cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genomics and Gene Expression in Myxomycetes

Abstract The prototype organism for studies of the molecular genetics of myxomycetes is Physarum polycephalum. This species has lent itself to molecular analysis because it can be grown in large cultures and maintained in the laboratory. The Physarum genome consists of several different DNAs located in nuclei and mitochondria. In nuclei there are about 40 chromosomes consisting of 250–300 Mb of DNA, which is inherited in a Mendelian fashion, and about 150 copies of a minichromosome of 60 kbp, which contains the rRNA genes and has non-Mendelian inheritance. Mitochondria contain the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which has a genetic complexity of about 60 kb, a circular genetic map, and is generally uniparentally inherited. In mitochondria of some P. polycephalum strains, an additional mitochondrial plasmid (called the mF plasmid) is observed, which is 14.5 kbp in length. One of the unique, possibly defining, characteristics of the myxomycetes is the novel type of RNA editing found in their mitochondria. This RNA editing is a unique form of gene expression in which the mitochondrial RNA polymerase adds nontemplated nucleotides to the 3′ end of nascent RNA to create genetic information that is not resident in the mtDNA. This chapter will review the molecular genetics of the myxomycetes using P. polycephalum as the prototype organism. It will include the recent information obtained from the sequencing of the P. polycephalum genome. It will also discuss our current knowledge of the mechanism of the unique RNA editing discovered in P. polycephalum and present in all myxomycetes characterized to date, as well as the evolution of this RNA editing throughout this group of organisms.
Simultaneous QSM and metabolic imaging of the brain using SPICE.

Purpose To map brain metabolites and tissue magnetic susceptibility simultaneously using a single three-dimensional 1H-MRSI acquisition without water suppression. Methods The proposed technique builds on a subspace imaging method called spectroscopic imaging by exploiting spatiospectral correlation (SPICE), which enables ultrashort echo time (TE)/short pulse repetition time (TR) acquisitions for 1H-MRSI without water suppression. This data acquisition scheme simultaneously captures both the spectral information of brain metabolites and the phase information of the water signals that is directly related to tissue magnetic susceptibility variations. In extending this scheme for simultaneous QSM and metabolic imaging, we increase k-space coverage by using dual density sparse sampling and ramp sampling to achieve spatial resolution often required by QSM, while maintaining a reasonable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the spatiospectral data used for metabolite mapping. In data processing, we obtain high-quality QSM from the unsuppressed water signals by taking advantage of the larger number of echoes acquired and any available anatomical priors; metabolite spatiospectral distributions are reconstructed using a union-of-subspaces model. Results In vivo experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can produce susceptibility maps at a resolution higher than 1.8 × 1.8 × 2.4 mm3 along with metabolite spatiospectral distributions at a nominal spatial resolution of 2.4 × 2.4 × 2.4 mm3 from a single 7-min MRSI scan. The estimated susceptibility values are consistent with those obtained using the conventional QSM method with 3D multi-echo gradient echo acquisitions. Conclusion This article reports a new capability for simultaneous susceptibility mapping and metabolic imaging of the brain from a single 1H-MRSI scan, which has potential for a wide range of applications. Magn Reson Med, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Case 38-2017. A 20-Year-Old Woman with Seizures and Progressive Dystonia.

A 20-year-old woman was evaluated for seizures and progressive dystonia, which she had had since she was 3 years of age. Her younger sister had a similar illness. Imaging studies showed areas of ab...
Quantitative modeling of microalgae based sequestration of atmospheric CO2

Marine microalgae have been identified as a considerable sink of atmospheric CO2. Since macroscopic ecosystems cannot be studied experimentally with the required microscopic spatial resolution, a novel modeling method is being presented to quantify this sequestration process. The presented modeling studies indicate that the fixation of carbon by microalgae is species-specific and depends on competition effects among multiple species.
Metathesis and Decomposition of Fischer Carbenes of Cyclometalated Z-Selective Ruthenium Metathesis Catalysts

The addition of vinyl ethers to Z-selective, cyclometalated ruthenium metathesis catalysts generates Fischer carbene complexes. Although Fischer carbenes are usually thought to be metathesis inactive, we show that Fischer carbenes are metathesis active under certain circumstances. These species were found to decompose facilely to Ru hydride complexes, as identified by both experiment and computation. Since vinyl ethers are often used to quench metathesis reactions implementing Ru-based metathesis catalysts, their decomposition to hydrides can have a deleterious effect on the desired stereochemistry of the olefin product.
Depressive symptoms and adipokines in women: Study of women's health across the nation.

Abstract Small clinical studies suggest depression is associated with alterations in adiponectin and leptin, adipocyte-derived secretory proteins involved in metabolic regulation; however, longitudinal data on these association are lacking. This study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder (MDD) with adiponectin and leptin in healthy middle-aged women (mean (SD) age, 45.6 (2.5) years). Cross-sectional analyses included 575 women with baseline adipokine data; longitudinal analyses included 262 women with 2–4 adipokine measurements over 5 years. The 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) was used to assess depressive symptoms; history of MDD was determined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Adipokines were assayed from stored serum specimens; values were log-transformed for analyses. Linear and repeated measure random effects regression models evaluated associations of baseline CES-D scores with baseline adipokine concentrations and changes over time, respectively. Secondary analyses evaluated the relation of MDD history with adipokine concentrations. Mean (SD) baseline concentrations of adiponectin and leptin were 9.90 (4.92) μg/mL and 27.02 (20.06) ng/mL; both increased over time (p In women at midlife, depressive symptoms are associated with lower adiponectin, a critical anti-inflammatory biomarker involved in metabolic and cardiovascular conditions.
Kinetics of Domain Growth in a Model of O/Pd(110)

When a two-dimensional surface system is quenched from a high-temperature disordered phase to a temperature below its phase transition point a dynamical process of ordering takes place. This problem of domain growth is of fundamental importance in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and has practical applications in many fields, including surface science [1]. In this paper we present preliminary results of a study of domain growth for a model of 0/Pd(110), which exhibits a uniaxial (3×1) phase [2]. This system is modeled by the anisotropic or axial next nearest neighbor Ising (ANNNI) model in a field [3–6].
Nonsmooth and Nonconvex Dynamics: Duality, Polarity and Complementary Extremum Principles

This paper presents a canonical dual transformation method and general complementary extremum principles for solving fully nonlinear dynamical systems governed by nonsmooth constitutive laws. It is shown that by using this method, nonsmooth partial differential equations can be converted into certain smooth dual-complementary variational problems, Extremality conditions between the primal and dual problems are clarified by a triality principle, which reveals intrinsic symmetry in nonconvex Hamilton systems. A bi-polarity theorem is proposed. Applications are illustrated by 3-D nonsmooth elastodynamics and feedback control of a chaotic system.
The Bible as Homing Device Among Cubans at Claremont’s Calvary Chapel

Based on ethnographic research that Hidalgo conducted among Latinx, especially Cuban, immigrant practitioners at Claremont’s Calvary Chapel in the fall of 2003 through the winter of 2004, this chapter examines the social and psychological relationships formed by, with, in relationship to, and through the Christian Bible. Examining worship services, Bible studies, and life story narrative interviews, Hidalgo, drawing on Sara Ahmed’s terminology, specifically examines the Bible as a homing device, a basis from which to mediate and negotiate senses of home, especially for Cuban exiles in Claremont.
“Look at the State of This Place!”: The Impact of Domestic Space on Post-war Class Consciousness

This essay looks at negotiations of class consciousness in the kitchen sink realism movement, specifically the way representations of space and the built environment shaped identity. It shows how texts from the period amplified portrayals of classed space to underscore spatial limits, necessitating a disarticulation of monolithic class identity as the result. It argues that the movement’s narratives encourage modifications of class consciousness in which domestic confines are disputed and remapped in a manner that anticipates a restructuring of working-class attitudes and beliefs. In this regard, kitchen sink texts should not be read merely as mimetic representations of mid-century working-class life, but as guides that helped working-class people navigate cultural change and contest the limits of their own existence.
Clouded Intelligence

Several exciting trends are driving the birth of the intelligent cloud. The vast majority of world's data is now connected data resident in the cloud. The majority of world's new software is now connected software, also resident in or using the cloud. New cloud based Machine Learning as a Service platforms help transform data into intelligence and build cloud-hosted intelligent APIs for connected software applications. Face analysis, computer vision, text analysis, speech recognition, and more traditional analytics such as churn prediction, recommendations, anomaly detection, forecasting, and clustering are all available now as cloud APIs, and far more are being created at a rapid pace. Cloud hosted marketplaces for crowdsourcing intelligent APIs have been launched. In this talk I will review what these trends mean for the future of data science and show examples of revolutionary applications that you can build using cloud platforms.
Cultural Competency for Health Administration and Public Health

By Patti R. Rose, M.P.H., Ed.D. Published by Jones & Bartlett Learning, 5 Wall Street, Burlington, MA 01803, 2011. 173 p. Price $62.95 (soft cover). This book sends the message to health administrators and agencies that cultural considerations should be woven into the fabric of their endeavors.
Analysis of the predicting factors of recurrent wheezing in infants

Clinically, asthma in children under 5 years old is under estimated because lack of diagnostic criteria. The current study was, therefore, designed to identify the predicting factors for recurrent wheezing in infants. One hundred forty-five infants under 3-year old hospitalized with respiratory diseases were enrolled into this study. Patients were followed up for one-year period after being discharged from the hospital and were, then, divided into recurrent wheezing group and non-recurrent wheezing group based on whether there was recurrent wheezing or not. Wheezing or recurrent wheezing was specifically monitored in addition to blood tests for allergic and respiratory diseases. The prevalence of eczema and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection were significantly higher in recurrent wheezing group than in control group (74.2% vs 45.8%; 32.3% vs. 13.3%, respectively, both P < 0.05); the percentage of blood eosinophil and serum eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) concentration at admission were also higher in recurrent wheezing group than in control group (3.10 ± 2.54% vs. 1.31 ± 1.15%; 68.67 ± 55.05 ng/mL vs. 27. 36 ± 19.51 ng/mL; respectively, both P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis on eosinophil count and serum EDN concentration in predicting recurrent wheezing revealed that the eosinophil count showed the lowest sensitivity (51.6%) and highest specificity (90.4%), with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.752 ± 0.041; and that, in contrast, the serum EDN showed the highest sensitivity (88.7%) and lowest specificity (56.6%), with AUC of 0.795 ± 0.037. Combination of eosinophil count and serum EDN measurement may be better to predict the risk of recurrent wheezing in early life of childhood.
Design considerations for three-dimensional betavoltaics

Betavoltaic devices are suitable for delivering low-power over periods of years. Typically, their power density is on the order of nano to micro-Watts per cubic centimeter. In this work we evaluate the potential for using high-aspect ratio three-dimensional semiconductor structures to enhance the power and efficiency of these devices. The Monte Carlo transport code MCNP6 is used to provide realistic estimates of the theoretical levels of charge generation, which is in turn used to make predictions about the power output from three-dimensional betavoltaics. The focus of this work is on silicon and promethium-147, but other semiconductors and radioisotopes are considered as well. In the case of silicon diodes with three-dimensional features that are comparable to what is commercially available we estimate that power densities in the range of 20-25 mW/cm3 can be achieved at efficiencies of 2.9-5.8% when coupled with promethium-147 oxide.
Maryland’s Forest Conservation Act and Critical Area Act: Extending NEPA-like Analysis to Non-Government Actions

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has since 1970 functioned as an innovative, interdisciplinary planning tool for actions of the federal government. However, elements of NEPA have also e...
“Something Feels Weird:” Managing the Identity of “Ex-Con” in American Gods

Neil Gaiman’s book, American Gods, has nontraditional ex-convict Shadow Moon as its protagonist. Shadow’s experiences in prison and directly following his release are not reflective of the common fictional ex-convict archetype, but neither do they fully align with the real-life experiences presented by the group of formerly incarcerated academics known as Convict Criminologists. The fantastic coincidences of the plot, combined with Shadow’s unconventional experiences, pave the way for the former convict to turn pacifist hero in a new presentation of the ex-con in fiction.
Shear Induced Non-Linear Elasticity Imaging: Elastography for Compound Deformations

The goal of non-linear ultrasound elastography is to characterize tissue mechanical properties under finite deformations. Existing methods produce high contrast non-linear elastograms under conditions of pure uni-axial compression, but exhibit bias errors of 10-50% when the applied deformation deviates from the uni-axial condition. Since freehand transducer motion generally does not produce pure uniaxial compression, a motion-agnostic non-linearity estimator is desirable for clinical translation. Here we derive an expression for measurement of the Non-Linear Shear Modulus (NLSM) of tissue subject to combined shear and axial deformations. This method gives consistent nonlinear elasticity estimates irrespective of the type of applied deformation, with a reduced bias in NLSM values to 6-13%. The method combines quasi-static strain imaging with Single-Track Location-Shear Wave Elastography (STL-SWEI) to generate local estimates of axial strain, shear strain, and Shear Wave Speed (SWS). These local values were registered and non-linear elastograms reconstructed with a novel nonlinear shear modulus estimation scheme for general deformations. Results on tissue mimicking phantoms were validated with mechanical measurements and multiphysics simulations for all deformation types with an error in NLSM of 6-13%. Quantitative performance metrics with the new compound-motion tracking strategy reveal a 10–15 dB improvement in Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) for simple shear versus pure compressive deformation for NLSM elastograms of homogeneous phantoms. Similarly, the Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR) of NLSM elastograms of inclusion phantoms improved by 25-30% for simple shear over pure uni-axial compression. Our results show that high fidelity NLSM estimates may be obtained at ~30% lower strain under conditions of shear deformation as opposed axial compression. The reduction in strain required could reduce sonographer effort and improve scan safety.
Self-Report Accuracy in Local Economic Development Programs:

Local economic development programs are primarily aimed at increasing employment and tax revenues. Data on these programs are collected through self-report surveys conducted by the International Ci...
That selfie becomes you: examining taking and posting selfies as forms of self-objectification

Evidence suggests that engaging in photo behaviors on social media is associated with negative body image (i.e. negative thoughts and feelings toward the body). One potential mechanism underlying t...
Mapping crops within the growing season across the United States

Abstract Timely and accurate knowledge about the geospatial distribution of crops at regional to continental scales is crucial for forecasting crop production and estimating crop water use. The United States (US) is one of the leading food-producing countries, but lacks a nationwide high resolution crop-specific land cover map available publicly during the current growing season. The goal of this study was to map crops across the Continental US (CONUS) before the harvest, and to estimate the earliest date of classification by which crops can be mapped with sufficient accuracy (90% of full-season accuracy). The study employed a scalable cluster-then-label model that was trained on multiple years of MODIS NDVI using ground truth data in the form of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cropland Data Layer (CDL) products. The first step in the crop classification was to perform Multivariate Spatio-Temporal Clustering (MSTC) of annual MODIS-derived NDVI trajectories to create phenologically similar regions, or phenoregions. The second step was to assign crop labels to phenoregions based on spatial concordance between phenoregions and crop classes from CDL using Mapcurves. Assigning crop labels to phenoregions was performed within ecoregions to reduce classification errors due to spatial variability in phenology caused by variations in climate, agricultural practices, and growing conditions. The crop classifier was trained and validated on the years 2008–2014, then tested independently on 2015–2018. Ecoregion-level crop classification performed better than state-level and CONUS-level classification. Pixel-wise accuracy of classification for eight major crops by area was around 70% across the major corn-, soybeans- and winter wheat-producing areas, whereas regions characterized by high crop diversity had slightly lower accuracy. Classification accuracy for dominant crops like corn, soybeans, winter wheat, fallow/idle cropland and other hay/non alfalfa improved with time as they grew, reaching 90% of year-end accuracy by the end of August over each of the four unseen years in the test period. For corn and soybeans, the earliest dates of classification were found to be much earlier in the central regions of the Corn Belt (parts of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana) than in peripheral areas. The ability to map growing crops may permit near real-time monitoring of the health status and vigor of agricultural crops nationally.
Pathways to Social Connection and Civility in a Time of Political and Social Polarization

The current dysfunction of our politics in today’s society reflects threats to democratic values and to respectful debate of issues and policies. Democracies here in the United States and globally are under threat by growing trends of populist and extremist political movements that in part, reflect frustration, anger, and alienation among those in society who feel disenfranchised by traditional governing processes. Norms of civility have been replaced by personal attacks and appeals to bigotry. People who hold different political beliefs from those held by others are often viewed as enemies who lack legitimacy. Here in the U.S., our two main political parties have become increasingly polarized and trapped within their silos of rigid ideologies. So called “facts” are selectively woven together to justify preexisting positions. Compromise and finding common ground are viewed not as legitimate paths to addressing critical problems facing our country, but rather as betrayal and weakness. Acknowledging this dysfunction and examining causal factors are a starting point. The challenge, however, in moving forward is to identify best-practice strategies and “pathways” that offer a glimpse of much-needed optimism that fear can turn into courage, despair into hope, retreat and isolation into social connection, and blind prejudice and hate into respect and inclusion.
Liquidity Risk and Economies of Scale in Fundsof Hedge Funds

Using data from the Lipper/TASS hedge fund database over the period 1994–2011, the authors examine the effect of liquidity risk on the relationship between size and performance for funds of hedge funds (FOFs). After confirming a significant positive size effect for FOFs, they explicitly introduce liquidity risk and find that this scale effect becomes more pronounced among FOFs with lower liquidity risk. To the extent that more illiquid FOFs exhibit higher liquidity risk, the results provide evidence in support of the liquidity hypothesis that size does not erode, but instead helps improve, performance, since FOFs do not directly manage portfolios of securities and thus are less affected by the liquidity costs associated with trading a large portfolio.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Abstract Background Cardiac involvement and dysfunction are common in patients presenting with AL and ATTR Amyloidosis. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) performance is the gold standard to quantify functional capacity. Patients and Methods In this study, we evaluated CPET measurements in 41 patients with cardiac Amyloidosis and their correlation with current amyloid specific staging criteria. Results In both AL and ATTR cardiac Amyloidosis, percent predicted peak VO2 is significantly reduced and correlates with biomarker abnormalities. The association of cardiac biomarkers with peak VO2 is stronger for AL Amyloidosis (NT-proBNP (r = −0.57, P=0.006), Troponin (r = −0.70, p Conclusion Our findings suggest further evidence for AL toxicity.
Insights into the secondary structural ensembles of the full SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome in infected cells

Summary SARS-CoV-2 is a betacoronavirus with a single-stranded, positive-sense, 30-kilobase RNA genome responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there are no antiviral drugs with proven efficacy, and development of these treatments are hampered by our limited understanding of the molecular and structural biology of the virus. Like many other RNA viruses, RNA structures in coronaviruses regulate gene expression and are crucial for viral replication. Although genome and transcriptome data were recently reported, there is to date little experimental data on native RNA structures in SARS-CoV-2 and most putative regulatory sequences are functionally uncharacterized. Here we report secondary structure ensembles of the entire SARS-CoV-2 genome in infected cells at single nucleotide resolution using dimethyl sulfate mutational profiling with sequencing (DMS-MaPseq) and the algorithm ‘detection of RNA folding ensembles using expectation–maximization’ clustering (DREEM). Our results reveal previously undescribed alternative RNA conformations across the genome, including structures of the frameshift stimulating element (FSE), a major drug target, that are drastically different from prevailing in vitro population average models. Importantly, we find that this structural ensemble promotes frameshifting rates (~40%) similar to in vivo ribosome profiling studies and much higher than the canonical minimal FSE (~20%). Overall, our result highlight the value of studying RNA folding in its native, dynamic and cellular context. The genomic structures detailed here lays the groundwork for coronavirus RNA biology and will guide the design of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-based therapeutics.
Patent Law: An Open-Source Casebook (Chapter 3: Utility)

Less than a handful of casebooks are truly open source, in the sense of being fully modifiable. Patent Law: An Open-Source Casebook is the first patent law casebook that provides adopting professors, students, and others the ability to fully modify its contents. This chapter of the casebook covers the utility requirement.
Pilot of Trigger-based Palliative Care Referral Among Individuals with Parkinson Disease (1071)

Objective: To pilot the use of a trigger-based method for specialty Palliative Care referral in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). Background: There is recognition of the benefit of specialty Palliative Care in PD. However, optimal methods to operationalize referral remain unclear. Oncology has explored the use of triggers (specific symptoms or events) to prompt referral to Palliative Care, but their use has not been assessed in PD. Design/Methods: We identified individuals for potential referral to Palliative Care using a trigger-based questionnaire (triggers: uncontrolled depression, pain, fatigue; ≥3 falls, ≥10 pounds weight loss, wheelchair bound) in a movement disorders clinic. Individuals who indicated the presence of a trigger and care partners were invited to enroll. We assessed: 1) barriers to referral and the proportion of individuals who saw a Palliative Care specialist; 2) changes in disease and care partner burden between baseline and 3 months following consultation; and 3) participant opinions of the intervention via qualitative interviews. Results: We identified 55 eligible respondents among 250 returned questionnaires (77.4% return rate). We enrolled 20 individuals with PD and 10 care partners; the most common reason for non-enrollment was limited perceived benefit. Among participants with PD, mean age was 66.1 years, mean disease duration 8.7 years. 13 participants completed ≥1 visit with Palliative Care. Reasons for not completing consultation included scheduling challenges (n=3), loss to follow-up (n=2), cost (n=1), death (n=1). There was no significant change in outcomes over 3 months. However, participants endorsed subjective benefit with improved symptom control, broadening the focus of their care, and facilitating advance care planning. Conclusions: A trigger-based questionnaire was feasible to screen for Palliative Care referral in PD, and those who underwent consultation indicated benefit. 17.0% of patients endorsed a trigger, but only 23.6% of eligible respondents completed consultation. Alternative methods to screen for palliative needs are likely required in PD. Disclosure: Dr. Tarolli has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zimmerman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dorsey has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Roche; Sanofi; Clintrex; Olson Research Group, Inc.; Denali Therapetuics; Biogen; Abbvie; DeciBio; Prilenia. He has ownerships interests with Blackfynn and Grand Rounds. Dr. Dorsey has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Karger. Dr. Dorsey has received research support from Biogen; Pfizer; Biosensics; Abbvie.Dr. Horowitz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kluger has nothing to disclose. Dr. Holloway has nothing to disclose.
Structural change and insulator to metal transition of LaMnO3 by molybdenum substitution

Abstract In this work we report a structural, transport, and magnetic characterization of LaMn1-xMoxO3 perovskite system with x = 0 to 0.06 (increment of 0.01) have been investigated. The Mo substitution is found to induce significant modifications in these properties due to the high valence of Mo ions. With increasing Mo substitution, the structure evolves from orthorhombic (x ≤ 0.01) to a rhombohedral (x ≥ 0.02). The low Mo substitution (x ≤ 0.01) induces sharp ferromagnetic (FM) transition with insulating behavior and coexistence of spin-glass state at low temperature. Whereas, with further Mo substitution (x ≥ 0.02), a FM with metal insulator transition (TIM) were observed. With increase Mo content, the Curie temperature and TIM increases and resistivity decreases. The transport mechanism in the paramagnetic state for all the samples is dominated by the three dimensional, 3D – variable range hopping. The unusual transition from ferromagnetic insulator (FMI) to ferromagnetic metal (FMM) ordering with Mo content is due to the strong double exchange, DE interaction between Mn3+ and Mn4+ is arising from the induced Mn4+ ions with the hexavalent Mo6+ doping at Mn-site.
Synergistic Deoxynucleoside and Gene Therapies for Thymidine Kinase 2 Deficiency.

Objective Autosomal recessive human thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) mutations cause TK2 deficiency, which typically manifests as a progressive and fatal mitochondrial myopathy in infants and children. Treatment with pyrimidine deoxynucleosides deoxycytidine and thymidine ameliorates mitochondrial defects and extends the lifespan of Tk2 knock-in mouse (Tk2KI ) and compassionate use deoxynucleoside therapy in TK2 deficient patients have shown promising indications of efficacy. To augment therapy for Tk2 deficiency, we assessed gene therapy alone and in combination with deoxynucleoside therapy in Tk2KI mice. Methods We generated pAAVsc CB6 PI vectors containing human TK2 cDNA (TK2). AAV-TK2 was administered to Tk2KI , which were serially assessed for weight, motor functions, and survival as well as biochemical functions in tissues. AAV-TK2 treated mice were further treated with deoxynucleosides. Results AAV9 delivery of human TK2 cDNA to Tk2KI mice efficiently rescued Tk2 activity in all the tissues tested except kidney, delayed disease onset, and increased lifespan. Sequential treatment of Tk2KI mice with AAV9 first followed by AAV2 at different ages allowed us to reduce the viral dose while further prolonging the lifespan. Furthermore, addition of deoxycytidine and deoxythymidine supplementation to AAV9 + AAV2 treated Tk2KI mice dramatically improved mtDNA copy numbers in liver and kidney, animal growth, and lifespan. Interpretation Our data indicate that AAV-TK2 gene therapy as well as combination deoxynucleoside and gene therapies is more effective in Tk2KI mice than pharmacological alone. Thus, combination of gene therapy with substrate enhancement is promising therapeutic approach for TK2 deficiency and potentially other metabolic disorders. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
AFM characterization of cellulose nanocrystal height and width using internal calibration standards

A variety of models have been suggested for the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Although many studies report measurements of CNC width (from transmission electron microscopy, TEM) and height (from atomic force microscopy, AFM), few have measured both cross-sectional dimensions for the same CNC sample and the same particles. Previous work has demonstrated that the TEM width is approximately twice the AFM height, a result that was explained by lateral aggregation of CNCs. Here we examine this question in more detail by measuring both CNC width and height by a single technique, AFM. The ability to measure both cross-sectional dimensions was facilitated by several factors: access to a fractionated CNC sample with few agglomerated particles, AFM imaging at low applied force with a small, nominal probe radius and in situ calibration of the AFM probe radius using co-deposited gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Two sizes of AuNPs provided optimal calibration of the tip radius and allowed internal validation of the approach. The results show that the CNC width/height ratio covers a relatively wide range with a larger variation in width than height. The ratios indicate that approximately a third of the particles adsorb with their shorter cross-sectional side on the surface. A fraction of CNCs (28%) have an approximately symmetric cross-section whereas the remainder are asymmetric with one axis that is 2–3 times longer than the other. The results are consistent with a combination of laterally aggregated CNCs that cannot be resolved as individual particles and CNC particles that are comprised of multiple crystallites. This has important implications for applications in which the particle length/cross-section determines the CNC properties.
Chapter 27 – RAPH blood group system

Publisher Summary The history, terminology, expression, and the carrier molecule related to the RAPH blood group system are reviewed. The disease association of the RAPH blood group system is also discussed. An absence of the antigen in three of four probands with anti-MER2 maybe associated with kidney disease. The effect of enzymes/chemicals on MER2 antigen on intact red blood cells (RBCs), the in vitro characteristics of alloanti-MER2, and the clinical significance of alloanti-MER2 are discussed.
Robust stability and performance analysis using polynomial chaos theory

In model-based control schemes, the importance of performing robust stability and performance analysis is partly due to the presence of uncertainty. This uncertainty can be modeled as structured or unstructured, though this paper deals primarily with structured uncertainty, specifically parametric uncertainty. Parametric uncertainty can be manifested in the form of parametric tolerance, parameter noise, or parameter disturbances. After the design phase, for the validation of the design itself, it is also important to consider parametric uncertainty in the simulation/evaluation of a system in both open loop and closed loop. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the use of Polynomial Chaos Theory (PCT) in this analysis process. PCT offers a comprehensive approach to be used in the design and validation. The theory description is enriched with an application in the power electronics field.
Enhanced time resolution in band limitted communication systems

We consider the problem of providing highly accurate time delay or ranging estimates in bandwidth limited communication systems. Prior research has shown that the variance of the time delay estimation error in white Gaussian noise is inversely proportional to the time duration of a power limited probe signal and the square of its mean square bandwidth. To achieve higher resolution, we describe a new approach that synthetically generates a wider bandwidth probing signal using several signals with low bandwidth and processing their returns appropriately at the receiver. The lower bandwidth signals are the outputs of a full tree uniform multirate decomposition of a large bandwidth virtual probing signal. We show that by properly combining the returns corresponding to these low bandwidth signals, we effectively synthesize the return corresponding to the virtual large bandwidth signal. We also show that the approach is robust to oscillator phase mismatches that occur when switching from one sub-signal to another and yields superior performance when compared to traditional techniques.
Analytical modeling of resistance for AT-cut quartz strips

Motional resistance R/sub m/ is a key customer specification for quartz plate resonators. Published experimental studies have shown that resistance of z-length quartz strips is strip width dependent. Another resistance characteristic of strip resonators is the steady increase of strip resistance as the frequency of strips gets lower. It is, therefore, very common that low frequency strips are thickness contoured. To explain the observed dependency of resonator resistance on strip width, we propose in this paper that the resistance and, in turn, the Q value, of strip resonators be vibration mode dependent. When the width of strips changes, the vibrations of strips vary from TSH dominant to flexure dominant and, in turn, the resistance fluctuates. To model the relation between resistance and strip width, Mindlin plate equations of coupled TSH and flexure motions are employed. The resistance of the resonators comes from structural damping. The resulting forced vibration problem is solved using the Galerkin method. A numerical example is given using one natural mode in the Galerkin method. The predicted resistance agrees in trend with measured strip discussed observed from experiments. Applications of the proposed method are discussed.
Phase Analysis of Groups of Elementary School Pupils

BALES AND STRODTBECK (2) have presented a method of testing for the empirical existence of dif ferentiated phases in group process. The "phase hypothesis", as they termed it, is the proposition that under certain conditions groups tend to m o v e in their interaction from a relative emphasis upon problems of orientation, to problems of evaluation, and subsequently to problems of control, and that concurrent with these transitions, the relative fre quencies of both negative reactions and positive re actions tend to increase. The terms, orientation, evaluation, control, neg ative and positive reactions, used in the hypothesis are operational categories developed by Bales for observed acts and now well known as Interaction Process Categories (1). The conditions referred to in the hypothesis are the following four constituted prior conditions: 1. Persons composing the groups are assumed to be "normal". 2. Groups in which there is some minimum pres sure to maintain their solidarity so that joint decisions will have some binding power over the members after the observed sequence. The status differences among the members of a group should not be so great as to deny each member the right to participate. 3. Period of observation should be complete as a topical unit. Groups which are not con cerned with a fairly specific problem of group planning and decision should not be included. 4. Participants will be adults or near-adult mem bers of our culture. When all the above provisions are met the group session is said to meet the full-fledged conditions set in the hypothesis. In the initial investigations three phases were specified by dividing into thirds the cycle of opera tions for the total period to be analyzed, producing the first, middle and final phases. Thus, the total period is divided so that each phase includes one third of the acts of the total period. It should be emphasized that the term relative was employed in the hypothesis. Thus, it is not meant that the absolute magnitude for the selected activity is greater than all others in that phase ?it is meant rather, that the rate of the selected activ ity is at its own high point in the designated phase. Bales and Strodtbeck analyzed 22 cases (22 group sessions). When all the acts of these 22 cases were summed together by type of act and phase, the val ues for each type of act had maxima and minima val ues which corresponded exactly with the particular movement postulated for individual cases under the specified full-fledged conditions. Strodtbeck suggested to the investigator the ap plication of the phase hypothesis to the groups of el ementary school children the author was studying. Only one of the full-fledged conditions would not be met, that of age of participants.
Tetanus Neurotoxin Utilizes Two Sequential Membrane Interactions for Channel Formation

Tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT) causes neuroparalytic disease by entering the neuronal soma to block the release of neurotransmitters. However, the mechanism by which TeNT translocates its enzymatic domain (light chain) across endosomal membranes remains unclear. We found that TeNT and a truncated protein devoid of the receptor binding domain (TeNT-LHN) associated with membranes enriched in acidic phospholipids in a pH-dependent manner. Thus, in contrast to diphtheria toxin, the formation of a membrane-competent state of TeNT requires the membrane interface and is modulated by the bilayer composition. Channel formation is further enhanced by tethering of TeNT to the membrane through ganglioside co-receptors prior to acidification. Thus, TeNT channel formation can be resolved into two sequential steps: 1) interaction of the receptor binding domain (heavy chain receptor binding domain) with ganglioside co-receptors orients the translocation domain (heavy chain translocation domain) as the lumen of the endosome is acidified and 2) low pH, in conjunction with acidic lipids within the membrane drives the conformational changes in TeNT necessary for channel formation.
Comparative influence of resuspended glacial sediment on physicochemical characteristics and primary production in two arctic lakes

We compared physicochemical properties and rates of phytoplankton and epipelic primary production in two shallow lakes in the Alaskan arctic on eight occasions over three years. The two morphometrically similar lakes lacked defined inlets and had a mean depth of 2.2 m. The lakes differed with respect to glacial influence. Lake GTH 112 was continuously turbid due to resuspension of glacial silt from the lake bed, while GTH 114 showed higher clarity as it was situated on coarser glacial drift. The two lakes contrasted sharply in euphotic zone nutrient concentrations. Soluble reactive phosphorus, NO 3 − -N and NH 4 + -N concentrations averaged 0.17, 2.5 and 12.6 μM, respectively, in GTH 112, but were generally at or below the detection limit of 0.05 μM in GTH 114. Reduced light limited the ability of phytoplankton in GTH 112 to use the increased nutrients, and volume-based rates of phytoplankton primary production were similar between lakes. High turbidity in GTH 112 decreased the average percentage of total lake volume and sediment surface within the euphotic zone to 63% and 47%, respectively, compared with values of 88% and 85%, respectively, for GTH 114. Consequently, the average whole lake (phytoplankton plus epipelic) primary production rate in GTH 112 (8.5 mmol m−2 d−1) was significantly lower than the mean rate (12.3 mmol m−2 d−1) for GTH 114. The increase in turbidity affected benthic and pelagic habitats proportionately, as epipelon accounted for about 25% of total whole lake primary production in both lakes.
Beyond mice and men: environmental change, immunity and infections in wild ungulates

In the face of rapid environmental change, anticipating shifts in microparasite and macroparasite dynamics, including emergence events, is an enormous challenge. We argue that immunological studies in natural populations are pivotal to meeting this challenge: many components of environmental change--shifts in biotic assemblages, altered climate patterns and reduced environmental predictability--may affect host immunity. We suggest that wild ungulates can serve as model systems aiding the discovery of immunological mechanisms that link environmental change with parasite transmission dynamics. Our review of eco-immunological studies in wild ungulates reveals progress in understanding how co-infections affect immunity and parasite transmission and how environmental and genetic factors interact to shape immunity. Changes in bioavailability of micronutrients have been linked to immunity and health in wild ungulates. Although physiological stress in response to environmental change has been assessed, downstream effects on immunity have not been studied. Moreover, the taxonomic range of ungulates studied is limited to bovids (bighorn sheep, Soay sheep, chamois, musk oxen, bison, African buffalo) and a few cervids (red deer, black-tailed deer). We discuss areas where future studies in ungulates could lead to significant contributions in understanding the patterns of immunity and infection in natural populations and across species.
IP multicasting in HF radio networks

Military applications for multicasting abound. In this paper, we propose a multicast data link protocol for third-generation (3G) high frequency (HF) radio networks, and evaluate its ability to support IP multicasting of military messages in HF radio networks.
Structure changes in model membranes monitored by variable period x-ray standing waves: effect of Langmuir-Blodgett film thickness on thermal behavior

Variable period X-ray standing wave (XSW) measurements have been used previously to monitor and to interpret structure rearrangements undergone during a phase transition in a model membrane with angstrom resolution. In the present study, an extended length scale ranging from 40 up to ca. 1000 8, has been used without sacrificing resolution to address the question of whether the phase transition characteristics of a lipid multilayer are sensitive to the number and identity of the lamellae in the membrane stack. The system chosen for examination consisted of an octadecanethiol (ODT) coated gold mirror on top of which a variable number (0, 2, 8, and 16) of w-tricosenoic acid (C23, UTA) bilayers followed by a single upper inverted bilayer of zinc arachidate (C20, ZnA) was deposited by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. Variable period XSW measurements provided precise information on the zinc layer mean position and width and were used to track the collapse of the heavy atom layer during the thermotropic phase transition. Samples with and without the UTA layers showed disparate pretransitional rearrangements, transition temperatures, and apparent cooperativity as well as final high-temperature zinc distribution. At sufficiently high temperatures, the ODT monolayer appears to desorb from the gold mirror surface to be replaced by a layer of zinc. In all samples containing wTA, the cooperative transition occurred at ca. 72 "C, which has been shown by simultaneous calorimetry and lowand wide-angle time-resolved X-ray diffraction to correspond to the onset of melting of bulk UTA. Thus, the remarkable result that bulk behavior is displayed by as few as two LB bilayers of UTA. With all thin film samples, the temperature-induced structure change was not reversed upon cooling to and subsequent storage at room temperature.
Damned If You Do and Damned If You Don’t: Title VII and Public Employee Promotion Disparate Treatment and Disparate Impact Litigation

What has been the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2009 decision in Ricci v. Destefano on the selection and promotion practices of public employers?; Relying solely on circumstantial evidence, the Supreme Court held that the Civil Service Board of New Haven, Connecticut, had engaged in Title VII disparate treatment discrimination by refusing to certify the results of a promotion examination that led, in turn, to a disparate impact on African American firefighters. To limit the discretion of public employers to disregard such selection and promotion exam results, the Ricci majority held that a public employer must “have a strong basis in evidence to believe it will be subject to disparate-impact liability if it fails to the take the race-conscious discriminatory action.” This article argues that the decision effectively prohibits public employers from rejecting the results of selection and promotion instruments, even though there is evidence that screening instruments inequitably affect protected groups. It also forces public employers to become more careful in developing selection and promotion examinations or face the possibility of costly Title VII litigation.