cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rat basophilic leukemia cells stiffen when they secrete.

RBL cells provide a useful model of the IgE and antigen-dependent stimulus-secretion coupling of mast cells and basophils. We have measured cellular deformability to investigate the participation of cytoskeletal mechanical changes. Cross-linking cell-surface IgE-receptor complexes with multivalent ligands not only triggered secretion but also caused the cells to stiffen, i.e., to become more resistant to deformation. This mechanical response required receptor cross-linking, had a time course similar to that of secretion, and was reversed by DNP-L-lysine, a competitive inhibitor of antigen binding. Hence the same stimulus seems to elicit both stiffening and secretion. Cytochalasin D, which inhibits actin filament assembly, prevented or reversed stiffening, thereby implicating the cytoskeleton in the mechanical response. Increasing intracellular calcium ion concentration with the ionophore A23187 stiffened cells and stimulated secretion. Activation of protein kinase C with a phorbol ester also stiffened cells and enhanced both the stiffening and secretion caused by the ionophore. Yet cytochalasin D enhances secretion whereas activation of protein kinase c alone is insufficient for secretion. Therefore stiffening is neither necessary nor sufficient for secretion. These results characterize a cytoskeletal mechanical response triggered by the same receptor-dependent stimulus that elicits secretion and by second messengers that are thought to mediate between the receptor signal and secretion. The function of the mechanical response, however, remains to be determined.
Satyrization without evidence of successful insemination from interspecific mating between invasive mosquitoes

Previous research has documented low frequencies of interspecific mating in nature between the invasive vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus . It is also known that heterospecific male accessory gland substances transferred during mating sterilize A. aegypti but not A. albopictus females, leading to satyrization, a form of reproductive interference. This paper demonstrates that satyrization of A. aegypti by A. albopictus may occur without evidence of successful insemination. Our results show that A. aegypti females, previously exposed to A. albopictus males, are rendered refractory to subsequent conspecific mating even though their spermathecae contain no heterospecific sperm. Additional experiments demonstrating transfer of labelled semen from A. albopictus males to A. aegypti females and low production of viable eggs of females housed with conspecific males, following exposure to A. albopictus males, confirm higher incidences of satyrization than expected, based on heterospecific insemination rates. We conclude that frequencies of satyrization based on detection of interspecific sperm in spermathecae may underestimate the impact of this form of reproductive interference.
Biochemical Study of Tumors of the Nervous System

The study of primary tumors of the nervous system has been greatly complicated by the prevailing nonhomogeneity of these growths and the frequent existence of multiple cell types within a single tumor. Rigorous histological controls have been essential, and special biochemical techniques have been utilized to cope with inherent difficulties of the problem. The mixture of multiple cell types within a tumor sample is a common difficulty. While fairly uniform composition may be found in some of the benign intracranial human tumors (meningiomas and Schwannomas) or well differentiated gliomas (oligodendrogliomas), many of the most common and biologically malignant neoplasms are not uniform. Normal cellular constituents may be intermingled with neoplastic cells. A normal biological characteristic of glial cells is the ability to insinuate their cellular extensions among neural fibers and processes, and the comparable gliomatous cells continue to do this in the neoplastic condition (Fig. 1). The advancing front of a glioma is poorly demarcated and often impossible to identify grossly; yet, the infiltrated and incorporated neurons, myelinated fibers, or reactive astrocytes may differ greatly in biochemical composition from the tumor cells. Even tumors of different primary embryonic cell layers may coexist within the same tumor mass.
Counter narratives, the psychology of liberation, and the evolution of a women’s social movement in Nicaragua.

In response to a rise of dictatorships, the exacerbation of inequality, and violations of human rights in many Latin American countries, individuals have joined together through the formation of social movements to enact powerful, revolutionary changes in the area of human rights. TheMovimiento Autonomo de Mujeres(Autonomous Women’s Movement) in Nicaragua, specifically, was birthed out of the Sandinista Revolution when many women joined a massive national uprising during the 1970s in an effort to overthrow a dictatorship. The current study uses thematic narrative analysis to examine the oral histories of 13 key leaders within theMovimientoto understand how women’s interactions with counter narratives have played a significant role in creating a more expansive and inclusive notion of human rights, and have fueled a pointed commitment to the use of human rights discourse in a strategic political agenda aimed at improving women’s lived experience. The findings suggest that the leaders of the Movimientodeepened their understanding of human rights beyond traditional discourse through varied understandings of the consequences of inequality and, through an evolving process of awareness and action, developed a duty to challenge the dominant narratives that limited whose rights were realized. Moreover, our analysis connects the use of counter narratives that employ human rights discourse to current legislation and policy in Nicaragua that enhances the realization of women’s human rights.
Biphasic Reaction System Allows for Conversion of Hydrophobic Substrates by Amine Dehydrogenases

A novel amine dehydrogenase, “F-AmDH”, catalyzes the reversible reduction of prochiral ketones to chiral amines. However, many targeted hydrophobic substrates of F-AmDH show little to no solubility in an aqueous medium. The introduction of water-miscible organic solvents was unsuccessful because of AmDH deactivation. In a biphasic aqueous–organic system, F-AmDH, coupled with formate dehydrogenase (FDH), and hydrophilic co-factors are envisioned to remain in the aqueous phase while the hydrophobic substrate partitions between the phases. The advantages include a larger amount of total substrate present in the system, straightforward product removal, and reduced or negligible substrate and product inhibition. We succeeded in generating chiral amines from hydrophobic substrates that were previously unattainable because of the low solubility of the ketone substrate in aqueous medium. The partition coefficient played an important role in establishing optimal reaction conditions. Specific activity was found to ...
Assigning Gates by Resolving Physical Conicts

The ramp area is a complex portion of the airport, often congestion and interactions between aircraft limit ecient ows for arriving and departing aircraft. Aircraft taxiing trac is constrained by minimum aircraft separation, and geometry of airports. In this paper, we present a new approach to assign gate to minimize ramp congestion and propose a simulation model to predict the operation time within the congested ramp. The optimized gate assignment reduces ramp operation time up by 50%. In addition the estimation of ramp operation times is more accurate when applying the optimized gate assignment algorithm.
Mutation of lysine 317 in the D2 subunit of photosystem II alters chloride binding and proton transport

The role of chloride in photosystem II (PSII) is unclear. Using structural information from PSII and a careful comparison with other chloride-activated enzymes, we proposed a role for chloride at the D2-K317 site in PSII [Pokhrel, R., et al. (2011) Biochemistry 50, 2725–2734]. To probe the role of chloride at this site, the D2-K317R, D2-K317A, D2-K317Q, and D2-K317E mutations were created in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Purified PSII from the mutants was probed with Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy, demonstrating that compared to PSII from wild-type Synechocystis, PSII from all four mutants exhibit changes in the conformations of the polypeptide backbone and carboxylate groups. However, D2-K317R PSII exhibits minor changes, whereas D2-K317A, D2-K317Q, and D2-K317E PSII exhibit more substantial changes in polypeptide conformations. Steady-state oxygen-evolution measurements of purified PSII core complexes show that the oxygen-evolution activity of D2-K317A is independent...
Recovery of an Aircraft from the Loss of Control Using Open Final Time Dynamic Optimization and Receding Horizon Control

In this work, a dynamic optimization algorithm with open final time is solved numerically for an aircraft in a receding horizon mode. Such solutions are capable of providing updated control commands with an adaptive horizon length which is vital for recovering an aircraft from upset conditions to a safer state. At every sample time a full control solution is calculated to optimally guide the aircraft from a loss-of-control situation to a level wing condition. Considering unsteady and nonlinear aerodynamics of aircraft in Loss of Control, a bank of artificial neural networks with a sliding window over the input sequence is set to provide updated dynamic parameters of the aircraft in real-time. Such updates in the aircraft dynamic model is instrumental for a realistic and effective recovery from a Loss of Control condition.
Optimal Operation Scheme for Wuxi River Cascade Hydropower Stations by Implicit Random Method

In view of the peculiarity of the Wuxi River cascade hydropower stations,this paper makes full use of optimal reservoir operating techniques and adopts the implicit random method to fit the optimal operating function of the Wuxi River cascade hydropower stations in a month-by-month and quarter-by-quarter manner,and finally determines the optimal operation scheme of the cascade hydropower stations through simulating the comparative analysis of operation.The calculation indicates that the optimization result of this study is reasonable,and it can be used in practice efficiently with remarkable benefit.
Translational Research in Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant source of death and permanent disability, contributing to nearly one-third of all injury-related deaths in the United States and exacting a profound personal and economic toll.Despite the increased resources that have recently been brought to bear to improve our understanding of TBI, the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches has been disappointingly slow.Translational Research in Traumatic Brain Injury attempts to integrate expertise from across specialties to address knowledge gaps in the field of TBI. Its chapters cover a wide scope of TBI research in five broad areas: • Epidemiology • Pathophysiology • Diagnosis • Current treatment strategies and sequelae • Future therapies Specific topics discussed include the societal impact of TBI in both the civilian and military populations, neurobiology and molecular mechanisms of axonal and neuronal injury, biomarkers of traumatic brain injury and their relationship to pathology, neuroplasticity after TBI, neuroprotective and neurorestorative therapy, advanced neuroimaging of mild TBI, neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms following mild TBI, sports-related TBI, epilepsy and PTSD following TBI, and more.The book integrates the perspectives of experts across disciplines to assist in the translation of new ideas to clinical practice and ultimately to improve the care of the brain-injured patient.
Regulation of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate formation in cerebral cortical slices. Interaction among norepinephrine, histamine, serotonin.

Depolarizing agents (K + , ouabain, veratridine, and batrachotoxin), biogenic amines (norepinephrine, histamine, and serotonin), and adenosine cause accumulation of 14 C-labeled adenosine cyclic 39,59-phosphate (cyclic AMP) in cerebral cortical slices that have been labeled in a prior incubation with adenine- 14 C. The combined effect of supra maximal concentrations of depolarizing agents or adenosine with the biogenic amines is more than additive. The combined effect of supramaximal concentrations of norepinephrine and histamine or of serotonin and histamine is also more than additive. The data obtained are compatible with the existence of compartmentalized pools of adenine nucleotides serving as precursors for cyclic AMP and suggest that these pools are regulated in a synergistic manner by separate "receptors" for adenosine, histamine, and either norepinephrine or serotonin.
New developments in prenatal diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) owing to 21-hydroxylase deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CYP21A2 gene. Females affected with classical CAH are at risk for genital ambiguity, but can be treated in utero with dexamethasone before 9 gestational weeks to prevent virilization. Early genetic diagnosis is unavailable through current invasive methods of chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis. New developments in prenatal genetic testing utilize fetal DNA extracted from maternal blood through noninvasive methods, which allow the determination of fetal gender and the diagnosis of CAH at an early gestational age (<9 weeks). Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis allows for the establishment of early and effective management plans in fetuses at risk for CAH and avoids unnecessary prenatal dexamethasone treatment.
Functional Analysis of Orai1 Concatemers Supports a Hexameric Stoichiometry for the CRAC Channel

Store-operated Ca2+ entry occurs through the binding of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ sensor STIM1 to Orai1, the pore-forming subunit of the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel. Although the essential steps leading to channel opening have been described, fundamental questions remain, including the functional stoichiometry of the CRAC channel. The crystal structure of Drosophila Orai indicates a hexameric stoichiometry, while studies of linked Orai1 concatemers and single-molecule photobleaching suggest that channels assemble as tetramers. We assessed CRAC channel stoichiometry by expressing hexameric concatemers of human Orai1 and comparing in detail their ionic currents to those of native CRAC channels and channels generated from monomeric Orai1 constructs. Cell surface biotinylation results indicated that Orai1 channels in the plasma membrane were assembled from intact hexameric polypeptides and not from truncated protein products. In addition, the L273D mutation depressed channel activity equally regardless of which Orai1 subunit in the concatemer carried the mutation. Thus, functional channels were generated from intact Orai1 hexamers in which all subunits contributed equally. These hexameric Orai1 channels displayed the biophysical fingerprint of native CRAC channels, including the distinguishing characteristics of gating (store-dependent activation, Ca2+-dependent inactivation, open probability), permeation (ion selectivity, affinity for Ca2+ block, La3+ sensitivity, unitary current magnitude), and pharmacology (enhancement and inhibition by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate). Because permeation characteristics depend strongly on pore geometry, it is unlikely that hexameric and tetrameric pores would display identical Ca2+ affinity, ion selectivity, and unitary current magnitude. Thus, based on the highly similar pore properties of the hexameric Orai1 concatemer and native CRAC channels, we conclude that the CRAC channel functions as a hexamer of Orai1 subunits.
Rethinking operating system design: asymmetric multiprocessing for security and performance

Developers and academics are constantly seeking to increase the speed and security of operating systems. Unfortunately, an increase in either one often comes at the cost of the other. In this paper, we present an operating system design that challenges a long-held tenet of multicore operating systems in order to produce an alternative architecture that has the potential to deliver both increased security and faster performance. In particular, we propose decoupling the operating system kernel from user processes by running each on completely separate processor cores instead of at different privilege levels within shared cores. Without using the hardware's privilege modes, virtualization and virtual memory contexts enforce the security policies necessary to maintain process isolation and protection. Our new kernel design paradigm offers the opportunity to simultaneously increase both performance and security; utilizing the hardware facilities for inter-core communication in place of those for privilege mode switching offers the opportunity for increased system call performance, while the hard separation between user processes and the kernel provides several strong security properties.
The mutability of mobility

This collection of papers amply illustrates the potentials of different engagements with concepts of mobility in Africanist archaeology. All five are impressive examinations of a variety of differe...
Science and Postmortem Survival

What we see currently emerging, in short, is a middle way between the warring fundamentalisms – religious and scientific – that have so polarized recent public discourse; specifically, an expanded science-based worldview that can accommodate empirical realities of paranormal and spiritual sorts, including postmortem survival, while also rejecting rationally untenable overbeliefs of the sorts targeted by critics of institutional religions. This emerging vision is both scientifically justifiable and spiritually satisfying, combining the best aspects of our scientific and religious heritage in an effort to reconcile these two greatest forces in human history. What is ultimately at stake here seems nothing less than recovery, in an intellectually responsible manner, of parts of our human heritage that were prematurely discarded with the meteoric rise of modern science starting four centuries ago. And what is especially significant at this critical juncture, and the fundamental new factor that may finally allow this recovery to succeed after numerous previous failures, is that it is now being energized by leading-edge developments in science itself. A potentially viable path to a better world seems to be opening up.
Ablation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 3 Promotes the Stability of Atherosclerotic Plaques.

See related article, pp 510–520 Efforts at elucidating genetic mechanisms, as well as cellular perturbations that influence plaque stability of atherosclerotic lesions, have gained momentum in recent years and have aided understanding of pathophysiological events associated with the disease. In this edition of Hypertension , Liu et al provide new insight of previously unknown roles for IRF3 (interferon regulatory factor 3) as a proatherogenic mediator via direct modulation of endothelial ICAM-1 (intracellular adhesion molecule 1) and VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1).1 Although lifestyle modifiable risk factors (eg, smoking, obesity, etc), as well as lipid-lowering drugs, such as statins, provide partial solutions at mitigating cardiovascular complications, the most common cause of death relative to other human pathologies is because of cardiovascular-related events. Decades-long research on atherosclerosis has delineated various factors that contribute to the development of necrotic core, including the roles of immune response system, chemokines, as well as toxic lipid build-up in the arteries.2–5 However, atherosclerosis and the processes associated with the condition remain confounding. Simply stated, atherogenesis results from defective endothelial lipid clearance …
Fungi-derived pigments as sustainable organic (opto)electronic materials

We present photophysical and optoelectronic properties of xylindein and optical properties of two other fungi-derived organic pigments. Photophysics of these materials is determined by the interplay of inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding, which was systematically explored using absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy of xylindein in various solutions, pH buffers, and in the solid state. Amorphous xylindein films yielded a lower bound on the charge carrier mobility of 0.2-0.5 cm2=(V•s) and exhibited photocurrent upon photoexcitation in the ultraviolet and visible wavelength range. Thermal and photostability of xylindein was also characterized, and it considerably exceeded that of conventional organic semiconductors such as pentacene derivatives.
The Organizational Climate in Collegiate Athletics: An Athletic Trainer's Perspective

Context: An organizational climate is largely based on an employee's perceptions of the working conditions in which he or she engages regularly. A multifaceted concept, the organizational climate ...
RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN OUTCOMES BETWEEN AFRICAN AMERICANS AND NON-AFRICAN AMERICANS ADMITTED FOR CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE: A NATIONWIDE ANALYSIS

Limited data is available regarding differences between African-American (AA) and non-African American (non-AA) patients admitted for CHF. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample is a validated database of discharges from a representative sampling of U.S. hospitals. We identified adult patients admitted
Tapeout class: Taking students from schematic to silicon in one semester

In the spring of 2017, the UC Berkeley department of EECS introduced an innovative new course: "28nm SoC for IoT." This course went far beyond schematic-level design typical of circuits education and resulted in a chip going out for manufacturing. Ten students with no prior IC experience, nine undergraduate and one graduate, designed and laid out an SoC in ST 28nm FD-SOI CMOS including a 2.4GHz transceiver, baseband filtering, ADC, Bluetooth MAC, a RISC-V CPU, and internal power regulation. The transceiver, baseband, ADC, and power regulation were successfully fabricated. This paper discusses the instructors' experiences and results with this course.
Prospective study of the efficacy of a ketogenic diet in 20 patients with Dravet syndrome.

Abstract Purpose We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of the ketogenic diet (KD) on generalised convulsions and status epilepticus (SE) in patients with Dravet syndrome (DS). Methods Patients with DS having ≥2 generalised convulsions/month despite drug treatment were included in this study and placed on a KD for 6 months. From 3 months before (baseline) to 6 months after KD initiation, caregivers recorded patients' seizure activity, antiepileptic drug use, and adverse events. The KD efficacy was determined by examining the frequency and duration of seizures at 3 and 6 months vs. baseline. Responders were defined as individuals whose generalised convulsions decreased in frequency by ≥50% vs. baseline. Seizures lasting ≥5 min and SE were specifically evaluated. Patients' cognition was also assessed at 3 and 6 months via questionnaire. Results Twenty patients continued the KD for at least 3 months. Of the 17 responders identified at month 3, seizures decreased by 50–89% and 90–99% in nine and two patients, respectively; six patients were seizure free. The KD was ineffective in three patients, who discontinued the diet. By month 6, seizures decreased by 50–89% and 90–99% in six and one patient(s), respectively; 10 patients were seizure free. The frequency of other seizure types also improved. During all 6 months, neither generalised convulsions lasting ≥5 min nor SE was detected in the 17 responders. The KD also improved patients' cognition. Conclusion The KD is a good treatment option for medically intractable epilepsy.
A MODEL FOR SALIVA-MEDIATED BACTERIAL AGGREGATION

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a model that was designed to dissociate the binding of salivary agglutinins to bacteria from the aggregation reaction to study the first step in saliva-mediated bacterial aggregation. In a method described in the chapter, whole saliva obtained with paraffin stimulation was clarified by centrifugation. Parotid saliva was collected with a modified Carlson–Crittenden device using the lemon drop stimulation. The initial phase in the aggregation sequence involved incorporation of agglutinins onto the bacteria. Incubation of bacteria with saliva led to a depletion of aggregating activity from saliva. The observation that binding of salivary agglutinins was inhibited by EDTA suggested that the agglutinins might be eluted from SIBs with EDTA. By using low temperature it is possible to dissociate the aggregation sequence into three distinct phases. Incubation of bacteria with saliva allows for the study of the binding reaction. The high affinity and specificity of this binding suggests the possibility of utilizing bacteria to purify salivary agglutinins.
The Role of the Bursa of Fabricius in the Recovery from Immunologic Tolerance to Bovine Serum Albumin

It is well known that thymectomy in rodents impairs the recovery from immunologic tolerance (l – 3). The exact mechanism whereby the thymectomy impairs the recovery process is not fully known. It may be through the removal of the site of differentiation of new immunocompetent, thymus-dependent cells. These cells appear to lack the ability to synthesize and secrete conventional antibody (4).
Binding and degradation of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine and thyroxine by rat intestinal bacteria

Intestinal bacteria hydrolyze conjugates of thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) secreted in bile, but it is not clear whether they have any other role in metabolism, storage, transport, or action of thyroid hormone in the intestines. We have examined aspects of T3 and T4 binding and degradation processes in fresh feces and cecum contents, obtained from normal control rats and from rats partially decontaminated by treatment with oral antibiotics for 2-3 wk. Samples were homogenized in phosphate buffer, fractionated, and subjected to various test conditions and incubated at 37 degrees C with 125I-labeled T3 (T3*) or T4 (T4*) for 2 or 24 h. Supernatants of high-speed centrifuged incubates were chromatographed to test for degradation products, and percentage binding was measured in the pellets. Substantial binding of T3* and T4* was found in all control rat feces and cecum content samples by 2 h, but binding was absent or significantly reduced in partially decontaminated rat samples. Bacterial binding of T3* and T4* were further shown to be competitive with graded doses of bovine serum albumin. Considerable degradation of T3* and T4* to labeled iodide (I*) only was also observed in feces and cecum content samples and was much greater in control rat than in corresponding partially decontaminated rat samples. Light had no effects in our system and heat reduced I* production. Propylthiouracil and sodium ipodate had little effect or equivocal effects, but dithiothreitol substantially inhibited I* production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animal models to investigate fungal biofilm formation.

Microbial biofilms play an essential role in several infectious diseases and are defined as extensive communities of sessile organisms irreversibly associated with a surface, encased within a polysaccharide-rich extracellular matrix (ECM), and exhibiting enhanced resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Forming a biofilm provides the microbes protection from environmental stresses due to contaminants, nutritional depletion, or imbalances, but is dangerous to human health due to their inherent robustness and elevated resistance.The use of indwelling medical devices (e.g., central venous catheters, CVCs) in current therapeutic practice is associated with 80-90 % of hospital-acquired bloodstream and deep tissue infections. Most cases of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) involve colonization of microorganisms on catheter surfaces where they form a biofilm. Additionally, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum were the causative organisms of the 2005/2006 outbreak of contact lens-associated fungal keratitis in the United States, Europe, the UK, and Singapore, and these infections involved formation of biofilms on contact lens. Fungal biofilm formation is studied using a number of techniques, involving the use of a wide variety of substrates and growth conditions. In vitro techniques involving the use of confocal scanning laser/scanning electron microscopy, metabolic activity assay, dry weight measurements, and antifungal susceptibility assays are increasingly used by investigators to quantify and evaluate biofilm morphology. However, there are not many in vivo models used to validate biofilm-associated infections. In this protocol, we describe a clinically relevant rabbit model of C. albicans biofilm-associated catheter infection to evaluate the morphology, topography, and architecture of fungal biofilms. We also describe a murine model of contact lens-associated Fusarium keratitis.Evaluation of the formation of fungal biofilms on catheters in vivo, their analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantitative catheter culture (QCC), and treatment of biofilms using antimicrobial lock therapy can be completed in ~20-25 days using the described methods. The rabbit model has utility in evaluating the efficacy of lock solutions. In addition, the murine model of contact lens-associated Fusarium keratitis enables characterizing/comparing the formation of Fusarium biofilms on contact lenses in vitro and determining their role in vivo.
Bioavailability of Energy and the Starvation State

Starvation-survival has been defined as the physiological state resulting from an insufficient amount of nutrients, especially energy, for the growth (increase in size) and multiplication of microorganisms (Morita, 1982). The normal state for most of the bacteria in the ocean is the starvation mode and the microbes, themselves, make most ecosystems oligotrophic (Morita, 1987). The latter situation results from the fact that there are all physiological types of bacteria in any environment as well as abilities to rapidly utilize various substrates. Yet, survival of the species, especially in relation to the lack of energy, is a subject rarely addressed by microbiologists.
Miniature Supersonic Burner for the Study of Combustion at Extreme Conditions. II: External Flow

AbstractA miniature supersonic burner has been designed with the purpose of studying extreme flow-chemistry interaction. The system combines a first-stage, a lean premixed methane/air burner that c...
Evaluation of Pethoxamid-Containing Weed Control Programs in Drill-Seeded Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Herbicide resistance to several of the most common weed species in US rice production, such as barnyardgrass and red rice, has made weed control extremely difficult with available herbicide options. No very-long-chain fatty acid–inhibiting herbicides are labeled for use in US rice; however, pethoxamid is one such herbicide under development for soil-applied use to control grasses and small-seeded broadleaves in rice and various row crops. Field trials were conducted in 2015 and 2016 near Stuttgart, AR, for rice tolerance and in 2016 near Colt, AR, and Lonoke, AR, for weed control with the use of pethoxamid-containing rice herbicide programs. Pethoxamid was applied alone and in a program at 420 and 560 g ai ha-1 with other herbicides labeled in rice including clomazone, quinclorac, propanil, imazethapyr, and carfentrazone POST. Injury less than 10% was seen for all treatments 2 wk after application in 2015 and 2016, except for pethoxamid at 420 g ha-1 to clomazone to one-leaf rice. Rice injury dissipated to less than 5% following all treatments by 4 wk after flood establishment. Barnyardgrass was controlled 95% or more near Colt and 93% or more near Lonoke for herbicide programs including clomazone PRE followed by pethoxamid plus quinclorac or imazethapyr at three- to four-leaf stage rice. Considering the minimal injury and high levels of barnyardgrass control associated with pethoxamid-containing weed control programs, pethoxamid provides a unique and effective site of action for use in US rice production.Nomenclature: Carfentrazone; clomazone; imazethapyr; pethoxamid; propanil; quinclorac; barnyardgrass, Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.; red rice, Oryza sativa var. sylvatica L.; rice, Oryza sativa L
Disagreement between high confidence endoscopic adenoma prediction and histopathological diagnosis in colonic lesions ≤ 3 mm in size.

Background Diminutive colorectal polyps resected during colonoscopy are sometimes histologically interpreted as normal tissue. The aim of this observational study was to explore whether errors in specimen handling or processing account in part for polyps ≤ 3 mm in size being interpreted as normal tissue by pathology when they were considered high confidence adenomas by an experienced endoscopist at colonoscopy. Methods One endoscopist photographed 900 consecutive colorectal lesions that were ≤ 3 mm in size and considered endoscopically to be high confidence conventional adenomas. The photographs were reviewed blindly to eliminate poor quality images. The remaining 644 endoscopy images were reviewed by two external experts who predicted the histology while blinded to the pathology results. Results Of 644 consecutive lesions ≤ 3 mm in size considered high confidence conventional adenomas by a single experienced colonoscopist, 15.4 % were reported as normal mucosa by pathology. The prevalence of reports of normal mucosa in polyps removed by cold snare and cold forceps were 15.2 % and 16.0 %, respectively. When endoscopy photographs were reviewed by two blinded outside experts, the lesions found pathologically to be adenomas and normal mucosa were interpreted as high confidence adenomas by endoscopic appearance in 96.9 % and 93.9 %, respectively, by Expert 1 (P = 0.15), and in 99.6 % and 100 %, respectively, by Expert 2 (P = 0.51). Conclusion Retrieval and/or processing of tissue specimens of tiny colorectal polyps resulted in some lesions being diagnosed as normal tissue by pathology despite being considered endoscopically to be high confidence adenomas. These findings suggest that pathology interpretation is not a gold standard for lesion management when this phenomenon is observed.
(Im)mobility at the Movies: el paro, Property and Prosthesis in Álex de la Iglesia’s La chispa de la vida (2011)*

In contrast with the many luckless physical falls elsewhere in Alex de la Iglesia’s oeuvre, the protagonist’s macabre plunge onto a steel spike in La chispa de la vida (2011) is more than a cartoonish gag staged merely in the service of dark humour. The resultant form of immobility wrought upon the body of Roberto, an unemployed advertising executive, allegorically serves as the socio-economic conceit at the heart of the film, and (following Mitchell and Snyder’s theory of disability as ‘narrative prosthesis’) as an unlikely source of the film’s very motion as a screen story. At once contextualizing La chispa in relation to a long tradition of Spanish cine inmobiliario (cinema discursively engaged with immovable property), this essay will examine the film’s timely and unusual satirical take on Spain’s recent ladrillo bust, as well as its self-conscious reflections on media and popular culture’s narrative representations thereof: stories caught up, like the main character’s own body, in the machinations of inmobiliaria, much as La chispa itself is a screen story predicated on professional, financial and physical immobility.
Immunomodulatory Aspects of Medicinal Mushrooms

Mushrooms, the macrofungi, are enigmatic in their composition, which renders some of them umami-flavored edible, some medicinal, some hallucinogenic/psychoactive, while some lethal. In current times, appreciation and demand of the medicinal mushrooms is rising, with the validation of their efficacy as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticancer, endocrine restorative, etc. Containing a rich repertoire of bioactive components as β-glucan, phenolics, peptides, and sterols, they have attracted the attention of researchers. Ganoderma lucidum, Hericium erinaceus, Grifola frondosa, Lentinus edodes, Inonotus obliquus, and Cordyceps sinensis are some of the most popular medicinal mushrooms. The immunomodulation, anti-inflammation, and anticancer attributes of the mycochemicals mostly rely on the inhibition of mTOR translational pathway, cell apoptosis, G1 phase cell cycle arrest, downregulation of cyclins A and B1, upregulation of p21 and p27, and induction of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2, and IFN- γ), among others. Further attention can facilitate the identification of components of biological interest from mushrooms. In this regard, this chapter discusses the biological effects of some major mushroom mycochemicals.
The Federal Antideficiency Act at 150—Where Do We Stand?

The Antideficiency Act of 1870 codified Congress's power of the purse to curb unauthorized agency spending. Is it still working? This paper analyzes all violations of the Act over 12 years by agency and type, causes and consequences, and how violations were detected. The number of violations has trended down slightly. While agency preventive controls have failed, detective controls are working. Employees and agencies are comfortable self‐reporting violations, which are neither pervasive nor material. The risk of violations increases during fiscal year transitions and periods of change. The Act remains effective at stopping unauthorized and overspending, but does not address wasteful spending.
Pertuzumab-associated diarrhea in HER2/neu-positive breast cancer patients: A comparison of trials to actual practice:

BackgroundAlthough landmark trials in the metastatic (CLEOPATRA) and neo-adjuvant (NeoSphere; TRYPHAENA) settings identified all-grade diarrhea as a pertuzumab-associated adverse event, it was not ...
Exploring Dance/Movement Therapy to Treat Women with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Traumatic events can have significant physical, psychological, and neurological effects on an individual. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that can result from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Women have a higher risk of PTSD than men do, and because PTSD has been shown to increase the risk of suicidal ideations and behavior, homicidal behavior, and general violence in the community and in the home, women are at a great risk (Levine & Land, 2014). This paper explores the use of dance/movement therapy (DMT) as an intervention to treat women suffering with PTSD. Examining the connection between the body, the mind, and the brain for individuals who have experienced traumatic events helps to highlight how multifaceted treatment methods for PTSD, such as DMT, can be more effective. Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 15 dance/movement therapists about the use of DMT with women experiencing PTSD. Using methods rooted in content and thematic analysis, the present study examined the emergent theme of intervention tools and tactics. The results highlight the core elements of the intervention that may be integrated into social work practice, in an effort to better support women with PTSD.
The ear from nowhere: Listening techniques and the politics of negation in the practice of Japanese interfaith chaplains

Abstract This article examines the politics of listening in the work of Japanese interfaith chaplains. It argues that listening is an important but often overlooked aspect of language ideologies and, more specifically, of the formation of modern subjects. Interfaith chaplains are religious professionals who apply principles of clinical psychology to help people in settings ranging from hospices to disaster areas. The desire to help suffering people who do not share the same religious backgrounds as the chaplains motivates them to cultivate what I call an “ear from nowhere,” which is divorced from their respective religious traditions and from speaking-based authority.
The problem of disparities in surgical outcome: Towards a common world

Summary Disparities in surgical outcomes by race are well-documented. Especially distinct across a broad range of oncologic operations, disparities persist when the social determinants of health are “solved for”. Intersectionality has yet to be considered. This creates friction within surgical culture, since explanations alternative to ones that suggest surgeons are exhibiting a tacit, dark and mysterious racism are hard to construct. In this abstract, I will review knowledge-making practices within surgery and suggest that the epistemological framework that sustains them is too thin to capture reasons for these disparities. Surgery has a well-established research mechanism, which is remarkable for its plethora and persistence. I approach the disparities problem in a way that offers future directions for surgical research. First, I assert a critique of surgical knowledge based on the work of Miranda Fricker: making sense of the experience of being a marginalized cancer patient in the perioperative period is at the very root of the injustice. When this is realized, what matters is not only which interpretations count, but the structure of the research apparatus that could elicit them. The same voices that can powerfully emerge from a hermeneutical lacuna, if appropriately elicited, are the same ones that can collaborate as knowledge-makers and shine in a hybrid forum, as described by Michel Callon et al. I note the deep rift between “secluded research” and “research in the Wild” in surgery, and develop Callon's dialogical space to plot a trajectory towards a richer, more just common surgical world.
Height and Adult Alcohol Consumption

Previous research has found that shorter men have significantly worse life outcomes than taller men. Using the 1979 version of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, this paper uses maximum likelihood estimations to test whether these worse outcomes translate into shorter men drinking more heavily. Results show that, at ages 29–47, taller men are more likely to drink alcohol, but among drinkers, shorter men drink more often and are more likely to binge drink. Among women, there is no significant relationship between height and alcohol consumption. There are different relationships between height and male alcohol consumption according to education level. Among non-college-graduate men, those who were taller in adolescence are more likely to drink alcohol, but among drinkers, shorter men drink more often and are more likely to binge drink. Among college-graduate men, taller men are more likely to drink alcohol and, among drinkers, binge drink more often. Controlling for earnings, education, cognitive ability, and marital status (factors that previous research has found to be correlated with male height) explains some of the relationship between height and alcohol consumption among male non-college-graduates, but not much, and actually intensifies relationships between height and binge drinking among male college graduates. Controlling for late-adolescent drinking behavior does not explain relationships between height and heavier adult drinking, indicating that the relationship between male height and drinking behavior develops in adulthood.
Spontaneous regression of squamous cell carcinoma in the setting of dental infection and needle biopsy

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of spontaneous regression of squamous cell carcinoma within a lymph node. We speculate that prior dental infection, fever, and biopsy incited an antitumor immune reaction.
Utility-Scale Solar Data Update: 2020 Edition

Author(s): Bolinger, Mark; Seel, Joachim; Robson, Dana; Warner, Cody | Abstract: Berkeley Lab’s 2020 update of utility-scale solar data and trends provides an overview of key trends in the U.S. market, with a focus on 2019. Highlights of this year’s update include: -More than 4.5 GWAC of utility-scale solar (i.e., ground-mounted solar projects larger than 5 MWAC) achieved commercial operations in 2019, bringing cumulative capacity to 29 GWAC. Projects are spread across all 10 regions that we track, though more heavily concentrated in the sunniest regions. -The median installed cost of projects that came online in 2019 fell to $1.4/WAC ($1.2/WDC), down 20% from 2018 and down by more than 70% from 2010. 77% of projects and 88% of capacity added in 2019 used single-axis tracking. -Average capacity factors range from 17% in the least-sunny regions to 30% where it is sunniest. Single-axis tracking adds roughly five percentage points to capacity factor in the regions with the strongest solar resource. -Nationwide average levelized power purchase agreement (PPA) prices fell to $24/MWh in 2019, down 17% from 2018 and more than 80% since 2010. Thirty-nine projects (totaling 4.2 GWAC) in our PPA price sample include battery storage (totaling 2.3 GWAC and 9.5 GWh). In the “lower 48” states, a number of these recent PV+battery PPAs have been inked in the mid-$20/MWh range (levelized in 2019 dollars). -Not including the 30% investment tax credit (ITC), the median levelized cost of energy (LCOE) from utility-scale PV has declined by 85% since 2010, to $40/MWh in 2019. When the 30% ITC is included within the LCOE calculation, the median LCOE closely tracks the median PPA price over time. -In higher-penetration markets like CAISO, the value of solar has been declining, but falling PPA prices have largely kept pace, preserving solar’s net value. -At the end of 2019, there were nearly 370 GW of solar in interconnection queues from all 7 ISOs and 30 additional utilities across the country. Nearly a third of this proposed solar capacity is paired with battery storage. For more information and to explore related interactive data visualizations, go to utilityscalesolar.lbl.gov.
Mechanistic study of oil adsorption onto PVP-coated magnetic nanoparticles: an integrated experimental and molecular dynamics study to inform remediation

Nanotechnology has recently sparked considerable interest as a cleanup technique for oil remediation. Although several studies have been reported in this area the mechanisms of the surface processes involved in the adsorption of oil onto nanoparticles (NPs) are still not clearly elucidated. Here, we combine molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experimental data using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to show that polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer interacts physically with magnetite cluster via van der Waals with an average binding strength of −9.2 kcal mol−1. The results indicate that the adsorption of crude oil onto PVP-coated magnetic NPs is thermodynamically favorable with an adsorption free energy of −3.6 kcal mol−1. However, crude oil adsorption reduces in the presence of fulvic acid (FA), which is attributed to the ability of FA to partially displace PVP in seawater and form a new coating layer on the magnetite surface. Our work highlights the implications of molecular interactions and environmental conditions on the adsorption of crude oil onto NPs, which is critical for the effective design of nano-based oil remediation strategies.