cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of pH on Transformation of Bacillus subtilis with Single-Stranded Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Variation in frequencies of transformation mediated by native and single-stranded DNA and its dependence on pH of the medium were investigated. The results indicate that the biological activity of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of both configurations assayed in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) increases as the pH of the transformation mixture is lowered from 7.7 to a maximum transformation frequency near pH 6.1. At this lower pH, native DNA transforms equally in medium with and without EDTA, and single-stranded DNA is 0.4 to 0.6 as active as native DNA in transforming Bacillus subtilis. A high efficiency of transformation with single-stranded DNA was observed for five markers in three recipient strains. The increased efficiency of native DNA appears to be caused by a lesser capacity of EDTA to bind magnesium at the lower pH. The increased efficiency of single-stranded DNA at pH below 7.0 results from decreased activity of a single-strand specific nuclease present in competent populations.
Graphene growth on metal surfaces

The exceptional properties of graphene originate from its two-dimensional polymeric structure of sp2-bonded carbon. This feature also causes graphene to grow on metal substrates through mechanisms that are strikingly different from those of conventional heteroepitaxy. We provide here a brief review of graphene growth on metals, a subject with a rich history even before the recent explosion of interest in graphene. The current activities related to graphene growth on metals have been motivated by the need to develop low-cost, scalable processes for graphene synthesis and to understand how graphene–metal interfaces behave in devices. In this article, we examine the current state of the art, emphasizing the basic processes that distinguish graphene growth from normal crystal growth.
Complications after therapeutic trauma laparotomy.

Background Therapeutic trauma laparotomy (TTL) is a common emergency procedure after traumatic abdominal injury, but it can lead to complications and even death. We explored the role of the time from emergency department (ED) arrival to surgical intervention as a predictor of complications and mortality from TTL. Study design This is a retrospective study of 175 patients receiving TTL between July 1997 and October 2003 in a Level I teaching hospital serving a primarily rural population. Mortality after TTL and complications, both general and abdominal, were the main outcomes. Time from ED arrival to operation was the primary exposure. Confounders, including time from injury to ED arrival, age, gender, injury severity, and patient status, were controlled in logistic models. Results Of the 175 TTL patients, 23 (13.1%) died, 102 (58.3%) had abdominal complications, and 119 (68.0%) had general complications. Controlling for confounders, patients whose operation began more than 1 hour after ED arrival were 11.3 (95% CI=2.2 to 58.8) times more likely to die and 3.1 (95% CI=1.44 to 6.60) times more likely to have complications. Conclusions The traumatologist has little control over patient treatment and transfer before ED arrival. After arrival the traumatologist can reduce negative outcomes by reducing the time for patient assessment and start of TTL, when warranted.
Electrical properties of single wall carbon nanotube reinforced polyimide composites

Electrical properties of single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) reinforced polyimide composites were investigated as a function of SWNT concentration. AC and DC conductivities were measured, and the frequency behavior of the specific admittance was investigated. The experimental conductivity was found to obey a percolation-like power law with a relatively low percolation threshold. The current-voltage measurement results exhibited a non-ohmic behavior, indicating a quantum tunneling conduction mechanism. Analytical modeling and numerical simulation using high aspect ratio, rigid, spherocylinders as models for the SWNT were carried out to aid in understanding these results. The predictions were in good agreement with the experimental results. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Fuzzy set-based approximate reasoning and mathematical fuzzy logic

Zadeh proposed and developed the theory of approximate reasoning in a long series of papers in the 1970’s (see e.g. [28–32, 34, 35]), at the same time when he introduced possibility theory [33] as a new approach to uncertainty modeling. His original approach is based on a fuzzy set-based representation of the contents of factual statements (expressing elastic restrictions on the possible values of some parameters) and of if-then rules relating such fuzzy statements.
Regulation of Cell Signaling Dynamics by the Protein Kinase-Scaffold Ste5

Cell differentiation requires the ability to detect and respond appropriately to a variety of extracellular signals. Here we investigate a differentiation switch induced by changes in the concentration of a single stimulus. Yeast cells exposed to high doses of mating pheromone undergo cell division arrest. Cells at intermediate doses become elongated and divide in the direction of a pheromone gradient (chemotropic growth). Either of the pheromone-responsive MAP kinases, Fus3 and Kss1, promotes cell elongation, but only Fus3 promotes chemotropic growth. Whereas Kss1 is activated rapidly and with a graded dose-response profile, Fus3 is activated slowly and exhibits a steeper dose-response relationship (ultrasensitivity). Fus3 activity requires the scaffold protein Ste5; when binding to Ste5 is abrogated, Fus3 behaves like Kss1, and the cells no longer respond to a gradient or mate efficiently with distant partners. We propose that scaffold proteins serve to modulate the temporal and dose-response behavior of the MAP kinase.
Simulation of Water Levels and Water Diversions in a Subtropical Coastal Wetland

Abstract A ground-water model was developed for Miami–Dade County Florida, which lies within the Southeast Atlantic Coastal Zone, as a predictive tool that will be used to analyze different water-management scenarios, including regional water-supply plans and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The model is being developed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) based on a modified version of the US Geological Survey modular three-dimensional, finite-difference, ground-water-flow model (MODFLOW). This version includes the Wetland and Diversion packages, which are MODFLOW modules that enable the top layer of the grid system to include overland flow through dense vegetation, channel flow through a slough network, and interaction with levees, and thus can closely simulate the natural system. The model domain is discretized into 430 rows by 367 columns with a uniform cell size of 500 ft × 500 ft (152.4 m). Four horizontal layers are used to represent lithologic zones within th...
Assessment of comparative treatment satisfaction with sildenafil citrate and penile injection therapy in patients responding to both

OBJECTIVE To survey patient satisfaction, using validated questionnaires, in a group of men with erectile dysfunction who had used and responded to both sildenafil citrate and intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 300 patients on ICI therapy were mailed questionnaire packets containing a survey enquiring about the patients' medical history, and two sets of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction (EDITS) sexual function surveys. If patients were using sildenafil alternating with ICI they were asked to complete the IIEF and EDITS questionnaires for each therapy. To identify only patients who had an adequate response to each agent, a score of >/=22 on the EF domain of the IIEF for sildenafil and ICI was required for inclusion in the final analysis. RESULTS In all, 178 packets were evaluable; 123 men (69%) responded to ICI but not sildenafil, and 11 (6%) responded only to sildenafil and not ICI, leaving 37 patients who responded to both; these patients comprised the study population. There was no difference in EF domain score of the IIEF between the treatments; EDITS scores were significantly higher for ICI therapy than for sildenafil (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In patients who alternate the use of sildenafil and ICI therapy, satisfaction appears to be higher with ICI, although the erectogenic performance is similar. This suggests that patient satisfaction does not depend solely on erection performance, and that patients might benefit from various treatment options.
Finitary algebraic logic II

This is a supplement to the paper “Finitary Algebraic Logic” [1]. It includes corrections for several errors and some additional results. MSC: 03G15, 03G25.
Risk of hospitalised infection in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving biologics following a previous infection while on treatment with anti-TNF therapy

Background The risk of subsequent infections in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who receive biologic therapy after a serious infection is unclear. Objective To compare the subsequent risk of hospitalised infections associated with specific biologic agents among RA patients previously hospitalised for infection while receiving anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy. Methods Using 2006–2010 Medicare data for 100% of beneficiaries with RA enrolled in Medicare, we identified patients hospitalised with an infection while on anti-TNF agents. Follow-up began 61 days after hospital discharge and ended at the earliest of: next infection, loss of Medicare coverage or 18 months after start of follow-up. We calculated the incidence rate of subsequent hospitalised infection for each biologic and used Cox regression to control for potential confounders. Results 10 794 eligible hospitalised infections among 10183 unique RA patients who contributed at least 1 day of biologic exposure during follow-up. We identified 7807 person-years of exposure to selected biologics—333 abatacept, 133 rituximab and 7341 anti-TNFs (1797 etanercept, 1405 adalimumab, 4139 infliximab)—and 2666 associated infections. Mean age across biologic exposure cohorts was 64–69 years. The crude incidence rate of subsequent hospitalised infection ranged from 27.1 to 34.6 per 100 person-years. After multivariable adjustment, abatacept (HR: 0.80, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.99) and etanercept (HR: 0.83, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.96) users had significantly lower risks of subsequent infection compared to infliximab users. Conclusions Among RA patients who experienced a hospitalised infection while on anti-TNF therapy, abatacept and etanercept were associated with the lowest risk of subsequent infection compared to other biologic therapies.
Work In Progress: Integrating the RF Characteristics of RFID into Undergraduate EE Courses

Radio frequency identification is becoming important for the tracking of goods and capital items, as well as being used for sensor networks to send data. A reader, which is a receiver and transmitter, sends an interrogating signal to the tag. The tag, be it active or passive, responds and the response, detected by the reader is decoded and transferred to the users IT systems. There are several frequency ranges for tags, ranging from the low kHz, to the ISM frequency at 13.56 MHz to tags operating in the Part 15 and ISM bands near 900 and 2400 MHz. In addition, RFID tags may be active or passive and may be permanently programmed or field rewritable. Each of the classes of tags has fundamental engineering limitations, based upon size, frequency range, and/or data requirements. There are also may design choices for readers based on whether the reader is to be fixed or handheld. The purpose of this work-in-progress is to outline how the RF design consideration effect RFID choices and how the design of RFID systems is being included in courses on electromagnetics and communications, both in terms of system design and in design of individual components. Design of antennas for the tag and reader, as well as, an understanding of the fundamental limits based upon frequency choice can be included in an undergraduate electromagnetics course. System design, including link budget, modulation type and overall system parameters can be included as good example in a communications course. This work-in-progress will also outline chip requirements for the tags and a discussion on how specific cost requirements for tags influence the designs, book
The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorders

Undoubtedly, one of the most frequently studied conditions in the field of mental health today is the autism spectrum disorders (ASD). One of the most controversial topics with respect to this population is the prevalence of this spectrum of disorders. The number of cases has risen dramatically, and various hypotheses have been put forward to explain this phenomenon. Among the most frequently addressed possibilities are expanded diagnostic criteria, more awareness of the disorder, diagnosis at earlier ages, and the recognition that ASD is a lifelong condition. The current paper is a review of the extant literature on this topic. Current status of prevalence research is reviewed and conclusions about the current state of the research are discussed.
Difficulty in resuming or inability to resume sleep and the links to daytime impairment: Definition, prevalence and comorbidity

Objectives To assess the chronicity and severity of nocturnal awakenings with difficulty resuming sleep (DRS), its value as an indicator of an ongoing sleep and/or mental disorder and, finally, how it affects on daytime functioning.
Cyclic AMP Signaling Functions as a Bimodal Switch in Sympathoadrenal Cell Development in Cultured Primary Neural Crest Cells

Cells of the vertebrate neural crest (crest cells) are an invaluable model system to address cell fate specification. Crest cells are amenable to tissue culture, and they differentiate to a variety of neuronal and nonneuronal cell types. Earlier studies have determined that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP-2, -4, and -7) and agents that elevate intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) stimulate the development of the sympathoadrenal (SA, adrenergic) lineage in neural crest cultures. To investigate whether interactive mechanisms between signaling pathways influence crest cell differentiation, we characterized the combinatorial effects of BMP-2 and cAMP-elevating agents on the development of quail trunk neural crest cells in primary culture. We report that the cAMP signaling pathway modulates both positive and negative signals influencing the development of SA cells. Specifically, we show that moderate activation of cAMP signaling promotes, in synergy with BMP-2, SA cell development and the expression of the SA lineage-determining gene Phox2a. By contrast, robust activation of cAMP signaling opposes, even in the presence of BMP-2, SA cell development and the expression of the SA lineage-determining ASH-1 and Phox2 genes. We conclude that cAMP signaling acts as a bimodal regulator of SA cell development in neural crest cultures.
Insect vs. Mammalian Aging

In his excellent monograph, The Anatomy of Aging in Man and Animals, Andrew (1971) notes that the bewildering variety of animals regarding size, structure, way of life, and longevity may discourage gerontologists in search of common mechanisms. However, in his opinion, morphological studies suggest that senescence is not a heterogeneous accumulation of pathological lesions but a fundamental process. He further comments on the importance of unifying biological concepts, such as the cell theory and, more recently, the electron microscopic demonstration of the basic similarity of cellular organelles.
Abusive Mouths in Classical Athens: The intemperate mouth in Aristotle and Theophrastus

ΘeόΦραστης ἐρωτηθeίς, τί τῶν ἐν βίῳ ἀγαθὸν ὑπάρχeι ἢ κακόν, ἔΦη γλῶσσα. When Theophrastus was asked, “What in life is good or bad?” he responded, “The tongue.” If in classical Athens abusive talk centering on the mouth usually targets politicians and intellectuals, Theophrastus' character sketches are something of a departure. A famously prolific student of Aristotle, Theophrastus wrote treatises on nature and human behavior as well as on aspects of public speaking. He probably composed the sketches between 330 and 320, while he was studying at Aristotle's Lyceum; although commentators are eager to point to Aristotelian influence, Characters more obviously reflects a shift toward the comically pedestrian that is especially evident in Demosthenes' final portrait of Aeschines (in On the Crown , 330) as well as a number of speeches from this period by other orators. While these portraits depict the mouths of average citizens as laughably grotesque apertures whose owners gabble and whine, or stuff food and money indiscriminately into their busy maws, they share features with contemporaneous speeches and iambic discourse more generally. Indeed, the sketches operate within a familiar ethical framework and draw familiar connections among the various immoderate behaviors that converge around the mouth. But they also extend the imagery discussed in this study in a new direction, fleshing out the broader categories that distinguish public figures with the details of life in downtown Athens.
Reflections on Using Metaphors in Exploring Spiritual and Religious Needs with Young People with Cancer and their Families

Knowing what to say to a young person with cancer is often very difficult and even professionals in the field can lack confidence in engaging with the spiritual and religious dimensions of this. This article draws on a small-scale phenomenological research project commissioned by the oncology department, and undertaken, at Birmingham Children's Hospital, UK, by the chaplaincy team. It was designed to identify the spiritual and religious needs of young people with cancer and to explore the implications for enhancing patient care. Nine young people with cancer and their families participated in semi-structured interviews about their spiritual and religious needs. Oncology staff participated in two focus groups. Out of the research and subsequent work the chaplaincy team identified a range of metaphors which help to facilitate conversations exploring spiritual and religious needs with paediatric oncology patients and their families. This aspect of enhancing patient care is developed in this article. While ca...
Outcomes of Radioembolization in the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Portal Vein Invasion: Resin versus Glass Microspheres

Abstract Purpose To compare outcomes of yttrium-90 radioembolization performed with resin-based ( 90 Y-resin) and glass-based ( 90 Y-glass) microspheres in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with associated portal vein invasion. Materials and Methods A single-center retrospective review (January 2005–September 2014) identified 90 patients ( 90 Y-resin, 21; 90 Y-glass, 69) with HCC and ipsilateral portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Patients were stratified according to age, sex, ethnicity, Child-Pugh class, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status, α-fetoprotein > 400 ng/mL, extent of PVT, tumor burden, and sorafenib therapy. Outcome variables included clinical and laboratory toxicities (Common Terminology Criteria Adverse Events, Version 4.03), imaging response (modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors), time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS). Results Grade 3/4 bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase toxicities developed at a 2.8-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3–6.1) and 2.6-fold (95% CI, 1.1–6.1) greater rate in the 90 Y-resin group. The disease control rate was 37.5% in the 90 Y-resin group and 54.5% in the 90 Y-glass group ( P = .39). The median (95% CI) TTP was 2.8 (1.9–4.3) months in the 90 Y-resin group and 5.9 (4.2–9.1) months in the 90 Y-glass group (P = .48). Median (95% CI) survival was 3.7 (2.3–6.0) months in the 90 Y-resin group and 9.4 (7.6–15.0) months in the 90 Y-glass group (hazard ratio, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5–4.3, P Conclusions Imaging response of 90 Y treatment in patients with HCC and PVT was not significantly different between 90 Y-glass and 90 Y-resin groups. Lower toxicity and improved OS were observed in the 90 Y-glass group.
The effect of hypoxia and 2,4 dinitrophenol on human placental glycogen metabolism.

SummaryThe effects of 2,4 dinitrophenol and severe hypoxia (1% oxygen) on human placental glycogen metabolism were studied in immature and term human placental villi isolated in an organ culture system.It was observed that both treatments evoked similar changes in human placental glycogen turnover in terms of an acute dependent to independent form synthetase enzyme shift, an activation of the glycogen phosphorylase enzyme system, and a rapid breakdown in placental glycogen.These enzyme changes are consistent with an alteration in intracellular ATP, a known effect of these treatments, and suggest that human placental glycogen may be important to the metabolic energy balance of placental tissue during the course of gestation.
Pressure Integration Rules and Restrictions for the Navier-Stokes Equations

The Navier-Stokes formulation represents a uniquely challenging system of partial differential equations that continues to influence modern applied science and engineering. In its simplest form, the system can be used to prescribe the motion of a viscous incompressible fluid with constant properties. It consists of four equations in three-dimensional space that account for both the kinematic and dynamic conditions that a fluid element senses. In this work, we investigate the pressure integration rules and restrictions that affect the resolution of the scalar pressure field in these equations. We begin the analysis by exploring the integration properties of Euler’s equations in two dimensions while making use of Clairaut’s theorem on the commutativity of mixed partial derivatives. We then extend our findings to three-dimensional space. This effort gives rise to a theorem and three corollaries that help to clarify the conditions needed to obtain exact or asymptotic solutions for the pressure distribution. We thusly identify the fundamental conditions under which the Navier-Stokes equations can be successfully integrated to arrive at an analytic expression for the pressurefield, namely, one that is continuousand twice differentiable. In closing, several configurations are used to test the theorem and showcase its connection with the pressure formulation. These include potential flows for which the pressure can be obtained unconditionally, and inviscid rotational motions of the Taylor-Culick type with and without headwall injection.
Prediabetes and Diabetes Are Associated With Arterial Stiffness in Older Adults: The ARIC Study

Background To determine whether prediabetes and diabetes in older adults are associated with arterial stiffness measured in central and peripheral arteries and to examine characteristics that modify these associations. Methods Cohort members attending the 5th exam (2011-2013) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study had pulse wave velocity (PWV) measures performed at the carotid-femoral (cfPWV), brachial-ankle (baPWV), and femoral-ankle (faPWV) segments. Fasting glucose ≥126mg/dl, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5%, or currently taking diabetes medication defined diabetes. Fasting glucose 100-125mg/dl or HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% among those without diabetes defined prediabetes. Cross-sectional associations were modeled using multivariable linear regression. Results Among 4,279 eligible participants with cfPWV measures (mean age 75 years), 22% were African-American, 25.5% had diabetes, and 54.7% had prediabetes. Compared to those with normal glucose, cfPWV was 95.8cm/s higher (stiffer) on average for those with diabetes (for reference: being 1 year older was associated with 14.4cm/s higher cfPWV). Similar findings were seen for diabetes and baPWV, although attenuated. Interestingly, faPWV was 17.6cm/s lower for those with diabetes compared to normal glucose. There was a significant positive association between baPWV and prediabetes. Among those with diabetes, cfPWV was higher for those with albuminuria, reduced kidney function, duration of diabetes ≥10 years, and elevated HbA1c (HbA1c ≥7). Conclusion Among older adults, diabetes is associated with higher central arterial stiffness and lower peripheral arterial stiffness, and prediabetes is associated with higher baPWV. Cross-sectionally, the magnitude of the effect of diabetes on central stiffness is equivalent to 6 years of arterial aging.
Aspirin Versus Heparin for Management of Cerebellar Stroke After Vertebral Artery Dissection Following C1-C2 Fracture-Dislocation: A Case Report.

Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) in the setting of a C1-C2 fracture-dislocation occurs in up to 20% of cervical spine trauma cases1-4. In young persons, it is one of the leading causes of ischemic stroke in the cerebellum5,6. It is important to recognize the signs of cerebellar and brain-stem infarctions in patients with cervical trauma and to initiate appropriate treatment. There is considerable controversy regarding the optimal course of treatment following a VAD7. We report a case of a patient with a unilateral VAD following a C1-C2 fracture-dislocation after falling from a horse. The patient was managed with heparin anticoagulation and subsequently developed a large retroperitoneal hematoma, a known complication of anticoagulation. We also review the current literature and guidelines regarding the clinical management of these patients. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and she provided consent. A sixty-seven-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department after falling off a horse from a height of approximately six feet and landing on her back. She reported immediate and persistent neck pain and an inability to turn the neck, but demonstrated no neurological deficits. Computed tomography (CT) of the neck showed a rotatory subluxation of C1 on C2 and a left C1-C2 facet dislocation with an associated avulsion fracture (Figs. 1-A through 1-D). The distal segments of the left vertebral artery beyond the fracture site were not visualized by magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, which is consistent with vessel compression (Figs. 2-A through 2-F). Fig. 1 Figs. 1-A through 1-F CT of the cervical spine showing the C1-C2 vertebral fracture-dislocation. Figs. 1-A and 1-B Neck CT prior to reduction. The severity of the rotatory deformity can be seen on the three-dimensional CT reconstructions. The overlapping axial CT …
Marking 35 Years of Research on Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence: Lessons and New Directions

In 35 years of scholarship, a great deal of valuable information has come to light about same-sex intimate partner violence (SSIPV). The literature reveals many similarities between SSIPV and opposite-sex IPV (OSIPV), including rates of IPV, relative rates of forms of IPV, directionality of physical violence, patterns of control that keep victims silent and trapped, and outcomes for victims. At the same time, theories have been challenged and adapted, and a number of unique aspects of SSIPV have emerged, many revolving around issues pertaining to perceived, experienced, and internalized heterosexism. Considerable gaps have been found to still exist in SSIPV research methodology, prevention and intervention, victim resources, and legal avenues of protection. In reviewing this literature, it is clear that, while much has been gained in knowledge of SSIPV that can and should be put into practice, much important work still needs to be done by scholars, service providers, and policymakers to help make society safer for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people and all sexual minorities.
Implementation of Transport Synthetic Acceleration in NEWTRNX

NEWTRNX is a 3-D deterministic transport solver under development to solve large problems using spatial partitioning with Parallel Block Jacobi iteration structure; it employs the Slice-Balance Approach to sweep across a tetrahedral mesh on each partition independently. The innermost iteration, operating on a single partition, solves a one-group transport equation that stores only the volumetric flux moments and the angular flux on boundary faces.
A New International Evaluation of the Neutron Cross Section Standards

The measurements of most neutron cross sections are made relative to neutron cross section standards. The last complete evaluation of the standards, which was for ENDF/B-VI, took place almost 15 years ago. The cross section standards produced for the ENDF/B-VI evaluation were for the H(n, n), 3He(n, p), 6Li(n, t), 10B(n, α), 10B(n, α1γ), C(n, n), Au(n, γ) and 235U(n, f) reactions. Some additional important reactions including the 238U(n, f) cross section, which is used as a standard cross section in the NEANDC/INDC Nuclear Standards File, were evaluated. These standards were accepted internationally to ensure that all evaluation projects were using the same set of standards. Significant experimental activity on the standards has occurred since that evaluation was completed which will cause changes in a new evaluation of the standards. International efforts are now underway to update the previous work by including standards measurements made since that evaluation was completed and to improve the evaluation...
Nonnegative Tensor Factorization of Biomedical Literature for Analysis of Genomic Data

Rapid growth of the biomedical literature related to genes and molecular pathways presents a serious challenge for interpretation of genomic data. Previous work has focused on using singular value decomposition (SVD) and nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) to extract gene relationships from Medline abstracts. However, these methods work for two dimensional data. Here, we explore the utility of nonnegative tensor factorization to extract semantic relationships between genes and the transcription factors (TFs) that regulate them, using a previously published microarray dataset. A tensor was generated for a group of 86 interferon stimulated genes, 409 TFs, and 2325 terms extracted from shared Medline abstracts. Clusters of terms, genes and TFs were evaluated at various k. For this dataset, certain genes (Il6 and Jak2) and TFs (Stat3, Stat2 and Irf3) were top ranking across most ks along with terms such as activation, interferon, cell and signaling. Further examination of several clusters, using gene pathway databases as well as natural language processing tools, revealed that nonnegative tensor factorization accurately identified genes and TFs in well established signaling pathways. For example, the method identified genes and TFs in the interferon/Toll receptor pathway with high average precision (0.695–0.938) across multiple ks. In addition, the method revealed gene-TF clusters that were not well documented, perhaps pointing to new discoveries. Taken together, this work provides proof-of-concept that nonnegative tensor factorization could be useful in interpretation of genomic data.
Improvement of the Residual Activity of a Cucurbitacin-based Adult Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Insecticide

Areawide management of the corn rootworm, Diabrotica spp., focuses on managing adult beetles to decrease egg deposition. The primary management tool for this approach is a commercial bait composed of a feeding stimulant (cucurbitacin), inert ingredients, and a small quantity of insecticide. Cucurbitacin-based baits have had poor residual insecticidal activity that decreases efficacy and economic practicality. These studies were designed to extend the residual activity of 2 commercial bait formulations, Slam Prader® and Slam SD® (MicroFlo Co., Lakeland, FL), by adding materials as a tank-mixed adjuvant or as a part of the formulation to prevent wash-off by rain. Initial assays with Slam Prader identified low pH gluten and sodium lignate to have the greatest potential to provide rainfastness with a trend for less residual activity with higher concentrations (>2% of spray volume) of adjuvant. An additional assay demonstrated that low pH gluten was effective for resisting wash-off by natural rain when added t...
The Macroeconomic Impact of Fertility Changes in an Aging Population

We assess the impact of continued low fertility in China, versus a rebound in fertility due to the relaxation of the one child policy, on demographic and macroeconomic outcomes in a dynamic general equilibrium framework. We use a rich model of human capital investment, public health insurance, pensions, private savings, and intra-family transfers to support the consumption of young and elderly dependents. We find that in short run (sixty years in our benchmark experiment), income per capita is lower with a fertility rebound due primarily to a higher youth dependency rate. In the long run, higher fertility leads to a reduction in the old-age dependency ratio and lowers the tax rate required to pay for old-age pensions and health care. However income per capita remains lower even in the long run because of a reduction in female labor supply, savings, and schooling. Higher fertility in China is therefore unlikely to offset the negative macroeconomic effects of population aging.
GLBTIQ Students; What’s the Problem?

To investigate GLBTIQ activists’ claims that education policy solves the problems around GLBTIQ students in schools, this chapter examines exactly what the problems around GLBTIQ students actually are, previous attempts to solve them, and the ways in which policy is presumed useful in those solutions. It achieves this through an examination of key academic education research on GLBTIQ students in recent years. Next, I outline my exemplar of sexuality education discourses, and the constructions of GLBTIQ students they propound. These understandings are integrated to frame how sexuality education discourses operate within education policies, and assert key questions about Australian policies.
Measuring, Tracking, Monitoring, and Reporting Sustainability and Resilience Progress

The fourth chapter of the book is aimed at answering the following underlying assumptions and questions: Why do organizations measure sustainability and resilience outcomes? What do organizations measure to become more sustainable and increase resilience? What are some objective sustainability and resilience measurements? What targets are relevant to organizational sustainability and resilience planning? What is the difference between the indicators and targets? What are the differences and similarities in measuring and reporting the sustainability and resilience efforts in various communities? What type of reports are the most effective ways to inform the progress of sustainability-related efforts? How do local governments ensure transparency and accountability through their sustainability and resilience progress reports?
Voter Choice in the 1995 French Presidential Election

This study estimates a model of voter choice for the first and second ballots of the 1995 French Presidential election. Its objective is to characterize the relative importance of traditional bases of French voter choice such as social class relative to campaign issues and voter evaluations of the economy. The study also seeks to identify candidate-specific bases of voter choice. Multinomial logit analysis of voter choice among the four leading candidates reveals a stronger role for campaign issues than previous studies suggest. Voter-candidate ideological proximity is the strongest predictor of first and second ballot choice, followed by voter perceptions of candidate ability to address unemployment and political corruption. Demographic variables have limited explanatory power in both the first and second ballot models. The parameter estimates demonstrate considerable differences in the bases of voter choice across candidates, with the bases of voter choice for National Front leader Jean-Marie le Pen most distinct from those of the remaining candidates.
Asymmetric Phospholipid Membranes: Effect of pH and Ca2+

Phosphatidylserine membranes (either as liquid-crystalline vesicles or as bilayers) in 0.1M NaCl and neutral pH, are very impermeable to cations or anions and exhibit high electrical resistance (5 × 107 Ωcm2). However, the same membranes become unstable under conditions of asymmetric distribution of Ca2+ or H+: Addition of Ca2+ to the aqueous salt solution only on one side of the membrane, produces a lowering of the d. c. resistance, and above a certain concentration results in breakage of the membrane. On the other hand, if Ca2+ is present on both sides, the membranes are stable and show very high electrical resistance (5 × 108Ωcm2) over a wide pH range. The above phenomena were not observed with membranes made of phosphatidylcholine. It is suggested that the instability of PS membranes observed in this study is due to the difference in surface energy between the two opposing sides of the bilayer. The biological implications of membrane instability following an asymmetric distribution of Ca2+ or H+ is discussed.
Polymers Containing Pendent Insecticides

The fire ants Solenopis invicta and Solenopsis richteri, were accidentally imported into the United States from South America through the port of Mobile, Alabama. Present evidence indicates that richteri was introduced about 1918, and its spread has been only moderately successful during the succeeding 62 years. At the present time, richteri infestation is limited to a small region of northern Alabama and Mississippi. In contrast to this, Solenopsis invicta has been extremely successful at establishing itself in the southeastern United States. Since its introduction in the mid 1940s, this species has expanded its range to nine southern states encompassing more than 50-million hectares of land.1 This phenomenal rate of spread is accounted for by two factors. The natural spread of the ants via mating flights is ideally suited to avoid inhibition by natural and man-made barriers.2–4 Mating takes place in swarms which have a minimum altitude of 500 feet above the ground. Following mating, a queen may alight miles from her home nest. A second major factor in the rapid spread of the ants has been the influence of transport by man. Commercial movements of nursery stock and sod during the 1940s and 1950s, prior to the institution of quarantine procedures, greatly aided the introduction of the ants into uninfested regions.
Immunosuppression for Lung Transplantation: Current and Future.

The number of lung transplantations performed worldwide continues to increase. There is a growing need in these patients for more effective immunosuppressive medications with less toxicity. This review article summarizes the recent studies and developments in lung transplant immunosuppression. Novel immunosuppressive medications and strategies used in other solid organ transplantations are being trialed in lung transplantation. This includes the use of co-stimulation blockers like belatacept and mTOR inhibitors like everolimus. Calcineurin-sparing regimens have been described in an attempt to minimize nephrotoxicity. Assays to measure the bioactivity of immunosuppressive medications to determine the global immune competence, such as Immuknow assay and Gamma interferon response are gaining traction. Immunosuppression in lung transplant is evolving with the development of newer drugs and promising strategies to optimize immunosuppression. Further studies with multicenter randomized trials are required to increase the strength of the evidence.
Applying Ecosystem Services to the Practice of Coastal Management: An Overview

AbstractIn the coastal science and management community of practice, the concept of ecosystem services (ES) is an approach to valuation that is growing and developing, through practice, to mean dif...
Trust in whom? Dioxin, organizations, risk perception, and fish consumption in Michigan’s Saginaw Bay watershed

Trust is generally recognized as important for risk-relevant behavior but research suggests that trust in different organizations may have varying effects. This research advances the literature by testing two hypotheses which postulate that this variability can be explained by risk perception. We collected data from 351 anglers regarding their trust in nine organizations whose efforts are relevant to dioxin contamination in Michigan's Saginaw Bay Watershed, risk perceptions, and self-reports of risky behavior (i.e., consumption of local fish identified as especially likely to contain contaminants). As hypothesized (H1), the negative effect of trust in two agencies-the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services-sponsored River Walker Program (RWP)-on risky behavior was significantly mediated by risk perception but these effects differed from each other such that trust in the MDNR was associated with increased perceptions of risk while trust in the RWP was associated with decreased perceptions of benefit. Also as hypothesized (H2), the positive effect of trust in Dow Chemical Company on risky behavior was significantly mediated by risk perception such that increased trust in Dow was associated with reduced risk perception. The current results lend credence to arguments regarding the importance of specificity in the target of trust and advance this literature by suggesting that differential effects on risk perception help explain this variability. Thus, organizations whose efforts focus on risk communication appear ideally situated to reduce risky behavior through a negative impact on risk perception. Other organizations, however, may run the risk of increasing risky behavior if their efforts result in reduced perceptions of risk.
Legal Issues Surrounding the Use of Comparative Advertising: What the Non-Prescriptive Drug Industry Has Taught Us:

Comparative advertising has been one of the most widely researched advertising topics during the last 15 years. At the same time, its use has led to an unprecedented increase in private lawsuits. T...
Three distinct regions of cRaf kinase domain interact with membrane

Raf kinases are downstream effectors of small GTPase Ras. Mutations in Ras and Raf are associated with a variety of cancers and genetic disorders. Of the three Raf isoforms, cRaf is most frequently involved in tumor initiation by Ras. Cytosolic Raf is auto-inhibited and becomes active upon recruitment to the plasma membrane. Since the catalytic domain of Raf is its kinase domain, we ask the following: does the kinase domain of Raf has potential to interact with membrane and if yes, what role does the membrane interaction play? We present a model of cRaf kinase domain in complex with a heterogeneous membrane bilayer using atomistic molecular dynamics simulation. We show that the kinase domain of cRaf has three distinct membrane-interacting regions: a polybasic motif (R.RKTR) from the regulatory αC-helix, an aromatic/hydrophobic cluster from the N-terminal acidic region (NtA) and positively charged/aromatic cluster from the activation segment (AS). We show that residues from these regions form an extended membrane-interacting surface that resembles the membrane-interacting residues from known membrane-binding domains. Activating phosphorylatable regions (NtA and AS), make direct contact with the membrane whereas R.RKTR forms specific multivalent salt bridges with PA. PA lipids dwell for longer times around the R.RKTR motif. Our results suggest that membrane interaction of monomeric cRaf kinase domain likely orchestrates the Raf activation process and modulates its function. We show that R.RKTR is a hotspot that interacts with membrane when cRaf is monomeric and becomes part of the interface upon Raf dimerization. We propose that in terms of utilizing a specific hotspot to form membrane interaction and dimer formation, both Raf and its upstream binding partner KRas, are similar.
Evaluating shared decision-making in periviable counseling using objective structured clinical examinations

To develop and test an Objective Structured Clinical Examination to evaluate the use of shared decision-making (SDM) in periviable counseling among fourth-year OB/GYN residents. Residents counseled a standardized patient presenting with preterm premature rupture of membranes at 23 weeks’ gestation. Braddock’s 9-item measure of SDM was adapted to a 10-item scoring rubric; rating each: 0 (absent), 1 (partial), or 2 (complete). Twenty-six residents participated. All provided “complete” discussions of the clinical issue and “complete” or ‘partial’ ratings for informing the woman of her prognosis (62 and 38%, respectively) and addressing her role in decision-making (42 and 50%). Discussions of her goals and preferences were often absent (69 and 62%). Only 42% discussed uncertainties. Critical elements of SDM related to a woman’s values, goals and preferences were not explored when counseling about periviable delivery. Training in SDM is needed to advance communication skills for complex clinical decision-making.
Disulfide bond-mediated passenger domain stalling as a structural probe of autotransporter outer membrane secretion in vivo.

Abstract Autotransporters (ATs) are the largest class of extracellular virulence proteins secreted by Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria, but the details of their outer membrane (OM) secretion mechanism remain unclear. Recently, a novel strategy has been developed to study OM secretion of AT proteins by introducing pairs of cysteine (Cys) residues into the central passenger domain sequence. Upon oxidation in the periplasm, these Cys residues form a long loop that stalls AT OM secretion. This Cys-loop stalling technique has been used to investigate such questions as the directionality of AT OM secretion and the extent of AT passenger domain folding during secretion. Here, we will describe how to use the Cys-loop approach to produce disulfide-bonded, stalled AT OM secretion intermediates, and how these stalled “snapshots” can be used to investigate structural aspects of the AT OM secretion mechanism.
The Medical Marijuana Case: A Commerce Clause Counter-Revolution?

Many observers have suggested that Gonzales v. Raich signals the Supreme Court's abandonment of its radical ten-year effort to enforce meaningful limits on Congress's power “to regulate Commerce . . . among the several States.” Professor Pushaw argues that such reports of the death of recent Commerce Clause jurisprudence are greatly exaggerated. Indeed, he demonstrates that the so-called Commerce Clause “revolution” was quite modest, consisting of the development and application of vague standards to invalidate two minor federal statutes. Those standards are so elastic that they could plausibly have been invoked either to uphold or strike down the federal law involved in Raich, which prohibited the cultivation or possession of marijuana for any purpose.Professor Pushaw contends that, if the Court actually wants to reform its doctrine, it must identify and apply particularized rules of law drawn from the Commerce Clause's text, history, and early precedent. This law is straightforward: Congress can regulate only “commerce” (i.e., the sale of goods or services and all accompanying activities geared toward the market) that has an impact “among the states.” Application of this approach in Raich would have resulted in thwarting Congress's attempt to reach conduct--the mere possession of home-grown marijuana for personal medical use--that did not constitute “commerce” and had no effect in any other state.