference presentation will show enhancement in sensor-based diamond material properties, with over 20-fold enhancement in NV ensemble dephasing times over commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) diamond. We illustrate how this affects magnetometer performance with respect to applications such as magnetic navigation.
Temporal study of dual frequency single surface multipactor by multiparticle Monte Carlo simulations

This work investigates the temporal physics of multipactor discharge on a single dielectric surface by one-dimensional multiparticle Monte Carlo (MC) simulator with adaptive time steps. The study shows that the presence of a second carrier frequency of the rf electric field changes the saturation level and temporal oscillation pattern of the normal surface field. It is found that the instantaneous normal surface field and the multipactor electron population remains at a lower value for a longer duration within an rf period for dual frequency operation than for single frequency operation.
Анализ результатов применения программы когнитивной психотерапии для пациентов с онкологическими заболеваниями

The dynamics of clinical and psychological indicators in patients with primary diagnosed oncological diseases, which was carried out a program of medical and psychological rehabilitation, including a short course of group and individual cognitive psychotherapy, at the stage of basic treatment after surgery. The result was significant compared to the control group changes: reduction of indicators of situational anxiety and depression, improvement of somatic well-being and quality of life (emotional and social functioning), reduction of fatigue, pain and improved appetite. Patients who underwent a program of psychotherapy, subjectively noted better tolerability of physical discomfort associated with the ongoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
3β [N-(N′, N′-Dimethylaminoethane)-Carbamoyl] Cholesterol (DC-Chol)-Mediated Gene Delivery to Primary Rat Neurons: Characterization and Mechanism

Cationic lipid formulations consisting of 3β [N-(N′, N′-dimethylaminoethane)-carbamoyl] cholesterol (DC-Chol) and the helper lipid dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) (1.5:1 molar ratio) were prepared by solvent evaporation and sized by high pressure extrusion. Liposomes made of 1:1 molar ratio 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethyl-ammonium-propane (DOTAP)/DOPE were used as controls in the study. The two formulations were characterized and evaluated for their efficiency in transfecting SKnSH (neuroblastoma) and primary rat neuronal cell lines. DC-Chol/DOPE liposomes were more efficient at transfecting both the SKnSH and the primary rat neuronal cells and also less toxic compared to the DOTAP/DOPE liposomes. The cellular-associated signal of rhodamine-labeled DC-Chol/DOPE liposomes into SKnSH and primary rat neuronal cells was higher than the rhodamine-labeled DOTAP/DOPE liposomes. These results demonstrate that DC-Chol/DOPE cationic liposomes provide an efficient vehicle for the delivery of plasmids into SKnSH and primary neuronal cells compared to DOTAP/DOPE liposomes. DC-Chol/DOPE liposomes may provide a good non-viral candidate for transfecting primary rat neuronal cells.
True Unilateral Mandibular Cherubism: A Literature Review and Case Report.

Cherubism is a self-limiting fibro-osseous disorder that is classically characterized by bilateral mandibular swelling in the first or second decade of life. Three cases of unilateral cherubism have been described in the literature; however, bilateral involvement did not eventually develop in only 1 case. Histopathologic variation and genetic heterogeneity complicate the diagnosis and treatment of a unilateral benign giant cell lesion of the jaws. Our case report presents a 13-year-old male patient with unilateral posterior mandibular swelling that proved to be histologically and clinically consistent with unilateral cherubism. Involution of the unilateral lesion with no bilateral involvement occurred during 8 years of serial examination.
A Physically Based Atmospheric Variables Downscaling Technique

AbstractThis study proposes a physically based downscaling approach for a set of atmospheric variables that relies on correlations with landscape information, such as topography, surface roughness,...
Surgical Factors Affecting Outcomes in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Surgery is the primary treatment modality for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). Care team factors, patient factors, and procedure-related factors affect surgical outcomes and overall prognosis. The management of the primary tumor per oral cavity subsite, the management of the neck, and the evaluation of margin status are fundamental surgical principles. In addition, dental rehabilitation is an important functional consideration in the reconstruction following tumor ablation. The use of adjunct surgical tools including surgical navigation and virtual surgery planning allows for patient-specific and highly precise bony ablation and reconstruction. Evidence-based surgical decision-making can optimize treatment outcomes and improve survival.
Investigating the influence of halide distribution on charge carrier dynamics in mixed-ion perovskite films

The mechanism and elemental composition that form the basis for the improved optical and electronic properties of perovskite solar cells are still not well understood. Here, we use synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence to map the elemental distribution of ions in perovskite thin films with three different film thicknesses. To create a link to the electronic properties, we perform time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy. We find that the elemental composition of the thin films is highly dependent on their thickness which resulted in different photoluminescence behaviors. In particular, we find that the I/Pb ratio is altered for single grains revealing the difference in grain composition. Our approach sheds light onto the fundamental properties occurring at the microscale which help to further engineer perovskite thin films and interfaces.
Channel Resolvability with a Full-Duplex Decode-and-Forward Relay

We study the minimum randomness required at a source node to approximately produce a chosen i.i.d. distribution at a destination, while a relay assists in the process. In the classical relay problem, the relay does not have any message of its own to transmit, and only re-transmits a function of its observation. In the resolvability problem the variable of interest is the randomness rate, therefore we assume the relay does not have access to any randomness outside what it observes at its input, i.e., the relay output is a deterministic function of its input. A block-Markov scheme is used in which the relay decodes the source message to assist with the approximation of the i.i.d. output. In addition, the relay extracts randomness from its noisy channel observation in each block and uses it in the next block to improve the resolvability rate. The careful handling of this randomness recycling, in order to avoid the introduction of unwanted dependencies, is a key part of the contribution of this paper.
Neuropeptides in gut-brain axis and their influence on host immunity and stress

In recent decades, neuropeptides have been found to play a major role in communication along the gut-brain axis. Various neuropeptides are expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, where they facilitate the crosstalk between the nervous systems and other major body systems. In addition to being critical to communication from the brain in the nervous systems, neuropeptides actively regulate immune functions in the gut in both direct and indirect ways, allowing for communication between the immune and nervous systems. In this mini review, we discuss the role of several neuropeptides, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and phoenixin (PNX), in the gut-brain axis and summarize their functions in immunity and stress. We choose these neuropeptides to highlight the diversity of peptide communication in the gut-brain axis.
Investigating faculty motivation and its connection to faculty work-life balance: Engaging public service motivation to explore faculty motivation

Discussions of work-life balance challenges among members of the academy abound and this study contributes to those conversations by taking a step back and investigating faculty motivation. We cont...
Host genetic effects in pneumonia.

Given the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, investigations into host susceptibility to infectious diseases and downstream sequelae have never been more relevant. Pneumonia is a lung disease that can cause respiratory failure and hypoxia and is a common complication of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Few genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of host susceptibility and severity of pneumonia have been conducted. We performed GWASs of pneumonia susceptibility and severity in the Vanderbilt University biobank (BioVU) with linked electronic health records (EHRs), including Illumina Expanded Multi-Ethnic Global Array (MEGAEX)-genotyped European ancestry (EA, n= 69,819) and African ancestry (AA, n = 15,603) individuals. Two regions of large effect were identified: the CFTR locus in EA (rs113827944; OR = 1.84, p value = 1.2 × 10-36) and HBB in AA (rs334 [p.Glu7Val]; OR = 1.63, p value = 3.5 × 10-13). Mutations in these genes cause cystic fibrosis (CF) and sickle cell disease (SCD), respectively. After removing individuals diagnosed with CF and SCD, we assessed heterozygosity effects at our lead variants. Further GWASs after removing individuals with CF uncovered an additional association in R3HCC1L (rs10786398; OR = 1.22, p value = 3.5 × 10-8), which was replicated in two independent datasets: UK Biobank (n = 459,741) and 7,985 non-overlapping BioVU subjects, who are genotyped on arrays other than MEGAEX. This variant was also validated in GWASs of COVID-19 hospitalization and lung function. Our results highlight the importance of the host genome in infectious disease susceptibility and severity and offer crucial insight into genetic effects that could potentially influence severity of COVID-19 sequelae.
Involvement of a Quorum Sensing Signal Molecule in the Extracellular Amylase Activity of the Thermophilic Anoxybacillus amylolyticus .

Anoxybacillus amylolyticus is a moderate thermophilic microorganism producing an exopolysaccharide and an extracellular α-amylase able to hydrolyze starch. The synthesis of several biomolecules is often regulated by a quorum sensing (QS) mechanism, a chemical cell-to-cell communication based on the production and diffusion of small molecules named "autoinducers", most of which belonging to the N-acyl homoserine lactones' (AHLs) family. There are few reports about this mechanism in extremophiles, in particular thermophiles. Here, we report the identification of a signal molecule, the N-butanoyl-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL), from the milieu of A. amylolyticus. Moreover, investigations performed by supplementing a known QS inhibitor, trans-cinnamaldehyde, or exogenous C4-HSL in the growth medium of A. amylolyticus suggested the involvement of QS signaling in the modulation of extracellular α-amylase activity. The data showed that the presence of the QS inhibitor trans-cinnamaldehyde in the medium decreased amylolytic activity, which, conversely, was increased by the effect of exogenous C4-HSL. Overall, these results represent the first evidence of the production of AHLs in thermophilic microorganisms, which could be responsible for a communication system regulating thermostable α-amylase activity.
Pollution in rainwater harvesting: A challenge for sustainability and resilience of urban agriculture

Abstract Water plays a pivotal role in urban agriculture. Although rainwater harvesting (RWH) is viewed as a sustainable route for crop irrigation at an urban setting, rainwater contaminants challenge the RWH practices due to potential threats to the health of crops, soil, and human (i.e., farm workers and food consumers). This frontier review article first recognized principal pollutants of irrigation concern in harvested rainwater based on literature data and crop irrigation demands. Major traditional pollutants, likely exceeding irrigation quality criteria, include particles, some toxic metals (e.g., Cd, Cu, and Zn), certain synthetic organic chemicals (e.g., agrochemicals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and waterborne pathogens. Recent concerns have also been directed toward contaminants of emerging concern, such as per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, though the information regarding their occurrence and impacts on urban farming remains limited. This study subsequently identified challenges, knowledge gaps, and research needs for RWH irrigation at urban farms. Five aspects are highlighted, including the role of roof, nutrient management, development of RWH treatment tailored for urban crop irrigation, water quality monitoring, and the interactions between water, crops, and soil. The information and perspectives offer a basis to explore technical strategies of RWH irrigation for supporting sustainable and resilient urban agriculture.
Searching for the Divine in Plato and Aristotle: Philosophical Theoria and Traditional Practice

To scholars of ancient philosophy, theoria denotes abstract thinking, with both Plato and Aristotle employing the term to signify philosophical contemplation. Yet it is surprising for some to find an earlier, traditional meaning referring to travel to festivals and shrines. In an attempt to dissolve the problem of equivocal reference, Julie Ward's book seeks to illuminate the nature of traditional theoria as ancient festival-attendance as well as the philosophical account developed in Plato and Aristotle. First, she examines the traditional use referring to periodic festivals, including their complex social and political arrangements, then she considers the subsequent use by Plato and Aristotle. Broadly speaking, she discerns a common thread running throughout both uses: namely, the notion of having a visual experience of the sacred or divine. Thus her book aims to illuminate the nature of philosophical theoria described by Plato and Aristotle in light of traditional, festival theoria.
Genetic Origins of Insecticide Resistance

Resistance to insecticides has been demonstrated in most important pest insect species, and this widespread occurrence is thought to provide proof of Darwinian evolutionary theory. That is, exposure to insecticides has acted as a powerful selecting force, which concentrates the various preexisting genetic factors that confer resistance.
Ideology and the Practice of Plains Archaeology

The conceptof ideologyhasrecentlybecome popular in certain areas of contemporary archaeological theory. With specific reference to Plains archaeology, this paper examines the different meanings that continue to be applied to this term, meanings that rangefrom a synonym for religion to a specific concept of social control in the neo-Marxist sense. The paper argues that a complete understanding of Plains archaeology cannot be considered without a comprehensive utilization of the concept.
Harm Induction vs. Harm Reduction

Abstract The disease model for drug use and abuse, while still the predominant conceptualization guiding U.S. treatment, is now being challenged by the harm reduction model, highly developed in Britain. This paper examines both positions in light of historical/cultural differences related to Puritan zealotry and argues that with regard to illegal drugs, America's War on Drugs actually inflicts harm. The huge government expenditure, spread of AIDS, criminalization of drug users, and treatment neglect are just several of the negative consequences.
High Temperature and Environmental Effects on the Durability of Ti-6AI-4V/FM5 Adhesive Bonded System

A fracture mechanics based approach using wedge and double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens is being used to evaluate the durability of a titanium/adhesive system. The adhesive used was a polyimide, developed by NASA Langley Research Center, modified and supplied by Cytec Engineered Materials, Inc., and designated as FM5. Prior to bonding, the adherend surfaces were pretreated by one of two surface pretreatments: phenylethynyl trimethyl silane or chromic acid anodization. Samples were aged at one of three different temperatures, 150, 177, and 204°C, all of which are well below the (250°C) glass transition temperature (T g ) of the adhesive. Aging was also carried out in one of three different environments, ambient atmospheric air and reduced air pressures of 2 psi air (13.8 KPa) and 0.2 psi air (1.38 KPa), for several months. Samples aged for different times were then tested to evaluate both static and fatigue properties. Results obtained thus far indicate that the greatest loss in strength occurs after aging in air at the highest aging temperature of 204°C. Strain energy release rate G values obtained from the static DCB tests dropped by 10 to 20% after aging for periods of up to 6 months. Solvent uptake tests were conducted on neat FM5 resin in several common organic solvents followed by tensile tests to evaluate both saturated and residual properties. Strain energy release rate values were also computed from wedge tests of samples immersed in the different solvents for several days. Results showed the FM5 resin to be quite solvent resistant.
Green and grue causal variables

The causal Bayes net framework specifies a set of axioms for causal discovery. This article explores the set of causal variables that function as relata in these axioms. Spirtes (2007) showed how a causal system can be equivalently described by two different sets of variables that stand in a non-trivial translation-relation to each other, suggesting that there is no “correct” set of causal variables. I extend Spirtes’ result to the general framework of linear structural equation models and then explore to what extent the possibility to intervene or a preference for simpler causal systems may help in selecting among sets of causal variables.
Concepts in Programming Languages: The Algol Family and ML

The Algol-like programming languages evolved in parallel with the Lisp family of languages, beginning with Algol 58 and Algol 60 in the late 1950s. The most prominent Algol-like programming languages are Pascal and C, although C differs from most of the Algol-like languages in some significant ways. In this chapter, we look at some of the historically important languages from the Algol family, including Algol 60, Pascal, and C. Because many of the central features of the Algol family are used in ML, we then use the ML programming language to discuss some important concepts in more detail. The ML section of this chapter is also a useful reference for later chapters that use ML examples to illustrate concepts that are not found in C. There are many Algol-related languages that we do not have time to cover, such as Algol 58, Algol W, Euclid, EL1, Mesa, Modula-2, Oberon, and Modula-3. We will discuss Modula and modules in Chapter 9. THE ALGOL FAMILY OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES A number of important language ideas were developed in the Algol family, which began with work on Algol 58 and Algol 60 in the late 1950s. The Algol family developed in parallel with Lisp languages and led to the late development of ML and Modula. The main characteristics of the Algol family are the familiar colon-separated sequence of statements used in most languages today, block structure, functions and procedures, and static typing.
Scalable Software Latency Hiding Schemes: Evaluation of the Poststore and Prefetch Options

Most latency hiding studies for Distributed Shared Memory (DSM) systems use prefetching, while few explore use of poststoring. This study develops, and compares performance gains obtained using, a runtime poststoring scheme (PST) and an application-specific prefetching scheme (PFH). The PST and PFH schemes produced scalable reductions in loop execution times.
Local Remedies Under NAFTA Chapter 11

This contribution to a conference on the fifteenth anniversary of NAFTA Chapter 11 examines the investor's choice between domestic courts and international arbitration in light of NAFTA's text, as well as the rules governing the exhaustion of local remedies and res judicata. It argues that there is a tension between requiring the exhaustion of local remedies, as some Chapter 11 awards have done, and giving domestic court decisions res judicata effect, as other Chapter 11 awards have done.
Simple Steps for Teaching Prepositions to Students with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities

The acquisition of receptive and expressive language skills by students with autism and developmental disabilities (DD) is often delayed, thus making the process of communicating with others challe...