cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Caregiver Social Support, Depressed Mood, and Perceived Stress in Changes in Pediatric Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Asthma Functional Morbidity Following an Asthma Exacerbation.

Objective Caregiver depressed mood and stress are associated with increased child asthma functional morbidity (AFM) and secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe), whereas social support (SS) reduces risk. This study extends previous literature by examining (1) longitudinal patterns of pediatric AFM and SHSe and (2) how caregiver stress, depressed mood, and SS are related to child SHSe and AFM changes. Method Participants were 334 caregivers who smoked, had a child with asthma, and were enrolled in a smoking cessation induction/asthma intervention. SHSe and AFM were measured at baseline and 4, 6, and 12 months. All measures were caregiver self-report. We used an autoregressive latent trajectory model to examine the intercept, linear, and quadratic growth factors and autoregressive and cross-lagged effects of SHSe and AFM. Results After an asthma exacerbation, decreases in child AFM and SHSe were followed by respective increases over time. Child SHSe at 4 months and 6 months predicted subsequent child AFM. Autoregressive paths were significant for only AFM. Higher baseline caregiver depressed mood and stress predicted higher baseline child AFM but not other growth factors. Higher baseline caregiver self-esteem SS was associated with only lower baseline child AFM and fewer increases in AFM across time. Exploratory analyses indicated higher baseline caregiver depressed mood and stress were associated with less-favorable changes in child SHSe and AFM. Conclusions Caregiver depressed mood, stress, and SS should be considered when addressing pediatric SHSe and AFM. Caregiver support may be needed to maintain intervention gains. (PsycINFO Database Record
Laotian (delta beta) degree-thalassemia: molecular characterization of a novel deletion associated with increased production of fetal hemoglobin

We have identified and molecularly characterized a novel deletion in the beta-globin gene cluster that increases fetal hemoglobin (HbF) synthesis in a 24-year-old Laotian man who is heterozygous for this mutation. The patient is asymptomatic with a mild anemia, hypochromia, and microcytosis (Ht = 39%, MCH = 22.8 pg, MCV = 71 fl), normal levels of HbA2 (3.0%) and 11.5% HbF (G gamma A gamma ratio 60 to 40), with heterocellular distribution (52% F cells). Extensive restriction endonuclease mapping defined the 5′ breakpoint within the IVS II of the delta-globin gene, between positions 775 to 781 very similar to the 5′ breakpoint of the Sicilian delta beta-thalassemia. However, the 3′ breakpoint was localized between two Pst I sites 4.7 kb 3′ of the beta- globin gene, thus ending about 0.7 kb upstream from the 3′ breakpoint of the Sicilian delta beta-thalassemia. This results in a 12.5 kb deletion of DNA. It is of interest that the 5′ breakpoint of the deletion residues within an AT-rich region which has been proposed as a specific recognition signal for recombination events, while the 3′ breakpoint lies within a cluster of L1 repetitive sequences (formerly known as Kpn I family repeats). The presence of the 3′ breakpoints of several other deletions within this region of L1 repeats also suggests that such sequences might serve as hot spots for recombination and eventually lead to thalassemia deletions. The similarity of the 5′ and 3′ breakpoints of these delta beta-thalassemias underscores the putative regulatory role of the deleted and juxtaposed sequences on the expression of the gamma-globin genes in adult life.
Liver Kinase B1 complex acts as a novel modifier of myofilament function and localizes to the Z-disk in cardiac myocytes

Abstract Contractile perturbations downstream of Ca2+ binding to troponin C, the so-called sarcomere-controlled mechanisms, represent the earliest indicators of energy remodeling in the diseased heart [1]. Central to cellular energy “sensing” is the adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) pathway, which is known to directly target myofilament proteins and alter contractility [2–6]. We previously showed that the upstream AMPK kinase, LKB1/MO25/STRAD, impacts myofilament function independently of AMPK [5]. Therefore, we hypothesized that the LKB1 complex associated with myofilament proteins and that alterations in energy signaling modulated targeting or localization of the LKB1 complex to the myofilament. Using an integrated strategy of myofilament mechanics, immunoblot analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectroscopy, and immunofluorescence, we showed that 1) LKB1 and MO25 associated with myofibrillar proteins, 2) cellular energy stress re-distributed AMPK/LKB1 complex proteins within the sarcomere, and 3) the LKB1 complex localized to the Z-Disk and interacted with cytoskeletal and energy-regulating proteins, including vinculin and ATP Synthase (Complex V). These data represent a novel role for LKB1 complex proteins in myofilament function and myocellular “energy” sensing in the heart.
Hippocampal theta and learning: some further comments.

Douglas' reply to Bennett's criticism is discussed. The author concluded that Douglas may be correct in questioning Adey's hypothesis that hippocampal theta activity reflects the role of this structure in mediating the learning process but not on the basis of many of the arguments Douglas has made.
A Binary Programming Solution to the Multiple-Depot, Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem with Constant Profits.

We present a solution to the Multiple Depots, Multiple Traveling Salesmen Problem (MTSP) with constant prots, which is a generalization of the single traveling salesman problem (TSP) in the following ways: there are several salesmen, the salesmen originate at various initial locations called depots, and the cities are visited only if it is protable to visit them, i.e., the benet of visit is higher than the cost of travel to that city. The solution is based on a binary programming formulation of the problem and solving this formulation using a generic branch-and-bound algorithm. We present results that show the ability of the proposed solution to solve problems with various levels of city benets and compare these results to other MTSP variants.
The Impact of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivators on Employee Engagement in Information Organizations

Understanding motivation in the workforce is a crucial step toward creating a dynamic work environment that enriches and fulfills workers. This research stems from LIS management class discussions on the topic of motivation and highlights the need for radical shifts in management approaches to motivation in information organizations. Our analysis of 98 MLS students from four student cohorts from spring 2013 to spring 2014 shows that intrinsic motivators are far more influential than any “carrot and stick” type of approach. The findings indicate that future information leaders and managers should recognize that intrinsic factors play a bigger role in employee motivation and put more effort into creating a culture of respect, recognition, trust, and autonomy when tailoring their management strategies to tap into the emotions of their coworkers. These intrinsic motivators are more important to staff than extrinsic factors such as money. LIS educators have a role to play in developing graduate expectations within an holistic framework that furthers professional development and career advancement.
Fishing for complements

In this issue of Blood , [Jodele et al][1][1][2] build upon earlier work on the role of complement in the pathophysiology[2][3] and therapy[3][4] of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) by exploring genetic predisposition for developing this complication. Earlier work in
The Faculty Research Residency: A Model for Supporting Teacher Education Curriculum Renewal.

ABSTRACTThe faculty research residency (FRR) model was launched in 2010, with the goal of transforming coursework to improve the preparation of teachers for high-need schools. The FRR model leveraged school–-university partnerships and situated university faculty in high-need schools to conduct research related to the university courses they taught. This study investigated the outcomes of the FRR model for a 3-year period involving 16 research residency projects and 23 faculty members. Faculty research residents investigated a wide variety of teaching practices to contextualize their knowledge and better align their teacher education courses with the needs of students and teachers in high-need schools. Findings indicate that the FRR model shows promise as an innovative faculty development mechanism for colleges of education.
Redistribution of Mn upon Annealing in Ferromagnetic Mn-implanted Si

The redistribution of implanted Mn ions in Si after thermal annealing is studied. P-type Si wafers were implanted with 300-keV Mn+ ions at 350°C to a dose of 1×1015 cm-2, and then annealed at 800 °C for 5 min. Ferromagnetic hysteresis loops were obtained at 10 K using a SQUID magnetometer both before and after annealing. The saturation magnetization increases by ∼2 × after the post-implant annealing, while the Mn redistributes with sharp peaks in concentration. The calculated point-defect profile created during the implantation process peaks around the Mn-depleted region, suggesting that the residual implant damage may play a role in the ferromagnetic behavior of Mn-implanted Si.
Spontaneous recovery after extinction with periodic time-outs

Three pigeons were trained on a variable-interval schedule. Following this, they were extinguished. During extinction, 1-min. periods of time-in (TI) and time-out (TO) alternated. The Ss responded only in TI. When extinction was complete, TO was removed in the middle of a session. All Ss begain responding shortly after the removal of TO.
Advance in Studies on Water and Soil Metal Pollution

The advance in studies on water and soil metal pollution was reviewed,including the present pollutant situation and its damage and solution. The green agriculture was put forward to be the essential way to solve the problem.
Sphingolipids in vascular biology.

A significant body of evidence now exists to indicate that certain sphingolipids such as the sphingomyelin metabolites, ceramide, sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S-1-P) are potent modulators of cell behavior’2. This article reviews recent findings pertaining to the biological activities of two sphingolipids, ceramide and S-1-P. Particular emphasis is placed on description of the effects that these sphingolipids have on cells of the vasculature eramide can be generated via both ade novopathway and through the degradation of sphingomyelin. Thede novobiosynthetic pathway begins with the condensation of palmitoyl-CoA and serine by serine palmitoyl transferase. The resulting product is reduced by an NADPH-dependent reductase and acylated by ceramide synthase in coordination with the action of dihydroceramide desaturase to yield ceramide3’4
A Late Pliocene occurrence of the Thick-billed Murre (Alcidae: Uria lomvia ) on St. George Island, Pribilofs, Alaska

An associated partial skeleton from the Late Pliocene (3.0–2.6 million years) of St. George Island, Pribilofs, Alaska, is identified as the modern Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia). This is the oldest occurrence of either modern species of Uria and probably the oldest Cenozoic bird yet known from Alaska. A split between the two modern species of >3 million years is in accordance with divergence times derived from DNA sequences.
Abstract 2174: A high-throughput, high-content assay for the discovery of new inhibitors of DNA double-strand break repair

DNA repair pathways are being intensively investigated as targets for chemotherapeutic interventions. Despite the immense interest in this area, few whole-cell screens for the discovery of DNA repair inhibitors have been described. We have developed an automated, whole-cell, high-throughput assay for the unbiased discovery of inhibitors of the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination HR) repair pathways, the two primary pathways that ameliorate DNA double-strand breaks. Our assay enables indirect measurement of DNA repair activity by monitoring the kinetics of γH2AX and 53BP1 foci resolution after treatment with ionizing radiation (IR) and candidate DNA damage response (DDR) inhibitor. We also have developed a unique platform of secondary assays to rank-order the potency of lead compounds and gain insights into their mechanism of action. In addition to hit validation and rigorous exclusion of false-positive hits, our follow-up platform includes orthogonal assays for measuring mutagenic NHEJ and HR repair activity, as well as high-throughput assays for quantitative analysis of cell viability and cell cycle. Notably, both our primary and secondary assays are fully-automated and may be applied to screen large libraries of compounds. We validated our high-throughput assay using known DDR and DNA damage checkpoint inhibitors, and applied this screen toward the evaluation of 2,366 structurally-diverse small molecules with known bioactivity. Vorinostat and quercetin, compounds known to possess DDR inhibitory activity, were identified in the screen, supporting the sensitivity of our approach. Notably, the screen also lead to the identification of cardiac glycosides, natural products in clinical use for the treatment of heart failure and atrial arrhythmia, as potent inhibitors of DNA double-strand break repair. Many studies have noted the anticancer properties of the cardiac glycosides, but the basis of this activity has remained a “black box”. Our data suggest an explanation for this long-standing unsolved problem, and argue that this activity should be taken into consideration when evaluating other clinical applications of these agents. Because these compounds are already approved for use in humans, we believe they are excellent candidates for repurposing as chemo and radiosensitizers. Citation Format: Yulia Surovtseva, Vikram Jairam, Ranjini Sundaram, Ranjit Bindra, Seth Herzon. A high-throughput, high-content assay for the discovery of new inhibitors of DNA double-strand break repair. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2174.
Gonadectomy but not biological sex affects burst‐firing in dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area and in prefrontal cortical neurons projecting to the ventral tegmentum in adult rats

The mesocortical and mesolimbic dopamine systems regulate cognitive and motivational processes and are strongly implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders in which these processes are disturbed. Sex differences and sex hormone modulation are also known for these dopamine-sensitive behaviours in health and disease. One relevant mechanism of hormone impact appears to be regulation of cortical and subcortical dopamine levels. This study asked whether this regulation of dopamine tone is a consequence of sex or sex hormone impact on the firing modes of ventral midbrain dopamine neurons. To address this, single unit extracellular recordings made in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra were compared among urethane-anaesthetized adult male, female, gonadectomized male rats. These comparisons showed that gonadectomy had no effect on nigral cells and no effects on pacemaker, bursty, single-spiking or random modes of dopamine activity in the ventral tegmental area. However, it did significantly and selectively increase burst firing in these cells in a testosterone-sensitive, estradiol-insensitive manner. Given the roles of prefrontal cortex (PFC) in modulating midbrain dopamine cell firing, we next asked whether gonadectomy's effects on dopamine cell bursting had correlated effects on the activity of ventral tegmentally projecting prefrontal cortical neurons. We found that gonadectomy indeed significantly and selectively increased burst firing in ventral tegmentally projecting but not neighbouring prefrontal cells. These effects were also androgen-sensitive. Together, these findings suggest a working model wherein androgen influence over the activity of PFC neurons regulates its top-down modulation of mesocortical and mesolimbic dopamine systems and related dopamine-sensitive behaviours.
Rate of tympanic membrane perforation after intratympanic steroid injection

Abstract Purpose To determine the rate of persistent tympanic membrane perforation after intratympanic steroid injection. To determine which comorbid conditions and risk factors are associated with prolonged time to perforation closure following intratympanic steroid injection. Materials and methods Clinical data were gathered for patients who had undergone intratympanic steroid injection to treat sudden sensorineural hearing loss or Meniere's disease. Primary outcomes analysis included rate of persistent tympanic membrane perforation, defined as perforation at least 90 days following last injection, and time to perforation healing. Age, sex, number of injections, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, previous head and neck irradiation, and concurrent oral steroids, were analyzed as potential predictors of persistent perforation. Results One hundred ninety two patients were included in this study. Three patients (1.6%) had persistent tympanic membrane perforations. All three patients received multiple injections. One patient underwent tympanoplasty for repair of persistent perforation. The median time to perforation healing was 18 days. There was no statistically significant variable associated with time to perforation healing. However, patients with prior history of head and neck radiation averaged 36.5 days for perforation healing compared to 17.5 days with no prior history of radiation and this approached statistical significance ( p = 0.078). Conclusions The rate of persistent tympanic membrane perforation following intratympanic steroid injection is low. Patients with a history of radiation to the head and neck may be at increased risk for prolonged time for closure of perforation.
Biomarkers in Specific Disease States: Cardio-Oncology

Cancer related mortality has been dramatically reduced in recent decades due to more effective cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, the use of these treatment modalities may be limited by the risk of significant cardiac damage. The current standard for cardiac safety assessment, in order to limit cardiotoxicity, predominantly focuses on serial cardiac imaging to identify changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Unfortunately, this method is imperfect and frequently is a late finding. Potentially permanent cardiac damage manifesting as a significantly reduced LVEF has to occur before any important change in management is undertaken. One alternative and complimentary approach is the appropriate use of cardiac biomarkers to identify subclinical cardiac damage allowing for earlier detection and institution of cardio-protective interventions. This chapter will highlight the clinical use of cardiac biomarkers, specifically natriuretic peptides, cardiac troponins, as well as emerging biomarkers, for the detection of cardiac injury in the context of cardio-oncology.
Improved knowledge gain and retention for third-year medical students during surgical journal club using basic science review: A pilot study.

Abstract Background As they enter the clinical years, medical students face large adjustments in the acquisition of medical knowledge. We hypothesized that basic science review related to the topic of journal club papers would increase the educational benefit for third-year medical students. Methods Students were randomized either to participation in a review session about basic science related to the journal club paper, or to no review. After one day, and after three months, students were given a 10-question quiz encompassing the basic science and the clinical implications of the paper. Results Twenty-six of 50 students were randomized to basic science review. These students scored better on both sections of the quiz one day after journal club, but only on basic science questions after three months. Conclusions Students who participated in basic science review had better knowledge gain and retention. Educational activities building upon foundational knowledge improves learning on clinical rotations.
A Year in Review: JCEDM's Contribution Translating Practice to Science, and Science to Practice

Reviewing the articles within this journal in 2016 reveals a diverse set of approaches and applications but consistent themes: first, translating practice to science and, second, translating scienc...
Steam Oxidation Evaluation of Fe–Cr Alloys for Accident Tolerant Nuclear Fuel Cladding

New nuclear fuel cladding materials are being evaluated that can withstand steam environments ≥1200 °C for short (≤4 h) periods in case of a beyond design basis accident. This study focused on commercial and model Fe–Cr alloys, where there is considerable experience in fabricating and joining. Exposures in 1 bar steam and air for 4 h at 800–1300 °C showed that the commercial Fe–Cr alloys were very sensitive to composition and only Fe-25.8%Cr-1%Mo formed a protective chromia scale at 1200 and 1300 °C in steam. A model Fe-22.5%Cr + Mn,Si,Y alloy also formed a protective scale at 1200 °C in steam. Analytical transmission electron microscopy of the reaction products revealed that (1) nominally equiaxed Cr2O3 formed at 1000–1200 °C; (2) at 1000 °C, there was a Mn inner and outer layer but at 1100 and 1200 °C only an outer layer was observed; (3) an amorphous SiO2 inner layer was observed at 1000 and 1100 °C, but the SiO2 was crystalline on the 22.5%Cr model alloy at 1200 °C, which was confirmed by electron and X-ray diffraction; and (4) Fe was found throughout the Cr2O3 formed on alloys without Mn at 1200 °C in steam and air, Fe-rich oxide near the gas interface and Fe-rich metal precipitates near the metal–oxide interface. A few Fe-rich precipitates were detected in oxides formed at 1100 °C and none at 1000 °C. The incorporation of Fe and crystallization of SiO2 at 1200 °C may be detrimental to the formation of a protective chromia scale in steam at ≥1200 °C for this application and explain why such high Cr contents are needed for protective behavior.
Prophetic repairs: Narrative and social action among Puerto Rican Taíno

Abstract This article considers the sources of knowledge and frameworks of knowing from which Puerto Rican Taino draw in order to support their identification as Taino. Widespread, authoritative historical narratives of the Caribbean claim that the Taino population was decimated between the 16th and 18th centuries. This analysis highlights the role that prophetic narratives and communicative strategies played in reframing and recalibrating Taino historical tellings and in the refashioning of personal trajectories of social actors as Taino.
Muscle synergies obtained from comprehensive mapping of the primary motor cortex forelimb representation using high-frequency, long-duration ICMS

While muscle synergies have been investigated in various muscle activity sets, it is unclear whether and how synergies may be organized in the cortex. We have investigated muscle synergies resultin...
Large Margin Multi-Modal Triplet Metric Learning

Distance metric learning is a significant technique that can improve the similarity accuracy in verification systems. In this paper, we propose a multi-metric learning algorithm with the triplet distance constraints for multi-modal verification problems. The main feature of our algorithm is that when learning multi-metric, we not only enforce the distance between the anchor and the positive samples to be less than the distance between the anchor and the negative samples but we also make the distance between the anchor and the positive samples as small as possible. A simple iterative procedure is introduced to solve the proposed optimization problem. Extensive experiments on three publicly available multi-modal datasets show that our method can perform significantly better than many state-ofthe- art multi-modal metric learning methods.
Comparison of Valsalva Maneuver, Amyl Nitrite, and Exercise Echocardiography to Demonstrate Latent Left Ventricular Outflow Obstruction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Guidelines recommend exercise stress echocardiogram (ESE) for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) if a 50 mm Hg gradient is not present at rest or provoked with Valsalva or amyl nitrite, to direct medical and surgical management. However, no study has directly compared all 3 methods. We sought to evaluate efficacy and degree of provocation of left ventricular outflow gradients by ESE, and compare with Valsalva and amyl nitrite. In patients with HC between 2002 and 2015, resting echocardiograms and ESEs within 1 year were retrospectively reviewed. Gradients elicited by each provocation method were compared. Rest and ESE were available in 97 patients (mean age 54 ± 18 years, 57% male); 78 underwent Valsalva maneuver and 41 amyl nitrite provocation. Median gradients (interquartile range) were 10 mm Hg (7,19) at rest, 16 mm Hg (9,34) with Valsalva, 23 mm Hg (13,49) with amyl nitrite, and 26 mm Hg (13,58) with ESE. ESE and amyl nitrite were able to provoke obstruction (≥30 mm Hg) and severe obstruction (≥50 mm Hg) more frequently than Valsalva. In patients with resting gradient
Robotic Surgical Management of Combined Vaginal and Rectal Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a dynamic disorder with up to 50% of parous females experiencing partial or complete prolapse of at least one pelvic organ during their lifetime. These patients can present with protrusion or prolapse from the rectum and/or vagina. In addition, many of these women have additional symptoms such as fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, and pelvic pressure. Traditionally, treatment and repair of each organ dysfunction was performed individually by the appropriate surgical specialty. Currently, we support a multidisciplinary operative approach, which we believe offers superior outcomes. In addition, the use of minimally invasive techniques, including both laparoscopic and robotic techniques, is gaining popularity. Herein we detail the robotic combined sacrocolpopexy/rectopexy procedure and discuss the superior outcomes of a minimally invasive approach. While mesh is routinely implanted and is associated with increased anatomical success, the difference in outcomes of biologic versus synthetic material has yet to be elucidated. Further studies are also needed to better characterize the benefit of robotic versus laparoscopic approach and to assess the impact of mesh selection.
A Model for Lubricant Transfer from Media to Head During Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) Writing

One of the challenges in heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) is the creation of write-induced head contamination at the near-field transducer. A possible mechanism for the formation of this contamination is the transfer of lubricant from the disk to the slider (lubricant pickup) due to temperature-driven evaporation/condensation and/or mechanical interactions. Here we develop a continuum model that predicts the head-to-disk lubricant transfer during HAMR writing. The model simultaneously determines the thermocapillary shear stress-driven deformation and evaporation of the lubricant film on the disk, the convection and diffusion of the vapor phase lubricant in the air bearing and the evolution of the condensed lubricant film on the slider. The model also considers molecular interactions between disk–lubricant, slider–lubricant and lubricant–lubricant in terms of disjoining pressure. We investigate the effect of media temperature, head temperature and initial lubricant thickness on the lubricant transfer process. We find that the transfer mechanism is initially largely thermally driven. The rate of slider lubricant accumulation can be significantly reduced by decreasing the media temperature. However, as the amount of lubricant accumulation increases with time, a change in the transfer mechanism occurs from thermally driven to molecular interactions driven. A similar change in transfer mechanism is predicted as the head–disk spacing is reduced. There exists a critical value of head lubricant thickness and a critical head–disk spacing at which dewetting of the disk lubricant begins, leading to enhanced pickup.
Physiologic impact of circulating RBC microparticles upon blood-vascular interactions

Here, we review current data elucidating the role of red blood cell derived microparticles (RMPs) in normal vascular physiology and disease progression. Microparticles (MPs) are submicron-size, membrane-encapsulated vesicles derived from various parent cell types. MPs are produced in response to numerous stimuli that promote a sequence of cytoskeletal and membrane phospholipid changes and resulting MP genesis. MPs were originally considered as potential biomarkers for multiple disease processes and more recently are recognized to have pleiotropic biological effects, most notably in: promotion of coagulation, production and handling of reactive oxygen species, immune modulation, angiogenesis, and in initiating apoptosis. RMPs, specifically, form normally during RBC maturation in response to injury during circulation, and are copiously produced during processing and storage for transfusion. Notably, several factors during RBC storage are known to trigger RMP production, including: increased intracellular calcium, increased potassium leakage, and energy failure with ATP depletion. Of note, RMP composition differs markedly from that of intact RBCs and the nature/composition of RMP components are affected by the specific circumstances of RMP genesis. Described RMP bioactivities include: promotion of coagulation, immune modulation, and promotion of endothelial adhesion as well as influence upon vasoregulation via influence upon nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Of particular relevance, RMPs scavenge NO more avidly than do intact RBCs; this physiology has been proposed to contribute to the impaired oxygen delivery homeostasis that may be observed following transfusion. In summary, RMPs are submicron particles released from RBCs, with demonstrated vasoactive properties that appear to disturb oxygen delivery homeostasis. The clinical impact of RMPs in normal and patho-physiology and in transfusion recipients is an area of continued investigation.
Submicron-scale mineralogy of lithotypes and the implications for trace element associations: Blue Gem coal, Knox County, Kentucky

Abstract Transmission electron microscopy accompanied by energy-dispersive spectroscopy and selected area electron diffraction of density-gradient separates from two lithotypes of the low-ash, low-sulfur Blue Gem coal, eastern Kentucky, revealed an array of previously unrecognized (in this coal, and arguable in most others) sub-micron minerals, some Fe, Cu Fe S, Fe Zn-S, and Pb; and areas, probably comprising agglomerates of several grains, if not several minerals, with concentrations of Mg, Ca, Ti, Fe, Zn, Zr, and Mo. The sample representing the 1.30–1.31 specific gravity fraction of the basal lithotype has aggregates of particles enriched in Mg, Ca, Ti, and Fe. Individual grains not specifically quantified include Cr Ni Mn Cu Fe S, Ag S, and Cu S. Detailed investigation of one area (most of the variation within a Co Ge and Ag Cd Bi, the latter with a more evident S association than the former; metallic Bi; nisnite (Ni3Sn); silver cadmium; manganosite (MnO); and siderite. Some minerals, such as the monazite, are most likely of detrital or tuffaceous origin. Many of the other assemblages could be of hydrothermal origin, a hypothesis supported by known regional geochemical and coal rank trends, but not previously demonstrated in mineral assemblages at the 10's of nm scale in this region.
Steady-State Kinetics of Phytoglobin-Catalyzed Reduction of Hydroxylamine to Ammonium

Phytoglobins are plant hexacoordinate hemoglobins with reversible coordination of a histidine side chain to the ligand binding site of the heme iron. They mediate electron transfer reactions such as nitric oxide scavenging and are particularly efficient at reducing nitrite and hydroxylamine. Previous work with phytoglobins has focused only on single turnovers of these reactions and has not revealed whether structural features, such as histidine hexacoordination, play a prominent role in the complete catalytic cycle. This work characterizes steady-state phytoglobin catalysis of reduction of hydroxylamine to ammonium using two different chemical reductants. Km and kcat values were measured for rice phytoglobin, horse myoglobin, human neuroglobin, and a rice phytoglobin mutant protein in which the hexacoordinating histidine has been replaced with leucine (Phyt:H73L). The results demonstrate that phytoglobin catalysis driven by benzyl viologen is limited only by the dissociation rate constant for the distal histidine. This is consistent with the rate limit in single-turnover experiments and demonstrates that the kinetics of hydroxylamine binding, and not phytoglobin reduction, ultimately governs the reaction. Catalysis by the other proteins that either lack or have tighter hexacoordination is much slower, suggesting that facile reversibility of the bond between the distal histidine and the heme iron is needed to allow both substrate binding and heme iron reduction. On the other hand, catalysis driven by dithionite is limited by SO2•- concentrations and is similar for all of these proteins, suggesting that dithionite is not a good reducing agent for evaluation of the catalytic properties of hemoglobins.
Modelling hydraulics of flow-path cuts through dense vegetation in a northern Everglades wetland

Flow-path cuts through dense marsh vegetation can dominate wetland hydraulics. The friction equation, including Manning's, provides simple, effective modelling of flow velocity, but this was the first study to apply the friction equation to wetland flow-cut hydraulics. Side-facing acoustic Doppler velocity and channel geomorphologic data were collected at seven locations on three shallow airboat flow-cuts and one deeper canoe trail in the Everglades. Data were fitted to the friction equation using friction (a), water depth (b), and water surface slope (c) parameters. Manning's form of the friction equation (b = 1.67, c = 0.5) was inappropriate to simulate shallow, low-gradient flow-cuts. The best overall statistical performance for describing flow-cut hydraulics was a = 3.18 × 107 m0.72 d–1, b = 1.28, c = 1.00 for airboat trails and a = 1.39 × 107 m0.72 d–1 for the canoe trail. Two applications are presented to demonstrate use of these models to quantify impacts of flow-cuts.
Mechanism of Oxygen Reduction on Iron in Neutral Aqueous Solutions: Oxygen Chemisorption Model

Though the anodic reactions of metal and alloy dissolution(1–5) have been extensively studied in solutions of various pHs, the corresponding cathodic processes have received little attention in the neutral pH range.(6–8) Generally, under practical conditions, the cathodic reaction of hydrogen evolution in acid solutions and the oxygen reduction reaction in neutral and alkali solutions are the main cathodic depolarization reactions.
Experimental effects of brief, single bouts of walking and meditation on mood profile in young adults

Background: To examine the effects of an acute bout of aerobic exercise and meditation on mood state among young adults. Methods: Participants (N= 66, mean age = 21.3 years) were randomly assigned to walk,meditate, or sit (control) for 10 minutes. Participants’ mood state was monitored before and after the intervention using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. Results: Significant group x time interaction effects were observed for the POMS composite scores (P=0.05). When evaluating three POMS sub scales separately (depression/dejection,anger/hostility, and fatigue/inertia), only fatigue/inertia was found to have a significant group x time effect (P=0.04). Post hoc paired t tests revealed that fatigue/inertia sub scale scores significantly decreased from baseline to post-intervention in both the exercise (P=0.03) and meditation (P<0.001) groups. However, POMS composite scores decreased significantly in the meditation group (P<0.001) but not in the exercise group (P=0.10). Conclusion: A 10-minute bout of brisk walking and meditation both improved mood state,when compared to an inactive control group. A single bout of brisk walking or meditation may offer suitable strategies to improve mood state among young adults.
A symbolic genetic programming approach for identifying models of learning-by-doing

Abstract In this study, we apply a symbolic regression approach to generate and investigate new potential univariate learning curve functional forms to forecast human learning responses efficiently and stably. Past studies have compared learning models in the literature to one another. Yet, continued interest in model development and comparison suggests that the question remains open as to whether there are other useful and yet-undiscovered models. We address the question of whether the existing literature contains the best model choices, or if additional forms have merit. We employ a multigenic genetic programming algorithm to secondary field data from a range of manual sewing tasks. We identified an array of potentially useful empirical forms and examined whether these forms match or improve upon extant forms. Among two-parameter functional forms, the log-linear form performed well in efficiency and stability for both models of cumulative experience, and cumulative working time. A three-parameter hyperbolic model was found and top-ranked as a model of cumulative work and a model of cumulative time in the three-parameter learning curve functional forms. We also found that 4-parameter models show characteristics of over-fitting and have small marginal differences in efficiency and stability for models of cumulative working time, which suggests that a three-parameter model may be a good choice, in general.
UNIT 5.10 Metal-Chelate Affinity Chromatography

Recombinant proteins engineered to have six consecutive histidine residues on either the amino or carboxyl terminus can be purified using a resin containing nickel ions (Ni2+) that have been immobilized by covalently attached nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). This technique, known as metal-chelate affinity chromatography (MCAC), can readily be performed with either native or denatured protein. Techniques are discussed for creating a fusion protein consisting of the protein of interest with a histidine tail attached (for purification by MCAC). The basic protocol describes expression of histidine-tail fusion proteins and their purification in native form by MCAC. Two alternate protocols describe purification of histidine-tail fusion proteins by MCAC under denaturing conditions and their renaturation by either dialysis or solid-phase renaturation. Support protocols are provided for analysis of the purified product and regeneration of the NTA resin. All of these protocols are easily adaptable to any protein expression system.
Evidence of the coexistence of multivalence cerium oxide nano-particles in a sodium borate glass

Abstract A sodium borate glass containing both trivalent cerium oxide and tetravalent cerium oxide states nano particles of 2–5 nm in size was successfully prepared by doping the glass with varying amounts of cerium (IV) oxide with. X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurement was used to determine the coexistence of the multivalent state of cerium oxide in the borate glass. Significant changes in the trivalent and tetravalent cerium oxide concentrations were observed when the glass was melted using different melting parameters and different raw materials. Glass made with borax that contained of 0.05mols of CeO2 and melted at 1100 °C for 3 h had the highest concentration of trivalent cerium oxide. Transmission electron micrographs confirmed the release of trivalent Ce2O3 and tetravalent CeO2 nanoparticles from the glassy matrix. Fourier transform Infrared measurements suggest that the CeO2 in the glass acts as both a glass-former and glass modifier.
Assessing Impacts of Store and Salesperson Dimensions of Retail Service Quality on Consumer Returns

This study contributes to the understanding of consumer return behavior by examining associations between in‐store customer shopping experiences and subsequent customer returns. Return rates can vary a great deal across stores within a company and across salespersons within a store. We empirically examine returns across these two levels with respect to three retail service quality dimensions: salesperson friendliness, salesperson competence, and store environment. We conduct a detailed analysis using transaction data and customer survey responses from 25,131 customers at a national jewelry retailer. We find salesperson friendliness, salesperson competence, and store environment are significantly associated with subsequent return events, since, theoretically, customers use the three service quality dimensions as information cues to form their product quality perceptions. Our analysis reveals managerially relevant insights for retailers. The empirical associations suggest retailer management might obtain the most benefit in reducing returns from improving salesperson competence, which is followed by improving store environment and improving salesperson friendliness. We also conduct analyses using customer shopping attributes to identify how retailers might modify service for different customer segments to increase the efficacy of return prevention. Lastly, our counterfactual analysis predicts substantial improvements in return rates and net sales due to potential store execution efforts targeted at improving salesperson friendliness, salesperson competence, or store environment. The predictions support the idea that return prevention should start at the point of sale.
Smoothed Analysis of Multi-Item Auctions with Correlated Values

Consider a seller with m heterogeneous items for sale to a single additive buyer whose values for the items are arbitrarily correlated. It was previously shown that, in such settings, distributions exist for which the seller's optimal revenue is infinite, but the best "simple" mechanism achieves revenue at most one (Briest et al. 2015, Hart and Nisan 2012), even when m=2. This result has long served as a cautionary tale discouraging the study of multi-item auctions without some notion of "independent items". In this work we initiate a smoothed analysis of such multi-item auction settings. We consider a buyer whose item values are drawn from an arbitrarily correlated multi-dimensional distribution then randomly perturbed with magnitude δ under several natural perturbation models. On one hand, we prove that the above construction is surprisingly robust to certain natural perturbations of this form, and the infinite gap remains. On the other hand, we provide a smoothed model such that the approximation guarantee of simple mechanisms is smoothed-finite. We show that when the perturbation has magnitude δ, pricing only the grand bundle guarantees an O(1/δ)-approximation to the optimal revenue. That is, no matter the (worst-case) initially correlated distribution, these tiny perturbations suffice to bring the gap down from infinite to finite. We further show that the same guarantees hold when n buyers have values drawn from an arbitrarily correlated mn-dimensional distribution (without any dependence on n). Taken together, these analyses further pin down key properties of correlated distributions that result in large gaps between simplicity and optimality.
Controlling surface adatom kinetics for improved structural and optical properties of high indium content aluminum indium nitride

A non-traditional, for AlInN, method of controlling adatom kinetics and a low temperature growth condition were employed to improve the quality of high indium content aluminum indium nitride films. Metal-rich surfaces were used to enhance adatom mobility and compensate for the low growth temperature (Tsub ≤ 400 °C) effect of reducing surface diffusion lengths. The metal-rich approach resulted in 12 times lower x-ray diffraction full-width at half-maximum rocking curve figures of merit when compared to literature. In addition to promising photoluminescence emission, these results indicate improved structural quality over other reported approaches. AlInN films with ∼70% indium content were characterized via x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy with each technique indicating an optimal growth temperature of 350 °C. Al0.3In0.7N grown above 400 °C exhibited phase separation and a reduction in quality, while samples grown colder were predominantly single-phase and displayed improved photoluminescence at ∼1.45 eV. The photoluminescence spectra suggest emission from quantum wire-like structures with dimensions ranging from 15 to 18 nm. These low-temperature, metal-rich findings for high indium content AlInN are promising for future long-wavelength III-nitride optical devices.
DSS, BI, and Data Analytics Research: Current State and Emerging Trends (2015–2019)

Over the past several decades, DSS has progressed toward becoming a solid academic field. Nevertheless, since the mid-1990s, the inability of DSS to fully satisfy a wide range of information needs of practitioners provided an impetus for a new breed of DSS called business intelligence systems (BIS). This paper examines the major differences among decision support systems (DSS), business intelligence (BI), and data analytics (DA). These three systems are different in terms of data, analytical environment, analytical tools, their focuses, and others. Next, the paper briefly describes the major characteristics of each. Third, A survey of DSS, BI, and DA is conducted covering the period of January 2016 through December 2019 to report publication trends of each system. The final section summarizes the findings and discusses their implications. This research provided a picture of what has happened over the past several years. The biggest accomplishment the DSS community achieved is that it provided the foundational concepts such as the DDM paradigm and the definitions of DSS. The DSS area has given the fruits of the DSS research to numerous other fields. Further, DSS and BI have a mild level of increased publications, while there is very sharp increase in DA (349%).
Human visual object recognition: What have we learned from neuroimaging?

We review the neuroimaging literature for studies whose designs permit the identification of regions specialized for visual recognition. The results of these 17 studies are combined and analyzed with the goal of answering the following questions: (1) How well localized are areas involved in visual recognition across subjects? (2) Are there cortical areas that are specialized for the perception of different categories of stimuli (e.g., faces, words, and general objects)? The concept of specialization is defined and examined, as are the inferential limitations of neuroimaging methodology. Local maxima across studies were poorly colocalized within posterior inferior cortex, and there was no consistent segregation of activation sites dependent on the category of stimulus used. We discuss several possible reasons why the results of this review do not agree with the predictions of lesion and neurophysiology studies.