cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decision-theoretic approach to designing cyber resilient systems

The increasing number of persistent attacks on computing systems has inspired considerable research in cyber resilience solutions. Resilient system designers seek objective approaches to aid in the comparison and selection of effective solutions. Decision theoretic techniques such as Markov decision processes can be leveraged for such comparisons and design decisions. Markov decision processes facilitate examination of uncertainty in system dynamics, diversity of responses, and optimization for operational objectives. This paper proposes a system design approach based in decision theory to achieve effective cyber resilience solutions. The prototypical example of a system with network intrusion detection and host reconstitution is used to illustrate this approach and highlight difficulties designers face due to the non-trivial coupling that may arise between response mechanisms.
Indifference to Chaotic Motion May Be Related to Social Disinterest in Children With Autism

Children with autism spectrum disorder tend to have little interest in the presence, actions, and motives of other persons. In addition, these children tend to present with a limited and overly redundant movement repertoire, often expressing hyperfixation and aversion to novelty. We explore whether this is related to a more fundamental lack of appreciation for various temporal dynamics, including periodic, chaotic, and aperiodic motion structures. Seven children with ASD (age, gender, and height matched with children without ASD) were asked to stand and watch the motion of a visual stimulus displayed on a large (55") video monitor. Gaze and posture movements were recorded and assessed using cross recurrence quantification analysis for qualities of coordination, including rate and duration of bouts of coordination. Results showed that children with ASD do not express an affinity to chaotic motion of the stimulus in the same way as children without ASD. We contend that this indifference to chaotic motion is...
Importance of urban street tree policies: A Comparison of neighbouring Southern California cities

Abstract Research points to numerous benefits provided by urban street trees including qualitative and quantitative public health, economic, and environmental advantages for a city and its residents. As with other key aspects of city management that help develop municipal success, urban forestry requires foresight, commitment and planning that lead to effective policies and strategies. Good street tree management based on effective policies can maximise street tree benefits. Poorly conceived policies or the absence of effective policies can lead to the opposite result. A case study of the neighbouring cities of Loma Linda and Redlands, California illustrates this difference. The urban tree care and protection policies in these two cities have evolved differently. The differences may be attributable to contrasting municipal commitments to preservation and to best-practice management principles. Based on a comparative analysis of street tree policies of the two cities, it can be concluded that a local culture favouring tree protection and reflective guidelines and policies can result in proactive and successful management of an urban forest. Such policies also include provision for gathering data essential for strategic tree planting, care and removal.
The End of Abolition & the Return of Slavery: A Mild Rebuke

Was abolition, the motive force for the world-wide ending of slavery, only a product of two spirited ideas: fervent Christianity & Enlightenment reason? To be blunt, was abolition the product of fanatical, progressive Christianity and fanatical, progressive deism? Will abolition cease with the end of these Enlightenment-era creeds? Throughout human history, societies practiced various forms of enslavement. Then, quite suddenly, the European societies and states that arose from the culture of the Enlightenment moved to abolish those practices around the world. Their reasons were deeply enmeshed in revealed religion and deistic philosophy. Yet, postmodernism and technocratic positivism have overwhelmed the older ideologies of faded modernity. Furthermore, neither postmodernism nor positivism are opposed to slavery in itself. Postmodernism elevates the human will to such heights that it cannot help but admire the individual who can impose a self-will over others. Positivism simply demotes human freedom. With the rise of ideologies antithetical to the free will of human beings (such as positivism) and the objective value of human beings (such as postmodernity), is it any surprise we see a concomitant rise in human trafficking – the contemporary form of slave-trade? Indeed, it is the rise of postmodernism and technocratic positivism which undergird the new forms of slavery after the end of abolition.
Prostate Cancer Imaging: What the Urologist Wants to Know

No consensus exists at present regarding the use of imaging for the evaluation of prostate cancer. Ultrasonography is mainly used for biopsy guidance and magnetic resonance imaging is the mainstay in evaluating the extent of local tumor. Computed tomography and radionuclide bone scanning are mainly reserved for assessment of advanced disease. Positron emission tomography is gaining acceptance in the evaluation of treatment response and recurrence. The combination of anatomic, functional, and metabolic imaging modalities has promise to improve treatment. This article reviews current imaging techniques and touches on the evolving technologies being used for detection and follow-up of prostate cancer.
Supplemental Summer Literacy Instruction: Implications for Preventing Summer Reading Loss.

Summer reading loss is a prevalent problem that occurs primarily for students who are not exposed to or encouraged to read at home or in summer programs when school is out. This problem prevails among early readers from low-income backgrounds. This study provided 31 six and seven-year-old children with a structured guided reading program through an existing community summer program (e.g., YMCA). Specifically, camp counselors were trained to deliver scripted guided reading instruction daily in ability groups consistent with student age. Researchers were able to establish the need for reading instruction to, at minimum, prevent summer reading loss by administering the Informal Reading Inventory (IRI) prior to intervention. Further, weekly oral reading fluency assessments were completed for all participants throughout the 9-week reading program. Results suggest that both six and seven-year-old children performed consistently across the summer program, without any summer reading loss measured. The implication...
Trump and the Republican Brand Refresh

The chapter will introduce the concept, introduce the history of the GOP brand since 2000 and then outline how Trump: (A) presented himself using Reagan’s branding, (B) developed a product that was more populist and harkened back to the kind of anger that Nixon and George Wallace had in the GOP back in the early 1970s, (C) branded as the restoration to a past, glorious America in which the rules were followed, the borders were secure, the values of the majority were valued most (both in racial and in cultural terms), there was no threat of terrorist violence, the economy worked for all and it didn’t require a grad degree to get a job that paid decent money, (D) the wall will get its own section because it shows how Trump followed the law of the visual in his marketing, (E) the legacy of the Obama campaigns on Trump will be briefly explored. Then, the piece will close with the extent to which the Trump brand refresh can or cannot refresh the GOP brand.
Epidemiology and Clinical Relevance of Toxic Shock Syndrome in US Children.

Introduction:It is important for clinicians to recognize the contribution of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) to the overall burden of pediatric septic shock because the clinical features, optimal therapy and prognosis differ from non-TSS septic shock.Methods:We analyzed cases of pediatric septic shock re
Advances in Orthonormalizing Computation

Publisher Summary The chapter presents a survey of least square approximation techniques in numerical analysis and some recent numerical results in this field, which were obtained at the National Bureau of Standards on an IBM 704 computer. The chapter describes aspects of this theory, which are of utility in numerical analysis and which display a spectrum of applications of the least square idea. The chapter discusses a wide variety of inner product spaces that appear in theoretical arguments. In the discrete case, inner products are the sums of ordinary products whereas in the continuous case, inner products are integrals. The chapter describes the methods of orthogonalization and least square methods for ordinary differential equations. The chapter also presents numerical experiments in the solution of boundary value problems by using the method of orthonormalized particular solutions. These experiments indicate the accuracy that can be achieved with the least square method in a wide variety of situations.
Progression of the myeloid differentiation program is dominant to transforming growth factor-beta 1-induced apoptosis in M1 myeloid leukemic cells

Hematopoiesis is a profound example of cell homeostasis that is regulated throughout life. This process requires the participation of many factors, including positive and negative regulators of growth and differentiation, that determine survival, growth stimulation, differentiation, functional activation, and programmed cell death. Understanding the effects of multiple stimuli on specific cells at the molecular and cellular level is crucial towards understanding how the population of blood cells maintains a homeostatic state. Two appropriate stimuli for analysis, both of which are found in bone marrow, are differentiation-inducing cytokines, which induce terminal differentiation associated with growth arrest, ultimately culminating in programmed cell death, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF- beta 1), which induces rapid growth arrest and apoptosis of hematopoietic cells. Previously, we have shown, using M1 myeloblastic leukemic cells as a model system, that differentiation-inducing cytokines induce terminal differentiation associated with growth arrest and, only after 5 to 7 days, apoptosis, whereas TGF-beta 1 induces rapid growth arrest and apoptosis. In this report, we show that M1 myeloid leukemic cells treated concomitantly with the differentiation inducer interleukin-6 and TGF-beta 1 undergo terminal differentiation, in which modulators of the MyD118 gene product, previously shown to be a positive regulator of TGF-beta 1-induced apoptosis, are implicated to play a role in protecting the cells from TGF-beta 1-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, using M1 cell variants blocked at different stages after induction of differentiation, including M1myb and M1myc, as well as conditionally blocked M1mycer, it has been shown that the dominance of interleukin-6 to TGF-beta 1-induced apoptosis is dependent on the progression of the differentiation program. Further studies with M1 and the genetically engineered M1 cell variants will be instrumental towards molecularly dissecting the interaction of hematopoietic differentiation with a variety of apoptotic pathways.
Isolation and Characterization of High Molecular Weight Forms of Relaxin

The striking structural homology with insulin suggests that relaxin may also be derived from a 9,000 dalton single peptide chain precursor. Therefore, in the past few years, we have been searching for a precursor of relaxin using two different approaches, namely, a) isolation of the precursor from pregnant sow ovaries and b) demonstration of the precursor in in vitro biosynthetic studies.
The Empirical Case for Bare Demonstratives in Vision

This chapter draws some parallels between the study of language and the study of visual perception. In both cases there is evidence for modularity and for the productivity of the representations to which they give rise. In both cases it has been recognized that the purely conceptual representations that have been discussed in language and in computational vision are not the whole story. What is missing is some direct connection with token individuals in the world that they describe. In language this connection may be established by a demonstrative term (e.g., this). In the case of vision the parallel would be a singular term that has reference but no descriptive content. I develop a theory of such direct (or demonstrative) reference in vision called Visual Index or FINST theory. I motivate the need for a mechanism of direct reference in vision by describing a number of empirical phenomena. These include the phenomena of single-object advantage, detecting patterns by selecting relevant parts (and executing “visual routines”), and keeping track of individual objects that move among identical distractors (in Multiple Object Tracking experiments). I also discuss the need for a mechanism of direct reference to solve such classical problems of vision as the correspondence problem (computing when several proximal tokens correspond to the same distal object) and the binding problem (establishing when several properties that occur in a visual scene are properties of the same object).
Meloidogyne Stylet Secretions

The feeding relationships parasitic nematodes have evolved with susceptible plants are diverse. Relationships may be relatively simple, such as those of certain migratory ectoparasitic nematodes which feed on epidermal cells of plant roots without killing the cells. Or relationships may be complex, such as those of the sedentary endoparasitic nematodes which modify plant cells into highly specialized feeding sites. Bioactive molecules synthesized in the esophageal glands and secreted through the nematode’s protrusible stylet regulate plant-nematode interactions. These stylet secretions may function in penetration and migration of nematodes in plant tissue, modification and maintenance of plant cells as feeding sites, formation of feeding tubes, and/or digestion of host cell contents to facilitate nutrient acquisition by the nematode. Secretory molecules from sedentary endoparasites are particularly intriguing because of the complex changes in plant cell phenotype and function that they modulate.
Association of Diaporthe longicolla with Black Zone Lines on Mature Soybean Plants

ABSTRACT In 2014, during a survey for soybean (Glycine max L.) diseases in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and South Dakota, zone lines were observed on the lower stems of soybean plants. The su...
27.12 MHz Bi-Directional Wireless Power Transfer Using Current-Mode Class D Converters with Phase-Shift Power Modulation

Bi-directional power transfer enables new paradigms in how users ubiquitously share and store energy. Increasing switching frequency benefits wireless power transfer (WPT) in miniaturization. Bi-directional WPT at high-frequency (HF, 3–30 MHz) and very-high-frequency (VHF, 30–300 MHz) is challenging, especially with adjustable power and resilience to different loading and coupling conditions. We investigate 27.12 MHz bi-directional WPT using current-mode class D (CMCD) converters. We use a simplified model that is better for design, which we derived from a well-known current-controlled-voltage-source (CCVS) model. A prototype demonstrates a proof of principle and shows that both models predict power and efficiency adequately under different coupling and phase shift. Criteria for maximum power and efficiency are also discussed.
Social Networks and Educational Attainment among Adolescents Experiencing Pregnancy

Pregnant adolescents are a population at risk for dropout and have been found to complete fewer years of education than peers. Pregnant girls’ social experience in school may be a factor in their l...
Piezoelectric Topological Insulators for Acoustic Waves

We present topological insulators for surface acoustic waves on piezoelectric materials. Our structures are based on honeycomb lattices of different types of acoustic domains and derive their nontrivial topology by breaking the symmetry of the lattice hexagonal unit cells. Our results can have applications in compact signal processing integrated devices at microwave frequencies based on surface acoustic waves.
Treatment with Modified Heat Shock Protein Repigments Vitiligo Lesions in Sinclair Swine

HSP70i is secreted by stressed melanocytes, is associated with human vitiligo lesions, and functionally contributes to a mouse model of vitiligo. Henning et al. report that treatment with a modified version of the protein reversed depigmentation in Sinclair swine, a useful animal model of vitiligo. These studies provide the rationale for testing in human studies.
Novel Mechanical Magnetic Shutter Antenna for ELF /VLF Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation from 3 Hz to 30 kHz in the ELF/ULF/VLF bands sees continued and even renewed interest, despite significant engineering challenges in creating portable radiation systems in this frequency range. A novel mechanical shutter-based antenna with fixed permanent magnets is presented that allows for broadband radiation from a handheld source without the excessive mechanical requirements that have made traditional mechanical antenna concepts impractical. The validated prototype is a mechanical alternative to an electrically short antenna.
Lentiviral Gene Therapy for Bone Repair Using Human Umbilical Cord Blood–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been increasingly explored as an alternative source of stem cells for use in regenerative medicine due to several advantages over other stem-cell sources, including the need for less stringent human leukocyte antigen matching. Combined with an osteoinductive signal, UCB-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could revolutionize the treatment of challenging bone defects. This study aimed to develop an ex vivo regional gene-therapy strategy using BMP-2-transduced allogeneic UCB-MSCs to promote bone repair. To this end, human UCB-MSCs were transduced with a lentiviral vector carrying the cDNA for BMP-2 (LV-BMP-2). In vitro assays to determine the UCB-MSC osteogenic potential and BMP-2 production were followed by in vivo implantation of LV-BMP-2-transduced UCB-MSCs in a mouse hind-limb muscle pouch. Non-transduced and LV-GFP-transduced UCB-MSCs were used as controls. Transduction with LV-BMP-2 was associated with abundant BMP-2 production and induction of osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Implantation of BMP-2-transduced UCB-MSCs led to robust heterotopic bone formation 4 weeks postoperatively, as seen on radiographs and histology. These results, along with the fact that UCB-MSCs can be easily collected with no donor-site morbidity and low immunogenicity, suggest that UCB might be a preferable allogeneic source of MSCs to develop an ex vivo gene-therapy approach to treat difficult bone-repair scenarios.
Rapid development of a restored oyster reef facilitates habitat provision for estuarine fauna

Oyster reef restoration has become a principal strategy for ameliorating the loss of natural Crassostrea virginica populations and increasing habitat provision. In 2014, a large‐scale, high‐relief, 23‐ha subtidal C. virginica reef was restored at the historically productive Half Moon Reef in Matagorda Bay, TX, using concrete and limestone substrates. Encrusting and motile fauna were sampled seasonally until 17 months postrestoration at the restored reef and at adjacent unrestored sites. Restored oysters developed rapidly and were most abundant 3 months postrestoration, with subsequent declines possibly due to interacting effects of larval settlement success on new substrate versus post‐settlement mortality due to competitors and predators. Oyster densities were 2× higher than in a restored oyster population in Chesapeake Bay that was reported to be the largest reestablished metapopulation of native oysters in the world. Resident fauna on the restored reef were 62% more diverse, had 433% greater biomass, and comprised a distinct faunal community compared to unrestored sites. The presence of three‐dimensional habitat was the most important factor determining resident faunal community composition, indicating that substrate limitation is a major hindrance for oyster reef community success in Texas and other parts of the Gulf of Mexico. There were only minor differences in density, biomass, and diversity of associated fauna located adjacent (13 m) versus distant (150 m) to the restored reef. The two substrate types compared had little influence on oyster recruitment or faunal habitat provision. Results support the use of reef restoration as a productive means to rebuild habitat and facilitate faunal enhancement.
Tests of General Intelligence

The Goodenough—Harris Drawing Test has its origins in the Goodenough Draw-a-Man Test, which was developed in 1926 and revised by Harris in 1963. It requires the subject to draw a man; alternate forms include instructions for the subject to draw a woman or to draw himself or herself. It is scored on the basis of 73 items related to the detail, the proportion, and the position of the drawing. The result of this scoring procedure is known as the Point Scale. There is also a set of quality scores, which are determined by comparison with a set of 12 drawings said to represent different levels of conceptual maturation. The Quality Scale can be transformed into IQ estimates. The Goodenough—Harris can be administered to either a group or an individual. Age-related norms are available for individuals between the ages of 5 and 15. The score values are normally distributed and increase with age (Scott, 1981).
Impact Analysis of Data Integrity Attacks on Power Electronics and Electric Drives

In this paper, the impact of various data integrity attacks on power electronics and electric drives is analyzed based on the predefined performance metrics. The cyber physical system (CPS)models of power electronics and electric drives are firstly proposed to investigate the interaction between physical systems and cyber systems. Then, a few predefined performance metrics are introduced, which are needed to evaluate the impact of data integrity attacks on power electronics and electric drives. The simulation is conducted to quantitatively analyze the impact under different attack scenarios for electric drive systems in electric vehicles as a case study. Simulation results show that the metrics are greatly impacted by data integrity attacks and have obvious features different from the ones under healthy conditions. For example, the total harmonic distortion could be increased by over 70% and the torque ripple could be increased up to 300% by maliciously reducing the current feedback signal to 10% of the original value.
Reach, Uptake, and Satisfaction of Three Delivery Modes of FUEL Your Life .

Background. FUEL Your Life (FYL) is a worksite translation of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). In a randomized controlled trial, participants in a phone coaching condition demonstrated greate...
The Basic Economics of Internet Infrastructure

The internet's structure and operations remain invisible to most economists. What determines the economic value of internet infrastructure and the incentives to improve it? What are the open research questions for the most salient policy issues? This article reviews the basic economics of internet infrastructure, focusing attention on the economic questions motivated by public aspirations for ubiquitous availability and widespread adoption of internet protocols.
Epiphrenic Diverticulum: 20-Year Single-Institution Experience:

Epiphrenic diverticula are pulsion-type outpouchings of the distal esophagus associated with motility disorders. They can present with chronic symptoms of dysphagia, regurgitation, reflux, and aspiration. A prospectively collected surgical outcomes database was queried for patients who underwent surgical treatment of epiphrenic diverticula at a single institution between August 1997 and August 2018. Patient demographics, presenting symptoms, operative intervention, and perioperative data were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-seven patients with a symptomatic epiphrenic diverticulum were identified. Abnormal esophageal motility was diagnosed in 16 patients (59.2%), most commonly achalasia (29.6%). All patients had a minimally invasive (26 laparoscopic, one thoracoscopic) diverticulectomy with no conversions to open required. Concurrent myotomy was performed in 88.9 per cent patients and anti-reflux procedure in 85.2 per cent patients. There was minimal morbidity with no esophageal leaks, mortalities, or recurrent diverticula noted after 35.8 months of follow-up. Dysphagia was the most common persistent symptom and occurred in 11.1 per cent; overall resolution of symptoms was achieved with surgery in 89.9 per cent of patients. As minimally invasive techniques have advanced, laparoscopic diverticulectomy seems to be an excellent surgical approach for symptomatic epiphrenic diverticula. Long-term resolution of symptoms was achieved in most patients, with a very low complication rate.
Silicon Reliability Characterization of Intel’s Foveros 3D Integration Technology for Logic-on-Logic Die Stacking

This work presents silicon reliability characterization of Intel’s Foveros three-dimensional (3D) logic-on-logic stacking technology implemented on the 22FFL process node. Simulations and data demonstrate mechanical strain safe zones around Through Silicon Vias (TSVs). Evaluations of TSV impact on transistor, interconnect, and defect reliability are reported with a Si technology focus. TSV and bump architectures pass thermomechanical assessments on the final optimized process flow. Foveros 3D stacking technology is shown to exhibit robust silicon reliability.
Pediatric laryngeal sarcoma: Systematic review and pooled analysis.

Abstract Background Sarcomas are a rare, diverse tumor class of mesenchymal origin affecting all age groups. Survival after diagnosis is influenced by disease site. To date, there are no analyses evaluating treatment of pediatric sarcoma within the larynx specifically. Methods A structured literature review following PRISMA guidelines was preformed to identify case reports of pediatric (age 17 and younger) laryngeal sarcoma. Results Twenty-nine case reports documenting 37 pediatric patients diagnosed with sarcoma in the larynx were identified since 1980. The majority of patients were male (79.4%). The most common histological subtypes were rhabdomyosarcoma (69.4%) and synovial sarcoma (19.4%). The supraglottis was the most common site of disease (62.1%) among laryngeal subsites. Only two patients were known to have succumbed to their disease. Overall survival was not statistically impacted by primary site of tumor, treatment strategy, histology or gender. Conclusions Soft tissue sarcoma is rarely found in the pediatric larynx. Patient and tumor characteristics studied were not shown to affect outcomes. Increased documenting of high-quality case reports is needed to advance understanding of this disease.
Identification of a druggable protein-protein interaction site between mutant p53 and its stabilizing chaperone DNAJA1.

The TP53 gene is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancers, and the majority of TP53 mutations are missense mutations. As a result, these mutant p53 (mutp53) either directly lose wildtype p53 (wtp53) tumor suppressor function or exhibit a dominant negative effect over wtp53. In addition, some mutp53 have acquired new oncogenic function (gain of function). Therefore, targeting mutp53 for its degradation may serve as a promising strategy for cancer prevention and therapy. Based on our previous finding that farnesylated DNAJA1 is a crucial chaperone in maintaining mutp53 stabilization, and by using an in silico approach, we built 3D homology models of human DNAJA1 and mutp53R175H proteins, identified the interacting pocket in the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex, and found one critical druggable small molecule binding site in the DNAJA1 glycine/phenylalanine-rich region. We confirmed that the interacting pocket in the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex was crucial for stabilizing mutp53R175H using a site-directed mutagenesis approach. We further screened a drug-like library to identify a promising small molecule hit (GY1-22) against the interacting pocket in the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex. The GY1-22 compound displayed an effective activity against the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex. Treatment with GY1-22 significantly reduced mutp53 protein levels, enhanced Waf1p21 expression, suppressed cyclin D1 expression, and inhibited mutp53-driven pancreatic cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo. Together, our results indicate that the interacting pocket in the DNAJA1-mutp53R175H complex is critical for mutp53's stability and oncogenic function, and DNAJA1 is a robust therapeutic target for developing the efficient small molecule inhibitors against oncogenic mutp53.
Dynamic response of timber pile ground improvement: 3D numerical simulations

Abstract Driven timber displacement piles are being increasingly used to densify and reinforce soils against earthquake-induced ground deformations. However, the role of timber piles to reinforce the soils and redistribute cyclic stresses to timber piles has not been established, despite their excellent flexural properties. This study presents a series of dynamic 3D, linear-elastic, numerical simulations set with the unit cell framework to evaluate the role of the tapered timber pile and design variables such as pile length, spacing and relative density on the amplification and stress redistribution possible with this ground improvement technique. The simulations indicate that the depth-dependent shear strain and shear stress redistribution variously depend on the pile length, spacing, relative density, and input motion frequency. Further, the previously-accepted shear strain compatibility assumption developed for stone columns served to greatly overestimate the magnitude in cyclic shear stress reduction. Due to the tapered pile geometry and the depth-varying soil properties implemented, the accuracy of a recently proposed approach to estimate shear stress redistribution to account for column flexure was found to depend on the flexibility of the composite soil-pile system: longer, more flexible piles and lower relative density were predicted more accurately than shorter, stiffer timber piles with higher relative density. In general, the average shear strain ratio between the improved and unimproved soil is most sensitive to pile length, moderately sensitive to relative density, and least sensitive to pile spacing, and the average ratio of shear stress reduction coefficients is most sensitive to pile spacing, moderately sensitive to pile length, and is least sensitive to relative density.
Exposure to a mixture of legacy, alternative, and replacement per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) results in sex-dependent modulation of cholesterol metabolism and liver injury.

Abstract Background Epidemiological studies have shown Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to be associated with diseases of dysregulated lipid and sterol homeostasis such as steatosis and cardiometabolic disorders. However, the majority of mechanistic studies rely on single chemical exposures instead of identifying mechanisms related to the toxicity of PFAS mixtures. Objectives The goal of the current study is to investigate mechanisms linking exposure to a PFAS mixture with alterations in lipid metabolism, including increased circulating cholesterol and bile acids. Methods Male and female wild-type C57BL/6J mice were fed an atherogenic diet used in previous studies of pollutant-accelerated atherosclerosis and exposed to water containing a mixture of 5 PFAS representing legacy, replacement, and alternative subtypes (i.e., PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX), each at a concentration of 2 mg/L, for 12 weeks. Changes at the transcriptome and metabolome level were determined by RNA-seq and high-resolution mass spectrometry, respectively. Results We observed increased circulating cholesterol, sterol metabolites, and bile acids due to PFAS exposure, with some sexual dimorphic effects. PFAS exposure increased hepatic injury, demonstrated by increased liver weight, hepatic inflammation, and plasma alanine aminotransferase levels. Females displayed increased lobular and portal inflammation compared to the male PFAS-exposed mice. Hepatic transcriptomics analysis revealed PFAS exposure modulated multiple metabolic pathways, including those related to sterols, bile acids, and acyl carnitines, with multiple sex-specific differences observed. Finally, we show that hepatic and circulating levels of PFOA were increased in exposed females compared to males, but this sexual dimorphism was not the same for other PFAS examined. Discussion Exposure of mice to a mixture of PFAS results in PFAS-mediated modulation of cholesterol levels, possibly through disruption of enterohepatic circulation.
Dynamic Phosphorylation of RGS Provides Spatial Regulation of MAP Kinase and Promotes Completion of Cytokinesis during the Yeast Pheromone Response

Abstract Yeast use a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathway to detect mating pheromone, arrest in G1, and direct polarized growth towards the potential mating partner. The primary negative regulator of this pathway is the regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS), Sst2, which induces Gα GTPase activity and subsequent inactivation of all downstream signaling including a MAPK cascade. The MAPK Fus3 phosphorylates the RGS in response to pheromone, but the role of this modification is unknown. We set out to examine the role of RGS phosphorylation during the pheromone response. We found that RGS phosphorylation peaks early in the pheromone response and diminishes RGS localization to the polarity site and focuses MAPK complexes there. At later time points, RGS is predominantly unphosphorylated, which promotes RGS localization to the polar cap and broadens the distribution of MAPK complexes relative to the Cdc42 polarity machinery. Surprisingly, we found that phosphorylation of the RGS is required for the completion of cytokinesis prior to pheromone induced growth. The completion of cytokinesis in the presence of pheromone is promoted by the formin Bnr1 and the kelch-repeat protein, Kel1, both proteins previously found to interact with the RGS.
Bimodal Hearing with Pediatric Cochlear Implant Recipients: Effect of Acoustic Bandwidth.

Objective The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acoustic bandwidth on bimodal benefit for speech understanding in pediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Study design Ten children (6-13 years) with CIs utilizing a bimodal hearing configuration participated in this study. Speech understanding was assessed via recorded Pediatric AzBio sentences presented in a 10-talker babble. The CI stimulus was always unprocessed and the low-pass filtered acoustic stimuli were delivered to the non-CI ear with the following cutoff frequencies: 250, 500, 750, 1000, and 1500 Hz. Setting Tertiary referral center. Main outcome measures Sentence recognition in noise for the acoustic-alone, CI-alone, and bimodal listening conditions. Results The primary findings were: (1) children gained significant bimodal benefit with 250 Hz, and (2) children demonstrated no statistically significant additional bimodal benefit with increasing acoustic bandwidth. Conclusions Acoustic bandwidth effects for pediatric CI recipients were significantly different than those documented in the literature for adult CI recipients. Specifically, this group of pediatric CI recipients demonstrated no increases in bimodal benefit with increases in acoustic bandwidth, primarily consistent with a segregation theory of bimodal integration.
Effect of gravity on the colonial morphology of staphylococci in soft agar.

Abstract After horizontal rotation on a clinostat at 1 rev/min, subsurface colonies of staphylococci in soft agar were compact and spherical; nonrotated colonies were diffuse and elongated.
The Fight over Digital Rights: The Politics of Copyright and Technology

1. Lightning in a bottle Part I. A Political History of Digital Copyright through 2006: 2. The Audio Home Recording Act, 1987-92 3. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act 4. A DRM interlude: 1999 to 2002 5. DMCA reform and the broadcast flag Part II. Political Communication in Key DRM Debates, 1989-2006: 6. Communicating in Congress 7. Communicating in print 8. The copyright and DRM debate online 9. Comparing the online and offline DRM debates Part III. The Present and Future of Digital Copyright and Digital Advocacy: 10. The DRM debate withers, 2007-10 11. New strategies and an historic uprising 12. The future of digital rights - and digital fights.
Has adult sleep duration declined over the last 50+ years?

The common assumption that population sleep duration has declined in the past few decades has not been supported by recent reviews, which have been limited to self-reported data. The aim of this review was to assess whether there has been a reduction in objectively recorded sleep duration over the last 50+ years. The literature was searched for studies published from 1960 to 2013, which assessed objective sleep duration (total sleep time (TST)) in healthy normal-sleeping adults. The search found 168 studies that met inclusion criteria, with 257 data points representing 6052 individuals ages 18-88 y. Data were assessed by comparing the regression lines of age vs. TST in studies conducted between 1960 and 1989 vs. 1990-2013. Weighted regression analyses assessed the association of year of study with age-adjusted TST across all data points. Regression analyses also assessed the association of year of study with TST separately for 10-y age categories (e.g., ages 18-27 y), and separately for polysomnographic and actigraphic data, and for studies involving a fixed sleep schedule and participants' customary sleep schedules. Analyses revealed no significant association of sleep duration with study year. The results are consistent with recent reviews of subjective data, which have challenged the notion of a modern epidemic of insufficient sleep.
Test Results of Proton Single-Event Effects Conducted by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

This paper reports recent single-event effects results for a variety of microelectronic devices that include ADC, DAC, DDS, MOSFET driver, analog switch, oscillator, and zero delay buffer. The data was collected to evaluate these devices for possible use in NASA spacecraft. Six of ten devices under study were sensitive to SEL, and the latchup was destructive.
Radical-Critical Theories

The goal of this chapter is to explicate a perspective termed radical-critical theory that questions the most fundamental assumptions of traditional family sociology. Basically, radical critics claim that family sociology, one of the oldest areas in the discipline, reflects its subject matter (rather than explaining it) and, as a consequence, constructs a deeply conservative sociological approach that limits its contribution to sociology and serves to justify the status quo in society.1
Simulazioni ad agenti in problemi finanziari

La finanza in senso moderno nasce con la rivoluzione industriale. Con il crescere delle imprese e delle loro infrastrutture, emerge con forza la necessita di poter raccogliere adeguati mezzi finanziari. Questo porta con se il bisogno di titoli in grado di garantire: a) all'emettitore fondi freschi da utilizzare per la propria attivita, b) a chi acquista questi titoli un forma di investimento remunerativa, sicura, commerciabile. La commerciabilita del titolo conduce con se la necessita che il titolo stesso abbia un valore, che si possano scambiare titoli all'interno di una cornice di garanzie reciproche, e infine che il valore stesso del titolo possa variare in funzione della quantita di persone disposte ad acquistarlo, o a venderlo.
Inhibition of malformin activity by hydroxyproline and restoration by proline

MALFORMIN, (cyclo-D-cysteinyl-D-cysteinyl-L-valyl-D-leucyl-L-isoleucyl)1, is produced by the fungus Aspergillus niger van Tiegh., induces severe malformations on stems and petioles of various plants, and causes root curvature2. When 14C-malformin was supplied to cuttings of the bean Phaseolus vulgaris L. most of the 14C was found in the wall fraction and was liberated from a protein-like component in the walls as 14C-malformeic acid (SO3H-malformin) by oxidation3. Previous results indicated that malformin inhibited wall synthesis and altered wall composition4–6. We recently found that malformin is a potent stimulator of plant growth and inhibits several phytochrome- and ethylene-mediated responses. Because some effects of light and ethylene on plant growth have been attributed to an increase in extensin8–11, a hydroxyproline-rich protein in plant walls, it was suggested that malformin may alter the synthesis or function of this wall component7. Because malformin activity is inhibited by reducing agents12 and it reacts with sulphydryl compounds13, involvement of wall sulphydryl groups in the activity of malformin was also proposed7. We report here on the effect of hydroxyproline and proline, amino acids important in the synthesis of extensin, on the growth-stimulating and root-curving activities of malformin.
Radiative and conductive transfer for a real gas in a cylindrical enclosure with gray walls

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the interaction of radiative and conductive transfer for a radiatively participating real gas stagnant in a cylindrical enclosure with gray diffuse walls. Consideration of reflecting boundaries represents an extension of previous black wall studies. Examination of radiative transfer was made by the zone method with gas radiative properties furnished by the weighted sum of gray gases model. Directed flux areas are expressed as the weighted sum of gray gas total exchange areas which are evaluated using the matrix formulation method from direct exchange areas. Axial and radial gas temperatures are examined along with wall heat flux or temperature for respective cases of either specified wall temperatures or heat fluxes. Emphasis is placed on examining results to show the effects of wall emittance and duct diameter. Results for heat generation within the gas are also presented.
Reasonable Magic and the Nature of Alchemy: Jewish Reflections on Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research

The controversy about research on human embryonic stem cells both divides and defines us, raising fundamental ethical and religious questions about the nature of the self and the limits of science. This article uses Jewish sources to articulate fundamental concerns about the forbiddenness of knowledge in general and of knowledge thought of as magical creation. Alchemy, and the turning of elements into gold and into substances for longevity, and magic used for the creation of living beings was at stake in various Talmudic texts. Since contemporary discourse calls regenerative science magical, and makes claims about its restorative power, careful reflection on when magic is forbidden and when it is responsible allows a novel understanding of ethical questions in stem cell research.
Aggressive choroid plexus papilloma

A young woman, who was initially treated for an Arnold-Chiari malformation, was found 7 years later to have a posterior third ventricular tumor. A superior cerebellar approach allowed total resection of the mass, which was an aggressive choroid plexus papilloma. The patient was treated with whole cerebrospinal axis radiation. There is no clinical or computed tomographic evidence of recurrence after 4 years. The literature is reviewed and a discussion of aggressive choroid plexus papilloma (carcinoma) is presented.
Synthesis and characterization of modified bismaleimide/polysulfone semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks

The present work reports a new method of preparing semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) membranes through in situ polymerization of bismaleimide (BMI) within polysulfone (PSF). It was found that BMI could be polymerized at ambient conditions in the presence of a proton donor and PSF without the use of an initiator or a catalyst. Chemical structure characterization of these semi-IPNs by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) revealed the possibility of imide cleavage and formation of amic acid when BMI polymerization was continued for a longer time while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the protonation of imide nitrogen at shorter polymerization time. It was also found that size of thermoset BMI phase within the PSF thermoplastic has a significant impact on glass-transition temperature of resulting semi-IPN. By controlling the thermoset/thermoplastic phase separation of semi-IPNs through dope composition and formation techniques, gas separation membranes with comparable selectivity and permeance that were up to 12 times higher than corresponding PSF membranes were formed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 369–379, 2006
The effect of rubidium on the distribution and movement of potassium between blood, brain and cerebrospinal fluid in the rabbit.

Abstract (1) About 40% of skeletal muscle potassium was replaced with rubidium in rabbits by feeding a potassium-free diet and injecting rubidium chloride. (2) The ratio of rubidium replacement, Rb/(Rb + K), was 30% greater in muscle than in plasma. (3) Rubidium was relatively lacking in brain and CSF, the ratio of rubidium replacement for brain being 52% of that for muscle and the ratio for CSF being 58% of that for muscle. The ratio for brain was 12% higher than that for CSF. (4) Rubidium had no direct effect on the electrical potential between CSF and blood. (5) Potassium influx measured with 42 K into brain and CSF was decreased by rubidium replacement by about 20% (6) Ventriculo-cisternal perfusion of artificial CSF containing a normal 2.9 mequiv./1 of potassium and between 1–15 mequiv./1 of rubidium markedly enhanced potassium efflux into blood. The relation of potassium flux to rubidium concentration was sigmoid. (7) Probably potassium and rubidium are transported into brain and CSF across the same sites at specific rates. Both ions may be actively moved out of CSF and brain into blood by a sodium-potassium pump sited at the choroid epithelium and/or the blood-brain barrier.
Operational control of a bidirectional automated guided vehicle system

Abstract Bidirectional AGV systems are intuitively more attractive than unidirectional systems in terms of efficiency because of shorter travel distances. An efficient algorithm for finding conflict-free shortest-time routes for automated guided vehicles moving in a bidirectional flow path network has been proposed in a previous paper. This paper is a sequel and describes a conservative myopic strategy to coordinate the movements of vehicles in a bidirectional AGV system. Simulation results are presented to compare the performances of unidirectional and bidirectional systems.
Edaphic factors and competition affect pattern formation and invasion in a California grassland.

We used soil analyses, a greenhouse experiment, and a field experiment to examine the roles of competition and abiotic soil factors in plant community pattern formation in a California grassland. We collected soils from five microhabitats: one dominated by the native perennial grass Sporobolus airoides Torrey (alkali sacaton), two dominated by the nonnative annual grass species Hordeum marinum (Hudson) ssp. gussoneanum (Parl.) Thell (foxtail) and Bromus diandrus Roth (ripgut grass), and bare soil created either by gopher mounds or by high salt concentrations (sodic soils). We used principal components analysis (PCA) to determine whether soils from these five microhabitats differed in any discernible pattern. In the greenhouse we examined the emergence, growth, and survival of the native perennial in soil from the five habitat types. In the field we then examined a combined survival and reproduction measure to assess how competition with the two nonnative annual grasses affected the fitness of S. airoides....