cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of tulathromycin depletion in plasma and milk after subcutaneous injection in lactating goats using a nonlinear mixed-effects pharmacokinetic modeling approach.

Extra-label use of tulathromycin in lactating goats is common and may cause violative residues in milk. The objective of this study was to develop a nonlinear mixed-effects pharmacokinetic (NLME-PK) model to estimate tulathromycin depletion in plasma and milk of lactating goats. Eight lactating goats received two subcutaneous injections of 2.5 mg/kg tulathromycin 7 days apart; blood and milk samples were analyzed for concentrations of tulathromycin and the common fragment of tulathromycin (i.e., the marker residue CP-60,300), respectively, using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Based on these new data and related literature data, a NLME-PK compartmental model with first-order absorption and elimination was used to model plasma concentrations and cumulative excreted amount in milk. Monte Carlo simulations with 100 replicates were performed to predict the time when the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of milk concentrations was below the tolerance. All animals were healthy throughout the study with normal appetite and milk production levels, and with mild-moderate injection-site reactions that diminished by the end of the study. The measured data showed that milk concentrations of the marker residue of tulathromycin were below the limit of detection (LOD = 1.8 ng/ml) 39 days after the second injection. A 2-compartment model with milk as an excretory compartment best described tulathromycin plasma and CP-60,300 milk pharmacokinetic data. The model-predicted data correlated with the measured data very well. The NLME-PK model estimated that tulathromycin plasma concentrations were below LOD (1.2 ng/ml) 43 days after a single injection, and 62 days after the second injection with a 95% confidence. These estimated times are much longer than the current meat withdrawal time recommendation of 18 days for tulathromycin in non-lactating cattle. The results suggest that twice subcutaneous injections of 2.5 mg/kg tulathromycin are a clinically safe extra-label alternative approach for treating pulmonary infections in lactating goats, but a prolonged withdrawal time of at least 39 days after the second injection should be considered to prevent violative residues in milk and any dairy goat being used for meat should have an extended meat withdrawal time.
Tweetment Effects on the Tweeted: Experimentally Reducing Racist Harassment

I conduct an experiment which examines the impact of group norm promotion and social sanctioning on racist online harassment. Racist online harassment de-mobilizes the minorities it targets, and the open, unopposed expression of racism in a public forum can legitimize racist viewpoints and prime ethnocentrism. I employ an intervention designed to reduce the use of anti-black racist slurs by white men on Twitter. I collect a sample of Twitter users who have harassed other users and use accounts I control (“bots”) to sanction the harassers. By varying the identity of the bots between in-group (white man) and out-group (black man) and by varying the number of Twitter followers each bot has, I find that subjects who were sanctioned by a high-follower white male significantly reduced their use of a racist slur. This paper extends findings from lab experiments to a naturalistic setting using an objective, behavioral outcome measure and a continuous 2-month data collection period. This represents an advance in the study of prejudiced behavior.
Rheumatoid arthritis triple therapy compared with etanercept: difference in infectious and gastrointestinal adverse events.

Objective. The main aim of this study was to examine the differences between triple therapy (T: SSZ and HCQ added to MTX) and etanercept (E) added to MTX with regard to the infectious and gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (AEs) reported in The Rheumatoid Arthritis Comparison of Active Therapies Trial. Methods. The patients were 353 RA MTX incomplete responders who were randomized to T (n = 178) or E (n = 175). Of these, 88 patients were switched to the alternative treatment from the initial treatment (E or T) at 24 weeks per protocol. Infectious and GI serious AEs (SAEs) and non-serious AEs (NAEs) were reported during 48 and 4 weeks after the intervention period. Generalized linear models were used to estimate the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of AEs between the two therapies. Results. Patients on E therapy were more likely to have infectious NAEs (IRR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.19). There was a greater number of infectious SAEs that occurred when patients received E than T therapy [12 E (6.9%) vs 4 T (2.2%), P = 0.19]. Pneumonia was the most common infectious SAE for both treatments [6 E (3.4%) and 2 T (1.1%)]. Conversely, patients who were on E were less likely to have GI NAEs than those on T therapy (IRR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.94). The most common GI SAE reported was GI haemorrhage, which occurred among three patients on E (1.7%). Conclusion. This study provides evidence of different likelihoods of infectious and GI AEs associated with two common, equally effective treatments for RA patients who have had incomplete responses to MTX. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, http://clinicaltrials.gov, {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00405275","term_id":"NCT00405275"}}NCT00405275.
Comparison of medical complications following nontraumatic and traumatic spinal cord injury

Background: Nontraumatic spinal cord injury (NT/SCI) has been shown to represent a significant proportion of individuals admitted for SCI rehabilitation. Although medical complications of patients ...
The Unresponsive Urbanite: Personal versus Situational Determinants

The urbanite, according to popular stereotype, is regarded as more socially aloof and less interpersonally responsive and helpful than the rural dweller. Widespread media reaction to the killing of Kitty Genovese within view of 38 passive residents in her New York City neighborhood encouraged an interest on the part of social psychologists in the phenomenon of the “unresponsive bystander” (cf. Latane & Darley, 1970). To date, however, social psychological knowledge in this area has been inconclusive and contradictory.
Combination of Acylglucose QTL reveals additive and epistatic genetic interactions and impacts insect oviposition and virus infection

Acylsugars are important insect defense compounds produced at high levels by glandular trichomes of the wild tomato, Solanum pennellii. Marker-assisted selection was used to select for plants containing the three AGQTL named AG3QTL, AG4QTL, and AG11QTL from self-pollinated populations derived from an interspecific backcross population of CU071026 x (CU071026 x S. pennellii LA716). High acylglucose-accumulating lines were selected from these populations that possess these three AGQTL and the fewest number of extraneous S. pennellii LA716 introgressions. Incorporation of these three acylglucose QTL in the presence of the five standard S. pennellii introgressions of CU071026 altered acylsugar level and sugar moiety, demonstrating epistatic interactions between the acylglucose QTL on both of these traits. Comparison of the lines generated from the two breeding techniques indicated the three acylglucose QTL are essential but not necessarily sufficient for the production of elevated levels of acylglucose acylsugars. Fine-mapping of AG3QTL, AG4QTL, and AG11QTL resulted in less than 1 Mbp intervals for the locations of AG4QTL and AG11QTL; proposals of the causal genes underlying these acylglucose QTL are discussed. Characterization of the fatty acid profile of lines selected out of the interspecific backcross populations revealed an increase in the proportion of acylsugar n-C10 fatty acid acyl chains, possibly governed by one or more of the three acylglucose QTL. Characterization of the acylsugar profile of acylglucose lines selected from the interspecific backcross populations also demonstrated interactions among the acylglucose QTL to further modulate the diversity of acylsugars accumulated. Evaluation of an acylglucose line and controls against the tomato insect pest Frankliniella occidentalis demonstrated that levels of resistance differed among these lines and that the acylsugars accumulated by the acylglucose line were effective at reducing both F. occidentalis oviposition and incidence of Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus. However, of some of the acylglucose lines and hybrids tested against Spodoptera exigua did not indicate differences for larval weight gain and survival.
POLITICAL ECONOMY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE: TOWARD A CYBERNETIC APPROACH

ABSTRACT Classical economic theories are inadequate to either explain current economic realities or improve the quality of life. A cybernetic approach to political economy as a holistic purposive ideal seeking system would allow humanity to attain peace and prosperity through diversity.
Hybrid cluster-regression approach to model bikeshare station usage

Abstract This paper proposes a hybrid approach to model usage at public bikeshare system (PBS) stations. The proposed Cluster Stations and Regress (CSR) modeling approach involves first clustering PBS stations based on the types of trips they attract using k-means or fuzzy c-means clustering techniques. After obtaining station-cluster membership values for each station, we estimate multilevel mixed-effect regression models with interactions between the station-cluster membership variables and determinants of PBS station usage. Determinants considered in the empirical models include the socio-demographic and commute characteristics of the residents in each PBS station’s census tract, weather variables, temporal variables, and PBS station proximity to restaurants, jobs, transit stops, rail stations, the CBD, bicycle infrastructure, and other PBS stations. The model results clearly indicate that determinants of PBS station usage vary across station-clusters and including station-cluster interaction terms significantly improves model fit. Additionally, the results of cross-validation tests indicate that the CSR approach is a promising method to model monthly PBS station usage. The empirical results also clear up conflicting findings in the literature in terms of the impact of nearby PBS stations on station usage. We find that station usage increases with the number of other PBS stations within 1–5 km for member trips. However, after controlling for this effect, station usage decreases as the number of other PBS stations within 0.8 km increases.
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor with retained INI1 (SMARCB1) expression and loss of BRG1 (SMARCA4).

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is a rare, highly aggressive malignancy of the central nervous system (CNS) usually diagnosed in infancy or childhood, most often characterized by loss of expression of the SMARCB1 gene product integrase interactor 1 (INI1) protein. We report a case of AT/RT in a 3 month old boy with retained expression of INI1 by immunohistochemistry. Additional testing demonstrated loss of expression of the SMARCA4 gene product Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) protein by immunohistochemistry, confirmed by next generation sequencing showing a nonsense mutation in SMARCA4. This case illustrates that positivity for INI1 does not rule out a diagnosis of AT/RT, and additional testing, including BRG1/SMARCA4 analysis, is warranted in cases where clinical suspicion is high.
Psychological Distress and Compassion Fatigue among Hospice Nurses: The Mediating Role of Self-Esteem and Negative Affect

Abstract Background: Compassion fatigue among health care professionals has negative effects on patient care. Providing end-of-life care, hospice nurses may be particularly at risk for compassion f...
The Divalent Ions Calcium, Phosphorus, and Magnesium and Vitamin D

There is an increasing general appreciation of the critical role of calcium as a regulator in all kinds of cells and in organisms of all levels of complexity. It may be the single most universal transducer or messenger in biological life, coupling extracellular stimuli with subsequent intracellular events. Even the simplest organisms appear to employ calcium; it regulates chemotactic behavior (Ordal, 1977) and sporulation (Golub and Bronner, 1974) and it has been adapted to more and more uses in multicellular organisms. Cell aggregation, cell-cell com munication, membrane integrity and permeability, microtubular assembly, cell division and growth, blood coagulation, hormone-response coupling, and electrical stimulus-response coupling, including all muscle contraction and neurotransmitter release, all require calcium and are to some degree regulated by it (Parfitt and Kleerekoper, 1980b).
Non-Compact Current Algebras and Heterotic Superstring Vacua

It has been shown that a four dimensional finite and consistent superstring theory [1] can be constructed by combining any 2-dimensional superconformai field theory with a central charge c=9 with a superstring propagating in flat 4-dimensional Minkowski space-time. Each distinct superconformai field theory corresponds to a possible vacuum state of the full string theory. For N=1 supersymmetry to emerge in this vacuum in 4-dimensions, an N=2 worldsheet supersymmetry is necessary [2]. Gepner has provided [3] a procedure for the construction of a heterotic superstring that satisfies the required properties including modular invariance by using the above ingredients.
An Ounce of Prevention or a Pound of Cure? Short- and Long-Run Effects of Pharmaceutical Patents on U.S. Health Care Expenditures

WORKING PAPER An Ounce of Prevention or a Pound of Cure? Short- and Long-Run Effects of Pharmaceutical Patents on U.S. Health Care Expenditures By Hilary S. Johnson and Daniel K.N. Johnson Colorado College Working Paper 2009-01 April, 2009 Department of Economics and Business Colorado College Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903-3298 www.coloradocollege.edu/dept/EC
Investigation and Comparison of Bus Alternatives for Asynchronous Circuits

Increasingly complex functionality of integrated chips has challenged synchronous designs and accelerated demands for asynchronous architectures. Asynchronous integrated circuits (ICs) can operate reliably without a clock and in a wider range of environments than synchronous ICs while maintaining potential for low power consumption, improved performance, and high modularity. In this paper, two alternatives for transferring data in an asynchronous system are implemented using the NULL Convention Logic and compared to the typical bus architecture.
The Effect of Maternity Leave Expansions on Fertility Intentions: Evidence from Switzerland

We study the effect of the expansion of the mandatory paid maternity leave, implemented in Switzerland in 2005, on individuals’ fertility intentions. Earlier literature found evidence of fertility increases induced by maternity leave expansions from other countries of a relatively large magnitude of 1 year. The expansion that we consider was smaller, from 8 unpaid weeks to 14 mandatory paid weeks, and thus its effect on fertility decisions is less evident ex ante. Nevertheless, we find that it positively impacts fertility planning even though, by construction, our model specification cannot capture its full effect. The strongest effects are elicited in the subsamples of men, individuals with two children, and individuals aged between 31 and 36. There are several channels through which the maternity leave expansion may affect individuals’ child planning, all indicative of a positive effect on the fertility rate.
Prediction of anaerobic digestion performance and identification of critical operational parameters using machine learning algorithms.

Abstract Machine learning has emerges as a novel method for model development and has potential to be used to predict and control the performance of anaerobic digesters. In this study, several machine learning algorithms were applied in regression and classification models on digestion performance to identify determinant operational parameters and predict methane production. In the regression models, k-nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm demonstrates optimal prediction accuracy (root mean square error = 26.6, with the dataset range of 259.0–573.8), after narrowing prediction coverage by excluding extreme outliers from the validation set. In the classification models, logistic regression multiclass algorithm yields the best prediction accuracy of 0.73. Feature importance reveals that total carbon was the determinant operational parameter. These results demonstrate the great potential of using machine learning algorithms to predict anaerobic digestion performance.
Development and implementation of a surgical scheduling system at the Dr. Eduardo Pereira Ramírez Hospital

This paper presents the application of Change Management within a hospital environment, by the iterative and incremental software development and implementation. The new surgical management control system implementation has contributed to strengthen the awareness of the surgical task and its main results are related to: i) Timely feedback, ii) Graphic visualization of the Surgical Table, iii) Automatic calculation and visualization of indicators and trends, iv) Decrease in not reported surgeries.
Transoral Management of Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules

Transoral thyroidectomy has gained adoption and acceptance at a relatively quick pace over the past several years. The indications for transoral thyroidectomy continue to expand as the technique is increasingly adopted. One of the currently accepted indications for transoral thyroidectomy is the so-called “indeterminate” thyroid nodule—those that are found to have atypical follicular-patterned cells on fine-needle aspiration biopsy and are associated with a 6–40% risk of malignancy. This chapter introduces the transoral vestibular approach (TOETVA/TORTVA) management implications of indeterminate thyroid nodules, specifically those with Bethesda class III or IV cytology. Current advances in molecular genetic testing of biopsy samples are summarized. The transoral thyroidectomy approach is described, with specific focus on the most relevant issues to the management of indeterminate thyroid nodules such as nodule size, implications for an eventual diagnosis of malignancy, and surgeon learning curve.
Survival in a zombie apocalypse

The Resident Evil 3 remake was in development long before the coronavirus outbreak, but it holds up a mirror to the strange times we live in today, says Jacob Aron
Effects of Non-Electrostatic Intermolecular Interactions on the Phase Behavior of pH-Sensitive Polyelectrolyte Complexes

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) offer enormous material tunability and desirable functionalities, and consequently have found broad utility in biomedical and material industries. While poly(acryli...
Susceptibility of swine cells and domestic pigs to SARS-CoV-2

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in an ongoing global pandemic with significant morbidity, mortality, and economic consequences. The susceptibility of different animal species to SARS-CoV-2 is of concern due to the potential for interspecies transmission, and the requirement for pre-clinical animal models to develop effective countermeasures. In the current study, we determined the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to (i) replicate in porcine cell lines, (ii) establish infection in domestic pigs via experimental oral/intranasal/intratracheal inoculation, and (iii) transmit to co-housed naive sentinel pigs. SARS-CoV-2 was able to replicate in two different porcine cell lines with cytopathic effects. Interestingly, none of the SARS-CoV-2-inoculated pigs showed evidence of clinical signs, viral replication or SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses. Moreover, none of the sentinel pigs displayed markers of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These data indicate that although different porcine cell lines are permissive to SARS-CoV-2, five-week old pigs are not susceptible to infection via oral/intranasal/intratracheal challenge. Pigs are therefore unlikely to be significant carriers of SARS-CoV-2 and are not a suitable pre-clinical animal model to study SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis or efficacy of respective vaccines or therapeutics.
On the Feasibility of a Technological Response to the Surveillance Morass (Transcript of Discussion)

When I read that the theme of this year’s workshop started with “now that all our paranoid dreams of the last 20 years have come true,” I assumed that that meant that this workshop was about the surveillance morass. That’s because I am obsessed with the surveillance morass. Now that I’m here, I realize that, regardless of the official theme, this workshop is about whatever the participants are obsessed with. So I guess Jeremie’s and my paper is in scope.
Non-Comparative Fairness for Human-Auditing and Its Relation to Traditional Fairness Notions.

Bias evaluation in machine-learning based services (MLS) based on traditional algorithmic fairness notions that rely on comparative principles is practically difficult, making it necessary to rely on human auditor feedback. However, in spite of taking rigorous training on various comparative fairness notions, human auditors are known to disagree on various aspects of fairness notions in practice, making it difficult to collect reliable feedback. This paper offers a paradigm shift to the domain of algorithmic fairness via proposing a new fairness notion based on the principle of non-comparative justice. In contrary to traditional fairness notions where the outcomes of two individuals/groups are compared, our proposed notion compares the MLS' outcome with a desired outcome for each input. This desired outcome naturally describes a human auditor's expectation, and can be easily used to evaluate MLS on crowd-auditing platforms. We show that any MLS can be deemed fair from the perspective of comparative fairness (be it in terms of individual fairness, statistical parity, equal opportunity or calibration) if it is non-comparatively fair with respect to a fair auditor. We also show that the converse holds true in the context of individual fairness. Given that such an evaluation relies on the trustworthiness of the auditor, we also present an approach to identify fair and reliable auditors by estimating their biases with respect to a given set of sensitive attributes, as well as quantify the uncertainty in the estimation of biases within a given MLS. Furthermore, all of the above results are also validated on COMPAS, German credit and Adult Census Income datasets.
Incorporating Unnatural Amino Acids into the Protein Coat of Adeno-Associated Virus as New Tools for Virology and Theraputics

The co-translational incorporation of genetically encoded unnatural amino acids has emerged as a valuable tool for studying and engineering protein structure and function, but this technique has typically been restricted to the study of individual proteins. We have successfully incorporated unnatural amino acids into the protein capsid of adeno-associated virus (AAV), facilitating the study and engineering of fully assembled viral particles. AAV is a promising vector for gene therapy and a simple model of parvovirus assembly, infection, and genome release. Using our unique chemical handles for subsequent modification, we have site-specifically attached a variety of chemical groups including fluorophores and small molecules for viral vector re-targeting. This method provides a unique and versatile toolset for both studying viral processes and developing vectors which target cells of theraputic interest, and we anticipate that the incorporation of other amino acids will open up new applications.
City of Arlington v. FCC: Questioning Agency Authority to Determine the Scope of Its Own Authority

In City of Arlington v. FCC the Supreme Court will consider whether courts should defer to an agency’s determination of its own jurisdiction. Although the need for courts to defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutory provisions under Chevron v. NRDC is well-established, the Supreme Court has never decided whether so-called Chevron deference should apply to statutory provisions delineating the scope of agency jurisdiction. There are several reasons courts should not confer Chevron deference to agency interpretations of statutes that define or limit an agency’s jurisdiction. First, the conferral of Chevron deference is premised upon the existence of agency jurisdiction. If there is no jurisdiction, there is no deference. So before a court can even consider whether an agency should receive deference for its statutory interpretation, it must first assure itself that agency jurisdiction exists. Granting Chevron deference to agency interpretations of their own jurisdiction also creates the risk of agency self-aggrandizement.
Heparin-binding peptides from the type I repeats of thrombospondin. Structural requirements for heparin binding and promotion of melanoma cell adhesion and chemotaxis.

Synthetic peptides derived from the type I repeats of human platelet thrombospondin containing a consensus sequence Trp-Ser-Xaa-Trp bind to heparin, promote cell adhesion, and inhibit heparin-dependent interactions of melanoma cells with extracellular matrix components (Guo, N. H., Krutzsch, H. C., Negre, E., Vogel, T., Blake, D. A., and Roberts, D. D. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 3040-3044). In the present study, we further examined the structural requirements for activity of these peptides. The minimal active sequence for heparin or sulfatide binding based on inhibition studies is Trp-Ser-Pro-Trp, although an octapeptide is required for optimal activity. The 2 Trp residues and the Ser residue are essential. Peptides with more than 2 residues between the Trp residues are inactive. The Pro residue is essential for activity of the pentapeptide Trp-Ser-Pro-Trp-Ser, but some larger peptides with substitutions for the Pro residue are active. For direct high affinity binding to heparin, both the consensus sequence and a flanking sequence of basic amino acids are essential. Peptides containing the consensus sequence promote cell adhesion and act cooperatively with the adjacent basic amino acid sequence to promote cell spreading. Chemical modification of the Trp residues in the peptides with amino-terminal basic amino acids abolished both cell adhesion and heparin-binding. Peptides containing the consensus sequence and basic amino acids are chemotactic for A2058 human melanoma cells. The functional importance of this novel heparin and sulfatide-binding motif is suggested by its conservation in other members of the thrombospondin gene family, complement components, and in many members of the cytokine receptor and transforming growth factor beta superfamilies.
Quality in the ambulatory endoscopy center

Quality improvement (QI) activities are now key pursuits for clinicians and managers in all medical environments. Demonstration of QI effort is required for accreditation of facilities and board recertification of most medical professionals. Every facility has opportunities for improvement and the most pressing issues are often unique to the local facility. Nevertheless, to limit risks both for the health of the practice and for patients, all endoscopy facilities should ensure satisfactory performance in regard to procedural quality, infection control, equipment reprocessing, sedation and analgesia, and management of pre- and postprocedure medications, including anticoagulants and antibiotics. Because efforts are usually constrained by staff, time, and financial considerations, improvement needs must be prioritized to identify those with the greatest urgency and impact. For units new to QI endeavors, it is useful to focus on single issues at first. Improvement methods are widely varied; many are commonly applied systematically, whereas others are particularly suitable for ad hoc application. This article reviews principles pertaining to defining and selecting improvement goals and the various methodologies often employed in pursuing them. Further reading is encouraged in regard to specific methods for use by improvement teams.
119. Psychological stressors significantly speed the development of primary mammary tumors in the HER-2/neu mouse transgenic breast cancer model

The transgenic mouse strain FVB/N-Tg (MMTVneu)202Mul/J has been characterized as the “workhorse model of HER2 tumorigenesis in vivo.” These mice selectively express rat c-Neu/ErbB2 (HER2-neu) in their mammary glands via a mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter, which is responsive in cell cuture to glucocorticoids. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to environmental stressors in vivo would result in early onset of mammary tumors in this strain. Adult female mice, 4–5 weeks of age, were purchased; housed in an isolation chamber, and assigned to four experimental exposure groups: Restraint stress (90 min, 1x/wk, n = 24)[RS]; Social Disruption (cage mate switch 2x/wk, n = 23)[SD]; Restraint + Social Disruption (n = 22) and Home Cage controls (n = 20)[HC]. All mice were inspected (blind) for tumors weekly and humanely sacrificed one week post palpable tumor development. Consistent with the study hypothesis, the results indicated that mice chronically exposed to the two environmental stressors (RS& SD) developed primary tumors at a significantly (p
The Yeast YPD1/SLN1 Complex: Insights into Molecular Recognition in Two-Component Signaling Systems

Abstract In Saccharomyces cerevisiae , a branched multistep phosphorelay signaling pathway regulates cellular adaptation to hyperosmotic stress. YPD1 functions as a histidine-phosphorylated protein intermediate required for phosphoryl group transfer from a membrane-bound sensor histidine kinase (SLN1) to two distinct response regulator proteins (SSK1 and SKN7). These four proteins are evolutionarily related to the well-characterized "two-component" regulatory proteins from bacteria. Although structural information is available for many two-component signaling proteins, there are very few examples of complexes between interacting phosphorelay partners. Here we report the first crystal structure of a prototypical monomeric histidine-containing phosphotransfer (HPt) protein YPD1 in complex with its upstream phosphodonor, the response regulator domain associated with SLN1.
One step in situ synthesis of supported zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8 membranes: Role of sodium formate

Abstract Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), a sub-class of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), are noted for their remarkable thermal and chemical stability, tunable microporous channels, and tailorable physical/chemical properties. When synthesized as films, they hold great potentials for gas sensing, catalytic membrane reactor, and gas separation membrane applications. Here, we report one step in situ synthesis of ZIF-8 membranes on unmodified porous α-alumina supports in the presence of sodium formate. In this in situ method, sodium formate plays a critical role for formation of well-intergrown continuous ZIF-8 membranes. Sodium formate was found to enhance the heterogeneous nucleation of ZIF-8 crystals on alumina supports as well as to promote intergrowth of ZIF-8 crystals. It was confirmed that sodium formate reacts with zinc source to form zinc oxide layers on α-alumina supports, which in turn promote heterogeneous nucleation. ZIF-8 membranes show molecular sieving behavior, favoring smaller molecules. It was found that sodium formate promotes heterogeneous nucleation in other ZIF systems as well, leading to continuous films of ZIF-7, Zn(Im) 2 (ZIF-61 analog), ZIF-90, and SIM-1.
The rare biosphere: sorting out fact from fiction

Over the past 25 years, microbiologists have employed the occurrence of DNA sequences as proxies for the presence of different kinds of organisms in microbial communities. These culture-independent investigations described new dimensions of diversity, identified novel candidate phyla, and redefined habitable ranges for single-cell organisms. The recent introduction of massively-parallel sequencing technology significantly increased estimates of microbial diversity from molecular-based studies. Matching SSU pyrotags to a reference rRNA database or clustering tags in a taxon-independent manner to identify Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) suggests that taxonomic richness in marine, terrestrial, and both the human and mouse microbiomes exceeds all prior estimates of microbial diversity. The occurrence of rare sequences in these data sets correspond to low abundance taxa that comprise the 'rare biosphere'. Numerous theories and mechanisms that could account for the existence and persistence of rare biosphere members compete with explanations that invoke sequencing or clustering artifacts. Even with sequencing error rates below 0.005 per nucleotide position, the common method of generating OTUs (i.e. multiple sequence alignment and complete-linkage clustering) significantly increases the number of predicted OTUs and inflates richness estimates. The use of a novel Single Linkage Preclustering (SLP) strategy applied to short hypervariable regions of ribosomal RNAs accurately identified the predicted complexity of 'mock' microbial communities with a known number of rRNA operons. The strategy initially identifies sequences that are likely to have arisen by error using nearest neighbor clustering of pairwise sequence distances. The most abundant sequence for each precluster and the number of sequences in the precluster define inputs to average neighbor clustering using MOTHUR. When applied to sequences obtained from multiple microbial communities, the OTU-based descriptions of microbial population structures under different ecological regimes, and the global distribution patterns of OTUs reinforce credibility of the 'rare biosphere' as revealed through deep sequencing efforts.
Discrepancy and nondiscrepancy methods of assessing visual-auditory interaction

Much of our information about interaction among the sensory modalities has come from studies in which discrepancy between the modalities has been imposed experimentally. The question arises whether the conclusions generated from discrepancy research are affected by the use of the nonnatural experimental situation: Would the same conclusions be reached if discrepancy were not used? In addition to using the index of interaction derived from discrepancy, as in prior research, the present study assessed two nonexperimentally imposed indices to explore the interaction between vision and audition in a spatial localization task. The additional indices, or “tags,” were standard deviations (SDs) and confidence ratings (CRs) of localization responses. The SD tag showed a pattern of interaction between vision and audition that was identical to that found with spatial discrepancy. The CR tag produced a similar pattern but did not show the same regular variation with the independent variable. Both SD and CR tags showed identical patterns of results when an experimentally imposed discrepancy was and was not used, suggesting that the use of moderate degrees of experimental discrepancy does not produce misleading conclusions about intersensory interaction.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Convex Laser Forming Process

Laser forming is a flexible sheet metal forming technique using laser-induced thermal deformation to shape sheet metal without hard tooling or external forces. Concave laser forming can be readily achieved, while convex forming may occur through buckling, but the buckling direction heavily depends on the sheet surface and pre-strain condition. A new laser scanning scheme is postulated, by which convex forming can be effected insensitive to the abovementioned disturbances. The postulate is successfully validated by experimental and numerical results. The effect of the scanning parameters on the certainty of the convex forming, and dependencies of bend angle on Fourier number, laser power, and dimensionless velocity, are further investigated experimentally and numerically. The simulation results are in agreement with experimental observations. The numerical simulation model developed is also used to study the transient temperature, stress state, and strain state and to provide further insight into the convex forming process.
Mercury Accumulation in Pinus nigra (Austrian Pine)

Abstract The overall objective of this field study was to determine if Pinus nigra (Austrian Pine) could serve as a useful biomonitor to evaluate multi-year concentrations of total mercury (tHg) in vegetation within southwestern Pennsylvania. Austrian Pine has been widely planted as an ornamental, and formerly as a Christmas tree, and is now naturalized within the region. We collected needle samples annually during October 2004–2010 at 15–21 locations within a 5000-km2 study area. Because Austrian Pine trees typically retain needles for 3 years, we collected samples from 3 needle-age groups: current year (∼0.5 y old in October), previous year (∼1.5 y old), and third-year (∼2.5 y old), and analyzed them for total mercury (tHg). Across all years and plots, mean tHg concentrations among the 3 needle ages were significantly (P < 0.05) different from each other. Mean tHg concentration was greatest in the 2.5-yr-old needles (25.9 ± 3.4 ng/g), less in 1.5-yr-old needles (20.2 ± 3.2 ng/g), and least in the 0.5-yr...
Aspiration uncertainty: its impact on decision performance and process

Abstract We explore how a discrete change in the level of “aspiration uncertainty” affects the quality of a decision and the willingness to search for an improved decision. We find knowing what is attainable improves decision performance, especially when luck places the decision-maker near the optimal choice early in the search process. However, knowing what is attainable hampers performance when the complexity of the problem makes an improved choice difficult to find, for knowing what is attainable teases the decision-maker into over-utilizing decision resources. Differences in the propensity to search are independent of the level of aspiration uncertainty.
A model laboratory system to study the synergistic interaction and growth of environmental Escherichia coli with macrophytic green algae

Abstract Escherichia coli , an important fecal indicator bacterium, is known to persist and reproduce in association with Cladophora and other macrophytic algae and environmental substrates. Recent increases in the growth of Cladophora and other macrophytic algae in many of the Laurentian Great Lakes result in the accumulation of large amounts of algal biomass along the shoreline and on beaches. While the Cladophora – E. coli association may pose substantial public health risks, detailed laboratory-based studies have not been done to investigate the bases of the interaction. This is due, in large part, to past inabilities to culture many macrophytic algae under near axenic conditions. Here we describe the development and experimental use of laboratory microcosms to study the synergistic interaction and growth of the green alga Pithophora , a close relative of Cladophora , with environmental E. coli . In the absence of exogenous organic carbon supply, the E. coli population attached to algal filaments increased approximately three orders of magnitude within 72 h of inoculation. Growth of E. coli on Pithophora appeared to be limited by dissolved nitrogen with a concentration of ≥ 66 μg/mL N allowing maximal bacterial growth. In contrast, an environmental strain of Salmonella did not grow under identical conditions in the microcosms, suggesting that this bacterium requires additional growth factors not provided by Cladophora . Since the alga can be maintained in the laboratory for long periods of time, this system allows for further experimentation and understanding of macroalga–microbe interactions.
The Piazza degli Affari and the contingent nature of urbanism in fascist Milan

During the period of fascist rule, Mussolini's government radically transformed the built environment by sponsoring a wide range of public works projects intended to bring fascist values of order and hierarchy to cities and towns throughout Italy. A close look at Paolo Mezzanotte's project for a new business district in Milan demonstrates that changes to the urban fabric were often the result of fierce and prolonged negotiations between multiple centres of power, despite fascism's totalitarian ambitions. This project thus serves as an opportunity to consider the particular forces that shaped urban change in Milan as well as a model for evaluating fascist era projects in other urban centres.
Flux Tempered Metadynamics

There is considerable interest in developing methods for calculation of the free energy of fluids and materials from molecular simulations. Two prominent strategies, density-of-states sampling and “metadynamics,” seek to achieve uniform sampling of states through judicious addition of biasing potentials. In the particular case of metadynamics, a biasing potential is identified on the basis of one or more order parameters, and the convergence of a simulation is assessed by determining how regularly a given value of the order parameter is visited. That approach, however, can be of limited utility when the free energy curve exhibits multiple minima of disparate magnitude. In this work, we report a modified version of the original metadynamics algorithm that is based on maximization of round-trips (or flux) along the order parameter. The effectiveness of the proposed “flux tempered” approach is demonstrated in the context of two simple model systems, namely a pair of Lennard-Jones particles and a butane molecule. In both cases the flux tempered metadynamics method is significantly faster and more accurate than existing versions of metadynamics. While the method introduced in this work is presented in reference to metadynamics approaches, the ideas proposed here can be applied to assess the convergence of free-energy calculations in general, provided the applied weights are differentiable with respect to the Cartesian coordinates of the system.
Store-operated Ca2+ entry is not essential for PDGF-BB induced phenotype modulation in rat aortic smooth muscle

Abstract Suppression of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation marker genes is central to SMC phenotype modulation during vasculo-proliferative diseases such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. Upregulation of the intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel (KCa3.1) is integral for mitogen-induced suppression of SMC marker genes and post-angioplasty restenosis. Modulation of SMC marker gene expression has been observed following Ca2+ influx from multiple sources, however, it is unknown whether upregulation of KCa3.1 and/or suppression of SMC differentiation genes is dependent on a Ca2+ mediated mechanism. The purpose of this study was to determine the dependence of mitogen-induced SMC phenotype modulation on store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). In growth-arrested, differentiated rat aortic SMCs, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) augmented SOCE. However, PDGF-BB induced upregulation of KCa3.1 and downregulation of the SMC marker gene smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) and myocardin was not dependent on SOCE. Co-treatment with the iPLA2 inhibitor bromoenol lactone (BEL) inhibited the effects of PDGF-BB on SMC phenotype modulation and SOCE. Our results indicate SOCE is not required for PDGF-BB induced phenotype modulation in rat aortic SMCs. Rather, we implicate a novel BEL-sensitive mechanism which regulates both SOCE and phenotype modulation, independently.
The spirit of post-socialism: Common spaces and the production of diversity

Since 1989 scholars and policy-makers have articulated different notions of post-socialist reform. Each presupposes or privileges distinct notions of space. This paper focuses on the ‘spirit of post-socialism’ and outlines these different understandings of post-socialist reform and their corresponding embedded assumptions about space and geography. It then argues that various attempts to frame post-socialism in terms of a series of broader universal projects of economic harmonization and integration have been increasingly supplemented by more conjunctural analyses of diverse economic and social post-socialist practices and spaces, and comparative analyses of post-socialism and reform-socialisms across and beyond Central and Eastern Europe.
GossipMap: a distributed community detection algorithm for billion-edge directed graphs

In this paper, we describe a new distributed community detection algorithm for billion-edge directed graphs that, unlike modularity-based methods, achieves cluster quality on par with the best-known algorithms in the literature. We show that a simple approximation to the best-known serial algorithm dramatically reduces computation and enables distributed evaluation yet incurs only a very small impact on cluster quality. We present three main results: First, we show that the clustering produced by our scalable approximate algorithm compares favorably with prior results on small synthetic benchmarks and small real-world datasets (70 million edges). Second, we evaluate our algorithm on billion-edge directed graphs (a 1.5B edge social network graph, and a 3.7B edge web crawl), and show that the results exhibit the structural properties predicted by analysis of much smaller graphs from similar sources. Third, we show that our algorithm exhibits over 90% parallel efficiency on massive graphs in weak scaling experiments.
Mistuning Identification of Bladed Disks Using a Fundamental Mistuning Model—Part I: Theory

This paper is the first in a two-part study of identifying mistuning in bladed disks. It develops a new method of mistuning identification based on measurements of the vibratory response of the system as a whole. As a system-based method, this approach is particularly suited to integrally bladed rotors, whose blades cannot be removed for individual measurements. The method is based on a recently developed reduced order model of mistuning called the Fundamental Mistuning Model, FMM, and is applicable to isolated families of modes. Two versions of FMM system identification are presented: a basic version that requires some prior knowledge of the system’s properties, and a somewhat more complex version that determines the mistuning completely from experimental data.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Cross-species bone marrow transplantation: evidence for recognition of skin-specific antigens across a species barrier (rat----mouse).

Abstract We have developed a model to study cross-species bone marrow transplantation and the associated donor-specific transplantation tolerance induced using fully xenogeneic chimeras. Reconstitution of lethally irradiated B10 mice with untreated F344 rat bone marrow cells results in fully xenogeneic chimerism (F344 rat → B10 mouse). Survival of recipients is excellent (>80% at 100 days) and stable rat lymphoid and multilineage chimerism are present throughout the life of the chimeras. Recipients are specifically tolerant to donor-type skin xenografts yet are competent to reject major histocompatibility complex (MHC)—disparate third party strain rat xenografts. Although prolonged, donor-specific skin xenografts underwent chronic rejection which had its onset at approximately 40 days following skin graft placement. We have now examined these chimeras by serial flow cytometry typing to determine whether this is due to skin-specific antigens expressed on skin, but not on the bone marrow elements to which the chimeras were rendered tolerant. In all animals examined, lymphopoietic chimerism persisted unchanged even after the onset of inflammation in the grafts, suggesting the presence of skin specific antigens. This model may provide a method to study tissue and organ specific antigens recognized across a species barrier.